AM - 12 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7
Introduction to
MultiZone Meshing
ANSYS Meshing
Application Introduction
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 7-1 Inventory #002645
Introduction to MultiZone Meshing
Overview Training Manual
• Comparing Sweep and MultiZone

• Comparing Thin Sweep and MultiZone
• Example for Sweep, Thin Sweep, and Multizone Methods
• Approach for the MultiZone Method
• MultiZone Method Settings
– Mapped Mesh Type
– Free Mesh Type
– Source Selection
– Defeaturing
• Inflation and MultiZone
• Workshop 7.1 MultiZone Meshing for a Block Geometry with Pipes
• Workshop 7.2 MultiZone Meshing for a Tank Geometry with Piping

Comparing the Sweep and MultiZone Methods Training Manual
Some models can be

meshed with either
approach
Sweep Method:
• Sweeps a single
source/face to a
single target/face.
• Does a good job
of handling multiple
side faces along sweep
• Geometry needs to be MultiZone Method:
decomposed so that • Free decomposition approach
each sweep path is • Multiple sources to multiple targets
represented by 1 body.

Sweep or MultiZone? Training Manual
Use Sweep Method when:

• You have a multibody part where some bodies should be meshed
with Sweep, and some with Patch Conforming Tet
– If you want to use advanced size function
• Preview Sweepable bodies shows that all bodies are sweepable
Use MultiZone when:

• You are meshing single body parts that are too complicated for
traditional sweep approach.
• You have multiple sources and targets you need to respect
(can’t use VTs to group into a single source/target)
• You need to inflate off source and side faces

Comparing Thin Sweep and MultiZone Training Manual
Thin Sweep Method:

• Sweeps multiple sources to
paired multiple targets
• Good substitute for midsurfacing
shell models to get a pure hex
mesh
Some models can be

meshed with either
approach
MultiZone Method:
• Free decomposition approach
• Multiple sources to multiple targets

Thin Sweep or MultiZone? Training Manual
Use Thin Sweep Method when:

• You have a “thin” solid part where the source and target faces don’t
exactly match, and you don’t care about the features on the target
side.
Use MultiZone When:

• You have a “thin” solid part where the source and target faces don’t
exactly match, and you care about the features on both sides.

Different Sweep Methods Example Training Manual
Thin Sweep Method:
For
Example
Sweep Method:
MultiZone Method:

Sweep Method Treatment Training Manual
Use VTs to merge multiple Use VTs to merge multiple

sources into 1 source targets into 1 target
Multiple sources ignored Multiple targets ignored

Thin Solid Sweep Treatment Training Manual
Multiple source Multiple target
Multiple sources captured Multiple targets ignored

MultiZone Method Sweep treatment Training Manual
Multiple source Multiple target
Multiple sources captured Multiple targets captured
Note, MultiZone will ignore the internal cutouts unless they are in a Named Selection
Multizone Method Approach Training Manual
• Multizone features automatic geometry

decomposition which avoids the need to
slice a body up into sweepable bodies to
get a hex mesh with the sweep method
• For example, the geometry shown at right
would need to be sliced into three bodies
to get a hex mesh with sweep. With the
Multizone method, a hex mesh could be
generated directly
– Based on ICEM CFD Hexa blocking
– O-grids can be extruded to create
inflation
– Unstructured regions can be filled with hex-
dominant, hex-core, or tetrahedral mesh

Multizone Method Settings Training Manual
• Multizone will not utilize the Advanced Size

Function (Patch Conforming Tet and
Sweep Methods only)
• Source selection is not mandatory, but
may be helpful
• Can exclude or allow free mesh blocks

Multizone Method Settings Training Manual
• Mapped Mesh Type

– Hexa
– Hexa/Prism
• Free Mesh Type
– Not Allowed
– Tetra
– Hexa Dominant
– Hexa Core
• Source/Target Selection
– Automatic
– Manual Source
• Advanced
– Defeaturing Tolerance
– Minimum Edge length

Multizone Method and Inflation Training Manual
• Algorithm different from other

inflation methods (extruded o-
grid)
• Scoped to bodies, defined for
faces
• Only First Layer or Total
Thickness options

Workshop 7.1
Multizone Meshing for a
Block Geometry with Pipes

Goals Training Manual
• This tutorial will illustrate basic use of the Multizone

method to create a Hex mesh for a simple
geometry with the addition of an inflation layer.
• Source selection for the multizone sweep will be

done
automatically by the mesher when the mesh is
generated.

