GAMBIT 2.

4
Tutorial Guide

May 2007

Licensee acknowledges that use of Fluent, Inc.s products can only provide an imprecise
estimation of possible future performance and that additional testing and analysis,
independent of the Licensors products, must be conducted before any product can be
finally developed or commercially introduced. As a result, Licensee agrees that it will not
rely upon the results of any usage of Fluent, Inc.s products in determining the final
design, composition, or structure of any product.

19982007 by Fluent, Incorporated

All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or otherwise used in
any form without express written permission from Fluent, Incorporated.

Airpak, FIDAP, FLUENT, GAMBIT, Icepak, MixSim, and POLYFLOW are registered
trademarks of Fluent, Inc.
ImageMagick is 1996 E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
All other products or name brands are trademarks of their respective holders.

For GAMBIT Technical Support contact information, visit the Fluent, Inc. Web site at
www.fluent.com.

Fluent, Incorporated
Centerra Resource Park
10 Cavendish Court
Lebanon, NH 03766

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0. USING THIS TUTORIAL GUIDE .................................................... 0-1
0.1 Whats in This Guide .....................................................................................0-1
0.2 How to Use This Guide...................................................................................0-2
0.3 Font Conventions............................................................................................0-3
0.4 Using the Mouse..............................................................................................0-4
0.4.1 Menus and Forms.................................................................................0-4
0.4.2 Graphics Window.................................................................................0-4
0.5 GUI Components ............................................................................................0-8
0.5.1 Graphics Window.................................................................................0-8
0.5.2 Main Menu Bar ....................................................................................0-9
0.5.3 Operation Toolpad ...............................................................................0-9
0.5.4 Form Field ..........................................................................................0-11
0.5.5 Global Control Toolpad .....................................................................0-11
0.5.6 Description Window ..........................................................................0-11
0.5.7 Transcript Window and Command Text Box ....................................0-12

1. CREATING AND MESHING BASIC GEOMETRY....................... 1-1

1.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................1-2
1.3 Strategy............................................................................................................1-3
1.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................1-4
Step 1: Create a Brick....................................................................................1-5
Step 2: Create an Elliptical Cylinder .............................................................1-8
Step 3: Unite the Two Volumes ..................................................................1-10
Step 4: Manipulate the Display ...................................................................1-12
Step 5: Mesh the Volume ............................................................................1-14
Step 6: Examine the Mesh...........................................................................1-16
Step 7: Save the Session and Exit GAMBIT...............................................1-20
1.5 Summary .......................................................................................................1-21

2. MODELING A MIXING ELBOW (2-D)........................................... 2-1

2.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................2-1
2.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................2-2
2.3 Strategy............................................................................................................2-3
2.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................2-4
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................2-4
Step 2: Create the Initial Vertices..................................................................2-5
Step 3: Create Arcs for the Bend of the Mixing Elbow ..............................2-10
Step 4: Create Straight Edges......................................................................2-13
Step 5: Create the Small Pipe for the Mixing Elbow ..................................2-15
Step 6: Create Faces From Edges................................................................2-23

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Step 7: Specify the Node Distribution.........................................................2-26

Step 8: Create Structured Meshes on Faces ................................................2-34
Step 9: Set Boundary Types ........................................................................2-37
Step 10: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .........................................2-41
2.5 Summary .......................................................................................................2-42

3. MODELING A THREE-PIPE INTERSECTION (3-D) ................... 3-1

3.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................3-1
3.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................3-2
3.3 Strategy............................................................................................................3-3
3.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................3-5
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................3-5
Step 2: Create the Geometry..........................................................................3-5
Step 3: Decompose the Geometry .................................................................3-9
Step 4: Journal Files ....................................................................................3-19
Step 5: Turn Off Automatic Smoothing of the Mesh..................................3-22
Step 6: Apply Boundary Layers at Walls ....................................................3-24
Step 7: Mesh the Sphere Octant Volume ....................................................3-28
Step 8: Mesh the Pipe Volumes ..................................................................3-30
Step 9: Examine the Quality of the Mesh....................................................3-41
Step 10: Set Boundary Types ......................................................................3-44
Step 11: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .........................................3-48
3.5 Summary .......................................................................................................3-49

