You are on page 1of 37

Lecture 7

Solution and Simulation Controls


14.5 Release

ANSYS LS-DYNA
in Mechanical APDL
2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 1 Release 14.5
Objectives
This lecture concerns Solution and Simulation Controls. The tools used to optimize
and control explicit analyses are discussed.

Topics:
A. Basic ANSYS LS-DYNA Solution Controls
B. Controlling LS-DYNA Binary Output Files
C. Controlling LS-DYNA ASCII Output Files
D. Visualization of Small Time Steps
E. Mass Scaling
F. Additional Time Controls
G. Adaptive Meshing
H. Simulation Control
I. Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
J. LS-DYNA Batch Launcher
K. LS-DYNA Solver Precision
L. Solution and Simulation Controls Workshop

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 2 Release 14.5


A. Basic ANSYS LS-DYNA Solution Controls
Many of the solution control parameters specified in an explicit analysis are
similar to those encountered during an implicit run:
Termination Time
Integration Point Output
Results Output and Restart Frequency
Termination Time : TIME
The termination time is the actual time for which the physical process is being
simulated. In an explicit dynamic analysis, this time is usually of very short
duration often in milliseconds.
Solution > Time Controls > Solution Time

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 3 Release 14.5


... Basic ANSYS LS-DYNA Solution Controls
Integration Point Output : EDINT
The EDINT command is used to specify the number of shell and beam integration
points for which results data will be written for. The actual number of integration
points used in the calculations is controlled by the NIP real constant associated with
the element.
Solution > Output Controls > Integ Pt Storage

Default values shown

To adequately capture plastic effects in shells, the NIP real constant


needs to be at least 3, but 5 is recommended if a Gauss distribution
is used. For the trapezoidal formulation, NIP > 20 is recommended.

For beam elements, POST1 requires that integration point data be


saved in order to plot the elements (EDINT > 0). Resultant beams lack
integration point data, and are, therefore, not plotted in POST1.
2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 4 Release 14.5
... Basic ANSYS LS-DYNA Solution Controls
Results Output and Restart Frequency : EDRST, EDHTIME, and EDDUMP
The EDRST command specifies how often results for the entire model are written to
the binary Jobname.RST file. Typically, only 10 to 100 result sets are saved to this
POST1 file, due to the large volume of data. The Jobname.RST file can be post-
processed in POST26, but the Jobname.HIS file (see below) is generally used in
POST26 instead.
The EDHTIME command specifies how often results for a subset of the model are
written to the binary Jobname.HIS file. Typically, 1,000 to 100,000 results sets are
saved to this POST26 time history file.
If more than 1,000 sets are requested, the /CONFIG,NRES command must be
issued to allocate the necessary model space.
The output data is restricted to those nodal and element components specified
via the EDHIST command. Reissue EDHIST, as needed
The EDHTIME command also controls the frequency for which the LS-DYNA ASCII
output files are written (discussed later).

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 5 Release 14.5


... Basic ANSYS LS-DYNA Solution Controls
Results Output and Restart Frequency (continued):
Similarly, the EDDUMP command specifies how often the binary restart files are
written (d3dump01, d3dump02, d3dump03, etc.). The EDSTART command
(discussed later) is used to restart an analysis from one of these files.
The frequency for which results and restart files are written is based on the number
of desired data sets or the actual time interval desired:
Solution > Output Controls > File Output Freq > Number of Steps
Solution > Output Controls > File Output Freq > Time Step Size

Default values shown


for the Number of Steps
input format.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 6 Release 14.5


B. Controlling LS-DYNA Binary Output Files
Since LS-PREPOST, the LS-DYNA postprocessor, is provided for free with ANSYS LS-
DYNA, the user can create and review the LS-DYNA binary results files d3plot and
d3thdt in addition to the ANSYS LS-DYNA binary results files, Jobname.RST and
Jobname.HIS. Please note that the LS-PREPOST postprocessor is not supported by
ANSYS, Inc.
The EDOPT command determines which binary results files are output:
Solution > Output Controls > Output File Types
The corresponding LS-DYNA Keyword is *DATABASE_FORMAT
File options include ADD,
DELETE, and LIST a file.

