This is the second of two example problems that simulate a rocket nozzle:
The first example, Rocket Nozzle Extension Simulation: Fabrication, demonstrates how to simulate the thermal stresses during the manufacturing stage of the nozzle.
The second example problem that follows demonstrates how to simulate thermal stresses induced during the operation of the rocket nozzle.
While both examples are based on the same geometry, the assumptions are different, therefore leading to different meshes and different element types.
For this problem, it is assumed that the rocket has been launched and hot gases are flowing through the nozzle, subjecting the inside and outside of the nozzle body to convection heat loading. The heat loading leads to a significant thermal gradient through the thickness of the body that manifests as high thermal stresses.
Solid thermal and structural elements accurately simulate the multiphysics of the problem. While a fully coupled element could solve the problem, a loose coupling method is used instead. Because the body material could be homogeneous or a layered composite, the simulation requires a solid element type with both homogeneous and layered material capabilities.
The following topics are available:
You can also perform this example analysis entirely in the Ansys Mechanical Application. For more information, see Rocket Nozzle Extension Simulation: Operation in the Mechanical Technology Showcase: Example Problems.