Durability 2014

Welcome to Adams/Durability 21
Welcome to Adams/Durability
22 Adams/Durability
Introduction to Adams/Durability
Adams/Durability, part of the Adams 2014 suite of software, extends the traditional test-based
durability design process into the virtual world. With Adams/Durability, you can simulate a durability
duty cycle and write out component load histories in or formats and drive a durability test rig using
output data in RPC III Format or DAC Format. You can visualize stress or detect hot spots in flexible or
rigid components, and you can improve component design by interfacing with fatigue life prediction
programs.
Some of the features of Adams/Durability are available as a demand-loaded library (DLL), while the rest
are available as a plugin to the various Adams interface or vertical products, such as Adams/View,
Adams/PostProcessor, and Adams/Car.
How You Benefit from Using Adams/Durability

Adams/Durability enables you to work faster and smarter, letting you easily interface with durability test
machines using the RPC III Format, and with fatigue life calculation programs using DAC Format, or with
an FEA program for stress recovery.
You benefit from using Adams/Durability in the following ways:
Shortens your development cycle, reducing costly durability testing.
Reduces disk space requirements and improves performance by providing direct file input and
output in RPC III and DAC formats. For example, when you perform a 25-second Adams
simulation with 300 channels of data, sampled at a rate of 409.6 points per second, to capture a
durability event, the Adams Request files are approximately 48 MB, whereas the RPC III file is
only 6 MB.
Provides access to the system-level simulation capabilities of Adams/View, or vertical products,
such as Adams/Car.
Provides access to dynamic stress recovery methods using NASTRAN or ANSYS.
Performs modal stress recovery of flexible bodies.
Provides access to component life prediction using MSC.Fatigue or FE-Fatigue.
Using Adams/Durability On Demand

The Adams/Durability installation includes a library that is compatible with most of the Adams products,
including Adams/View, Adams/PostProcessor, Adams/Solver, and the vertical product solvers such as
Adams/Car Solver. This library provides the DAC and RPC III file capabilities of Adams/Durability. It
is demand-loaded automatically by the various products when you use a feature of Adams/Durability that
requires this library; therefore, you do not need to know how to access this library.
With the Adams/Durability demand-loaded library, you can simulate a durability duty cycle in Adams
and write out component load histories in RPC III and DAC formats. For example, you can simulate a
virtual test rig where actuator inputs like spindle loads are taken from field measurements and stored in
Welcome to Adams/Durability 23
the RPC III format. Then, you can write out component load histories in DAC format for subsequent
component durability testing or fatigue life prediction.
You can perform the following with DAC or RPC III files:
Browse the files for header information, such as number of time steps, sample rate, number of
channels, channel names, channel maximums, and channel minimums.

Plot the time history data.
Filter, integrate, or transform the sampled data.
Drive or excite Adams models with the data.
Interpolate the channel data by cubic splines.
Loading the Adams/Durability Plugin

The Adams/Durability plugin gives you access to the various stress recovery techniques in Adams, and
interfaces to NASTRAN, ANSYS, FE-Fatigue, and MSC.Fatigue. This plugin is available in most of the
Adams interface or vertical products, such as Adams/View, Adams/PostProcessor, Adams/Car, and
Adams/Driveline.
To load the Adams/Durability plugin:
1. Start one of the Adams interface or vertical products.
2. From the Tools menu, select Plugin Manager.
3. Select the Load checkbox next to Adams/Durability.
4. Select OK.
This creates the Durability menu, adds various stress and strain Plot Type menu options for the
Contours tab in Adams/PostProcessor, and adds several functions to the Misc. Functions category
in the Adams/View Function Builder, such as LIFE, MAX_STRESS, HOT_SPOTS, and
TOP_SPOTS.
To unload the Adams/Durability plugin:
1. From the Tools menu, select Plugin Manager.
2. Clear the Load checkbox next to Adams/Durability.
3. Select OK.
24 Adams/Durability
Performing Stress Recovery 25
Performing Stress Recovery
26 Adams/Durability
Stress Recovery in Adams/Durability
Stress Recovery in Adams/Durability

With Adams/Durability you can recover stresses on flexible or rigid bodies. Recovering stresses on
flexible bodies is called Modal Stress Recovery (MSR). You can perform MSR inside Adams or, in the
case of NASTRAN, outside of Adams.
Recovering stresses on rigid bodies is based on the loading time history of the component and its
geometry and mass. If a finite-element mesh is available for the rigid component, the forces from an
Adams simulation can be exported and applied to the components mesh. A finite element program like
NASTRAN can then be employed to recover the static stress resulting from the foce application at each
Adams output step. This method of stress recovery is sometimes referred to as quasi-static stress
recovery.
Note that user functions are available for modal stress recovery to determine hot spot regions and
maximum stress. Learn more about User Functions.

Modal Stress Recovery

The benefit of this process is being able to recover any type of output that is available in MSC.Nastran
(also MD Nastran) such as element stresses or strains, nodal forces, and so on. Due to limitations of the
MNF, only grid point stresses or strains can be post-processed in Adams. Also, MSC.Nastran does not
allow grid point stress or strain on composite shell elements or beams, so it is not possible to post-process
strain or stress for these type of elements in Adams. In addition, plates or shells have more than one layer,
but the MNF allows only one layer of stress or strain to be stored in the file. These limitations are avoided
by exporting data for MSC.Nastran.
MSC.Nastran has the function to recover stresses and strains in the version 2006 (MDR1) and later, and
a special DMAP is not required. For modal stress recovery, a restart run is used thus MSC.Nastran
database (.MASTER and .DBALL) have to be kept in the primary run to build the flexible body for
Adams, and to do that the command option "scratch=no" should be applied. Modal transient response
analysis (SOL 112) and modal frequency response analysis (SOL 111) should be applied for time
dependent data and frequency dependent data respectively with ADMPOST parameter.
Learn Exporting Data for NASTRAN.
Note:
AUTOQSET cannot be used for the primary run due to the limitation of MSC.Nastran
restart capability
Restarting NASTRAN
A restart MSC.Nastran for modal stress recovery needs to be specified at the top of the MSC.Nastran
input deck in the file management section:
ASSIGN <logical name>='<database name>'
RESTART LOGICAL=<logical name>
where <logical name> is the logical name of the database to be assigned and <database name>
is MASTER file name of the primary run. Note that the logical name is arbitrary characters within 8
letters and first one should be alphabet.
Reading Modal Deformations File (MDF)

Modal deformations to be read have to be in binary (OUTPUT2) format, and the following statement
needs to be specified near the top of the MSC.Nastran input deck in the file management section:
ASSIGN INPUTT2='<MDFilename>' UNIT=<load ID> [FORM=<binary
format>]
where <MDFilename> is the name of the modal deformations file from Adams. For directions on how
to create this file, see the FEMDATA or OUTPUT Adams/Solver statement. And <load ID> indicates
an ID number of DLOAD statements in the case control section. The option FORM may be requested
when the binary format of MDF is not applicable to the platform of MSC.Nastran (see the MSC.Nastran
quick reference guide for more information).
28 Adams/Durability
Results Postprocessing
Dynamic stress/strain output can be either in F06, PUNCH OUT, XDB or OUTPUT2 according to
standard MSC.Nastran functionality, and the output files can be postprocessed in Patran or SimXpert
Structures.
If displacements, stresses, and/or strains are to be available for postprocessing, one or more of the
following statements must appear in the case control section of the MSC.Nastran input file:
DLOAD = <load id>
DISP(PLOT) = <set id>
STRAIN(FIBER,PLOT) = <set id>
STRESS(PLOT) = <set id>
where <load id> is a ID number indicated by ASSIGN statement in the executive control section, and
<set id> is a ID number defined in SET statement.
PARAM, ADMPOST
Request modal stress recovery (see the MSC.Nastran quick reference guide for more information):
0: Modal stress recovery is not activated (default)
1: Request modal stress recovery without rigid body motion
2: Request modal stress recovery with rigid body motion
This parameter is used to activate modal stress recovery and control the addition of rigid body motion
with modal deformations. Rigid body motions from an Adams simulation are included in the modal
deformations file (MDF), but they are not applied unless this parameter is set to 2. Including rigid body
motion affects the display or animation of the flexible component, but it has no effect on dynamic
stresses.
PARAM, POST
Request stress/strain/displacement output for postprocessing (see the MSC.Nastran quick reference
guide for more information):
<= 0: Yes
> 0: No
Example of Input File

An example MSC.Nastran input file for modal stress recovery run compared to a typical input file for
building flex body is shown below. These examples are located in the following installation files:
<Adams installation directory>/durability/NASTRAN/plate.dat
<Adams installation directory>/durability/NASTRAN/plate_msr.dat
<Adams installation directory>/durability/NASTRAN/plate.cmd

Note that "plate.cmd" is the command file to create the example model with the flex body (MNF) by
"plate.dat" and run the dynamic simulation.
For building flex body (plate.dat)
For modal stress recovery (plate_msr.dat)
ASSIGN PRIMARY='plate.MASTER'
RESTART LOGICAL=PRIMARY
ASSIGN INPUTT2='plate.mdf' UNIT= 31
SOL 103
SOL 112
CEND
CEND
$ GLOBAL CASE
$ GLOBAL CASE
METHOD = 1
METHOD = 1
Restart setting
Read MDF
Modal transient analysis
ADAMSMNF FLEXBODY=YES
DLOAD = 31
DISP(PLOT) = ALL
Output data setting
STRESS(PLOT) = ALL
BEGIN BULK
BEGIN BULK
PARAM, ADMPOST, 2
PARAM, POST, -1
DTI, UNITS, 1, KG, N, M, S

ASET1, 123, 1, 11, 78, 88
SPOINT, 10001, THRU, 10030
QSET1, 0, 10001, THRU, 10030
EIGRL, 1, , , 30
Geometry data is not needed
$
GRID, 1, , 0.0, 0.75, 0.0
GRID, 1, , 0.1, 0.75, 0.0
ENDDATA
ENDDATA
Parameter setting
30 Adams/Durability
Stress on Flexible Bodies

Recovering Stresses on Flexible Bodies
In order for Adams/Durability to compute stresses on a flexible body, the flexible body in your model
must contain FEA stress mode information in its modal neutral file (MNF). For more information on
including stress mode shapes during MNF generation, see the Adams/Flex online help.
You can also compute strains on a flexible body if its MNF contains strain mode information from FEA.
Computing Stresses or Strains

You can use Adams/Durability to calculate nodal stress or strain values. These values can be used to
generate x-y plot displays. When you compute nodal plots, the directions x, y, and z are with respect to
the flexible bodies' local-body-reference-frame (the FEA package's global coordinate system).
To compute stresses or strains:
1. From the Durability menu, select Nodal Plots.
The Compute Nodal Plot dialog box appears.
2. In the Analysis text box, enter the name of a previously run analysis. Tips on Entering Object
Names in Text Boxes.
3. In the Flexible Body text box, enter the name of the flexible body.
4. In the Node to Add to List text box, enter one or more nodes on which to calculate stresses.
You can right-click in the text box, and select Pick Flexbody Node. Then, select a node by
clicking on a position in the model. As you pick the nodes individually, the Selected Nodes List
text box accumulates a list of all selected nodes.
5. Select stress or strain.
6. Select the values desired, as necessary.
7. Select OK.
8. Adams/Durability stores the stress or strain components in a flexible body result set for the
specified analysis. It adds the following field to the Adams/View database for the flexible body
being analyzed:
FBname_STRESS.NodeID_Value
FBname_STRAIN.NodeID_Value
where:
(for stress components)

(for strain components)
FBname is the name of your flexible body

NodeID is the node whose stress or strain you are calculating
_Value is the value of stress or strain you're calculating
You can also print these values to a text file.

