R16 Structural

Mechanics
An overview

Pierre THIEFFRY
January 2015
1

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Fabricated Structures

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

R16 brings to high efficiency the modeling of

fabricated structures to the same level f 3D
modeling
R16 offers a new highly
automated process that
leverages faster transfer
from geometry, new
meshing algorithms,
parallel meshing and
efficient mesh
connections.

Courtesy Bardella
4

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Typical workflow removes the need for shared topology

and favors the use of imprints, resulting in faster
transfer from geometry to Mechanical

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Since all parts are imported separately, parallel part-bypart meshing can be used to speed-up the meshing
process

The tree view

can now be
organized in
folders to
better manage
long lists of
parts
6

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Shell meshing benefits improved quad meshing

algorithms

Default settings,
R15 algorithms

Fixed setting,
new R16
algorithms

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Mesh connections are automatically

detected similar to contacts and are used
to ensure coincident nodes at edges
Connectivity
shows disjointed
faces

After connections,
model is properly
connected
8

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Node merge operations can also be

used to join parts, including mixed
topologies

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Element quality can now be displayed on

the mesh

Probe
element
values

10

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Find Min
or Max
value

Display
mesh
contours

Move node option allows for local adaption

of node location to manually improve mesh
quality

11

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Welds can be added to a surface model to

connect parts
Seam welds

Skip welds

12

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Welds and other parts are connected

using mesh connections

13

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Detach operation can be used to split surface bodies

in multiple surfaces for better local control of mesh or
easier geometry changes (orientations, defeaturing )

Mesh independent
faces with parallel
meshing
14

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Beam Stress Contour gives full solution of the beam,

including maximum/minimum stress values on the
outer surface of the beam structure
Maximum Normal
Stress

Minimum Normal
Stress

15

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Contact

16

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Improve contact stiffness updates makes

contact analysis more robust and faster than
before
Model

Reduction in
Iterations

Stent
Bracket

162 Iterations

121 iterations

25%

Hyperelastic Hose

1252 Iterations

756 Iterations

40%

Thin walled offshore structure

952 Iterations

743 Iterations

22%

Wire bending

1002 Iterations

836 Iterations

17%

Cable Hose

377 Iterations

176 Iterations

53%

Wiper Slipstick

809 Iterations

165 Iterations

80%

Sprayer
Piston

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

R16

Electronics component

17

R15.0.7

January 26, 2015

Failed
Failed
Failed
Failed

General contact helps automatically

identifies all possible contact, thus
minimizing human errors.

18

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Enhancements in contact surface wear

modeling provides more accurate wear results
and allow for automated remeshing and
automated termination of the simulation

Max. Contact Pres.

Crit. Stop
Value

Analysis
Terminates
Automatically

Time

19

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

19

Contact trackers can be added even after

the solution has been computed

20

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Productivity

21

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Continuous improvements to the user

interface are required to save users time
As simulations involve
always larger models
made of dozens,
hundreds of parts, it is
necessary for the user
to be able to easily
create, manage and
and navigate through
complex models.

22

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Assemblies

23

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Improved assembly management allows for

import of more details of the model and
improves data management in the simulation
tree

24

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Users can now quickly preview the

orientation of the different parts,
allowing you to re-position your subassemblies if needed.

25

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Significant performance improvement have

been made in Model Assembly agorithms for a
speedup of 2-3x compared to prior releases.
Bodies Nodes

26

Element

Time(R15 / R16)

Speedup

Model 1

589

2253704

993545

06:53 / 2:31

2.7

Model 2

29

481916

284770

04:30 / 0:35

7.7

Model 3

10

339787

216929

01:54 / 0:53

2.1

Model 4

648

6335506

3457549

10:52 / 3:57

2.7

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Parallel contact detection speeds up model load

time significantly for large assemblies

358 parts, 793 contacts

found
Using machine w/4 CPU
Automatic contact detection
time: 6 seconds with R16,
46 seconds with R15

27

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Graphical and view tools

28

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Object Grouping allows the user to create folders to

logically group loads and coordinate systems to make
the tree more manageable

29

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

New Details View Property to Control

MAPDL Solver Pivot Error Checking

Also includes an Options panel setting

for default on all future databases.

