Introduction to ANSYS

How to “Start” ANSYS Software

Two ways:
1. Open by clicking “Mechanical APDL ANSYS” in Start Menu
2. Open by first clicking “Mechanical APDL Product Launcher” – preferred

Folder’s Name

Name of File or Project or Job

•Two windows will open: (i) Main window and (ii) Output window
 ANSYS – Mechanical APDL : Main Window

• Utility Menu
The Utility Menu contains functions that are available throughout the ANSYS
session, such as file controls, selections, graphic controls and parameters.
• Input Line
The Input Line shows program prompt messages and allows you to type in
commands directly  will not be using in this course.
• Toolbar
The Toolbar contains push buttons that execute commonly used ANSYS commands.
More push buttons can be added if desired.
 ANSYS – Mechanical APDL : Main Window

• Main Menu
The Main Menu contains the primary ANSYS functions, organized by preprocessor,
solution, general postprocessor, design optimizer. It is from this menu that the vast
majority of modeling commands are issued we will be using this a lot in this course
• Graphics Window
The Graphic Window is where graphics are shown and graphical picking can be
made. It is here where the model and the ensuing results can be viewed graphically.
 ANSYS – Mechanical APDL : Output Window

•The Output Window shows text output from the program, such as listing of
data etc.
•It is usually positioned behind the main window and can be put to the front if
necessary.
 ANSYS - Interface

Graphical Interface vs. Command File Coding

There are two methods to use ANSYS.

1. The first is by means of the graphical user interface or GUI. This method follows
the conventions of popular Windows based programs.
2. The second is by means of command files. The command file approach has a
steeper learning curve for many, but it has the advantage that an entire analysis
can be described in a small text file. This approach enables easy model
modifications and minimal file space requirements.

 In this course, we will use only GUI approach. Much easier as starter.
 Saving and Recalling Job
Saving Job
• It is good practice to save model at various points during its creation. Very often
one gets to a point in the modeling where things have gone well and one likes to
save it at the point. In that way, if some mistakes are made later on, one can at
least be able to come back to this point.
• To save the model, select Utility Menu Bar -> File -> Save As Jobname.db. The
model will be saved in a file called jobname.db, where jobname is the name that is
specified in the Launcher when ANSYS was started at first.

Recalling or Resuming a Previously Saved Job

• To recall and continue a previous job, the following two methods can be used:
1. Using the Launcher...
In the ANSYS Launcher, specify the previously defined jobname.
Then when the ANSYS is started, select Utility Menu -> File ->
Resume Jobname.db.
This will restore as much of the database (geometry, loads, solution,
etc.) that was saved previously
2. Start ANSYS and select Utility Menu -> File -> Resume from... and select
the job from the list that appears.
Files Created in the “jobname.db” Containing Folder
•A large number of files are created when ANSYS is run. If the specified name of the file is
“jobname”, say “Frame”, then the created files will all have the file prefix, Frame again with
various extensions:

frame.db
Database file (binary). This file stores the geometry, boundary conditions and any
solutions.
frame.dbb
Backup of the database file (binary).
frame.err
Error file (text). Listing of all error and warning messages.
frame.out
Output of all ANSYS operations (text). This is what normally scrolls in the output window
during an ANSYS session.
frame.log
Logfile or listing of ANSYS commands (text). Listing of all equivalent ANSYS command
line commands used during the current session.
etc...
Depending on the operations carried out, other files may have been written. These files
may contain results, etc.
 Solving Problem with ANSYS: A Truss-Bridge
Problem
Problem Statement
 Same problem that we solved in class  Chapter 5
6000 lb

40 in 40 in
4000 lb

40 in

2000 lb

E = 1.5 x 107psi
2000
lb
 We will solve it in SI unit!
Choose Preference
Structural + h-method
 Selection of “Element” or “Method” type

• In Academic version, only one element/method type available – i.e. h-method (or
h-element); however, one may find another option in full versions – i.e. p-method (p-
element)

P-elements have a different mathematical formulation than h-elements.

