ANSYS TurboGrid Tutorials

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the ANSYS TurboGrid Tutorials ...................................................................................... 1
1.1. Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid ............................................................ 1
1.2. Changing the Display Colors ............................................................................................................. 1
1.3. Editor Buttons .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.4. Using Help ........................................................................................................................................ 2
2. Rotor 37 ................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1. Overview of the Mesh Creation Process ............................................................................................. 4
2.2. Preparing the Working Directory ....................................................................................................... 5
2.3. Defining the Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.4. Defining the Topology ...................................................................................................................... 7
2.5. Reviewing the Mesh Data Settings .................................................................................................... 8
2.6. Reviewing the Mesh Quality on the Hub and Shroud Tip Layers ......................................................... 8
2.7. Generating the Mesh ........................................................................................................................ 9
2.8. Looking at Mesh Data Values ............................................................................................................. 9
2.9. Analyzing the Mesh Quality .............................................................................................................. 9
2.10. Visualizing the Hub-to-Shroud Element Distribution ...................................................................... 10
2.11. Observing the Shroud Tip Mesh .................................................................................................... 11
2.12. Examining the Mesh Qualitatively ................................................................................................. 12
2.13. Creating a Legend ......................................................................................................................... 13
2.14. Saving the Mesh ........................................................................................................................... 13
2.15. Saving the State (Optional) ............................................................................................................ 14
3. Steam Stator .......................................................................................................................................... 15
3.1. Preparing the Working Directory ..................................................................................................... 16
3.2. Defining the Geometry ................................................................................................................... 17
3.2.1. Loading the Curves ................................................................................................................ 17
3.2.2. Setting the Curve Type ........................................................................................................... 19
3.2.3. Defining the Shroud Tip ......................................................................................................... 19
3.3. Defining the Topology .................................................................................................................... 20
3.4. Reviewing the Mesh Data Settings .................................................................................................. 20
3.5. Reviewing the Mesh Quality on the Hub and Shroud Layers ............................................................. 21
3.6. Generating the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 21
3.7. Analyzing the Mesh ........................................................................................................................ 21
3.7.1. Examining the Mesh Qualitatively ........................................................................................... 22
3.7.1.1. Editing a Turbo Surface .................................................................................................. 22
3.7.1.2. Creating a Legend ......................................................................................................... 22
3.8. Saving the Mesh ............................................................................................................................. 22
3.9. Saving the State (Optional) ............................................................................................................. 23
4. Radial Compressor ................................................................................................................................ 25
4.1. Preparing the Working Directory ..................................................................................................... 26
4.2. Defining the Geometry ................................................................................................................... 27
4.2.1. Defining the Machine Data ..................................................................................................... 27
4.2.2. Defining the Hub ................................................................................................................... 28
4.2.3. Defining the Shroud ............................................................................................................... 28
4.2.4. Defining the Blade ................................................................................................................. 29
4.2.5. Defining the Splitter Blade ...................................................................................................... 30
4.2.6. Defining the Shroud Tip ......................................................................................................... 30
4.3. Defining the Topology .................................................................................................................... 31
4.4. Mesh Data Settings ......................................................................................................................... 31
4.5. Generating the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 32
4.6. Analyzing the Mesh ........................................................................................................................ 32

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Tutorials

4.7. Saving the Mesh ............................................................................................................................. 32

4.8. Saving the State (Optional) ............................................................................................................. 32
5. Axial Fan ................................................................................................................................................ 35
5.1. Preparing the Working Directory ..................................................................................................... 36
5.2. Defining the Geometry ................................................................................................................... 37
5.3. Defining the Topology .................................................................................................................... 38
5.4. Decreasing the Mesh Density .......................................................................................................... 39
5.5. Generating the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 39
5.6. Using the Locking Feature ............................................................................................................... 41
5.7. The Y+ Functionality ....................................................................................................................... 41
5.8. Using Local Mesh Refinement ......................................................................................................... 42
5.9. Analyzing the Mesh ........................................................................................................................ 44
5.10. Adding Inlet and Outlet Domains .................................................................................................. 44
5.11. Analyzing the New Mesh ............................................................................................................... 44
5.12. Saving the Mesh ........................................................................................................................... 44
5.13. Saving the State (Optional) ............................................................................................................ 44
6. Tandem Vane ......................................................................................................................................... 47
6.1. Preparing the Working Directory ..................................................................................................... 48
6.2. Defining the Geometry ................................................................................................................... 48
6.3. Defining the Topology .................................................................................................................... 48
6.4. Setting the Mesh Density ................................................................................................................ 49
6.5. Generating the Mesh ...................................................................................................................... 49
6.6. Saving the Mesh ............................................................................................................................. 49
6.7. Saving the State (Optional) ............................................................................................................. 49

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Chapter 1: Introduction to the ANSYS TurboGrid Tutorials
The ANSYS TurboGrid tutorials are designed to introduce general mesh-generation techniques used in
ANSYS TurboGrid.

Note

These tutorials assume that you are using ANSYS TurboGrid in stand-alone mode.

You should review the following topics before attempting to start a tutorial for the first time:
1.1. Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid
1.2. Changing the Display Colors
1.3. Editor Buttons
1.4. Using Help

1.1. Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid

Before you start ANSYS TurboGrid, set the working directory.

1. Start the ANSYS TurboGrid Launcher.

2. Select a working directory.

3. Click the TurboGrid 17.0 button.

1.2. Changing the Display Colors

If viewing objects in ANSYS TurboGrid becomes difficult due to contrast with the background, the colors
can be altered for improved viewing. You can access the color options by going through the following
steps:

1. Select Edit > Options.

The Options dialog box appears.

2. Adjust the color settings under TurboGrid > Viewer.

3. Click OK.

1.3. Editor Buttons

The ANSYS TurboGrid interface uses editors to enter the data required to create a mesh. The editors
have standard buttons, which are described next:

• Apply applies the information contained within all the tabs of an editor.

• OK is the same as Apply, except that the editor automatically closes.

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Introduction to the ANSYS TurboGrid Tutorials

• Cancel and Close both close the editor without applying or saving any changes.

• Reset returns the settings for the object to those stored in the database for all the tabs. The settings are
stored in the database each time the Apply button is clicked.

• Defaults restores the system default settings for all the tabs of the edited object.

1.4. Using Help

To open the ANSYS Help Viewer, select Help > Contents.

Context-sensitive help is provided for many of the object editors and other parts of the interface. To
invoke the context-sensitive help for a particular editor or other feature, ensure that the window is
active, place the mouse pointer over the feature, and press F1. Not every area of the interface supports
context-sensitive help.

