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Chapter 1

I t d ti
Introduction

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-1 January 2010
Introduction
Welcome! Training Manual

• Welcome to the ANSYS Mechanical application introductory training course!


• This training course covers the basics of using ANSYS Mechanical in
performing structural and thermal analyses.
• It is intended for all new or occasional ANSYS Mechanical users, regardless
of the CAD software used.
• Course Objectives:
• General understanding of the user interface,
interface as related to geometry import,
import meshing,
meshing
application of loads and supports, and postprocessing
• Procedure for performing FEA simulations, including linear static, modal, and harmonic
structural analyses and nonlinear steady-state thermal analyses
• Utilizing parameters for ‘what-if’
what if scenarios
• Interfacing with the ANSYS solver for more advanced functionality

– Training Courses are also available covering the use of other Workbench modules
(e g DesignModeler,
(e.g. DesignModeler Design Exploration,
Exploration etc.)
etc ) .

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-2 January 2010
Introduction
Agenda (Day 1) Training Manual

8:30 – 9:30 Lecture – Introduction


9:30 – 11:00 Lecture – Chapter 2: Mechanical Basics
11:00 – 11:30 Workshop 2.1 – ANSYS Mechanical Basics
11:30 – 12:00 Lecture – Chapter 3: General Preprocessing

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:45 Lecture – Chapter 3: General Preprocessing (cont.)


1:45 – 2:15 Workshop 3.1 – Contact Control
2:15 – 3:15 Lecture – Chapter 3: General Preprocessing (cont.)
3:15 – 3:45 Workshop p 3.2 – Meshing
g Control
3:45 – 5:00 Lecture – Chapter 4: Static Structural Analysis

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-3 January 2010
Introduction
Agenda (Day 2) Training Manual

8:30 – 9:00 Workshop 4.1 – Linear Structural Analysis


9:00 – 9:30 Lecture – Chapter 4: Static Structural Analysis
9:30 – 10:00 Workshop 4.2 – 2D Structural Analysis
10:00 – 10:30 Lecture – Chapter 5: Vibration Analysis
10:30 – 10:45 Workshop 5.1 – Free Vibration Analysis
10:45 – 11:00 Workshop 5.2 – Pre-Stressed Vibration Analysis
11:30 – 12:00 Lecture – Chapter 6: Thermal Analysis

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 Workshop 6.1 – Steady State Thermal Analysis


1:30 – 2:00 Lecture – Chapter 7: Linear Buckling Analysis
2:00 – 2:30 Workshop 7.1 – Linear Buckling Analysis
2:30 – 3:30 Lecture – Chapter 8: Results Post-processing
3:30 – 4:00 Workshop 8.1 – Results Processing
4:00 – 4:30 Lecture – Chapter 9: CAD & Parameters
4:30 – 5:00 Workshop 9.1 – Parameter Management
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1
© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-4 January 2010
Introduction
Course Materials Training Manual

• The Training Manual you have is an exact copy of the slides.


• Workshop descriptions and instructions are included in the
Workshop Supplement.
• C
Copies off the workshop files
f are available on the ANSYS
S S Customer
C
Portal (www.ansys.com).
• Advanced training courses are available on specific topics.
Schedule available on the ANSYS web page http://www.ansys.com/
http://www ansys com/
under “Services> Training> Schedules”.
• Contents:
A. About ANSYS Inc.
B. ANSYS Workbench Overview
C. ANSYS Mechanical Overview
D. Starting
g Mechanical
E. The Workbench Environment
F. Workbench File Management
G. Working With Units
H. License Preferences

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-5 January 2010
Introduction
A. About ANSYS, Inc. Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc.
• Developer of ANSYS family of products
• Global Headquarters in Canonsburg, PA - USA (south of Pittsburgh)
– Development and sales offices in U.S. and around the world
– Publicly traded on NASDAQ stock exchange under “ANSS”
– For additional company information as well as descriptions and
schedules for other training courses visit www.ansys.com

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-6 January 2010
Introduction
… ANSYS Family of Products Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc. Family of Products include the


following:
•ANSYS Workbench – Complete environment for simulation and
modeling needs.
•ANSYS CFD – State-of-the-art CFD solvers, including CFX and
FLUENT.
•ANSYS AUTODYN – Explicit dynamic solver for transient non-linear
simulations involving large deformations and strains, non-linear material
behavior, non-linear buckling, complex contact, fragmentation, and shock
wave propagation.
•ANSYS ICEM CFD – Powerful meshing tools with general pre-
and post-processing features.