30

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Graphical exploding of parts helps with

selections and visualization of hidden parts

Slider Bar to Dynamically Explode

31

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Annotations follow the Geometry

Tree Filtering has been expanded to filter

based on Visible Bodies

Full Tree and All Bodies Visible

RMB shortcuts
allow for fast
filtering based
on visible bodies
or display of
bodies from
filtered tree
3 Bodies Visible with tree filtered
based on Visible Bodies
32

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Duplicate/Copy/Paste options for Named Selection

worksheet help faster creation of complex selections
Copy sets the row that will be pasted elsewhere.
This also enables the Paste Above/Below buttons.

33

Paste Above

Paste Below

Places a clone of your copied row above the

row you have right-clicked

Places a clone of your copied row below the

row you have right-clicked

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Multiple items in the Tree can be renamed at

once
When an item is selected in the tree, you can press F2 or click Rename (F2) to rename that item.

As of P3, when multiple items are selected, you can now rename these items all at once in the same way. Selecting
this option will launch the batch rename dialog.

Inside, you can enter the new name that your selected items will share.
You can also choose whether the items will have numbers appended sequentially to them.
34

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Pictures are easily capture from new

toolbar menu, context menu or simply
Ctrl+C

35

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Conservative Mapping

36

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Motivation
When importing forces
from an external source,
it is important to
accurately capture
resulting forces, which is
generally not the case if
non-conservative
algorithms are used.

37

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

External data now allows to use

conservative algorithm while importing
loads to better match resulting forces

38

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Example conservative mapping

Profile Preserving

Force Reaction

39

CFD

Rx

Ry

Rz

RTotal

CFD

13.904

10.082

-372.99

373.38

Profile Preserving

22.231

2.1930

-369.22

369.89

Conservative

14.375

1.4483

-368.72

369.00

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Conservative

Total Deformation using Conservative matching

with CFD transfers

Composites

40

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Advanced Challenges in the simulation of

composites products

carbon.at
Complex shapes, degradation
of material properties due to
manufacturing are adding
complexity to the modeling of
composites parts yet need to
be captured to improve the
accuracy of simulation
models.
americascup.com

41

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

New solid model geometry cut-off lets

you define arbitrary cut-outs in your
structured solid composite models

42

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Shear, Temperature, and Degradation Factor

Dependant Material Data lets you model
imperfections of composites

Carbon-epoxy cross-section showing voids

(Prof IM Daniel, Northwestern University, USA)

43

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Composite draping: shear and wrinkling

(Dr M Sutcliffe, University of Cambridge, UK)

Degradation Field and Draping Simulation include the

effect of draping shear and manufacturing artifacts on
the material properties

(a)

(c)

(b)

(d)

(a) Model without imperfections showing a safe design

(b) Draping effect indicates potential issue in the bottom right corner
(c) Temperature effect shows critical areas in in the root and notch regions
(d) Degraded material properties, the critical regions extend clearly (red areas).
44

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

ACP Plies imported into Mechanical

provides better overview of model
contents

45

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Analysis plies can be displayed as

hierarchy or flat view

Analysis Plies showing ACP Hierarchy of

Modeling and Production Ply Groups

46

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Flat List of all Analysis Plies

Display of Single Ply Information

Toggle Fiber Direction and Element Normal

Select a single ply in Tree

Detailed View updates with ACP

imported information of single Ply

Highlight Elements in Pink

Showing Fiber Direction and Element Normal

Can display Transverse direction also when
enabled

47

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Display of Fiber Stresses in a Ply

Use arrow key to

navigate between ply
results

Pick a Ply and change CSYS

48

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Ability to change Position in a Ply

Display of Stresses in a Layer

Stress in Solution CSYS of a given layer

Past R16.0 and MAPDL Behavior preserved
Past 16.0 databases resume only with Layers

49

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Material Failure

50

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Motivation
Engineers need to
investigate the
consequences of cracks
appearing in a product
from the
manufacturing process
or from fatigue to avoid
early failure of the
product possibly in an
easy way.

51

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Inclined Cracks

52

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

New object Crack Coordinate System

Created automatically by the meshing
process
Is a child of the Crack object.
Cannot be modified directly or used
elsewhere in the model
Used in the MAPDL input file, graphics
annotations, and fracture calculations
associated with a given crack.

53

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

New Properties on the Crack Object

Align with face normal:

Specifies whether the Crack

Coordinate Systems X-Axis will be

aligned with the face normal of the
nearest surface. Defaults to Yes.

Project to nearest surface:

Specifies whether the Crack

Coordinate Systems origin will be

projected to a point on the nearest
surface. Defaults to Yes.