4. MODELING A COMBUSTION CHAMBER (3-D) ......................... 4-1

4.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................4-1
4.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................4-2
4.3 Strategy............................................................................................................4-3
4.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................4-6
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................4-6
Step 2: Set the Default Interval Size for Meshing.........................................4-6
Step 3: Create Two Cylinders .......................................................................4-8
Step 4: Subtract the Small Cylinder From the Large Cylinder....................4-12
Step 5: Shade and Rotate the Display .........................................................4-14
Step 6: Remove Three Quarters of the Cylindrical Volume........................4-15
Step 7: Create the Chamber of the Burner ..................................................4-18
Step 8: Blend the Edges of the Chamber.....................................................4-20
Step 9: Decompose the Geometry ...............................................................4-23
Step 10: Generate an Unstructured Hexahedral Mesh ................................4-36
Step 11: Examine the Quality of the Mesh..................................................4-49
Step 12: Set Boundary Types ......................................................................4-53
Step 13: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .........................................4-58
4.5 Summary .......................................................................................................4-59

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5. SEDAN GEOMETRYVIRTUAL CLEANUP ............................... 5-1

5.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................5-1
5.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................5-2
5.3 Strategy............................................................................................................5-3
5.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................5-4
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................5-4
Step 2: Import the IGES File As-Is ...............................................................5-5
Step 3: Reset and Import the IGES File Using Virtual Cleanup ...................5-9
Step 4: Eliminate Very Short Edges............................................................5-12
Step 5: Automatically Connect All Remaining Duplicate Edges ............5-16
Step 6: Merge Faces ....................................................................................5-18
Step 7: Mesh Faces on Car Body ................................................................5-23
Step 8: Create a Brick Around the Car Body ..............................................5-26
Step 9: Remove Unwanted Geometry .........................................................5-29
Step 10: Create Straight Edges on the Symmetry Plane..............................5-30
Step 11: Create Faces on the Symmetry Plane ............................................5-35
Step 12: Create a Volume............................................................................5-41
Step 13: Mesh the Edges .............................................................................5-43
Step 14: Mesh the Volume ..........................................................................5-46
Step 15: Examine the Volume Mesh ...........................................................5-48
Step 16: Set Boundary Types ......................................................................5-51
Step 17: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .........................................5-57
5.5 Summary .......................................................................................................5-58

6. SEDAN GEOMETRYTOLERANT IMPORT .............................. 6-1

6.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................6-1
6.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................6-2
6.3 Strategy............................................................................................................6-3
6.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................6-4
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................6-4
Step 2: Import the IGES File.........................................................................6-5
Step 3: Merge Faces ......................................................................................6-8
Step 4: Create a Brick Around the Car Body ..............................................6-13
Step 5: Remove Unwanted Geometry .........................................................6-16
Step 6: Create Straight Edges on the Symmetry Plane................................6-17
Step 7: Create Faces on the Symmetry Plane ..............................................6-22
Step 8: Create a Volume..............................................................................6-27
Step 9: Apply Size Functions to Control Mesh Quality..............................6-29
Step 10: Mesh the Volume ..........................................................................6-31
Step 11: Examine the Volume Mesh ...........................................................6-33
Step 12: Set Boundary Types ......................................................................6-36
Step 13: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .........................................6-42
6.5 Summary .......................................................................................................6-43

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7. MODELING FLOW IN A TANK ...................................................... 7-1

7.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................7-1
7.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................7-2
7.3 Strategy............................................................................................................7-3
7.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................7-6
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................7-6
Step 2: Set the Default Interval Size for Meshing.........................................7-6
Step 3: Create Cylinders................................................................................7-8
Step 4: Complete the Geometry Creation....................................................7-12
Step 5: Decompose the Geometry ...............................................................7-16
Step 6: Unite Some Parts of the Geometry..................................................7-23
Step 7: Subtract the Remaining Parts of the Symmetry Plane.....................7-26
Step 8: Split off Annulus Pipe to Make the Volumes Meshable.................7-31
Step 9: Unite the Side Pipe..........................................................................7-41
Step 10: Mesh the Edges .............................................................................7-43
Step 11: Apply Boundary Layers ................................................................7-46
Step 12: Mesh One of the Volumes ............................................................7-50
Step 13: Mesh Some Faces..........................................................................7-53
Step 14: Modify Mesh Settings on Some Faces..........................................7-59
Step 15: Mesh the Volumes ........................................................................7-62
Step 16: Examine the Volume Mesh ...........................................................7-66
Step 17: Set Zone Types and Export the Mesh ...........................................7-68
7.5 Summary .......................................................................................................7-73

