Intro1 M12 Thermal

Chapter 7
Create Finite Element Model

Chapter 7 – Creating the Finite Element Model
A. Overview Training Manual
INTRO
• The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the meshing element
attributes, various means to create a mesh in ANSYS, and finally
ODUCTIO
h
how to
t import
i t one’s
’ finite
fi it element
l t model
d l directly
di tl into
i t ANSYS.
ANSYS
Recall, ANSYS does not use the solid model in the solution of the
model, rather it needs to use finite elements.
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…Overview Training Manual
INTRO
• Meshing is the process used to “fill” the solid model with nodes
and elements, i.e, to create the FEA model.
ODUCTIO
– Remember, you need nodes and elements for the finite element
solution, not just the solid model. The solid model does NOT
participate in the finite element solution.
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meshing
P
Solid model FEA model
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B. Element Attributes Training Manual
INTRO
• There are three steps to meshing:
– Define element attributes
ODUCTIO
– Specify mesh controls
– Generate the mesh
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• Element attributes are characteristics of the finite element model
that you must establish prior to meshing. They can include:
– Element types
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– Real constants
– Material properties
– Section properties
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…Element Attributes Training Manual
INTRO
Element Type
ODUCTIO
• The element
Th l t type
t is
i an important
i t t choice
h i that
th t determines
d t i the
th
following element characteristics:
– Degree of Freedom (DOF) set. A thermal element type, for example,
has one dof: TEMP,, whereas a structural element type
yp may y have up
p to
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six dof: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ.
– Element shape -- brick, tetrahedron, quadrilateral, triangle, etc.
– Dimensionality -- 2-D (X-Y plane only), or 3-D.
– Assumed
A d di
displacement
l t shape
h -- linear
li vs. quadratic.
d ti
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• ANSYS has a “library” of over 170 element types from which you
can choose. Details on how to choose the “correct” element type
yp
P
will be presented later. For now, let’s see how to define an
element type.
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INTRO
Element category
ODUCTIO
• ANSYS offers
ff many diff
differentt categories
t i off elements.
l t Some
S off the
th
commonly used ones are:
– Line elements
– Shells
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– 2-D solids
– 3-D solids
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INTRO
• Line elements:
– Beam elements are used to model bolts, tubular members, C-sections,
ODUCTIO
anglel irons,
i or any long,
l slender
l d members
b where
h only
l membrane
b and
d
bending stresses are needed.
– Link elements are used to model springs, bolts, preloaded bolts, and
truss members.
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– Spring (combination) elements are used to model springs, bolts, or
long slender parts, or to replace complex parts by an equivalent
stiffness.
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INTRO
• Shell elements:
– Used to model thin panels or curved surfaces.
ODUCTIO
– The definition of “thin” depends on the application, but as a general
guideline, the major dimensions of the shell structure (panel) should
be at least 10 times its thickness.
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INTRO
• 2-D Solid elements:
– Used to model a cross-section of solid objects.
ODUCTIO
– Must be modeled in the global Cartesian X-Y plane.
– All loads are in the X-Y plane, and the response (displacements) are
also in the X-Y plane.
– Element behavior may be one of the following:
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• plane stress
• plane strain
• generalized plain strain
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• axisymmetric
• axisymmetric harmonic
Y
P
Z X
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INTRO
• Plane stress assumes zero stress in
the Z direction.
ODUCTIO
– Valid for components in which the Z
dimension is smaller than the X and Y Y
dimensions.
– Z-strain is non-zero.
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Z X
– Optional thickness (Z direction)
allowed.
– Used for structures such as flat plates
subjected to in-plane loading,
loading or thin
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disks under pressure or centrifugal
loading.
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INTRO
• Plane strain assumes zero strain in the Z
direction.
ODUCTIO
– Valid for components in which the Z dimension is
much larger than the X and Y dimensions.
– Z-stress is non-zero.
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– Used for long
long, constant cross-section structures Z
such as structural beams.
Y
X
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INTRO
• Generalized Plane Strain assumes a finite deformation domain
length in the Z direction, as opposed to the infinite value assumed
ODUCTIO
for standard plane strain.
– Gives more practical results for deformation problems where the Z-
direction dimension is not long enough.
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– Gives users a more efficient way to simulate certain 3-D deformations
using 2-D element options.
– Option is a feature developed for PLANE182 and PLANE183.
– The deformation domain or structure
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is formed by extruding a plane area
along a curve with a constant curvature.
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INTRO
• Axisymmetry assumes that the 3-D model and its
loading can be generated by revolving a 2-D
ODUCTIO
section
ti 360° about
b t the
th Y axis.
i
– Axis of symmetry must coincide with the global Y
axis.
– Negative
g X coordinates are not permitted.
p
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– Y direction is axial, X direction is radial, and Z
direction is circumferential (hoop) direction.
– Hoop displacement is zero; hoop strains and
stresses are usually very significant
significant.
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– Used for pressure vessels, straight pipes, shafts,
etc.
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INTRO
• Axisymmetric harmonic is a special case of axisymmetry where
the loads can be non-axisymmetric.
ODUCTIO
– The non-axisymmetric loading is decomposed into Fourier series
components, applied and solved separately, and then combined later.
No approximation is introduced by this simplification!
– Used for non-axisymmetric
y loads such as torque
q on a shaft.
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INTRO
• 3-D Solid elements:
– Used for structures which, because of geometry, materials, loading, or
ODUCTIO
d t il off required
detail i d results,
lt cannott be
b modeled
d l d with
ith simpler
i l elements.
l t
– Also used when the model geometry is transferred from a 3-D CAD
system, and a large amount of time and effort is required to convert it
to a 2-D or shell form.
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INTRO
Element Order
ODUCTIO
• Elementt order
El d refers
f to
t the
th polynomial
l i l order
d off the
th element’s
l t’
shape functions.
• p function?
What is a shape
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– It is a mathematical function that gives the “shape” of the results
within the element. Since FEA solves for DOF values only at nodes,
we need the shape function to map the nodal DOF values to points
within the element
element.
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– The shape function represents assumed behavior for a given element.
– How well each assumed element shape function matches the true
behavior directly affects the accuracy of the solution, as shown on the
P
nextt slide.
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INTRO
Linear approximation
(Poor Results)
Quadratic distribution of
ODUCTIO
DOF values
Actual quadratic
curve
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Linear approximation
with multiple elements Quadratic approximation
(Better Results) (Best Results)
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INTRO
• When you choose an element type, you are implicitly choosing
and accepting the element shape function assumed for that
ODUCTIO
element
l t type.
t Therefore,
Th f check
h k the
th shape
h function
f ti information
i f ti
before you choose an element type.
• yp y, a linear element has only

