Chapter Two Simulation Basics Simulation Basics Chapter Overview
Chapter Two Simulation Basics
Simulation Basics Chapter Overview Training Manual – The Simulation GUI and Operation – Introduction to the Simulation Wizard – Basic Analysis Procedure • The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable to the ANSYS Design. Space Entra licenses and above, unless explicitly noted with the lower-left hand table. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • In this chapter, the basics of using Simulation to perform analyses will be covered, which include: August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -2
Simulation Basics A. Launching Simulation – Configured from within ANSYS Workbench … – … or directly from a supported CAD system Model shown is from a sample Solid Edge assembly. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Recall that there are two ways of running Simulation: Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -3
Simulation Basics … Simulation Interface Training Manual Workbench Tabs Menus Toolbars Tree Outline Details View Graphics Window Simulation Wizard • Short descriptions of each component are covered next ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The components of the user interface are shown below: August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -4
Simulation Basics … GUI – Menus Training Manual – The title bar lists the currently active ANSYS license – “File > Save” to save the. dsdb Simulation database – “File > Clean” to delete mesh and/or results from database – “Edit > Select All” to select all current entities in the window – “Units” to change units on-the-fly – “Tools > Options… ” to customize settings and options – “Help > ANSYS Simulation Help” to invoke documentation ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The menus provide much of the functionality present in Simulation. Covering each menu item may be tedious, so only the more commonly used menu items are covered below: August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -5
Simulation Basics … GUI – Toolbars Training Manual Standard Toolbar Graphics Toolbar Named Selection Toolbar Context Toolbar – The toolbars can be repositioned anywhere on the top of the Simulation window – The “Context” toolbar, as will be illustrated later, will change, depending on what branch is active in the “Outline” tree. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • There are four sets of toolbars to provide users quick access to functionality also found in the menus. – Tooltips appear if the cursor is placed over the toolbar button – A “Unit Conversion” toolbar is also available (not shown) August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -6
Simulation Basics … GUI – Toolbars Training Manual New or Open. dsdb Save. dsdb Bring up Simulation Wizard Solve Model Capture Snapshot • The “Graphics” toolbar is used very often: Select mode Select entities Select Adjacent Graphics Manipulation Fit All Wireframe Viewports – The left mouse button can be either in “selection” mode or “graphics manipulation” mode. The above toolbar buttons grouped as “select entities” and “graphics manipulation” control the left-mouse button behavior. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The “Standard” toolbar is shown below: – The selection of entities of the CAD geometry can be done either by individual selection or by box-selection. This is controlled by the “Select Mode” icon August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -7
Simulation Basics … GUI – Outline Tree – The “Model” branch contains the input data required for the analysis – The four main sections of the “Model” branch include “Geometry, ” “Contact” (if present), “Mesh, ” and “Environment. ” – The “Environment” branch contains the loads as well as the “Solution” branch, which holds results. – Other branches (not covered here) are also available. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The Outline Tree provides an easy way of organizing the model, materials, mesh, loads, and results for the analysis Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -8
Simulation Basics … GUI – Outline Tree Training Manual – Checkmark indicates branch is fully defined/OK – Question mark indicates item has incomplete data (need input) – Lightning bolt indicates solving is required – Exclamation mark means problem exists 1 – “X” means that item is suppressed (will not be solved) – Transparent checkmark means body or part is hidden – Green lightning bolt indicates item is currently being evaluated – Minus sign means that mapped face meshing failed Becoming familiar with the basic status symbols allows users to debug Simulation problems quickly. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The Outline Tree shows icons for each branch, along with a status symbol. Examples of the status symbols are below: August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -9
Simulation Basics … GUI – Details View – White field: shows current input data • Data in white text field is editable – Gray (or Red) field: shows informative data • Data in gray fields cannot be modified. – Yellow field: incomplete input data • Data in yellow fields indicates missing information. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The Details View provides a means of inputting data. The contents will change, depending on branch selected. Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -10
