SOFTWARE.CRADLE.V11 scSTREAM and SC/Tetra Cradle offers two different types of thermo-fluid analysis tools: scSTREAM (and HeatDesigner for electronics cooling) and SC/Tetra. scSTREAM and HeatDesigner use structured meshes while SC/Tetra uses an unstructured mesh. A structured mesh is simple, easy to construct, and fast to solve. This mesh is comprised of many small cuboids so it can only approximate curved or angled surfaces. It is most useful for applications where tiny details and surface curvature or angles do not have a strong effect on the overall flow field. Examples of applications for structured mesh include electronics cooling, HVAC, and architecture. An unstructured mesh contains more complex element shapes (tetrahedron, pentahedron, and hexahedron). These elements provide a flexible way to represent curved surfaces. As a result, SC/Tetra is used for applications where precise representation of the geometry is critical. Examples of unstructured mesh applications include fan blades and automotive aerodynamics. Mesh generation Analysis Procedure In scSTREAM and SC/Tetra, analyses are performed using a set of three applications Pre-processor, Solver, and Postprocessor. Analysis procedure Pre-processor Pre-processor 1 Create analysis model, 2 Set analysis conditions, and 3 Generate mesh Create analysis model Import 3D CAD data. Model geometries in scSTREAM (and HeatDesigner) use a built-in modeler. Modify or simplify geometries as necessary to reduce computational load. Set Analysis Conditions Set material properties for parts and specify boundary conditions (flow, heat). Generate Mesh Set mesh size and density. Mesh generation is processed automatically. Preprocessor