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Chapter 2: Rotor 37
This tutorial includes:
2.1. Overview of the Mesh Creation Process
2.2. Preparing the Working Directory
2.3. Defining the Geometry
2.4. Defining the Topology
2.5. Reviewing the Mesh Data Settings
2.6. Reviewing the Mesh Quality on the Hub and Shroud Tip Layers
2.7. Generating the Mesh
2.8. Looking at Mesh Data Values
2.9. Analyzing the Mesh Quality
2.10. Visualizing the Hub-to-Shroud Element Distribution
2.11. Observing the Shroud Tip Mesh
2.12. Examining the Mesh Qualitatively
2.13. Creating a Legend
2.14. Saving the Mesh
2.15. Saving the State (Optional)

This tutorial demonstrates the basic workflow for generating a CFD mesh using ANSYS TurboGrid. As
you work through this tutorial, you will create a mesh for a blade passage of an axial compressor blade
row. A typical blade passage is shown by the black outline in the figure below.

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Rotor 37

The blade row contains 36 blades that revolve about the negative Z axis. A clearance gap exists between
the blades and the shroud, with a width of 2.5% of the total span. Within the blade passage, the max-
imum diameter of the shroud is approximately 51 cm.

You will save the mesh in a format that can be used by ANSYS CFX in a CFD simulation.

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review Introduction to the ANSYS
TurboGrid Tutorials (p. 1) before beginning.

2.1. Overview of the Mesh Creation Process

Before ANSYS TurboGrid can create a mesh, you must provide it with several pieces of information.
Such information includes the location of the geometry files (hub, shroud, and blades), the mesh topology
type, and the distribution of mesh nodes. All of the data that you provide is stored in a set of data objects
known as CCL objects. After you have specified the CCL objects appropriately, you can issue a command
for ANSYS TurboGrid to generate a mesh.

The ANSYS TurboGrid user interface organizes the CCL objects in a tree view known as the object selector.
You can use the object selector to select and edit the CCL objects; the objects are listed from top to
bottom in the standard order for creating a mesh. The user interface also has a toolbar for selecting
and editing the CCL objects; the icons are arranged from left to right in the standard order for creating
a mesh.

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 Preparing the Working Directory

Regardless of whether you use the object selector or the toolbar, you should generally follow this se-
quence when creating a mesh:

1. Define the geometry by loading files and changing settings as required.

2. Define the topology by choosing a topology type and optionally changing other topology settings.

3. Optionally modify the Mesh Data settings that govern the number and the distribution of nodes in
various parts of the mesh.

If you plan to make a fine (high-resolution) mesh, you can optionally set the mesh density at a
later time in order to minimize processing time while establishing the topology. Keep in mind that
changing the mesh density can affect the mesh quality.

4. Improve the topology on the hub and shroud layers as required.

5. Optionally add intermediate 2D layers that guide the 3D topology and mesh. If you do not add layers at
this point, they will be added as required when you generate the mesh. Adding them early gives you a
chance to check and adjust the 2D mesh quality on the intermediate layers before generating the full 3D
mesh.

6. Issue the command to generate a mesh.

7. Check the mesh quality. As required, adjust the topology type and distribution, and Mesh Data settings.
If you make changes, go back to the previous step.

8. Save the mesh to a file.

2.2. Preparing the Working Directory

1. Create a working directory.

ANSYS TurboGrid uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for
a particular session or project.

2. Ensure the following tutorial input files are in your working directory:

• BladeGen.inf

• profile.curve

• hub.curve

• shroud.curve

The tutorial input files are available from the ANSYS Customer Portal. To access tutorials and their
input files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/training.

3. Set the working directory and start ANSYS TurboGrid.

For details, see Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid (p. 1).

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Rotor 37

2.3. Defining the Geometry

The provided geometry files, which consist of a BladeGen.inf file plus three curve files, were created
using BladeGen. To load the information contained in those files, you will load the BladeGen.inf
file. ANSYS TurboGrid uses this file to set the axis of rotation, the number of blades, and a length unit
that characterizes the scale of the machine. It also uses this file to identify the curve files, which it then
loads to define the curvature of the hub, shroud, and a single blade. The geometric data from the input
files is processed to generate a geometric representation, an outline of which appears in the viewer.

After the geometry has been generated, you are invited to browse through the objects created under
the Geometry object in the object selector.

Initially, the blades extend from the hub to the shroud. After inspecting the geometry, you will create
the required gap between the blade and the shroud.

Load the BladeGen.inf file:

1. Click File > Load BladeGen.

2. Open BladeGen.inf from the working directory.

The progress bar at the bottom right of the screen shows the geometry generation progress. After
the geometry has been generated, you can see the hub, shroud, and blade for one passage. Along
the blade, you can see the leading and trailing edge curves (green and red lines, respectively). An
outline drawing (the Outline object) traces the 3D space that is available for meshing; the latter
consists of an inlet domain, passage, and outlet domain. In this tutorial, you will generate a mesh
for the passage only.

Note

It is possible to adjust the upstream and downstream extents of the hub and shroud
surfaces (by changing the Inlet and Outlet geometry objects). It is also possible to
create an extended mesh that includes the inlet and outlet domains (by editing the
Mesh Data settings).

Examine the geometry in the 3D Viewer:

1. Toggle the visibility check box next to each object in the object selector and observe the change in the
viewer.

Note the correlation between the geometry objects listed in the object selector and the locations
in the geometry.

2. In order to avoid cluttering the view, ensure that the visibility is turned on only for these objects: Hub,
Shroud, Blade 1, Outline.

Examine and set the machine type:

1. Open Geometry > Machine Data from the object selector by double-clicking Machine Data in the
object selector, or by right-clicking Machine Data and selecting Edit from the shortcut menu that ap-
pears.

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 Defining the Topology

Here you can see basic information about the geometry. Note that the units specified for Base
Units represent the scale of the geometry being meshed; these units are not used for importing
geometric data nor do they govern the units written to a mesh file; they are used for the internal
representation of the geometry to minimize computer round-off errors.

2. Set Machine Type to Axial Compressor.

Setting the machine type helps TurboGrid choose appropriate topology templates later in the mesh
creation process.

3. Click Apply.

Examine the hub:

1. Open Geometry > Hub.

Here you can see information about which file was used for hub data and how the file was inter-
preted. Similar information can be seen by opening the Shroud and Blade 1 objects. Note that,
for the Hub and Shroud objects, the Curve Type parameter is set to Piece-wise linear;
this is a result of loading a BladeGen.inf file.

2. Click Display all blade instances to obtain a view of the entire geometry.

3. Click Display single blade instance to show a single blade instance once again.

To complete the geometry, create a small gap between the blade and the shroud. The blade should
be shortened to 97.5% of its original span because the gap width, as specified in the problem description,
is 2.5% of the total span.

1. Open Geometry > Blade Set > Shroud Tip.

2. Set Tip Option to Constant Span.

3. Set Span to 0.975.

4. Click Apply.

The names of the objects in the Geometry branch of the object selector are shown in black non-italic
text, indicating that the Geometry objects are all defined. This completes the geometry definition.

2.4. Defining the Topology

Now that the geometry is defined, the next step is to create the topology that guides the mesh:

• Right-click Topology Set and turn off Suspend Object Updates.

The Topology Set object name in the object selector changes to black non-italic text, indicating
that this object is now fully specified and has been generated.

