Course in

FEM – ANSYS Classic

Loads

FEM – ANSYS Classic

Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 FEM - ANSYS Classic
• Lecture 1 - Introduction:
– Introduction to FEM
– ANSYS Basics
– Analysis phases
– Geometric modeling
– The first model: Beam model
• Lecture 2 - Preprocessor:
– Geometric modeling
– Specification of Element type, Real Constants, Material, Mesh
– Frame systems
– Truss systems
– Element tables
• Lecture 3 - Loads:
– Boundary conditions/constraints/supports
– Loads
– Mesh attributes, meshing
– Sections
• Lecture 4 – 2D plane models :
– 2D Plane Solid systems
– Geometric modeling
– Postprocessing
• Lecture 5 – Analysis types:
– Analysis types
– Modal analysis
– Buckling analysis

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 FEM - ANSYS Workbench/CAD
• Lecture 6 – 3D Solids:
– 3D solid models
– Booleans
– Meshing issues
• Lecture 7 – 3D Modeling:
– Operate
– Import CAD
– Advanced topics
• Lecture 8 – Analysis types:
– Analysis types
– Postprocessing
– TimeHistProc
• Lecture 9 – Workbench basics:
– Workbench basics
– Geometric modeling
• Lecture 10 – Workbench analysis:
– Workbench analysis types

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Solution phases
Analysis Type – specify the character of the problem

Define Loads – apply loads to the element model

Solve – run the solution process, e.g. for linear static

systems solve (Gaussian elimination) for the unknown
displacements: The global stiffness
matrix [K]:
Unknown displacement vector ndof = total number of
ndof x 1 nodes x number
degrees of freedom
per node
-1
[K]{D} = {R} → {D} = [K] {R}
Known global Known load vector
stiffness matrix ndof x 1
ndof x ndof
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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Solution Menu
The Solution menu will be either “abridged” or “unabridged,”
depending on the actions you took prior to this step in your
ANSYS session. The abridged menu contains only those
solution options that are valid and/or recommended for modal
analyses.

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Solution Menu
• If you are using the GUI to perform a structural static,
transient, modal, or buckling analysis, you have the
choice of using abridged or unabridged Solution menus:
– Unabridged Solution menus list all solution options, regardless
of whether it is recommended, or even possible, for you to use
them in the current analysis. (If it is not possible for you to use an
option in the current analysis, the option is listed but is grayed
out.)
– Abridged Solution menus are simpler. They list only those
options that apply to the type of analysis that you are performing.
For example, if you are performing a static analysis, the Modal
Cyclic Sym option does not appear on the abridged Solution
menu. Only those options that are valid and/or recommended for
the current analysis type appear.

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Loading
Programme for Lesson:
• Types of loads
• Load step
• Substep
• Time tracking
• Application of loads
• Solid-model loads
• Finite element loads
• DOF Constraints
• Forces (Concentrated Loads)
• Surface Loads
• Pressure Loads on Beams
• Body Loads
• Misc. Loads
• Multiple load steps
• Applying loads

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Types of loads
• Structural: displacements, forces, pressures,
temperatures (for thermal strain), gravity
• Thermal: temperatures, heat flow rates, convections,
internal heat generation, infinite surface
• Magnetic: magnetic potentials, magnetic flux, magnetic
current segments, source current density, infinite surface
• Electric: electric potentials (voltage), electric current,
electric charges, charge densities, infinite surface
• Fluid: velocities, pressures

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Types of loads
• Loads are divided into six categories:
– DOF constraints
– forces (concentrated loads)
– surface loads
– body loads
– inertia loads
– coupled-field loads

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Applying Displacement loads

FEM – ANSYS Classic Loads 10

Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Applying Force/Moment loads

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Load step
• A load step is simply a configuration of loads for
which a solution is obtained. In a linear static or
steady-state analysis, you can use different load
steps to apply different sets of loads - wind load
in the first load step, gravity load in the second
load step, both loads and a different support
condition in the third load step, and so on. In a
transient analysis, multiple load steps apply
different segments of the load history curve.

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Application of loads
• Most loads are applied either
– on the solid model (on keypoints, lines, and
areas) or
– on the finite element model (on nodes and
elements)

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Solid-model loads
• Advantages
– Solid-model loads are independent of the finite element mesh. That is, you can change the
element mesh without affecting the applied loads. This allows you to make mesh
modifications and conduct mesh sensitivity studies without having to reapply loads each
time.
– The solid model usually involves fewer entities than the finite element model. Therefore,
selecting solid model entities and applying loads on them is much easier, especially with
graphical picking.
• Disadvantages
– Elements generated by ANSYS meshing commands are in the currently active element
coordinate system. Nodes generated by meshing commands use the global Cartesian
coordinate system. Therefore, the solid model and the finite element model may have
different coordinate systems and loading directions.
– Solid-model loads are not very convenient in reduced analyses, where loads are applied at
master degrees of freedom. (You can define master DOF only at nodes, not at keypoints.)
– Applying keypoint constraints can be tricky, especially when the constraint expansion option
is used. (The expansion option allows you to expand a constraint specification to all nodes
between two keypoints that are connected by a line.)
– You cannot display all solid-model loads.