Typically, y corner nodes,, whereas a
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quadratic element also has midside nodes.
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INTRO
Linear elements Quadratic elements
• Can support
pp only
y a linear variation of • Can support
pp a quadratic
q variation of
ODUCTIO
displacement and therefore (mostly) displacement and therefore a linear
only a constant state of stress within a variation of stress within a single
single element. element.
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• Highly sensitive to element distortion.
distortion • Can represent curved edges and
surfaces more accurately than linear
• Acceptable if you are only interested elements. Not as sensitive to element
in nominal stress results. distortion.
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• Need to use a large number of • Recommended if you are interested in
elements to resolve high stress highly accurate stresses.
gradients.
• Give better results than linear
P
elements in many cases with fewer
elements,
number of elements and total DOF.
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INTRO
• Notes:
– For shell models, the difference between linear and quadratic
ODUCTIO
elements
l t is
i nott as dramatic
d ti as for
f solid
lid models.
d l Linear
Li shells
h ll are
therefore usually preferred.
– Besides linear and quadratic elements, a third kind is available, known
as p-elements. P-elements can support anywhere from a quadratic to
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an 8th-order variation of displacement within a single element and
include automatic solution convergence controls.
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INTRO
Mesh Density
ODUCTIO
• The fundamental
Th f d t l premise
i off FEA is
i that
th t as the
th number
b off
elements (mesh density) is increased, the solution gets closer and
closer to the true solution.
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• However, solution time and computer resources required also
increase dramatically as you increase the number of elements.
• The objectives of the analysis usually decide which way the slider
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bar below should be moved.
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INTRO
• Stress Analyses:
– If you are interested in highly accurate stresses:
ODUCTIO
• A fine mesh will be needed, omitting no geometric details at any
location in the structure where such accuracy is needed.
• Stress convergence should be demonstrated.
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• Any simplification anywhere in the model might introduce
significant error.
– If you are interested in deflections or nominal stresses:
y coarse mesh is sufficient.
• A relatively
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• Small geometry details may be omitted.
• Thermal Analyses:
P
– Small details can usually be omitted, but since many thermal analyses
are followed by a stress analysis, stress considerations generally
dictate the detail of the model.
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– Mesh density y is usually
y determined byy expected thermal g
gradients. A
fine mesh is required for high thermal gradients, whereas a coarse
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INTRO
• To define an element type:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor >
ODUCTIO
El
Element
tTType > Add/Edit/D
Add/Edit/Delete
l t
• [Add] to add new element type
• Choose the desired type
(such as SOLID92) and press
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OK
• [Options] to specify additional
element options
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– Or
O use the
th ET command: d
• et,1,solid92
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INTRO
• Notes:
– Setting preferences to the desired discipline (Main Menu > Preferences)
ODUCTIO
will
ill show
h only
l the
th element
l t types
t valid
lid for
f that
th t discipline.
di i li
– You should define the element type early in the preprocessing phase
because many of the menu choices in the GUI are filtered out based
on the current DOF set. For example, if you choose a structural
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element type, thermal load choices will not be not shown at all.
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INTRO
Real Constants and Section Properties:
ODUCTIO
• Used for geometric properties that cannot be completely defined
by the element’s geometry. For example:
– A beam element is defined by a line joining two nodes. This defines
only the length of the beam
beam. To specify the beam’s
beam s cross-sectional
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properties, such as the area, moment of inertia or dimensions, you
need to use real constants or section properties.
– A shell element is defined by a quadrilateral or triangular area. This
defines only the surface area of the shell
shell. To specify the shell
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thickness or layers, you need to use real constants or section
properties.
– Most 3-D solid elements do not require a real constant since the
P
element
l t geometry
t isi fully
f ll defined
d fi d by
b its
it nodes.
d
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INTRO
• To define real constants:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Real
ODUCTIO
C
Constants
t t
• [Add] to add a new real constant
set.
• If multiple element types have
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been defined, choose the element
type for which you are specifying
real constants.
• Then enter the real constant
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values.
– Or use the R family of commands.
P
• Different element types require
different real constants. Check the
1
Elements Manual, available on-line,
for details
details.
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INTRO
• To define section properties:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Sections
ODUCTIO
• Ability
Abilit to
t Import
I t Sections
S ti
• Beam, Shell and Pretension sections can
be created.
• Or use the SECxxx family of commands
commands.
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• Different element types require different
section properties. See the Elements
M
Manual l for
f d details.
t il
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INTRO
Material Properties
ODUCTIO
• Every analysis
E l i requires
i some material
t i l property
t input:
i t Young’s
Y ’
modulus EX for structural elements, thermal conductivity KXX for
thermal elements, etc.
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• Refer to Chapter 8 for details on the two ways to define material
properties.
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C. Multiple Element Attributes Training Manual
INTRO
• Most FEA models have multiple attributes. For example, the silo shown
here has two element types, three real constant sets, and two materials.
ODUCTIO
TYPE 1 = shell
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TYPE 2 = beam MAT 1 = concrete
MAT 2 = steel
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REAL 1 = 3/8” thickness
REAL 2 = beam properties
REAL 3 = 1/8” thickness
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…Multiple Element Attributes Training Manual
INTRO
• Whenever you have multiple TYPEs, REALs, MATs and SECNUMs,
you need to make sure that each element is assigned the proper
ODUCTIO
attributes.
tt ib t There
Th are three
th ways to
t do
d this:
thi
– Assign attributes to the solid model entities before meshing
– Activate a “global” setting of TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM before
meshingg
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– Modify element attributes after meshing
• If no assignments are made, ANSYS uses default settings of