After a short time, the topology appears on the hub and shroud as a structure of thick lines. Thinner
lines show a preview of the mesh elements.

Object updates are suspended by default. To save computational time, you should generally keep
object updates suspended until you have finished defining the geometry.

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Estimates of the numbers of total nodes and total elements are displayed at the bottom left of the
screen. These estimates are based on the default Mesh Data settings.

Change the view to clearly show the topology on the hub:

1. Click Hide all geometry objects .

2. Turn off the visibility of Layers > Shroud Tip to hide the topology on the shroud tip.

3. Right-click a blank area in the viewer, and click Predefined Camera > View From +X from the shortcut
menu.

The heavy lines in Figure 2.1: ATM Topology and 2D Mesh on the Hub (p. 8) indicate the topology
lines; the thinner lines show the 2D mesh for the hub. Note that the 3D mesh does not yet exist.

Figure 2.1: ATM Topology and 2D Mesh on the Hub

This completes the topology definition.

2.5. Reviewing the Mesh Data Settings

The Mesh Data settings control the number and distribution of mesh elements.

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. Set Method to Global Size Factor.

3. Set Size Factor to 1.0.

In the status bar in the bottom-left corner of ANSYS TurboGrid, you can see that the number of
mesh nodes is on the order of 200000.

2.6. Reviewing the Mesh Quality on the Hub and Shroud Tip Layers
Layers are constant-span surfaces. You can display the topology and control the mesh on a layer. You
have already seen the hub layer in Figure 2.1: ATM Topology and 2D Mesh on the Hub (p. 8). At this
point, there are two layers: Layers > Hub, and Layers > Shroud Tip.

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 Analyzing the Mesh Quality

Before generating the 3D mesh, it is recommended that you check the mesh quality on the layers, es-
pecially the hub and shroud tip layers. By correcting any mesh problems early, you can save time by
minimizing the number of times you generate the full 3D mesh.

If the topology were grossly skewed or distorted on the hub or shroud tip layer, the Layers object
would be shown with red text in the object selector. Since the Layers object is shown in black text,
the mesh contains no regions with high skew on the hub and shroud tip layers.

2.7. Generating the Mesh

Now that the topology has been defined and the mesh quality is acceptable on all layers, generate the
mesh:

1. Click Insert > Mesh.

After the mesh has been generated, 3D mesh measures are available. You will check these in the
next section. Mesh visualization objects, listed under 3D Mesh, are also available. By default, one
of these objects, called Show Mesh, is shown in the viewer. You can alter this object or view
other 3D Mesh objects to inspect different parts of the mesh. Later in this tutorial, you will view
some of the objects listed under 3D Mesh.

2. Turn off the visibility of 3D Mesh > Show Mesh so that you can see the mesh without obstruction.

2.8. Looking at Mesh Data Values

Now that you have generated the mesh, the Mesh Data editor tabs display information about the
mesh. In the following steps, you will examine the number and distribution of elements from hub to
shroud tip and from shroud tip to shroud.

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. Click the Passage tab.

Look in the Spanwise Blade Distribution Parameters frame. Method is set to Proportional
with a factor of 1.0. The other boxes in the frame are disabled, but show the current value for each
option that ANSYS TurboGrid has calculated.

You can see that # of Elements is 25.

3. Click the Shroud Tip tab.

Look in the Shroud Tip Distribution Parameters frame. Method is set to Match Expansion
at Blade Tip. You can see that the number of elements from shroud tip to shroud is 16.

2.9. Analyzing the Mesh Quality

Now that the mesh has been generated, 3D mesh measures are available. These are analogous to the
2D mesh measures that are calculated on layers. As for the 2D mesh measures, the 3D mesh measures
have quality criteria set in the Mesh Analysis > Mesh Limits object.

Mesh measures of some mesh elements may fall outside the criteria. When any mesh measure fails to
meet the criteria, Mesh Analysis (Error) > Mesh Statistics (Error) will appear in red
text in the object selector. You can open Mesh Analysis (Error) to display the Mesh Statistics

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Rotor 37

dialog box. In the Mesh Statistics dialog box, you can select one of the items in red and click Display
to see the locations in the mesh where the statistics fail to meet the corresponding criterion.

Not all of the mesh measures carry the same importance. For example, it is necessary to have a mesh
with no negative volumes. Generally, poor angles should also be fixed, but the Maximum Element
Volume Ratio and Maximum Edge Length Ratio values should be judged based on your re-
quirements.

Check the 3D mesh statistics:

1. For a visual frame of reference, ensure that Layers > Hub and Layers > Shroud Tip are visible.

2. Open Mesh Analysis or Mesh Analysis > Mesh Statistics.

The mesh statistics are acceptable based on the current quality criteria.

3. Close the Mesh Statistics dialog box.

4. Turn off the visibility of Mesh Analysis > Show Limits.

2.10. Visualizing the Hub-to-Shroud Element Distribution

To demonstrate the use of the 3D Mesh visualization objects, look at the mesh distribution from hub
to shroud as follows:

1. Click Unhide geometry objects .

2. Turn off the visibility of the following objects:

• Geometry > Blade Set > Blade 1

• Layers > Hub

• Layers > Shroud Tip

3. Turn on the visibility of the following objects:

• 3D Mesh > LOWBLADE

• 3D Mesh > HIGHPERIODIC.

4. Observe the element distribution from hub to shroud tip and from shroud tip to shroud.

See Figure 2.2: Hub-to-Shroud Element Distribution (p. 11).

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 Observing the Shroud Tip Mesh

Figure 2.2: Hub-to-Shroud Element Distribution

2.11. Observing the Shroud Tip Mesh

A mesh interface exists in the shroud tip gap. In order to see this interface:

1. Turn on the visibility of 3D Mesh > SHROUD TIP.

2. Click Hide all geometry objects .

3. Zoom in to view the mesh on the shroud tip.

Figure 2.3: Surface Group: Tip Near Trailing Edge (p. 12) shows this mesh at the trailing edge of
the blade. Note how the nodes do not line up along the middle of the blade, due to the default
use of a general grid (GGI) interface along the shroud tip of the blade.

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Rotor 37

Figure 2.3: Surface Group: Tip Near Trailing Edge

4. Turn off the visibility of 3D Mesh > SHROUD TIP.

5. Click Unhide geometry objects .

2.12. Examining the Mesh Qualitatively

You will now examine the mesh qualitatively using a turbo surface. Change the Show Mesh turbo
surface so that it appears on the hub, and color it to show the variation in Edge Length Ratio (a
variable that was computed at the time the mesh was generated):

1. Turn on the visibility of 3D Mesh > Show Mesh.

2. Open 3D Mesh > Show Mesh.

3. Leave Variable set to K.

K is equal to the node number in the spanwise direction, ranging from 1 at the hub to a positive
integer value at the shroud.

4. Set Value to 1.

This will cause the turbo surface to appear on the hub.