Output can be produced


for ANSYS only (.RST
and .HIS), LS-PREPOST
only (d3plot and d3thdt),
or both postprocessors.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 7 Release 14.5


C. Controlling LS-DYNA ASCII Output Files
In addition to LS-DYNA binary results files, the user can output a series of LS-DYNA
ASCII output files that contain specialized information about an analysis:

GLSTAT - Global statistics data (contents controlled by EDENERGY)


BNDOUT - Boundary condition forces and energy
RWFORC - Rigid wall forces
DEFORC - Discrete element forces
MATSUM - Material energies summary (on a Part ID basis)
NCFORC - Nodal interface forces
RCFORC - Resultant interface forces
DEFGEO - Deformed geometry data
SPCFORC - Single point constraint reaction forces
SWFORC - Nodal constraint reaction forces (spotwelds & rivets)
RBDOUT - Rigid body data
GCEOUT - Geometry contact entities
SLEOUT - Sliding interface energies data
JNTFORC - Joint force data
NODOUT - Node data
ELOUT - Element data

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 8 Release 14.5


... Controlling LS-DYNA ASCII Output Files
The EDOUT command controls which ASCII files are written:
Solution > Output Controls > ASCII Output

Select individual ASCII files


desired (multiple selections
permitted).

Additional options include:


Write ALL ASCII output files
LIST output files selected
DELETE all specifications

For some of the ASCII output files, data is written only for a subset of
the model. The EDHIST command specifies which nodal and element
components data will be written for:
Solution > Output Controls > Select Component
Output frequency controlled
by EDHTIME command.
Multiple selections allowed.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 9 Release 14.5


D. Visualization of Small Time Steps
The LS-DYNA solver automatically calculates the minimum time step for each
element based on its characteristic length, density, etc.
The smallest of these element time steps is called the critical time step.
The actual time step used during solution is the product of the current critical
time step and a stability factor (usually 0.90). As elements distort during the
analysis, their time steps are recalculated, and the subsequent actual time step
is written to the glstat file.
At the beginning of the run, the initial 100 smallest time steps (and their
corresponding element numbers) are written to the d3hsp file.
The EDTP command is used to visualize elements with the smallest time steps
before the LS-DYNA solver is invoked.
Elements with smallest time steps are plotted in red.
Elements with intermediate time steps are plotted in yellow.
A translucency option is available along with a time step listing option.
Re-meshing and mass scaling decisions can be made before the solution is
initiated, but the EDTP macro is rather slow for large models.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 10 Release 14.5


... Visualization of Small Time Steps
Solution > Time Controls > Time Step Prediction

EDTP, OPTION, VALUE1, VALUE2


OPTION = 1, 2, or 3:
1 = element plot of VALUE1 smallest element time steps
2 = #1 above + element listing of these time step values
3 = #2 above + VALUE2 translucency of remaining elements
VALUE1 = plot/list limit for smallest designation (red elements decide size)
VALUE2 = translucency ( 0 = no translucency, 1 = maximum, 0.9 = default level)

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 11 Release 14.5


E. Mass Scaling
An elements time step is calculated based on its material properties (EX, NUXY, and
DENS) and characteristic length:

lmin l2
element 1 2 3
t min
c c
l1 l2 l3 E
c
(1 2 )
The equation can be rearranged to find the required density of each
element for a desired time step size. By adding the corresponding
mass to these elements, the solution time will be reduced.

t specified
2
(1 2 ) i This procedure is known as mass

li E scaling. However, care must be


2 taken as to not add so much mass
t specified E as to invalidate the results
i for element i
li2 (1 2 )

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 12 Release 14.5


... Mass Scaling
Mass scaling is specified via the EDCTS command:
Solution > Time Controls > Time Step Ctrls

Desired minimum time step size,


DTMS, before applying the scale
(stability) factor, TSSFAC.
Stability factor (default = 0.90)
EDCTS, DTMS, TSSFAC
If DTMS is a POSITIVE value, the mass of all elements in the model will be
adjusted to achieve the desired time step size. This is only useful when
inertial effects are insignificant.
If DTMS is a NEGATIVE value, the mass scaling will only be applied to those
elements for which the calculated element time step size is less than the
desired time step size.
Obviously, DTMS should be the quotient of the desired minimum time step
size and the time step scale factor, TSSFAC.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 13 Release 14.5


... Mass Scaling
Mass scaling (EDCTS) example: 100 smallest element time-steps
(see LS-DYNA output file d3hsp):
Car crash model
element time-step
140 parts
shell 151018 0.44612E-06
42981 nodes
shell 150894 0.46867E-06
1580 bricks
shell 52321 0.48682E-06
60 beams
shell 51321 0.48682E-06
35170 shells
shell 16923 0.52225E-06
Termination time 150 ms
shell 16458 0.52225E-06
...
Governing time step is 0.44612e-6 shell 152483 0.70112E-06
Adding mass to those elements requiring the shell 92708 0.70113E-06
smallest time steps will raise the governing shell 92308 0.70114E-06
time step and reduce the CPU time
shell 38547 0.70223E-06
shell 38047 0.70223E-06

