Last updated: 5/8/2012

Two-Dimensional, Steady-State Conduction

(FREE, NEW (5/8/2012) DOWNLOAD BELOW!)

The mathematical model for multi-dimensional, steady-state heat-conduction is a second-order, elliptic partial-differential equation (a Laplace, Poisson or Helmholtz Equation).  Typical heat transfer textbooks describe several methods to solve this equation for two-dimensional regions with various boundary conditions.  Analytical solutions usually involve an infinite series of transcendental functions. This series must be truncated and evaluated at an array of locations to give an approximate estimate of the temperatures found over the 2-D region.  Some texts also include detailed graphical methods using various paper and pen tools for estimating temperature and heat-flow lines for 2-D problems, but these latter methods have become largely obsolete due to the widespread use of computers and associated numerical algorithms (although the principles on which graphical methods are based are often useful in checking the validity of numerical solutions).

Module Description

In our software module, HTT_2dss, we employ modern numerical methods to solve for the temperature distribution over a user-specified 2-D region. The region is taken as rectangular, with cutouts possible. The user is asked to:

• specify the nodalization of the heat-conduction region (dynamic array allocation is used, so the problem size is limited only by the memory available),
• derive the appropriate heat-balance equations for specified regions of the solution domain (internal points, boundary edges, corners, interfaces, etc.), and
• input the resulting numerical coefficients on a special input form:

Click on the image for an enlarged view (GIF at 71k bytes).

In doing this, they are (without knowing it) setting up the ranges of numerical Do-loops. The program then uses this input data to solve the large, sparse system of linear equations using a modern iterative technique known as the Modified Strongly Implicit Procedure. In just a few seconds, Htt_2DSS returns a full-color contour-plot of the resulting isotherms -- for use in further analysis and verification. A sample of the main user-interface of HTT_2dss is shown in the graphic below. The user may click anywhere on the contour plot to see the local heat flux vector.

Click on the image for an larger view

This main user-interface of Htt_2DSS includes easy access to two sample problems which have analytical solutions in the form of an infinite series.  For these two samples the color-contour plot can be enhanced with the overlay of white lines depicting isotherms based on the analytical solution.  The user may specify the number of terms to be used in the series approximation. (See also our Excel HTTtwodss spreadsheet that animates the analytical solution of one of these same sample problems by incrementally adding terms in the infinites series.)

Several PowerPoint presentations are embedded within this module: One covers analytical solutions for two-dimensional conduction, including the graphical depiction of results. A second includes checking and interpreting numerical solutions; while a third derives all needed governing heat balance equations. The fourth comprises a step-by-step tutorial for the case shown in the graphic above. The Help Topics included in HTT_2dss provides an even more thorough discussion of program operation, as well as the important physical and numerical aspects of this classical engineering problem.

For this module and several others, our laboratory director, Mr. T.C.Scott, has developed desktop experiments from which the whole class takes data. In the one seen here an electric analog is used to model steady-state conduction in a two-dimensional fin - thus reinforcing the idea of approximating a continuous system by a "lumped" one. The brown resistors represent conductive resistance between adjacent cells; while the turquoise ones represent the convective resistance between the fin and the ambient air.

Software Availability

Copies of our HTT_2dss module are available for use as freeware at educational institutions.  Click here to download a copy of the program. (NOTE: The version that you will get if you click above has expired and I don’t remember how to make an installation package. An up-to-date version of the executable may be downloaded here.)

Notice to International Users (in those countries where decimal points (periods) are used instead of commas to break up long numbers): If, after you have installed this module, it does not work properly, then in the International Setting of the Windows Control Panel, please change the language to English (US).

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