Importing Geometry Training Manual
1. Copy the blockandpipes.agdb

file from the Tutorial Files
folder to your working directory
2. Start Workbench and double-
click the Mesh entry in the
Component Systems panel
3. Right-click on Geometry in the
Mesh entry in the Project
Schematic and select Import
Geometry/Browse
4. Browse to the block and
pipes.agdb file you copied and
click Open. Note that the
Geometry entry in the Project
Schematic now has a green
check mark.
Insert Multizone Method Training Manual
5. Double click the Mesh entry in

the Mesh object on the Project
Schematic to open ANSYS
Meshing
6. Close the Meshing Options
Panel at the right without setting
anything.
7. Right-click on Mesh and insert a
Method. Select the body and set
the method to Multizone. Leave
the settings as the defaults as
shown

Mesh Sizing and Metric Training Manual
8. Click on Mesh in the Outline

9. Change the Physics Preference to CFD
and the Solver Preference to Fluent
10. Expand the Sizing Entry and turn off the
Advanced Size Function (it will not be
used for Multizone anyway)
11. Set the Element Size to 0.20 [in]. (Note: if
the units are set to some other system,
click on Units in the Menu Bar and change
to U.S. Customary (in, lbm, …)
12. Expand the Statistics entry and set the
Mesh Metric to Skewness

Mesh and Mesh Quality Training Manual
13. Generate the Mesh. Note the Mesh count and Skewness metric

Inflating the Multizone Method Training Manual
14. Insert Inflation for the Multizone

Method. Pick the outer
cylindrical faces of the pipes and
the 4 side faces of the block as
the Boundary. Set the Inflation
Option to Total Thickness with a
value of 0.20 [in].
15. Generate the mesh.

Workshop 7.2
Multizone Meshing for a
Tank Geometry with Piping

Goals Training Manual
• This tutorial will show how to use the Meshing Application in

ANSYS 12 to generate a mesh suitable for a CFD simulation
of a chemical process flow.
• The geometry, consists of three bodies representing a tank

together with a single inlet and outlet pipe.
• The goal is to produce an Hex mesh throughout the domain

without any further decomposition of the geometry using the
Multizone Method.

Creating a Standalone Meshing System Training Manual
1. Launch ANSYS 12.0 Workbench from the START menu
2. Open the Component Systems section of the Toolbox on the LHS of

the WB GUI.
3. Double click the Mesh option

Importing the Geometry Training Manual
4. Right click on the Geometry button in the RHS of the WB panel and select
Import geometry (the question mark on the button turns to a tick once a
geometry file is imported)
5. Import the 2-pipe-tank.agdb file

6. Double click on the Mesh button to launch the Meshing Application
Geomety Training Manual
7. The original geometry was modified in DesignModeler

• The tank was split into three bodies and some simplification was made to
remove small faces that are not important to the analysis
• One multi-body “Part” was created and a given the name “Fluid” and the
material type “Fluid”
• Individual bodies were re-named

Meshing Options Training Manual
8. In the Meshing Options panel to the RHS of the main window select the
following meshing options:
– Physics Preference
• CFD
– Mesh Method
• Automatic
– Click OK after you
made the selections
– In Units, make sure

it is set to Metric, mm

Named Selections Training Manual
9. Named Selections are used to assign Fluent name and zone types
• Set the Cursor Mode to Face selection
• Select the inlet face
• RMB select Create Named Selection
• Assign the name Inlet
• Repeat for Outlet
• A naming convention has
been established to
automatically assign zone
types in Fluent
• For example -
– “Inlet”
• Velocity-inlet zone
– “Outlet”
• Pressure-outlet zone
See Fluent Mesh export section
of the manual for all options.

Global Mesh Settings Training Manual
10. Set Global Size and Quality control

• Click on Mesh in the Model Tree to open up the
Details of “Mesh” panel
• Sizing
– Turn Off Use Advanced Size Function
• Multizone does not use this option
– Change the Relevance Center
• Fine
• Recommended for most CFD
applications that apply the Multizone Method
• Statistics
– Assign Mesh Metric
• Option Skewness
• Maintain all other defaults

Inserting a Multizone Method Training Manual
11. Insert Mutizone Meshing control

• Set the Cursor Mode to Body selection
• RMB (in Window) – Select All the bodies
• RMB (in Tree) – Insert – Method
• Select Multizone

