CFX provides the ability to solve, or take part in the solution of cases that involve the coupling of solution fields in fluid and solid domains. This coupling is commonly referred to as Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI). One example of FSI is the simulation of an internal combustion engine, which involves the solution of fluid flow, conjugate heat transfer and combustion problems on deforming meshes.

In the discussion that follows, examples are presented to demonstrate the FSI capabilities using CFX by itself or with other CAE packages like Ansys Mechanical. These examples are grouped according to the degree of coupling that must be maintained during the simulation in order to ensure that accurate results are obtained.

You can couple CFX to an external solver using System Coupling. For more information about simulations involving System Coupling and CFX, refer to Coupling CFX to an External Solver: System Coupling Simulations in the CFX-Solver Modeling Guide.