•ANSYS LS-DYNA – LSTC’s LS-DYNA explicit dynamic solver technology


with the pre-/post-processing power of ANSYS software. This powerful
pairing can be used to simulate crash tests, metal forging, stamping, and
catastrophic failures.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-7 January 2010
Introduction
ANSYS EKM - Engineering Knowledge Manager Training Manual

• What is ANSYS EKM?


– ANSYS Engineering Knowledge Manager (EKM) is a web-based multi-user
collaborative product that is aimed at meeting the simulation data and process
management challenges faced by our customers. EKM is tightly integrated with
other ANSYS simulation offerings and it can also be very easily integrated with
other simulation codes including legacy and competitor’s software.

• What is ANSYS EKM Desktop?


– ANSYS EKM Desktop is a single user, local environment version of EKM. It is
available as part of ANSYS R12 release and it can be accessed via Workbench.
EKM Desktop is focused at meeting the challenge of “re-using existing
simulations”
i l ti ” and
d thereby
th b increasing
i i simulation
i l ti productivity
d ti it andd efficiency.
ffi i

• EKM Desktop can be started


under the File menu in the
Project window

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-8 January 2010
Introduction
Why Manage Simulation Data and Processes? Training Manual

• Managing
M i simulation
i l ti data
d t reduces
d engineering
i i costs
t
– Eliminate wasted time looking for prior simulation data
– Enable re-use of existing data
• Managing simulation processes and workflows
– Enables a collaborative environment for distributed simulation

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


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Introduction
ANSYS EKM - Engineering Knowledge Manager Training Manual

DATA MANAGEMENT PROCESS MANAGEMENT


File Repository Automate Processes
Meta-Data Extraction Manage Workflows
Advanced Search Design Systems
Data Mining
Report Generation
© 0110101
00010101011
11000101001011
E-mail Notification
Track Progress
TM
1010010010101010
0111010010101010

®
11100101100001
01110100101
0101010

File & web Compute


servers server

Enterprise Access end Application Portal


user
Web Enabled Job Submission

ACCESS MANAGEMENT
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1
© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-10 January 2010
Introduction
ANSYS EKM - A User Scalable Solution Training Manual

Model & Data Sharing


Integrated with and
accessible from
Workbench in R12
EKM
Enterprise

EKM
Work
Knowledge Capture,
EKM Group
es top
Desktop Data Management,
(Single User)
Automated Protect Intellectual
Workflows Property

Organization/Process Maturity

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-11 January 2010
Introduction
B. ANSYS Workbench Overview Training Manual

• What is ANSYS Workbench?


– ANSYS Workbench provides powerful methods for interacting with the ANSYS
family of solvers. This environment provides a unique integration with CAD
y
systems, , and your
y design
g process.
p
• ANSYS Workbench is comprised of various applications (some examples):
– Mechanical for performing structural and thermal analyses using the ANSYS solver
• Meshing is also included within the Mechanical application
– Mechanical APDL for performing advanced mechanical and multiphysics analyses
using the traditional ANSYS user interface.
– Fluid Flow (CFX) for performing CFD analyses using CFX
– Fluid Flow (FLUENT) for performing CFD analyses using FLUENT
– Geometry
G t (DesignModeler)
(D i M d l ) for f creating
ti and
d modifying
dif i CAD geometry
t tot prepare
the solid model for use in Mechanical.
– Engineering Data for defining material properties
– Meshing Application for generating CFD and Explicit Dynamics meshes
– Design Exploration for optimization analyses
– Finite Element Modeler (FE Modeler) for translating a NASTRAN and ABAQUS
mesh for use in ANSYS
– BladeGen (Blade Geometry) for creating blade geometry
– Explicit Dynamics for explicit dynamics simulations featuring modeling of
nonlinear dynamics
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1
© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-12 January 2010
Introduction
… ANSYS Workbench Overview Training Manual

• The Workbench environment supports two types of applications:


– Native applications (workspaces): Current native applications are Project
Schematic, Engineering Data and Design Exploration.
• Native applications are launched and run entirely in the Workbench window.
– Data Integrated Applications: current applications include Mechanical,
Mechanical APDL, Fluent, CFX, AUTODYN and others.

Native Application
pp
Data Integrated Application

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-13 January 2010
Introduction
C. ANSYS Workbench - Mechanical Overview Training Manual

• Analysis types available in Workbench - Mechanical:†


– Structural (static and transient):
• Linear and nonlinear structural analyses.
– Dynamic Capabilities:
• modal, harmonic, random vibration, flexible and rigid dynamics.
– Heat Transfer (steady state and transient):
• Solve for temperature field and heat flux. Temperature-dependent
conductivity, convection and materials allowed.
– Magnetostatic:
• To perform 3-D static magnetic field analysis
– Shape Optimization:
• Indicates areas of possible volume reduction using Topological Optimization
technology.

