Intro1 M13 Postprocessing

Chapter 13
Postprocessing
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
Overview Training Manual
INTRO
• There are many ways to review results in the general
postprocessor (POST1), some of which have already been
ODUCTIO
covered.
d
• In this chapter, we will explore two additional methods — query

picking
p g and path
p operations
p — and also introduce yyou to the
ON TO AN
concepts of results transformation, error estimation, and load
case combination.
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A. Query
y Picking
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Query picking allows you to “probe” the model for stresses,
displacements, or other results quantities at any picked location.
ODUCTIO
• You can also quickly locate the maximum and minimum values of
the item being queried.
ON TO AN
• Available only through the GUI (no commands):
– General Postproc > Query Results > Nodal or Element or Subgrid Solu
– Choose a results quantity and press OK
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PowerGraphics PowerGraphics
ON OFF
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…Query
y Picking
g Training Manual
INTRO
– 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
ODUCTIO
points.
i t
• 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.
ON TO AN
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Automatically
generate text
P
annotation
1
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…Query
y Picking
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Demo:
– Continue from the last multi-load-step solution of rib.db
ODUCTIO
– Pl t SEQV for
Plot f load
l d step
t 1
– Query “Nodal Solu” SEQV at several locations, including MIN & MAX. (Switch to
full graphics if needed.)
– Switch to PowerGraphics and query “Subgrid Solu.”
ON TO AN
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B. Results Coordinate System
y Training Manual
INTRO
• All direction-dependent quantities that you view in POST1, such
as component stresses, displacements, and reaction forces, are
ODUCTIO
reported
t d in
i the
th results
lt coordinate
di t systemt (RSYS)
(RSYS).
• RSYS defaults to 0 (global Cartesian). That is, POST1 transforms

all results to g
global Cartesian by
y default,, including
g results at
ON TO AN
“rotated” nodes.
• But there are many situations — such as pressure vessels and

spherical structures — where you need to check the results in a
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cylindrical, spherical, or other local coordinate system.
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…Results Coordinate System
y Training Manual
INTRO
• To change the results CS to a different
system, use:
ODUCTIO
– General Postproc > Options for Outp…
– or the RSYS command
ON TO AN
All subsequent
b t contour
t plots,
l t lilistings,
ti query picks,
i k etc.
t will
ill reportt
the values in that system.
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Default orientation Local cylindrical Global cylindrical
RSYS,0 system RSYS,11 system RSYS,1
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…Results Coordinate System
y Training Manual
INTRO
• RSYS,SOLU
– Sets the results CS to “As calculated.”
ODUCTIO
ON
ON TO AN
– All subsequent contour plots, listings, query picks, etc. will report the
values in the nodal and element coordinate systems.
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• 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
P
attribute of the element
element. Most solid elements
elements, for example
example, default
to global Cartesian.)
– Not supported by PowerGraphics.
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C. Path Operations Training Manual
INTRO
• Another way to review results is via path operations, which allow
you to:
ODUCTIO
– map results data onto an arbitrary “path” through the model
– perform mathematical operations along the path, including integration
and differentiation
– display a “path
path plot
plot” — see how a result item varies along the path
ON TO AN
• Available only for models containing 2-D or 3-D solid elements or
shell elements.
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…Path Operations Training Manual
INTRO
• Three steps to produce a path plot:
– Define a path
ODUCTIO
– Map data onto the path
– Plot the data
ON TO AN
1. Define a Path
1
– Requires the following information:
• Points defining the path (2 to 1000). You can use existing nodes or
locations on the working plane.
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• Path curvature, determined by the active coordinate system
(CSYS).
• A name for the path.
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INTRO
1. Define a Path (cont’d)
– First activate the desired coordinate system (CSYS).
ODUCTIO
– 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
p
ON TO AN
• Choose a path name. The nSets and nDiv fields are best left to
default in most cases.
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From
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To
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INTRO
2. Map Data onto Path
– General Postproc > Path Operations > Map onto Path (or PDEF
ODUCTIO
command)
• Choose desired quantity, such as SEQV.
• Enter a label for the quantity, to be used on plots and listings.
ON TO AN
– You can now display the path if needed
needed.
• General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Paths
• (or issue /PBC,PATH,1 followed by NPLOT or EPLOT)
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INTRO
3. Plot the Data
– You can plot path items either on a graph:
ODUCTIO
• PLPATH or General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path Item >
On Graph
– or along path geometry:
ON TO AN
• PLPAGM or General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path Item >
On Geometry
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INTRO
• ANSYS allows you to define multiple paths, each
with a unique name that you assign. Only one
ODUCTIO
path
th can be
b active
ti att a time.
ti
• Besides plots and listings, there are many other

