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MD Nastran 2010

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Main Index
Cont ent s
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Table of Contents
Preface to the MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide x
A Word About Prerelease Features xi
List of Books xii
Technical Support xiii
Internet Resources xiv
1 Overview of MD Nastran 2010
Overview 2
2 Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Overview 8
Thermal Contact 11
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation 20
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis 27
3 Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear Analyses in SOL 400
44
4 Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Outline of New SOL 400 RC Network Solver Capabilities 60
RC Network Solvers 61
Advanced Radiation Features 67
MD Nastran 2010
Release Guide
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide

iv
Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and Primitives 74
Convection Correlations 80
Coating and MLI Materials 84
RC Network Thermal Contact 89
User-Defined Routines 92
5 Fluid Structure Interaction in SOL 400
OpenFSI 100
6 Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
Offsets for Beams and Shells 136
Segment-to-Segment Contact 145
Automated Bolt Modeling 151
Load Stepping Robustness 163
Additional Output Control with NLOPRM SOL 400 166
Nonlinear Solution Statistics (STS) File 168
Large Displacement Grid Point Weight Generation (GPWG) 169
User Subroutines 170
User Defined Module Service UDMSRV 171
7 Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Introduction 174
New Capabilities in Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700) 174
DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler 175
Guidelines in Using SOL 700 FSI DMP 183
Limitations 184
Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA 186
New Material Models 194
Main Index
v Contents
Restart Option to Import an Euler Archive from Previous Run 196
Additional Features 197
Occupant Dummies 198
New Examples in MD Demonstration Problems 199
New SOL 700 Parameters and Bulk Data Entries 200
8 Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)
SOL 600 Enhancements 204
9 Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing
Serial Performance: Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis of Solid
Models 210
Distributed Memory Parallel Solutions for Linear and Nonlinear Contact
Analysis 213
MPI Selection 216
New Solver Available for Complex Eigenvalue Analysis 217
10 Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP) 222
Frequency Dependent Rigid Absorber Properties 232
Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences 238
Nonlinear Harmonic Response 246
Enhancements to the Frequency Response Function (FRF) and FRF
Based Assembly (FBA) Capability 258
EFEA/EBEA (Pre-Release) 263
11 Loads Management
Loads Management 266
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide

vi
12 Optimization
MultiOpt (Multiple Model Optimization) 272
Part Superelement Optimization Enhancements 280
Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients 289
Design of Monitor Points 293
Parallel Sensitivities 300
DTABLE Enhancement for Dynamic Analysis 303
Constants with DTABLE2 306
New Optimizer - IPOPT 310
Topology and Topometry Enhancements 318
Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release)
327
Build External Servers Using the SCons Tool 345
Deactivation of Original Design Sensitivity (DSA) 348
13 Aeroelasticity
Input of Pressures on an Aerodynamic Mesh 350
Aeroelasticity - Output of Trimmed Loads 354
CSV Output of Trim Results 359
CSV Output of Stability Derivatives 362
SUBCOM/SUBSEQ with Static Aeroelasticity 365
Upper Hessenberg Complex Eigenanalysis No Longer Supported for
Flutter Analysis 367
14 Elements
Enhancements to Connector Elements 370
Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic
Temperature Distribution Across the Element Thickness 380
Main Index
vii Contents
Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat
flux with thermal thick shell 388
Axisymmetrical Mechanical and Heat Transfer Shell Elements 404
Axisymmetrical Shell Elements 406
Multi-Dof Heat Shell Elements 408
Herrmann Elements 411
15 Miscellaneous
Enhanced MONSUM 414
PARAM,NONCUP Usage Extended to SOL 111 416
Application Regions 417
New Input File Reader - IFPSTAR 418
Contact Rigid Body Growth 421
Brake Squeal Analysis 422
Results and Output Changes 423
MSC.Nastran Error List 425
A Connectors
Connectors Output 428
B Thermo-Mechanical Theory
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory 434
C Thermal Contact Theory
Thermal Contact Theory 452
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide

viii
Main Index
MD Nastran Release Guide Preface
Preface

Preface to the MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide

A Word About Prerelease Features

List of Books

Technical Support

Internet Resources
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Preface to the MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
x
Preface to the MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
This Release Guide contains descriptions for the MD Nastran 2010 version, and supersedes the MD
Nastran R3 and R2.1 Release Guides.
Main Index
xi
Preface
A Word About Prerelease Features
MD Nastran 2010 contains a number of features that have been labeled as prerelease.
A prerelease feature or enhancement is defined as a feature or enhancement that has not yet completed
MSCs exhaustive verification and validation (V and V) testing and qualification process. Therefore,
prerelease features are to be used at the clients own risk.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
List of Books
xii
List of Books
Below is a list of some of the Nastran documents. You may find any of these documents from
MSC.Software at www.simcompanion.mscsoftware.com.
Installation and Release Guides
Installation and Operations Guide
Release Guide
Guides
Reference Books
Quick Reference Guide
DMAP Programmers Guide
Reference Manual
Users Guides
Getting Started
Linear Static Analysis
Dynamic Analysis
MD Demonstration Problems
Thermal Analysis
Superelements
Design Sensitivity and Optimization
Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Aeroelastic Analysis
User Defined Services
EFEA Users Guide
EFEA Tutorial
EBEA Users Guide
Main Index
xiii
Preface
Technical Support
For technical support phone numbers and contact information, please visit:
http://www.mscsoftware.com/Contents/Services/Technical-Support/Contact-Technical-Support.aspx
Support Center (http://simcompanion.mscsoftware.com)
Support Online. The Support Center provides technical articles, frequently asked questions and
documentation from a single location.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Internet Resources
xiv
Internet Resources
MSC.Software (www.mscsoftware.com)
MSC.Software corporate site with information on the latest events, products and services for the
CAD/CAE/CAM marketplace.
Main Index
Chapter 1: Overview of MD Nastran 2010 MD Nastran Release Guide
1
Overview of MD Nastran 2010

