# Coupled OpenFoam+fenics for FSI on 3D

**URL:** <https://precice.discourse.group/t/coupled-openfoam-fenics-for-fsi-on-3d/2687>\
**Category:** Using preCICE\
**Tags:** openfoam, adapters, calculix, fsi, fenics\
**Created:** [December 10, 2025, 10:45am UTC](https://precice.discourse.group/t/coupled-openfoam-fenics-for-fsi-on-3d/2687 "2025-12-10T10:45:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AymenAmiral1997](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/precice.discourse.group/aymenamiral1997/32/1413_2.png) [@AymenAmiral1997](https://precice.discourse.group/u/AymenAmiral1997)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2025, 10:45am UTC](https://precice.discourse.group/t/coupled-openfoam-fenics-for-fsi-on-3d/2687/1 "2025-12-10T10:45:19Z")

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Hello,

I am currently working on a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) case, using the preCICE adapter to couple FEniCS and OpenFOAM in a 3D simulation. I am interested in modeling a solid with **two different Young’s moduli** for different regions of the material. Essentially, I would like to use two materials with distinct elastic properties (e.g., E1 for region 1 and E2 for region 2) within the same solid domain.

Here are my questions:

1. Is it possible to implement a **multi-material solid** (with different Young’s moduli) in FEniCS while coupling with OpenFOAM through preCICE?

2. If yes, can anyone share a workflow or suggest modifications to the preCICE FEniCS adapter to handle different material properties in different subdomains?

3. Is there any existing tutorial or case that demonstrates the coupling of a multi-material solid with different elastic properties in FEniCS with OpenFOAM (via preCICE)?

4. Any advice on how to approach the transfer of data between two materials with different properties (e.g., displacement, force, etc.) between FEniCS and OpenFOAM?

Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions!

Aymen

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**Author:** ![IshaanDesai](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/precice.discourse.group/ishaandesai/32/1048_2.png) [@IshaanDesai](https://precice.discourse.group/u/IshaanDesai)\
**Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://precice.discourse.group/t/coupled-openfoam-fenics-for-fsi-on-3d/2687/2 "2025-12-11T19:39:38Z")

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Hello @AymenAmiral1997

The adapter for FEniCS (FEniCSx) is a wrapper around the preCICE API. This means that you import the adapter into your FEniCS script and then call its functions. Hence, scenarios such as multi-material solids are handled in the FEniCS script. The adapter provides only coupling functionality, including operations such as reading data from preCICE and writing data to preCICE.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/precice/original/1X/67d2a5fa6f80e597e2267ff17fa8c1673cd11caa.svg) [@system](https://precice.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 10:01am UTC](https://precice.discourse.group/t/coupled-openfoam-fenics-for-fsi-on-3d/2687/3 "2025-12-30T10:01:37Z")

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Closed on December 30, 2025, 10:01am UTC

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