Displaying Stress or Strain Contours

You can use Adams/PostProcessor to display stress or strain as a color contour map on the flexible body.
Adams/Durability automatically computes a value at each node of the flexible body.
To display stress or strain contours:
1. Load your animation in the current Adams/PostProcessor window.
2. Select the Contours tab.
3. Specify a stress or strain value in the Plot Type menu.
Adams/PostProcessor computes the stress or strain information. This may take a while depending
on the size of your flexible body and simulation. Once completed, Adams/PostProcessor displays
a contour legend.
4. Select the Play tool.
Adams/PostProcessor displays the contours according to the color map on the legend.
Plotting Stresses or Strains

To plot the results of your nodal stress or strain computation:
1. Open Adams/PostProcessor.
2. Load your plot.
3. Set Source to Results set.
4. From the Simulation list, select the analysis run that you entered in Computing Stresses or
Strains.
5. Select the FBname_STRESS or FBname_STRAIN result set.
6. From the Component text box, select the node and value you previously identified.
7. Select Add Curves or Surf.
Adams/Postprocessor plots the nodal stresses or strains.
Visualizing Hot Spots

Hot spots are locations of high stress or strain on a flexible body or rigid stress object. You can easily
locate and view hot-spot information during animation displays in the Adams/PostProcessor. When the
Adams/Durability plugin is loaded, a Hot Spots tab is available on the Adams/PostProcessor dashboard
for Animation displays. This tab allows you to define the hot spots and control their display.
Hot-spot information is derived from the data that is generated and cached for a flexible body (or rigid
stress object) during contour animations. This allows the display and control of hot-spot information to
be completely interactive.
Hot spot visualization is currently supported for durability-type contours, such as stress, strain, or fatigue.
Deformations are not supported.
32 Adams/Durability
To display hot spots:

1. Load your animation in the Adams/PostProcessor window.
2. Load the Adams/Durability plugin if it is not already loaded.
3. Select the Contours tab.
4. Specify a stress or strain value in the Plot Type menu.
Adams/PostProcessor computes the stress or strain information. This may take a while depending
on the size of your flexible body and simulation. Once completed, Adams/PostProcessor displays
a contour legend.
5. Select the Hot Spots tab, and then select Display Hotspots.
6. Make other selections as described in Animation Dashboard - Hot Spots.
7. Select the Play tool.
Adams/PostProcessor displays the animation with a cross hair and option label at the location of
each hot spot.

Stress on Rigid Bodies

Recovering Stresses on Rigid Bodies
Stresses can be predicted on components of Adams models using loads that the component experiences
from an Adams simulation. Both external and internal loads must be considered:
External loads are a result of applied and constraining forces acting on the component.
Internal loads are a result of motion, such as linear and angular acceleration and rotational
velocity of the part's local reference frame (LPRF).

When all loads acting on the component are considered, the rigid component is in dynamic equilibrium
at each output step, and a static finite-element analysis can be performed. This process of recovering
stresses based on loads is sometimes referred to as quasi-static stress analysis. The process of recovering
stress on rigid bodies can be broken down into the following steps:
1. Create a finite-element model (FEM) of your rigid body. This requires the definition of material
properties for the part and a mesh for the part geometry.
2. Apply loads from an Adams simulation to the FEM.
3. Solve for deformations in the FEM due to the applied loads using finite-element analysis (FEA).
4. Recover stresses due to the FEA deformations.
Using Adams/Durability, you can perform this process easily and efficiently by exporting applied loads
on the rigid body to a finite element program like NASTRAN where they can be easily applied to a
component model to compute the stresses.
34 Adams/Durability
Exporting Data 47
Exporting Data
48 Adams/Durability
Exporting Data Using Adams/Durability
Exporting Data Using Adams/Durability

Using Adams/Durability, you can export data from an Adams simulation to compare simulation results
to a physical test, input data to durability analysis programs, or provide input to test equipment. You can
store the exported data in either RPC III Format or DAC Format.
With Adams/Durability, one of the first steps you take is to export data to validate your model against
actual test data. You perform model validation by simulating the same system, load, and time interval,
and then compare plots of physical test results to simulated results. Once youre satisfied that your model
and loads adequately match physical test results, youll want to output simulation results of What-If
scenarios for input to durability analysis programs and durability test machines.
Exporting Data 49
Exporting Data for ANSYS
Exporting Data for ANSYS

Using Adams/Durability, you can generate displacement mode shapes (in ASCII or binary format) that
you can use to recreate mode substep results within ANSYS (when you need an ANSYS modal
superposition, but dont have the results file).
You can also directly apply the displacement time histories on the modal nodes (rather than use modal
superposition) when you need finite-element (FE) stress recovery for an analysis with few time steps.
You can generate an input file for the subsequent ANSYS analyses that consist of time domain
impositions of flexible body node displacements.
To export data for ANSYS:
1. From the Durability menu, point to FE Modal Export, and then select ANSYS.
2. Complete the dialog box as described in ANSYS Modal Export Dialog Box.
3. Select OK.
50 Adams/Durability
Exporting Data for MSC.Fatigue
Exporting Data for MSC.Fatigue

With MSC.Fatigue, you can predict the life or damage of your flexible components using service loads
from an Adams simulation. Adams/Durability provides a convenient interface to transfer results between
MSC.Fatigue and Adams for flexible bodies. Note that the modal neutral file (MNF) of the flexible body
does not have to contain stress modes to use the MSC.Fatigue interface. You can import modal stresses
from MSC.Nastran into MSC.Fatigue using MSC.Patran. These stresses or strains can come from the
MSC.Nastran .out or .xdb file. These can also be grid- or element-based stresses or strains.
The MSC.Fatigue interface in Adams/Durability relies on:
MSC.Nastran to provide the finite/super-element model of the flexible component.
MSC.Patran to import the model and stress or strain from MSC.Nastran for MSC.Fatigue.
To export data for MSC.Fatigue:

1. From the Durability menu, point to MSC.Fatigue, and then select Export.
2. Complete the dialog box as described in MSC.Fatigue Export Dialog Box.
3. Select OK.
Running MSC.Fatigue from Adams/Durability
MSC.Fatigue with MSC.Patran can process MSC.Nastran .xdb .op2 files that contain element or gridpoint modal stresses.
To complete the loading information in MSC.Fatigue from Adams/Durability:
1. In MSC.Patran, use the Group Modify menu to modify the default group of all grids and elements
created in the MSC.Patran database.
2. Remove the members that are MPC-type (grids connected to RBE elements).
Modal stresses are not available for those members.
3. In the MSC.Fatigue Loading Information window, select Time History Manager to create a
PTIME database of the DAC files.
4. Load all of the DAC files with the Job Name prefix that was specified in theMSC.Fatigue Export
Dialog Box.
5. In the PTIME - Load Time History window, set Load Type to Scalar.
6. Set Units to none.
7. Set Results Type to Static.
8. In the Number of Static Load Cases text box, enter the number of modes for the flexible body.
9. Set Fill Down to ON to complete the Load Case ID, Time History, and Load Magnitude
columns in this window.
The loading information section is now complete. You will also need to complete the material
properties section before you can submit your MSC.Fatigue job.
Exporting Data 51
Exporting Data for NASTRAN
Exporting Data for NASTRAN

MSC.Nastran (also MD Nastran) Stress Recovery is the process of exporting the modal deformations of
a flexible body from an Adams simulation to MSC.Nastran. A MSC.Nastran restart analysis is then
performed to recover dynamic stresses or strains on the finite-element model of the flexible body. This
process assumes that the flexible body originated from a finite-element model in MSC.Nastran (that is,
a MSC.Nastran analysis was performed, the MNF of the flexible body was created using ADAMSMNF
statement and the database which includes .MASTER and DBALL is kept).
The FEMDATA and OUTPUT statements can also be used to export modal deformations to a NASTRAN
formatted file for stress or strain recovery. MSC.Nastran format, OUTPUT2 is only supported.
By definition, the modal deformations (coordinates) are unitless quantities, so the modal stresses (or
strains) will be recovered correctly in MSC.Nastran regardless of the unit settings in the Adams and
MSC.Nastran models. Rigid body motion of the flexible body is also included in the modal deformation
file. In addition, the unit of length in the Adams model must be consistent with that in the MSC.Nastran
model for the overall displacement of the component to be recovered correctly.
To export data for MSC.Nastran:
1. From the Durability menu, point to FE Modal Export, and then select NASTRAN.
2. Complete the dialog box as described in NASTRAN Modal Export Dialog Box.
3. Select OK.
52 Adams/Durability
Exporting for nCode
Exporting for nCode

You can generate a partial FES file (nCode FE-Fatigue file format) suitable for fatigue life prediction
(FLP) analysis when stress or strain blocks are present in the MNF. You can also export modal
coordinates for subsequent FE-Fatigue damage analysis or FE modal superposition. When exporting
modal coordinates, Adams/Durability also creates an nCode load association file (LAF).
To export data for nCode:
1. From the Durability menu, point to FE.Fatigue, and then select Export.
2. Complete the dialog box as described in FE-Fatigue Export Dialog Box.
3. Select OK.
Note:
The online help will not discuss the entire functionality of nCode, only those features that
specifically apply to exporting data. For more detailed information on nCode, refer to your
nCode documentation on FE-Fatigue.
Exporting Data 53
Exporting to RPC III or DAC
Exporting to RPC III or DAC

You can export either RPC III Format or DAC Format request files from Adams/View after a simulation
completes. This technique does not require you to set up requests before running the simulation.
By definition, results output to an RPC III or DAC file must have constant time steps. If the results data
being output includes non-constant time steps, Adams/View provides a warning and the time axis of the
data will be warped so that the time interval is constant.
To export a result set to DAC files:
1. From the File menu, select Export to display the File Export dialog box.
2. Set File Type to DAC File.
3. Enter the name of the DAC file in the File Name text box.
4. Right-click the Result Data text box to display the shortcut menu. Point to
Result_Set_Component, and then select Browse to display the Database Navigator.
5. Select the result set from the Database Navigator, and then select OK.
Result set components can come from results sets, Measures, or Requests. You can only have
one result set per DAC file.
6. Select OK in the File Export dialog box.

To export a result sets to an RPC III file:
1. From the File menu, select Export to display the File Export dialog box.
2. Set File Type to RPC3 File.
3. Enter the name of the RPC III file in the File Name text box.
4. Right-click the Result Data text box to display the shortcut menu. Point to
Result_Set_Component, and then select Browse to display the Database Navigator.
5. Select one or more result sets from the Database Navigator using Shift+click or Ctrl+click
techniques.
6. Once youve selected all the result sets, select OK.
Note:
Result set components can come from result sets, measures, or requests.
7. Select OK in the File Export dialog box.
54 Adams/Durability
Setting Up Requests
Setting Up Requests
You can create Requests to output RPC III Format or DAC Format files. You do this before you execute
the simulation.
To set up a request:
1. Define desired requests.
2. From the Settings menu, point to Solver, and then select Output to display the Solver Settings
dialog box.
3. Set Save Files to Yes.
4. Set Graphics File, Request File, and Results File to No if these files are not needed.
5. In the File Prefix text box, enter the name of the model or some other meaningful name.
6. Select More.
7. Set Output Category to Durability files.
8. Set either of the following to On:
DAC Files
RPC File(s)
9. Select Close in the Solver Settings dialog box.