Simulation Basics … GUI – Graphics Window Training Manual The Job Status tab provides information on jobs being solved remotely. Geometry Tab Worksheet Tab The remote solve capability will be discussed in the Simulation Advanced Training Course ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The Graphics Window shows the geometry and results. It can also provide worksheet (tabular) listings, the HTML report, and a Print Preview option. Job Status Tab Print Preview Tab Report Preview Tab August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -11
Simulation Basics … GUI – Simulation Wizard Training Manual – The Simulation Wizard provides a list of required steps and the status of them – Green checkmark indicates the item is complete – Green “i” shows an informational item – A greyed symbol shows that the step cannot be performed yet – A red question mark means that there is an incomplete item – An “x” means that the item is not performed yet – A lightning bolt means that the item is ready to be solved or updated • The Simulation Wizard can be toggled on/off by selecting the button on the Standard Toolbar ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The Simulation Wizard is an optional component, a useful aid to remind users steps required to complete an analysis August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -12
Simulation Basics B. Startup Panel When first attaching a model to Simulation, the Startup Panel is shown (optionally), allowing the user to select a Simulation Template. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -13
Simulation Basics … Startup Panel Training Manual – “Stress Branch” is selected in the example below. Note that results and the Stress Wizard are automatically chosen ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The benefit of the Startup Panel is that the appropriate results and Simulation Wizard will appear August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -14
Simulation Basics … Simulation Wizard Training Manual – In the example below, “Verify Materials” was selected, and the callout shows the user where this item can be changed. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • By selecting an item on the “Required Steps” checklist, a callout appears, illustrating how that function is performed. August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -15
Simulation Basics … Simulation Wizard – Besides basic functionality, callouts for more advanced items are also available as shown on right ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The Simulation Wizard is handy for users who do not use Simulation every day Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -16
Simulation Basics C. Basic Procedure Training Manual The purpose of simulation is usually to determine the response of the system based on some type of excitation or loading. • It is crucial to remember that a mathematical model is used: – CAD geometry is an idealization of the physical model – The mesh is a mathematical representation of the CAD model – The accuracy of answers is determined by various factors: • How well the physical model is represented depends on the assumptions • Numerical accuracy is determined by the mesh density CAD Model Finite Element Mesh ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -17
Simulation Basics … Basic Procedure – Preliminary Decisions • What type of analysis: Static, modal, etc. ? Preliminary Decisions • What to model: Part or Assembly? • Which elements: Surface or Solid Bodies? – Preprocessing • Attach the model geometry • Define and assign material properties to parts • Mesh the geometry • Apply loads and supports Solution • Request results – Solve the Model – Postprocessing • Review results ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Every analysis involves four main steps: Training Manual Postprocessing • Check the validity of the solution August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -18
Simulation Basics … Basic Procedure Training Manual • The Wizards in Simulation aid the user in following the basic analysis template discussed previously: – Attach/import geometry – Assign material properties – (Mesh geometry) • A default mesh will be supplied by Simulation if this step is not performed manually by the user – Apply loads and supports – Request results – Solve model ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • A sample analysis using the Stress Wizard will be shown in this section. – Review results/postprocessing August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -19
Simulation Basics … Attach Geometry Training Manual – Direct from CAD system • For supported CAD packages only using plug-in mode – From within a blank Simulation session • For all supported formats, using plug-in or reader mode Directly launches Simulation and attaches geometry (plug-in mode) Attaches active CAD model (plug-in mode) Browse for CAD file (reader mode) Method 1 Method 2 ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Earlier, it was shown that geometry can be attached to Simulation in two ways August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -20
Simulation Basics … Assign Material Properties Training Manual – “Verify Materials” is selected, and the callout shows how to change material properties in the pull-down menu After “Verify Materials” is selected, all of the parts from the “Geometry” branch are highlighted, and the Details view shows how to change the material. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • After importing a model, the Stress Branch template was chosen, and the Stress Wizard appears August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -21
