Ansys Manual Libre

KONGU ENGINEERING COLLEGE
(Autonomous)
PERUNDURAI, ERODE - 638 052
DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING
SCHOOL OF BUILDING AND MECHANICAL SCIENCES
さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

USING ANSYSざ
Manual Prepared By
Dr. S.Shankar M.E., Ph.D (IITM)
Associate Professor
Mechatronics Engineering
Kongu Engineering College.
Department of Mechatronics Engineering 1
Kongu Engineering College
Table of Contents
Preface -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2
Course Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
1. Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
2. FEA and ANSYS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
3. ANSYS Basics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12
4. General Analysis Procedure ----------------------------------------------------------------- 16
5. Creating the Solid Model --------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
6. Creating the Finite Element Model -------------------------------------------------------- 33
7. Defining the Material ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 47
8. Loading ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49
9. Solution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 52
10. Postprocessing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55
11. SOLID Modeling Tutorials ---------------------------------------------------------------------58
12. Assignments ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 65
さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Preface
Finite Element Analysis was first developed for use in the aerospace and nuclear industries
where the safety of structures is critical. Today, the growth in usage of the method is directly
attributable to the rapid advances in computer technology in recent years. As a result,
commercial finite element packages (ANSYS, ABAQUS, ..) exist that are capable of solving the
most sophisticated problems, not just in structural analysis, but for a wide range of phenomena
such as steady state and dynamic temperature distributions, fluid flow and manufacturing
processes such as injection molding and metal forming.
ANSYS is the most powerful tool which works basis on Finite Element Analysis concepts. In my
opinion, no body knows the start and end of this tool. Mostly in any industries, design and
analysis team plays an important role in manufacturing or producing a best component. If we
want to check whether the produced component is safe/withstands for the applied load?
Frankly speaking, experimental methods are very accurate to predict the results. But it is not a
simple and easy task, to do experiments for each and every case. Experiments are very
expensive in cost wise and also very much time consuming process. Only possible way is
mathematical concepts. This ANSYS tool purely simulates basis on numerical method concepts.
FEA consists of a computer model of a material or design that is loaded and analyzed for
specific results. It is used in new product design, and existing product refinement. A company is
able to verify that a proposed design will be able to perform to the client's specifications prior
to manufacturing or construction. Modifying an existing product or structure is utilised to
qualify the product or structure for a new service condition. In case of structural failure, FEA
may be used to help determine the design modifications to meet the new condition.
FEA is a mathematical representation of a physical system comprising a part/assembly (model),

material properties, and applicable boundary conditions {collectively referred to as pre-
processing}, the solution of that mathematical representation {solving}, and the study of results
of that solution {post-processing}. Simple shapes and simple problems can be, and often are,
done by hand. Most real world parts and assemblies are far too complex to do accurately, let
alone quickly, without use of a computer and appropriate analysis software.
ANSYS is a very important FEA tool for those involved in engineering design; it is now used
routinely to solve problems in the following areas:
Structural strength design - Stress Analysis

Structural interation with fluid flows
Analysis of Shock (underwater & in materials)
Acoustics
Thermal analysis
Vibrations
Crash simulations

Fluid flows
Electrical analyses
Mass diffusion
Buckling problems
Dynamic analyses
Electromagnetic evaluations
Metal forming
Coupled analyses
I personally feels, this course about Introduction to ANSYS, surely will throw some lights about
FEM and mainly about ANSYS tool and the options available in it. I will start with some lectures
on basic concepts of FEM which is the main base for ANSYS. Then this training course will
mostly focus on the ANSYS tool options. Mostly this introductory course will enlighten about
the various options available in ANSYS, mainly in Pre-Processing stage. If you are very strong in
pre-processing, you can model/mesh any complicated component in industries.
This course will focus mainly on, how to model the component in ANSYS, How to create a
component for selection, How to Select the entities, How to select element type, How to define
Material Properties, How to create/offset the work plane, How to mesh (mapped/free) the
component, How to offset/create a new work plane, How to apply boundary conditions, How to
solve and then about post processing stages.
This material is developed mainly based on ANSYS training manual, from other various web
sources and books. I compiled this manual based on my previous Industrial and research
experience (IIT Madras) using this ANSYS tool. Hope you will enjoy the training session.
- - - - Dr. S.Shankar

Course Objectives
To teach the basics of ANSYS in the following areas:
• ANSYS capabilities, basic ANSYS terminology, and the ANSYS GUI
• Ho to pe fo a o plete AN“Y“ a al sis… the basic steps involved
• Building or importing solid models and meshing
• Applying loads, solving, and reviewing results
• Tutorial Problems for Solid Modeling and Mapped Meshing, Structural Problems, Modal,
Contact and Thermal Problems

CHAPTER 01 -INTRODUCTION
Basic Concepts FEM
The finite element method (FEM), or finite element analysis (FEA), is based on the idea of building a
complicated object with simple blocks, or, dividing a complicated object into small and manageable
pieces. Application of this simple idea can be found everywhere in everyday life as well as in
engineering.
Why Finite Element Method?

· Design analysis: hand calculations, experiments, and computer simulations
· FEM/FEA is the most widely applied computer simulation method in engineering
· Closely integrated with CAD/CAM applications
Applications of FEM in Engineering

· Mechanical/Aerospace/Civil/Automobile Engineering
· Structure analysis (static/dynamic, linear/nonlinear)
· Thermal/fluid flows
· Electromagnetics
· Geomechanics
· Biomechanics
A Brief History of the FEM

· 1943 ----- Courant (Variational methods)
· 1956 ----- Turner, Clough, Martin and Topp (Stiffness)
· 1960 ----- Clough Fi ite Ele e t , pla e p o le s
· 1970s ----- Applications on mainframe computers
· 1980s ----- Microcomputers, pre- and postprocessors
· 1990s ----- Analysis of large structural systems
FEM in Structural Analysis

Procedures:
· Divide structure into pieces (elements with nodes)
· Describe the behavior of the physical quantities on each element
· Connect (assemble) the elements at the nodes to form an approximate system of equations for the
whole structure
· Solve the system of equations involving unknown quantities at the nodes (e.g., displacements)
· Calculate desired quantities (e.g., strains and stresses) at selected elements
Computer Implementations
 Preprocessing (build FE model, loads and constraints)
 FEA solver (assemble and solve the system of equations)
 Postprocessing (sort and display the results)
Available Commercial FEM Software Packages

 ANSYS (General purpose, PC and workstations)
 SDRC/I-DEAS (Complete CAD/CAM/CAE package)
 NASTRAN (General purpose FEA on mainframes)

 ABAQUS (Nonlinear and dynamic analyses)
 COSMOS (General purpose FEA)
 ALGOR (PC and workstations)
 PATRAN (Pre/Post Processor)
 HyperMesh (Pre/Post Processor)
 Dyna-3D (Crash/impact analysis)
A Typical Analysis
In the real world, no analysis is typical, as there are usually facets that cause it to differ from others.
There is however a main procedure that most FE investigations take. This procedure is detailed below:
Planning the Analysis

This is arguably the most important part of any analysis, as it helps ensure the success of the simulation.
Oddly enough, it is usually the one analysts leave out. The purpose of an FE analysis is to model the
behaviour of a structure under a system of loads. In order to do so, all influencing factors must be
considered & determined wether their effects are considerable or negligable on the final result. The
degree of accuracy to which any system can be modelled is very much dependant on the level of
planning that has been carried out. Answers to many questions need to be found. 'Planning an analysis'
is dealt with in detail in the 'improving results' section of this side.
Processor Stage
The preprocessor stage in general FE packages involves the following:
Specifying the title, that is the name of the problem. This is optional but very useful, especially if
a number of design iterations are to be completed on the same base model.
Setting the type of analysis to be used, e.g. structural, fluid, thermal or electromagnetic, etc.
(sometimes this can only be done by selecting a particular element type).
Creating the model. The model is drawn in 1D, 2D or 3D space in the appropriate
units (M, mm, in, etc..). The model may be created in the pre-processor, or it can
be imported from another CAD drafting package via a neutral file format (IGES,
STEP, ACIS, Parasolid, DXF, etc.). If a model is drawn in mm for example and the
material properties are defined in SI units, then the results will be out of scale by
factors of 106. The same units should be applied in all directions, otherwise
results will be difficult to interpret, or in extreme cases the results will not show up mistakes
made during the loading and restraining of the model.
Defining the element type, this may be 1D, 2D or 3D, and specific to the analysis type being
carried out (you need thermal elements to do thermal analyses).
Applying a Mesh. Mesh generation is the process of dividing the analysis
continuum into a number of discrete parts or finite elements. The finer the
mesh, the better the result, but the longer the analysis time. Therefore, a
compromise between accuracy & solution speed is usually made. The mesh
may be created manually, such as the one on the right, or generated
automatically like the one below. In the manually created mesh, you will notice that the
elements are smaller at the joint. This is known as mesh refinement, and it enables the stresses
to be captured at the geometric discontinuity (the junction).

Manual meshing is a long & tedious process for models with any degree of
geometric complication, but with useful tools emerging in pre-processors, the task
is becoming easier. Automatic mesh generators are very useful & popular. The
mesh is created automatically by a mesh engine; the only requirement is to define
the mesh density along the model's edges. Automatic meshing has limitations as
regards mesh quality & solution accuracy. Automatic brick element(hex) meshers
are limited in function, but are steadily improving. Any mesh is usually applied to the model by simply
selecting the mesh command on the preprocessor list of the gui.
Assigning properties. Mate ial p ope ties You g s odulus, Poisso s atio, the de sit , & if
applicable, coefficients of expansion, friction, thermal conductivity, damping effect, specific heat
etc.) will have to be defined. In addition element properties may need to be set. If 2D elements
are being used, the thickness property is required. 1D beam elements require area, I xx, Iyy, Ixy, J,
& a direction cosine property which defines the direction of the beam axis in 3D space. Shell
elements, which are 2½D in nature (2D elements in 3D space), require orientation & neutral
surface offset parameters to be defined. Special elements (mass, contact, spring, gap, coupling,
damper etc.) require properties (specific to the element type) to be defined for their use.
Apply Loads. Some type of load is usually applied to the analysis model. The loading may be in
the form of a point load, a pressure or a displacement in a stress (displacement) analysis, a
temperature or a heat flux in a thermal analysis & a fluid pressure or velocity in a fluid analysis.
The loads may be applied to a point, an edge, a surface or a even a complete body. The loads
should be in the same units as the model geometry & material properties specified. In the cases
of modal (vibration) & buckling analyses, a load does not have to be specified for the analysis to
run.
Applying Boundary Conditions. If you apply a load to the model, then in order to stop it
accelerating infinitely through the computer's virtual ether (mathematically known as a zero
pivot), at least one constraint or boundary condition must be applied. Structural boundary
conditions are usually in the form of zero displacements, thermal BCs are usually specified
temperatures, fluid BCs are usually specified pressures. A boundary condition may be specified
to act in all directions (x,y,z), or in certain directions only. They can be placed on nodes,
keypoints, areas or on lines. BC's on lines can be in the form of symmetric or anti-symmetric
type boundary conditions, one allowing in plane rotations and out of plane translations, the
other allowing in plane translations and out of plane rotations for a given line. The application of
correct boundary conditions are a critical to the accurate solution of the design problem. At
least one BC has to be applied to every model, even modal & buckling analyses with no loads
applied. See the 'Advanced BCs' section for explanations on more advanced boundary condition
types.
Solution Stage
Thankfully, this part is fully automatic. The FE solver can be logically divided into three main parts, the
pre-solver, the mathematical-engine & the post-solver. The pre-solver reads in the model created by the
pre-processor and formulates the mathematical representation of the model. All parameters defined in
the pre-processing stage are used to do this, so if you left something out, chances are the pre-solver will
complain & cancel the call to the mathematical-engine. If the model is correct the solver proceeds to
form the element-stiffness matrix for the problem & calls the mathematical-engine which calculates the
result (displacement, temperatures, pressures, etc.). The results are returned to the solver & the post-
solver is used to calculate strains, stresses, heat fluxes, velocities, etc.) for each node within the