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 14 Release 14.5


... Mass Scaling
Without mass scaling:
Initial time step = smallest time step in model: t = 0.44612E-06 seconds
With mass scaling:
Desired time step = 0.6534E-06 seconds.
Use negative DTMS & compensate for TSSFAC : EDCTS, -0.726E-06
Initial time step = t = 0.90 X 0.726E-06 = 0.6534E-06 seconds

CPU time reduced to 68% of time required without mass scaling

Error in mass:
Physical mass 1.26 metric tons
Added mass 0.000027 metric tons (27 grams) => recorded in d3hsp file
Error in mass 0.002% (insignificant)
The coordinates of the mass center have changed slightly, too.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 15 Release 14.5


F. Additional Time Controls
There are several other solution controls that involve time:
Time Step Scale Factor
CPU Control
Subcycling

Time Step Scale Factor : EDCTS, DTMS, TSSFAC


Default stability factor (TSSFAC = 0.90) is normally sufficient
Lowering TSSFAC may stabilize models with high beta damping
Decreasing TSSFAC may also improve contact behavior
Solution > Time Controls > Time Step Ctrls

Default stability factor for high


explosives (unsupported) is 0.67

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 16 Release 14.5


Additional Time Controls
CPU Control : EDCPU, CPUTIME
Terminates analysis after CPU limit reached (default CPUTIME = )
Useful for large models that are being run at an outside data center
Solution > Analysis Options > CPU Limit

Subcycling : EDCSC, Key


Subcyling enables different time steps to be used in large models.
In theory, elements with large time steps are updated less often.
In practice, it only works for small, simple models, and therefore, is not
recommended. It has been known to just hang an analysis.
Solution > Time Controls > Subcycling

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 17 Release 14.5


G. Adaptive Meshing
The automatic regeneration of a SHELL163 mesh is possible during solution to
maintain a uniform bound on the distortion error in the analysis. Highly distorted
shells are sub-divided, thereby allowing for more accurate results.
Adaptive meshing is particularly useful in stamping and sheet metal forming
problems where there is substantial plastic deformation. It should not be confused
with the ALE method (see Lecture 13), which does not create additional elements,
but rather smoothes the existing mesh so that the elements are less distorted.

Refined
Mesh

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 18 Release 14.5


... Adaptive Meshing
There are two steps required to have adaptive meshing:
Specify Part IDs to be Re-meshed
Set Adaptive Meshing Controls

Specify Part IDs to be Re-meshed : EDADAPT, Part, Key

First, specify which Part IDs will be subject to adaptive meshing.


Solution > Analysis Options > Adaptive Meshing > Apply to a Part

Set Adaptive Meshing Controls : EDCADAPT, many options

Next, globally set adaptive meshing controls for all Part IDs specified.
Solution > Analysis Options > Adaptive Meshing > Global Settings

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 19 Release 14.5


... Adaptive Meshing
EDCADAPT, FREQ, TOL, OPT, MAXLVL, BTIME, DTIME,

FREQ = time interval (real time) between


adaptive mesh refinements (no default)

TOL = adaptive angle (degrees) based on


original (OPT=1) or incremental (OPT=2)
mesh

MAXLVL = maximum number of mesh


refinement levels
Large default tolerance (TOL)
BTIME/DTIME = birth/death times when
on angle change prevents
adaptive meshing is active in model
adaptive meshing

OPT sets angle tolerance to


be relative or absolute

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 20 Release 14.5


... Adaptive Meshing
EDCADAPT, , LCID,ADPSIZE,ADPASS,IREFLG,ADPENE,ADPTH,MAXEL
LCID = data curve identifying interval of
remeshing
ADPSIZE = minimum element size to be
adapted based on element edge length
ADPASS = 1 or 2 pass adaptivity
IREFLG = uniform refinement level
ADPENE = flag to start adaptivity when
approaching or penetrating tooling
surface
ADPTH = absolute shell thickness level
below which adaptivity will be
terminated
MAXEL = maximum number of elements at Most of these options are not
which adaptivity terminated
required and may be skipped.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 21 Release 14.5


... Adaptive Meshing
The LS-DYNA solver automatically refines the mesh according to the criteria
specified on the EDCADAPT command for the Part IDs flagged with the EDADAPT
command.

Each adapted mesh has a separate Jobname.RS01, Jobname.RS02, (POST1) and


Jobname.HI01, Jobname.HI02, (POST26) results file, due to the needed file
header changes. POST1 animations are possible across different results files with
the ANMRES macro:
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Animate > Over Results

Note: The filename adapt


should not be used, as
LS-DYNA uses this root
name for many of its files.
The analysis can bomb
out with no real indication
from LS-DYNA as to why!