† Note,the active ANSYS license dictates what functionality is available to the user. Not all
features listed are covered in this Introductory course.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-14 January 2010
Introduction
… Product Configuration Training Manual

• Mechanical Application
– The environment for simulation automation and ease of use combined
with the full power of the ANSYS solver technology.
– Formerly called Simulation

• Mechanical APDL Application


– The user interface environment that emphasizes access to commands,
customization and scripting.
– Formerly called the ANSYS PREP7/POST1 interface

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-15 January 2010
Introduction
… Product Configuration Training Manual

• Types of licenses available for Mechanical:


– Various ANSYS licensing configurations are available. The license
chosen will dictate what features and capabilities are available in the
M h i l application.
Mechanical li ti
– License management allows license sharing when multiple instances of a
particular application are open.

– (Other ANSYS licenses are supported for meshing only)

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-16 January 2010
Introduction
… Product Configuration Training Manual

• Add-on licenses for Mechanical:


– Rigid and Flexible Dynamics (one add-on license)
– Fatigue Module

• 12.0 Workbench products are available for Windows and Linux


operating
g systems.
y
– Note, Linux will be supported starting at the 12.1 Release
– Check the ANSYS web site or online documentation for the latest
compatibilities.

• Network licensing capabilities are used for all ANSYS and ANSYS
Workbench products.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-17 January 2010
Introduction
D. Starting Mechanical Training Manual

• There are two methods of launching Workbench:


– From the Windows start menu:

– From the CAD system

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-18 January 2010
Introduction
E. The Workbench Environment Training Manual

• For most situations the Workbench GUI is divided into 2 primary


sections (there are other optional sections we’ll see in a moment):

The Toolbox The Project Schematic

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-19 January 2010
Introduction
The Toolbox Training Manual

• The toolbox contains 4 subgroups:


• Analysis systems: predefined
templates that can be placed in the
schematic.
h ti
• Component systems: various
applications that can be accessed
to build, or expand, analysis
systems.
• Custom Systems: predefined
analysis systems for coupled
applications (FSI, thermal-stress,
etc.). Users can also create their
own predefined systems.
• Design Exploration: Parametric
management and optimization
tools.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-20 January 2010
Introduction
. . . The Toolbox Training Manual

• The systems and components


displayed in the toolbox will
depend on the installed
products.
• Using the check boxes in the
“View All / Customize”
window,
i d the
h items
i displayed
di l d
in the toolbox can be toggled
on or off.
• The
Th toolbox
t lb customization
t i ti
window is normally left closed
when not in use.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-21 January 2010
Introduction
The Project Schematic Training Manual

• The Workbench project schematic is a graphical representation of the


workflow defining a system or group of systems.
• The workflow in the project schematic is always left to right.
• There are currently several applications which are native to
Workbench, meaning they run entirely in the Workbench window:
– Project
j Schematic,, Engineering
g g Data and Design
g Exploration
p
• Non-native applications (called data-integrated) run in their own
window:
– Mechanical ((formerly
y Simulation),
), Mechanical APDL ((formerly
y ANSYS),
),
ANSYS Fluent, ANSYS CFX, Etc . . .
• Blocks of cells can be deleted by RMB on the block header cell that is
shaded in blue.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-22 January 2010
Introduction
. . . The Project Schematic Training Manual

• In this example a Static Structural analysis type is selected for the project
schematic.
• From the toolbox the selection can be dragged and dropped onto the
schematic
h ti or simply
i l double
d bl clicked.
li k d

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-23 January 2010
Introduction
. . . The Project Schematic Training Manual

• By dropping applications and/or systems into various locations in the


schematic, an overall analysis project is defined.
• “Connectors” indicate the level of collaboration between systems.
• In the example below a structural system is dragged and dropped
onto a thermal system at the Model cell (A4).
• Before completing
p g the operation
p notice there are a number of
optional “drop targets” that will provide various types of linkage
between systems (continued next page).

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-24 January 2010
Introduction
. . . The Project Schematic Training Manual

• By completing the operation from the previous page, notice the


linkage here is only at the Model level and above.
• In this case there would be no thermal/structural coupling.

• Notice too each system block is given and alphabetic designation (A,
B, C, etc.).

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-25 January 2010
Introduction
. . . The Project Schematic Training Manual

• By dropping the structural system at the “Solution” level we obtain a


structural system that is coupled to the thermal solution.

