Correct a FEM solid simulation software (solidworks simulation) to take in account convection

[adgirard]

Hello everybody,

I am using SolidWorks Simulation (FEM) and I would like to conduct some simulation involving thin layers of air (60 mm) and natural convection. As the software is not Solidworks Flow (FVM), I think it will not give very good result because it understands air as a solid, and then only take conduction into account. How can I deal with the software to modelize the heat transfer due to convection, even if the convection will be very few. Do you think it is interesting to do this? Will the result be more accurate?
Thank you very much.

 

[IRstuff]

It's not necessarily impossible. You could manipulate the convection equations into a pseudo-conductive form and treat that thickness as a conductor.

TTFN
faq731-376

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[adgirard]

Thank you!

Can we modify the equation in Solidworks?
If you have any information about the mathematical purpose, I would be thankful as well.

 

[EnergyMix]

For Solidworks questions, you might have to post over in the Solidworks forum: forum1183. This is a little tricky, since we don't know what your other program is, or how it works, or what you're doing with it. Maybe in that forum you could be more specific and the people that use Solidworks can tell you how to actually model things.

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[IRstuff]

I'm not suggesting mucking with the program, but rather, changing the properties of the material (air) to have a different thermal conductivity

TTFN
faq731-376

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[adgirard]

Ok thank you.
I am already trying to play with the air conductivity to find a good value.