5. Click the Color tab.

6. Set Mode to Variable.

7. Set Variable to Edge Length Ratio.

8. Set Range to Local.

This will cause the range of colors in the color map to be distributed over the range of values found
on the turbo surface, rather that over the global range or a user-defined range.

9. Click the Render tab.

10. Ensure that Draw Faces is selected.

11. Click Apply.

12. To avoid visual conflicts between the turbo surface and the hub, which are coincident, turn off the visib-
ility of Geometry > Hub.

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 Saving the Mesh

Note that you can edit the rendering properties of the hub to achieve a similar result. The advantage
of using a turbo surface is that you can redefine its location. For example, you could change the value
of K in the current turbo surface to see Edge Length Ratio on a different nodal plane.

Note

You can create new turbo surfaces. To begin the process of creating a new turbo surface,
click Insert > User Defined > Turbo Surface.

Note

To show distinct color bands, you could make a contour plot object that applies to an existing
locator (geometric surface, turbo surface, or other graphic objects that involve surfaces). To
begin the process of creating a contour plot, ensure that you have a suitable locator already
defined, then click Insert > User Defined > Contour.

Tip

For objects that are colored by a variable, it is best to view them with lighting turned off, so
that the colors are not altered according to the angle of view. The lighting is controlled by
a setting on the Render tab.

2.13. Creating a Legend

In the previous section, you modified a turbo surface by coloring it according to Edge Length Ratio.
To reveal the color map used to match values of Edge Length Ratio with particular colors, create
a legend for the turbo surface:

1. Click Insert > User Defined > Legend.

2. Click OK to accept the default name.

3. Set Plot to TURBO SURFACE:Show Mesh.

4. Set Title Mode to Variable and Location.

5. Click Apply.

A legend appears in the viewer, showing the correspondence between values of Edge Length
Ratio and colors for the Show Mesh object.

You may want to modify 3D Mesh > Show Mesh to plot it on different locations, or to color it by
different variables. The legend will be updated automatically whenever you make changes to the turbo
surface.

2.14. Saving the Mesh

Save the mesh:

1. Click File > Save Mesh As.

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Rotor 37

2. Ensure that File type is set to ANSYS CFX.

3. Set Export Units to cm.

4. Set File name to rotor37.gtm.

5. Ensure that your working directory is set correctly.

6. Click Save.

2.15. Saving the State (Optional)

If you want to revisit this mesh at a later date, save the state:

1. Click File > Save State As.

2. Enter an appropriate state filename.

3. Click Save.

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Chapter 3: Steam Stator
This tutorial includes:
3.1. Preparing the Working Directory
3.2. Defining the Geometry
3.3. Defining the Topology
3.4. Reviewing the Mesh Data Settings
3.5. Reviewing the Mesh Quality on the Hub and Shroud Layers
3.6. Generating the Mesh
3.7. Analyzing the Mesh
3.8. Saving the Mesh
3.9. Saving the State (Optional)

This tutorial teaches you how to:

• Import hub, shroud, and blade geometry from individual curve files.

• Change the method of constructing the hub and shroud curve types.

• Make colored surfaces to show variations in mesh measures (such as Minimum Face Angle).

As you work through this tutorial, you will create a mesh for a blade passage of a steam stator. A typical
blade passage is shown by the black outline in the figure below.

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Steam Stator

The stator contains 60 blades distributed about the Z axis. A clearance gap exists between the blades
and the shroud, with a width of 5% of the total span. Within the blade passage, the maximum diameter
of the shroud is approximately 97.5 cm.

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review Introduction to the ANSYS
TurboGrid Tutorials (p. 1) before beginning.

3.1. Preparing the Working Directory

1. Create a working directory.

TurboGrid uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for a partic-
ular session or project.

2. Ensure the following tutorial input files are in your working directory:

• BladeGen.inf

• shroud.curve

• hub.curve

• profile.curve

The tutorial input files are available from the ANSYS Customer Portal. To access tutorials and their
input files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/training.

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16 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
 Defining the Geometry

3. Set the working directory and start TurboGrid.

For details, see Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid (p. 1).

3.2. Defining the Geometry

In the first tutorial, you loaded a BladeGen.inf file in order to specify the machine data (# of blade
sets, rotation axis, and units) and curve files. In this tutorial, you will enter such data manually using
the Load Curves command.

3.2.1. Loading the Curves

Load the curve files for the steam stator as follows:

1. Click File > Load Curves.

The Load TurboGrid Curves dialog box appears. TurboGrid fills in the names of the curve files
based on the files that are present in the working directory; The first .crv or .curve file found
that has a name containing “hub”, ”shroud”, or “blade”/”profile” is selected as the hub, shroud, or
blade file, respectively.

2. Set # of Bladesets to 60.

3. Set Rotation > Method to Principal Axis and Axis to Z.

4. Set Coordinates and Units > Coordinates to Cartesian and Length Units to cm.

These units are used to interpret the data in the curve files.

5. Ensure that, under TurboGrid Curve Files, Hub is set to ./hub.curve, Shroud is set to
./shroud.curve, and Blade is set to ./profile.curve.

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Steam Stator

6. Click OK to save the settings.

The progress bar at the bottom right of the screen shows the geometry generation progress. After the
geometry has been generated, you can see the hub, shroud, and blade for one passage. Along the
blade, you can see the leading and trailing edge curves (green and red lines, respectively). Near the
blade, you can see the inlet and outlet markers (white octahedrons).

• Rotate the geometry into the position shown in Figure 3.1: Incorrect Hub and Shroud Representations (p. 19).

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 Defining the Geometry

Figure 3.1: Incorrect Hub and Shroud Representations

As shown in Figure 3.1: Incorrect Hub and Shroud Representations (p. 19), the hub and shroud are
greatly distorted. This is the result of using spline curves to construct the hub and shroud based on
relatively few data points. This problem will be corrected in the next section.

3.2.2. Setting the Curve Type

Set the method of constructing the hub and shroud as follows:

1. Open Geometry > Hub.

2. Set the Curve Type to Piece-wise linear.

3. Click Apply.

4. Set Shroud in the same way.

3.2.3. Defining the Shroud Tip

To complete the geometry, create a small gap between the blade and the shroud. The blade should
be shortened to 95% of its original span because the gap width is 5% of the total span, as specified in
the problem description.

1. Open Geometry > Blade Set > Shroud Tip.

2. Set Tip Option to Constant Span.

3. Set Span to 0.95.

4. Click Apply.

This completes the geometry definition.

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Steam Stator

3.3. Defining the Topology

Create the topology that guides the mesh:

1. Click Hide all geometry objects to turn off the visibility of the geometry.

2. Right-click Topology Set and turn off Suspend Object Updates.

After a short time, the topology appears on the hub and shroud as a structure of thick lines. The
thinner lines show a preview of the mesh elements.

This completes the topology definition.

Note

It may be useful to keep the same topology when studying a range of blade geometries, or
the same blade on different computers. To keep the same topology, use the Manual (Ad-
vanced) setting for the topology.

