Chapter

Chapter 3: 3: FiniteFinite Element

Element InputInput
Data Data

When using English units if the weight density of steel is entered as RHO = 0.3 lb/in3, using
PARAM,WTMASS,0.002588 converts the weight density to mass density for the acceleration
of gravity g = 386.4 in/sec2. The mass density, therefore, becomes 7.76E-4 lbf-sec2/in4. If the
weight density of steel is entered as RHO = 80000 N/m3 when using metric units, then using
PARAM,WTMASS,0.102 converts the weight density to mass density for the acceleration of gravity g
= 9.8 m/sec2 . The mass density, therefore, becomes 8160 kg/m3 .
PARAM,WTMASS is used once per run, and it multiplies all weight/mass input (including CMASSi,
CONMi, and nonstructural mass input). Therefore, do not mix input type; use all mass (and mass
density) input or all weight (or weight density) input. PARAM,WTMASS does not affect direct input
matrices M2GG or M2PP (see “Direct Matrix Input” ). PARAM,CM2 can be used to scale M2GG;
there is no parameter scaling for M2PP. PARAM,CM1 is similar to PARAM,WTMASS since CM1
scales all weight/mass input (except for M2GG and M2PP), but it is active only when M2GG is also
used. In other words, PARAM,CM1 is used in addition to PARAM,WTMASS if M2GG is used.

NX Nastran Mass Input

Mass is input to NX Nastran via a number of different entries. The most common method to enter
mass is using the RHO field on the MATi entry. This field is assumed to be defined in terms of mass
density (mass/unit volume). To determine the total mass of the element, the mass density is multiplied
by the element volume (determined from the geometry and physical properties). For a MAT1 entry, a
mass density for steel of 7.76E-4 lbf-sec2/in4 is entered as follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
$MAT1 MID E G NU RHO A TREF GE
MAT1 2 30.0E6 0.3 7.76E-4

Grid point masses can be entered using the CONM1, CONM2, and CMASSi entries. The CONM1
entry allows input of a fully coupled 6x6 mass matrix. You define half of the terms, and symmetry is
assumed. The CONM2 entry defines mass and mass moments of inertia for a rigid body. The
CMASSi entries define scalar masses.

Nonstructural Mass
An additional way to input mass is to use nonstructural mass, which is mass not associated with the
geometric cross-sectional properties of an element. Examples of nonstructural mass are insulation,
roofing material, and special coating materials. Nonstructural mass is input as mass/length for line
elements and mass/area for elements with two-dimensional geometry. Nonstructural mass is defined
on the element property entry (PBAR, for example).

3.3 Damping Input

Damping is a mathematical approximation used to represent the energy dissipation observed in
structures. Damping is difficult to model accurately since it is caused by many mechanisms including
• Viscous effects (dashpot, shock absorber)

• External friction (slippage in structural joints)

• Internal friction (characteristic of the material type)

3-8 Basic Dynamic Analysis User's Guide

 Finite Element Input Data

• Structural nonlinearities (plasticity, gaps)

Because these effects are difficult to quantify, damping values are often computed based on the
results of a dynamic test. Simple approximations are often justified because the damping values
are low.

Viscous and Structural Damping

Two types of damping are generally used for linear-elastic materials: viscous and structural. The
viscous damping force is proportional to velocity, and the structural damping force is proportional to
displacement. Which type to use depends on the physics of the energy dissipation mechanism(s) and
is sometimes dictated by regulatory standards.
The viscous damping force fv is proportional to velocity and is given by

Equation 3-6.
where:

b = viscous damping coefficient

= velocity

The structural damping force fs is proportional to displacement and is given by

Equation 3-7.
where:

G = structural damping coefficient

k = stiffness
u = displacement
i =
(phase change of 90 degrees)

For a sinusoidal displacement response of constant amplitude, the structural damping force is
constant, and the viscous damping force is proportional to the forcing frequency. Figure 3-2 depicts
this and also shows that for constant amplitude sinusoidal motion the two damping forces are equal
at a single frequency.
At this frequency,

Basic Dynamic Analysis User's Guide 3-9