Overview
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Overview
2
Overview
MSC.Software is pleased to introduce you to the exciting new technologies in MD Nastran 2010, the
premier and trusted CAE solution for aerospace, automotive, defense, and manufacturing industries
worldwide. This release includes a wide range of new features and enhancements to our advanced
implicit nonlinear capabilities including fluid structural interaction via OpenFSI , thermal analysis,
thermal-mechanical coupling, contact, robust convergence algorithms, advanced elements, and advanced
materials modeling. MD Nastran 2010 also offers many enhancements to our linear solutions in the areas
of durability and NVH, Optimization, and Aeroelasticity. Finally, our explicit analysis capabilities have
been enhanced to include advanced composites, new material models, damage models, and distributed
memory parallel processing for complex fluid structural interaction applications.
MD Extensions
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical with Contact
Linear Perturbation
RC Network Method for Thermal Analysis
OpenFSI
More information can be found in Multi-Physics in SOL 400 (Ch. 2).
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
Nonlinear Elements Offsets
Automated Bolt Modeling
Load Stepping Robustness
Additional output controls
User Subroutines
More detailed information on these enhancements to SOL 400 can be found in Advanced Nonlinear (SOL
400) (Ch. 6).
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
DMP support of Multi-Material Euler for FSI applications
Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar Genoa technology for shells, solids, and honeycombs
New shrink tight fit contact feature
New material models
Variable plasticity damage model
Support of LSTC new generation occupant dummy models
Main Index
3
CHAPTER 1
Overview of MD Nastran 2010
More detailed information on these enhancements to SOL 700 can be found in Explicit Nonlinear (SOL
700) (Ch. 7).
Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)
Improved Computational Efficiency Using New Parallel Solvers
Improved friction definition and rigid surface behavior
Improved super element - DMIG support
Improved dynamic integration scheme
Automatic conversion of CHEXA, CPENTA to Solid Shell
Support for RSSCON and RSPLINE
User subroutines for contact and materials
Continuous-stress contact enhancement
Arbitrary cross section and numerically integrated beams
More information on Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600) can be found in Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600) (Ch. 8).
Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing
(Performance)
Serial Performance: Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis of Solid Models (Ch. 9)
Distributed Memory Parallel Solutions for Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis (Ch. 9)
More information can be found in Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing (Ch. 9).
Noise, Vibration and Dynamics
Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences
More information can be found in Dynamics (Noise and Vibration) (Ch. 10).
Optimization
PART Superelement Optimization
Integer Input for DTABLE
Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients
Design of Monitor Points
Miscellaneous - Enhanced MONSUM
Parallel Sensitivities
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Overview
4
Optimization of Nonlinear Structure Responses (Pre-release)
More information on these optimization enhancements can be found in Optimization (Ch. 12).
Aeroelastic Enhancements
Aeroelasticity - Output of Trimmed Loads
CSV Output of Trim Results
Loads Management
Loads Management
More information can be found in Loads Management (Ch. 11).
Parts and Assemblies (PAA) (Demonstration Version)
The PAA functionality is for demonstration purposes only and is not supported for production work.
MSC.Software makes no guarantees that any work done with PAA will be compatible with future
versions of MD/MSC Nastran.
PAA is a new functionality in MD Nastran and is based on the concept of computationally reusable
Parts. A Part can be thought of as the finite element model (or matrices of that model that result after
processing it) of a single component Part or of an Assembly of Parts. Using this definition everything is
a Part, from the smallest component (for example, a bolt) to the complete assembled model (for example,
an airplane or a car). All Parts are reusable. That is, a bolt Part may be used in several different models,
without the requirement to reprocess the bolt for each model. PAA processing is manual in the current
system. There are no automatic restarts. The intent is to have an external program (a Model Manager)
handle the logic involved in keeping the current database correct.
The concept of PAA is very similar to the process used in many NASA (and other) programs. That is,
there is a single system integrator (person or company), who is in charge of the complete model and
putting all of the finite element models together into a complete system model, and a series of component
suppliers, each of whom is responsible for a single component or Assembly.
In this paradigm, each of the suppliers is responsible for their own model and the only one who sees
the complete system model is the system integrator. However, when the system model is solved, the
system integrator then passes results (either data recovery or boundary solutions) back to the suppliers
and they are able to work independently with their models.
One advantage of PAA over traditional superelement analysis is the concept of Rapid Simulation-based
Prototyping (RSP). The RSP method will allow the owner of each part to work independently to assess
changes to their part without having to recompute and assemble the other parts of the system. In the
schematic below, the RSP concept will compute results for PART 1 based on model changes to PART 1
without having to reprocess any of the intermediate assemblies.
Main Index
5
CHAPTER 1
Overview of MD Nastran 2010
More information can be found in the Overview of PAA Functionality (p. 2) in the MD Nastran 2010 PAA
Users Guide.
Elements
Connector for Durability
Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic Temperature Distribution
Across the Element Thickness (Ch. 14).
Axisymmetrical Mechanical and Heat Transfer Shell Elements (Ch. 14)
More information can be found in Elements (Ch. 14).
Future Platform Support
MD Nastran will no longer be delivered on the SGI IRIX platform; MD Nastran R3 is available on SGI
IRIX.
The Linux 32 bit platform will be discontinued starting in the year 2012.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Overview
6
Main Index
Chapter 2: Multi-Physics in SOL 400MD Nastran R3 Release Guide
2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400

Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Overview

Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory

Thermal Contact

Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation

Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis


Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Overview
8
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Overview
Introduction
Traditionally, structural simulations and thermal simulations have been performed independently of one
another in separate analysis codes specialized in solving each physical discipline. In large companies
there are different structural and thermal specialists and departments. These groups interact with each
other as the thermal analysts provide the structural analysts with temperature data for thermal distortion
and thermal stress analysis. For sophisticated systems, the thermal analysis is dependent on the structural
deflection, so an iterative loop is set up to capture all the effects properly.
MD Nastran has had nonlinear structural and heat transfer capabilities since its inception. Initially, these
were decoupled solutions, but in MD Nastran R3 there was thermal structural chaining. This allowed the
analyst to perform a thermal analysis and use the results on a subsequent structural analysis. While this
is a significant improvement over manual mappings, it still did not provide a truly integrated Thermal-
Mechanical capability.
MD Nastran 2010 Solution 400 introduces true Thermal-Mechanical simulation capability. The MD
Nastran implementation of multi-physics simulation employs an algorithm to ensure that both structural
and thermal analyses time steps are synchronized and converged to provide a true multi-physics
simulation.
One of the keys to multi-physics simulations is to capture the structural and thermal load path changes
caused by contact. MD Nastran has had structural contact capabilities since its inception. General
structural contact allows mechanical meshes to come in to contact and change the load path. Glued
structural contact will weld mechanical meshes together. Thermal contact is a similar concept but for
thermal analysis rather than structural analysis. Thermal contact is implemented in MD Nastran 2010
Solution 400. In addition, the multi-physics aspect of MD Nastran allows for coupling thermal and
mechanical contact in the same run. In thermal analysis, thermal contact is available for both steady state
and transient.
For coupled thermal-mechanical analysis the mechanical analysis can be static or dynamic and the
thermal analysis can be steady state or transient. This allows four combinations of coupled thermo-
mechanical analysis: HSTAT-NLSTAT, HSTAT-NLTRAN, HTRAN-NLSTAT, HTRAN-NLTRAN,
where HSTAT, HTRAN, NLSTAT, and NLTRAN stand for steady state heat transfer, transient heat
transfer, structural nonlinear statics, and structural nonlinear transient respectively. The coupled analysis
can account for plasticity and frictional heat coupling and proper updating of interface conditions when
there is relative motion between bodies.
The bi-directional coupling is a weakly coupled approach between thermal and mechanical passes. The
available bi-directional coupling schemes are identified in the figure below and they allow simulation of
thermo-mechanical effects associated with large deformation problems and frictional contact.
Main Index
9
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Benefits
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical analysis benefits users who have systems where the thermal and structural
solutions must be tightly coupled to capture the true behavior. In addition there are benefits from
improved time stepping and convergence algorithms, from new thermal contact capabilities and from
new temperature mapping capabilities between dissimilar meshes.
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
Depending on the degree of coupling that needs to be included in the analysis a distinction can be made
between uncoupled, weakly coupled and strongly coupled thermo-mechanical analysis. A short
summary of each of these analysis types is given below. To read more about the theory behind Coupled
Thermo-Mechanical Analysis, please see Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory (App. B) for more
information.
Uncoupled
This is a one-way coupling from a thermal analysis to a structural analysis and is also called Analysis
Chaining in MD Nastran. Thermal effects like thermal expansion and temperature dependent structural
material properties can be included in this way, but the effects of structural changes and the effects of
heating due to irreversible work to heat conversions can not be icluded. In MDR3, temperature mapping
from the end of a previous steady-state heat transfer analysis to a static mechanical analysis was
introduced. In MD Nastran 2010, this has been expanded to allow different analysis types, different time
steps and dissimilar meshes. More details on this is provided in the section Uncoupled Thermal-
Mechanical Analysis.
Weakly Coupled
Within each load increment a thermal pass is followed by a structural pass. Each pass iterates until
convergence is reached for that particular pass and it incorporates the changes that occured in foregoing
pass. In this way it is possible to include the structural effects like changes in geometry due to large
deformations, changes in contact conditions and irreversible work to heat conversions due to plasticity
and friction in addition to the thermal effects of the uncoupled case. In equation form, for the steady-state
case, this can be schematically shown as follows:
Structural
Thermal
1. Thermal Strains
2. Structural properties are a function of temperature
3. Thermal problem to be solved on updated geometry
4. Thermal loads due to plastic work
5. Thermal loads due to friction
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Overview
10
Here n represents the increment number, T the temperature, U the displacement, K the stiffness, Q the
thermal flux , Q
M
the additional heat flux due to plasticity and/or friction, P the mechanical load and P
T

the mechanical load due to thermal strains. The typical approach is to solve the thermal equations first
followed by the structural equations. More details on this is provided in the section Coupled Thermo-
Mechanical Theory (App. B).
Strongly Coupled
In each load increment the thermal and the coupled problem are solved simultaneously and the effects of
all thermal and structural changes can be incorporated in each iteration. In equation form, for the steady-
state case, this can be schematically shown as follows:
The strongly coupled approach requires special elements that have both temperature and displacement
degrees of freedom. It is computationally expensive, in most cases leads to unsymmetric system matrices
and is not the preferred approach in MD. The weakly coupled approach is sufficient for most practical
applications and is the approach followed in MD. For more information about the assumptions made to
arrive at the weakly coupled formulation from its strongly coupled form the reader is once more referred
to appendix B, Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory.
K
TT
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( )
T
n
{ } Q
n
T
n 1
U ,
n 1
( )
)
`

