Coupled studies


You can use a coupled study to apply the results of one type of analysis as an input to another type of analysis. For example, in QY CAD Simulation you can use a coupled study to evaluate the effect that heat has on the structural stress and displacement of a part. A coupled study combines thermal analysis with structural analysis, and manages the inputs, processing, and outputs within a single study.

Creating coupled studies

Coupled studies are created when you select one of the study types with a plus (+) in the study type name using the Create Study dialog box. For example, the following coupled study types combine a steady state heat transfer analysis with a linear static analysis or linear buckling analysis in a single study:

  • Steady State Heat Transfer + Linear Static

  • Steady State Heat Transfer + Linear Buckling

Note:

Coupled studies that combine thermal analysis with structural analysis are referred to as thermal stress analysis.

Identifying coupled studies

Coupled studies are listed differently in the Simulation tree-view pane to distinguish them from non-coupled studies.

Non-coupled study names

Coupled study names

Static Study 1

Heat Transfer-Static Study 1

Heat Transfer Study 1

Heat Transfer-Buckling Study 1

Result plots in coupled studies

Coupled studies produce multiple collections of results plots in the Simulation Results environment.

  • A Steady State Heat Transfer + Linear Static study produces Thermal and Static plots in the Results collector.

  • A Steady State Heat Transfer + Linear Buckling study produces Thermal, Static, and Eigenvalues plots in the Results collector.

See Plotting results for examples.

Coupled study example

The following table compares the results of a structural study with a thermal coupled study. The structural study only shows stress and displacement results. The coupled study first finds the temperature distribution results of the thermal study, and then it applies these results as a direct input load to the linear static structural study.

Structural study

Thermal coupled study

Study type=Linear Static

Study type=Steady State Heat Transfer + Linear Static

Shows the stress results from structural loads and constraints. One force load is applied to the top face of the bracket, and fixed constraints are applied to both flanges.

Shows the effect that applied heat loads (temperature and convection) have on the structural loads (force) and constraints (fixed) applied to the model.

Temperature distribution results—Not applicable.

Temperature distribution results.

Stress results, no heat.

With heat applied, stress values increase.

Displacement results, no heat.

With heat applied, displacement values increase.

See the following help topics to learn more:

Using steady state heat transfer studies Harmonic response studies

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