3.4. Reviewing the Mesh Data Settings

TurboGrid automatically computes a default mesh and sets the base mesh dimensions.

Each unique mesh dimension has an edge refinement factor that is multiplied by the base mesh dimen-
sion and global size factor to determine the final mesh size. The overall mesh size is controlled using
the Method setting in the Mesh Data object editor on the Mesh Size tab. Setting the Method to
Target Passage Mesh Size enables you to specify a Node Count. Using this method specifies
an approximate mesh size (in nodes) and lets TurboGrid compute the mesh dimensions automatically.
Setting the Method to Global Size Factor enables you to specify a Size Factor. Increasing this
factor will increase the overall mesh size, and decreasing it will decrease the overall mesh size. The
change is nonlinear.

The Boundary Layer Refinement Control settings affect the mesh in the O-Grid region around the
blade:

• Note that, when Boundary Layer Refinement Control > Method is set to Proportional to Mesh
Size, the number of elements across the boundary layer is calculated as Base Count * Global Size Factor *
(Factor Base + Factor Ratio * Global Size Factor). The default values of Factor Base and Factor Ratio are 3
and 0 respectively.

• The Target Maximum Expansion Rate setting affects the expansion rates that are used just outside the
blade profile.

• The Near Wall Element Size Specification settings control the method by which the near-wall node spacing
is specified on the Passage, Hub Tip, and Shroud Tip tabs. The near-wall node spacing is the distance
between a wall (for example, hub, shroud, or blade) and the first layer of nodes from the wall. The Method
setting has these options:

– Y Plus — The y+ method sets the near-wall spacing to a target value, y+, in relation to a set Reynolds
number.

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 Analyzing the Mesh

– Absolute — The Absolute method enables you to set the near-wall spacing directly on the Passage,
Hub Tip, and Shroud Tip tabs.

• The Inlet Domain and Outlet Domain check boxes enable you to generate the inlet and outlet domains
as part of the mesh. Settings that affect these grid regions are found on the Inlet/Outlet tab.

Selecting the Lock mesh size check box forces the total number of nodes and elements to remain
constant.

On the Shroud Tip tab, you can use the Blade Tip > Override Target Maximum Expansion Rate
setting to override the Target Maximum Expansion Rate value set on the Mesh Size tab, to govern
the expansion rate of elements that cross the tip mesh.

3.5. Reviewing the Mesh Quality on the Hub and Shroud Layers
Before generating the 3D mesh, it is recommended that you check the mesh quality on the layers. By
correcting any mesh problems early, you can save time by minimizing the number of times you generate
the full 3D mesh.

If the topology were grossly skewed or distorted on the hub or shroud layer, the Layers object would
be shown with red text in the object selector. Since the Layers object is shown in black text, the mesh
contains no regions with high skew on the hub or shroud.

3.6. Generating the Mesh

Now that the topology has been defined and the mesh quality is acceptable on all layers, generate the
mesh:

• Click Insert > Mesh.

TurboGrid automatically generates the recommended number of layers before the mesh is generated.
This default behavior can be disabled by editing the Layers object by clearing Automatically generate
required layers at mesh creation on the Advanced Parameters tab.

A turbo surface of constant “K” (a nodal coordinate) appears. This surface is listed in the object selector
as 3D Mesh > Show Mesh. Later in this tutorial, you will change the location and coloring of this
surface to explore the mesh.

3.7. Analyzing the Mesh

Check the 3D mesh statistics:

1. Open Mesh Analysis.

The mesh statistics are acceptable based on the current quality criteria.

2. In the viewer, right-click the Show Limits object and click Set Turbosurface Position from the shortcut
menu.

The constant-“K” turbosurface (3D Mesh > Show Mesh) moves to the location where you right-
clicked to invoke the shortcut menu.

Another way to move this object is by editing its definition in the object editor.

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Steam Stator

3. Close the Mesh Statistics dialog box.

4. Turn off the visibility of Mesh Analysis > Show Limits.

3.7.1. Examining the Mesh Qualitatively

The predefined surfaces found under the 3D Mesh object in the object selector are useful for showing
variations in the mesh statistics.

In the following section, you will color 3D Mesh > Show Mesh by Minimum Face Angle. You will
then create a legend for that object.

3.7.1.1. Editing a Turbo Surface

Turbo Surfaces can be created by selecting Insert > User Defined > Turbo Surface. In this case, you
will simply edit the predefined turbo surface.

1. Open 3D Mesh > Show Mesh.

2. Leave Domains, Variable, and Value unchanged.

3. Click the Color tab and set Mode to Variable.

4. Set Variable to Minimum Face Angle.

5. Set Range to Local.

This will cause the range of colors in the color map to be distributed over the range of values found
on the turbo surface, rather that over the global range or a user-defined range.

6. Click the Render tab.

7. Ensure that Draw Faces is selected.

8. Click Apply to apply the changes to the turbo surface.

3.7.1.2. Creating a Legend

To illustrate the scale of the Minimum Face Angle variable, create a legend for the turbo surface:

1. Click Insert > User Defined > Legend.

2. Click OK to accept the default name.

3. Set Plot to TURBO SURFACE:Show Mesh.

4. Set Title Mode to Variable and Location.

5. Leave the remaining settings unchanged.

6. Click Apply to create the legend.

3.8. Saving the Mesh

Save the mesh:

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 Saving the State (Optional)

1. Click File > Save Mesh As.

2. Ensure that File type is set to ANSYS CFX.

3. Set Export Units to cm.

4. Set File name to steam_stator.gtm.

5. Ensure that your working directory is set correctly.

6. Click Save.

3.9. Saving the State (Optional)

If you want to revisit this mesh at a later date, save the state:

1. Click File > Save State As.

2. Enter an appropriate state filename.

3. Click Save.

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24 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Chapter 4: Radial Compressor
This tutorial includes:
4.1. Preparing the Working Directory
4.2. Defining the Geometry
4.3. Defining the Topology
4.4. Mesh Data Settings
4.5. Generating the Mesh
4.6. Analyzing the Mesh
4.7. Saving the Mesh
4.8. Saving the State (Optional)

This tutorial teaches you how to:

• Set machine data and load curve files independently.

• Specify a “cut-off or square” edge on a blade.

• Choose an appropriate topology family under ATM Topology.

• Change the distribution of mesh elements along a cut-off edge.

As you work through this tutorial, you will create a mesh for a blade passage of a radial compressor
blade row. A typical blade passage is shown by the black outline in the figure below.

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Radial Compressor

The blade row contains 9 main blades and 9 splitter blades that revolve about the negative Z axis. The
blades have cut-off trailing edges. A clearance gap exists between the blades and the shroud, with a
width of 5% of the total span. Within the blade passage, the maximum diameter of the shroud is ap-
proximately 125 mm.

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review Introduction to the ANSYS
TurboGrid Tutorials (p. 1) before beginning.

4.1. Preparing the Working Directory

1. Create a working directory.

ANSYS TurboGrid uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for
a particular session or project.