Setting Multizone Sources Training Manual
12. Select Mutizone Source faces

• Change Src/Trg Selection – Manual Source
– To ensure the middle section can be swept
• Set the Cursor Mode to Face
• Pick the five green source faces

(see top image)
• Rotate the model to look at the

rear of the tank
• Pick the additional five

red source faces
(see bottom image)
• Apply

Generating the Initial Mesh Training Manual
13. Create an initial Mesh of the model

• RMB (in Tree) – Generate Mesh
• The mesh is successfully created – but refinement is clearly needed
– The mesh at the inlet and outlet pipes and close to the pipe/tank intersection is
insufficient to capture the physics correctly
– This can be achieved by inserting some additional meshing instructions such as
Inflation, Sizing and Biased Sizing to improve the pipe/tank meshing

Face Sizing Training Manual
14. Add Face Sizing for the pipes to control the size of elements
• Start by removing the mesh
– RMB (in Tree) – Clean and confirm
• Make sure you’re using Face Selection and pick the four faces shown in
Green
• RMB (in Tree) – Insert – Sizing
• Set Sizing Details: Set Element Size
– 1 mm

Adding Inflation Training Manual
15. Add Inflation

(boundary layers)
• Set the Cursor Mode
to Body Selection
• Select the central
green body
• RMB (in Tree)
– Insert – Inflation
16. Set Inflation Details

• Switch to Face
selection
• Select the four green
cylindrical faces and
Apply
• Set Inflation Control
– Number of Layers
• 2
– Maximum thickness
• 1 mm
Edge Sizing Training Manual
17. Add Edge Sizing

• Change Cursor Mode
to Edge Selection
• Select two green edges
on one side
• Rotate the model
• Repeat the selection
• RMB (in Tree)
– Insert – Sizing
18. Set Sizing Details

• Element Size
– 1mm
• Behaviour
– Hard
• Bias type
– _ __ ___ __ _
• Bias Factor
– 6
Generating the Final Mesh Training Manual
19. Generate the mesh

• RMB (in Tree) – Generate Mesh
• Statistics
– Elements
• ~45,000
– Max Skewness
• Below 0.8
• Overall a good Quality mesh

Examining the Mesh Training Manual
20. Examine the Mesh
Sizing – 4
Inflation – elements
on the pipe on face
walls
Sizing – element size 1mm

across pipe and biasing to
increase density at transition
Saving the Project Training Manual
21. The mesh is now complete

• RMB (Tree) select Update
• Select File > Close Mesh to close the Mesh application
• In the WB panel select File > Save Project As… and give the project a name
• Exit from ANSYS Workbench by selecting File > Exit
22. Further Work

• Change the mesh settings for each of the additional parameters
– How do each of these parameters influence the mesh?


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Chapter 7

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Overview Training Manual

• Comparing Sweep and MultiZone

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Comparing the Sweep and MultiZone Methods Training Manual

Some models can be

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep or MultiZone? Training Manual

Use Sweep Method when:

Use MultiZone when:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Comparing Thin Sweep and MultiZone Training Manual

Thin Sweep Method:

Some models can be

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Thin Sweep or MultiZone? Training Manual

Use Thin Sweep Method when:

Use MultiZone When:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Different Sweep Methods Example Training Manual

Thin Sweep Method:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Sweep Method Treatment Training Manual

Use VTs to merge multiple Use VTs to merge multiple

Multiple sources ignored Multiple targets ignored

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Thin Solid Sweep Treatment Training Manual

Multiple source Multiple target

Multiple sources captured Multiple targets ignored

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

MultiZone Method Sweep treatment Training Manual

Multiple source Multiple target

Multiple sources captured Multiple targets captured

Multizone Method Approach Training Manual

• Multizone features automatic geometry

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Multizone Method Settings Training Manual

• Multizone will not utilize the Advanced Size

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Multizone Method Settings Training Manual

• Mapped Mesh Type

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Multizone Method and Inflation Training Manual

• Algorithm different from other

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• This tutorial will illustrate basic use of the Multizone

• Source selection for the multizone sweep will be

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Importing Geometry Training Manual

1. Copy the blockandpipes.agdb

Insert Multizone Method Training Manual

5. Double click the Mesh entry in

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Mesh Sizing and Metric Training Manual

8. Click on Mesh in the Outline

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Mesh and Mesh Quality Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

Inflating the Multizone Method Training Manual

14. Insert Inflation for the Multizone

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009