Q
M
n 1
U
n 1
( )
)
`

+ =
K
UU
T
n
U
n 1
, ( )
U
n
{ } P
n
T
n
U
n 1
, ( ) { } P
T
n
T
n
( )
)
`

+ =
K
TT
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( ) K
TU
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( )
T
n
{ } Q
n
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( ) { } =
K
UT
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( ) K
UU
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( )
U
n
{ } P
n
T
n 1
U
n 1
, ( ) { } =
Main Index
11
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Thermal Contact
Introduction
As described in the multi-physics introduction, one of the keys to multi-physics simulations is to capture
the structural and thermal load path changes caused by contact. MD Nastran has had structural contact
capabilities since its inception. General structural contact allows mechanical meshes to come in to
contact and change the load path. Glued structural contact will weld mechanical meshes together.
Thermal contact is a similar concept but for thermal analysis rather than structural analysis.
Thermal contact is implemented in MD Nastran 2010 Solution 400 in pure thermal analysis and coupled
thermo-mechanical analysis. The user will be able to analyze thermal interactions between different
contact bodies for the body areas that are in contact and thermal interactions between contact bodies and
the environment for the body areas that are not in contact. In addition to contact and no contact from
the pure mechanical case, there is near contact which allows thermal interactions between bodies that
are getting near to each other, but not yet in real (mechanical) contact. Thermal contact is available for
both steady state and transient analysis.
Benefits
This functionality provides a user-friendly interface to defining thermal contact conditions. The user
defines contact bodies with their thermal properties and contact tables defining the possible contact
pairings with the thermal properties for each pairing. The program automatically identifies the body
areas involved in contact and the body areas exposed to the environment and for each situation, it sets
up the appropriate interface conditions for the thermal interactions.
In a coupled thermal-mechanical analysis, bodies may have relative motions, causing the contact
conditions to change over time. Due to friction forces in the contact interface, heat may be generated
adding an extra heat flux load in the thermal phase of the analysis. All changes in the interface conditions
and resulting loads are updated automatically.
Theory
For information on the theory behind Thermal Contact, please see Thermal Contact Theory (App. C).
Input
Analysis Types
The analysis types supported for thermal contact are steady state heat transfer and transient heat transfer;
these are specified in the appropriate SUBCASE / STEP / SUBSTEP with ANALYSIS=HSTAT and
ANALYSIS=HTRAN, respectively. For additional details on the case control setup, please refer to the
remarks for the Case Control command ANALYSIS (p. 231) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact
12
Contact Body Definition
Individual contact bodies are defined on the BCBODY entry and its behavior is defined by setting the
BEHAV field to HEAT, DEFORM, or RIGID. In a thermal analysis the behavior field can be
HEAT (ITYPE=4) for a meshed body that can conduct heat or RIGID (ITYPE=1) for a rigid body
defined by geometric entities that behaves as a heat sink. In a coupled thermal-mechanical analysis the
behavior field can be DEFORM (ITYPE=2) for a meshed body that can conduct heat in the thermal
phase of the analysis and that can deform in the mechanical phase of the analysis or RIGID (ITYPE=1)
for a rigid body defined by geometric entities that behaves as a heat sink in the thermal phase of the
anlysis and is completely rigid in the mechanical phase of the analysis. A contact body that will be
available for heat transfer requires additional information on the HEAT keyword line. Specifically, the
following body properties can be specified:
BCBODY Entry (Heat Transfer related items only)
BEHAV - use HEAT, DEFORM, or RIGID to define the behavior type of the contact body
CFILM - Heat transfer coefficient (film) to environment; constant or function of temperature
TSINK - Environmental sink temperature; constant or function of time.
CHEAT - Contact heat transfer coefficient; constant or function of temperature
TBODY - Body temperature; constant or function of time
HCV - Convection coefficient for near field behavior; constant or function of temperature
HNC - Natural convection coefficient for near field behavior; constant or function of
temperature
ITYPE - Heat sink or heat conduction, or deformable body
BNC - Exponent associated with the natural convection coefficient for near field behavior;
constant or function of temperature
EMISS - Emissivity for radiation to the environment or near thermal radiation; constant or
function of temperature.
HBL - Separation distance dependent on thermal convection coefficient; constant or function of
temperature.
HNL -Heat transfer coefficient for nonlinear convective heat flow for near field behavior;
constant, function of temperature.
BNL - Exponent associated with the nonlinear convective heat flow for near field behavior;
constant or function of temperature
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BCBODY BID DIM BEHAV BSID ISTYP FRIC IDSPL CONTROL
HEAT CFILM TSINK CHEAT TBODY HCV HNC ITYPE
BNC EMISS HBL HNL BNL HNLE BNLE
HNCE BNCE CMB CMS
Main Index
13
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
HNLE -Heat transfer coefficient for nonlinear convective heat flow to the environment;
constant, function of temperature.
BNLE - Exponent associated with the nonlinear convective heat flow to the environment;
constant, function of temperature.
HNCE - Natural convection coefficient for heat flow to the environment.; constant, function of
temperature.
BNCE - Exponent associated with natural convection heat flow to the environment.; constant,
function of temperature.
CMB - Heat capacity of the rigid body, when entered as a geometric entity with an associated
scalar point; constant.
CMS - Heat capacity of the environment, when associated with a scalar point; constant.
Note that heat exchange to the environment only applies to deformable or heat conducting bodies, i.e.
meshed regions. Conversely a body temperature TBODY only applies to a rigid body. A heat capcity for
an environment or a rigid body is only used when there exists an associated scalar point. It is recommend
to enter the contact and near contact heat transfer coefficients in a contact table (BCTABLE), since in
general these are not a property of a single body, but apply to one or more body pairs.
Additional rules are defined in BCBODY - MD Only (p. 1153) in the entry.
Contact Table Definition
Each contact body potentially contacts any other contact body. The BCTABLE entry gives additional
control over which bodies will be allowed to contact each other, the geometric tolerances to use, and
additional heat transfer parameters.
The DQNEAR field on the BCTABLE entry is used to define the distance for near thermal contact