After the simulation finishes, Adams/View creates the RPC III or DAC files for all defined
requests. If youre running an interactive simulation, you need to reset the model before the files
are created.
Learn more about Requests.
Exporting Data 55
Simulating the Model

Using Adams/Durability you can access test data in two formats: RPC III Format or DAC Format. First
you must validate your model, then you can perform what-if simulations.
Performing Model Validation
When simulating your model to compare it to physical test data, you need to follow the general steps
listed below.
To validate a model:
1. Input the forces or motions using spline data (see Referencing Test Data). Make sure you use the
INTERP function for the RPC III or DAC files (see Applying Test Data).
2. Set up requests that correspond to the physical data channels (learn how).
3. Set up Adams/View to output the results in the format you prefer (learn how).
4. When youre ready to simulate the model, make sure the End Time and number of Steps in the
Simulation container correspond to the physical test data that you are using for model validation.
5. When the simulation completes, make sure you reset the model.
6. Import the virtual and physical test data (see Importing Test Data).
7. Use Adams/PostProcessor to compare the virtual data to the physical test data (see Plotting Data).
8. Modify your model and repeat these steps as necessary until youre satisfied that the virtual test
data correlates well with the physical test data.
Performing Durability What-If Simulations
Once youve validated your model, youre ready to make modifications to determine their impact on
system response or component durability. To obtain data that lets you determine system sensitivity to
various design changes, you should follow the general steps listed below.
To perform durability what-if simulations:
1. Make simple model modifications, so that you can easily determine model sensitivity to each
change.
2. Use the same input forces or motions that you used in the initial model validation.
3. Use the same requests that correspond to the physical data channels (learn how).
4. Set up Adams/View to output the results in the format that you prefer (learn how).
5. When youre ready to simulate the model, make sure the End Time and number of Steps in the
Simulation container correspond to the physical test data that you used for model validation.
6. When the simulation completes, make sure you reset the model.
7. Import the new virtual and physical test data (see Importing Test Data).
56 Adams/Durability
8. Use Adams/PostProcessor to compare the virtual data to the physical test data (see Plotting Data).
If system response looks better, you can input these data to durability analysis programs and
compare them to the results you obtained from the physical test data. Otherwise, make further
model modifications and simulate again.
Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver 57
Using Adams/Durability with

Adams/Solver
58 Adams/Durability
Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver

Although we recommend that you use Adams/View to access Adams/Durability functionality, you can
perform these functions directly within Adams/Solver. This topic provides specific statement syntax that
you can use to implement Adams/Durability functionality in Adams/Solver. For complete details on any
statements in this topic, see the Adams/Solver online help.
Setting Up a Motion or Force

Adams/Solver includes the INTERP function as part of Adams/Durability support. When defining a
motion or force with data from an RPC III Format or DAC Format file, you must define a spline with the
data file as input, and use the INTERP function in the MOTION, GFORCE, SFORCE, or VFORCE
statement. For example, you could define a translational motion as follows:
MOTION/Motion Id, TRANSLATIONAL, JOINT=id, FUNCTION=INTERP(time, 3,
spline id)
where:
Motion id is a sequential number that represents the current motion number.
TRANSLATIONAL is the motion type.
Joint id specifies the joint marker that is moving.
spline id is the identifier of the spline that specifies the RPC III or DAC file input.
Setting Up a Spline
With Adams/Durability, the SPLINE statement includes arguments that let you input RPC III Format or
DAC Format time history data files. These data files provide one dependent variable and one independent
variable, TIME, as a fixed-time interval. Because RPC III files support multiple channels of data in a
single file, you must specify a channel for this type of file. DAC time history files only have a single
channel of data in a file.
The SPLINE statement, as it appears for durability analysis, looks like:
SPLINE/id, FILE=path [, CHANNEL=n]
Where:
id is the identifier of the spline.
path is the absolute or relative path to the RPC III or DAC file. These files may have any file
extension. Adams/Solver reads the file header to determine the file type.
n is the channel number. This parameter is required for RPC III files, even if the file only has a
single channel. This parameter should not appear for DAC files.
Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver 59

Setting Up and Outputting FEM Data

You use the FEMDATA statement to indicate the set of data you want Adams/Solver to write for
subsequent finite-element (FE) or durability analyses. You can specify loads on a component, modal
coordinates or nodal deformations, or stresses or strains of a flexible body.
As part of Adams/Durability, the OUTPUT statement indicates output options for each type of
FEMDATA. You use the OUTPUT statement to specify the format of each type.
The following output formats may be available, depending on the type of data you are using:
DAC
Generic
ANSYS
ABAQUS
NASTRAN
RPC III
Setting Up and Outputting Requests

You use the REQUEST statement to indicate the set of data you want Adams/Solver to write.
Adams/Durability supports any existing form of the REQUEST statement. You can specify functions,
forces, displacements, velocities, acceleration, and user requests.
As part of Adams/Durability, the OUTPUT statement includes two additional output types, RPCSAVE
and DACSAVE. When you specify an OUTPUT statement with one of these types, Adams/Solver writes
the request to a file with a .rsp or .dac extension, respectively.
For RPC files, Adams/Solver writes all of the requests to a single file. Because DAC files can only have
a single channel per file, Adams/Solver writes a separate file for each component of each request.
Therefore, every request results in six output files.
The statement for RPC III output is:
OUTPUT/ RPCSAVE
The statement for DAC output is:
OUTPUT/ DACSAVE
60 Adams/Durability
About User Functions 61
About User Functions
62 Adams/Durability
User Functions
User Functions
You can use functions in Adams/Durability to interrogate a flexible or rigid body for useful stress, strain,
or life data. The user functions are:
HOT_SPOTS
LIFE
MAX_STRESS
TOP_SPOTS
These functions facilitate the definition of a design objective or variable that can be used in a design of
experiments (DOE) or optimization study. When Adams/Durability is loaded, you can find these
functions in the Misc. Functions category of the Adams/View Function Builder.

HOT_SPOTS
HOT_SPOTS
Returns all of the spots on the body that exceed the specified threshold. The spots returned are sorted from
hottest to lowest. This function is useful for obtaining information on all hot spots on a body. A hot spot
is defined as a point where the stress exceeds a certain defined limit (threshold). The Assist dialog box
for the HOT_SPOTS (see Array HOT_SPOTS (Name array, Integer array, Real array)) function is
available in the Adams/View Function Builder.
Radius defines the distance between spots (that is, the spherical region that is considered one spot) on the
body. A value of zero (0) considers all points (nodes) of the body as a unique spot.
The figure below shows a close up of the hottest region of stress on a flexible body. This illustrates how
the radius can affect the definition of a hot spot region. In this figure, the top seven hottest nodes (those
with the largest stress) are listed. If seven hot spots or a threshold of 100 is specified with no (zero) radius,
all of these nodes would be returned by the user function. If a radius of 0.5 mm is specified, only node
four from this region would be returned, and the remaining hot spots would come from nodes with the
highest stress from other regions.
A 6-by-N array is returned, where N is the number of hot spots. The X, Y, Z, Time, Value, and Node are
the columns in the array. Coordinate data is returned in the local part reference frame (LPRF) of the body.
64 Adams/Durability
HOT_SPOTS
Value is the maximum value of the hot spot for the analysis. Time is the actual time of the analysis that
the maximum value occurred. The number of spots found is defined as the number of rows in the array.
If no value exceeding the threshold is found for the body, HOT_SPOTS returns an array with one row of
the hottest spot. If the body or analysis does not exist, or the type of data does not exist for the specified
body, HOT_SPOTS issues an error message and returns an array with one row filled with zeros.
Example
Suppose you want to locate hot spots in a part called shaft, where the maximum von Mises stress is higher
than 700 MPa for the analysis named engine_stall. And, you only want to consider points that are 25
millimeters apart from the other hot spots. After creating a rigid stress object for the part, you can use the
following Adams/View command:
VAR SET VAR=hotspots REAL=(EVAL(HOT_SPOTS({shaft,engine_stall},
{0,1}, {700.0,25.0})))
Note that it is not necessary to define all elements in each array argument explicitly. For example, if
engine_stall was the default analysis run, and because the default setting for stress is 1, you could
simplify the above command to:
VAR SET VAR=hotspots REAL=(EVAL(HOT_SPOTS(shaft, 0, {700,25})));

LIFE
LIFE
Returns the minimum life of a flexible body for the specified analysis. Results from FE-Fatigue or
MSC.Fatigue for the flexible body need to be imported before using this function. If no fatigue data are
available, the function returns 0 (zero). The analysis argument is optional. The default analysis is used if
one is not given. The Assist dialog box for the LIFE function (see Real LIFE (FlexBody [, Analysis])) is
available in the Adams/View Function Builder.
66 Adams/Durability
MAX_STRESS
MAX_STRESS
Returns the maximum value of stress for the body for the default analysis. The last-run analysis is the
default analysis. If the body does not exist or does not contain stress data, or there is no default analysis,
MAX_STRESS issues an error message and returns a zero. The Assist dialog box for the MAX_STRESS
function (see Real MAX_STRESS (Body, Criterion)) is available in the Adams/View Function Builder.
Example
The following Adams/View command (see Adams/View command file) will set the maximum principal
stress of the flexible body named link in the current model for the last-run analysis to the variable
maxstress. Because units of stress are equivalent to pressure, maxstress will also have the correct units
associated with the variable.
VAR SET VAR=maxstress REAL=(EVAL(MAX_STRESS(link, 7)))
UNITS=PRESSURE;

TOP_SPOTS
TOP_SPOTS
Returns a fixed number of the hottest spots in the body. The Assist dialog box for the TOP_SPOTS
function (see Array TOP_SPOTS (Name array, Integer array, Real array)) is available in the Adams/View
Function Builder.
Count is the number of hot spots to locate. If Count is zero, TOP_SPOTS uses Percent to determine the
number of hot spots to return based on the total number of points nodes in the body. If both Count and
Percent are zero, then TOP_SPOTS issues an error message and returns an array with one row filled with
zeros.
Radius defines the distance between spots (that is, the spherical region that is considered one spot) on the
body. A value of zero (0) considers all nodes of the body as a unique hot spot.
The figure below shows a close up of the hottest region of stress on a flexible body. This illustrates how
the radius can affect the definition of a hot spot region. In this figure, the top seven hottest nodes (those
with the largest stress) are listed. If seven hot spots or a threshold of 100 is specified with no (zero) radius,
all of these nodes would be returned by the user function. If a radius of 0.5 mm is specified, only node
four from this region would be returned, and the remaining hot spots would come from nodes with the
highest stress from other regions.
68 Adams/Durability
TOP_SPOTS
TOP_SPOTS returns a 6xN array. X, Y, Z, Time, Value, and Node occupy the columns in the array.
Coordinate data is returned in the local part reference frams (LPRF) of the body. The number of spots
TOP_SPOTS found is the number of rows in the array.
If the body or analysis does not exist, or no data of the specified type is available for the body,
TOP_SPOTS issues an error message and returns an array with one row filled with zeros.
Examples
Use the following Adams/View commands (see Adams/View command file) to return the maximum
principal stress in the link, as well as the node and time that the peak stress occurred:
VAR
VAR
VAR
VAR
SET
SET
SET
SET
VAR=topspot REAL=(EVAL(TOP_SPOTS(link,{7,1},{0,0.0},1)));
VAR=maxstress REAL=(topspot.real_value[5]) UNITS=PRESSURE;
VAR=maxnode INT=(topspot.real_value[6]);
VAR=maxtime REAL=(topspot.real_value[4]) UNITS=TIME;
Similarly, the location of maximum stress could also be extracted from the returned array as real values
1, 2, and 3
Stress Recovery Theory 35
Stress Recovery Theory
36 Adams/Durability
Coordinate Reference Transformation
Coordinate Reference Transformation

Since stress and strain are second order tensors, the following equation will be used to transform these
quantities to a reference coordinate system:
[ S ]' = [ A R ] T [ S ] [ A R ]
where:
[ A R ] is the skew-rotation matrix from the flexible bodys LPRF (FE origin) to the markers
coordinate reference
[ S ] is the symmetric stress or strain tensor:

Sxx Sxy Sxz
S = Syx Syy Syz
Szx Szy Szz
where
Sij = Sji

Stress Recovery Analysis

There are many ways to calculate the flexibility effect of complex machine members. Adams uses a
modal synthesis method. This approach is very effective because it allows you to drastically reduce the
total number of degrees of freedom (DOFs) of a typical FE component used for detailed stress analysis,
while preserving its local deformations with high level of accuracy (assuming that the modal component
synthesis procedure is performed correctly). Flexible structural component motion with N DOF and
defined boundaries is described by a combination of P normal modes (normal constrained modes) and S
constraint modes (static correction modes).
The system DOFs are partitioned between internal and boundary DOFs, so the flexible body motion
equation becomes:
B
B
B
m BB 0 x + k BB k BI x = f
I

I
x
f
0 m II
k IB k II x I
(1)
with I internal DOFs (equal to N S) and B boundary ones (equal to S).