2. Ensure the following tutorial input files are in your working directory:

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 Defining the Geometry

• BladeGen.inf

• profile.crv

• hub.crv

• shroud.crv

The tutorial input files are available from the ANSYS Customer Portal. To access tutorials and their
input files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/training.

3. Set the working directory and start ANSYS TurboGrid.

For details, see Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid (p. 1).

4.2. Defining the Geometry

In the Rotor 37 tutorial, you loaded a BladeGen.inf file in order to specify the machine data (# of
blade sets, rotation axis, and units) and the hub, shroud, and blade curve files. In the Steam Stator tu-
torial, you entered the same data using the Load Curves command. In this tutorial, you will define the
machine data and curve files individually, by editing the corresponding geometry objects.

4.2.1. Defining the Machine Data

Set up the Machine Data object, which contains basic information about the geometry:

1. Open Geometry > Machine Data.

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Radial Compressor

2. Set # of Bladesets to 9.

3. Set Base Units to mm.

4. Click Apply to save the settings.

4.2.2. Defining the Hub

1. Open Geometry > Hub.

2. Set Length Units to mm.

3. Ensure that File Name is set to ./hub.crv from your working directory.

4. Click Apply.

4.2.3. Defining the Shroud

1. Open Geometry > Shroud.

2. Set Length Units to mm.

3. Ensure that File Name is set to ./shroud.crv from your working directory.

4. Click Apply.

Note

If you had loaded the BladeGen.inf file, the Curve Type settings for the Hub and
Shroud objects would have been set to Piece-wise linear instead of the default:
Bspline. Either setting will work for this geometry.

At this point, the entire hub and shroud surfaces are shown. After a blade is defined (in the next step),
the hub and shroud will be trimmed to show only one passage.

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 Defining the Geometry

Figure 4.1: Hub and Shroud of Radial Compressor

4.2.4. Defining the Blade

1. Open Geometry > Blade Set > Blade 1.

2. Ensure that File Name is set to ./profile.crv.

3. Set Length Units to mm.

4. Set Geometric Representation > Method to Specify.

5. Set Geometric Representation > Lofting to Spanwise.

6. Set Geometric Representation > Curve Type to Piece-wise linear.

7. Set Geometric Representation > Surface Type to Ruled.

8. Under Trailing Edge Definition, select Cut-off or square.

9. Click Apply.

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Radial Compressor

The progress bar at the bottom right of the screen shows the geometry generation progress. After the
geometry has been generated, you can see the hub, shroud, and blade for one passage. Along the
blade, you can see the leading and trailing edge curves (green and red lines, respectively).

4.2.5. Defining the Splitter Blade

1. Right-click Geometry > Blade Set and select Insert > Blade.

2. Click OK to accept the default name.

3. Set Blade Number to 2.

4. Click Apply.

4.2.6. Defining the Shroud Tip

To complete the geometry, create a small gap between the blade and the shroud. The blade should
be shortened to 95% of its original span because the gap width is 5% of the total span, as specified in
the problem description.

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 Mesh Data Settings

1. Open Geometry > Blade Set > Shroud Tip.

2. Set Tip Option to Constant Span.

3. Set Span to 0.95.

4. Click Apply.

4.3. Defining the Topology

In this tutorial, you will manually choose a set of ATM topology templates, called a topology family.

1. Click the Topology Viewer tab.

2. Open Topology Set.

3. Browse through ATM Topology > Method.

ATM Topology > Method provides a list of topology families from which you can manually choose.
When you mouse over or cursor through the list, a picture of the highlighted topology family and
a description of the type of blade that the family best fits are shown in the topology viewer. Since
the present geometry has a splitter blade, the Single Splitter topology family is the most appro-
priate choice.

4. Select ATM Topology > Method > Single Splitter.

5. Click Apply to set the topology.

6. Right-click Topology Set and turn off Suspend Object Updates.

After a short time, the topology is generated.

This completes the topology definition.

4.4. Mesh Data Settings

After creating the topology, the Mesh Data object indicates that there is a problem with mesh quality.

1. Select the 3D Viewer tab.

2. Expand the Mesh Data object in the object selector.

3. Open one of the Boundary Layer Control objects under Mesh Data.

Note that the near wall expansion rate is outside the established limit within the boundary layer region.
The affected mesh regions are colored red in the viewer.

Add more elements to the boundary layer region as follows:

1. Open the Mesh Data object.

2. On the Mesh Size tab, ensure that Boundary Layer Refinement Control > Method is set to Propor
tional to Mesh Size.

3. Set Boundary Layer Refinement Control > Parameters > Factor Base to 4.0.

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Radial Compressor

4. Click Apply.

After the topology is updated, the Mesh Data object no longer indicates that there is a problem with
mesh quality.

As an exercise, change the distribution of elements across the cut-off edge as follows:

1. Set Cutoff Edge Split Factor > Trailing to 0.9.

2. Click Apply.

Note that, for a blade that has one rounded edge and one cut-off edge, the distribution of elements
across the blade tip mesh is governed by the distribution across the cut-off edge.

4.5. Generating the Mesh

Now that the topology has been defined and the mesh quality is acceptable on all layers, generate the
mesh:

• Click Insert > Mesh.

4.6. Analyzing the Mesh

Check the 3D mesh statistics:

1. Open Mesh Analysis.

The mesh statistics are acceptable based on the current quality criteria.

2. Close the Mesh Statistics dialog box.

4.7. Saving the Mesh

Save the mesh:

1. Click File > Save Mesh As.

2. Ensure that File type is set to ANSYS CFX.

3. Set Export Units to cm.

4. Set File name to radial_compressor.gtm.

5. Ensure that your working directory is set correctly.

6. Click Save.

4.8. Saving the State (Optional)

If you want to revisit this mesh at a later date, save the state:

1. Click File > Save State As.

2. Enter an appropriate state filename.

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 Saving the State (Optional)

3. Click Save.

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34 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Chapter 5: Axial Fan
This tutorial includes:
5.1. Preparing the Working Directory
5.2. Defining the Geometry
5.3. Defining the Topology
5.4. Decreasing the Mesh Density
5.5. Generating the Mesh
5.6. Using the Locking Feature
5.7.The Y+ Functionality
5.8. Using Local Mesh Refinement
5.9. Analyzing the Mesh
5.10. Adding Inlet and Outlet Domains
5.11. Analyzing the New Mesh
5.12. Saving the Mesh
5.13. Saving the State (Optional)

This tutorial teaches you how to:

• Switch to a Meridional (A-R) projection in the viewer.

• Change the shape and position of the Inlet and Outlet geometry objects that bound the blade passage
in the streamwise direction.

• Use the ATM Optimized feature to generate and customize a mesh as desired.

• Extend the mesh by adding inlet and outlet domains.

As you work through this tutorial, you will create a mesh for a blade passage of a fan. A typical blade
passage, inlet domain, and outlet domain, are shown by the black outline in the figure below.