•p-elements have shape functions with variable polynomial order. Convergence is
achieved by increasing the polynomial order for a given mesh.
•h-elements have a fixed shape function polynomial. Convergence is achieved by
refining the mesh in regions where higher accuracy is needed.
•p-elements can capture more complex behavior with a coarser mesh than h-
elements, but are more resource intensive, both computer memory and disk
space.
•With p-elements, the user is not responsible for manually designing an accurate
mesh.
•In ANSYS, p-elements cannot be mixed with h-elements and p-elements must be
higher-order.
Choose Element
• Preprocessor  Element type  Add/Edit/Delete
• Add
• Link  3D finite link 180 (LINK 180 known as spar element also, good for
trusses, can take axial load with 3 DOF at each node)
Section Area
• Preprocessor  Sections Link
• Add Link Section with ID = 1
• Area = 0.000645 (default units are in m2 i.e. SI)
Materials Properties
Preprocessor  Materials Props Material Models
Structural  Linear  Elastic  Isotropic
Ex = 1.0342e11 (Young’s Modulus)
PRXY = 0 (Poisson’s Ratio – treating it as 1-D problem)
Create Geometry (Modeling) Serial X (m) Y(m)
1. Create key points Number
on Working Plane 1 0 0
2 0 1.016
3 1.016 0
4 1.016 1.016
5 2.032 0
6 2.032 1.016

Co-ordinates in x,y format

Enter to finish
Apply for entering next
Create Geometry (Modeling)
2. Create  Lines  Straight Line
Choose two points by clicking on the Key-Points to form a line

Select key-points
Meshing
Preprocessor  Meshing Size Cntrls (controls)  Lines  All Lines
No of Elements = 1 (i.e. each link becomes one element)

Choose mesh
Meshing
Preprocessor  Meshing Mesh Lines
Choose the lines (This will make each link as an element)
Applying Displacement Boundary Conditions
Preprocessor  Loads Apply  Structural  Displacement
Choose on nodes
Select Nodes by cursor that has known displacements (in this case
nodes 1 and 4)
Press OK
Applying Displacement Boundary Conditions
Select all DOF
Choose “0” as the given value  i.e. these two nodes have no displacement or
rotation in any direction
Applying Force Boundary Conditions
Preprocessor  Loads Apply  Structural  Force/Moment
Choose on nodes
Select Nodes by cursor that has known forces of same value
Press OK
Applying Force Boundary Conditions
Give the following forces by choosing if it is FX or FY
Node FX (N) FY(N)
Number
2 -8896.44
3 8896.44
6 17792.8865 26689.3297

One component
at one node at a
time
Check if the model is fine to go to solution stage
Plot  Multi Plots
The picture should show all loads, boundary conditions, elements,
nodes, etc.
Choose the Analysis Type
Preprocessor  Loads Analysis Type  New Analysis
Choose static
Solving the Model
Solution  Current LS
Choose OK

Solution Done!
Reading Results
General PostProc (Post Processing)  Read Results  Last Set
read the final set of results
Plotting/Listing Results
General PostProc  Plot Results  Deformed Shape
Choose Def+ Undef Edge
• We should be able to see the deformed shape superimposed on the un-
deformed edge

deformed

Un-deformed

• Ask question: Does this make sense? Does it satisfy the “obvious” boundary
conditions and physical movements of the nodes where forces were applied?
Plotting/Tabulating Results
General PostProc  List Results  Nodal Solutions
Choose Nodal Solutions  DOF Solution  whichever you want!

New console window 

Plotting/Tabulating Results
General PostProc  List Results  Reaction Solution
Choose All Struc Force F
 Comparison with Hand Calculated Results
ANSYS HAND Error
CALCULATIONS CALCULATIONS (%)
Node Ux (m) Uy (m) Ux (inch) Uy(inch) Ux (inch) Uy(Inch) Ux Uy
1 0 0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0 0
0.04023 0.00867
2 5.42E-04 1.04E-03 0.0213 0.0408 0.0213 0.0409 8 4
0.02706 0.01926
3 -4.07E-04 1.17E-03 -0.0160 0.0462 -0.0160 0.0462 7 3
4 0 0 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0 0
0.01679 0.00671
5 1.08E-03 3.81E-03 0.0427 0.1501 0.0427 0.1501 2 3
ANSYS HAND Error
0.08716 0.00369
6 CALCULATIONS
-1.36E-04 4.22E-03 -0.0053 0.1661 CALCULATIONS
-0.0053 0.1661 (%) 1 7
Node fx (N) fy (N) fx (lbs) fy (lbs) fx (lbs) fy (lbs) fx fy
1 -53379 -17793 -12000.1 -4000.0 -12000 -4000
2 0 8896.4 0.0 2000.0 0 -2000
3 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0
4 26689 0 5999.9 0.0 6000 0
5 -8896.4 0 -2000.0 0.0 2000 0
6 -17793 -26689 -4000.0 -5999.9 4000 6000

purple are the reaction force

ANSYS modeling was correct!

And “may be” faster even for this simple problem!