Altair AcuSolve 2019 Release Notes

Highlights

AcuSolve v2019 brings a new radiation model, two new functions to improve user workflow and new HyperMesh based tutorials. In addition, Parasolid geometry compatibility between AcuConsole and other Altair tools has been improved.
  • Discrete ordinate radiation model: Provides means to simulate radiation through participating media while accounting for directional effects.
  • Automatic wall treatment: Streamlines the process of general model setup.
  • Thermal shell command: Improves the process of defining thermal shell element sets.
  • Geometry compatibility: Parasolid output from Inspire and HyperMesh (minimum version 21.0) readable by AcuConsole.

New Features

Discrete ordinate radiation model
While the previously released P1 radiation model reduces the radiative transfer equation to a single partial differential equation, the discrete ordinate model computes radiation for a given finite number of ordinate directions, selectable by you. This model is fully coupled with the flow solver and allows for zero absorptivity of participating media.
Automatic wall treatment
Automatic wall treatment, first released as a new type (= auto_wall) under SIMPLE_BOUNDARY_CONDITION with v2018, greatly simplifies the model setup. This feature processes the model and automatically handles the specification of internal and external wall boundaries, moving and stationary surfaces and interface surfaces.
Thermal shell command
Previously a manual function, with v2019 you now have access to the THERMAL_SHELL command from within the input deck. With this command the same flexibility is available to create shell elements of varying layers and composition without the manual selection on the model. In addition, because thermal shells are created at runtime, a model is always available in its pre-shell state.
AcuShapesConvert script
This new script is offered to facilitate the visualization of previously created .xsp, .ysp, .zsp or .xyzsp files, used with AcuSolve’s integrated optimization feature. The file names are given as input and a shape file of the TSHAPE format can be written out and imported into HyperMesh for visualization. Design variable values can optionally be applied to the shapes to view a particular state of the shape definition.
Tutorial additions

Three new tutorials have been added for Dispersed Multiphase, Humidity and P1 Radiation. All three tutorials are HyperMesh based.

HyperMesh based tutorial conversions
Fifteen tutorials, previously offered only via the AcuConsole interface, are now offered based on the HyperMesh workflow.
  • ACU1000: HyperWorks UI Introduction
  • ACU2000: Mixing Elbow Steady
  • ACU3100: Mixing Elbow Heat Transfer
  • ACU3101: Mixing Elbow Transient
  • ACU3200: Greenhouse Radiation
  • ACU3203: P1 Radiation
  • ACU3300: Heat Exchanger
  • ACU4000: Dam Break
  • ACU4001: Filling Tank
  • ACU4002: Sloshing Tank
  • ACU4100: Dispersed Multiphase
  • ACU4200: Humidity Modeling
  • ACU5000: Blower Steady
  • ACU5100: Fan Component
  • ACU7001: Shape Optimization

Enhancements

Improvements to level set multiphase
Immiscible multiphase simulation results provide a sharper interface definition through the levelset_bfecc option. Improvements over the earlier levelset option include: improved handling of high aspect ratio elements, more accurate interaction with wall surfaces, and maintaining high accuracy at higher CFL numbers.

Known Issues

The following known issues will be addressed in a future release as we continuously improve performance of the software:

  • New features added to the AcuSolve user profile are not currently supported by the .inp reader. You should not import input decks written from AcuConsole or from HyperMesh 2019.

Resolved Issues

  • Parasolid v21.0 or later files written from Inspire can now be read into AcuConsole.
  • File format for .xyzsp files written from HyperMesh corrected.
  • Corrected an issue with mass flux inlet specification for multiphase simulations.
  • Resolved an issue with running AcuSolve from a shared, remote disk installation.
  • Previous limit of 512 SURFACE_OUTPUT commands has been removed; you can now specify as many as desired.
  • Support for amsmpi has been discontinued.