Tutorial: Post-Processing
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Outline
The topics that will be covered in the tutorial are the following:
- Introduction
- Convergence Monitoring
- Evaluating the Solution
- Visual Outputs
Introduction
ADSCFD provides several outputs and tools that aid in the post-processing step. These tools range from text output files, figures, and 3D visual outputs. All these will be discussed in the following sections. The topics are broken up into three categories. The first will review the outputs useful for monitoring and determining convergence for a case. The second reviews outputs that are used to evaluate the solution such as performance values and radial profiles. The last will list some of the visual output formats that are available.
Convergence Monitoring
Convergence Monitoring is performed by observing how fundamental variables (ex: Mass Flow Rate, Efficiency, etc.) change as the iterations progress. To observe this, the values for these properties are printed out at an interval specified by the user. Generally, the values are printed out every 20 iterations. Typically convergence is reached prior to 6,000 iterations but varies depending on the case.
The files provided for this purpose are the following:
- .CONVERGENCE
- .INOUT
- .OVERALL
- MPI-.OVERALL
The descriptions of each file are provided below.
CONVERGENCE
The CONVERGENCE file is created on a per row basis. Outside of the convergence data the file outputs significant information about the simulation prior to the convergence information. This information is defined in the ADS Software Users Guide. Nevertheless, the section relevant to convergence monitoring shows information for the node with the largest average density change. This gives the user an idea of where the greatest rates of change are taking place. If the value begins to increase or oscillates it indicates that the solution has failed to converge.
INOUT
The INOUT file is created on a per row basis. It provides critical flow parameters at the row inlet and exit per the specified number of iterations per printout. Several of the key parameters are provided in both mass average and area average form.
OVERALL
The OVERALL file is created on a per row basis. Similarly to the INOUT file it provides the critical flow parameter information at the inlet and exit of the row. However, the variables shown in this file are fully mixed averaged.
MPI-.OVERALL
The MPI-.OVERALL file is a single file created for a multi-row analysis. This file provides all the same outputs as the OVERALL file, except that inlet and exits correspond to those of the multi-row and not the individual row.
To facilitate the review of these files the ADS Workbench plots the data to allow the user to quickly determine if the case has converged.
- INOUT
- OVERALL
Evaluating the Solution
Evaluating a simulation involves several facets which vary in importance depending on the application. ADSCFD provides several output to aid in this.
The files provided for this purpose are the following:
- .MEANVALUE
- MPI-.MEANVALUE
- .MIXEDAVG
- .FORCES
- .LOAD
- .OUT
The descriptions of each file are provided below.
MEANVALUE
The MEANVALUE file is created on a per row basis. The file provides key thermodynamic parameters at the row inlet, leading edge, trailing edge, and row exit.
MPI-.MEANVALUE
The MPI-.MEANVALUE file is a single file created for a multi-row simulation. The file provides key thermodynamic parameters at the row inlet and exit for all the rows.
MIXEDAVG
The MIXEDAVG file is created on a per row basis. It provides critical flow parameters as a function of span (Radial Profiles) at the row inlet, leading edge, trailing edge, and row exit.
FORCES
The FORCES file is created on a per row basis. It provides the user with information about the forces and torques present on the airfoil.
LOAD
The LOAD file is created on a per row basis. It provides the user with information about airfoil loading.
OUT
The OUT file is created on a per row basis. It provides the user with information about convergence time and iterations per hour.
To facilitate the review of these files the ADS Workbench plots the data to allow the user to quickly determine if the case has converged.
- MIXEDAVG
- LOAD
Visual Outputs
The last method that is useful for post-processing is to look at the visual output for the solution. To aid in this, ADSCFD can generate the following files:
- Tecplot
- Plot3D
- VTK