Simulation Basics … Assign Material Properties Training Manual – The default material property is “Structural Steel” but can be changed – By selecting “Import …” the user can select a material property file (XML format) – Although a few material properties are supplied with Simulation for demonstration purposes. Users should use their own material property values in production use. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Notice that the Details View allows the user to select a material from a pull-down menu or to import a new material August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -22
Simulation Basics … Assign Material Properties Training Manual – Multiple parts can be highlighted and changed at once • Use Shift-Left mouse button to highlight all items in range • Use Ctrl-Left mouse button to individually add/remove selection By using a combination of Shift. Left mouse button and Ctrl-Left mouse button, twelve parts are highlighted on the Outline Tree The user can then change all materials at once in the Details View by selecting the material pull-down menu. Note that Design. Space Entra is limited to analysis of single parts. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Materials may be individually selected for each part August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -23
Simulation Basics … Assign Material Properties Material properties are listed, modified, imported or exported by accessing the “Engineering Data” application via the “Data” icon in Simulation ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -24
Simulation Basics … Assign Material Properties Training Manual – The default material can be changed from “Structural Steel” – A list of “Favorites” can be saved for frequent access – New materials can be added from various locations ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Default settings for material properties can be changed in the Engineering Data application August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -25
Simulation Basics … Insert Loads & Supports Training Manual – Structural (and thermal) loads are applied from the pull-down icon in the Context toolbar. After “Insert Loads” is selected, notice that the “Environment” branch is highlighted. By highlighting the “Environment” branch, the Context toolbar and Details view change. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • After verifying and assigning materials, the “Insert Loads” item is selected from the Stress Wizard August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -26
Simulation Basics … Insert Loads & Supports Training Manual • There are two ways to accomplish this: – Select geometry entity in Graphics Window first, then select load or support from Context Toolbar – Select load or support from Context Toolbar first, select geometry entities in Graphics Window, then click on “Apply” in Details View. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Loads and supports are applied on geometric entities August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -27
Simulation Basics … Insert Loads & Supports Training Manual – Notice that, in the Outline Tree, the associated load branch symbol status will also change to ‘completed’ (checkmark) ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • After assigning the load on geometric entities, the user can enter additional data in the Details view, if necessary. August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -28
Simulation Basics … Insert Loads & Supports – Selection is done in Details View of load • If “Components” is chosen, enter X, Y, or Z Components of loading • If “Vector” is chosen, select geometry and enter magnitude of loading • Defaults can be set in “Tools > Options … > Simulation: Miscellaneous > Load Orientation Type” – The World Coordinate System or user defined local coordinate systems can be referenced • User-Defined Coordinate Systems will be discussed later ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • For some structural loads direction is needed: Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -29
Simulation Basics … Insert Loads & Supports • In the “Details” view, select “Define By: Vector” • Three types of existing geometry can be used – Normal to planar face or along axis of cylindrical face – Along straight edge or normal to cylindrical edge – Two vertices defining vector • Click on “Direction” and select geometry used for vector orientation. Use the arrows in the Graphics window to toggle the direction. • Click on “Apply” when done. • Enter magnitude for loading in “Magnitude. ” ANSYS Workbench – Simulation – Existing geometry can be referenced to control direction: Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -30
Simulation Basics … Mouse Controls Training Manual • User can select items (vertex, edge, surface, body) or manipulate the view (rotate, pan, zoom in/out, box zoom) • Select mode can be single-select or box-select – In single-select mode, click-drag with left mouse button to “paint select” multiple items – Use Ctrl-Left mouse button in single-select mode to select or unselect multiple entities – In box-select mode, click-drag from left to right selects entities fully enclosed in bounding box – In box-select mode, click-drag from right to left selects any entity partially enclosed in bounding box ANSYS Workbench – Simulation – The left mouse button is used to select geometric entities OR to manipulate the graphics display August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -31
Simulation Basics … Mouse Controls Training Manual • Click-drag middle mouse button to dynamically rotate model • Shift-Middle mouse button pans model • If present, the wheel can be used to zoom in/out – The right mouse button provides context-sensitive pop-up menu if clicked once in Graphics Window • Click-drag right mouse button to box zoom in area of interest • Click right mouse button once and select “Fit” to fit model in view Click-drag right mouse button allows user to box -zoom in region Single-click right mouse button provides contextsensitive pop-up menu ANSYS Workbench – Simulation – In select mode the middle mouse provides several short cuts for graphics manipulation August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -32