TYPE 1 REAL=1,
TYPE=1, REAL 1 MAT=1
MAT 1 and d SECNUM=1
SECNUM 1 ffor allll elements
l t iin th
the
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model. Note, the current active setting dictates mesh operation.
• Good p
practice is to use the same number for TYPE,, REAL,, MAT
P
and SECNUM for a given part.
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INTRO
Assigning Attributes to the Solid Model
ODUCTIO
1 Define all necessary element types,
1. types materials,
materials and
real constant sets.
2. Then use the “Element Attributes” section of the
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MeshTool (Main Menu > Preprocessor > MeshTool):
– Choose entity type and press the SET button.
– Pick the entities to which you want to assign
attributes.
– Set the appropriate attributes in the subsequent
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dialog box.
Or select the desired entities and use the VATT,

AATT, LATT, or KATT command.
P
3. When you mesh an entity, its attributes are
1
automatically transferred to the elements.
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INTRO
Using Global Attribute Settings
ODUCTIO
1 Define all necessary element types,
1. types
materials, real constant sets and section
numbers
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2 Then use the “Element
2. Element Attributes
Attributes” section
of the MeshTool (Main Menu > Preprocessor
> MeshTool):
– Choose Global and press the SET button.
– Activate the desired combination of attributes
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in the “Meshing Attributes” dialog box. We
refer to these as the active TYPE, REAL, MAT
and SECNUM settings.
P
Or use the TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM
commands.
1
3. Mesh onlyy those entities to which the above
settings apply.
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INTRO
Modifying Element Attributes
ODUCTIO
1 Define all necessary element types
1. types, materials
materials, and real constant
sets.
2. Activate the desired combination of TYPE, REAL, MAT, and
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SECNUM settings
settings:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh Attributes > Default Attribs
– Or use the TYPE, REAL, MAT and SECNUM commands
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3. Modify the attributes of only those elements to which the above
settings apply:
– Issue EMODIF,PICK or choose Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling >
Move/Modifyy > Elements > Modifyy Attrib
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– Then pick the desired elements
1
4. In the subsequent dialog box,
set attributes to “All
All to current.
current.”
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INTRO
Some points to keep in mind:
ODUCTIO
• You can verify element attributes by activating
attribute numbering:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering
– Or /PNUM,attr,ON, where attr may be TYPE,
ON TO AN
REAL MAT or SECNUM
REAL,
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• Element attributes assigned directly to solid model entities will override
the default attribute pointers.
P
• By assigning attributes to solid model entities, you can avoid having to
reset attributes in the middle of meshing operations. This is
1
advantageous because ANSYS meshing algorithms are most efficient
when meshing g all entities at once.
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INTRO
• Demo:
– Resume ribgeom.db
ODUCTIO
– List element types, real constants, and materials. One of each has
been defined.
– Bring up MeshTool, choose area attributes, and press Set
– Pick the single area
area, show the Area Attributes dialog box
box, and press
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OK. (There is only one set of attributes, but this illustrates the general
procedure.)
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D. Workshop Training Manual
INTRO
• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
W7A. Silo
ODUCTIO
ON
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E. Controlling
g Mesh Density
y Training Manual
INTRO
• ANSYS provides many tools to control mesh density, both on a
global and local level:
ODUCTIO
– Global controls
• SmartSizing
• Global element sizing
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• Default
D f lt sizing
i i
– Local controls
• Keypoint sizing
• Line sizing
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• Area sizing
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…Controlling
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INTRO
SmartSizing
ODUCTIO
• Determines
D t i element
l t sizes
i by
b assigning
i i divisions
di i i on all
ll lines,
li
taking into account curvature of the line, its proximity to holes and
other features, and element order.
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• SmartSizing is off by default, but is recommended for free
meshing. It does not affect mapped meshing. (Free meshing vs.
mapped meshing will be discussed later.)
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…Controlling
g Mesh Density
y Training Manual
INTRO
• To use SmartSizing:
– Bring up the MeshTool (Main Menu > Preprocessor >
ODUCTIO
M hi > M
Meshing MeshTool),
hT l) turn
t on S
SmartSizing,
tSi i and
d sett the
th
desired size level.
• Or use SMRT,level
• Size level ranges from 1 (very fine) to 10 (very
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coarse). Defaults to 6.
– Then mesh all volumes (or all areas) at once, rather than
one-by-one.
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…Controlling
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y Training Manual
INTRO
• Examples of different SmartSize
levels are shown here for a
ODUCTIO
tetrahedron mesh
mesh.
• Advanced SmartSize controls, such