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Axial Fan

The fan contains 10 blades that revolve about the negative Z axis. A clearance gap exists between the
blades and the shroud, with a width of 2% of the total span. The shroud diameter is approximately 26.4
cm.

Let the mesh contain an inlet domain and an outlet domain.

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review Introduction to the ANSYS
TurboGrid Tutorials (p. 1) before beginning.

5.1. Preparing the Working Directory

1. Create a working directory.

ANSYS TurboGrid uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for
a particular session or project.

2. Ensure the following tutorial input files are in your working directory:

• BladeGen.inf

• shroud.curve

• hub.curve

• profile.curve

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 Defining the Geometry

The tutorial input files are available from the ANSYS Customer Portal. To access tutorials and their
input files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/training.

3. Set the working directory and start ANSYS TurboGrid.

For details, see Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid (p. 1).

5.2. Defining the Geometry

To obtain the basic geometry, you will load a BladeGen.inf file. After inspecting the geometry and
improving the shape of the inlet and outlet, you will finish defining the geometry by creating the required
gap between the blade and the shroud.

Load the BladeGen.inf file, then inspect the geometry by viewing it in axial-radial coordinates:

1. Click File > Load BladeGen.

2. Open BladeGen.inf from the working directory.

3. Right-click a blank area in the viewer, and click Transformation > Meridional (A-R) from the shortcut
menu.

The passage inlet, which appears in the object selector as Geometry > Inlet, is the upstream end
of the blade passage (but not necessarily the upstream end of the mesh, since, as you will see in this
tutorial, you can add an inlet domain upstream of the passage inlet). The passage inlet is generated by
revolving a curve, which is defined in an axial-radial plane, about the machine axis. That curve, in turn,
is generated according to a set of points, known here as inlet points. These points appear as white oc-
tahedrons in the viewer. The passage outlet is analogous to the passage inlet, and is downstream of
the blade passage.

Notice that, in this case, there are two inlet points and they are located at different distances from the
blade. In order to obtain a high-quality mesh topology for the blade passage, the inlet points should
be repositioned.

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Axial Fan

Reposition the inlet and outlet points as follows, and observe the movement of the inlet and outlet
points in the viewer:

1. Open Geometry > Inlet.

2. Select Interface Specification Method > Points.

3. Select Low Hub Point, then set Method to Set A and Location to -0.008.

4. Click Apply.

5. Select Low Shroud Point, then set Method to Set A and Location to 0.002.

6. Click Apply.

7. Open Geometry > Outlet.

8. Select Interface Specification Method > Points.

9. Select Low Hub Point, then set Method to Set A and Location to 0.03.

10. Click Apply.

11. Select Low Shroud Point, then set Method to Set A and Location to 0.03.

12. Click Apply.

To complete the geometry, create a small gap between the blade and the shroud. The blade should
be shortened to 98% of its original span because the gap width is 2% of the total span, as specified in
the problem description.

1. Open Geometry > Blade Set > Shroud Tip.

2. Set Tip Option to Constant Span.

3. Set Span to 0.98.

4. Click Apply.

5.3. Defining the Topology

Create the topology that guides the mesh:

1. Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Transformation > Cartesian (X-Y-Z) from the shortcut
menu.

2. Click Hide all geometry objects .

This gives you an unobstructed view of the topology, and later the mesh.

3. Right-click Topology Set and turn off Suspend Object Updates.

By default, the Topology Set is suspended along with several other items in the object selector.
Turning off Suspend Object Updates activates these items and defines the mesh topology. ANSYS
TurboGrid takes a few moments to complete calculations, then displays the proposed topology in

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 Generating the Mesh

the viewer. The total number of nodes and total number of elements are also displayed in the user
interface. These are updated automatically after the changes to the mesh topology are applied.

This completes the topology definition.

5.4. Decreasing the Mesh Density

This next section will demonstrate your capability to control the mesh size. This can be done in several
ways:

• Changing the total passage mesh size.

• Changing the global size factor.

• Using proportional refinement in the boundary layer.

• Changing the edge refinement on a specific edge, including within the boundary layer.

We will demonstrate how to use the global size factor to change the overall mesh size and how to
change the refinement in the boundary layer, with and without proportional refinement.

Apply these settings:

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. On the Mesh Size tab, set Method to Global Size Factor.

3. Set the Size Factor to 0.9.

An overall decrease in mesh size can be useful in reducing the computational resources required
for simulation. In other cases, to increase the resolution of the mesh, and effectively capture more
data, an overall increase in mesh size is useful.

4. Ensure that Boundary Layer Refinement Control > Method is set to Proportional to Mesh Size.

5. Set the Factor Ratio to 2.6.

6. Click Apply.

Observe that the number of nodes has been reduced and the element size has increased in the
boundary layer mesh. With proportional refinement enabled, the relationship between the height
of the first element in the boundary layer and the global size factor should be approximately in-
versely proportional (that is, an increase in the global size factor will cause a decrease in the element
height). Right-click a blank area in the viewer, and select Predefined Camera > Isometric View
(X Up).

5.5. Generating the Mesh

You will now generate the mesh to see the changes you have made:

1. Click Mesh to generate the mesh.

A K-Plane is displayed by default. This shows the 2D mesh on a layer. The plane can be moved in
the spanwise direction by holding Ctrl + Shift and dragging using the left mouse button.

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Axial Fan

2. In the object selector, under 3D Mesh, select the following:

• HIGHBLADE

• HUB

• LOWBLADE

• SHROUD

• Show Mesh

Observe that the increase in mesh size near the boundary layer also occurs in the spanwise direction,
as can be seen in Figure 5.1: Snapshot of Mesh at Blade-Hub Intersection (p. 40).

Figure 5.1: Snapshot of Mesh at Blade-Hub Intersection

The mesh size in the spanwise direction is automatically changed depending on the global size factor
and the mesh size at the boundary layer. It can also be specified. You are going to increase the mesh
size in the spanwise direction by a factor of 1.5:

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. On the Passage tab, set Spanwise Blade Distribution Parameters > Factor to 1.5.

Note that the disabled # of Elements field indicates a total of 45 elements in the spanwise direction.
This will now increase.

3. Click Apply.

The number of elements has increased to 82.

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 The Y+ Functionality

5.6. Using the Locking Feature

Note

This section is for information only. Do not use the locking feature in this tutorial.

When you are using ANSYS Workbench, ANSYS TurboGrid enables you to use the Lock mesh size feature.
Once activated, the total number of nodes and elements will remain constant. This holds true even if
the geometry of the blade is changed. The size of the mesh elements will be readjusted, but the total
number will not be changed. The feature can be found under the Mesh Size tab, under Mesh Data
in the object selector.

5.7. The Y+ Functionality

Another method of controlling the mesh size at the boundary layer is specifying the y+ height and
Reynolds number. This option lets you specify the maximum y+ height for the blade, which is then
used to calculate the edge refinement factor. The actual first element offset will not be consistent across
the boundary layer, although it should be equal or less than the maximum specified. The edge refinement
calculation is only an approximation.

