Why engineers always prefer to use FEM for heat transfer modeling

Anna Tian · October 7, 2012, 17:29

Hi

May I ask why engineers always choose FEM method to simulate the flow when they more care about heat transfer? Why not FVM?

Thanks!

cdegroot · October 8, 2012, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Tian

Hi

May I ask why engineers always choose FEM method to simulate the flow when they more care about heat transfer? Why not FVM?

Thanks!

Is that true? I'm not sure. The ANSYS codes are very popular for heat transfer and are both finite volume codes (Fluent is pure FV whereas CFX is a volume based code that uses FE shape functions for interpolations). Which codes are you thinking are popular with engineers doing heat transfer simulations?

mettler · October 9, 2012, 10:50

I would think it is because FEM is similar to nodal analysis, which is typically for heat transfer. That would be my guess..

cdegroot · October 9, 2012, 15:08

Maybe for conduction problems where you are solving a diffusion problem which is similar to stress analysis for which there are many FEM codes available. For convection-diffusion problems I still feel like FVM is more popular.

mettler · October 9, 2012, 15:12

I definitely agree that FVM is more popular for CFD. But, for heat transfer I would go with FEM..it's a lot easier to write FEM code for heat transfer than it is FVM. But, if the heat transfer involves fluid flow, then FVM would be the way to go in most cases.

October 7, 2012, 17:29	Why engineers always prefer to use FEM for heat transfer modeling	#1
Anna Tian Senior Member Meimei Wang Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 15	Hi May I ask why engineers always choose FEM method to simulate the flow when they more care about heat transfer? Why not FVM? Thanks! __________________ Best regards, Meimei

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October 9, 2012, 10:50		#3
mettler Senior Member Andrew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 209 Rep Power: 18	I would think it is because FEM is similar to nodal analysis, which is typically for heat transfer. That would be my guess..

October 9, 2012, 15:08		#4
cdegroot Senior Member Chris DeGroot Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 414 Rep Power: 17	Maybe for conduction problems where you are solving a diffusion problem which is similar to stress analysis for which there are many FEM codes available. For convection-diffusion problems I still feel like FVM is more popular.

October 9, 2012, 15:12		#5
mettler Senior Member Andrew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 209 Rep Power: 18	I definitely agree that FVM is more popular for CFD. But, for heat transfer I would go with FEM..it's a lot easier to write FEM code for heat transfer than it is FVM. But, if the heat transfer involves fluid flow, then FVM would be the way to go in most cases.