Distributed Mass Extension

Version 3
15.0 Release

Anthony Dawson
anthony.dawson@ansys.com
2014 ANSYS, Inc.

Release 15.0

Introduction

Standard Workbench functionality allows for the addition of a point mass

However, the MAPDL solvers ESURF command can be used to create

distributed mass on a surface

This is done by placing SURF154 elements on a desired surface/surfaces

and assigning them a mass through real constants

Distributed mass can be useful for several applications, most notably

modal and other dynamic analyses

2014 ANSYS, Inc.

Release 15.0

Distributed Mass Object

The ACT Distributed Mass extension creates a load object which will
fully automate this process

The object can be loaded by clicking the Distributed Mass button that
appears in Workbench Mechanical upon loading the extension
Distributed mass loads can be added to Static Structural, Transient
Structural, Modal or Harmonic Response analyses

This object can be scoped to any face/faces via geometry selection or

named selection

Mass can be assigned as total mass or mass per unit area

2014 ANSYS, Inc.

Release 15.0

Conversion to APDL

Information input into the details box will be converted to APDL script
and placed in the problems input file just before the solve

Total mass values will be converted to mass per unit area

2014 ANSYS, Inc.

Release 15.0

Version 3 Release Notes

Corrected a defect which caused the distributed mass to be added in

each step of a multi-step static or transient analysis

Corrected a defect which caused solves to fail if the Distributed Mass

object was scoped to a Named Selection containing spaces in its name

Allowed for use in regions of the world where commas are generally
used for decimal points

2014 ANSYS, Inc.

Release 15.0

Limitations

A Distributed Mass object cannot be added directly under a harmonic

analysis that uses the Mode Superposition solution method
Note, however, that a Distributed Mass object CAN be added to the modal analysis
that precedes a linked MSUP harmonic analysis without issue

If an extremely large number of ETs or Real Constants are created in any

subsequent linked analyses, this could cause issues
This issue is only relevant if linking analyses to the Solution cell of your original

distributed mass analysis

The potential to encounter this limitation is vary rare, even in extremely large models

2014 ANSYS, Inc.

Release 15.0