Development of a Computational Interface for the Thermal Behavior Analysis of Metallic Plates Using the Finite Volume Method

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a user-friendly interface for a computational code developed to analyze the thermal behavior of metallic plates using the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The study focuses on the discretization of the heat conduction equation and the creation of an interface that simplifies parameter input and enhances visualization of simulation results. Developed with Visual Basic software, the interface is capable of handling 256 boundary condition cases for two-dimensional simulations and 1296 cases for three-dimensional simulations, providing flexibility in modeling complex thermal problems. It also incorporates an automatic overheating alert, which is activated if the maximum simulated temperature exceeds the melting point of the selected material. Validation was conducted through comparison with Ansys simulations and experimental measurements, confirming the reliability, accuracy, and applicability of the interface. This work offers a versatile and effective solution for thermal analysis in both research and industrial contexts.