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Finite element loads
• Advantages
– Reduced analyses present no problems, because you
can apply loads directly at master nodes.
– There is no need to worry about constraint expansion.
You can simply select all desired nodes and specify
the appropriate constraints.
• Disadvantages
– Any modification of the finite element mesh
invalidates the loads, requiring you to delete the
previous loads and re-apply them on the new mesh.
– Applying loads by graphical picking is inconvenient,
unless only a few nodes or elements are involved.
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 DOF Constraints

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 DOF Constraints
• A DOF constraint fixes a degree of
freedom (DOF) to a known value.
Examples of constraints are specified
displacements and symmetry boundary
conditions in a structural analysis,
prescribed temperatures in a thermal
analysis, and flux-parallel boundary
conditions

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 DOF Constraints
• Applying Symmetry or Antisymmetry Boundary
Conditions
• Transferring Constraints
– To transfer constraints that have been applied to the
solid model to the corresponding finite element model
• Resetting Constraints
– By default, if you repeat a DOF constraint on the
same degree of freedom, the new specification
replaces the previous one. You can change this
default to add (for accumulation) or ignore
• Scaling Constraint Values
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 Forces (Concentrated Loads)

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 Forces (Concentrated Loads)
• A force is a concentrated load applied at a
node in the model. Examples are forces
and moments in a structural analysis, heat
flow rates in a thermal analysis, and
current segments in a magnetic field
analysis

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Forces (Concentrated Loads)
• Repeating a Force
– By default, if you repeat a force at the same
degree of freedom, the new specification
replaces the previous one. You can change
this default to add (for accumulation) or ignore
• Scaling Force Values
• Transferring Forces

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Surface Loads

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Surface Loads
• A surface load is a distributed load applied
over a surface. Examples are pressures in
a structural analysis and convections and
heat fluxes in a thermal analysis

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Surface Loads
• Specifying a Gradient Slope
• Repeating a Surface Load
– By default, if you repeat a surface load at the same
surface, the new specification replaces the previous
one.
• Transferring Surface Loads
• Using Surface Effect Elements to Apply Loads
– to apply a surface load that the element type you are
using does not accept. For example, you may need to
apply uniform tangential (or any non-normal or
directed) pressures on structural solid elements,
radiation specifications on thermal solid elements,
etc.
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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Pressure Loads on Beams
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Pressure > On Beams

Select the line

Enter 10

Press OK to finish
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 Body Loads

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Body Loads
• A body load is a volumetric or field load.
Examples are temperatures and fluences
in a structural analysis, heat generation
rates in a thermal analysis, and current
densities in a magnetic field analysis

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Body Loads
• Specifying Body Loads for Elements
• Specifying Body Loads for Keypoints
• Specifying Body Loads on Lines, Areas and
Volumes
• Specifying a Uniform Body Load
• Repeating a Body Load Specification
– By default, if you repeat a body load at the same
node or same element, the new specification replaces
the previous one.
• Transferring Body Loads
• Scaling Body Load Values
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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Misc. Loads
• Inertia Loads
– Inertia loads are those attributable to the inertia (mass matrix) of a body, such as
gravitational acceleration, angular velocity, and angular acceleration. You use
them mainly in a structural analysis
• Coupled-Field Loads
– Coupled-field loads are simply a special case of one of the above loads, where
results from one analysis are used as loads in another analysis. For example,
you can apply magnetic forces calculated in a magnetic field analysis as force
loads in a structural analysis
• Axisymmetric Loads and Reactions
• Loads to Which the DOF Offers No Resistance
– If an applied load acts on a DOF which offers no resistance to it (i.e. perfectly
zero stiffness), the ANSYS program ignores the load.
• Initial Stress Loading
– Initial stress loading is only allowed in a static or full transient analysis (the
analysis can be linear or nonlinear). Initial stresses can be applied only in the first
load step of an analysis.
• Applying Loads Using TABLE Type Array Parameters
• Graphing or Listing the Boundary Condition Functions
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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Solvers
• Several methods of solving the system of simultaneous equations
are available in the ANSYS program:
– sparse direct solution
– frontal direct solution
– Jacobi Conjugate Gradient (JCG) solution
– Incomplete Cholesky Conjugate Gradient (ICCG) solution
– Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient (PCG) solution
– Automatic iterative solver option (ITER)
• The sparse direct solver is the default solver for all analyses, except
for electromagnetic analyses, analyses that include both p-elements
and constraint equations, spectrum analyses, and substructuring
analyses (which each use the frontal direct solver by default).
• In addition to these solvers, the Parallel Performance for ANSYS
add-on product includes two multiprocessor solvers:
– Algebraic Multigrid (AMG) solution
– Distributed Domain Solver (DDS)

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 Solvers

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Computational Mechanics, AAU, Esbjerg
 Example 0110 – Cantilever beam

Objective: E = 210000N/mm2
Display the moment curve n = 0.3
Tasks: L = 1000mm
Obtain values in intermediate points? a = 10mm
Create an element table? b = 10mm
Display the moment curve? p = 10N/mm
Topics:
Element type, pressure load, Element table/output, list

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