3.11. Using a Journal File to Parameterize Fluent Meshing Inputs

As discussed in Limitations, parameters are not currently supported by Fluent Meshing; however, you can parameterize real arguments using the appropriate scheme commands in the registered update journal file (*.jou).

A journal file that parameterizes some inputs for Fluent Meshing is shown below:

;================================================================================= 
;==Define scheme variable connected to input parameters exposed in Workbench====== 
(define tg-input-parameter-data '( 
   (p1 (value . 0.0025)) ;thickness of the first prism layer 
   (p2 (value . 5))      ;number of prism layers 
   (p3 (value . 0.05))   ;max element size for global size settings 
)) 
(create-scheme-input-parameters tg-input-parameter-data) 
; (print-scheme-input-parameters);check the list for current value in fluent-meshing side 
;================================================================================== 
;===Add required TUI/scheme commands to generate volume mesh 
;===Mesh Cell will be marked up-to-date on exit of Fluent or changing mode to solver=========== 

/size-functions set-global-controls 0.005 p3 1.2 
/size-functions create-defaults 
/objects/improve-object-quality (*) surface-remesh 
/mesh/prism/controls/zone-specific-growth apply-growth (wall) last-ratio p2 p1 40 no 
/mesh/auto-mesh "fluid" () yes zone-specific pyramids tet 
/mesh/clean-up yes 

/boundary/manage/type (inlet-cold) velocity-inlet 
/boundary/manage/type (inlet-hot) velocity-inlet 
/boundary/manage/type (outlet) pressure-outlet 
/boundary/manage/name interior* interior 
;==================================================================================
/boundary/manage/name interior* interior

The above journal file was created by modifying (that is, parameterizing) a journal file that was recorded during an earlier Fluent Meshing session.

The recorded journal file was edited to remove all of the commands that are not necessary for the desired parametric study, such as:

  • Commands related to graphics operations (usually these commands start with “cx-”)

  • Commands that manage lists

Next, commands were added at the top of the journal file in order to create the parameters that will be exposed in Workbench. These commands are as follows:

  • The define statement creates the user-defined scheme list tg-input-parameter-data with three sub-lists (p1, p2, and p3). Each of the sub-lists consists of a variable symbol-name (p1, p2, or p3) and an initial value.

  • The create-scheme-input-parameters statement is the Fluent-specific scheme API function that creates input parameters for the name-value pairs in tg-input-parameter-data and connects it to the input parameters exposed in Workbench. After executing this command, Workbench will list p1, p2, and p3 under Input Parameters.

  • The print-scheme-input-parameters is the Fluent-specific scheme API function that prints the current input parameter values in the Fluent console. In the above example, it is commented out, but you can use this statement to check these values.

Lastly the specific values entered for the Fluent Meshing inputs during the recorded session were replaced by corresponding parameters (p1, p2, or p3).