Crack annotations for

inclined crack

54

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Crack mesh for inclined

crack in X-Z plane

Unstructured Mesh Method (UMM)

55

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

UMM - Unstructured Mesh Method

The unstructured mesh method (UMM) is a numerical tool used
to improve the accuracy of fracture mechanics parameter
calculations for unstructured hexahedral meshes and
tetrahedral meshes.
The accuracy of the resulting parameters is generally
comparable to that of the parameters evaluated using
structured hexahedral meshes.

56

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Comparing J-integrals, Hex vs UMM

A turbine blade geometry
2 in Radius crack, penny
shape
Hex Mesh

J-Integral at Contour 3
and 4 is plotted
The results are almost
indentical
Tet mesh allows the user
to easily define complex
crack shapes
Higher tet mesh fidelity
increases accuracy of
results
57

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Poor Results without UMM

Tet Mesh

A Fracture Analysis Guide is now available

58

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Elastomers

59

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Adaptive remeshing in Mechanical

60

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Adaptive remeshing is now supported in

Mechanical for static structural analysis

Multiple NLAD regions allow user to define

different criteria simultaneously
61

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Results are plotted over changing mesh

Initial
mesh

62

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

First remesh
during solve

January 26, 2015

Second
remesh
during solve

Third remesh
during solve

Adaptive remeshing is monitored in the

regular convergence chart

Additional column in
tabular data window
indicates when mesh
is changed

63

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Example application: connector seal

Mesh is refined where needed during the solution process

64

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Material Force For Elastomers

65

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Motivation and Overview

Material forces are used to determine

fracture mechanics parameters of rubber
material

66

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Material forces can be

seen as the driving
forces acting on any
kind of inhomogeneity,
including crack tips.
Calculations are
performed similar to
regular fracture
parameters with a
special option for
material forces.
67

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Thermal Fluid Flow

68

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Thermal Fluid Flow analysis

Thermal Fluid Flow analysis is
equivalent to a reduced-order modeling
for a Computational Fluid Dynamic
(CFD) analysis with a one-dimensional
fluid flow.
This analysis allows to solve the models
not only in full 3D environments but
also for 2D-plane and 2D-axisymmetric
cases.
Heat flow is generated by the
conduction within the fluid and the
fluid mass transport.

69

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Thermal Fluid Flow uses line bodies with

Thermal Fluid properties analysis
activation

The Fluid Cross Area new property will

appear to allow modifying the default
Cross Section Area value downloaded
from the geometry application .
The Discretization new property will
allow to set the specific element shape
functions algorithm for FLUID116 .
70

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Thermal fluid sample model

71

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Nonlinear Base Eigenvalue Buckling

72

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Buckling loads can be computed considering

nonlinearities in the model, with or without
additional loads

73

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Nonlinear Base Eigenvalue Buckling

Unlike linear buckling, load multiplier is calculated for incremental loads
applied after static solution considering nonlinearity.
Ultimate buckling load of the nonlinear buckling is calculated as follows:

Fbuckling = Frestart + Fperturbed

Fbuckling

ultimate buckling load

Frestart

load applied at start point

Fperturbed

incremental load applied in buckling given prestressed

effect resulted from

74

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

load multiplier
January 26, 2015

Frestart

Eigenvalues can be computed based on the

prestress loads or with incremental loads

Fbuckling = Frestart + Frestart

Fbuckling = Frestart + Fperturbed

75

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Rotating Machines

76

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Motivation
Mistuning, off-balance of
disks and/or shafts have
a significant impact on
dynamic behaviors of
rotor machinery.
In order to meet
standard and
specifications, designers
have to take these
effects into account.

77

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Unbalanced Harmonic Response of

Rotordynamics is now available in Mechanical

Right bearing stretch due to unbalanced

masses in disks for each frequency step

78

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Small blade-to-blade variations due to manufacturing tolerances

and wear, produce large uncertainty in the forced response levels
of bladed discs. Mistuning modeling is now available in R16.

*dim,kmist,array,22,1
kmist(1,1) = 0.01,0.015,0.01,0.015
cycfreq,BLADE,interface,bladeelem,20,,,
cycfreq,MIST,K,kmist

Tuned
79

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Mistuned (either for

stiffness or mass)

And there is much more

80

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

check the Release Notes!

81

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015

Think also of the Technology Demonstration

Guide

82

2015 ANSYS, Inc.

January 26, 2015