From a static equilibrium analysis, assuming that interior forces are set to zero, equation (1) becomes:
B
B
k BB k BI x = f

I
f
k IB k II x I
(2)
and led to extract the constrain modes matrix as
[ C ] :
[ C ] = [ k II ] l [ k IB ]
(3)
Moreover, from an eigenvalue analysis, you have:
[ 2 [ m II ] + [ k II ] ] { I }
yielding the normal modes matrix
(4)
[ N ] :
[ N ] = [ { I } 1, ..., { I } P ]
(5)
From equation (5), a subset of the N normal modes is considered, and the physical coordinates are
calculated as a linear combination of the mode shapes.
xB
[ I ] { 0 } qB
{x} = =
= []{ q}
[ C ] [ N ] qI
xI
where:
{x} is the vector of physical displacements
(6)
38 Adams/Durability
{q} is the vector of modal coordinates

[ ]=[{ 1 },...,{ P + S }] is the modal matrix that includes both P normal and S constraint
modes
Now, equation (1) can be rewritten as:
B
BB
BN q
BB
qB
fB
m
k
0
m
[M]{q } + [K]{ q} =
I +
I = I = { f }
NB
NN q
NN
q
f
m m
0 k
(7)
An ortho-normalization of the reduced system described by equation (7) is performed while translating
from each FE output file into the Adams modal neutral file (MNF). The effect is to obtain a diagonal
model and to associate a frequency content to the static correction modes as well.
FEM structural analysis obtains the modal and static information needed to perform modal reduction, in
a sequence of static load cases with varying boundary conditions, as described in equation (1).
Adams assembles and solves fully inertially coupled equation of motion of the mechanical system
including the flexible part(s). It also adds the generalized modal coordinates as unknowns. Adams/Solver
manages the full set of equations giving the parts rigid body coordinates and modal coordinates as a
result. Adams/Solver also computes the reaction forces acting on the flexible component through
algebraic constraint or external forces.
Once Adams/Solver has computed the set of modal coordinates, it is possible to recover stress in the FE
code using equation (6) and pass the physical displacements to the FE code. Strains and stresses would
then be recovered in the FE code from the solution of
{ X } by:
{ } = [B]{x}
(8)
{} = [E]{}
(9)
where:
{ } is the strain vector
{ } is the stress vector
[ B ] is a function matrix of the FE geometry relating strains to displacements
[ E ] is the stress-strain relationship (constitutive equation based on the material properties)
Note that this can be a very inefficient solution for large meshes and when a large number of time steps
are involved. In addition, this method is dependent on the Adams solution and, therefore, not conducive
to system studies, such as DOE or optimization.


Modal stress recovery (MSR) is an analysis-independent alternative to stress recovery analysis. During
the modal basis generation phase, the FE code can also pre-compute additional information for lately
combining the modal coordinates to the FE stresses in Adams.
Substituting in equation (6) and combining equations (8) and (9) yields:
{ } = [ ] { q }
(10)
where:
[ ] = [ E ] [ B ] [ ]
(11)
and:
[ ] = [ { } 1, ..., { } P + S ]
Here,
(12)
[ ] is the ortho-normalized modal stress matrix that identifies the stress component associated
with each orthogonalized mode shape.

Therefore, assuming that the reduction of the full set of mode shapes of the flexible body to a subset is
correct and comprehensive of all the required effects, the stress distribution related to the body
deformation can be calculated in a similar way to the one used for physical displacements (equation (6)).
If the modal stress matrix has been computed by the FE code and stored in the MNF for the flexible body,
it is possible to perform MSR in Adams. It is also possible to perform MSR in the FE code or in the
fatigue code, such as MSC.Fatigue, with the modal coordinates from Adams and the modal stress matrix
from the FE code's database.
By combining the modal stress matrix with the modal coordinates as in equation (10), it is possible to
calculate stress components with very good accuracy and a computational time much shorter than a full
dynamic analysis in the FE code.
Likewise, for strains we have:
{ } = []{ q}
and
[ ] = [ B ] [ ]
where:
{ } is the strain vector for the flexible body
[ ] is the ortho-normalized modal strain matrix identifying the strain component associated
with each orthogonalized mode shape
40 Adams/Durability
Recovering Stress on Preloaded Flexible Bodies
Recovering Stress on Preloaded Flexible Bodies

For a preloaded flexible body, equation (10) becomes:
{ }' = { 0 } + [ ] { q }
where:
{ 0 } is the prestress state due to preload. This vector also needs to be computed by the FE code and
stored in the MNF for the flexible component to perform MSR on proloaded flexible bodies in Adams.
Note that this vector could represent a nonlinear stress state of the flexible component since the preload
could have taken on a nonlinear load path.
Similarly, recovering strain on a preloaded flexible body becomes:
{ }' = { 0 } + [ e ] { q }
where:
{ 0 } is the prestrain state of the flexible body due to preload.

Note that when exporting modal coordinates to a fatigue program, such as MSC.Fatigue,
Adams/Durability outputs one more DAC file or RPC file channel than the number of modes for a
preloaded flexible body. This additional file or load channel equals a constant value of one (1.0),
representing the DC component or static offset of the pre-stress or pre-strain. This file or channel should
be mapped to the result set of the preload case from the FE code.

Mesh Refinement for Stress Recovery
Mesh Refinement for Stress Recovery

The FEM is an approximate method, employing a mesh with elements of finite length. This means that
there will be some error in the results related to the mesh size or discretization. The convergence rate of
the mesh discretization error can be expressed in the L2-Norm.
For displacements, the error is:
For stress or strain, it is:
ch 2 u
ch u
where:
c is a constant independent of h and u.
u is the phenomenon being approximated (x for displacements or
for stresses)
h is the mesh parameter characterizing the refinement of the mesh (0<h<1)
The mesh parameter, h, can also be thought of as the inverse of n, the number of elements in the mesh
(1/n). In the limit, as h -> 0, the error also goes to zero. However, the convergence rate of error for
displacements is better than that for stress or strain. The dynamics of a flexible component depend on the
ability of its mesh to capture deformations or displacements. Therefore, a mesh suitable for dynamics
may not necessarily be suitable for stress recovery.
Therefore, you should consider mesh refinement if you are interested in recovering stress for the
component. In the case of MSR, this means that you must perform the mesh-refinement stage before the
initial modal analysis in the FE code. There is no assurance that the modal coordinates computed by
Adams for a given mesh density can be suitably applied to another mesh density of the same component
or geometry. In fact, the opposite has been observed and you should only combine modal coordinates
with modal stresses or strains from the same FE run that produced the mode shapes.
42 Adams/Durability
Component Mode Synthesis

Background
Component mode synthesis is an effective method of evaluating stress. The following topics show how
the results of a finite-element (FE) analysis are comparable to theoretical ones
An important issue in machine design is ensuring that the strength of a parts material exceeds the stress
of the loads imposed on it.
The basic stress equation formulas assume that no geometrical irregularities occur in the member under
consideration. This is not always true in the practical design of real machines, when changes to the crosssections of the members are permitted.
Such geometric variations in a machine part modify the stress distribution in the neighborhood of the
discontinuities, so that the elementary stress equation no longer describes the correct stress distribution.
For example, if you consider the latter on a rectangular plate with a hole in the center, you would find
that the stress is highest at the edge of the hole, and that the stress concentration effect is highly dependent
on the vicinity of the holes edge.
A theoretical stress concentration factor (Kt) is used to relate the maximum stress at the discontinuity to
the nominal stress; the factor is defined by the equations.
max
K t = ----------0
max
K t = ---------0
where Kt is used for normal stress and Kts is used for shear stress.
The nominal stress is usually calculated by the basic stress equations. Meanwhile, the maximum stress
(which depends on the geometry of the part or the type of irregularity considered) can be calculated by
numerical methods (finite-element analysis (FEA)) or by experimental tests.
Stress Concentration Evaluation

A study on stress and stress concentration evaluation was performed using modern numerical tools. The
multi-body approach to the study of flexible parts has been compared to the well-known finite-element
model (FEM) method, giving important results about the accuracy of the component mode synthesis
method used by multi-body software Adams.
Example: Rectangular Filleted Bar in Bending

This example shows how stress on a reference model is calculated (using the CMS approach), comparing
the MB CMS results with finite-element model (FEM) results and analytical ones.
It validates stress recovery from a multi-body analysis in the presence of stress concentration,
considering a rectangular plane filleted bar under bending load.

The following figure shows the stress concentration factor (Kt) for the normal stress, plotted against the
geometric dimensions of the part. The main test case properties are shown in table below the figure.
Material
Steel
Young Modulus
(N/m2)
2.1E11
D (m)
5.0E-2
d (m)
3.85E-2
r (m)
2E-3
s (m)
1.0E-2
M (N m)
1
In this example, Kt= 2.225, so the maximum nominal stress can be analytically evaluated as:
M
M d
6M
61
n = ----- = ----- --- = -----------2- = ----------------------------------------2- = 4.0479E + 05N m
W
J 2
sd
0.01 3.85E 2
and the maximum normal stress due to the stress concentration is:
max = K t n = 9.0065E + 05N m

The same problem was studied in a finite-element program (ANSYS 5.4) and a multi-body software
(Adams 9.2).
A planar FE model was realized using shell43 elements (7194 elements and 7369 nodes). Then, the
model was exported in Adams, creating an MNF with 26 modes (20 normal and 6 static correction
modes).
44 Adams/Durability
Both FE and MB models were loaded with the same conditions as in the analytical case. The modal
coordinateresulting from the MB analysis and the modal stress matrix were used to calculate the nodal
stresses.
The results of the comparisons between FEM and MB analysis are shown below:
Stress comparisons
(N/m2)
z xy
yz xz vonmises
ANSYS Node 408
-8.7086E+05 -4.0686E+04 0.0
1.4512E+05
0.0
0.0
8.8758E+05 2.1922
ANSYS Node 4040
-4.0492E+05 -0.0094E+04 0.0
-0.00678E+05 0.0
0.0
4.0487E+05
Adams Node 408
-8.5691E+05 -3.9986E+04 0.0
1.4284E+05
0.0
0.0
8.7340E+05 2.1640
Adams Node 4040
-4.0375E+05 -0.0302E+04 0.0
-0.00346E+05 0.0
0.0
4.0360E+05
Kt

46 Adams/Durability
About Test Data 69
About Test Data
70 Adams/Durability
Plotting Test Data
Plotting Test Data

Plotting Data
Once you've imported test data (whether physical or virtual), the source files appear in the
Adams/PostProcessor source list. Use the Source pull-down menu to select either RPC III Format or DAC
Format files to appear in the list. You can then plot data from a selected source file in the list.
If the source file is an RPC III file, Adams/PostProcessor displays a Channel list. If the source file is a
DAC file, Adams/PostProcessor displays a File Data list.
To plot test data after importing it, you can do one of the following:
1. Select the Surf check box and select data in the Channel or File Data list to see what the curve
looks like.
2. Clear the Surf check box.
3. Select Clear Plot to remove any curves in the plot area.
4. Select data in the Channel or File Data list, and then select Add Curves to display the curve.
Comparing Data
To graphically compare data:
1. Clear the Surf check box.
2. Select Clear Plot to remove any curves in the plot area.
3. Set Source to either RPC III or DAC format files.
4. Select the file from the source list.
5. Make a selection in the File Data list, and then select Add Curves to display the curve.
6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 to add more curves to the plot.
Importing Test Data