component or continuum. All these results are sent to a results file which may be read by the post-
processor.
Post-Processor Stage
Here the results of the analysis are read & interpreted. They can be presented in the form of a table, a
contour plot, deformed shape of the component or the mode shapes and natural frequencies if
frequency analysis is involved. Other results are available for fluids, thermal and electrical analysis types.
Most post-processors provide an animation service, which produces an animation & brings your model
to life.
Contour plots are usually the most effective way of viewing results for structural type problems. Slices
can be made through 3D models to facilite the viewing of internal stress patterns. All post-processors
now include the calculation of stress & strains in any of the x, y or z directions, or indeed in a direction at
an angle to the coordinate axes. The principal stresses and strains may also be plotted, or if required the
yield stresses and strains according to the main theories of failure (von mises, St. Venant, Tresca etc.).
Other information such as the strain energy, plastic strain and creep strain may be obtained for certain
types of analyses.
A Final Word
The finite element method extremely powerful. However, with comforting contour plots, one can be
easily fooled into thinking that a superior result has been achieved. The quality of the result is totally
dependent on the quality of the analysis model & how accurately it represents the physical problem
being investigated. Remember, careful planning is the key to a successful analysis. Sometimes an
analysis is not required, as some problems have analytical or imperical solutions, others may be
determined using spreadsheets.

CHAPTER 02 - FEA AND ANSYS

Why FEA?
• The finite element model, which has a finite number of unknowns, can only approximate the
response of the physical system, which has infinite unknowns.
– So the question arises: How good is the approximation?
– Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It depends entirely on what
you are simulating and the tools you use for the simulation. We will, however,
attempt to give you guidelines throughout this training course.
Why FEA is needed?

• To reduce the amount of prototype testing
– Co pute si ulatio allo s ultiple hat-if s e a ios to e tested ui kl a d
effectively.
• To simulate designs that are not suitable for prototype testing
– Example: Surgical implants, such as an artificial knee
• The bottom line:
– Cost savings
– Ti e sa i gs… edu e ti e to a ket!
– Create more reliable, better-quality designs
• ANSYS is a complete FEA software package used by engineers worldwide in virtually all fields of
engineering:
– Structural
– Thermal
– Fluid (CFD, Acoustics, and other fluid analyses)
– Low- and High-Frequency Electromagnetics
• A partial list of industries in which ANSYS is used:
– Aerospace
– Automotive
– Biomedical
– Bridges & Buildings
– Electronics & Appliances
– Heavy Equipment & Machinery
– MEMS - Micro Electromechanical Systems
– Sporting Goods
• Supported Analyses include:

– 3D Static Structural Analysis
• Linear, Nonlinear Contact, Nonlinear Geometry, Nonlinear Material
– 3D Steady-State Thermal Analysis
– 3D Harmonic Analysis
– Structural analysis is used to determine deformations, strains, stresses, and reaction
forces
– 3D Modal Analysis

• Static analysis
– Used for static loading conditions.
– Nonlinear behavior such as large deflections, large strain, contact, plasticity,
hyperelasticity, and creep can be simulated.
• Dynamic analysis
– Includes mass and damping effects.
– Modal analysis calculates natural frequencies and mode shapes.
– Ha o i a al sis dete i es a st u tu e s espo se to si usoidal loads of k o
amplitude and frequency.
– Transie t D a i a al sis dete i es a st u tu e s espo se to ti e-varying loads and
can include nonlinear behavior.
• Other structural capabilities

– Spectrum analysis
– Random vibrations
– Eigenvalue buckling
– Substructuring, submodeling
• Explicit Dynamics with ANSYS/LS-DYNA

– Intended for very large deformation simulations where inertia forces are dominant.
– Used to simulate impact, crushing, rapid forming, etc.
• Thermal analysis is used to determine the temperature distribution in an object. Other

quantities of interest include amount of heat lost or gained, thermal gradients, and thermal flux.
• All three primary heat transfer modes can be simulated: conduction, convection, radiation.
• Steady-State
– Time-dependent effects are ignored.
• Transient
– To determine temperatures, etc. as a function of time.
– Allows phase change (melting or freezing) to be simulated.
• Electromagnetic analysis is used to calculate magnetic fields in electromagnetic devices.

• Static and low-frequency electromagnetics
– To simulate devices operating with DC power sources, low-frequency AC, or low-
frequency transient signals.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
– To determine the flow distributions and temperatures in a fluid.
– ANSYS/FLOTRAN can simulate laminar and turbulent flow, compressible and
incompressible flow, and multiple species.
– Applications: aerospace, electronic packaging, automotive design
– Typical quantities of interest are velocities, pressures, temperatures, and film
coefficients.
• Acoustics
– To simulate the interaction between a fluid medium and the surrounding solid.
– Example: speakers, automobile interiors, sonars

– Typical quantities of interest are pressure distribution, displacements, and natural
frequencies.
• Contained-Fluid Analysis
– To simulate the effects of a contained, non-flowing fluid and calculate hydrostatic
pressures due to sloshing.
– Example: oil tankers, other liquid containers
• Heat and Mass Transport
– A one-dimensional element is used to calculate the heat generated by mass transport
between two points, such as in a pipe.

CHAPTER 03 - ANSYS BASICS

Use dynamic mode — a way to orient the plot dynamically using the Control key and mouse buttons.
– Ctrl + Left mouse button pans the model.
– Ctrl + Middle mouse button: zooms the model, spins the model (about screen Z)
– Ctrl + Right mouse button rotates the model: about screen X, about screen Y
Important Tips while opening ANSYS:

• Interactive Mode - Of the three main phases of an analysis — preprocessing, solution,
postprocessing — the preprocessing and postprocessing phases are best suited for interactive
mode.
• Launcher
• Configure ANSYS Classic
• Command Line
Utility Menu
Icon Toolbar Menu
Input Line Raise/Hidden Icon
Output
Window
Command Window Icon
Abbreviation Toolbar Menu Model Control

Toolbar
Main Menu Graphics Area
User Prompt Info

Current Settings

Element Attributes Active Coordinate System
Opening a file
Open ANSYS
File
When opening the “blades.db”

database (using the Open ANSYS File
Icon), the jobname will be changed to
“blades”.
The Open ANSYS File Icon can be used to open either ANSYS
Database or ANSYS Command file types
Two types of picking

• Retrieval picking
– Picking existing entities for a subsequent operation.
– Allows you to enter entity numbers in the Picker Window.
– Use the Pick All button to indicate all entities.
• Locational picking
– Locating coordinates of a point, such as a keypoint or node.
– Allows you to enter coordinates in the Picker Window.
–
Mouse button assignments for picking:
• Left mouse button picks (or unpicks) the entity or location closest to the mouse pointer.
P essi g a d d aggi g allo s ou to p e ie the ite ei g pi ked o u pi ked .
• Middle mouse button does an Apply. Saves the time required to move the mouse over to the
Picker and press the Apply button. Use Shift-Right button on a two-button mouse.

• Right mouse button toggles between pick and unpick mode.
Other Topics to Discuss

1. Plot
2. Plot Control
3. Pan-Zoom-Rotate
4. Online Help
5. Launcher > Help System
6. Utility Menu > Help > Help Topics
7. Utility Menu > Help > ANSYS Tutorials.
8. Select Logic
Utility Menu > Select > Entities...

– By Num/Pick: to select based on entity numbers or by picking
– Attached to: to select based on attached entities. For example, select all lines attached
to the current subset of areas.
– By Location: to select based on X,Y,Z location. For example, select all nodes at X=2.5.
X,Y,Z are interpreted in the active coordinate system.
– By Attributes: to select based on material number, real constant set number, etc.
Different attributes are available for different entities.
– Exterior: to select entities lying on the exterior.
– By Results: to select entities by results data, e.g, nodal displacements.
– Type of selection
– From Full: selects a subset from the full set of entities.
– Reselect: selects (again) a subset from the current subset.
– Also Select: adds another subset to the current subset.
– Unselect: deactivates a portion of the current subset.
– Invert: toggles the active and inactive subsets.
– Select None: deactivates the full set of entities.
– Select All: reactivates the full set of entities.
–
Reactivating the Full Set
• After all desired operations are done on the selected subset, you should reactivate the full set of
entities.
– If all nodes and all elements are not active for solution, the solver will issue a warning to
that effect.
• The easiest a to ea ti ate the full set is to sele t e e thi g :
– Utility Menu > Select > Everything
– Or issue the command ALLSEL
9. Components
o A group of nodes, or elements, or keypoints, or lines, or areas, or volumes can be defined as
a component. Only one entity type is associated with a component.
o Components can be selected or unselected. When you select a component, you are actually
selecting all of the entities in that component.

To create a component:
o First select the desired subset of entities.
o Then name the subset using the CM command or Utility Menu > Select >
Comp/Assembly > Create Component
 Up to 32 characters — letters, numbers, and _ (underscore) — are allowed
for the name.
 Begi i g a o po e t a e ith _ u de s o e ill ake it a hidde
o po e t a d it a ot e pi ked f o a list. This is NOT e o e ded.
 Suggestion: Use the first letter of the name to indicate the entity type. For
example, N_HOLES for a node component, E_ALUMIN for an element
component, etc.
o Reactivate all entities.
Some useful options:

• Plot components
– Utility Menu > Plot > Components > Selected Components
– Or CMPLOT
• Select, unselect, reselect, etc.
– Utility Menu > Select > Comp/Assembly > Select Comp/Assembly
– Or CMSEL
• Listing components gives a list of currently defined and selected components.
– Utility Menu > Select > Comp/Assembly > List Comp/Assembly
– Or CMLIST
10. Create an assembly
11. File formats

Database files (*.db) also dbb
Result files (*.rst)
Log files (*.log)
Error files (*.err)
Other result file formats (*.rst, *.rth, *.rmg, *.rfl)
Load step files, if any (.s01, .s02, ...)
Physics files (.ph1, .ph2, ...)
12. Save and Resume

13. Clearing the Database
14. Quit and Exit.

CHAPTER 4 - GENERAL ANSYS PROCEDURES

The objective of this chapter is out line a general analysis procedure to be used to solve a
simulation. Regardless of the physics of the problem, the same general procedure can be followed
Every analysis involves four main steps:

• Preliminary Decisions
– Which analysis type?
– What to model?
– Which element type?
• Preprocessing
– Define Material
– Create or import the model geometry
– Mesh the geometry
• Solution
– Apply loads
– Solve
• Postprocessing
– Review results
– Check the validity of the solution
–
Preliminary Decisions
Preprocessing
Solution
Post Processing
Analysis Type
• The analysis type usually belongs to one of the following disciplines:
Structural -Motion of solid bodies, pressure on solid bodies, or contact of solid bodies
Thermal - Applied heat, high temperatures, or changes in temperature
Electromagnetic - Devices subjected to electric currents (AC or DC), electromagnetic waves, and
voltage or charge excitation
Fluid - Motion of gases/fluids, or contained gases/fluids
Coupled –Field Combinations of any of the above

CHAPTER 5 - CREATING SOLID MODEL

The purpose of this chapter is to review some preliminary modeling considerations, discuss how to
i po t o e s geo et i to AN“Y“, a d fi all dis uss ho to eate o e s geo et usi g AN“Y“ ati e
commands.
• Many modeling decisions must be made before building an analysis model:

• How much detail should be included?
• Does symmetry apply?
What to model?
• Small details that are unimportant to the analysis should not be included in the analysis model.
You can suppress such features before sending a model to ANSYS from a CAD system.
• For some structures, however, "small" details such as fillets or holes can be locations of
maximum stress and might be quite important, depending on your analysis objectives.
Symmetry
• Many structures are symmetric in some form and allow only a representative portion or cross-
section to be modeled.
• The main advantages of using a symmetric model are:
– It is generally easier to create the model.
– It allows you to make a finer, more detailed model and thereby obtain better results
than would have been possible with the full model.
• To take advantage of symmetry, all of the following must be symmetric:

– Geometry
– Material properties
– Loading conditions
• There are different types of symmetry:
– Axisymmetry
– Rotational
– Planar or reflective
– Repetitive or translational

Axisymmetry
• Symmetry about a central axis, such as in light bulbs, straight pipes, cones, circular plates, and
domes.
• Plane of symmetry is the cross-section anywhere around the structure. Thus you are using a
single 2-D sli e to ep ese t ° — a real savings in model size!
• Loading is also assumed to be axisymmetric in most cases. However, if it is not, and if the
analysis is linear, the loads can be separated into harmonic components for independent
solutions that can be superimposed.
Rotational symmetry
• Repeated segments arranged about a central axis, such as in turbine rotors.
• Only one segment of the structure needs to be modeled.
• Loading is also assumed to be symmetric about the axis.
Planar or reflective symmetry

• One half of the structure is a mirror image of the other half. The mirror is the plane of
symmetry.
• Loading may be symmetric or anti-symmetric about the plane of symmetry.
This model illustrates both reflective and rotational symmetry
Repetitive or translational symmetry

• Repeated segments arranged along a straight line, such as a long pipe with evenly spaced
cooling fins.

• Loadi g is also assu ed to e epeated alo g the le gth of the odel.
This model illustrates both repetitive and reflective symmetry
Stress singularities
• A stress singularity is a location in a finite element model where the stress value is unbounded
(infinite). Examples:
– A point load, such as an applied force or moment
– An isolated constraint point, where the reaction force behaves like a point load
– A sharp re-entrant corner (with zero fillet radius)
• As the mesh density is refined at a stress singularity, the stress value increases and never
converges.
P = P/A
As A 0,
• Real structures do not contain stress singularities. They are a fiction created by the simplifying
assumptions of the model.
• So how do you deal with stress singularities?
– If they are located far away from the region of interest, you can simply ignore them by
deactivating the affected zone while reviewing results.
– If they are located in the region of interest, you will need to take corrective action, such
as:
• adding a fillet at re-entrant corners and rerunning the analysis.
• replacing a point force with an equivalent pressure load.
• sp eadi g out displa e ent constraints over a set of nodes
• Importing an IGES file

– Utilit Me u > File > I po t > IGE“…
– the two methods, No Defeaturing and Defeaturing
– the Merge, Solid, and Small options

• No Defeaturing Method — Imports and stores geometry in the standard ANSYS database.
[ioptn,iges,nodefeat]
+ Faster and more reliable than the Defeaturing method.
+ Allows the full set of solid model operations.
+ No defeaturing tools are available.
+ This is the DEFAULT and recommended method.
• Defeaturing Method — Imports and stores geometry in a special database that allows you to
repair and defeature the model. [ioptn,iges,defeat]
+ Ability to defeature, i.e, to remove minor details such as protrusions, cavities, and small
holes.
+ Because of the special database used to store geometry, only a limited number of solid
model operations are available.
+ Ge e all e ui es o e e o a d is so e hat slo e tha the No defeatu i g
method.
+ This method is efficient for single solid models that will be imported, loaded, meshed
and solved.
+ In general, it is NOT recommended when advanced geometry capabilities are required.
• Merge Option
+ YES by default, to merge coincident entities so that adjacent areas meet at a common
line, and adjacent lines meet at a common keypoint.
+ Switch it to NO only if you are using the Defeaturing method and your initial attempt
runs out of memory.
+ ioptn,merge,yes/no

Merge
• AN“Y“ Co e tio p odu ts help o e o e this p o le di e tl eadi g the ati e pa t

files produced by the CAD package:
– Co e tio fo P o/ENGINEE‘ P o/E fo sho t
– Co e tio fo U ig aphi s UG fo sho t
– Connection for SAT
– Connection for Parasolid
– Connection for CATIA
• Importing geometry is convenient, but sometimes you may need to create it in ANSYS. Some
possible reasons:
– You may need to build a parametric model — one defined in terms of variables for later
use in design optimization or sensitivity studies.
– The geometry may not be available in a format ANSYS can read.
– The Connection product you need may not be available on your computer platform.
– You may need to modify or add geometry to an imported part or assembly.
• ANSYS has an extensive set of geometry creation tools, which we will discuss next.
SOLID MODELING
• A typical solid model is defined by volumes, areas, lines, and keypoints.
– Volumes are bounded by areas. They represent solid objects.
– Areas are bounded by lines. They represent faces of solid objects, or planar or shell
objects.
– Lines are bounded by keypoints. They represent edges of objects.
– Keypoints are locations in 3-D space. They represent vertices of objects.
Volumes Areas Lines & Keypoints
VOLUMES
AREAS

LINES
KEYPOINTS
• There are two approaches to creating a solid model:

– Top-down
– Bottom-up
• Top-down modeling starts with a definition of volumes (or areas), which are then combined in
some fashion to create the final shape.
Add
Bottom-up modeling sta ts ith ke poi ts, f o hi h ou uild up li es, a eas, et
• You may choose whichever approach best suits the shape of the model, and also freely combine
both methods.
Top-down Modeling
• Primitives are predefined geometric shapes such as circles, polygons, and spheres.
• 2-D primitives include rectangles, circles, triangles, and other polygons.

• 3-D primitives include blocks, cylinders, prisms, spheres, and cones.
• When you create a 2-D primitive, ANSYS defines an area, along with its underlying lines and
keypoints.
• When you create a 3-D primitive, ANSYS defines a volume, along with its underlying areas, lines
and keypoints.
Creating Areas
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Areas > Circle
Creating Block
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Volumes >Block
Work Plane
• The WP i the p o pts a d i the pi ke sta ds fo Working Plane — a movable, 2-D
reference plane used to locate and orient primitives.
– By default, the WP origin coincides with the global origin, but you can move it and/or
rotate it to any desired position.
– B displa i g a g id, ou a use the WP as a d a i g ta let.
– WP is infinite despite the grid settings.

height
WY
WY WX
wi
dt
X1 h
Y2
X2
Y1 WP (X,Y)
WX
• Utility Menu > WorkPlane.

• The WP Settings menu controls the following:
• WP display - triad only (default), grid only, or both.
• Snap - allo s ou to pi k lo atio s o the WP easil s appi g the u so to the
nearest grid point.
• Grid spacing - the distance between grid lines.
• Grid size - how much of the (infinite) working plane is displayed.
• You can move the working plane to any desired position using the Offset and Align menus.
•
Offset WP I e e ts…
• Use the push buttons (with increment set by slider).
• Or type in the desired increments.
• Or use dynamic mode (similar to pan-zoom-rotate).
•
Offset WP to >
This si pl t a slates the WP, ai tai i g its u e t o ie tatio , to the desi ed desti atio ,
which can be:
• Existing keypoint(s). Picking multiple keypoints moves WP to their average
location.
• Existing node(s).
• Coordinate location(s).
• Global origin.
• Origin of the active coordinate system (discussed later).
Align WP with >
This reorients the WP.
• For example, Align WP with Keypoints prompts you to pick 3 keypoints - one at
the origin, one to define the X-axis, and one to define the X-Y plane.
• To return the WP to its default position (at global origin, on global X-Y plane),
click on Align WP with > Global Cartesian.

BOOLEAN OPERATIONS:
• Main Menu Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Booleans
• Boolean operations are computations involving combinations of geometric entities. ANSYS

Boolean operations include add, subtract, intersect, divide, glue, partition and overlap.
ORIGINAL MODEL ADD GLUE
ORIGINAL MODEL OVERLAP SUBTRACT
Divide
– Cuts an entity into two or more pieces that are still connected to each other by common
boundaries.
– The utti g tool a e the o ki g pla e, a a ea, a li e, o e e a olu e.
– Useful fo sli i g a d di i g a o pli ated olu e i to si ple olu es fo brick
meshing.

• Intersect
– Keeps only the overlapping portion of two or more entities.
– If there are more than two input entities, you have two choices: common intersection
and pairwise intersection
• Common intersection finds the common overlapping region among all input
entities.
• Pairwise intersection finds the overlapping region for each pair of entities and
may produce more than one output entity.
COMMON PAIR WISE INTERSECTION
• Partition
• To define keypoints:
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints

Active Coordinate System
• Defaults to global Cartesian.
• Use CSYS command (or Utility Menu > WorkPlane > Change Active CS to) to change it to
– global Cartesian [csys,0]
– global cylindrical [csys,1]
– global spherical [csys,2]
– working plane [csys,4]
– or a user-defined local coordinate system [csys, n]
–
Global Coordinate System
• The global reference system for the model.
• May be Cartesian (system 0), cylindrical (1), or spherical (2).
– For example, location (0,10,0) in global Cartesian is the same as (10,90,0) in global
Cylindrical.
Local Coordinate System

• A user-defined system at a desired location, with ID number 11 or greater. The location may be:
– At WP origin [CSWP]
– At specified coordinates [LOCAL]
– At existing keypoints [CSKP] or nodes [CS]
• May be Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical.
• May be rotated about X, Y, Z axes.
Working Plane Coordinate System

• Attached to the working plane.
• Used mainly to locate and orient solid model primitives.
• You can also use the working plane to define keypoints by picking.
You can define any number of coordinate systems, but only one may be active at any given time.
 Create lines, Arcs, Splines, + Operate > Extrude
 Create > Areas > Arbitrary, + Operate > Extrude
 Create > Volumes > Arbitrary, + Operate > Extrude
• Besides Booleans, many other operations are available:

