An important feature of Ansys Forte is the ability to design parameter
studies in which one or more simulation parameters or model options vary over a series of runs.
Almost all of the simulation parameters and model options within the Ansys Forte Setup interface
may be varied in this way by using the Parameter Study
button next to a parameter whose value is to be varied. Clicking this
button launches a wizard that adds runs to the simulation using parameter values obtained from
the wizard. The parameter values may be further edited in the Parameter Study utility that can
be launched from the toolbar menu with the parameter-study button once a parameter variation has
been defined. On the Editor panel where the nominal value is defined, the parameterized
variable's label will be colored blue to indicate it is involved in a study.
The following examples illustrate some of the possible uses of the parameter study feature.
Varying a real number parameter:
To vary a parameter consisting of a numerical value (either dimensional
or dimensionless), click the Parameter Study
button next to the parameter. A series of dialogs is displayed with which
an initial interval of values may be generated. Once the wizard is finished, the values appear
in a Run Table and may be edited further.
To vary a parameter consisting of a check box (boolean) click the
Parameter Study button next to that parameter. Select how the value will vary by using the pattern
tool provided by the wizard. Once the wizard is finished, the values appear in a Run Table and
may be edited further.
Some parameters are provided as a drop-down list of two or more
options. Vary these parameters by clicking the Parameter Study button next to the selector and using the pattern tool provided by the
wizard.
Note: When varying parameters with nested children parameters:
Some check-box and drop-down-list parameters conditionally enable or disable other, child parameters. When varying such parameters, it is important to specify all required child parameters accurately, even though the child parameters may only be used in a subset of the defined runs. Ansys Forte automatically checks model settings for consistency but ensure that model parameters are entered correctly in these situations, as the settings may be less visible