8. BASIC TURBO MODEL WITH UNSTRUCTURED MESH.......... 8-1

8.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................8-1
8.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................8-2
8.3 Strategy............................................................................................................8-4
8.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................8-5
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................8-5
Step 2: Import a Turbo Data File...................................................................8-6
Step 3: Create the Turbo Profile....................................................................8-8
Step 4: Modify the Inlet and Outlet Vertex Locations ................................8-12
Step 5: Create the Turbo Volume................................................................8-14
Step 6: Define the Turbo Zones ..................................................................8-16
Step 7: Apply 3-D Boundary Layers ...........................................................8-18
Step 8: Mesh the Blade Cross-Section Edges .............................................8-22
Step 9: Mesh the Center Spanwise Face .....................................................8-26
Step 10: Mesh the Volumes ........................................................................8-28
Step 11: Examine the Mesh.........................................................................8-30
Step 12: Specify Zone Types.......................................................................8-35
Step 13: Export the Mesh and Exit GAMBIT.............................................8-36
8.5 Summary .......................................................................................................8-37

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9. LOW-SPEED CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR............................. 9-1

9.1 Prerequisites....................................................................................................9-1
9.2 Problem Description.......................................................................................9-2
9.3 Strategy............................................................................................................9-3
9.4 Procedure.........................................................................................................9-4
Step 1: Select a Solver...................................................................................9-4
Step 2: Import ACIS Geometry.....................................................................9-5
Step 3: Create the Turbo Profile....................................................................9-8
Step 4: Modify the Inlet and Outlet Vertex Locations ................................9-11
Step 5: Create the Turbo Volume................................................................9-13
Step 6: Define the Turbo Zones ..................................................................9-15
Step 7: Adjust Edge Split Points .................................................................9-17
Step 8: Decompose the Turbo Volume .......................................................9-20
Step 9: Mesh the Volumes ..........................................................................9-21
Step 10: Examine the Mesh.........................................................................9-23
Step 11: Specify Zone Types.......................................................................9-27
Step 12: Export the Mesh and Exit GAMBIT.............................................9-28
9.5 Summary .......................................................................................................9-29

10. MIXED-FLOW PUMP IMPELLER.............................................. 10-1

10.1 Prerequisites................................................................................................10-1
10.2 Problem Description...................................................................................10-2
10.3 Strategy........................................................................................................10-3
10.4 Procedure.....................................................................................................10-4
Step 1: Select a Solver.................................................................................10-4
Step 2: Import a Turbo Data File.................................................................10-5
Step 3: Create the Turbo Profile..................................................................10-8
Step 4: Modify the Inlet and Outlet Vertex Locations ..............................10-11
Step 5: Create the Turbo Volume..............................................................10-13
Step 6: Define the Turbo Zones ................................................................10-15
Step 7: Apply 3-D Boundary Layers .........................................................10-18
Step 8: Mesh the Pressure and Suction Faces ...........................................10-21
Step 9: Mesh the Volume ..........................................................................10-23
Step 10: Examine the Mesh.......................................................................10-25
Step 11: Specify or Check Zone Types .....................................................10-30
Step 12: Export the Mesh and Exit GAMBIT...........................................10-32
10.5 Summary ...................................................................................................10-33

11. INDUSTRIAL DRILL BITSTEP GEOMETRY ....................... 11-1

11.1 Prerequisites................................................................................................11-1
11.2 Problem Description...................................................................................11-2
11.3 Strategy........................................................................................................11-4
11.4 Procedure.....................................................................................................11-5

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Step 1: Select a Solver.................................................................................11-5

Step 2: Import a STEP File .........................................................................11-6
Step 3: Merge Faces and Edges to Suppress Model Features .....................11-9
Step 4: Use Cleanup Tools to Check and Clean Up Geometry.................11-11
Step 5: Apply Size Functions to Control Mesh Quality............................11-18
Step 6: Mesh the Volume ..........................................................................11-20
Step 7: Examine the Volume Mesh ...........................................................11-22
Step 8: Export the Mesh and Exit GAMBIT.............................................11-25
11.5 Summary ...................................................................................................11-26

12. INDUSTRIAL DRILL BITDIRECT CAD IMPORT ............... 12-1

12.1 Prerequisites................................................................................................12-1
12.2 Problem Description...................................................................................12-2
12.3 Strategy........................................................................................................12-4
12.4 Procedure.....................................................................................................12-5
Step 1: Start Pro/ENGINEER .....................................................................12-5
Step 2: Start GAMBIT from within Pro/ENGINEER.................................12-6
Step 3: Open the Part File ...........................................................................12-7
Step 4: Display the GAMBIT User Interface..............................................12-8
Step 5: Select the Solver..............................................................................12-9
Step 6: Import the CAD Geometry............................................................12-10
Step 7: Merge Faces and Edges to Suppress Model Features ...................12-12
Step 8: Use Cleanup Tools to Check and Clean Up Geometry.................12-14
Step 9: Apply Size Functions to Control Mesh Quality............................12-26
Step 10: Mesh the Volume ........................................................................12-28
Step 11: Examine the Volume Mesh .........................................................12-30
Step 12: Export the Mesh and Close GAMBIT ........................................12-33
Step 13: Exit Pro/ENGINEER and GAMBIT...........................................12-35
12.5 Summary ...................................................................................................12-36