Test data can appear in RPC III Format or DAC Format. The steps involved in importing the data are
essentially the same regardless of the file format; however, it is important to remember that RPC III
format supports multiple channels per file while DAC format only has one channel per file.
To import test data:
1. In the Adams/PostProcessor window, from the File menu, point to Import, and then select either
DAC Files or RPC File as appropriate to display the File to Import dialog box.
2. Right-click the File to Read text box, and then select Browse to display the Select File dialog box.
3. Select one or more files and select OK.
About Test Data 71

Plotting Test Data
With DAC files, you may want to select multiple files because each file has only one result set.
You can use Shift+click or Ctrl+click multiple selection techniques.
4. Select OK in the File Import dialog box.
Adams/PostProcessor creates a DAC_FILE or RPC_FILE object below Root in the database after
you successfully import these files. Adams/PostProcessor only stores information about the
imported file from the file header. It does not store time history data in the database.
Adams/PostProcessor creates Result_Set_Component place holders below the file object for each
RPC III data channel or DAC file.
72 Adams/Durability
Using Test Data
Using Test Data

Applying Test Data
Once you reference test data using a spline, you use the INTERP function to apply the spline as a force
(torque) or motion.
Using an INTERP Function in a Force or Torque
To apply a spline to a force in a dynamic model, you modify the force and specify a function expression
that includes an INTERP function that references the spline. For example, to modify a single-component
force (SFORCE) to use test data that is scaled by -1000, follow the steps below.
To modify an SFORCE:
1. In your model, right-click the Force icon, point to Force:force_name or Torque:torque_name,
and then select Modify.
The Modify a Force dialog box appears.
2. In the F(time,...)= text box, enter the following function: where:
-1000 is the scale you need to apply to the spline data.
time is the independent variable that specifies what you are interpolating.
3 is the method of interpolation, which indicates cubic interpolation between data points. 1,
which indicates linear interpolation, is also a valid entry.

spline_name is the name of the referenced spline.
3. Select OK.
Note:
If you enter the function incorrectly, you receive an error when you select OK. Check your
function syntax carefully.
Tip:
You can specify any expression of time in the first argument of the INTERP function. For
example, you can have a spline that references test track data with a 110-second duration,
but only simulate the last 30 seconds of this data. The INTERP function in this case would
be:
INTERP(time+80, 3, spline_name)
In addition, you would set the simulation time from 0 to 30 seconds.
About Test Data 73

Using Test Data
Using an INTERP Function in a Motion

To apply a spline in any motion, you modify the motion and specify an INTERP function that references
the spline. For rotational motion, test data in DAC and RPC III files may be acquired in degrees, so you
would add a conversion from degrees to radians (DTOR) in your function expression because
Adams/Solver expects rotational motion in radians.
To modify a joint motion:
1. In your model, right-click the Joint motion icon, point to Motion:motion_name, and then select
Modify.
The impose Joint Motion dialog box appears.
2. In the F(time,...)= text box, enter one of the following functions:
For rotational motion: INTERP(time, 3, spline_name)*DTOR
For translational motion: INTERP(time, 3, spline_name), where:
time is the independent variable that specifies what you are interpolating.
3 is the method of interpolation, which indicates cubic interpolation between data points. 1,
which indicates linear interpolation, is also a valid entry.

spline_name is the name of the referenced spline.
DTOR is the degrees to radians conversion function.
3. Select OK.
If you enter the function incorrectly, you receive an error when you select OK. Check your
function syntax carefully.
Browsing RPC III or DAC Data

To assist you in defining a spline using RPC III or DAC file input, you can use the Database Navigator
to view file header or detailed data.
To view RPC III or DAC file headers:
1. Import the RPC III or DAC file. Learn how.
2. In Adams/View, from the Tools menu, select Database Navigator.
3. In the Filter area of the Database Navigator dialog box, use the pull-down menu to select All.
4. If necessary, widen the Database Navigator dialog box so that you can see the column that
specifies the type of object.
5. Select the object RPC_FILE or DAC_FILE.
6. Select OK to open an Information window.
7. If you havent selected it previously, select the Verbose check box, and then select Apply.
Tip: You must select the Clear button to erase the data in the Information dialog box. Closing the
dialog box leaves the data in the dialog box the next time you open it.
74 Adams/Durability
Using Test Data
8. When youre done, select the Close button.

To view RPC III or DAC file data:
1. If necessary, follow Steps 1 through 4 in the procedure above.
2. To expand the object to show the data in the file, double-click the object RPC_FILE or
DAC_FILE.
3. Select the desired data channel (note that DAC files only have a single data channel), and select
OK to open an Information window. This displays a summary of the data from the header. If you
want to see the actual data values continue with Step 4.
Warning: The entire channel of data appears in the dialog box. If the data has millions of data
points this could take a significant amount of time to load and display.
4. If you havent selected it previously, select the Verbose check box, and then select Apply.
Creating a Spline
You use a spline to reference time history test data in RPC III Format or DAC Format. Each spline that
you define uses one independent variable (time) and one dependent variable (or channel) from the DAC
or RPC III file. By definition, DAC files only contain one channel of data, while RPC III files can contain
multiple channels identified by an integer channel number.
This procedure provides a brief overview on how to create splines for use with Adams/Durability. Learn
more about data element Splines.
To create a spline:
1. From the Build menu, point to Data Elements, point to Spline, and then select General.
The Data Element Create Spline dialog box appears.
2. In the Spline Name text box, enter the name you want to use for your spline.
3. Right-click the File Name text box, and select Browse.
The Select File dialog box appears.
4. Select the DAC or RPC III file.
Because these files can have any file extension, Adams/View opens the file and reads the file
header to determine the file type during the verification stage of the simulation. If the file type is
RPC III, you must enter a valid channel number in the Channel text box. If no channel or an
invalid number is specified for RPC III spline data, Adams/View reports an error and stops the
simulation.
5. In the Channel text box, enter the channel number you want this spline to use.
Note:
The range of valid numbers is from 1 to the number of channels in the file.
6. Select OK.
About Test Data 75

Using Test Data
Adams/View creates a spline that references the physical test data from the channel in the file.
Note:
Adams/View ignores the Linear Extrapolate text box for splines that reference
DAC or RPC III files because Adams/Durability only allows constant

extrapolation of test data. In constant extrapolation, Adams/Durability uses the last
recorded value in the test file if the simulation extends beyond the duration of the
test in the file.
Adams/View ignores the Block Name text box for splines that reference DAC or
RPC III files.
Filtering Test Data

There are two ways to filter your test data stored in RPC III or DAC files:
Use the Curve Edit Toolbar in Adams/PostProcessor to modify the data once the file has been
imported and plotted in Adams/PostProcessor. For more information, see the

Adams/PostProcessor online help.
Use the standalone utility, durfilter, that is available from the Adams/Durability Toolkit.
Referencing Test Data

Here, you'll find information on the types of test data that you can input to Adams/Durability, and the
method for applying that data to an Adams model. When you input physical data to Adams/Durability,
you create a Spline data element and define the output channel used to record the data of interest.
Using Adams/Durability you can access test data in two formats:
RPC III Format
DAC Format
76 Adams/Durability
Using Test Data
Using the Adams/Durability Toolkit 77
Using the Adams/Durability Toolkit
78 Adams/Durability
Adams/Durability Toolkit
The Adams/Durability toolkit has three utilities for processing data or converting data from one format
to another. They are:
Durfilter - Filtering test data
MNF2FES - Creating FES files from MNF
RES2DUR - Processing Results files for Durability
To run the Adams/Durability toolkit from the program menu, enter adams2014 c durtk on Linux
systems or adams2014 durtk on Windows systems.
Creating FES Files from MNF

Using the MNF2FES tool in the Adams/Durability toolkit, you can create an nCode partial FES file that
can be used in an FE-Fatigue analysis from a Modal Neutral File (MNF). The MNF must contain either
stress or strain modes for a partial FES file to be created. The difference between a partial and full FES
file is that the full FES file contains material and loading information, while the partial FES only contains
stress or strain information that is independent of the loading history.
MNF2FES Format
Following is the format of the mfn2fes command under durtk:
mnf2fes MNFname [-b] [-e] [-n nodefile] [-o FESname] [-u units]
Arguments
Following are the arguments for the mnf2fes statement.
Argument:
Description:
MNFname
Specifies the name of the MNF to process.
-b
Specifies the binary FES file (.fes) switch.

Default: ASCII (.asc) format
-e
Specifies whether or not to create an FES file of strain data.

Default: Create a stress data FES file.
Note:
A stress FES file can be used in an E-N or S-N fatigue analysis, while an
FES file containing strains can only be used in an EN analysis.

Argument:
-n nodefile
Description:
Specifies the file name with a list of nodes to process. Only those nodes listed in this
file will have their stress or strain stored in the FES and therefore, processed by FEFatigue.
Default: All nodes in the MNF will be processed.
-o FESfile
Specifies name of the FES file to be created.

Default: Derive name of FES file from MNFname.
-u units
Specifies units of stresses to be stored in the FES (not needed with the -e option).
FES-supported units: MPA, PA, PSI, KSI, KGPA
Default: MPA
80 Adams/Durability
Filtering Test Data
Filtering Test Data

Arguments
Following are the arguments that can be used in your durfilter statement.
Argument:
Description:
inputfile
Specifies the name of the RPC III Format or DAC Format file to process, or the
prefix (job name) of a group of DAC files to process.
-b f1 f2
Specifies a band-pass filter. It takes two frequency values, f1 and f2, which are
specified in Hertz. Only frequencies between f1 and f2 are passed using this
filter option. Range: 0 < f1 < f2 <= Nyquist, where Nyquist is half the sampling
frequency of the data.
-c channels
Specifies the channels in an RPC III file to filter, or a group of DAC files to
filter. It takes one or more integer values separated by commas (,) or a colon
(:). These integer values represent specific channel IDs or a range of channel
IDs to process. This option is used in combination with the inputfile argument
to specify a set of DAC files to filter.
-d factor
Specifies the decimation factor to be applied to the test data. It takes one
integer value as the decimation factor. Decimation reduces the sampled rate of
the data by this factor. For example, a factor of 2 halves the number of data
points. A factor of 1 results in no change in the sample rate and this is the
default.
Range: factor > 0
-h freq
Specifies a high-pass filter. It takes one frequency value, freq, specified in

Hertz. Only frequencies above this cutoff frequency are passed.
Range:
0 < freq <= Nyquist, where Nyquist is half the sampling frequency of the data.
-l freq
Specifies a low-pass filter. It takes one frequency value, freq, specified in

Hertz. Only frequencies below this cutoff frequency are passed.
Range:
0 < freq <= Nyquist, where Nyquist is half the sampling frequency of the data.
-n order
Specifies the order of the filter to apply. It takes one integer value as the filter
order.
Default: order = 6. Range: order > 0.