as mesh expansion and transition
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factors are available on the SMRT
factors,
command or:
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing >
Size Cntrls > SmartSize > Adv Opts
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• You can turn off SmartSizing using
the MeshTool or by issuing smrt,off.
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INTRO
Global Element Sizing
• Allows you to specify a maximum element edge length
ODUCTIO
for the entire model (or number of divisions per line):
– ESIZE,SIZE
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool; then
select “Size Controls”, “Global” ,and [Set]
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– or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls >
ManualSize > Global > Size
• Can be used by itself or in conjunction with

SmartSizing.
SmartSizing
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– Using ESIZE by itself (SmartSizing off) will
result in a uniform element size throughout the
volume (or area) being meshed.
– With SmartSizing on, ESIZE acts as a “guide,”
guide,
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but the specified size may be overridden to
accommodate line curvature or proximity to
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INTRO
Default Sizing
ODUCTIO
• If you don’t
d ’t specify
if any controls,
t l ANSYS uses default
d f lt sizing,
i i which
hi h
assigns minimum and maximum line divisions, aspect ratio, etc. based
on element order.
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• Meant for mapped meshing, but is also used for free meshing if
SmartSizing is off.
• You can adjust default size specifications using DESIZE or
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Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Global > Other
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INTRO
Keypoint Sizing
ODUCTIO
• C t l element
Controls l t size
i att keypoints:
k i t
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool; then
select “Size Controls, “Keypt”, and [Set]
– or KESIZE command
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ManualSize > Keypoints
Different keypoints can have different KESIZEs

KESIZEs, giving
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you more control over the mesh.
• Useful for stress concentration regions.
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• Specified sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing to
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accommodate line curvature or proximity to features.
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…Controlling
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INTRO
Line Sizing
• Controls element size at lines:
ODUCTIO
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool;
then select “Size Controls”, “Lines”, and [Set]
– or LESIZE command
– or Main Menu > Preprocessor
p > Meshingg > Size Cntrls
ON TO AN
> ManualSize> Lines Yes for “soft”
No for “hard”
Different lines can have different LESIZEs.
• Size specifications may be “hard”

hard or “soft
soft.”
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– “Hard” sizes are always honored by the mesher, even if
SmartSizing is on. They take precedence over all other
size controls.
– “Soft” sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing.
P
• You can also specify a spacing ratio — ratio of last
division to first. Used to bias the divisions towards one
1
end or towards the middle.
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INTRO
Area Sizing
ODUCTIO
• C t l element
Controls l t size
i ini the
th interior
i t i off areas:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool; then
select “Size Controls”, “Areas”, and [Set]
– or AESIZE command
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ManualSize > Areas
Different areas can have different AESIZEs

AESIZEs.
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• Bounding lines will use the specified size only if they
have no LESIZE or KESIZE specified and if no
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adjacent area has a smaller size.
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• Specified sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing to
accommodate line curvature or proximity to features.
features
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F. Mesh Order Control Training Manual
INTRO
• By default, ANSYS will mesh areas or volumes in ascending entity
number.
ODUCTIO
• The AORDER field on the MOPT command instructs ANSYS to mesh a
group of areas or volumes in order of ascending size.
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– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesher Opts , or
– MOPT,AORDER,ON (default is OFF)
• In cases where SmartSizing g does not mesh as fine as needed,
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the MOPT, AORDER,on command generates finer meshes in
critical areas for volume meshes
• This option is not available when SmartSizing is on

on.
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G. Generating
g the Mesh Training Manual
INTRO
Generating the mesh is the final step in meshing.
ODUCTIO
• First save the database.
database
• Then press [Mesh] in the MeshTool.