behavior. Near contact detection is not activated if this field is zero or undefined. The near contact
distance is meant to model relatively small gaps that allow for heat exchange between contact bodies
before real (mechanical) contact takes place. It is not intended for arbitrarily large gaps between contact
bodies. For instance, the radiation law does not evaluate view factors for contact body areas that see
each other in near contact.
Contact body areas that are not in hard or near contact with other bodies may exchange heat with an
environment if corresponding heat flow laws have been activated for the contact body.
BCTABLE Entry (Heat Transfer related items only)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BCTABLE ID
IDSLAVE
IDMAST NGROUP COPTS COPTM
SLAVE IDSLA1 ERROR FNTOL FRIC
CINTERF
IGLUE
ISEARCH
ICOORD JGLUE DQNEAR
HHHB HTC HCV HNC BNC EMISS HBL
HNL BNL HGLUE
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact
14
DQNEAR - Distance below which near thermal contact behavior occurs; constant.
HGLUE - Flag to activate the thermal glue option.
0 or blank = thermal glue is off, i.e. convective heat transfer
1 = thermal glue is on, i.e. temperature fields of bodies are tied; no convective heat transfer
HTC - Heat transfer coefficient; constant or function of temperature
HCV - Convection coefficient for near field behavior; constant or function of temperature
HNC - Natural convection coefficient for near field behavior; constant or function of
temperature
BNC - Exponent associated with the natural convection coefficient for near field behavior;
constant or function of temperature.
EMISS - Emissivity in near thermal radiation; constant or function of temperature.
HBL - Thermal convection coefficient dependant on separation distance; constant or function of
separation distance.
HNL - Heat transfer coefficient for nonlinear convective heat flow for near field behavior;
constant or function of temperature.
BNL -Exponent associated with the nonlinear convective heat flow for near field behavior;
constant or function of temperature.
Additional rules and heat flow equations are defined in BCTABLE - MD Only (p. 1214) in the entry.
Heat flow laws for contact, near contact and environment
When two bodies are in contact with each other and thermal glue is off for the body pair then the
following convective heat flow law describes the heat exchange per unit area between the body areas that
are in contact:
When two bodies are in contact and thermal glue is on for the body pair then the local contact condition
simply becomes:
When two bodies are in near contact then the following convective heat flow law describes the heat
exchange per unit area between the body areas that are in near contact:
MASTERS
IDMA1 IDMA2 IDMA3 IDMA4 IDMA5 IDMA6 IDMA7
IDMA8 IDMA9 ...
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
q HCT T
A
T
B
( ) =
T
A
T
B
=
Main Index
15
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
For body areas that are not in contact and not in near contact with other bodies the following convective
heat flow law describes the heat exchange per unit area between these body areas and the environment:
Here TA is the temperature in the contact points of the touching body or the surface temperature of the
points exposed to the environment and TB is the temperature in the contact point of the touched body. If
the touched body is a rigid body TB is the temperature of this rigid body and should be replaced by
TBODY. For heat trtansfer to the environment TSINK is the ambient temperature of this environment.
The heat contribution term involving dist is only evaluated for nonzero HBL, where dist is the
distance bewteen the bodies. For radiation contributions it is necessary to define s, the Stefan-Bolzmann
constant, which can be entered as a parameter thru PARAM,SIGMA,value. In addition
PARAM,TABS,value can be used to define an offset from the user temperature scale to the absolute
temperature scale. No view factors are considered for this type of radiation.
Supported Features
Thermal contact is supported in static and transient thermal analysis as well as coupled thermal-
mechanical analysis. Mesh-to-rigid and mesh-to-mesh contact are supported for pure thermal analysis.
Chained analysis and fully coupled thermal-mechanical analysis support deformable to deformable
contact as well as deformable to rigid contact.
Deformable and heat conducting contact bodies can be modelled by a 2D plane stress, 2D plane strain,
2D axisymmetric or a 3D mesh (solids, shells, etc.)
There are two types of thermal interface conditions: 1) Convective thermal contact and 2) Glued thermal
contact. Convective thermal contact distiguishes between hardcontact and near contact, where near
contact allows heat exchange between bodies before hard (mechanical) contact takes place. Glued
thermal contact is only possible in the hard contact sense. Glued contact can be seen as a form of
convective contact with a very high contact heat transfer coefficient and is e.g. useful to connect
dissimilar meshes thermally.
q HCV T
A
T
B
( ) + =
HNC T
A
T
B
( )
BNC
+
HNL T
A
BNL
T
B
BNL
( ) +
o EMISS T
A
4
T
B
4
( ) +
HCT 1
dist
DQNEAR
-------------------------
\ .
| |
HBL
dist
DQNEAR
------------------------- + T
A
T
B
( )
q CFILM T
A
T
SI NK
( ) + =
HNCE T
A
T
SI NK
( )
BNCE
+
HNLE T
A
BNLE
T
SI NK
BNLE
( ) +
o EMISS T
A
4
T
SI NK
4
( ) +
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact
16
Thermal-mechanical coupling contact bodies will automatically update their geometry to the current
deformed state. Heat generated by plasticity and friction are accounted for in a fully coupled thermal-
mechanical simulation. Heat generated by friction is evenly distributed between the two bodies, i.e. half
of the frictional flux is applied to the touching body and half is applied to the touched body. Refer to the
NLSTEP section for more details on this coupling. Here two factors are specified that control the
fractions of plastic work and frictional work that get converted into heat (HGENPLAS and HGENFRIC).
For thermal properties that can be expressed as a function of temperature or time, the following tables
are supported:
TABLEM1 and TABLEM2 for temperature dependencies
TABLED1 and TABLED2 for time dependencies
TABL3D (0,1,2) for time and temperature dependencies and multi-dimensional tables
A rigid geometry can have a scalar point associated with it. In this case, a lumped heat capacity can be
defined for the body. If no scalar point is associated with it, its temperature can be directly prescribed,
but it can not have a heat capacity.
The environment can have a scalar point associated with it. In this case, a lumped heat capacity can be
defined for the environment. If no scalar point is associated with it, its temperature can be directly
prescribed, but it can not have a heat capacity.
The BCONTACT - MD Only Case Control logic of thermal contact definitions over different subcases of
an analysis is thee same as that of a stress analysis with contact.
Limitations
1. In a coupled thermal-mechanical analysis, the body of type HEAT (i.e., ITYPE = 4), i.e., a body