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 22 Release 14.5


H. Simulation Control
Sense Switch Controls allow the user to interrupt the solution
process and to check the actual status, as well as write out binary
files for the current state.

To activate a sense switch control, type CTRL-C into the output


window of ANSYS on Unix platforms or the separate LS-DYNA
output window on Windows platforms. It interrupts the explicit
solver and waits for an input in the output window of ANSYS.
Type sw1 to terminate the run. A restart file will be written.
Type sw2 into the output window to receive global statistics
of the current state. ANSYS LS-DYNA will then continue.
Type sw3 into the output window to write out a restart file for
the current time. ANSYS LS-DYNA will then continue.
Type sw4 to write out results files. ANSYS LS-DYNA will then
continue.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 23 Release 14.5


... Simulation Control
The first estimation of the required CPU time is usually too high. After a
while, issue CTRL-C and type sw2 for a better CPU estimate...

The LS-DYNA solver writes all important messages (errors, warnings,


failed elements, contact problems, etc.) to the ANSYS output window
(separate window on Windows O.S.) and to the file d3hsp.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 24 Release 14.5


... Simulation Control
The LS-DYNA solver also writes data to the messag file. This file
contains a brief summary of the time step information, warnings,
errors, and a few other things that are written to the d3hsp file.
The warnings and errors are detected by ANSYS and the user is
instructed to view the messag file for more details:

Solution is done! message only appears for no errors/warnings


This message implies that a successful run was achieved

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 25 Release 14.5


I. Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
Most general LS-DYNA capabilities are supported by the ANSYS LS-DYNA
interface. However, there are several additional features of LS-DYNA, that
cannot be directly accessed through the ANSYS LS-DYNA interface. Some
examples include:
Material models: Fabric, unified creep, Drucker-Prager
Elements: Air bags, seat belts, explosives
Constraints: Spherical, revolute, cylindrical, etc. joints

Although these unsupported LS-DYNA capabilities cannot be directly accessed,


a user familiar with LS-DYNA keyword input can still use any feature indirectly
by editing the LS-DYNA input file that is generated by the ANSYS LS-DYNA
interface.

LS-PREPOST, which is also not supported, can always be used to validate the
results, but using the ANSYS postprocessors POST1 and POST26 may not be
possible, depending on the changes.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 26 Release 14.5


... Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
To access these additional LS-DYNA features, do the following:
1. Save the Database
2. Generate the Input File
3. Exit the ANSYS LS-DYNA Interface
4. Edit the LS-DYNA Keyword Input File
5. Submit the Job to the LS-DYNA Solver
6. Re-enter the ANSYS LS-DYNA Interface and Review the Results

Save the Database : SAVE


You will need to save the database before exiting the program

Generate the Input File : EDWRITE


The EDWRITE command creates the LS-DYNA keyword ASCII input
file, Jobname.K, from the information stored in the database.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 27 Release 14.5


... Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
Generate the Input File (continued):
The EDWRITE command also creates the headers to the Jobname.RST
and Jobname.HIS files. This header information includes the node and
element definitions, so if the models basic entity information is then
changed, these files could contain erroneous results. Therefore, you
should also write out the LS-DYNA results files used by LS-PREPOST.

The SOLVE command should not be used, since it not only issues the
EDWRITE command (overwriting any existing Jobname.K file), it also
immediately submits the input file to the LS-DYNA solver without
allowing the desired changes to be made.
Solution > Write Jobname.K
Default (ANSYS) option only has
results written to ANSYS .RST
and .HIS files. Choose an
option that includes LS-DYNA
results files
2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 28 Release 14.5
... Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
Exit the ANSYS LS-DYNA Interface : /EXIT
In order to free up the license, you will need to exit the program.

Edit the LS-DYNA Keyword Input File : vi Jobname.K or notepad


Using an ASCII text editor (like vi or notepad), edit the Jobname.K file
and add the desired features. The input file generated by the interface
is in fixed format, so be careful when changing the data. The LS-DYNA
Keyword Users Manual can be downloaded from the ANSYS Customer
Portal for free.

When adding an unsupported


material, it is best to use a dummy
material when building the model and
then just replace the dummy material
information in the input file with the
desired material data.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 29 Release 14.5


... Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
Submit the Job to the LS-DYNA Solver :
In the same directory where the Jobname.K, Jobname.RST, and
Jobname.HIS files reside, execute the LS-DYNA script. For
ANSYS/Multiphysics/LS-DYNA on a UNIX operating system, issue:

/ansys_inc/v110/ansys/bin/lsdyna110 i=Jobname.K pr= ANE3FLDS

Add: m=drelax for an implicit-to-explicit sequential solution.