– This brings
g up p a picker.
p Press [[Pick All]] in the p
picker
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to indicate all entities.
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…Generating
g the Mesh Training Manual
INTRO
• Demo:
ODUCTIO
– Mesh with SMRT,6. (Not a very good mesh)
– Re-mesh with SMRT,3 (good mesh)
– Set ESIZE to 0.2 and re-mesh. The mesh becomes coarse even though
SMRT is set to 33, because the smart
smart-mesher
mesher takes ESIZE into account.
account
ON TO AN
Also, note that the element sizes are not uniform (because SMRT is
on).
– Turn off SMRT and re-mesh. Element sizes are now more uniform (but
not ideal)
ideal).
NSYS - Part
– Re-mesh with ESIZE set to 0.1.
P
• G
Good meshes generated for
f this geometry with SMRT,3
S or ESIZE,0.1.
S
1
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H. Changing
g g a Mesh Training Manual
INTRO
• If a mesh is not acceptable, you can always
re-mesh the model by following these steps:
ODUCTIO
1. Clear the mesh.
• The clear operation is the opposite of mesh: it
removes nodes and elements.
ON TO AN
• Use the [Clear] button on the MeshTool
MeshTool, or use
VCLEAR, ACLEAR, etc.
(If you are using the MeshTool, you may skip this
step since the program will prompt you whether to
clear or not when
hen you
o execute
e ec te step 3
3.))
NSYS - Part
2. Specify new or different mesh controls.
3. Mesh again.
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…Changing
INTRO
• Another meshing option is to refine the
mesh in specific regions.
ODUCTIO
– Available for all area elements and only
tetrahedral volume elements.
– Easiest way is to use the MeshTool:
• First save the database.
ON TO AN
• Th
Then choose
h how
h you wantt to
t
specify the region of refinement — at
nodes, elements, keypoints, lines, or
areas — and press the Refine button.
• Pick the entities at which you want
NSYS - Part
the mesh to be refined. (Not required
if you choose “All Elems.”)
• Finally, choose the level of
refinement. Level 1 (minimal
(
P
refinement) is a good starting point.
1
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…Changing
INTRO
• Demo:
– Continuing the last demo… (ribgeom has been meshed with ESIZE =
ODUCTIO
0 2)
0.2)
– Choose refinement at Lines and press Refine
– Pick the top line, then choose the default “minimal refinement”
ON TO AN
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I. Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• There are two main meshing methods: free and
mapped.
ODUCTIO
• Free Mesh
– Has no element shape restrictions.
– The mesh does not follow any pattern.
ON TO AN
– Suitable for complex shaped areas and volumes.
• Mapped Mesh
NSYS - Part
– Restricts element shapes to quadrilaterals for areas
and hexahedra (bricks) for volumes.
– Typically has a regular pattern with obvious rows of
elements.
P
– Suitable only for “regular” areas and volumes such as
rectangles and bricks.
1
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Free Mesh Mapped Mesh
ODUCTIO
+ Easy to create; no need to divide + Generally contains a lower
complex shapes into regular number of elements.
shapes.
+ Lower-order elements may be
ON TO AN
– Volume meshes can contain only acceptable so the number of
acceptable,
tetrahedra, resulting in a large DOF is lower.
number of elements.
– Areas and volumes must be
– Only higher-order (10-node) “regular”
regular in shape
shape, and mesh
NSYS - Part
tetrahedral elements are divisions must meet certain
acceptable, so the number of criteria.
DOF can be very high.
– Very difficult to achieve
achieve,
P
especially for complex shaped
volumes.
1
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Creating a Free Mesh
ODUCTIO
• Free meshing is the default setting for both area
and volume meshes.
• Create a free mesh is easy:
ON TO AN
– Bring up the MeshTool and verify that free meshing is
set.
– SmartSizing is generally recommended for free
meshing, so activate it and specify a size level. Save
the database.
NSYS - Part
– Then initiate the mesh by pressing the Mesh button.
• Press [Pick All] in the picker to choose all entities
(recommended).
– Or use the commands VMESH,ALL or AMESH,ALL.
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Creating a Mapped Mesh
ODUCTIO
• This is
Thi i nott as easy as free
f meshing
hi because
b the
th areas and
d
volumes have to meet certain requirements:
– Area must contain either 3 or 4 lines (triangle or quadrilateral).
– Volume must contain either 4, 5, or 6 areas (tetrahedron, triangular
ON TO AN
prism, or hexahedron).
– Element divisions on opposite sides must match.
• For triangular areas or tetrahedral volumes, the number of element
NSYS - Part
di i i
divisions mustt be
b even.
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• For quadrilateral areas or hexahedral volumes, unequal divisions
are allowed, as shown in these examples, but the number of
ODUCTIO
divisions must satisfy a formula (shown on the next page)
page).
ON TO AN
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g Training Manual
INTRO
ODUCTIO
ON
ON TO AN
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Thus mapped meshing involves a three-step procedure:
– Ensure “regular” shapes, i.e, areas with 3 or 4 sides, or volumes with
ODUCTIO
4 5
4, 5, or 6 sides.
id
– Specify size and shape controls
– Generate the mesh
ON TO AN
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Ensure regular shapes
ODUCTIO
• IIn mostt cases, the
th model
d l geometry
t is
i such
h that
th t the
th areas have
h
more than 4 sides, and volumes have more than 6 sides. To
convert these to regular shapes, you may need to do one or both
p
of these operations:
ON TO AN
– Slice the areas (or volumes) into smaller, simpler shapes.
– Concatenate two or more lines (or areas) to reduce the total number of
sides.
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Slicing can be accomplished with the Boolean divide operation.
– Remember that you can use the working plane, an area, or a line as
ODUCTIO
th slicing
the li i tool.
t l
– Sometimes, it may be easier to create a new line or a new area than to
move and orient the working plane in the correct direction.
ON TO AN
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Concatenation creates a new line (for meshing purposes) that is a
combination of two or more lines, thereby reducing the number of
ODUCTIO
li
lines making
ki up the
th area.
– Use the LCCAT command or Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing >
Concatenate > Lines, then pick the lines to be concatenated.
– For area concatenation,, use ACCAT command or Main Menu >
ON TO AN
Preprocessor > Meshing > Concatenate > Areas
NSYS - Part
Concatenating
these two lines
P
makes this a
4-sided area
1
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• You can also imply a concatenation by simply
identifying the three or four corners of the area. In this
ODUCTIO
case ANSYS internally generates the concatenation
case, concatenation.
– To do this, choose Quad shape and Map mesh in the
MeshTool.
– Then change 3/4 sided to Pick corners.
ON TO AN
– Press the Mesh button
button, pick the area,
area and then pick the 3 or
4 corners that form the regular shape.
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Notes on concatenation:
– It is purely a meshing operation and therefore should be the last step before
ODUCTIO
meshing after all solid modeling operations.
meshing, operations This is because the output entity
obtained from a concatenation cannot be used in any subsequent solid modeling
operation.
– You can "undo" a concatenation by deleting the line or area it produced.
– Concatenating
Co cate at g a
areas
eas ((for
o mapped
apped volume
o u e meshing)
es g) is s ge
generally
e a y much
uc more
oe
ON TO AN
complicated because you may also need to concatenate some lines. Lines are
automatically concatenated only when two adjacent, 4-sided areas are
concatenated.
– Consider the add (Boolean) operation if the lines or areas meet at a tangent.
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Specify size and shape controls Meshing Areas:
ODUCTIO
• This is the second step of the three-step mapped
meshing procedure.
• Choosing the shape is simple. In the MeshTool, choose
ON TO AN
Quad for area meshing
meshing, and Hex for volume meshing
meshing,
then click on Map.
• Commonly used size controls and the order in which