Filtering Test Data
Argument:
Description:
-o outputfile
Specifies the file name for storing the filtered and/or decimated data. A default
output file name composed of inputfile and the filtered/decimated
specification will be given if you do not specify this option.
-s f1 f2
Specifies a band-stop filter. It takes two frequency values, f1 and f2, which are
specified in Hertz. Only frequencies before f1 and beyond f2 are passed using
this filter option.
Range: 0 < f1 < f2 <= Nyquist, where Nyquist is half the sampling frequency
of the data.
Channel Selection
Typically, a group of DAC Format files acquired from one experiment or test are named with a common
prefix representing the job name and a two- or three-digit suffix representing the channel ID before the
extension (.dac). To apply the same filter to all or a set of DAC files from the same test, you specify the
prefix or job name only in the inputfile argument and the channel IDs or range of channel IDs using the
-c channels option. These arguments will then be used to compose the input file names for durfilter to
process as <inputfile><channel_ID>.dac where channel_ID is one of the channel IDs specified.
For RPC III data, only the channels specified in the -c option will be filtered and written out if they exist.
Data Decimation
Decimation or downsampling can be an effective way of saving disk space or reducing the amount of
data that Adams/Solver needs to interpolate if the given set of data has been oversampled. It can also
result in aliasing, however, a form of corruption in digital data. To ensure that aliasing does not occur, the
maximum frequency in the data should be less than half the decimated data sample rate.
Decimation is performed after filtering (if both are specified) to ensure more effective downsampling of
the test data.
Data Filtering
You can only specify one filter option in the durfilter argument list. The transfer function coefficient form
of the MATLAB Butter function is used in each filter option. Also, a forward and backward pass is
always performed to ensure no phase shift is introduced in the data.
For example, to perform a 6th-order high pass Butterworth filter with a cutoff frequency of 13 Hz and
zero-phase shift on data sampled at 200 Hz, the following MATLAB syntax (or its equivalent) is used:
[b,a] = butter(6, 13/100, high);
y = filtfilt(b, a, x);
where:
82 Adams/Durability
Filtering Test Data
b is the vector of numerator filter design coefficients and a is the vector of denominator
coefficients of the transfer function.

x is the vector of test data
y is the vector of filtered data
6 is the specified filter order
13 is the specified cutoff frequency
100 is the computed Nyquist frequency (1/2 sampled rate)
In the transfer function coefficient form of the Butterworth filter, numerical problems can arise for filter
orders as low as 15. Filter orders between 6 and 8 should be sufficient for most applications.
Default Naming Convention of Filtered Files

If you do not specify the -o outputfile option, durfilter creates output file(s) of the filtered data with names
composed of the inputfile prefix and filter specifications as follows.
For high or low pass filters:
<inputfile><h|l><order>_<freq>_<d><factor>_<channel_id>.dac
For band pass or stop filters:
<inputfile><b|s><order>_<f1>_<f2>_<d><factor>_<channel_id>.dac
For RPC III Format data, the _<channel_id> is left off the default output file name and the extension is
.rsp.
Examples
Here are three examples of how to use durfilter.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 1
durfilter /disk/test/block.rpc b 1 60 n 8
All frequencies between 1 and 60 Hz are passed with an 8th-order filter on the data of each channel found
in the RPC III file /disk/test/block.rpc. Because no outputfile specification is provided, the filtered data
will be stored in file /disk/test/block_b8_1_60.rpc.
Example 2
durfilter rawdata c 7:12 l 120 d2 o filterdata

Filtering Test Data
A 6th-order low-pass filter is performed on the input DAC files in column 1 of the table shown below.
The filtered data is decimated by a factor of 2 and stored in the DAC files in column two of this table.
Input filename:
Output filename:
rawdata07.dac
filterdata07.dac
rawdata08.dac
filterdata08.dac
rawdata09.dac
filterdata09.dac
rawdata10.dac
filterdata10.dac
rawdata11.dac
filterdata11.dac
rawdata12.dac
filterdata12.dac
Example 3
durfilter beltest_ c 101,102,103,201,202,203 h 10 n 8
An eighth-order high-pass filter is performed on the input DAC files in column one of the table shown
below. Because no outputfile specification is provided, the filtered data is stored in DAC files with names
composed of the given filter specifications as shown in column two of this table.
Input filename:
Output filename:
beltest_101.dac
beltest_h8_10_101.dac
beltest_102.dac
beltest_103.dac
beltest_201.dac
beltest_202.dac
beltest_203.dac
Filtering Test Data (Durfilter)

You use the durfilter tool of the Adams/Durability toolkit to filtering test data stored in RPC III files or
in one or more DAC files. The durfilter tool is only accessible from the durtk selection code in the Adams
Program Menu. We recommend you filter your experimental data to remove unwanted frequencies
before input to Adams/Solver. durfilter uses the transfer coefficient function form of the Butterworth
digital filter from MATLAB. Four filter options are available:
band-pass
high-pass
low-pass
band-stop (or notch)
84 Adams/Durability
Filtering Test Data
A two-pass filter operation is performed to ensure zero-phase shift of the test data. Decimation of the test
data is also available in durfilter.
Format
Following is the format of the filtering command using durfilter:
durfilter
[ -b
[ -c
[ -d
[ -n
[ -o
inputfile
f1 f2 | -h freq | -l freq | -s f1 f2 ]
channels ]
factor ]
order ]
outputfile ]

Processing Results File for Durability

When FEMDATA statements, DACSAVE, or RPCSAVE OUTPUT options have been specified in the
.adm file, a results file is produced. This file contains only the results of the simulation that are necessary
to process the FEMDATA statements and/or DAC or RPC files. The format of the results file is Adams
XRF (XML Result File). This file is named after the Adams results file (run.res), and is not deleted
at the end of the simulation. Note that this results file format is platform independent.
When this results file is processed, a temporary file with the extension .rcf (Results Cache File) is
produced. This file maps the data contained in the results on disk, instead of in memory. This temporary
file is platform dependent. The name of the file is run_os.rcf, where run is the name of the results
file and os is the name of the operating system (irix32 for SGI IRIX, hpux11 for HP/UX, and so on). You
can safely delete this temporary file; however, note that it takes a considerable amount of time to
regenerate it from the results file. As long as it exists, any subsequent processing of the results file is
faster.
A standalone module called res2dur is available in the Adams/Durability toolkit for processing the
temporary results file.
RES2DUR Format
This utility is useful if you encounter a problem when processing the Durability output files (FEMDATA,
DAC, or RPC); for example, if an Adams/Durability license is not available at the end of a simulation.
To run this utility, execute the following at the command line in the Durability toolkit:
res2dur modelfile [resultsfile]
Arguments
Following are the arguments for res2dur:
Argument:
Description:
Argument:
Description:
modelfile
Specify the name of Adams/Solver model file (.adm file).
resultsfile
Specify the name of results file from the Adams/Solver run.

Default: Derive name from model file name.
Note:
The model file provides the output specifications for the FEMDATA and
REQUEST statements, as well as the OUTPUT options. The results file name
argument is optional. By default, the model file name is used.

Once the Durability output files have been successfully produced, you can safely
delete the temporary results files (.res and .rcf).
86 Adams/Durability
Examples 87
Examples
88 Adams/Durability
Tutorials and Examples
Tutorials and Examples

The following Adams/Durability examples are available:
Getting Started Using Adams/Durability
Examples of Adams/Durability features
Durfilter examples
Example of Bending Rectangular Filleted Bar
Dialog Box - F1 Help 1
Dialog Box - F1 Help
2 Adams/Durability
ANSYS Modal Export Dialog Box

Durability -> FE Modal Export -> ANSYS
Generates files you can use as input to a Modal Stress Recovery (MSR) analysis in ANSYS. A
customized version of ANSYS (ANSCUST) containing macros must be built to perform this MSR
analysis in ANSYS. The MSR macros and source code are found in the Adams release directory
install_dir/durability/ANSYS (where install_dir is the directory where Adams/Durability is installed).
Consult your ANSYS documentation for more information on building an ANSCUST executable.
Learn more about Exporting Data for ANSYS.
For the option:
Do the following:
Tips on Entering Object Names in Text Boxes.

Tips on Entering File Names in Text Boxes.
Flexible Body
Enter the name of the flexible body you want to analyze.
Output File
Enter the name of the output file you want to create.

Note:
(Export Option)
The file extension must be .out.
Select if you want to export modal coordinates or mode shapes.
If you select Modal Coordinates, Adams/Durability displays the following options:

Analysis
Enter the name of a previously run analysis.
Output Time Start/End
Specify the starting and ending time of the analysis you want to export. If you
do not specify a range, Adams/Durability exports the entire analysis.
Basis
Specify Orthonormalized or Unorthonormalized. If you dont know the

basis, select Unknown.
Note:
It is important for modal superposition that the modal coordinates

are in the same basis as the stress or strain modes. Which Basis
Option Should I Use?
Format
Specify the type of output file you want to create:

DAC: Adams/Durability creates multiple output files.
RPC III: Adams/Durability creates one file
Include Modal
Velocities
Select to include modal velocities along with modal deformations in the

.MDF file. If not selected, only the modal deformations are included in the
.MDF file.

For the option:
Do the following:
If you select Mode Shapes, Adams/Durability displays the following options:

Select Nodes
Select one of the following:

All: Exports the complete set of nodes.
From File: Exports a partial set based on a file. If selected, displays
the Node List File text box where you can specify the name of the
file that contains a list of specific nodes.
From List: Exports a partial set based on individual nodes. If
selected, displays the following additional text boxes:

Node to Add to List: Enter the node you want to add.
Node List: Displays the list of nodes as they are added.
Write to File: If you want to write this information to a file, select
this checkbox and then specify the name of the file to which you
want the information saved.
4 Adams/Durability
Compute Nodal Plot
Compute Nodal Plot

Durability -> Nodal Plots
Calculates nodal stress or strain values. These values can be used to generate X-Y plot displays of nodal
stress or strain time histories.
Learn more about Computing Stresses or Strains.
For the option:
Do the following:

Analysis
Flexible Body
Enter the name of the flexible body.
Select Node List
Displays the list of nodes as they are selected.
Node to Add to List
Enter one or more nodes on which to calculate stresses.

You can right-click the text box, and select Pick Flexbody Node. Then,
select a node by clicking on a position in the model.
As you pick the nodes individually, the Selected Nodes List text box
accumulates a list of all selected nodes.
Type Options
Select Stress or Strain.
Value
Select the value of stress or strain you want to calculate.
Reference Marker
Enter a coordinate reference marker in the model that will be used to

transform the stress or strain components. If not specified, stress or strain
values are plotted in the basic FEA coordinate system of the flexible body
(LPRF).
This option can be useful when correlating strain gauge data from a
physical test. If the orientation of the strain gauge does not match the FEA
coordinate system, you can reference a marker whose orientation does
match. The reference marker does not have to belong to the flexible body
and can be any marker in the model.
All six components of stress or strain (Sxx, Syy, Szz, Sxy, Syz, Szx) can be
affected by this coordinate transformation. Since values, such as von mises,
maximum principal or shear, are strain/stress invariants, these values will
not be affected by the coordinate transformation.

FE-Fatigue Export Dialog Box

Durability -> FE-Fatigue -> Export
Exports modal coordinates for subsequent FE-Fatigue damage analysis or FE modal superposition. You
can generate a partial FES file (nCode FE-Fatigue file format) suitable for Fatigue Life Prediction (FLP)
analysis when stress or strain blocks are present in the MNF.
Learn more about Exporting for nCode.
For the option:
Do the following:

Flexible Body
Job Name
Enter the name of the job you want to create. All files created in this
procedure will have this entry as the prefix.
Modal Coordinates
Select if you want to export modal coordinates

Analysis
Specify the starting and ending time of the analysis you want to export. If
you do not specify a range, Adams/Durability exports the entire analysis.
Basis
Specify Orthonormalized or Unorthonormalized. If you dont know the

basis, select Unknown.
Note:
It is important for modal superposition that the modal coordinates

are in the same basis as the stress or strain modes. Which Basis
Option Should I Use?
Format
Specify the type of output file you want to create:

DAC: Adams/Durability creates multiple output files.
RPC III: Adams/Durability creates one file
Include Modal Velocities
Select to include modal velocities along with modal deformations in the

.MDF file.
FES File
Select if you want to export to an nCode FES file.