path capabilities,
p p , including:
g
ON TO AN
– Stress linearization — used in the pressure vessel
industry to decompose stress along a path into its
membrane and bending components.
– Calculus functions — used in fracture mechanics to
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calculate J-integrals and stress concentration
factors. Also useful in thermal analyses to
calculate the heat lost or gained across a path.
P
– Dot
D t products
d t and d cross products
d t — used d widely
id l in
i
electromagnetics analyses to operate on vector
quantities.
1
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INTRO
• Demo:
– Continue with rib postprocessing…
ODUCTIO
– Pl t nodes,
Plot d then
th switchit h tto CSYS
CSYS,1
1 if desired
d i d
– Define a path using nodes
– Map SX or SEQV or other data onto path
– Plot the path itself
ON TO AN
– Plot the path item on graph and on geometry
– Define a second path elsewhere in the model and show how to toggle between
the two.
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Chapter 13 – Postprocessing
D. Error Estimation Training Manual
INTRO
• The finite element solution calculates stresses on a per-element
basis, i.e, stresses are individually calculated in each element.
ODUCTIO
• When you plot nodal stress contours in POST1, however, you will
see smooth contours because the stresses are averaged at the
nodes.
ON TO AN
If you plot the element solution, you will see unaveraged data,
which shows the discontinuity between elements.
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• The difference between averaged and σavg = 1100
unaveraged stresses gives an indication
P
of how “good” or how “bad” the mesh is. σ = 1000 σ = 1200
This is the basis for error estimation. Elem 1 Elem 2
1
σ = 1100 σ = 1300
σavg = 1200
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…Error Estimation Training Manual
INTRO
• Error estimation is available only in POST1 and is valid only for:
– linear static structural and linear steady-state thermal analyses
ODUCTIO
– solid elements (2-D and 3-D) and shell elements
– Full Graphics (not PowerGraphics)
If these conditions are not met,

met ANSYS automatically turns off
ON TO AN
error estimation calculations.
• To manually activate or deactivate error estimation, use
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– ERNORM,ON/OFF
– or General Postproc > Options for Outp
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INTRO
• POST1 calculates the following error measures.
– Stress analysis:
ODUCTIO
• percentage error in energy norm (SEPC)
• element stress deviations (SDSG)
• element energy error (SERR)
ON TO AN
• maximum and minimum stress bounds (SMXB, SMNB)
– Thermal analysis:
• percentage error in energy norm (TEPC)
• element
l t thermal
th l gradient
di t deviations
d i ti (TDSG)
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• element energy error (TERR)
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INTRO
Percentage error in energy norm (SEPC)
ODUCTIO
• SEPC is
i a rough h estimate
ti t off the
th stress
t error ((or di
displacement,
l t
temperature, or thermal flux) over the entire set of selected
elements.
ON TO AN
• Can be used to compare similar models of similar structures
subjected to similar loadings.
• SEPC is shown in the legend column of deformed shape displays.

displays
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You can list it manually using PRERR or General Postproc > List
Results > Percent Error.
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INTRO
• As a general rule of thumb,
look for SEPC to be 10% or
ODUCTIO
SEPC = 35.149
l
less. If it is
i higher,
hi h then:
th
– Check for point loads or
other stress singularities and
unselect elements in the
ON TO AN
vicinity.
– If it is still higher, plot the
element energy error. The
elements with high g values of
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energy error are candidates
for mesh refinement. SEPC = 3.484
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INTRO
Element stress deviations (SDSG)
ODUCTIO
• SDSG is a measure of the amount by
which an element’s stress disagrees with
the stress averages at its nodes.
ON TO AN
• You can plot SDSG contours using
PLESOL,SDSG or General Postproc > Plot
Results > Contour Plot > Element Solu...
• A high value of SDSG is not necessarily
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bad, especially if it is a small percentage
of the nominal stresses in the structure.
For example
example, this plate-with-a-hole model
P
SDSG att location
l ti off interest
i t t
shows only a 1.5% stress deviation in the = ~450 psi, which is ~1.5% of
region of interest. ~30,000 psi nominal stress
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INTRO
Element energy error (SERR)
ODUCTIO
• SERR isi the
th energy associated
i t d with
ith the
th stress
t mismatches
i t h att the
th
nodes of the element. This is the basic error measure from which
the other error quantities are derived. SERR has units of energy.
ON TO AN
• To plot SERR contours, issue PLESOL,SERR or General Postproc >
Plot Results > Contour Plot > Element Solu
• Generally, the elements with the highest SERR are candidates for
Generally
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mesh refinement. However, since SERR will always be highest at
stress singularities, be sure to unselect those elements first.
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INTRO
Stress bounds (SMXB and SMNB)
ODUCTIO
• The stress
Th t bounds
b d can help
h l you determine
d t i the
th potential
t ti l effect
ff t off
mesh discretization error on the maximum stress.
• Theyy are displayed