they are applied: Meshing Volumes:
NSYS - Part
– Line sizing [LESIZE] is always honored.
– Global element size , if specified, will be applied to “unsized”
lines.
P
– Default element sizing [DESIZE] will be applied to unsized
lines only if ESIZE is not specified.
– (SmartSizing is not valid.)
1
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• If you specify line divisions, remember that:
– divisions on opposite sides must match, but you only need to specify
ODUCTIO
one side.
id TheTh map mesher h automatically
t ti ll transfers
t f divisions
di i i to
t the
th
opposite side.
– if you have concatenated lines, divisions can only be applied to the
original (input) lines, not the composite line.
ON TO AN
6 divisions specified on
each original line
line.
NSYS - Part
12 divisions will be
automatically applied to
this line (opposite to
P
composite line).
How many divisions are
1
used for the other two
lines? (Upcoming demo
will answer it.)
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Generate the mapped mesh
ODUCTIO
• Once you have
O h ensuredd regular
l shapes
h and
d assigned
i d the
th
appropriate divisions, generating the mesh is easy. Just press the
Mesh button in the MeshTool, then press [Pick All] in the picker or
choose the desired entities.
ON TO AN
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Question: How would you
slice this model for
ODUCTIO
mapped d meshing?
hi ?
ON TO AN
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NSYS Part 1
• Answer: It may not be worth the
effort!
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…Mapped Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Demo:
– Resume ribfull.db
ODUCTIO
– Bring up MeshTool and apply 6 divisions to top and right lines
– Map-mesh the area using “Pick corners.” Notice that the left and
bottom lines get only two divisions each (from DESIZE).
– Now specify ESIZE
ESIZE,,4 4 (4 divisions per line) and re
re-mesh
mesh
ON TO AN
– Finally, clear line divisions, specify ESIZE,0.1 (size), and re-mesh
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J. Hex-to-Tet Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• For volume meshing, we have only seen two
options so far:
ODUCTIO
– Free meshing, which creates an all-tet mesh. This
is easy to achieve but may not be desirable in
some cases because of the large number of
elements and total DOF created.
ON TO AN
– Mapped meshing, which creates an all-hex mesh.
This is desirable but usually very difficult to
achieve.
NSYS - Part
• Hex-to-tet meshing provides a third option that
is the “best of both worlds.” It allows you to
have a combination of hex and tet meshes
P
without compromising the integrity of the mesh.
mesh
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…Hex-to-Tet Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• This option works by creating pyramid-shaped elements in the transition
region between hex and tet regions.
ODUCTIO
– Requires the hex mesh to be available (or at least a quad mesh at the shared
area).
– The mesher first creates all tets, then combines and rearranges the tet elements
in the transition region to form pyramids.
ON TO AN
– Available only for element types that support both pyramid and tet shapes,
shapes e.g:
e g:
• Structural SOLID95, 186, VISCO89
• Thermal SOLID90
• Multiphysics SOLID62, 117, 122
NSYS - Part
– Results are g
good even in the transition
P
region. Element faces are compatible even
when transitioning from a linear hex
element to a quadratic tet element.
1
SOLID95
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g Training Manual
INTRO
– Hex-to-tet meshing is valid for both quadratic-to-quadratic and linear-to-
quadratic transitions. Element type must support a 9-node pyramid for the latter.
ODUCTIO
Hex Mesh Transition Layer Tet Mesh
ON TO AN
Quadratic
to
Quadratic
NSYS - Part
20-Node Hex 13-Node Pyramid 10-Node Tet
P
Linear
to
1
Quadratic
8-Node Hex 9-Node Pyramid 10-Node Tet