that does heat conduction in the thermal pass, but behaves as a rigid in the mechanical, is not
supported.
2. Beam-to-beam and beam-to edge thermal contact is not supported.
3. Shell edge-to-edge thermal contact is not supported
4. Glued thermal contact to a rigid body with an associated scalar point is not supported yet.
5. Frictional heat coupling to a rigid body with an associated scalar point is not supported yet.
6. Friction heat coupling to bottom faces of shell elements is not supported yet.
7. The formula option in TABL3D tables is not supported.
Test Cases
Test problem shell_edge_thermal_glue1.dat
This example problem demonstrates static heat transfer analysis including thermal contact with a glued
contact (HGLUE=1). The thermal conductivity is 4 W/in/degreeC, Heat flux is defined as 20W/in^2 on
Main Index
17
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
the curved edge (QBDY3). Temp(INIT)=20degreeC on edge opposite the body with TEMP(INIT)=0
elsewhere.
Figure 2-1 Glued Edge Thermal Contact Example Geometry
Listing 2-1 Partial listing of TPL problem shell_edge_thermal_glue1.dat
TEMPERATURE(INITIAL) = 1
SUBCASE 1
STEP 1
ANALYSIS = HSTAT
NLPARM = 1
BCONTACT = 7
SPC = 1
LOAD = 2
THERMAL(SORT1,PRINT)=all
FLUX(SORT1,PRINT)=ALL
$ Direct Text Input for this Subcase
BEGIN BULK
NLPARM 1 10 FNT YES
BCTABLE 7 1
SLAVE 2
1 1 0
FBSH 1061 1061
HHHB 0.
1
MASTERS 1
plplane,3,1,
pshln2,3,1,,0.1,ih,
$ Deform Body Contact LBC set: coarse_mesh
BCBODY 1 2D HEAT 3 0
,heat,
BCPROP 3 3
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact
18
Figure 2-2 Edge Glue Thermal Results
GUI Support
Patran
Patran currently supports post-processing of the thermal results. Patran does not currently support the
creation of the input file.
SimXpert
SimXpert can be used to setup the thermal contact table and post-process the thermal results. Below are
a few figures on how to access the contact table. Note that the thermal contact table in SimXpert is still
undergoing enhancements and design review, so the version of SimXpert you use may appear slightly
different.
Main Index
19
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Figure 2-3 SimXpert Contact Table Setup Forms
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation
20
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation
Introduction
For bi-directional coupled thermal-mechanical analysis, an increment-level staggered approach has been
implemented with sub-increments specified through the SUBSTEP entry for heat-transfer and
mechanical analyses. Note that this staggered coupling is solved for the same time steps and on the same
FE mesh. Time stepping and convergence parameters for the coupled analysis are specified through the
NLSTEP entry.
While the implemented framework is general, only coupling of heat and mechanical is supported in
MD Nastran 2010. Both static and transient thermal types (HSTAT and HTRAN) and corresponding
mechanical types (NLSTATIC and NLTRAN) are allowed. This allows 4 combinations: HSTAT-
NLSTAT, HTRAN-NLSTAT, HTRAN-NLTRAN, HSTAT-NLTRAN.
The implemented multi-physics framework is a staggered scheme and works as follows:
When the solution procedure moves on to a new sub-increment, relevant information from other
sub-increments (temperatures, displacements, generated heat, etc.) is passed in. Regular (full)
Newton-Raphson iterations are conducted within each sub-increment until convergence is
achieved. This procedure is followed until all sub-increments converge.
If a particular sub-increment does not converge, the time step is bisected. The increment is then
repeated starting at the first sub-increment with the smaller time step.
Time step sizes are synchronized across thermal and mechanical sub-increments. Either fixed
time stepping scheme or adaptive time stepping scheme can be used. When adaptive time
scheme is used, each individual physics (thermal pass and mechanical pass) is allowed to predict
the time step for the next increment independently. The actual time step used for the next
increment is synchronized by choosing the smaller of the predicted step sizes.
The above steps are repeated for each increment until the load step is completed.
The thermo-mechanical coupled implementation is schematically depicted by the following figure:
Main Index
21
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
With SimXpert, the user can view the results of the coupled analysis. For each load step, there are two
sets of result data available. One is the thermal analysis result and the other is mechanical analysis
results. Only OP2 and MASTER files are supported. With MD Patran, limited post-processing capability
for coupled analysis is supported at this time.
Benefits
Bidirectional coupling allows a realistic modeling of both thermal and mechanical physics for a
structure. It allows simultaneous solution of HSTAT-NLSTAT, HSTAT-NLTRAN, HTRAN-NLSTAT,
HTRAN-NLTRAN problems. It also allows chaining of multi-physics steps with linear
perturbations/single physics steps.
Input
The MD Nastran Case Control consists of SUBCASE and STEP to control the SOL 400 nonlinear
solutions. With the incorporation of the multi-physics capability, Case Control command SUBSTEP is
introduced to define the physics discipline to be used within a STEP. Case Control command NLSTEP
is used to refer to the NLSTEP Bulk Data entry which defines solution convergence criteria for each
analysis type. For more information on the NLSTEP Bulk Data entry, see Load Stepping Robustness
(Ch. 6).
The usage of NLSTEP and SUBSTEP is best demonstrated with a sample Case Control:
Listing 2-2 Example Case Control for NLSTEP and SUBSTEP
SUBCASE 100
TEMPERATURE(INIT)=3
STEP 10
SET 1456 = LIST
NLSTEP = 84
Heat transfer
sub-increment
Mechanical
sub-increment
Transfer nodal temperatures from heat to
mechanical sub-increment downstream
Iterate until
converged
Iterate until
converged
Input plastic/friction heat flux from previous increment.
Transfer displacements from pervious increment and
form thermal matrices/loading on updated geometry
One
Increment
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation
22
SUBSTEP 1
ANALYSIS=HTRAN
IC=3
SPC=35
DLOAD=11
THERMAL=ALL
FLUX=ALL
ENTHALPY=ALL
SUBSTEP 2
ANALYSIS=NLSTAT
SPC=2
LOAD=110
DISP(PLOT)=1456
STRESS=ALL
NLSTRESS=ALL
The following features should be noted in the above example. The thermo-mechanical coupling is
between HTRAN and NLSTAT. The initial temperatures are specified through TEMP(INIT) = 3 for the
mechanical substep (NLSTAT) and IC = 3 (same ID) for the thermal substep. This specification allows
both the thermal and mechanical substeps to begin at the same temperature. Output requests, loading,
SPC specifications for each substep are separate. NLSTEP applies to both substeps.
Output
The .f06 output is similar to output for standard structural and heat transfer solutions. Note that all of the
heat transfer output is printed followed by all of the structural output. In addition to .f06 and .pch output,
both OUTPUT2 and MASTER/DBALL output formats are supported.
Listing 2-3 Example Output for SUBSTEP
1 TWO BODY CONTACT JULY 17, 2009 MD NASTRAN 7/13/09 PAGE 65

