Star-CCM
This page contains resources for running and trouble shooting Star CCM+ on our MATLAB sim queue. For a detailed overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), its theory and best practices, see the CFD section of the Aero Handbook.
MATLAB Sim Queue
How to Run the Queue
Various Scripts
add.m
add FXXYYY- adds already-prepared runs
aeroload.m
- outputs forces from a run, rather than coefficients
arcNums.m
- uploads run numbers to SharePoint
arcPeri.m
- uploads run Periview files to SharePoint
arcRuns.m
- uploads run folder to SharePoint
cleanRuns.m
comp.m
comp FXXYYYY FZZ####- similar to compareRuns.m, but for two runs
compareRuns.m
- compares any number of runs through several parameters, at both part and vehicle level
cq.m
cq- clears the active queue
- returns user SharePoint directory
makeRun.m
- generates run files from baseline run
makeTemp.m
mq.m
mq- displays mesh queue
q.m
q- displays solve and mesh queue
runMeshQ.m
- runs mesh queue
runQ.m
- runs queue with the runs in the queue
- runs can still be added to queue once it is initialized
saveInit.m
status.m
status
- continuously displays solve and mesh queue
- discontinued by hitting
ctrl+c(this command is true for MATLAB in general) - automatically run when from runQ.m command
Common Errors
File Related Errors
If the scripts error due to not being able to find a file, ensure the account which is being used has the user's GT OneDrive mounted to the file explorer. getSharePointDir.m uses the system variable "OneDriveCommercial" , which will return no value should your GT OneDrive not be accessible. Additionally, getSharePointDir.m only looks two levels deep within your OneDrive for the Documents - GT Motorsports folder from SharePoint, so if this folder is nested within more than two folders from your OneDrive, it will return no result and the script will error.
The scripts assume the following paths:
from Sharepoint:
Periview: ...\Documents - GT Motorsports\Aero\CFD\Periview
CFD Numbers: ...\Documents - GT Motorsports\Aero\CFD\CFD Numbers
CFD Archive: ...\Documents - GT Motorsports\Aero\CFD\CFD Archive
Meshing Errors
Overlapping Surfaces
The mesh may fail if two surfaces overlap each other.
Sim Queue Errors
unrecognized function or variable 'bslsimtype'
This error appears when creating a new run with a baseline not in the CFD folder. This can be because the sim is not loaded into the computer being used in the correct folder, or it does not exist.
Changing Thing in Star
Radiator/Fan Setup
The fan and radiator are each define as their own volumetric (3D) enclosed regions, with a common interface.
To model the radiator and fan in CAD, create either solid bodies or fully enclosed surface bodies. The surfaces in Star must have in their name respectively, for the radiator: Upstream, Walls, Downstream; and for the fan: Upstream, Shroud, Exit. Star automatically will select surfaces with these names, from these parts, for the necessary Regions. This means the mesh settings may be changed.
To create the interface between the radiator and fan regions, right click the radiator downstream and fan upstream surfaces and click "Create Interface". Name the interface, found in the interface folder, "Left Rad -> Fan". Not sure if that name is completely necessary, but its good practice to have consistency. If an interface already exists for those surfaces or with that name, delete it. The interface should now appear in the interface folder, as well as in the boundaries folder under the respective parts.
To confirm all boundaries and interfaces are correctly defines, click on the boundaries in the regions folder (ensure you click the boundary in this folder, not the interface). The correct surface should be highlighted in pink in the Geometry Checker Window. Do the same for the interface. These should be highlighted in yellow.
Post-Processing
Post-processing CFD, or examining the simulation's results, can be broken up into two categories, qualitative and quantitative, as discussed in the aero handbook. For quantitative data, such as overall and by-part Cl, use comp.m or compareRuns.m, as described above. For qualitative data, see the Periview section below.
Periview
Periview is our qualitative post-processing tool, used to look at various plots from data outputted by Star. While you can download the software locally following these instructions, it is also possible to run it from SharePoint, assuming SharePoint is mounted to your computer's file explorer.