Notice, the candidate


“drop target”
i di t data
indicates d t will
ill be
b
shared from fields A2
to A4, and
transferred from A6.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-26 January 2010
Introduction
. . . The Project Schematic Training Manual

• A schematic can also be constructed by RMB and choosing to


“Transfer Data To New” or “Transfer Data From New”.
• In using this RMB transfer feature all transfer possibilities (upstream
and downstream) are displayed.
• These selections will vary depending on which cell in a particular
system you highlight.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


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Introduction
. . . The Project Schematic Training Manual

• Identifying cell states:

• Unfulfilled: missing upstream data.

• Attention required: may need to correct this or upstream cells.

• R
Refresh
f h required:
i d upstream
t data
d t has
h changed.
h d Need
N d to
t refresh
f h cell
ll (update
( d t will
ill
also refresh the cell).

• Update
p required:
q the data has changed
g and the output
p of the cell must be
regenerated.

• Up to date.

• Input changes pending: cell is locally up to date but may change when the next
update is performed due to upstream changes.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-28 January 2010
Introduction
Optional Workbench Windows Training Manual

• The “View” menu (and RMB) allows additional information to be


displayed in the Workbench environment.
– Below, the geometry is highlighted and the properties are displayed.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-29 January 2010
Introduction
F. Workbench File Management Training Manual

• Workbench creates a project file and a series of subdirectories to


manage all associated files.
• Users should allow Workbench to manage the content of these
directories. Please do NOT manually modify the content or structure
of the project directories.
• When a project is saved a project file is created (.wbpj), using the
user specified file name (e.g. MyFile.wbpj).
• A project directory will be created using the project name. In the
above example the directory would be MyFile_files.
• A number of subdirectories will be created in the project directory
(explained next).

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-30 January 2010
Introduction
. . . Workbench File Management Training Manual

• Directory Structure:
– dpn: this is the design point directory. This
essentially is the state of all parameters for a
particular
ti l analysis.
l i In I the
th case off a single
i l analysis
l i
there will be only one “dp0” directory.
– global: contains subdirectories for each application
in the analysis.
analysis In the example at right the “Mech”
Mech
directory will contain the database, and other
associated files from the Mechanical application.
– SYS: the “SYS” directory will contain subdirectories
for each system type in the project (e.g. Mechanical,
Fluent, CFX, etc.). Each system subdirectory
contains solver specific files. For example the
MECH subdirectory would contain the results file file,
the ds.dat file, solve.out file and so on.
– user_files: contains input files, user macro files etc.
that mayy be associated with a p project.
j

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-31 January 2010
Introduction
. . . Workbench File Management Training Manual

• From the Workbench “View” menu activate the


“Files” option to display a window containing file
details and locations.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-32 January 2010
Introduction
. . . Workbench File Management Training Manual

• Archive: quickly generates a single


compressed file containing all pertinent files.

– File is zip format and can be opened using the


“Restore Archive . . . ” utility in WB2 or any
unzip program.

– Several options are available when archiving


systems as shown here
here.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-33 January 2010
Introduction
G. Working With Units Training Manual

• The Units menu in Workbench:


– Allows access to predefined unit systems.
– Allows the creation of custom unit systems.
– Controls
C t l unit it display
di l forf Engineering
E i i Data,
D t
Parameters and Charts.
– Activate the Units System dialog to control.

Units can be displayed in


the active Project system or
as they were defined in their
source (e.g. CAD system).

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-34 January 2010
Introduction
. . . Working With Units Training Manual

• Create custom unit systems by duplicating existing systems then


modifying.
• Custom unit systems can be exported and imported.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-35 January 2010
Introduction
H. License Preferences Training Manual

• Workbench license control is handled through the user interface


shown below, activated from the Workbench project page (“Tools >
License Preferences . . . “).

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-36 January 2010
Introduction
. . . License Preferences Training Manual

• With the available licenses displayed, the activation and “use order”
can be specified using the up/down arrows.
– 0 = off, 1 = on
– License
Li order
d represents
t the
th preference
f order
d for
f license
li use.

• The license control allows Workbench


users to specify whether a single
license is used when multiple
applications are open, or if all open
applications access their own license.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-37 January 2010
Introduction
. . . License Preferences Training Manual

• In the example shown, a user could have 3 Mechanical models open


simultaneously. Using the license control they may choose to open 3
licenses or use only 1 that is shared. In the shared scenario, only the active
Mechanical session uses the license (the remaining will be read only)
only).

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary Release 12.1


© 2010 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-38 January 2010

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