Import Heat Flow tabular load using Python script

Nikos Kallitsis

I have a Heat Flow table in .csv format, with the timesteps in the first column and the load values in the second column.

How can I import this load and apply it to a Face in Mechanical using Python?

Nikos Kallitsis

You can import a Heat Flow load with Python using the code below.

• It's necessary to have defined the faces you want to apply the load to in a Named Selection, e.g., SelectedFaces.
• The first row of the data is assumed to be the headers, and therefore it's skipped.

import os
import csv

filePath = os.path.join('YourDrive', os.sep, 'File', 'Path') #Create path YourDrive:\File\Path
fileName = os.path.join(filePath, 'YourFile.csv') #Create path YourDrive:\File\Path\YourFile.csv

os.chdir(filePath) #Change directory

timesteps = [] #Create empty list to store timestep values
loads = [] #Create empty list to store load values

with open(fileName, 'r') as csvFile:
  csvRead = csv.reader(csvFile, delimiter=',')
   
  next(csvRead) #Skip first line (assumed headers)
   
  for row in csvRead:
    timesteps.append(row[0]) #Populate list with first column's values
    loads.append(row[1]) #Populate list with second column's values

#Configure lists
timeUnit = '[sec]' #Timestep unit
loadUnit = '[W]' #Load unit
timesteps = [str(time) + timeUnit for time in timesteps] #Convert values to strings and append unit
loads = [str(load) + loadUnit for load in loads] #Convert values to strings and append unit

#Create load
analysis = Model.Analyses[0] #Access 1st analysis system
heatFlow = analysis.AddHeatFlow() #Add a Heat Flow load to analysis
loadFace = DataModel.GetObjectsByName('SelectedFaces')[0] #Get Named Selection with load face
heatFlow.Location = loadFace #Scope load to Named Selection

heatFlow.Magnitude.Inputs[0].DiscreteValues = [Quantity(time) for time in timesteps]
heatFlow.Magnitude.Output.DiscreteValues = [Quantity(load) for load in loads]

GB

Hi, I tried your code, and it works pretty well. Unfortunately, the step controls in the analysis settings is not updated in my model. Could you help me how to fix it?