Create and manage condition sequences

Learn how to manage condition sequences for transient engine mission simulations. You will inspect, modify, export, and import condition sequences and associate them with simulation solutions.

Download and extract the part files.

Introduction

Condition sequences are used to define the transient operation of a gas turbine such as cycle definition by combining time steps with corresponding operating conditions.

A condition represents a specific engine operating state—such as 50% or 100% power—and includes parameters such as temperatures, pressures, mass flows, shaft speeds, and other engine data at defined locations. By assembling conditions over time, you create an engine operating profile that can be used for clearance evaluations and durability analyses, including stress calculations.

In this tutorial, you will manage condition sequences within the simulation, and learn how to export and import them for reuse across models and analyses.

Define assembly load options

Configure search folders to load a model whose part and FEM files are stored in multiple directories.

  1. On the Home tab, click Assembly Load Options .
  2. From the Load list, select From Search Folders.
  3. In the Add Folder to Search box, browse to the condition_sequences folder.
  4. Append \... to the end of the path so it appears as condition_sequences\....
    Adding \... allows the software to search the selected folder and all its subfolders. However, this option is not recommended for complex or deeply nested directory structures, as it may significantly increase search time.
  5. Click Add to include the path in the search list.
  6. Remove any existing paths that are no longer needed.
  7. Click OK.

Inspect condition sequences

Review time steps, conditions, and parameters defined in a mission profile.

  1. Open condition_sequences\ASSY\GT1_sim.sim.
  2. Choose Home > Properties > More > Condition Sequences .
  3. On the Condition Sequence tab, select Mission1 and review the defined times and conditions in the Time Steps and Conditions for Sequence group.
  4. On the Conditions tab, select one of the conditions.
  5. In the Parameter Values for Condition group, you can modify engine parameter values for a selected condition.
  6. On the Parameters tab, you can add new parameters with assigned units by clicking Add new Parameter .
    Note that after adding a parameter, you must update its value for each condition under the Conditions tab.
  7. On the Parameters tab, hold Ctrl and select W26, T26, and P26.
  8. Right-click the selection and choose Plot XY.


  9. Right-click a plotted curve and select Probing Mode > Single X to inspect data values.

Create and associate a new condition sequence

Duplicate and modify a mission profile, then create a new solution from the updated sequence.

  1. In the Condition Sequence Manager, right-click Mission1 and choose Copy.
  2. Rename the duplicated sequence to Mission2 and modify the time steps as required.
  3. Select the row corresponding to time = 5000, right-click the Condition header column and select Change Condition > Condition 3.
  4. Click OK to save changes.
  5. In the Simulation Navigator, right-click GT1_sim.sim and select New Solution from Condition Sequence.
  6. From the Condition Sequence list, select 3 - Mission2, click Create Solution, and then click OK.
    The solution time steps are automatically populated from the selected condition sequence.

    Note that this solution is empty; only the time steps are generated from the condition sequence. You must manually add all required boundary conditions to complete the setup.

Export and import condition sequences

Export condition sequences to external formats, modify the XML file, and reimport it as a new mission.

  1. Choose Home > Properties > More > Condition Sequences .
  2. On the Condition Sequence tab, select Mission2 and click Export.
  3. Notice, there are two data formats for export; BDD and XML.
  4. Export both formats and open them in a text editor to review the data structure.
    These formats allow condition sequences to be generated or modified using external tools such as Excel or Python, and then imported directly into Simcenter 3D.
  5. Modify the exported XML file to define a new mission as shown.


    Notice that you changed the imported label to unused label to prevent conflicts and preserve the existing condition sequences.

  6. Save it as Mission3.xml.
  7. In the Condition Sequence Manager, on the Condition Sequence tab, click Add new Condition Sequence From File and select Mission3.xml.
  8. Verify the new mission appears in the list.

Additional notes

  • Reference condition sequence parameter names directly in simulation objects, loads, and constraints by typing the parameter name with the appropriate unit in dialog box.
  • If a condition sequence is modified and time steps must be updated, right-click the solution and select Update From Condition Sequence.