Note:
When creating an FES file, the stresses are outputted in units

corresponding to the current modeling set of units for Force and
Length, providing they are supported by FES. List of FESSupported Units.
If you select FES File, Adams/Durability displays the following options:
6 Adams/Durability
For the option:

Format
Do the following:
Specify the format of the file you want to export:
ASCII: ASCII FES files can be easily viewed and edited, and are
portable between Windows and Linux platforms.

Binary: Binary FES files are smaller, but are not portable across
platforms.
Note:
Adams/Durability will attempt to comply with nCodes

requirements for a file name when creating the FES file. The
prefix of the FES file name will be the job name specified earlier.
The extension will be based on the Format option, .fes for
Binary and .asc for ASCII.
Stress/Strain
Specify whether you want to export stress or strain.
Select Nodes

All: Exports the complete set of nodes.
From File: Exports a partial set based on a file. If selected,
displays the Node List File text box where you can specify the
name of the file that contains a list of specific nodes.
From List: Exports a partial set based on individual nodes. If
selected, displays the following additional text boxes:

Node to Add to List: Enter the node you want to add.
Node List: Displays the list of nodes as they are added.
Write to File: If you want to write this information to a file,
select this checkbox and then specify the name of the file to
which you want the information saved.

FE-Fatigue Import Results File Dialog Box
FE-Fatigue Import Results File Dialog Box

Durability ->MSC.Fatigue -> Import
Imports MSC.Fatigue results for a flexible body into Adams. Results from an MSC.Fatigue analysis are
stored in a file called jobname.fef. Once imported, Adams/Durability can process these results and
postprocess them in Adams/PostProcessor. You can use the LIFE function to search the MSC.Fatigue
results and return the minimum life of the flexible body.
Fatigue Result
For the option:
Do the following:

Fatigue Results
Enter the name of the fatigue results file (.fef) that you want to import.
Flexible Body
Enter the name of the flexible body to which you want the results associated.
Analysis
Enter the name of a previously run analysis to which you want the fatigue results
associated. This text box is optional. If the analysis is not specified, the fatigue
results will be associated only with the flexible body and the results will be
available for all analyses.
This is useful for a duty-cycle fatigue analysis where more than one Adams
analysis set was used.
Note:
Once you have successfully imported MSC.Fatigue results (by completing this dialog
box), Adams/Durability adds additional options in the Plot Type menu of the Contours tab
(in Adams/PostProcessor). This allows you to specify the fatigue result to contour.
8 Adams/Durability
FE-Fatigue Import Universal Results File Dialog Box
FE-Fatigue Import Universal Results File Dialog Box

Durability ->FE-Fatigue -> Import
Imports your FE-Fatigue results. Once you've imported a universal file from FE-Fatigue,
Adams/Durability adds more Plot Type options (under Contours) to the Adams/PostProcessor. These
options are used for postprocessing nCode results.
For the option:
Do the following:

File Name
Enter the name of the results (.unv) file you want to import.
Flexible Body
Enter the name of the flexible body to which you want to associate the results.
Analysis
Optionally, enter the name of a previously run analysis to which you want the FEFatigue results associated. If you don't specify an analysis, Adams/Durability
associates the FE-Fatigue results to the flexible body, and makes it available for
the postprocessing of any Adams run.
Note:
Once you have successfully imported FE-Fatigue results (by completing this dialog box),
Adams/Durability adds additional options in the Plot Type menu of the Contours tab (in
Adams/PostProcessor). This allows you to specify the fatigue result to contour.

FE Part Output
FE Part Output
Durability -> FE Part Output
Allows you to specify the stress/strain channels on a FE Part that you want to plot. These values can be
used to generate X-Y plots of FE_Part stress or strain time histories.
The stress/strain can be computed either at one or more nodes on a FE_PART or one or more markers.
Once the Analysis, FE Part, Location and Marker/Node information is specified along with the
Stress/Strain option and type, Adams/Durability stores the stress or strain components in a FE_PART
result set for the specified analysis. It adds the following field to the Adams/View database for the FE
Part being analyzed:
FE_Part_name_STRESS.NodeName_Value
(for stress components)
FE_Part_name_STRAIN.NodeName_Value
(for strain components)
Where:
FE_Part_name is the name of your FE Part
NodeName is the FE Part node name whose stress or strain you are calculating
_Value is the value of stress or strain you're calculating
For the option:
Do the following:

Analysis
FE Part
Enter the name of the FE Part.
Location
Either Marker or Node can be selected from this option menu. That is, the stress
or strain values can be generated either at the selected nodes of the FE Part centreline or at specified markers.
Marker Name
This option is available only when Marker is selected in the Location option menu
above. You can enter one or more markers here.
Node Name
This option is available only when Node is selected in the Location option menu
above. You can enter one or more nodes on FE Parts here.
Type Options
Select Stress or Strain.
Value
Select the value of stress or strain you want to calculate.
10 Adams/Durability
Hot Spots Information Dialog Box

Durability -> Hot Spots Table
Provides a convenient method of generating a hot spot report on a body. It uses the HOT_SPOTS or
TOP_SPOTS user function depending on the option selected.
Learn more about Visualizing Hot Spots.
For the option:
Do the following:

Body
Enter the name of a flexible or rigid body.
Analysis
Enter the name of the analysis.
Type
Specify the value to be computed at each hot spot, and then select stress (for bodies
with a rigid stress object) or strain.
Radius
Enter the distance between hot spots. All nodes that fall within this radius are
candidates for the same hot spot. A value of 0.0 considers all nodes to be potential
hot spots.
Threshold/Count
Specify one of the following:

Threshold - Enter a threshold for hot spots. All spots that meet or exceed
this value are considered a hot spot.

Count - Enter the number of hottest spots to return.
Sort Order
Specify one of the following sorting options:

Absolute - The sign of the value is ignored when sorting hot spots. You
would use this option when only the magnitude is important, not the sign
or direction (in the case of stress or strain).
Maximum - Hot spots are ranked from maximum to minimum.
Minimum - Hot spots are ranked from minimum to maximum.
File Format
Specify one of the following:

HTML - Saves information to an HTML file viewable in a Web browser.
The information is displayed in the dialog box in HTML format.

Tab Delimited text - Saves information to a text file, with data separated
by tab characters. This format is convenient for importing the data into a
spreadsheet program.

For the option:
Do the following:
File Name
Optionally, enter the name of the file to which you want to save the information.
If no extension is given for the name, a default extension is used depending on the
File Format setting (.txt for tab-delimited text and .htm for HTML). Both file
formats can be displayed in Adams/PostProcessor (from the File menu, point to
Import, and then select Report).
Start
Optionally, enter the time in the analysis to begin checking for hot spots. The
default is the beginning of the analysis.
End
Optionally, enter the time in the analysis to stop checking for hot spots. The default
is the end of the analysis.
Base Font Size
Enter the font size of the information that is displayed in the report section of the
dialog box. You can change the font size before or after the data is displayed.
Report
Select to generate a report with hot spots information.
12 Adams/Durability
INTERP
INTERP
The INTERP function returns the iord derivative of the interpolated value of SPLINE/id at time=x. The
INTERP function supports time-series splines, which are splines that include a FILE argument that
specifies a time history file of type DAC or RPC III.
Format
INTERP (x, method, id [,iord])
Arguments
id
An integer variable that specifies the identifier of a SPLINE statement that you define in
the Adams/Solver dataset. The SPLINE id must reference time series data from a DAC
or RPC III file.
iord
An integer variable specifying the order of the derivative that Adams/Solver takes at the
interpolated point, and then returns through
INTERP.
Default: 0 (take no derivative)
Range: 0 < iord < 2
method
An integer variable that specifies the method of interpolation, either linear or cubic
interpolation.
Range: method = 1 (linear interpolation)
method = 3 (cubic interpolation)
A real variable that specifies the value of time, the independent variable along the x-axis
of the time series spline that is being interpolated.
Extended Definition
The INTERP function uses linear or cubic interpolation to create a function across a set of data points.
The data points are defined in a SPLINE statement in the Adams/Solver data deck. The SPLINE
statement with the FILE argument that you define in the Adams/Solver dataset must reference a time
series file of type DAC or RPC III. For more information on these file types, see Introduction to
Adams/Durability.
In general, the INTERP function with linear interpolation will not be a smooth function because, in
almost all cases, the function will be discontinuous in the first derivative. Therefore, the estimate of the
first derivative may be erroneous even though, by definition, the data points of a DAC or RPC time
history file are evenly spaced. In all cases, the second derivative of the function being approximated is
unreliable with linear interpolation.

INTERP
On the other hand, with cubic interpolation, the INTERP function will be continuous to the second
derivative. Therefore, we recommend that you use cubic interpolation, especially if first or second
derivatives of the function will be evaluated.
Examples
SPLINE/101
,FILE=test_data.rsp
,CHANNEL=9
SFORCE/1, I=409, J=109, TRANSLATION
,FUNCTION=INTERP(TIME,3,101)
The SFORCE statement defines a translational force that acts between Markers 409 and 109. The
SPLINE statement specifies that the discrete data used to interpolate the value of the SFORCE comes
from CHANNEL 9 of the RPC III file test_data.rsp.
The INTERP function references this spline, defines the independent variable to be simply, TIME, and
selects cubic as the method of interpolation.
14 Adams/Durability
MSC.Fatigue Export Dialog Box

Durability -> MSC.Fatigue -> Export
Exports Adams results as DAC time history files and/or launches MSC.Fatigue. Currently, only the
modal coordinates of flexible bodies are supported. You can combine these modal coordinate time
histories in MSC.Fatigue with the modal stresses from MSC.Nastran to compute stress time histories, and
ultimately, the life or damage of the flexible body.
Learn more about Exporting Data for MSC.Fatigue.
For the option:
Do the following:

Flexible Body
Job Name
Enter the name of the job you want to create. All DAC files will be
named with this prefix.
Modal Coordinates
Select if you want to export modal coordinates.
If you select Modal Coordinates, Adams/Durability displays the following text boxes:
Analysis
Specify the starting and ending time of the portion of the analysis you
want to export. If you do not specify a range, Adams/Durability exports
the entire analysis.
Run MSC.Fatigue
Select if you want to launch the MSC.Fatigue program.
If you select Run MSC.Fatigue, Adams/Durability displays the following text boxes:
Run Command
Enter the command on your system that starts MSC.Fatigue.

Note:
New/Old/XDB (Patran DB)
Currently, only MSC.Fatigue with MSC.Patran is supported;

therefore, enter the command that actually runs MSC.Patran.

New - Creates a new MSC.Patran database using an
MSC.Nastran BDF and OP2.

XDB - Creates a new MSC.Patran database using an XDB file.
Old - Opens an existing MSC.Patran database of the finite-
element model (FEM) of the flexible body.

Patran DB
Enter the name of the MSC.Patran database you want to create or open.
If you select New, Adams/Durability displays the following text boxes:

For the option:
Do the following:
Nastran BDF
Specify the file that contains the MSC.Nastran Bulk Data File that was
used to generate the Modal Neutral File (MNF) of the flexible body.
Nastran OP2
Specify the MSC.Nastran OP2 file that contains the modal stress or
strain data for the flexible body. This should be the .out file that was
used to generate the MNF of the flexible body or created in the same
run as the MNF using the ADMOUT option on the Nastran
AdamsMNF command.
If you select XDB, Adams/Durability displays the following text boxes:

Nastran XDB
Specify the MSC.Nastran XDB file that contains the MSC.Nastran

model and modal stress or strain data for the flexible body. This should
be the .xdb file that was created in the same Nastran run as the MNF
with the "PARAM,POST,0" Nastran card. For more information, see
Computing MSC.Nastran Stress/Strain Modes.
16 Adams/Durability
NASTRAN Modal Export Dialog Box

Durability -> FE Modal Export -> NASTRAN
Creates an .mdf file that can be referenced in a NASTRAN DMAP to recover dynamic stresses of the
flexible component in NASTRAN.
Learn about Exporting Data for NASTRAN.
For the option:
Do the following:

Flexible Body
Output File
Enter the name of the output file you want to create.

