How to Import Flow Simulation Results to FEA
Once you have a completed SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation study, it is common to want to analyze the model using the Flow Simulation results as an input load for SOLIDWORKS FEA. In this tech tip, we’ll walk you through the steps to accomplish this using a model of a billboard sign.
In this Flow Simulation Project, we have already defined the external flow and a velocity using the Wizard. I also created a surface goal for force on the main face of the billboard that we will be applying the load to in the FEA analysis after exporting it.
The next step would be to mesh and run the Flow study. With the results loaded, you can examine the surface goal created for Force. To do this, right click on Goal Plots in the Flow Simulation Tree and select “Insert”. Once you have the Surface Goal checkbox selected under “Goals”, click on “Show”.
You can see the Force on the face that you want to use as an input load condition in SOLIDWORKS FEA.
To export this, go to “Tools”, then “Flow Simulation” menu, then “Tool” > “Export Results to Simulation”. You will get a confirmation message indicating they have been exported.
Now that you have exported the Flow Simulation results, you can create a new study from the Simulation Tab. For this example, we have named the study Wind Effects.
Next, apply the materials to the model as you normally would. Right click on the study name (Wind Effects) and select Properties. From the Study Properties menu, go to the Flow/Thermal Effects tab. Under Fluid pressure options, select the checkbox for “Include fluid pressure effects from SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation. Click the button with “…” to browse to the folder where the Flow Simulation .fld result file is.
In this example, we have also selected to use reference pressure from Flow Simulation. Alternatively, you can define a different reference pressure. After this selection, click OK.
With the load added from Flow Simulation, we will add the fixtures and then mesh and then run the FEA analysis as you normally would. Below you can see the result plot for Von Mises.
About the author
David is a Houston Native with experience in the oil and gas industry. His background ranges from machined and molded parts to large system and equipment design. He enjoys continually learning and teaching simulation and FEA analysis and is a SOLIDWORKS guru.