p y on stress contour p
plots in the legend
g column
ON TO AN
as SMXB (upper bound) and SMNB (lower bound).
• The bounds are not estimates of the actual maximum and

minimum but they do define a “confidence band.”
minimum, band ” Without other
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supporting verification, you have no basis for believing that the
true maximum stress is below SMXB.
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INTRO
• Caution: If you don’t unselect elements near stress singularities,
the stress bounds are meaningless, as shown below.
ODUCTIO
ON
ON TO AN
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SMXB = 15,750 SMXB = 6,401
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E. Load Case Combinations Training Manual
INTRO
• Whenever you solve multiple load steps, the results of each load
step are stored as separate sets on the results file (identified by load
ODUCTIO
step number).
• A load case combination is an operation between two sets of

results which are called load cases.
results, cases
ON TO AN
– 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
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in the database.
P 1
Load case in database Load case Combined load case in database
(computer memory) on results file overwrites previous contents
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…Load Case Combinations Training Manual
INTRO
Typical procedure:
ODUCTIO
1 Create
1. C t th
the lload
d cases
2. Read one load case into the database
ON TO AN
3. Perform the desired operation
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INTRO
Create Load Cases
ODUCTIO
• A lload
d case simply
i l acts t as a pointer
i t tot a sett
of results. It requires two pieces of
information:
– a unique ID number
ON TO AN
– the results set it represents (load step and
substep number)
• Use the LCDEF command or General
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Postproc > Load Case > Create Load Case
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INTRO
Read One Load Case into the Database (memory)
ODUCTIO
• Simply
Si l id
identify
tif the
th results
lt sett by
b its
it load
l d case
number using LCASE or General Postproc > Load
Case > Read Load Case.
ON TO AN
• Or use one of the standard “Read Results” choices
in the postprocessor (SET command).
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INTRO
Perform the Desired Operation
ODUCTIO
• Many operations
M ti are available
il bl as shown
h in
i
the menu here.
• Use the LCOPER command or General
ON TO AN
Postproc > Load Case > Add, Subtract, etc.
• Remember that the results of the operation

are stored in the database (memory)
(memory). The
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combined load case is identified on plots
and listings as number 9999.
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INTRO
• There are two useful options to
save the combined load case:
ODUCTIO
– Write a load case file
– Append the load case to the results
file
• Writing a load case file (LCWRITE
ON TO AN
or General Postproc > Write Results)
creates a file that is similar to, but
much smaller than the results file.
• pp
The Append option
p (RAPPND
( or
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General Postproc > Load Case >
Write Load Case) allows you to add
the combined load case to the
results file and identify
y it with a
P
given load step number and time
value.
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F. Workshops Training Manual
INTRO
• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions:
W13A. Connecting Rod
ODUCTIO
W13B. Spherical Shell
W13C. Axisymmetric Fin with Multiple Load Steps
ON TO AN
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G. Results Viewer Training Manual
INTRO
• The Results Viewer is a specialized postprocessing menu and graphic
system.
ODUCTIO
– Fast graphics for large models or models that have many time steps
– Easy to use menu system for quick results viewing
ON TO AN
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…Results Viewer Training Manual
INTRO
• Can be created two different ways …
– Use the POUTRES command before solving
ODUCTIO
to write a jobname
jobname.pgr
pgr file during solution.
solution
– Main Menu > Solution > Load Step Opts >
Output Ctrls > PGR File
ON TO AN
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NSYS
Hold CTRL key for
multiple selection
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INTRO
– Use the PGWRITE command after solution
to write a jobname.pgr file.
ODUCTIO
– General Postproc > Write PGR File
ON TO AN
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INTRO
• Open the Results Viewer from the General Post Processor.
ODUCTIO
ON
ON TO AN
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INTRO
Nodal/element/vector/trace Time History Report Report
results plots Variable Viewer Image Animation
Capture Capture
ODUCTIO
Animate
A i t using
i
PNG files Report
Element Plot Listing
Capture
ON TO AN
Report
Table
Capture
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Raise
Hidden
Results Set
Locator Time Substep
P
Query Results Load Step
1
Report Generation Image Capture
List Mode
Results
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INTRO
• The graphics window becomes “Context Sensitive”.
ODUCTIO
Context-sensitive
Context sensitive graphics window
ON TO AN
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P
Right Click on Model
1
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INTRO
Context-sensitive g
graphics
p window
ODUCTIO
ON TO AN
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NSYS
Right Click on Contour Legend
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INTRO
Context-sensitive g
graphics
p window
ODUCTIO
ON TO AN
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Right Click on Contour Bar
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Chapter 13 – Postprocessing
H. Variable Viewer Training Manual
INTRO
• The Variable Viewer is a specialized tool allowing one to postprocess results
with respect to time.
ODUCTIO
• The Variable Viewer can be started by:
– Simply opening the Time History Postprocessor, or
– Main Menu > TimeHist Postproc > Variable Viewer
ON TO AN
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…Variable Viewer Training Manual
Add variable button
INTRO
1
2 Delete variable button
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 Graph variable button
ODUCTIO
4 List variable button
5 Properties button
6 Import data button
12
ON TO AN
7 Export data button
8 Export data type
13 14 9 Clear Time History Data
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15
10 R f h Ti
Refresh Time History
Hi Data
D
16
11 Real/Imaginary Components
12 Variable list
P
13 Variable name input area
17
14 Expression input area
1
15 Defined APDL variables
16 Defined Post26 variables
17 Calculator
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…Variable Viewer Training Manual
INTRO
O
ODUCTIO
DUCTIO
k = 36kN/m
ON TO AN
100kg
x
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k = 36kN/m
25kg
y
P
F
1
⎧4000 N , t > 0
F =⎨
⎩0, t < 0
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I. Report Generator Training Manual
INTRO
• A time consuming part of any
analysis is documenting the
ODUCTIO
model
d l and
d results.
lt This
Thi
procedure has been partially
automated through the
p
implementation of the ANSYS
ON TO AN
Report Generator.
• The Report Generator allows

