4.6.2. Running SubDyn

This section discusses how to obtain and execute SubDyn from a personal computer. Both the stand-alone version and the FAST-coupled version of the software are considered.

4.6.2.1. Downloading the SubDyn Software

There are two forms of the SubDyn software to choose from: stand alone and coupled to the FAST simulator. Although the user may not necessarily need both forms, he/she would likely need to be familiar with and run the stand-alone model if building a model of the substructure from scratch. The stand-alone version is also helpful for model troubleshooting and may benefit users who are interested in conducting aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulations of an offshore wind turbine.

Users can refer to the OpenFAST installation to download and compile SubDyn.

4.6.2.2. Running SubDyn

4.6.2.2.1. Running the Stand-Alone SubDyn Program

The stand-alone SubDyn program, SubDyn_win32.exe, simulates substructure dynamic responses of the user’s input model, without coupling to FAST. Unlike the coupled version, the stand-alone software requires the use of a driver file in addition to the primary SubDyn input file. This driver file specifies inputs normally provided to SubDyn by FAST, including motions of the TP reference point. Both the SubDyn summary file and the results output file are available when using the stand-alone SubDyn (see Section 4 for more information regarding the SubDyn output files).

Run the standalone SubDyn software from a DOS command prompt by typing, for example:

>SubDyn_win32.exe MyDriverFile.dvr

where, MyDriverFile.dvr is the name of the SubDyn driver file, as described in Section 4.6.3.3. The SubDyn primary input file is described in Section Section 4.6.3.2.

4.6.2.2.2. Running SubDyn Coupled to FAST

Run the coupled FAST software from a DOS command prompt by typing, for example:

>FAST_Win32.exe Test21.fst

where, Test21.fst is the name of the primary FAST input file. This input file has a feature switch to enable or disable the SubDyn capabilities within FAST, and a corresponding reference to the SubDyn input file. See the documentation supplied with FAST for further information.