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g Training Manual
INTRO
Procedure involves four steps:
ODUCTIO
1 Create
1. C t th
the h
hex mesh.
h
– Start by map-meshing the regular-shaped volumes. (Or mesh the
shared areas with quads.)
– For stress analysis,
y , use either an 8-node brick ((SOLID45 or SOLID185))
ON TO AN
or a 20-node brick (SOLID95 or SOLID186).
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g Training Manual
INTRO
2. Activate an element type that supports both pyramids and tets.
– These are usually brick elements that can degenerate into pyramids
ODUCTIO
and
d tets.
t t Check
Ch k the
th Elements
El t Manual,
M l available
il bl on-line,
li to
t find
fi d outt
which element types are valid.
– Examples:
• Structural SOLID95, 186, VISCO89
ON TO AN
• Thermal SOLID90
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g Training Manual
INTRO
3. Generate the tet mesh.
– First activate free meshing.
ODUCTIO
– Then mesh the volumes that are to be tet-meshed.
Pyramids are automatically generated at the interface.
ON TO AN
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g Training Manual
INTRO
4. Convert degenerate tets to true 10-node tets.
– The tet mesh created by the transition mesher consists of degenerate
ODUCTIO
elements
l t — 10-node
10 d tetrahedra
t t h d derived
d i d from
f 20-node
20 d bricks,
b i k for
f
example.
– These elements are not as efficient as true 10-node tets such as
SOLID92, which use less memory and write smaller files during
ON TO AN
solution.
– To convert the degenerate tets into true tets:
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Modify Mesh > Change Tets
• Or
O use the
th TCHG command.
d
NSYS - Part
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g Training Manual
INTRO
• Demo:
– Resume hextet.db
ODUCTIO
– Show element type list using Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete. There
are two element types: SOLID45 & 95
– Bring up MeshTool and set ESIZE,1 (size)
– Map
Map-mesh
mesh the regular shaped volume
ON TO AN
– Set element type to 2, and activate tet-meshing
– Free-mesh the other volume
– Convert degenerate tets to SOLID92
NSYS - Part
– Show element type list. There are now three element types.
– Select elements of type 2 (SOLID95 pyramids) and plot elements
P 1
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K. Mesh Extrusion Training Manual
INTRO
• When you extrude an area into a volume, you can extrude the area
elements along with it, resulting in a meshed volume. This is called mesh
extrusion.
ODUCTIO
• Advantage: Easy to create a volume mesh with all bricks (hexahedra) or a
combination of bricks and prisms.
ON TO AN
• O
Obvious requirement: Shape
S off the volume must lend itselff to extrusion.
NSYS - Part
Extrude
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…Mesh Extrusion Training Manual
INTRO
Procedure
ODUCTIO
1 D
1. Define
fi ttwo element
l t types
t — an area
element and a volume element.
– Area element: Choose MESH200
quadrilaterals. MESH200 is a mesh-
q
ON TO AN
only (Not Solved) element and has
no DOFs or material properties
associated with it.
– Volume element: Should be
NSYS - Part
compatible with the MESH200
element type. For example, if you
choose midside nodes for MESH200,
the 3-D
3 D solid element should also
P
have midside nodes.
– ET command or
1
Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element
T
Type > Add/Edit/Delete
Add/Edit/D l t
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INTRO
2. Mesh the area to be extruded with MESH200 elements.
– Use mapped or free meshing with desired mesh density.
ODUCTIO
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool
3. Choose element extrusion options.
ON TO AN
– EXTOPT command or Main Menu >
Preprocessor > Modeling > Operate > Extrude
> Elem Ext Opts
– Typical options are:
• Active TYPE attribute (should be 3-D
NSYS - Part
solid).
• Number of element divisions in the
extrusion direction (i.e, number of
elements throughg the thickness).
) Must
P
be greater than zero; otherwise, only
the area will be extruded, without
elements.
1
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INTRO
4. Extrude the area.
– First delete concatenated lines, if any. If concatenations are present,
ODUCTIO
ANSYS willill nott allow
ll the
th extrusion
t i operation.
ti
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing > Concatenate > Del Concats > Lines
– Then extrude the area using any of the extrusion methods.
ON TO AN
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INTRO
• Demo:
ODUCTIO
– Bring up the Element Types dialog, delete PLANE82 element type, and
replace it with MESH200 4-node quad
– Also add SOLID45 as element type 2
– Bring up MeshTool and set ESIZE,0.1
ESIZE 0 1
ON TO AN
– Choose free quad-meshing and mesh the area
– Set extrusion options: TYPE=2, number of element divisions = 4
– Rotate view to ISO
NSYS - Part
– Extrude area along normal with offset = 0.4
– Save the database to ribvol.db
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L. Sweep Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Sweep meshing is yet another option available for volume
meshing. It is the process of meshing an existing volume by
ODUCTIO
sweeping
i an area mesh. h
• Similar to mesh extrusion, except that the volume already exists in