– Extrude
– Scale
– Move
– Copy

– Reflect
– Merge
– Fillet
Extrude
• To quickly create volumes from existing areas (or areas from lines, and lines from keypoints).
• If the area is meshed, you can extrude the elements along with the areas.
• Four ways to extrude areas:
– Along normal — creates volume by normal offset of areas [VOFFST] .
– By XYZ offset — creates volume by a general x-y-z offset [VEXT]. Allows tapered
extrusion.
– About axis — creates volume by revolving areas about an axis (specified by two
keypoints) [VROTAT].
– Along lines — eates olu e d aggi g a eas alo g a li e o a set of o tiguous
lines [VDRAG].
Scaling
• Scaling is typically needed when you want to convert the geometry to a different set of units,
say from inches to millimeters.
• To scale a model in ANSYS:
• First save the database -- Toolbar > SAVE_DB or SAVE command.
• Then Main Menu > Preprocessor > Operate > Scale > Volumes (choose the highest-level
entity available in the model)
• [Pick All] to pick all volumes
• The e te desi ed s ale fa to s fo ‘X, ‘Y, ‘) a d set IMOVE to Mo ed
i stead of Copied
•
Move
• To translate or rotate an entity by specifying DX,DY,DZ offsets.
– DX,DY,DZ are interpreted in the active CS.
– To translate an entity, make the active CS Cartesian.
– To rotate an entity, make the active CS cylindrical or spherical.
– Or use the commands
• VGEN, AGEN, LGEN, KGEN
• Another option is to transfer coordinates to a different system.
– Transfer occurs from the active CS to a specified CS.
– This operation is useful when you need to move and rotate an entity at the same time.
– Or use the commands
• VTRAN, ATRAN, LTRAN, KTRAN

Rotate 30 o
Copy
• To generate multiple copies of an entity.
• Specify the number of copies (2 or greater) and the DX,DY,DZ offset for each copy. DX,DY,DZ are
interpreted in the active CS.
• Useful to create multiple holes, ribs, protrusions, etc.
Reflect
• To reflect entities about a plane.
• Specify the direction of reflection:
– X for reflection about the YZ plane
– Y for XZ plane
– Z for XY plane
All directions are interpreted in the active CS, which must be a Cartesian system.
Merge
• To attach two entities together by removing coincident keypoints.
– Merging keypoints will automatically merge coincident higher-order entities, if any.
• Usually required after a reflect, copy, or other operation that causes coincident entities.

Fillet
• Line fillet requires two intersecting lines with a common keypoint at the intersection.
– If the common keypoint does not exist, do a partition operation first.
– ANSYS does not update the underlying area (if any), so you need to either add or
subtract the fillet region.
• Area filleting is similar.
• Create Fillet, Create Area, Subtract from base area
This section is intended to give users advice on best modeling practices that will help the user avoid
corrupt databases.
– Put as much of your ANSYS input as you can into an input file. Even simple items such as
material data and real constant data, so that your analysis is easier to debug (and even
parameterize).
– Do ot keep deletes i ou data ase. Use the i put file edit a olu e o a ele e t
size setting instead of deleting volumes or clearing a mesh.
– Perform element attributes (xATT) and Boolean operations BEFORE meshing.
(Absolutely no Booleans after meshing.)
– Don't use NUMMRG,KP to pull together non-coincident keypoints.

– Examine any imported geometry for slivers, voids, edges not meeting, or any other
geometrical issue.
– Ideally, creating the geometry in ANSYS is best for meshing, however some users must
import geometry. Users first option should be to use a connection product and import a
SAT, Parasolid, etc file. As a last resort IGES files can also be imported. (Note: It has
ee so e use s e pe ie e that the ti e spe t i epeatedl lea i g-up IGE“ files,
makes the purchase of a Connection Product more than worth the minimal cost.) Try all
methods and see what works best for your case.
– Do ele e t att i ute assig e t o solid odel geo et ATT . Do t use EMODIF o
global settings (TYPE, MAT, REAL) unless you need to.
– Make backup copies periodically (such as jobname.db1, jobname.db2, etc.).
– Check the *.err file for all error messages and understand why warning messages are
printed.
– Use the /EDGE command to display common lines between all adjacent element faces.
With the edge key on, an element plot displays only the element edges without
coplanar share element edges. The NSEL,S,EXT command will select external nodes for
the selected set of elements. After plotting these nodes, the user should only see the
nodes on the edges of the selected elements, any other nodes demonstrate problem
locations.
– Do not perform any Booleans operations while you have any concatenated lines or
areas in the model.
– Do t di ide a li e a eshed li e – always clear the mesh before performing
Booleans.
– Delete any FE-based elements (ie: contact, pretension, surface effect elements) before
clearing a mesh
– Import all geometry at one time - ie.: do t i po t, esh, i po t.
– Don't subtract or overlap coincident or tangent geometry. For example:
block,,1,,1,,1 block,,1,,1,,1 vsbv,1,2.
– Minimize use of hardpoints.
– Minimize use of dragging and skinning.
– Minimize use of cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems to create geometry
bottom-up from keypoints.
– Where surface or rotation are required, for cylinders, spheres, torus, etc., extrude the
wire around an axis and then trim the surface as necessary. This will eliminate the
COONS patch problem by providing more precise NURBS surfaces from the extrusion
process.
– Use COONS patches generated on non-cartesian coordinate systems only as the last
resort. When these are used and the results are needed for Boolean operations use
these surfaces or their associated volumes last in your operations.
– If using multiple load step files (LSWRITE), do this last since .s00 files only contain
loadings for FE data.
– Start with very simple models, using a few elements of the element type desired and
start with simple material properties before upgrading to, say, a hyperelastic material
model.
– Take a Verification Manual problem with a known solution and then start tweaking that
towards what you are trying to do.

– Use the same numbering even though it is redundant – such as TYPE 1, REAL 1, MAT 1
for one part, and TYPE 2, REAL 2, MAT 2, for another part. This makes attribute
assignment easy to keep track of.
– Start with a working database and record all Boolean operations in a text file. If
something goes wrong, you can just edit the file and your db will be fine.
– If the database is corrupt, you can resume the database and archive the file with the
CDWRITE as a last resort.
– Take the time before modeling to plan your approach - this will save you a lot of time
down the road.

CHAPTER 6 – CREATING THE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the meshing element attributes, various means to create a
esh i AN“Y“, a d fi all ho to i po t o e s fi ite ele e t odel di e tl i to AN“Y“. ‘e all,
ANSYS does not use the solid model in the solution of the model; rather it needs to use finite
elements.
• Meshing is the p o ess used to fill the solid odel ith odes a d ele e ts, i.e, to eate the
FEA model.
•
Mesh Generation
In order to carry out a finite element analysis, the model we are using must be divided into a number of
small pieces known as finite elements. Since the model is divided into a number of discrete parts, FEA
can be described as a discretization technique. In simple terms, a mathematical net or "mesh" is
required to carry out a finite element analysis.
If the system under investigation is 1D in nature, we may use line elements to represent our geometry
and to carry out our analysis. If the problem can be described in 2 dimensions, then a 2D mesh is
required. Correspondingly, if the problem is complex and a 3D representation of the continuum is
required, then we use a 3D mesh.
Mesh Density
The art of using FEM lies in choosing the correct mesh density required to solve a problem. If the mesh is
too coarse, then the element will not allow a correct solution to be obtained. Alternatively, if the mesh
is too fine, the cost of analysis in computing time can be out of proportion to the results obtained. In
order to define a relevant mesh, some idea of the parameter distributions (stress, temperature,
pressure, etc.) within the component is required. If the answer is known, then a good mesh can be
defined. A fine mesh is required where there are high parameter gradients and strain and a course mesh
is sufficient in areas that have result contours of reasonably constant slope.
Element Distortion
Every element is defined in terms of the basic shape of a parent element. Due to the geometry of a
component, elements may become distorted in an effort to force a mesh within the boundary of the
model. When elements are distorted from their parent shape they become less accurate. As the
distortion is increased, the solution error becomes greater. Therefore, the user should attempt to keep
the elements as near to the basic parent element shape as possible when creating a mesh.
Structured & Unstructured Meshes

Structured meshes are characterised by regular connectivity. All interior chord nodes (nodes on the
extremity of the element) of a structured mesh are connected to the same number of element edges.
The mesh generated by a structured grid generator is typically all quadrilateral or hexahedral. Each
interior chord node is connected to four elements in 2D, and so are called tetrad nodes, since they have
a valency of four. In 3D, the interior nodes are octavalent, i.e. connected to eight elements.
Unstructured meshes allow any number of elements to meet at a single chord node. They have been
developed mainly because they can be created using automatic meshing engines. Triangle and

Tetrahedral meshes are most commonly thought of when referring to unstructured meshing, although
quadrilateral and hexahedral meshes can also be unstructured.
Mesh requirements
The Finite Element Method (FEM) has certain requirements on a mesh:
The mesh must be valid, (no holes, self-intersections, or faces joined at two or more edges).
The mesh must conform to the boundary of the domain. This is an obvious requirement, but
some schemes such as a Delaunay triangulation may not satisfy this condition.
The density of the mesh must be controllable, to allow trade-off between accuracy and
solution time.
The grid density will vary depending on local accuracy requirements, but any variations must
be smooth to reduce or eliminate numerical diffusion/refraction effects.
There are some requirements on the shape of elements. In general, the elements should as
equiangular as possible in equilateral triangles & regular tetrahedra. Highly distorted
elements (long, thin triangles, squashed tetrahedra) can lead to numerical stability problems
caused by round-off errors. This requirement is modified for boundary layers, where highly
stretched elements are desired and facilitated in the FEM formulation. The min-max-angle
property is still required in this case.
Element Limitations
Triangles/tetrahedra can fit irregular boundaries and allow a progressive change of element size without
excessive distortion, and are therefore well-suited for FEA modelling. There are fully automatic methods
for generating triangular/tetrahedral meshes. However, linear tetrahedra are not that good for FEM (too
stiff) and a high density of elements is required to yield acceptable results, which leads to increased
solver time. Quadratic quadrilateral/hexahedral elements are much better, but it is difficult to
automatically generate all-hexahedral meshes. Quadratic tetrahedra have as good FEM properties and
can be generated using automatic meshing algorithms.
In general the FE-Method is a al ulated app oa h, the solutio a t e as e a t as the analytic result.
Be aware of the fact that convergence can be obtained for the deformations of a structure, but the
stresses can still be inaccurate up to 30%. The precision of an analysis depends mainly on the size and
position of elements, the type of element (triangular or quadrilateral based) and also the element
formulation (linear, quadratic, plane stress, axysymmetric etc.).
• There are three steps to meshing:

– Define element attributes
– Specify mesh controls
– Generate the mesh
• Element attributes are characteristics of the finite element model that you must establish prior
to meshing. They include:
– Element types
– Real constants
– Material properties
– Section properties (for BEAM44,188, and 189, SHELL181, and PRETS179)

Element Type
• The element type is an important choice that determines the following element characteristics:
– Degree of Freedom (DOF) set. A thermal element type, for example, has one dof: TEMP,
whereas a structural element type may have up to six dof: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY,
ROTZ.
– Element shape -- brick, tetrahedron, quadrilateral, triangle, etc.
– Dimensionality -- 2-D (X-Y plane only), or 3-D.
– Assumed displacement shape -- linear vs. quadratic.
• AN“Y“ has a li a of o e ele e t t pes f o hi h ou a hoose. Fo o , let s see
how to define an element type.
Element category
• ANSYS offers many different categories of elements. Some of the commonly used ones are:
– Line elements
– Shells
– 2-D solids
– 3-D solids
Line elements
– Beam elements are used to model bolts, tubular members, C-sections, angle irons, or
any long, slender members where only membrane and bending stresses are needed.
– Link elements are used to model springs, bolts, preloaded bolts, and truss members.
– Spring (combination) elements are used to model springs, bolts, or long slender parts, or
to replace complex parts by an equivalent stiffness.
Shell elements
– Used to model thin panels or curved surfaces.
– The defi itio of thi depe ds o the appli atio , ut as a ge e al guideli e, the
major dimensions of the shell structure (panel) should be at least 10 times its thickness.
2-D Solid elements

– Used to model a cross-section of solid objects.
– Must be modeled in the global Cartesian X-Y plane.
– All loads are in the X-Y plane, and the response (displacements) are also in the X-Y plane.
– Element behavior may be one of the following:
• plane stress
• plane strain
• generalized plain strain
• axisymmetric
• axisymmetric harmonic
Plane stress assumes zero stress in the Z direction.