You will enable the option for y+, then set the offset to 15. You will also set the Reynolds number to
500,000.

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. On the Mesh Size tab, set Boundary Layer Refinement Control > Near Wall Element Size Specification
> Method to y+.

3. Set Reynolds No. to 5e5.

4. Change Boundary Layer Refinement Control > Method to First Element Offset.

The field for specifying Offset Y+ is enabled.

5. Set Parameters > Offset Y+ to 5.

6. Click Apply.

You should see an increase in the mesh size at the boundary layer. You will generate the mesh to
inspect your changes.

7. Click Mesh to generate the mesh.

The latest mesh will have smaller elements near the boundary layer. This can be seen in Fig-
ure 5.2: Mesh at Blade-Hub Intersection After Y+ Settings (p. 42).

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Axial Fan

Figure 5.2: Mesh at Blade-Hub Intersection After Y+ Settings

5.8. Using Local Mesh Refinement

The ATM feature also allows for local mesh refinement. This is especially useful when attempting to
manipulate the mesh near a specific boundary without tampering with the surroundings. Once local
mesh refinement has been implemented, changing the global size factor will affect the localized area
as well. However, the locally refined mesh will remain discernible from its surroundings. You will imple-
ment this feature at the shroud boundary, upstream of the blade as indicated in the figure below. The
local mesh size will be increased by 100%.

1. Click Hide all mesh objects .

To be able to see which boundary to modify, it is best to hide the currently generated mesh. Ulti-
mately, only the topology will be visible when refinements are made.

2. Right-click a blank area in the viewer and select Predefined Camera > View from +X from the shortcut
menu.

3. Turn off the visibility of Layers > Hub.

4. Right-click the edge of the shroud tip layer, marked A in Figure 5.3: Edge to be Refined in Shroud Tip
Layer (p. 43), and select Increase Edge Refinement > 100%.

After a few seconds of processing, you should observe the mesh size increasing by a factor of 2 at
the edge you selected. Only topologically parallel edges will be affected by this change.

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 Using Local Mesh Refinement

Figure 5.3: Edge to be Refined in Shroud Tip Layer

Figure 5.4: After Refinement

5. Click Mesh to generate the mesh.

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Axial Fan

5.9. Analyzing the Mesh

Inspect the mesh quality of the 3D mesh:

1. Open Mesh Analysis.

The mesh statistics are acceptable based on the current quality criteria.

2. Close the Mesh Statistics dialog box.

5.10. Adding Inlet and Outlet Domains

As specified in the problem description, the mesh should contain an inlet domain and an outlet domain.

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. On the Mesh Size tab, select Inlet Domain and Outlet Domain.

3. Click Apply.

4. Click Mesh to generate the mesh.

5.11. Analyzing the New Mesh

1. Open Mesh Analysis.

Note that the Maximum Edge Length Ratio mesh measure is extremely large. By displaying
this mesh measure, you will see that some of the mesh elements that exceed the criterion are at
the inlet where the mesh meets the rotation axis. This is to be expected wherever the hub reaches
the axis of rotation because at these locations the element edges have zero length.

2. View the mesh on the inlet and outlet (not the passage inlet and outlet, but the inlet and outlet of the
entire mesh) by turning on the visibility of the corresponding 3D Mesh objects.

5.12. Saving the Mesh

Save the mesh:

1. Click File > Save Mesh As.

2. Ensure that File type is set to ANSYS CFX.

3. Set Export Units to cm.

4. Set File name to fan.gtm.

5. Ensure that your working directory is set correctly.

6. Click Save.

5.13. Saving the State (Optional)

If you want to revisit this mesh at a later date, save the state:

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 Saving the State (Optional)

1. Click File > Save State As.

2. Enter an appropriate state filename.

3. Click Save.

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Chapter 6: Tandem Vane
This tutorial includes:
6.1. Preparing the Working Directory
6.2. Defining the Geometry
6.3. Defining the Topology
6.4. Setting the Mesh Density
6.5. Generating the Mesh
6.6. Saving the Mesh
6.7. Saving the State (Optional)

This tutorial teaches you how to:

• Create a mesh involving tandem vanes using a topology template.

As you work through this tutorial, you will create a mesh for a blade set of a radial machine component
that has tandem vanes. A typical blade set is shown by the black outline in the figure below.

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Tandem Vane

The component has 16 blade sets, each containing one main blade and one tandem vane. Within the
blade passages, the maximum diameter of the shroud is approximately 52.2 cm.

You will begin by loading the geometry from a BladeGen.inf file. You will then select a topology
template, set the mesh density, and generate the mesh.

If this is the first tutorial you are working with, it is important to review Introduction to the ANSYS
TurboGrid Tutorials (p. 1) before beginning.

6.1. Preparing the Working Directory

1. Create a working directory.

ANSYS TurboGrid uses a working directory as the default location for loading and saving files for
a particular session or project.

2. Ensure the following tutorial input files are in your working directory:

• BladeGen.inf

• shroud.curve

• hub.curve

• profile.curve

The tutorial input files are available from the ANSYS Customer Portal. To access tutorials and their
input files on the ANSYS Customer Portal, go to http://support.ansys.com/training.

3. Set the working directory and start ANSYS TurboGrid.

For details, see Setting the Working Directory and Starting ANSYS TurboGrid (p. 1).

6.2. Defining the Geometry

1. Click File > Load BladeGen.

2. Open BladeGen.inf from the working directory.

6.3. Defining the Topology

While TurboGrid can automatically generate acceptable meshes for basic turbomachinery, you may
need to specify topology templates for complex blade configurations, such as tandem vanes.

Select the appropriate template as follows:

1. Click Edit > Options.

The Options dialog box appears.

2. Under TurboGrid, select Enable Advanced Features.

3. Click OK.

4. Open Topology Set.

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 Saving the State (Optional)

5. Set Topology Definition > Method to Manual (Advanced).

6. In the Available list, select TandemVanesAlignedHigh.

7. Click Add .

TandemVanesAlignedHigh appears in the Selected list.

8. Click Apply.

9. Right-click Topology Set and turn off Suspend Object Updates.

An error appears under Mesh Data in Main Blade Boundary Layer Control caused by the
near-wall expansion rates. This will be resolved in the next section.

6.4. Setting the Mesh Density

1. Open Mesh Data.

2. On the Mesh Size tab, set Method to Global Size Factor.

3. Set Size Factor to 1.35.

4. Click Apply.

6.5. Generating the Mesh

• Click Insert > Mesh.

6.6. Saving the Mesh

Save the mesh:

1. Click File > Save Mesh As.

2. Ensure that File type is set to ANSYS CFX.

3. Set Export Units to cm.

4. Set File name to tandemvalve.gtm.

5. Ensure that your working directory is set correctly.

6. Click Save.

6.7. Saving the State (Optional)

If you want to revisit this mesh at a later date, save the state:

1. Click File > Save State As.

2. Enter an appropriate state filename.

3. Click Save.

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50 of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.