the user to quickly capture
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pictures, listings, tables, and
other pertinent information.
P
• It also facilitates the creation of
an HTML formatted file ready to
1
be distributed to colleagues or
posted to a web site.
site
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…Report Generator Training Manual
INTRO
• Launching the Report Generator will
shrink the graphics window and set the
ODUCTIO
b k
background d to
t white.
hit
• The “Capture Tool” will be opened

g the user to grab
allowing g plots,
p , listings,
g ,
ON TO AN
and tables.
– Utility Menu> File> Report Generator…
or
– ~eui,’euidl::report::toolbar::create’
i ’ idl t t lb t ’
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or
– Select on the Icon Toolbar.
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INTRO
• Capture Tool
Table
ODUCTIO
Animation Capture Capture
(multiple PNG files)
ON TO AN
Image Capture
(single PNG file)
S tti
Settings
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P
The Log File records HTML Report
1
all captures! Assembler
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INTRO
HTML Assembler . . .
ODUCTIO
• A tool that allows quick
organization of ANSYS graphics,
tables, listings .
ON TO AN
• Log file can be used as an HTML
template.
– utilize parameter substitution
• The generated HTML file can be
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used with Netscape Composer,
Microsoft FrontPage, or any other
HTML editor to finalize the report.
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INTRO
• Insert TEXT
ODUCTIO
• Insert any HTML FILE
– possibly created outside ANSYS
• Insert an IMAGE
ON TO AN
– possibly one from an external
source like a digital photo
• Insert DYNAMIC DATA

– information specific to your current
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ANSYS run like version, run time,
etc.
• Insert a Report
p Heading
g
P
– Including your name, analysis title,
date, and company name
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INTRO
• Insert information grabbed using
the Capture Tool
ODUCTIO
• Report Images
– Contour plots, element plots,
volume plots, graphs
ON TO AN
• Report Tables
– Material properties, reaction forces,
etc.
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• Report Lists
– Stress along a path, constraints,
etc.
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INTRO
• Preview the report
ODUCTIO
• Delete sections of the report
• Move sections of the report up or

down
ON TO AN
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INTRO
O
ODUCTIO
DUCTIO
ON
ON TO AN
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J. Workshops Training Manual
INTRO
• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions:
W13D. Results Viewer
ODUCTIO
W13E. Report Generator
ON TO AN
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Intro1 M13 Postprocessing

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Intro1 M13 Postprocessing

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Chapter 13

• In this chapter, we will explore two additional methods — query

• RSYS defaults to 0 (global Cartesian). That is, POST1 transforms

• But there are many situations — such as pressure vessels and

• Besides plots and listings, there are many other

unaveraged stresses gives an indication

If these conditions are not met,

• To manually activate or deactivate error estimation, use

• SEPC is shown in the legend column of deformed shape displays.

• A high value of SDSG is not necessarily

• Theyy are displayed

• The bounds are not estimates of the actual maximum and

• A load case combination is an operation between two sets of

2. Read one load case into the database

• Use the LCDEF command or General

• Use the LCOPER command or General

• Remember that the results of the operation

Add variable button

• The Report Generator allows

• The “Capture Tool” will be opened

• The generated HTML file can be

• Insert DYNAMIC DATA

• Move sections of the report up or

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