this case ((from a geometry
g y import,
p , for example).
p )
ON TO AN
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…Sweep Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Advantages:
Target surface
– Easy to create a volume mesh with all (1 area)
ODUCTIO
b i k (hexahedra)
bricks (h h d ) or a combination
bi ti
of bricks and prisms.
– Option to tet-mesh volumes that are
not “sweepable.” Transition
ON TO AN
Source surface
S f
pyramids are automatically
(1 area)
generated.
Valid for sweep meshing
• Requirements:
q
NSYS - Part
– Topology of the volume must be
consistent in the sweep direction.
Example: a block with a through hole
(ok even if the hole is tapered)
tapered).
P
– Source and target surfaces must be
single areas. Concatenated areas are
1
not allowed for either the source or
the target
target.
Not valid for sweep meshing
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…Sweep Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Procedure
ODUCTIO
• Define and activate a 3-D hexahedral solid element
type, such as structural SOLID45 or SOLID95.
• Bring up MeshTool and choose Hex/Wedge and Sweep.
ON TO AN
• Choose how the source and target surfaces are
identified:
– “Auto Source/Target” means that ANSYS will automatically
choose them based on the volume’s
volume s topology
topology.
NSYS - Part
– “Pick Source/Target” means that you will be choosing
them.
• Press the SWEEP button and follow prompt
P
instructions from the picker. (Or use VSWEEP
command.)
1
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…Sweep Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Tet-Mesh Option
ODUCTIO
• A useful
f l sweep option
ti is
i to
t generate
t a tet-
t t
mesh in non-sweepable volumes.
• p
To use this option:
ON TO AN
– Make sure that the element type supports
degenerate pyramid and tetrahedron
shapes. Examples:
• Structural SOLID95
SOLID95, 186,
186 VISCO89
NSYS - Part
• Thermal SOLID90
– Choose Main Menu > Preprocessor > Meshing
P
> Mesh > Volume Sweep > Sweep Opts and
activate the tet-mesh option. (Or use the
EXTOPT,VSWE command.)
1
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…Sweep Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
Notes
ODUCTIO
• To map-mesh
T h a complex
l volume,
l you may need d to
t slice
li it severall
times and also do some area and line concatenations. For sweep
meshing, you typically need only a few slicing operations, and no
concatenations are needed!
ON TO AN
• You can control the source area mesh using standard mesh
controls. SmartSizing is generally not recommended since it is
meant for free meshing
meshing.
NSYS - Part
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…Sweep Meshing
g Training Manual
INTRO
• Demo:
– Resume ribvol.db
ODUCTIO
– Clear all volumes and all areas, then plot volumes
– Bring up MeshTool and activate sweep meshing
– Sweep mesh the volume
ON TO AN
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M. F.E. Imports Training Manual
INTRO
• In addition to solid model geometry, ANSYS can also import finite
element model data (nodes and elements) from certain packages.
ODUCTIO
• The most common approach is for the software vendor to “write
out” the nodes and elements in a format that ANSYS can read
((using
g NREAD and EREAD).) This format is p
published in the
ON TO AN
ANSYS Programmer’s Manual.
• Some software packages provide an interface that allows you to

transfer more than just nodes and elements from another finite
NSYS - Part
element package into ANSYS.
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N. Workshops Training Manual
INTRO
• This workshop consists of five exercises:
W7B. Pillow Block
ODUCTIO
W7C. Connecting Rod
W7D. Cotter Pin
W7E. Impeller
ON TO AN
W7F
W7F. Wheel
NSYS - Part
Part 1
February 7, 2006
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7-89

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Chapter 7

Create Finite Element Model

• yp y, a linear element has only

• If no assignments are made, ANSYS uses default settings of

2. Then use the “Element Attributes” section of the

Or select the desired entities and use the VATT,

2. Activate the desired combination of TYPE, REAL, MAT, and

• Advanced SmartSize controls, such

• Allows you to specify a maximum element edge length

• Can be used by itself or in conjunction with

• You can adjust default size specifications using DESIZE or

Different keypoints can have different KESIZEs

• Useful for stress concentration regions.

• Controls element size at lines:

Different lines can have different LESIZEs.

• Size specifications may be “hard”

Different areas can have different AESIZEs

• In cases where SmartSizing g does not mesh as fine as needed,

• This option is not available when SmartSizing is on

• Then press [Mesh] in the MeshTool.

• Create a free mesh is easy:

• Choosing the shape is simple. In the MeshTool, choose

• Commonly used size controls and the order in which

How many divisions are

8-Node Hex 9-Node Pyramid 10-Node Tet

Pyramids are automatically generated at the interface.

3. Choose element extrusion options.

• Similar to mesh extrusion, except that the volume already exists in

• Bring up MeshTool and choose Hex/Wedge and Sweep.

• Press the SWEEP button and follow prompt

• Some software packages provide an interface that allows you to

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