MEMORY=# (in words) for large jobs (see EDSTART).
R=d3dumpnn for small and full restarts (nn = 01, 02, 03, etc.)

On the PC, use double quotes to enclose the entire command string
(due to the spaces) to execute the LS-DYNA script:

C:\Program Files\Ansys Inc\V110\ANSYS\bin\intel\lsdyna110 i= Jobname.K

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 30 Release 14.5


... Editing the LS-DYNA Input File
Submit the Job to the LS-DYNA Solver (continued):
Yes! There is an easier way to submit LS-DYNA jobs directly. Please
refer to the next slide for details about the LS-DYNA launcher

Re-enter the ANSYS LS-DYNA Interface and Review the Results :


When done, resume the database and postprocess the ANSYS results
files in POST1 and POST26. LS-DYNA continuously appends to these
files during solution, but if there is an abnormal termination (e.g., full
disk or power interruption), the pointer information will not be saved to
the files and the results will not be available. However, the LS-PREPOST
postprocessor can still read the d3plot and d3thdt files, if they were
requested (see EDWRITE and EDOPT commands).

Note: Editing the Jobname.K file is not supported by ANSYS, Inc.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 31 Release 14.5


J. LS-DYNA Batch Launcher
The ANSYS LS-DYNA Interface both creates the .K (keyword) ASCII
input file and submits it to the LS-DYNA solver when the SOLVE
command is issued. As previously noted, the LS-DYNA solver may
also be launched directly from the command line by specifying the
appropriate arguments, including the existing .K input file name.

The ANSYS Product Launcher may also be used to submit existing .K


input files to the LS-DYNA solver without having to remember the
command format shown on the previous slides.

On the PC, the ANSYS Launcher is accessed from the Start button:
Start > Programs > ANSYS 11.0 > ANSYS Product Launcher

On UNIX machines, the ANSYS Launcher is accessed by typing:


launcher110

The ANSYS Product Launcher searches for the available licenses


before bringing up the GUI window.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 32 Release 14.5


... LS-DYNA Batch Launcher
In the top GUI area:
Select LS-DYNA Solver
as the Simulation
Environment
Use a License that
supports LS-DYNA
Pick the desired Analysis
Type
The File Management tab
input includes:
Working Directory
Keyword Input File
Restart Dump File (if a
restart analysis)
Before picking Run ...

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 33 Release 14.5


... LS-DYNA Batch Launcher
Under Customization
Preferences, specify:
Memory (in words) for
LS-DYNA (see EDSTART
command)
Number of CPUs (if
license supports it)
Consistency checking
(improved accuracy for
multiple CPU analyses)
Double Precision version
of LS-DYNA (if highest
amount of accuracy
required)
Selecting the Run button
will launch the LS-DYNA
solver

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 34 Release 14.5


K. LS-DYNA Solver Precision
By default, ANSYS LS-DYNA executes the Single Precision (SP) version
of LS-DYNA. It is very fast and accurate enough for most simulations.
However, a Double Precision (DP) version is also available for most
platforms and resides in the same directory as the SP version. Both the
DP and SP versions support SMP (Shared Memory Parallel) execution.

The DP version may be up to 20% slower than the SP version, but the
additional accuracy it provides may be needed for long-duration events.
Tracking the motion of a bouncing block is an example in which a little
error at the beginning of the analysis can result in large amounts of
compounded error by the end of the simulation.

Both the SP and the DP versions use Build 7600.398 of LS971 R2 in


ANSYS LS-DYNA 11.0 and Build 7600.1116 of LS971 R2 in 11.0 SP1.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 35 Release 14.5


... LS-DYNA Solver Precision
The Double Precision version is activated by several different methods:
EDDBL, Double command (Solution > Analysis Options > Double Precision)

/CONFIG,dyna_dbl,1 command
Selecting Enable double precision analysis from the ANSYS Product
Launcher for the LS-DYNA Solver Simulation Environment (see earlier slide)
-dp command line option: lsdyna110 -dp i=Jobname.K

The messag file will indicate


that the double precision
version was used.
Letter d in version name
(an s is used for the single
precision version)
Precision specification

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 36 Release 14.5


L. Solution and Simulation Controls Workshop

This workshop consists of the following problem:


WS07. Beam Buckling Under Axial Load
Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.

2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 37 Release 14.5

You might also like