|
| 1 | +(surface-integral-output)= |
| 2 | +# Surface Integral Output |
| 3 | + |
| 4 | +*Surface Integral Output computes surface integrals of custom user variables on selected surfaces and can optionally report moving statistics over time.* |
| 5 | + |
| 6 | +--- |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +## **Available Options** |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +| *Option* | *Description* | *Applicable* | |
| 11 | +|----------|---------------|--------------| |
| 12 | +| **Output fields** | Custom user variables to integrate over the assigned surfaces | always | |
| 13 | +| **Statistics function** | Optional moving statistic applied to the integrated values | always | |
| 14 | +| **Moving window size** | Window size for moving statistics (in output data points) | when **Statistics function** is not `None` | |
| 15 | +| **Start step** | Step at which to start statistics calculation | when **Statistics function** is not `None` | |
| 16 | +| **Assigned surfaces** | Surfaces used for the integral | always | |
| 17 | + |
| 18 | +--- |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +## **Detailed Descriptions** |
| 21 | + |
| 22 | +### **Output fields** |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +*The custom user variables to integrate over the selected surfaces.* |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +- **Required** (at least one field must be selected) |
| 27 | +- **Allowed fields:** Custom user variables only |
| 28 | +- **Example:** `PressureForce`, `HingeTorqueZ` |
| 29 | +>**Note:** Surface Integral Output only accepts custom user variables. Define them in [Variable Settings](../../../05.tools/02.variable-settings.md) (Custom variables tab). |
| 30 | +
|
| 31 | +### **Statistics function** |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +*Optional moving statistic applied to the integrated values. When set to `None`, raw integral values are reported.* |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +- **Default:** `None` |
| 36 | +- **Options:** |
| 37 | + - `None` - No statistics processing |
| 38 | + - `Mean` - Moving average |
| 39 | + - `Min` - Minimum in the window |
| 40 | + - `Max` - Maximum in the window |
| 41 | + - `Standard deviation` - Sample standard deviation (Bessel's correction) |
| 42 | + - `Deviation` - Range (maximum minus minimum) in the window |
| 43 | + |
| 44 | +### **Moving window size** |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +*The number of output data points used in the moving statistics window.* |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +- **Default:** `10` |
| 49 | +- **Minimum value:** `2` |
| 50 | +>**Note:** For steady simulations, the solver typically outputs a data point every 10 pseudo steps. For unsteady simulations, it outputs every physical step. |
| 51 | +
|
| 52 | +### **Start step** |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +*The number of steps to skip before statistics calculation begins.* |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +- **Default:** `0` |
| 57 | +>**Note:** For steady simulations, this value is rounded up to the nearest multiple of 10 (based on output cadence). |
| 58 | +
|
| 59 | +### **Assigned surfaces** |
| 60 | + |
| 61 | +*The surfaces on which the integral is computed.* |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +- **Required:** Yes (at least one surface must be selected) |
| 64 | +- **Supported surface types:** |
| 65 | + - Simulation surfaces (mesh boundaries) |
| 66 | + - Imported sample surfaces |
| 67 | +>**Notes:** |
| 68 | +> - Import sample surfaces in the Entities browser before selecting them. See [Sample Surfaces](../../../04.entities-browser/10.sample-surfaces.md). |
| 69 | +> - Do not mix simulation surfaces and imported sample surfaces in a single Surface Integral Output. Create separate outputs if you need both. |
| 70 | +
|
| 71 | +--- |
| 72 | + |
| 73 | +## **Use Cases** |
| 74 | + |
| 75 | +Surface Integral Output is useful for: |
| 76 | + |
| 77 | +- Computing hinge torques, forces, or moments defined as custom variables |
| 78 | +- Integrating heat flux or other derived quantities over selected surfaces |
| 79 | +- Monitoring integrated quantities with moving statistics during transient simulations |
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