Note:
File Format
The file extension must be .out.

Output2: Saves the file as a binary file. This file can only be used
on a platform identical to that on which the file was created.

Punch: Saves as an ASCII file. This file is platform independent.
(Export Option)

Modal Coordinates: The modal coordinates are the modal
response of the flexible part per time step.

Unit Matrix: The Unit Matrix contains just the normalized unit
deformations of the mode shapes. This option allows you to apply

the normalized unit deformations of the mode shapes to your
NASTRAN bulk data file, run a stress analysis in NASTRAN, and
then view the stress modes of the flexible part in Patran. This is a
good debugging exercise to ensure that your stress modes make
physical sense.
Analysis
Specify the starting and ending time of the analysis you want to export. If
you do not specify a range, Adams/Durability exports the entire analysis.
Skip
Enter the number of steps you want to skip.

For the option:
Do the following:
Remove 1G deformation Select if you want to subtract static deformation from the transient results.
If selected, Adams/Durability removes the static component from the
dynamic stresses recovered in Nastran.
Include Modal Velocities Select to include modal velocities along with modal deformations in the
.MDF file.
18 Adams/Durability
Appendix
2 Adams/Durability
About Load Association Files (LAF)
About Load Association Files (LAF)

When exporting modal coordinates, Adams/Durability also creates an nCode load association file (LAF).
This file is named jobname.laf, where jobname is the job name specified in the FE-Fatigue Export
dialog box. The LAF is an ASCII file containing a list of the time history DAC files mapped to the modal
stress cases. This file is used by FE-Fatigue to automatically complete the Loading Input form for an FEFatigue job.
Appendix 3
Element Order
Element Order
When specifying the element order in the Create Rigid Stress dialog box, enter one of the following:
Linear - Sets linear element order for first-order elements.
Parabolic - Sets parabolic for second-order elements.
The following table identifies the effects of selecting different element types and orders:
Element
order:
Number
of nodes:
DOF per
node:
Linear
Limitations:
Element examples:
Generally stiffer elements that do

not represent bending or stresses
very accurately
Only translational forces can be
applied directly at the nodes.
Rotational forces must be
distributed along three or more
non-colinear nodes.
Parabolic
Tip:
10
Only translational forces can be

applied directly at the nodes.
Rotational forces must be
distributed along three or more
non-colinear nodes.
We recommend parabolic elements for stress recovery. Linear versions of these elements
are able to predict only a constant stress state in their element domain, therefore, requiring
much finer meshes than their parabolic counterparts.
4 Adams/Durability
Entering File Names in Text Boxes
Entering File Names in Text Boxes

To enter file names in text boxes, you can do either of the following:
Enter the file name directly in the text box.
Clear the text box and then double-click to open a selection window.
Right-click to either:
Search a database
Browse a database
Appendix 5
Entering Object Names in Text Boxes
Entering Object Names in Text Boxes

To enter object names in text boxes, you can do either of the following:
Enter the object name directly in the text box.
Clear the text box and then double-click to open the Database Navigator.
Right-click to either:
Pick an object shown on the screen.
Browse a complete list of available objects.
Choose from a product-generated list of guesses.
6 Adams/Durability
FES-Supported Units
FES-Supported Units
If the current unit settings of force and length do not match one of the rows in the table, a warning will
be issued and stresses will be written out to the FES file in the default units of MPa.
Force
Length
Stress
Newton
millimeter
Mpa
Newton
meter
Pascal
Pound
inch
PSI
Kilopound
inch
KSI
Kilogram
meter
kg/m2
Appendix 7
MSC.NASTRAN Input Deck
MSC.NASTRAN Input Deck

The following figure provides an example input data deck of type 1 stress recovery and how it compares
to the initial CMS input deck.
8 Adams/Durability
MSC.NASTRAN Input Deck Example
MSC.NASTRAN Input Deck Example

The example shown below demonstrates strain recovery type 1 by referencing the Output2 file (rod1.out)
from the initial modal analysis. The modal deformations file from Adams (rod1_bin.mdf) is in binary
(Output2) format. Only element strains and nodal displacements due to modal deformation are being
recovered. The chosen postprocessor to display the results is I-DEAS.
Appendix 9
Which Basis Option Should I Use?

It depends on the answers to the following series of questions:
1. What program created the FES file?
If Adams was used to create the FES file, the basis of the modal coordinates should be
orthonormalized. By definition, all modal information contained in the MNF is orthonormalized,
so modal stress strain data in an FES file created from Adams will always be orthonormal. Thus,
when choosing to create an FES file while exporting modal coordinates, the only valid option for
basis is orthonormalized.
If a program other than Adams was used to create the FES file, the modal stress data in the FES
file may not be orthonormalized, and the following question needs to be considered.
2. Did the FE program perform orthonormalization when the MNF was created?
If the answer to this question is yes, then the correct basis to use is still orthonormalized. If the
orthonormalization was not performed by the FE program (for example, the ANSYS MNF
interface does not support it), then specify the basis as unorthonormalized. If you dont know the
answer to this question, specify unknown for the basis and Adams/Durability will output the
modal coordinates to the basis that is compatible with the stresses from the FE program based on
the information contained in the MNF.
Note:
If you select to export to an FES file later in this procedure, the Basis text ox will
automatically change to Orthonormalized.
10 Adams/Durability
A
Adams/Durability
benefits of using 2
Adams/PostProcessor
comparing data 2
displaying stress/strain contours 8
importing test data 2
plotting data 2
plotting stresses/strains 8
ADMFORM parameter 4
Analysis
stress recovery 3
ANSYS
export dialog box 2
exporting for 3
Applying test data 4
Arguments for durfilter 4
B
Browsing data 5
Butterworth filter 5
C
Channel selection 5
CHECK parameter 4
Component mode synthesis 8
Computing stresses/strains
dialog box 4
procedure 7
Coordinate reference transformation 2
Creating a spline 6
Curve Edit toolbar 7
D
DAC format
exporting 7
overview 7
Data decimation 5
Data filtering 5
Demand-loaded library 2
Displaying stress/strain contours 8
Durfilter
2 Adams/Durability
about 7
arguments 4
channel selection 5
data decimation 5
data filtering 5
examples 6
format 8
naming conventions 6
E
Examples
durifilter 6
stress calculation 8
Exporting
ANSYS dialog box 2
ANSYS overview 3
MSC.Fatigue dialog box 13
MSC.Fatigue overview 4
NASTRAN dialog box 15
NASTRAN overview 5
nCode (FE-Fatigue) dialog box 5
nCode (FE-Fatigue) overview 6
RPC III or DAC 7
F
FE-Fatigue
export 5
FE-Fatigue
FE-Fatigue Import Universal Results File dialog box 7
MSC.Fatigue Import Results File dialog box 7
FEMDATA statement 7
in exporting 5
setting up 3
FES file
MNF2FES tool 2
nCode 6
Filtering test data
naming conventions 6
options
Data Filtering 5
Filtering Test Data 7
overview 7
Force
defining 2
H
Hot spots
HOT_SPOTS user function 3
information dialog box 9
I
Importing
FE-Fatigue results
FE-Fatigue Import Universal Results File dialog box 8
MSC.Fatigue Import Results File dialog box 7
test data 2
INTERP function
in motion 2
INTERP assist dialog box 11
using 4
L
Library
demand-loaded 2
LIFE user function 5
Load association file 6
Loading Adams/Durability plugin 3
M
MAX_STRESS user function 6
MNF2FES tool 2
Modal deformations file
reading 3
Model export
ANSYS 2
NASTRAN 15
Motion
defining 2
MSC.Fatigue
export 13
exporting for
Exporting Data for MSC.Fatigue 4
MSC.Fatigue Export dialog box 13
MSRMODE parameter 4
4 Adams/Durability
N
NASTRAN
exporting for 15
OP2 files 4
stress recovery 5
nCode
exporting for
Exporting Data for nCode 6
FE-Fatigue Export Dialog Box 5
Nodal stress components
dialog box 4
O
OUTPUT statement
about 3
in exporting 5
OUTPUT2 5
Outputting
FEM Data 3
requests 3
P
Parameters
ADMFORM 4
CHECK 4
MSRMODE 4
POST 4
RGBODY 4
Plotting
data 2
overview 2
stresses/strains 8
Plugin manager 3
POST parameter 4
Post-processing 3
R
Reading modal deformations file (MDF) 3
Referencing test data 7
Requests
REQUEST statement 3
setting up 8
RES2DUR tool 9
Results
importing
FE-Fatigue Import Universal Results File Dialog Box 8
MSC.Fatigue Import Results File Dialog Box 7
post-processing 3
processing with RES2DUR 9
RGBODY parameter 4
RPC III format
exporting 7
overview 7
S
Setting up requests 8
Simulating 9
Spline
about 4
creating 6
Starting Adams/Durability 3
Statements
FEMDATA 3
OUTPUT
setting up 3
REQUEST 3
Stress calculation example 8
Stress concentration evaluation 8
Stress recovery
analysis 3
background 8
NASTRAN 5
Type 1 5
Type 2 5
Stresses
computing overview (flexible bodies) 7
Stresses/strains
computing 7
displaying contours 8
plotting 8
Stressses
recovering on rigid bodies 10
6 Adams/Durability
T
Test data
applying 4
filtering 7
filtering options 7
referencing 7
TOP_SPOTS user function 7
transformation
coordinate reference 2
Type 1 stress recovery 5
Type 2 stress recovery 5
U
Unloading the Adams/Durability plugin 3
User functions
HOT_SPOTS 3
LIFE 5
MAX_STRESS 6
TOP_SPOTS 7
V
Validating model 9
W
What-if simulations 9

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Welcome to Adams/Durability 21

How You Benefit from Using Adams/Durability

Using Adams/Durability On Demand

channels, channel names, channel maximums, and channel minimums.

Loading the Adams/Durability Plugin

Performing Stress Recovery 25

Performing Stress Recovery

Stress Recovery in Adams/Durability

Stress Recovery in Adams/Durability

Performing Stress Recovery 27

Modal Stress Recovery

Reading Modal Deformations File (MDF)

Modal Stress Recovery

Example of Input File

Performing Stress Recovery 29

For building flex body (plate.dat)

For modal stress recovery (plate_msr.dat)

Modal transient analysis

Output data setting

DTI, UNITS, 1, KG, N, M, S

Geometry data is not needed

Stress on Flexible Bodies

Stress on Flexible Bodies

Computing Stresses or Strains

(for stress components)

FBname is the name of your flexible body

Performing Stress Recovery 31

Displaying Stress or Strain Contours

Plotting Stresses or Strains

Visualizing Hot Spots

Stress on Flexible Bodies

To display hot spots:

Performing Stress Recovery 33

Stress on Rigid Bodies

velocity of the part's local reference frame (LPRF).

Stress on Rigid Bodies

Exporting Data Using Adams/Durability

Exporting Data Using Adams/Durability

Exporting Data for ANSYS

Exporting Data for MSC.Fatigue

Exporting Data for MSC.Fatigue

To export data for MSC.Fatigue:

Exporting Data for NASTRAN

Exporting for nCode

Exporting to RPC III or DAC

6. Select OK in the File Export dialog box.

7. Select OK in the File Export dialog box.

9. Select Close in the Solver Settings dialog box.

Simulating the Model

Simulating the Model

Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver 57

Using Adams/Durability with

Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver

Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver

Setting Up a Motion or Force

Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver 59

Setting Up and Outputting FEM Data

Setting Up and Outputting Requests

Using Adams/Durability with Adams/Solver

About User Functions 61

About User Functions

About User Functions 63

About User Functions 65

About User Functions 67