SUBCASE 1 STEP 1 SUBSTEP 1
TIME = 1.250000E-01
T E M P E R A T U R E V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE ID VALUE ID+1 VALUE ID+2 VALUE ID+3 VALUE ID+4 VALUE ID+5 VALUE
1 S 1.999978E+01 1.999946E+01 2.007018E+01 2.000163E+01 2.000020E+01 2.000000E+01
7 S 2.000000E+01 2.000000E+01 2.000000E+01 2.000000E+01 2.000000E+01 2.000000E+01
13 S 2.000000E+01 2.000614E+01 {etc.}
...
...
...
1 TWO BODY CONTACT JULY 17, 2009 MD NASTRAN 7/13/09 PAGE 391

0 SUBCASE 1 STEP 1 SUBSTEP 2
LOAD STEP = 1.25000E-01
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 G 6.415519E-04 -7.616700E-04 2.270600E-05 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 G 2.385733E-04 2.329112E-04 5.125663E-05 {etc.}
Main Index
23
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Guidelines and Limitations
The following guidelines for thermo-mechanical coupled analysis should be noted:
1. Initial Temperatures
The initial temperatures of the system should be physically valid starting temperatures (not
guess temperatures as is sometimes done in HSTAT analysis).
Care should be taken to ensure that both the heat transfer substep and the mechanical substep
start at the same initial temperatures. For static heat HSTAT combined with mechanical
substeps (NLSTAT or NLTRAN), TEMP(INIT) is sufficient to specify starting temperatures
for both the heat and mechanical runs. For transient heat HTRAN combined with mechanical
substeps, use TEMP(INIT) for the mechanical substeps (NLSTAT or NLTRAN) and IC with
the same ID for the transient heat substep.
2. TEMP(LOAD/MATERIAL/BOTH) is not necessary for coupled analysis. Any given
temperature loading data for the mechanical substep is ignored. Temperatures obtained from the
heat transfer pass are automatically transferred to the mechanical pass.
3. Coupled analysis can be used in conjunction with analysis chaining. All the multi-physics steps
should be defined first. For a particular physics, transient substeps should follow the static
substeps. For example, Step 1: HTRAN-NLSTAT followed by Step 2: HTRAN-NLTRAN is
allowed. Linear perturbation steps and single physics steps can follow the multi-physics steps in
any particular order. Supported linear perturbation steps include MODES, BUCK, DFREQ,
MFREQ, MTRAN, DCEIG, MCEIG.
4. Use PARAM,LGDISP judiciously for large displacement analysis. PARAM,LGDISP,1/2
implies that the thermal problem is still solved on the original geometry while the mechanical
problem is solved on the current geometry. PARAM,LGDISP,11 or 12 implies that both the
thermal and mechanical problems are solved on the current geometry.
The following limitations should be noted.
1. CLOAD, LOADSET and DEFORM commands are not supported for SUBSTEP.
2. XDB output is not supported.
3. NLIC restart is not allowed for elements using property extensions like PSHLN1, PSLDN1. They
only support restarts from the last converged increment. Note that this is a general limitation for
single physics too.
4. Radiation view factors are not supported on updated geometry. They are only computed on the
original geometry.
5. Temperature mapping from heat to structural only works for nonlinear elements. For a linear
analysis or for an analysis with linear elements (e.g., CQUAD8, CTRIA6, CHEX20), automatic
mapping is done in the code using property extensions (e.g., PSHLN1, PSLDN1) to allow
mapping of temperatures in all cases.
The Case Control command SUBSTEP must obey the following rules:
1. The SUBSTEP command can only be used in nonlinear solution sequence SOL 400 (NONLIN).
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation
24
2. The SUBSTEP command can only be used within in a STEP command.
3. When used in a STEP command two SUBSTEP commands must occur.
4. Each SUBSTEP must contain a unique ANALYSIS=type statement. Currently there is a
limitation of only two SUBSTEPs per STEP with the following options:
ANALYSIS=HSTAT for the first SUBSTEP and ANALYSIS=NLSTAT for the second
SUBSTEP.
ANALYSIS=HTRAN for the first SUBSTEP and ANALYSIS=NLTRAN for the second
SUBSTEP
ANALYSIS=HTRAN for the first SUBSTEP and ANALYSIS=NLSTAT for the second
SUBSTEP
ANALYSIS=HSTAT for the first SUBSTEP and ANALYSIS=NLTRAN for the second
SUBSTEP
5. Within a STEP the SUBSTEP identification number n must be in increasing order and not greater
then 9999999.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/subdir:
TPL problem cpl_fric_heat.dat
TPL problem cpl_fric_heat.dat demonstrates large displacement coupled thermal / mechanical with the
heat being generated by friction. The case control, contact commands, and NLSTEP Bulk Data entry
should be evident:
Listing 2-4 Example Output for SUBSTEP
subcase 1
bcontact = 0
set 1 = 46,49,85,93,99,212,227
step 1
nlstep = 211
temp(init)=100
substep 1
analysis = htran
bcontact = 999
ic = 100
thermal(sort1) = all
substep 2
analysis = nlstatics
bcontact = 999
spc = 3
load = 20
disp(sort1) = all
BEGIN BULK
param,lgdisp,1
NLSTEP,211,1.0
,FIXED,200,1
,MECH,UPV,.01,.01,,PFNT,-1,
Main Index
25
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
,HEAT,UPV,.01,.01,,PFNT,-1,
,COUP,,0.9
tempd,100,20.0
BCPARA, ,FTYPE,6,FKIND,1
$ BCBODY
bcbody,1,3d,deform,1,1,0.02
,heat, 2.0e2,2.0e1, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
,, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
bsurf,1,81 thru 107
bcbody,2,3d,deform,2,1,0.02
,heat, 2.0e2,2.0e1, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
,, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
bsurf,2,1 thru 80
$ BCTABLE
bctable,0,,,1
,slave ,1,0.01,,0.1,, 0,
,,,,,0,0.0,0
,,hhhb, 0.0e+0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
,masters,2
bctable,999,,,1
,slave ,1,0.01,,0.1,, 0,
,,,,,0,0.0,0
,,hhhb, 0.0e+0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
,masters,2,
$
Figure 2-4 SimXpert Multi Physics Post Processing
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation
26
GUI Support
Patran
None.
SimXpert
SimXpert supports both SUBSTEP and NLSTEP setup as well as post processing. The SimXpert contact
setup is shown in Thermal Contact, 11.
Figure 2-5 SimXpert SUBSTEP support
Post processing support is demonstrated in the example section.
Main Index
27
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
Introduction
It is very common for a thermal finite element mesh and a structural finite element mesh to have different
mesh densities because the fidelity required to capture accurate results for each physics discipline is
different. The structural analyst who needs the thermal data can use interactive tools such as Patran to
perform the coupling.
The uncoupled thermal-mechanical analysis process introduced in MD Nastran 2010 supports dissimilar
mesh and different time steps for related thermal and structural jobs. The user will be able to access
thermal results directly from an MD Nastran thermal database in structural runs.
Benefits
This functionality provides a user-friendly interface to retrieve temperature results directly from thermal
database. The user need not save the thermal results to a punch file and then include it in structural runs.
It also offers the power of performing real time temperature interpolations for nonlinear transient
structural analysis.
It also offers the flexibility of allowing different mesh sizes and time steps between thermal and
structural models, i.e. run a heat transfer job and transfer the nodal temperatures to another group in a
different location to perform a separate structural analysis with temperature-dependent material
properties. The latter will use a different mesh and a different time stepping. This is particularly
important to analysts performing engine block thermal stress analysis, and airplane fuselage and wing
analysis.
Input
The user will run a thermal analysis job in MD Nastran SOL 400. The database is saved (submit with
SCR=NO). A subsequent structural analysis is performed in MD Nastran SOL 400 with a
TEMP(LOAD) Case Control command with the new options HSUBCASE, HSTEP, and HTIME
described here.
Format:
TEMPERATURE
INITIAL
MATERIAL
LOAD
BOTH