– Valid for components in which the Z dimension is smaller than the X and Y dimensions.
– Z-strain is non-zero.
– Optional thickness (Z direction) allowed.
Plane strain assumes zero strain in the Z direction.

– Valid for components in which the Z dimension is much larger than the X and Y
dimensions.

– Z-stress is non-zero.
Axisymmetry assumes that the 3-D model and its loading can be generated by revolving a 2-D
section 360° about the Y axis.
– Axis of symmetry must coincide with the global Y axis.
– Negative X coordinates are not permitted.
– Y direction is axial, X direction is radial, and Z direction is circumferential (hoop)
direction.
– Hoop displacement is zero; hoop strains and stresses are usually very significant.
3-D Solid elements

– Used for structures which, because of geometry, materials, loading, or detail of required
results, cannot be modeled with simpler elements.
– Also used when the model geometry is transferred from a 3-D CAD system, and a large
amount of time and effort is required to convert it to a 2-D or shell form
Element Order
• Element order refers to the pol o ial o de of the ele e t s shape functions.
• What is a shape function?
– It is a athe ati al fu tio that gi es the shape of the esults ithi the ele e t.
Since FEA solves for DOF values only at nodes, we need the shape function to map the
nodal DOF values to points within the element.
Stress Analyses
• If you are interested in highly accurate stresses:
• A fine mesh will be needed, omitting no geometric details at any location in the
structure where such accuracy is needed.
• Stress convergence should be demonstrated.
• Any simplification anywhere in the model might introduce significant error.
• If you are interested in deflections or nominal stresses:
• A relatively coarse mesh is sufficient.
• Small geometry details may be omitted.
Thermal Analyses
• Small details can usually be omitted, but since many thermal analyses are followed by a
stress analysis, stress considerations generally dictate the detail of the model.
• Mesh density is usually determined by expected thermal gradients. A fine mesh is
required for high thermal gradients, whereas a coarse mesh may be sufficient for low
gradients.
To define an element type

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete
• [Add] to add new element type
• Choose the desired type (such as SOLID92) and press OK
• [Options] to specify additional element options
– Or use the ET command:
• et,1,solid92

Picking an Element Type for Structural Analysis
Picking an element type from the large library of elements in ANSYS can be an intimidating thing for a
beginner. Out of the almost 200 available which one should I select? Why are there so many? Are there
181 kinds of shell elements? This part will address this issue for a structural analysis. The table below
shows the most commonly used element types for stress analysis.
Element Naming Conventions

Elements are organized into groups of similar characteristics. These group names make up the first part
of the element name (PLANE, SOLID, SHELL,etc). The second part of the element name is a number that
is more or less (but not exactly) chronological. As elements have been created over the past 30 years the
element numbers have simply been incremented. The earliest and simplest elements have the lowest
numbers (LINK1, BEAM3, etc), the more recently developed ones have higher nu e s. The , ,
a d se ies of ele e ts “HELL , “OLID , et a e the e est a d ost ode i the AN“Y“
element library.
Some FEA codes (NASTRAN comes to mind) have just a handful of elements that do everything. There
are several reasons why there are such a large number of elements in ANSYS. First, there was a
conscious plan from the beginnings of the program that, for example, if you want to do a thermal
analysis, there is no reason to use an element with structural degrees of freedom. That just requires an
element to carry a bunch of baggage around that it is not using. While ANSYS does have coupled field
elements that can do both, generally speaking if you want to do a thermal analysis you use an element
with a temperature degree of freedom only, and structural elements do not drag around an unused
temperature degree of freedom. This was done in the name of computational efficiency. Secondly, old
elements are rarely deleted out of the program library for the sake of compatibility with older models.
When a new and improved BEAM4 element was created, BEAM4 was not revised but left alone, and the
BEAM44 was introduced. So the library keeps getting larger as new and more capable elements are
formulated. The last reason is that ANSYS is a huge program with integrated capabilities in many physics
fields. So there are elements for fluids, electromagnetics, electric field, acoustics, and explicit dynamics
analyses as well.
2D Solid Elements
Ho a a D ele e t e a solid ? That s a uestio ost new ANSYS users ask. There are two reasons
in ANSYS-speak. First, they are considered solid because they are not a shell or a beam element. Shells
and beams are structural abstractions that will be discussed in the following sections. Secondly, they are
solids because they fully represent a solid chunky part by modeling a cross section of that part. There are
three main kinds of 2D solid elements:

Plane Strain: In a plane strain analysis we are modeling something that is so long that there is no strain
in the thickness direction. A cross section of a long beam or a dam holding back water would be
examples of this kind of behavior. Stresses in the thickness direction are significant.
Axisymmetric: In this type of analysis we are modeling a cross section of a structure that is fully defined
by rotating the cross section around a central axis. A pressure vessel or bottle would be examples of this
kind of structure. The thickness direction here represents the circumferential (hoop) direction and those
out-of-plane stresses are very significant (picture a tank under pressure).
Plane Stress: This is ot eall a solid ele e t pe sa ut still falls i to this atego si e it does t
really fit anywhere else). A plane stress analysis is a 2D model of a thin sheet with a small thickness and
in-plane loading. You would get the same results with a shell model with in-plane loads only and the
out-of-plane displacement constrained.
All 2D solid elements can be any one of these three types by changing the element key options.
PLANE42: Basic 2D solid element.

PLANE82: 8 noded version of PLANE42. Also has a triangular option.
PLANE182: Similar to PLANE42 except has capability for simulating deformations of nearly
incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.
PLANE183: 8 noded version of PLANE182.
3D Solid Elements
These types of elements have their geometry fully defined by the element nodes. They are elements
used to mesh volumes in ANSYS. These volumes could be created in the ANSYS preprocessor or
imported from a CAD system. Hexahedral elements (bricks) can be used to mesh regularly shaped
rectangular type volumes, while tetrahedral elements (tets) can be used to mesh any volume. Even
linear bricks (if they are not distorted much) can model a thin plate in out-of-plane bending with one
ele e t th ough the thi k ess si e the all default ha e the e t a shapes tu ed o .
SOLID45: Basic linear brick.
SOLID95: 20 noded version of SOLID45. It can tolerate irregular shapes without as much loss of accuracy.
Well suited to model curved boundaries. These elements can also be tetrahedral and can automatically
transition between hexahedral and tetrahedral using pyramids.
SOLID185: Newer version of SOLID45. Also has mixed formulation capability for simulating deformations
of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.
SOLID186: Newer version of SOLID95. Also has mixed formulation capability for simulating deformations
of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully incompressible hyperelastic materials.
SOLID92: Tetrahedral only element (10 noded quadratic).
SOLID187: Newer version of SOLID92. Similarly to other 18x elements also has mixed formulation
capability for simulating deformations of nearly incompressible elastoplastic materials, and fully
incompressible hyperelastic materials.
3D Shell Elements
A shell element is a surface type element. It is really a 2D element that is called 3D because it is not
restricted to the XY plane like a 2D solid element; it can be located anywhere in three-dimensional space
and it can deform out-of-pla e. “hell ele e ts a e e gi ee i g a st a tio s e ause a geo et i
surface has no physical thickness. An ANSYS real constant is used to assign a thickness to a shell
element. Shell elements are also called plate elements, and are used to model panel type structures

where the thickness is small compared to the other dimensions of the part. They can carry in-plane
loads (also called membrane loads) and also out-of-plane bending moments and twisting. SHELL63: This
is an older but still very widely used shell element. It can analyze large deflections but not plasticity.
SHELL93: Quadratic version of SHELL63. In addition it can analyze plasticity. SHELL181: Newest linear
shell element. Has plasticity and can also be used to model laminated composites and sandwich panels.
Note: There is no eight noded 18x series shell element. Line Elements: Line elements are a further
engineering abstraction from shells; they are physically idealized as a simple line, which represents a
long slender structure that can carry axial, bending, shear and twisting forces. Real constants define the
cross sectional properties of the beam element. BEAM3: Simple 2D beam element. Must be created in
XY plane. BEAM4: Beam element that can be modeled in 3D space. Has large deflection. BEAM44:
Tapered beam element. Can use the beam tool to define a section and have real constants automatically
calculated. BEAM188: Timoshenko beam that includes shear deformation. Can handle plasticity and can
define a section with the beam tool. Can have a built-up cross section with more than one material. By
default this is a true linear element. You need a lot of them to give the same results as one
BEAM3/4/44/189. In release 8.0 turn on KEYOPT(3) = 2 to give an internal quadratic shape function to
eliminate this problem. Can display stresses on the actual beam shape like it was solid. BEAM189: Three
noded quadratic version of BEAM188. This is pretty much the ultimate beam element that can do
everything well.
Finally AN“Y“ has a ele e ts i its li a , ut it s fast to a o the do to just a fe fo ou

structural analysis once you select an analysis approach. Try to stick with the 18x/20x series of elements
when possible because they incorporate the latest technology.
Real Constants
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Real Constants
• Used fo geo et i p ope ties that a ot e o pletel defi ed the ele e t s geo et y.
For example:
– A beam element is defined by a line joining two nodes. This defines only the length of
the ea . To spe if the ea s oss-sectional properties, such as the area, moment
of inertia or dimensions, you need to use real constants or section properties.
– A shell element is defined by a quadrilateral or triangular area. This defines only the
surface area of the shell. To specify the shell thickness or layers, you need to use real
constants or section properties.
– Most 3-D solid elements do not require a real constant since the element geometry is
fully defined by its nodes.
–
Section properties
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Sections
• Ability to Import Sections
• Beam, Shell and Pretension sections can be created.
• Or use the SECxxx family of commands.
• Different element types require different section properties. See the Elements Manual for
details.
Material Properties
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Material Properties > Material Models
• Every analysis requires some ate ial p ope t i put: You g s odulus EX for structural
elements, thermal conductivity KXX for thermal elements, etc.

