Research Services
Benefits of Combined RadTherm-CFD Analysis
Analyze Thermal Systems Faster, More Accurately, and under Natural Environments
CFD Experts employ our RadTherm Software to improve thermal simulation performance when computing transient solutions, when surface to surface radiation plays an important role, when they need early concept analysis, and when their systems will be subject to environmental thermal loads. By significantly reducing computation time and improving radiation analysis, RadTherm gives CFD experts the edge in reducing product development time both in the early stages of analysis using RadTherm alone, and in the final analysis using RadTherm combined with CFD.
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Rapidly Execute Transient Thermal Analysis
RadTherm imports CFD surface meshes and results. If the user has a lower-resolution mesh available, RadTherm then automatically maps the CFD results onto this (usually) lower-resolution thermal mesh. Multiple steady-state CFD data sets can be imported for use at specific times in a transient analysis. RadTherm automatically interpolates convection coefficient values and fluid temperatures for all solution timesteps between CFD data sets.

By using steady-state CFD runs, one makes best use of CFD tools, where high temporal resolution thermal transiency involves very long computation times. RadTherm can utilize a lower-resolution thermal mesh to reduce computation times by an order of magnitude and to keep the data quantity small. Read More about combined CFD-RadTherm transient analysis.


Vehicle underbody thermal simulation

Develop Mutimode Thermal Solutions with High Accuracy Radiation RadTherm was developed to provide a high speed thermal management tool that included accurate radiation analysis. It gives CFD experts the fastest view factor calculation available, and the solver computes a full multibounce thermal solution and a full multibounce solar-band analysis. Special part types dedicated to analysis 3-layered composites provide architectural and automotive engineers with shielding studies, climate control and thermal comfort models.

Brake Heat Transfer Simulation

Analyze Earlier in the Development Cycle In addition to high-accuracy final analysis, RadTherm also benefits CFD users by providing a rapid means of testing heat management techniques early in the design cycle. Because model setup and solution time is very rapid, a baseline and modified version of the system can typically be completed in a few hours. 1-D fluid nodes and several other convection modes allow the user to establish critical design parameters and directional results at the very earliest product development stage.

Include Accurate Solar and Environmental Loading
RadTherm includes a complete environmental model for simulation of objects, vehicles and buildings placed in natural environments. Using detailed weather data inputs and a built-in wind convection model, RadTherm provides highly accurate thermal predictions of both sky temperature and terrain-foliage temperatures. Radiation exchange with the sky dome and support for fully faceted terrains capture solar shadowing and reflections. If your systems are designed for outdoor use, RadTherm can provide realistic thermal analysis for any global position, with diurnal and long-term transient exposure possible.


Data Exchange with CFD Codes and MPCCI. RadTherm imports CFD geometry and results via the Patran Neutral file format. Details on this format can be provided. Surface temperatures or radiation fluxes can be exported from RadTherm back to CFD codes through specially-developed exporters or via the NASTRAN Neutral file format. In addition to manual linking of data through neutral files, RadTherm is also being coupled to other codes via the MPCCI code from the Fraunhofer Institute.

Data Exchange pathways for leading CFD software are as follows, with new pathways constantly under development:

Fluent to RadTherm - Available via the File>Export menu in Fluent.

RadTherm to Fluent - Currently available as a standalone utility to export wall temperatures from RadTherm to BC Profiles in Fluent. Download the TDF to Fluent exporter.

Star-CD to RadTherm - Currently available as a User Subroutine. Contact Adapco to request the latest version.

RadTherm (MuSES) to Star-CD - Under immediate development and will be available soon. Contact Adapco to request a copy of the importer. This importer is also being called a MuSES to Start-CD importer. File transfer through the NASTRAN file format with non-standard card types. Download the TDF to NASTRAN exporter at this link. (Windows Executable- Drag & Drop)

Vectis to/from RadTherm - This exchange is under development and we recommend contacting Ricardo to discuss.

Exa Powerflow to RadTherm: Under development.

RadTherm to Exa Powerflow: Under development.

RadTherm to/from AVL Swift: Recently completed development. Contact us for details.

Download Model: Vehicle with 1-D Exhaust Flow and CFD Underbody
Complete heat transfer model with summary report. Features iterative solution with CFD and RadTherm's advective 1-D flow down the exhaust line interior.
Particle Trace over Sedan Import CFD Results
Use results from STAR-CD and FLUENT.
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