13. CATALYTIC CONVERTER ......................................................... 13-1

13.1 Prerequisites................................................................................................13-1
13.2 Problem Description...................................................................................13-2
13.3 Strategy........................................................................................................13-3
13.4 Procedure.....................................................................................................13-4
Step 1: Select a Solver.................................................................................13-4
Step 2: Import the IGES File.......................................................................13-5
Step 3: Attempt to Heal the Geometry ........................................................13-8
Step 4: Eliminate the Bad and Overlapping Faces ....................................13-11
Step 5: Replace the Overlapping Face ......................................................13-13
Step 6: Attempt Again to Heal the Geometry............................................13-15
Step 7: Clean Up Holes in the Model........................................................13-17
Step 8: Clean Up Short Edges ...................................................................13-21
Step 9: Clean Up Sharp Angles.................................................................13-24
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Step 10: Clean Up Large Angles...............................................................13-27

Step 11: Stitch the Faces to Create a Volume ...........................................13-30
Step 12: Mesh the Large Circular Faces ...................................................13-31
Step 13: Apply Size Functions to Control Mesh Quality..........................13-34
Step 14: Mesh the Volume ........................................................................13-36
Step 15: Examine the Volume Mesh .........................................................13-38
Step 16: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .......................................13-42
13.5 Summary ...................................................................................................13-43

14. AIRPLANE GEOMETRY .............................................................. 14-1

14.1 Prerequisites................................................................................................14-1
14.2 Problem Description...................................................................................14-2
14.3 Strategy........................................................................................................14-3
14.4 Procedure.....................................................................................................14-4
Step 1: Select a Solver.................................................................................14-4
Step 2: Import the STEP File ......................................................................14-5
Step 3: Clean Up Duplicate Faces...............................................................14-8
Step 4: View List of Duplicate Edges .......................................................14-11
Step 5: Heal the Geometry ........................................................................14-12
Step 6: Clean Up Holes .............................................................................14-13
Step 7: Create a Brick around the Airplane Body .....................................14-16
Step 8: Delete the Brick High-level Geometry..........................................14-19
Step 9: Connect Faces on the Symmetry Plane .........................................14-20
Step 10: Create the Flow Volume .............................................................14-22
Step 11: Clean Up Sharp Angles...............................................................14-24
Step 12: Clean Up Short Edges .................................................................14-26
Step 13: Modify the Size Function Defaults .............................................14-28
Step 14: Apply Size Functions to Control Mesh Quality..........................14-30
Step 15: Mesh the Airplane Body Surface ................................................14-36
Step 16: Apply a Size Function to the Symmetry Plane............................14-39
Step 17: Mesh the Symmetry Plane...........................................................14-44
Step 18: Mesh the Flow Volume...............................................................14-48
Step 19: Examine the Mesh.......................................................................14-50
Step 20: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .......................................14-54
14.5 Summary ...................................................................................................14-55

15. SAILBOAT GEOMETRY .............................................................. 15-1

15.1 Prerequisites................................................................................................15-1
15.2 Problem Description...................................................................................15-2
15.3 Strategy........................................................................................................15-3
15.4 Procedure.....................................................................................................15-4
Step 1: Select a Solver.................................................................................15-4
Step 2: Import the STEP File ......................................................................15-5
Step 3: Align the Geometry with the Global Coordinate System................15-8
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Step 4: Create the Flow Volume ...............................................................15-12

Step 5: Split the Sailboat Hull ...................................................................15-17
Step 6: Specify Size Function Background Tree Depth............................15-23
Step 7: Apply a Size Function to the Sides of the Hull.............................15-25
Step 8: Mesh the Hull Faces......................................................................15-28
Step 9: Set Boundary-Layer Angle Default Value ....................................15-30
Step 10: Apply 3-D Boundary Layers to the Hull .....................................15-32
Step 11: View 3-D Boundary Layers ........................................................15-35
Step 12: Mesh the Flow Volume...............................................................15-38
Step 13: Examine the Mesh.......................................................................15-40
Step 14: Export the Mesh and Save the Session .......................................15-43
15.5 Summary ...................................................................................................15-44