• Most FEA models have multiple attributes. For example, the silo shown here has two element
types, three real constant sets, and two materials.
• Whenever you have multiple TYPEs, REALs, MATs and SECNUMs, you need to make sure that
each element is assigned the proper attributes. There are three ways to do this:
• Assign attributes to the solid model entities before meshing
• A ti ate a glo al setti g of TYPE, ‘EAL, MAT a d “ECNUM before meshing
• Modify element attributes after meshing
• If no assignments are made, ANSYS uses default settings of TYPE=1, REAL=1, MAT=1 and
SECNUM=1 for all elements in the model. Note, the current active setting dictates mesh
operation.
• Good practice is to use the same number for TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM for a given part.
Assigning Attributes to the Solid Model

Define all necessary element types, materials, and real constant sets.
The use the Ele e t Att i utes se tio of the MeshTool Mai Me u > Preprocessor
> MeshTool):
Choose entity type and press the SET button.
Pick the entities to which you want to assign attributes.
Set the appropriate attributes in the subsequent dialog box.
Or select the desired entities and use the VATT, AATT, LATT, or KATT command.
When you mesh an entity, its attributes are automatically transferred to the elements.
Using Global Attribute Settings

Define all necessary element types, materials, real constant sets and section numbers
The use the Ele e t Att i utes section of the MeshTool
(Main Menu > Preprocessor > MeshTool):
Choose Global and press the SET button.
A ti ate the desi ed o i atio of att i utes i the Meshi g Att i utes dialog o .
We refer to these as the active TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM settings.
Or use the TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM commands.
Mesh only those entities to which the above settings apply.
Modifying Element Attributes

Define all necessary element types, materials, and real constant sets.
Activate the desired combination of TYPE, REAL, MAT, and SECNUM settings:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh Attributes > Default Attribs
Or use the TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM commands
Modify the attributes of only those elements to which the above settings apply:
Issue EMODIF,PICK or choose Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Move/Modify >
Elements > Modify Attrib
Then pick the desired elements
In the subsequent dialog box, set att i utes to All to u e t.
Some points to keep in mind

• You can verify element attributes by activating attribute numbering:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering
– Or /PNUM,attr,ON, where attr may be TYPE, REAL, MAT or SECNUM

• Element attributes assigned directly to solid model entities will override the default attribute
pointers.
• By assigning attributes to solid model entities, you can avoid having to reset attributes in the
middle of meshing operations. This is advantageous because ANSYS meshing algorithms are
most efficient when meshing all entities at once.
• Clearing a solid model entity of its mesh will not delete attribute assignments.
Controlling Mesh Density

• ANSYS provides many tools to control mesh density, both on a global and local level:
– Global controls
• SmartSizing
• Global element sizing
• Default sizing
– Local controls
• Keypoint sizing
• Line sizing
• Area sizing
SmartSizing
• Determines element sizes by assigning divisions on all lines, taking into account curvature of the
line, its proximity to holes and other features, and element order.
• SmartSizing is off by default, but is recommended for free meshing. It does not affect mapped
meshing. (Free meshing vs. mapped meshing will be discussed later.)
(Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool), turn on SmartSizing, and set the desired size
level.
• Or use SMRT,level
• Size level ranges from 1 (very fine) to 10 (very coarse). Defaults to 6.
Global Element Sizing

• Allows you to specify a maximum element edge length for the entire model (or number of
divisions per line):

– ESIZE,SIZE
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool; then sele t “ize Co t ols ,
Glo al ,a d “et
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Global > Size
–
Default Sizing
• If ou do t spe if a o t ols, AN“Y“ uses default sizing, which assigns minimum and
maximum line divisions, aspect ratio, etc. based on element order.
• Meant for mapped meshing, but is also used for free meshing if SmartSizing is off.
• You can adjust default size specifications using DESIZE or
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Global > Other
Keypoint Sizing
• Controls element size at keypoints:
– Mai Me u > P ep o esso > Meshi g > MeshTool; the sele t “ize Co t ols, Ke pt ,
and [Set]
– or KESIZE command
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Keypoints
Different keypoints can have different KESIZEs, giving you more control over the mesh.
• Useful for stress concentration regions.
• Specified sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing to accommodate line curvature or proximity to
features
Line Sizing
• Controls element size at lines:
– Mai Me u > P ep o esso > Meshi g > MeshTool; the sele t “ize Co t ols , Li es ,
and [Set]
– or LESIZE command
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize> Lines
Different lines can have different LESIZEs.
• Size specifi atio s a e ha d o soft.
– Ha d sizes a e al a s ho o ed the eshe , e e if “ a t“izi g is o . The take
precedence over all other size controls.
– “oft sizes a e o e idde “ a t“izi g.
• You can also specify a spacing ratio — ratio of last division to first. Used to bias the divisions
towards one end or towards the middle.
Area Sizing
• Controls element size in the interior of areas:
– Mai Me u > P ep o esso > Meshi g > MeshTool; the sele t “ize Co t ols , A eas ,
and [Set]
– or AESIZE command
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Areas
Different areas can have different AESIZEs.
• Bounding lines will use the specified size only if they have no LESIZE or KESIZE specified and if no
adjacent area has a smaller size.
• Specified sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing to accommodate line curvature or proximity to
features.

Generating the mesh is the final step in meshing.

• First save the database.
• Then press [Mesh] in the MeshTool.
– This brings up a picker. Press [Pick All] in the picker to indicate all entities.
–
Changing a Mesh
• If a mesh is not acceptable, you can always re-mesh the model by following these steps:
Clear the mesh.
The clear operation is the opposite of mesh: it removes nodes and elements.
Use the [Clear] button on the MeshTool, or use VCLEAR, ACLEAR, etc.
(If you are using the MeshTool, you may skip this step since the program will prompt
you whether to clear or not when you execute step 3.)
Specify new or different mesh controls.
Mesh again.
Another meshing option is to refine the mesh in specific regions

Available for all area elements and only tetrahedral volume elements.
Easiest way is to use the MeshTool:
• First save the database.
• Then choose how you want to specify the region of refinement — at nodes,
elements, keypoints, lines, or areas — and press the Refine button.
• Pick the entities at which you want the mesh to be refined. (Not required if you
hoose All Ele s.
• Finally, choose the level of refinement. Level 1 (minimal refinement) is a good
starting point.
There are two main meshing methods: free and mapped.

Free Mesh
Has no element shape restrictions.
The mesh does not follow any pattern.
Suitable for complex shaped areas and volumes.
Mapped Mesh
Restricts element shapes to quadrilaterals for areas and hexahedra (bricks) for volumes.
Typically has a regular pattern with obvious rows of elements.
“uita le o l fo egula a eas a d olu es su h as e ta gles a d i ks

Creating a Free Mesh
• Free meshing is the default setting for both area and volume meshes.
• Create a free mesh is easy:
– Bring up the MeshTool and verify that free meshing is set.
– SmartSizing is generally recommended for free meshing, so activate it and specify a size
level. Save the database.
– Then initiate the mesh by pressing the Mesh button.
• Press [Pick All] in the picker to choose all entities (recommended).
– Or use the commands VMESH,ALL or AMESH,ALL.
Creating a Mapped Mesh

• This is not as easy as free meshing because the areas and volumes have to meet certain
requirements:
– Area must contain either 3 or 4 lines (triangle or quadrilateral).
– Volume must contain either 4, 5, or 6 areas (tetrahedron, triangular prism, or
hexahedron).
– Element divisions on opposite sides must match.
• For triangular areas or tetrahedral volumes, the number of element divisions
must be even.
Thus mapped meshing involves a three-step procedure

E su e egula shapes, i.e, a eas ith o sides, o olu es ith , , o sides.
Specify size and shape controls
Generate the mesh
Slicing can be accomplished with the Boolean divide operation.

– Remember that you can use the working plane, an area, or a line as the slicing tool.
– Sometimes, it may be easier to create a new line or a new area than to move and orient
the working plane in the correct direction.
Concatenation
Creates a new line (for meshing purposes), that is a combination of two or more lines, thereby reducing
the number of lines making up the area.
– Use the LCCAT command or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Concatenate >
Lines, then pick the lines to be concatenated.
– For area concatenation, use ACCAT command or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing
> Concatenate > Areas
Notes on concatenation
– It is purely a meshing operation and therefore should be the last step before meshing,
after all solid modeling operations. This is because the output entity obtained from a
concatenation cannot be used in any subsequent solid modeling operation.
– You can "undo" a concatenation by deleting the line or area it produced.
– Concatenating areas (for mapped volume meshing) is generally much more complicated
because you may also need to concatenate some lines. Lines are automatically
concatenated only when two adjacent, 4-sided areas are concatenated.
– Consider the add (Boolean) operation if the lines or areas meet at a tangent.

Specify size and shape controls
• This is the second step of the three-step mapped meshing procedure.
• Choosing the shape is simple. In the MeshTool, choose Quad for area meshing, and Hex for
volume meshing, then click on Map.
• Commonly used size controls and the order in which they are applied:
– Line sizing [LESIZE] is always honored.
– Glo al ele e t size , if spe ified, ill e applied to u sized li es.
– Default element sizing [DESIZE] will be applied to unsized lines only if ESIZE is not
specified.
– (SmartSizing is not valid.)
• If you specify line divisions, remember that:
– divisions on opposite sides must match, but you only need to specify one side. The map
mesher automatically transfers divisions to the opposite side.
– if you have concatenated lines, divisions can only be applied to the original (input) lines,
not the composite line.
Generate the mapped mesh

• Once you have ensured regular shapes and assigned the appropriate divisions, generating the
mesh is easy. Just press the Mesh button in the MeshTool, then press [Pick All] in the picker or
choose the desired entities.
Hex – Tet Meshing

• For volume meshing, we have only seen two options so far:
– Free meshing, which creates an all-tet mesh. This is easy to achieve but may not be
desirable in some cases because of the large number of elements and total DOF created.
– Mapped meshing, which creates an all-hex mesh. This is desirable but usually very
difficult to achieve.
• Hex-to-tet meshing provides a third option that is the est of oth o lds. It allo s ou to
have a combination of hex and tet meshes without compromising the integrity of the mesh.
Procedure involves four steps

1. Create the hex mesh.
– Start by map-meshing the regular-shaped volumes. (Or mesh the shared areas with
quads.)
– For stress analysis, use either an 8-node brick (SOLID45 or SOLID185) or a 20-node brick
(SOLID95 or SOLID186).
2. Activate an element type that supports both pyramids and tets.
– These are usually brick elements that can degenerate into pyramids and tets. Check the
Elements Manual, available on-line, to find out which element types are valid.
– Examples:
• Structural SOLID95, 186, VISCO89
• Thermal SOLID90
• Multiphysics SOLID62, 117, 122
3. Generate the tet mesh.
– First activate free meshing.
– Then mesh the volumes that are to be tet-meshed.
Pyramids are automatically generated at the interface.

Mesh Extrusion
• When you extrude an area into a volume, you can extrude the area elements along with it,
resulting in a meshed volume. This is called mesh extrusion.
• Advantage: Easy to create a volume mesh with all bricks (hexahedra) or a combination of bricks
and prisms.
• Obvious requirement: Shape of the volume must lend itself to extrusion.
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Extrude > Elem Ext Opts
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Concatenate > Del Concats > Lines
Sweep Meshing
• Sweep meshing is yet another option available for volume meshing. It is the process of meshing
an existing volume by sweeping an area mesh.
• Similar to mesh extrusion, except that the volume already exists in this case (from a geometry
import, for example).