Simulation Basics … Applying Loads and Supports Training Manual – In example below, user can use Ctrl-left mouse button to single-select surfaces (highlighted in green) – Use of middle mouse button allows user to rotate model to more easily select certain surfaces in ‘back’ of model ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • By taking advantage of the mouse controls, it can be relatively easy to apply a load (or support) to multiple faces August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -33
Simulation Basics … Insert Results Training Manual – By selecting “Insert Results” in the Stress Wizard, the callout shows how to add results Note that the “Solution” branch is now highlighted. Because the “Solution” branch is selected, the Context toolbar and Details view changes. Results, such as stress, strain, and deformation can be requested from the pulldown icons on the Context toolbar. New result items will then appear under the “Solution” branch. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • By selecting the Stress Branch template in the beginning, some results are already requested. However, the user can request other results, if needed. August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -34
Simulation Basics … Solving the Model Training Manual – Selection of “Solve” in the Stress Wizard produces a callout showing the user that the lightning bolt icon is used to initiate a solution Starting the solution will include automatically meshing the model if it has not been done so previously. The solution may take a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how large the model is and the hardware used. A progress bar will be shown to indicate roughly how long the solution will take. The solution can also be stopped via the progress bar. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • After verifying materials, applying loads and supports, and inserting results, the model is ready to be solved. August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -35
Simulation Basics … Solving the Model (ANSYS Details) Training Manual In Worksheet view of the “Solution Information” branch, the contents of the Output File will be updated with a frequency as specified in the Details view. The location of the input file “ds. dat, ” output file “solve. out, ” and scratch files are located in the system TEMP directory by default. This solver directory can be changed under “Tools > Options… > Simulation: Solution > Solver Working Directory” ANSYS Workbench – Simulation – During solution an ANSYS input file is generated, and the details of the Output File can be viewed if a “Solution Information” branch has been requested under the “Solution” branch August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -36
Simulation Basics … View Results Training Manual – Plot contours and vectors by highlighting the result of interest – Animate results via the “Animation” Tab To view results, as the callout shows, the appropriate branch needs to be selected. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • After the solution is complete, the user can View Results August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -37
Simulation Basics … View Report Training Manual – Select a branch first, such as “Equivalent Stress” – Then select the appropriate Standard Toolbar button: ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • In preparation for generating the HTML report, one can add figures and comments from the Standard Toolbar August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -38
Simulation Basics … View Report Training Manual – Preliminary information can be entered, such as author name – Select “Generate Report” to create HTML report The HTML Report can be selected under the “Solution” branch via “Report Preview” tab, as the callout indicates. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • After adding any figures or comments, select “View Report” August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -39
Simulation Basics … View Report – Comments and figures added will appear in the report The HTML report generator includes all input and results associated with the simulation, providing complete documentation of the analysis. This provides time-saving yet customizable report that can easily be generated by the user. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • The HTML report will be displayed in Simulation Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -40
Simulation Basics … View Report – The report can be “published” as HTML files in a different directory or an internal web server, emailed, or sent to Microsoft Word or Power. Point The Appendix at the end of the HTML Report will show the location of the various files used to created the report. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Reports are always dynamically generated, so the user needs to save the report, otherwise it will be overwritten Training Manual August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -41
Simulation Basics D. Workshop 2 – Simulation Basics Training Manual • Goal: – Using the Stress Wizard, set up and solve a structural model for stress, deflection and safety factor. ANSYS Workbench – Simulation • Workshop 2 – Simulation Basics August 26, 2005 Inventory #002265 2 -42
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