As I'm trying to wrap my head around this software, I've come across a conundrum in regards to Transient Thermal Analysis. The subject to be analyzed is a metal duct wrapped in fiberglass with a thermal resistance element on the inside. For some reason, whenever I attempt to solve the problem, the result is always impossibly low - I'm working in Fahrenheit, and I always get a uniform temperature of -459 F or so throughout the pipe after the program has run its course. Is there any fix for this? Something I missed? Attached is the file.
Comments
You may also want to set an initial temperature on all elements instead of the default which is 0 K (-460 F). Select all elements, then right click Initial Conditions in the outline tree, and pick New temperature.
Use elements instead of faces and preferably give them all (Ctrl-A for select all) the same temperature.
If you do need a non-uniform initial temperature, a safer way is to do a steady state analysis to obtain a realistic smooth temperature field between all the fixed temperature surfaces, then transfer that solution to the initial temperature for transient analysis. That way, there won't be abrupt changes in temperature that can cause the large errors.
Is it still possible to add an initial temperature? I seem to be either missing the option or more likely I have missed something.
Personally I think would be good to also have the initial conditions section in the right click menu but glad I got it working!