CHAPTER 7 – DEFINING THE MATERIAL

A Note on Units
• You do not need to tell ANSYS the system of units you are using. Simply decide what units you
will use, then make sure all of your input is consistent.
– For example, if the model geometry is in inches, make sure that all other input data —
material properties, real constants, loads, etc. — are in terms of inches.
• ANSYS does NOT do units conversion! It simply accepts all numbers you input without
questioning their validity.
• The command /UNITS allows you to specify a units system, but it is simply a recording device to
let other users of your model know what units you used.
Using the Material Library

• This method allows you to choose a predefined set of properties for a given material.
• ANSYS supplies typical structural and thermal properties (linear only) for some common
materials, but we strongly recommend that you create your own material library
To choose a material from the library:

• First define the library path.
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Library > Library Path
• Enter the location from which to READ material data, e.g,
/ansys60/matlib.
• Or use the /MPLIB command.
The i po t a ate ial f o the li a .

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Material Library > Import Library
Choose the units system. This is used only to filter the list of files shown in the
subsequent dialog. ANSYS has no knowledge of units and does NOT do unit
conversion.
Choose the desired material file, such as steel AISI C1020. Or use the MPREAD
command with the LIB option.
Specifying Individual Material Properties

• Instead of choosing a material name, this method involves directly specifying the required
properties through the Material Model GUI.
• To specify individual properties:
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models
• Double-click on the appropriate property to be defined.
• Work through the tree structure to the material type to be defined.
• Then enter the individual property values.
• Or use the MP command.
• mp,ex,1,30e6
• mp,prxy,1,.3
• Add temperature dependent properties
• Graph properties vs. temperature

Copy material models from one table to another
Delete material models
The Material Model GUI shows one material at a time. Multiple material properties can be
listed by:
– Utility Menu > List > Properties > All Materials
– Or, use the MPLIST command
– Note, Nonlinear material properties can be listed using Utility Menu > List Properties >
Data Tables or via the TBLIST command.

CHAPTER 8 – LOADING
The solution step is where we apply loads on the object and let the solver calculate the finite element
solution. Loads are available both in the Solution and Preprocessor menus.
There are five categories of loads

DOF Constraints Specified DOF values, such as displacements in a stress analysis or
temperatures in a thermal analysis.
Concentrated Loads Point loads, such as forces or heat flow rates.
Surface Loads Loads distributed over a surface, such as pressures or convections.
Body Loads Volumetric or field loads, such as temperatures (causing thermal expansion) or
internal heat generation.
Inertia Loads Loads due to structural mass or inertia, such as gravity and rotational velocity.
You can apply loads either on the solid model or directly on the FEA model (nodes and elements).
– Solid model loads are easier to apply because there are fewer entities to pick.
– Mo eo e , solid odel loads a e i depe de t of the esh. You do t eed to eappl
the loads if you change the mesh.
Pressure on line Pressures on element faces
Constraint Constraints
on line at nodes
Solid model FEA model
Force at keypoint Force at node
• Regardless of how you apply the loads, the solver expects all loads to be in terms of the finite
element model. Therefore, solid model loads are automatically transferred to the underlying
nodes and elements during solution.
• Solid Model Loads can be transferred to the finite element mesh manually before solving by
using the SBCTRAN command. This can be useful to see all of the loads, both solid model and
FE, that have been applied.
– For example, if a pressure is applied to an area, a plot of the elements will not show the
pressure until the SBCTRAN command is issued or the model is solved.
Nodal Coordinate System

• All forces, displacements, and other direction-dependent nodal quantities are interpreted in the
nodal coordinate system.
– Input quantities:

• Forces and moments FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ
• Displacement constraints UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
• Coupling and constraint equations
• Etc.
– Output quantities:
• Calculated displacements UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
• Reaction forces FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ
• Etc.
• A nodal coordinate system is attached to every node in the model.
• By default, the nodal CS is parallel to Global Cartesian, i.e, all applied forces and displacement
constraints are interpreted in Global Cartesian by default.
• If necessary, you can rotate the nodal CS to a different orientation.

For example:
– To simulate an inclined roller support.
– To apply radial forces.
– To apply radial constraints (perhaps to simulate a rigid, press-fitted pin).
To rotate nodes, use this fou -step procedure:

Select the desired nodes.
Activate the coordinate system (or create a local CS) into which you want to
rotate the nodes, e.g, CSYS,1.
Choose Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling > Move/Modify > Rotate Node
CS > To Active CS, then press [Pick All] in the picker.
Or issue NROTAT,ALL.
Reactivate all nodes.
Note: When you apply symmetry on anti-symmetry boundary conditions, ANSYS automatically rotates
all nodes on that boundary.
Displacement constraints are also used to enforce symmetry or antisymmetry boundary conditions.
– Symmetry BC: Out-of-plane displacements and in-plane rotations are fixed.
– Antisymmetry BC: In-plane displacements and out-of-plane rotations are fixed.

Symmetry Boundary Antisymmetry Boundary

UX=0 UY=UZ=0
ROTY=ROTZ=0 ROTX=0
Concentrated load
A fo e is a o e t ated load o poi t load that ou a appl at a ode o keypoint.
• Point loads such as forces are appropriate for line element models such as beams, spars, and
springs.
In solid and shell models, point loads usually cause a stress singularity, but are acceptable if you
ignore stresses in the vicinity. Remember, ou a use sele t logi to ig o e the ele e ts i the
vicinity of the point load.
Note that for axisymmetric models:

• Input values of forces are based on the full 360°.
• Output values (reaction forces) are also based on the full 360°.
• For example, suppose a cylindrical shell of radius r has an edge load of P lb/in. To apply this load
on a 2-D axisymmetric shell model (SHELL51 elements, for example), you would specify a force
of 2prP.
Verifying applied loads

• Plot them by activating load symbols:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Symbols
– Commands -- /PBC, /PSF, /PBF
• Or list them:
– Utility Menu > List > Loads >

CHAPTER 9 – SOLUTION
Solvers
• The function of the solver is to solve the system of linear simultaneous equations representing
the st u tu e s deg ees of f eedo .
• The solution could take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours depending primarily on
the size of the model, the solver selected, and the speed of your computer.
• A linear static analysis with one load step requires only one such solution, but a nonlinear or
transient analysis may require tens, hundreds, or even thousands of solutions.
Therefore, the type of solver you choose for solution can be quite important.
The solvers available in ANSYS can be categorized into three types:

– Direct elimination solvers
• Sparse (default)
• Frontal
– Iterative solvers
• PCG (Pre-conditioned Conjugate Gradient)
• ICCG (Incomplete Cholesky Conjugate Gradient)
• JCG (Jacobi Conjugate Gradient)
• AMG Alge ai Multig id †
– Distributed Domain solver
• DD“ Dist i uted Do ai “ol e †
•
ANSYS Calculate the solution as follows
1. Formulate individual element matrices.
2. Assemble the global stiffness matrix.
3a. (Sparse direct solver) Factorize the stiffness matrix, then calculate DOF solution from back-
substitution.
3b. (Iterative Solver) Start with an assumed zero value for all DOF and iterate to convergence (based
on an input tolerance on residual force).
4. Use element matrices to calculate the element solution.
To choose a solver
– Main Menu > Solutio > A al sis T pe > “ol Co t ols, the hoose “ol Optio s ta
– Or use EQSLV command
The default is to use a p og a hose sol e e sl ,-1], which is usually the sparse direct
solver.

What is a loadstep and a substep?
Load step 1 Load step 2 Load step 3 Load step 4 Load step 5
Force
25
20
A loadstep can be defined as

Force (lbs)
15
one set of loading conditions
for which you obtain a
10
solution.
Substep 1 of Loadstep 2
5 A substep can be defined as a

subdivision of a loadstep.
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
time (seconds)
Multiple Load Steps

• The procedure to solve for one set of loading conditions (i.e, one load step) is as follows:
– Import or create the model
– Mesh it
– Apply loads
– Solve (one load step)
– Review results
• If you have multiple loading conditions, you can choose one of two ways:
– Solve for all loads together in a single load step
– Or apply each loading condition separately and solve multiple load steps.
–
• By using multiple load steps, you can:
– isolate the st u tu e s espo se to ea h loadi g o ditio .
– combine these responses in any desired fashion during postprocessing, allowing you to
stud diffe e t hat-if s e a ios. This is alled load case combination and is valid for
linear analyses only. Load case combinations are covered in a later chapter.)
• There are two ways to define and solve multiple load steps:
– Multiple solve method
– Load step file method

Load Step File Method
• In this case, instead of solving each load step, you write the load step information to a file, called
the load step file:
– Main Menu > Solution > Load Step Opts > Write LS File
– Or use LSWRITE command.
• The load step file is named jobname.s01, .s02, .s03, etc.
• After all load steps have been written out, you can use one command — LSSOLVE or Main Menu
> Solution > Solve > From LS Files — to read in each file sequentially and solve it.
The advantage of the load step file method is that you can interactively set up all load steps even for a
large model and then solve them while you are away from the computer.
For both methods

– It is recommended that the user specify a new title prior to SOLVE (Multiple Solve
Method) and LSWRITE (Load Step File Method) since /TITLE is saved in the results file for
each load step.
– Loads applied in a previous load step will stay in the database unless they are deleted.
So be sure to delete any loads that are not part of the current load step.
– Results for each load step are appended to the results file and identified as load step 1,
load step 2, etc.
– I postp o essi g, ou fi st ead i the desi ed set of results and then review them.
– The database contains the loads and results for the last load step that was solved.

CHAPTER 10 – POST PROCESSING

• There are many ways to review results in the general postprocessor (POST1), some of which
have already been covered.
• In this chapter, we will explore two additional methods — query picking and path operations —
and also introduce you to the concepts of results transformation, error estimation, and load
case combination.
Query Picking
• Que pi ki g allo s ou to p o e the odel fo st esses, displa e e ts, o othe esults
quantities at any picked location.
• You can also quickly locate the maximum and minimum values of the item being queried.
• Available only through the GUI (no commands):
– General Postproc > Query Results > Nodal or Element or Subgrid Solu
– Choose a results quantity and press OK
Then pick any point in the model to see the results value at that point.
• Min and Max will show the value at the minimum and maximum points.
• Use Reset to clear all values and start over.
• Notice that the entity number, its location, and the results value are also shown
in the Picker.
Power graphics ON/OFF
Results Coordinate System

• All direction-dependent quantities that you view in POST1, such as component stresses,
displacements, and reaction forces, are reported in the results coordinate system (RSYS).
• RSYS defaults to 0 (global Cartesian). That is, POST1 transforms all results to global Cartesian by
default, i ludi g esults at otated odes.
• But there are many situations — such as pressure vessels and spherical structures — where you
need to check the results in a cylindrical, spherical, or other local coordinate system.
To change the results CS to a different system, use:

• General Postproc > Optio s fo Outp…
• or the RSYS command
•
All subsequent contour plots, listings, query picks, etc. will report the values in that system.
• RSYS,SOLU
– “ets the esults C“ to As al ulated.
– All subsequent contour plots, listings, query picks, etc. will report the values in the nodal
and element coordinate systems.
• DOF results and reaction forces will be in the nodal CS.
• Stresses, strains, etc. will be in the element CS. (The orientation of the element
CS depends on the element type and the ESYS attribute of the element. Most
solid elements, for example, default to global Cartesian.)
– Not supported by PowerGraphics.
Path Operations

• Another way to review results is via path operations, which allow you to:
– ap esults data o to a a it a path th ough the odel
– perform mathematical operations along the path, including integration and
differentiation
– displa a path plot — see how a result item varies along the path
• Available only for models containing 2-D or 3-D solid elements or shell elements.
Three steps to produce a path plot

