Formulas are one possibility, besides tables, that allow to specify a variable or parameter (velocity, temperature, etc) as a function of other independent variables ( e.g. time or distance). You can add mathematical operations involving different variables, which gives you the chance to easily implement any distribution with no need to add a great number of discrete values in a table.
Not every variable is allowed to be defined as a function of other variables. If formulas are allowed, you can find the icon of a graph next to the variable you want to define.
Figure 1: Some boundary conditions can be defined using formulas. Make sure to look for the icon of a graph as highlighted.
Once you click on the icon, a dialogue box appears to define the table. However, click on the ‘Formula’ tab next to Table and access the interface where you can input your data as shown below:
Figure 2: Formula input interface for an inlet velocity boundary condition.
Figure 1 shows an example input formula for an inlet velocity boundary condition. Three velocity components can be defined in this case either as a single value or a formula. Different units are available next to each component if desired.
Below it appears the space variables x, y, z or time variable t that can be included in the formula. Following this, all the numbers mathematical operators, and trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions are available to create the formula.
Note
It is also possible to add conditional statements like <, >, = useful for piecewise functions.
Try Yourself
Following are some of our tutorials where you can try using the tables feature:
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icon, a dialogue box appears to define the table. However, click on the ‘Formula’ tab next to Table and access the interface where you can input your data as shown below:
