1 D conduction Simulation in Solidworks

Thermal Simulation in Solidworks

Before we start please download the cad file

Here we have created a cuboid of 100mm X 100 mm cross-section of thickness 50 mm. you can also download the cad file

Assumptions:

1. NO internal heat generation

2. No convection and radiation is happening

3.Heat transfer is 1D type

4.thermal conductivity remains constant throughout and it is not going to change with temperature and time

5.Material is homogeneous and isotropic

6.Temperature at the two side of the surface is at constant temperature

Step 1. After downloading and opening the file go to the simulation tab(if not able to see go to addins and add simulation) and click on thermal

2.  Now on the bottom left-hand side you will see your part right click on it and select and Apply the material to all

3. Now select the material from the library as per your requirement and clock on apply .make

     sure you note down value of thermal conductivity in our case it is k = 50W/m-K

4.  Now under thermal load click on temperature (we are doing  a very simple simulation assuming no convection (air flowing) or radiation )

5. Now select the face of  one side of the box and give the temperature as per requirement and click ok. In our case i have applied 250° C on one side 

6. Now select the opposite side of the face and give it a temperature (in our case it is 25°C). You might notice that the temperature on this side is low .It is because we have temperature difference if we don't provide temperature difference then there we be no heat transfer. It is a 1D simulation so we don't apply any other temperature load on any other face 

7. Now after click on ok Run the simulation

8. after the simulation select a face and press ctrl+8 to see how the heat flow . In this simulation only fourier equation is use you can even verify with hand calculation  .

we know k = 50W/m-K   

A = .01m^2

L =  0.05m

t2 = 250°C

t1 = 25°C

Q = k*A*(t2-t1)/L

Q = heat  (W)

 = 2250 W

k = conduction constant (while selecting material you can see there)(W/mK)

A = area on which temperature load is applied (meter^2)

t2 = temperature on left hand side (high temperature in our case)(celcius)

t1 = temperature on right hand side (low temperature in our case) (celcius)
L = thickness of the box (measue dimension normal to the temperature apply) (meter)

put all this value and you will get the same result as shown in solidworks

you can watch the whole tutorial as well