– Define a path
– Map data onto the path
– Plot the data
Define a Path
– Requires the following information:
• Points defining the path (2 to 1000). You can use existing nodes or locations on
the working plane.
• Path curvature, determined by the active coordinate system (CSYS).
• A name for the path.
– First activate the desired coordinate system (CSYS).
– General Postproc > Path Operations > Define Path > By Nodes or On Working Plane
• Pick the nodes or WP locations that form the desired path, and press OK
• Choose a path name. The nSets and nDiv fields are best left to default in most
cases.
Map Data onto Path
– General Postproc > Path Operations > Map onto Path (or PDEF command)
• Choose desired quantity, such as SEQV.
• Enter a label for the quantity, to be used on plots and listings.
– You can now display the path if needed.
• General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Paths
• (or issue /PBC,PATH,1 followed by NPLOT or EPLOT)
Plot the Data
– You can plot path items either on a graph:
• PLPATH or General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path Item > On Graph
– or along path geometry:
• PLPAGM or General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path Item > On Geometry
Load Case Combination

• Whenever you solve multiple load steps, the results of each load step are stored as separate
sets on the results file (identified by load step number).
• A load case combination is an operation between two sets of results, which are called load
cases.
– The operation occurs between one load case in the database and the second load case
on the results file.
– The result of the operation — the combined load case — is stored back in the database.
Typical procedure
1. Create the load cases
2. Read one load case into the database
3. Perform the desired operation

Create Load Cases

• A load case simply acts as a pointer to a set of results. It requires two pieces of information:
– a unique ID number
– the results set it represents (load step and substep number)
• Use the LCDEF command or General Postproc > Load Case > Create Load Case
Read One Load Case into the Database (memory)

• Simply identify the results set by its load case number using LCASE or General Postproc > Load
Case > Read Load Case.
• O use o e of the sta da d ‘ead ‘esults hoi es i the postp o esso “ET o a d.
Perform the Desired Operation

• Many operations are available as shown in the menu here.
• Use the LCOPER command or General Postproc > Load Case > Add, Subtract, etc.
• Remember that the results of the operation are stored in the database (memory). The
combined load case is identified on plots and listings as number 9999.
Reviewing results of a stress analysis generally involves:

– Deformed shape
– Stresses
– Reaction forces

CHAPTER 11 – SOLID MODELING & MESHING TUTORIALS







CHAPTER 12 ASSIGNMENTS
BEAM Problem
Solve this problem in 1-D, 2-D and 3-D. and Compare the maximum x displacement and maximum von
Mises Stress results. The beam is to be made of steel.
L = 2000 mm
h = w = 100 mm
p = 1000N
Results* 1D 2D 3D Theoretical FEM Results

Calculation
Maximum
Deflection (___)
Maximum von
Mises
Stress(_______)
Deflection at ____
mm from the fixed
end

SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAM USING ANSYS
For the loaded beams shown below, develop the corresponding shear force and bending moment
diagrams. Assume all the beam is in equilibrium. E=2e5 N/mm2 and γ = 0.3

2 D Plane Stress and Plane Strain Conditions
01. Determine the free-end displacements and the element stresses for the plate discretized into four
triangular elements and subjected to the tensile forces shown in Figure. Let E = 30 x 106 psi, V = 0.30,
and t = 1 in.
02. Determine the stresses in the member with a re-entrant comer as shown in Figure. At what locations
are the principal stresses largest? Let E = 30 X 106 psi and v = 0.25. Use plane strain conditions.
03. Determine the stresses in the plates with the round and square holes subjected to the tensile
stresses shown in Figure. Compare the largest principal stresses for each plate. Let E = 210 GPa, v = 0.25,
and t = 5 mm.

04. For the plate shown in Figure, Determine the maximum principal stresses and their locations. Let E =
210 GPa and v = 0.25.
05. Determine the stresses in the wrench shown in Figure. Let E = 200 GPa and v = 0.25, and assume
uniform thickness t = 10 mm.

NON LINEAR ANALYSIS
01. To calculate the Maximum deflection in the corner bracket subjected to the applied pressure for the
factor of safety 2. The upper right hand pin hole is constrained around its circumference of the given
corner bracket and the given pressure is applied to the bottom of the lower right hand pin hole. The
objective is to optimize the pressure value for the given non-linear problem for the given yield.
Steel
Youngs Modulus (N/m2) 2e5
Poissons Ratio 0.3
3
Density (kg/m ) 7860
Yield Strength (MPa) 220
Tangent Modulus (MPa) 2000
Length (b) =100 mm Diameter (d) =25 mm

Hole radius (r) =5 mm Fillet radius (FR) = 2 mm
Thickness (t) =20 mm

02. Fix the bolt holes and apply load of 500N point load at other side of the hole. Assume material to be
steel. The thickness of the component is 20mm. solve this nonlinear problem in 2D and compare the Uy
& von Mises stress results with 3D
Symmetric Problems
01. Determine the stresses in the plate with the hole subjected to the tensile stress shown in Figure.
Graph the stress variation σx versus the distance y from the hole. Let E = 200 GPa, v = 0.25, and t 25 rnm.
Use symmetry as appropriate.

02. Determine the maximum principal stresses and their locations for the member with fillet' subjected
to tensile forces shown in Figure. Let E = 200 GPa and v = 0.25. Then let E 73 GPa and v 0.30. Let t = 25
mm for both cases. Compare your answers for the two cases.
03. Perform a stress analysis of the pressure vessel shown in Figure. Let E = 5 X 106 psi and v = 0.15 for
the concrete, and let E = 29 X 106 psi and v = 0.25 for the steel liner. The steel liner is 2 in. thick. Let the
pressure p equal 500 psi.
Axisymmetric Problems
01. Perform a stress analysis of the cylinder shown in Figure. Let E = 210 MPa, ν = 0.3. Compare the 2D
model finite element solution with 3D model.

3D Problems
01. Determine the deflections at the four corners of the free end of the structural steel cantilever beam
shown in Figure. Also determine the maximum principal stress. E=30*106 psi, γ= .
02. A portion of a structural steel brake pedal in a vehicle is modeled as shown in Figure. Determine the
maximum deflection at the pedal under a line load of 5lb/in. as shown.
03. An S-shaped block used in force measurement as shown in Figure, is to be designed for a pressure of
1000 psi applied uniformly to the top surface. Determine the uniform thickness of the block needed
such that the sensor is compressed no more than 0.05 in. Also make sure that the maximum stress from
the maximum distortion energy failure theory is less than the yield strength of the material. Use a factor
of safety of 1.5 on the stress only. The overall size of the block must fit in a 1.5-in.high, l-in.wide, l-in.-
deep volume. The block should be made of steel.

HERTZ - CONTACT ANALYSIS
Elastic cylinder of mild steel with a radius of R pressed against an elastic flat plate of the same steel by a
force P a d the FEM odel of the li de -plate system.
MODAL ANALYSIS
Obtain the lowest three vibration modes and resonant frequencies in the y direction of the straight steel
bar shown in Figure
Thickness of the bar is 0.005 m, width is 0.01 m, and the length is 0.09 m. Material of the bar is steel
ith You g s odulus, E = GPa, a d Poisso s atio ν=0.3. Density ρ=7.8×103 kg/m3. Boundary
condition: All freedoms are constrained at the left end.

THERMAL – MULTIPLE MATERIAL PROBLEMS
All electronic components generate heat during the course of their operation. To ensure optimal
working of the component, the generated heat needs to be removed and thus the electronic component
be cooled. This is done by attaching fins to the device which aid in rapid heat removal to the
surroundings.
Copper Steel Aluminum

Thermal Conductivity (W/m K) 386 20 180
Heat Generation Rate (W) 10e6
Film Coefficient 50
Bulk Temperature (K) 20
 the electronic circuit is made of copper
 the enclosing container is made of steel
 the fins are made of aluminum
All the lines on the outside of the object except the bottom one where the object is considered
insulated.

Thermal problems
01. For the square two-dimensional· body shown in Figure P13-23, determine the temperature
distribution. Let Kxx = Kyy = 10 Btu/ (h-ft-OF). The top surface is maintained at 500oF and the
other three sides are maintained at 100 oF. Also, plot the temperature contours on the body.
02. The cross section of a tall chimney shown in Figure has an inside surface temperature of 330oF
and an exterior temperature of 130°F. The thermal conductivity is K = 0.5 Btu/ (h-ft-OF).
Determine the temperature distribution within the chimney per unit length.
03. The square duct shown in Figure carries hot gases such that its surface temperature is 570°F.
The duct is insulated by a layer of circular fiberglass that has a thermal conductivity of K = 0.020
Btu/ (h-ft-OF). The outside surface temperature of the fiberglass is maintained at 110°F.
Determine the temperature distribution within the fiberglass.
04. The buried pipeline in Figure transports oil with an average temperature of 60°F. The pipe is
located 15 ft below the surface of the earth. The thermal conductivity of the earth is 0.6 Btu/ (h-
ft-OF). The surface of the earth is 50oF. Determine the temperature distribution in the earth.

05. For the two-dimensional body shown in Figure, Determine the temperature distribution. Let the
left and right ends have constant temperatures of 200°C and 100°C respectively. Let Kxx = Kyy =
5 W/(rn oC). The body is insulated along the top and bottom.
06. For the two-dimensional body shown in Figure, determine the temperature distribution. The left
and right sides are insulated. The top surface is subjected to heat transfer by convection. The
bottom and internal portion surfaces are maintained at 300°C.

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KONGU ENGINEERING COLLEGE

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

FEA is a mathematical representation of a physical system comprising a part/assembly (model),

Structural strength design - Stress Analysis

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Why Finite Element Method?

Applications of FEM in Engineering

A Brief History of the FEM

FEM in Structural Analysis

Available Commercial FEM Software Packages

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Planning the Analysis

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

CHAPTER 02 - FEA AND ANSYS

Why FEA is needed?

• Supported Analyses include:

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

• Other structural capabilities

• Explicit Dynamics with ANSYS/LS-DYNA

• Thermal analysis is used to determine the temperature distribution in an object. Other

• Electromagnetic analysis is used to calculate magnetic fields in electromagnetic devices.

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

CHAPTER 03 - ANSYS BASICS

Important Tips while opening ANSYS:

Command Window Icon

Abbreviation Toolbar Menu Model Control

Main Menu Graphics Area

User Prompt Info

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Element Attributes Active Coordinate System

When opening the “blades.db”

Two types of picking

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Other Topics to Discuss

Utility Menu > Select > Entities...

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Some useful options:

10. Create an assembly

11. File formats

12. Save and Resume

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

CHAPTER 4 - GENERAL ANSYS PROCEDURES

Every analysis involves four main steps:

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

CHAPTER 5 - CREATING SOLID MODEL

• Many modeling decisions must be made before building an analysis model:

• To take advantage of symmetry, all of the following must be symmetric:

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

Planar or reflective symmetry

This model illustrates both reflective and rotational symmetry

Repetitive or translational symmetry

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

This model illustrates both repetitive and reflective symmetry

• Importing an IGES file

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

さFINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS USING ANSYSざ Dr.S.Shankar

• AN“Y“ Co e tio p odu ts help o e o e this p o le di e tl eadi g the ati e pa t