\ .
|
|
|
|
| |
HSUBCASE i HSTEP j = , HTIME
t
ALL
= , = , n =
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
28
Remark 14
For TEMPERATURE(LOAD) requests in SOL 400, HSUBCASE, HSTEP, and HTIME are used to
retrieve the temperature results from an existing thermal database. This feature allows user to select either
steady state or transient thermal results for nonlinear structural analysis, with the flexibility of different
time steps and dissimilar mesh sizes between thermal and structural runs. The following rules apply for
using this capability:
HSUBCASE, HSTEP, and HTIME keywords must follow a LOAD keyword.
Although all three keywords have default values, at lease one keyword must exist to apply this
uncoupled multi-physics feature in analysis.
HTIME=ALL is used in nonlinear transient structural analysis to perform real time
temperature interpolations. In this case, the nodal temperatures of nonlinear elements are
updated at each time step. These temperatures are equal to the temperature results of the
selected thermal database at current time.
The set IDs of TEMP(LOAD) must be different from the set IDs of TEMP(INIT).
To save temperature results of thermal analysis in MASTER Nastran database, use the
following command.
nastran thermal_job_name scratch=no
In addition, the user must specify the following Bulk Data entry
PARAM,NLPACK,-1
for transient thermal models with number of time steps greater then the default NLPACK
output time steps.
The following File Management Statements are required in the current structural model to
select the thermal database.
HSUBCASE Specifies a SUBCASE executed in the selected thermal job. See Remark 14.
i Identification number of a SUBCASE executed in the selected thermal job.
(Integer > 0, Default = 0 is the first SUBCASE) See Remark 14.
HSTEP Specifies a STEP executed in the selected thermal job. See Remark 14.
j Identification number of a STEP executed in the selected thermal job.
(Integer > 0, Default = 0 is the first STEP) See Remark 14.
HTIME Specifies the time of a time step executed in the selected nonlinear transient
thermal job. See Remark 14.
t Time of a time step executed in the selected nonlinear transient thermal job.
(Real > 0.0, Default is the last time of the specified SUBCASE and/or STEP) See
Remark 14.
ALL Selects all time steps executed in the selected nonlinear transient thermal job. See
Remark 14.
Main Index
29
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
ASSIGN hrun='thermal_job_name.MASTER'
DBLOC DATABLK=(HEATDB) LOGI=hrun
Guidelines and Limitations
Remark 14, 28 of the updated TEMPERATURE Case Control command provides the rules associated
with uncoupled thermal-mechanical mapping.
The following guidelines should be noted:
The default value of HSUB is the first subcase. The default value of HSTEP is the first step.
The default value of HTIME is the last time step of a particular step. HTIME = t is supported for
mapping from HSTAT --> NLSTAT, HTRAN --> NLSTAT or HTRAN --> NLTRAN. A linear
ramp is used from initial temperatures specified by TEMP(INIT) to reach the temperatures read
from the thermal database for HTIME = t.
When HTIME = ALL is used, all elements should be nonlinear and the structural analysis type
should be NLTRAN. If linear elements are used in such analyses, they are automatically mapped
to nonlinear counterparts using property extensions like PSHLN1, PSLDN1.
Nodal temperatures can be post-processed for a thermal run. Normally, the mapped temperatures
are unavailable for verification in a mechanical run. For enhanced elements using property
extensions, the NLOUT Bulk Data entry with TOTTEMP post code in conjunction with the
NLSTRESS Case Control command allows one to verify the temperatures in a mechanical
analysis at the integration points of the mesh.
For the analysis with incongruent finite element mesh sizes between thermal and structural
models, the user may adjust the mesh mapping tolerance by specifying NLMOPTS, MAPTOL
option in the Bulk Data Section. The default value of MAPTOL is 0.2, i.e., the mapping scheme
accepts a structural grid that is located within 20% of the dimension of the closest thermal
element even though the grid lies outside the associated thermal element.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/uncoupl400:
nluch##.dat - nlucs##.dat. These are paired examples of the heat transfer analysis (nluch##) and the
structural analysis (nlucs##). The heat transfer is run first, followed by a structural analysis restart.
Note: In MD Nastran 2010, contact body integrity is not maintained while doing the thermal
mapping. While this would not be a restriction for bodies that are not physically in contact
or in glued thermal contact, it could lead to undesirable temperature mapping for bodies
that are in regular thermal contact with temperature gradients across the contact interface.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
30
TPL Problems nluch14.dat and nlucs14.dat
Example nluch14/nlucs14 demonstrates the modeling of uncoupled analysis using a pair of thermal and
structural models with composite elements. Note that the GRIDs from each model do not align.
Figure 2-6 /tpl/uncoupl400/nluch14.dat and nlucs14.dat geometry
The thermal model nluch14 is run first by the following command to save temperature results.
mdnastran nluch14.dat scr=no
The temperature results are retrieved from the subsequent nonlinear transient structural run by the File
Management Statements ASSIGN and DBLOCATE. The temperatures are applied by specifying the
appropriate TEMPERATURE Case Control command.
Listing 2-5 FMS and Case Control for job nlucs14.dat
assign hrun='nluch14.MASTER'
dbloc datablk=(heatdb) logi=hrun
$ id msc, nlucs14.dat $ sjf 16-Mar-2009 mdr4
SOL 400
TIME 60
CEND
SEALL = ALL
SUPER = ALL
TITLE = Uncoupled thermal & structural analysis prob 14 - structural part
SUBTITLE = HTIME=ALL and quad4
TEMPERATURE(INITIAL) = 1
SUBCASE 1
analysis=NLTRAN
step 1
TSTEPNL= 1
SPC = 2
TEMPERATURE(LOAD,hsubc=3) = 3
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
nlstress = all
stress = all
step 2
TSTEPNL= 2
SPC = 2
TEMPERATURE(LOAD,hsubc=10,htime=0.80) = 4
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
nlstress = all
stress = all
SUBCASE 2
analysis=NLTRAN
step 3
TSTEPNL= 3
SPC = 2
TEMPERATURE(LOAD,hsubc=10,htime=all) = 5
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
nlstress = all
Main Index
31
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
stress = all
Turbine blade coarse thermal mesh using Restart into fined
structure mesh for thermal stress analysis using SOL 400
Turbine Blade Example
The Thermal job is submitted with SCR=NO. The FMS, EXEC, and CASE control sections define the
job setup for the thermal run:
SOL 400
CEND
$ Direct Text Input for Global Case Control Data
TITLE = MD Nastran job created on 29-May-09 at 11:19:39
ECHO = NONE
TEMPERATURE(INITIAL) = 1
SUBCASE 1
STEP 1
TITLE=This is a default subcase.
ANALYSIS = HSTAT
NLPARM = 1
SPC = 1
THERMAL(SORT1,PRINT)=ALL
FLUX(SORT1,PRINT=ALL
BEGIN BULK
The FMS, EXEC, and CASE control for the structural restart job:
assign hrun='map_heat1.MASTER'
dbloc datablk=(heatdb) logi=hrun
SOL 400
CEND
$ Direct Text Input for Global Case Control Data
TITLE = MD Nastran job created on 02-Apr-10 at 13:30:31
ECHO = NONE
SUBCASE 2
ANALYSIS=NLSTAT
TITLE=This is a default subcase.
temp(load,hsub=1)=9
NLPARM = 1
SPC = 2
DISPLACEMENT(plot,SORT1,REAL)=ALL
SPCFORCES(plot,SORT1,REAL)=ALL
STRESS(plot,SORT1,REAL,VONMISES,BILIN)=ALL
$ Direct Text Input for this Subcase
BEGIN BULK
The resulting temperature profile from the thermal run is automatically mapped onto the structural mesh
for the structural analysis. The results are shown below:
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MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
32
Figure 2-7 Thermal mapping of a turbine blade analysis onto a structural analysis.
Main Index
33
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Figure 2-8 Thermal model
NASTRAN test deck: tpl/m_physics/map_heat1_m.dat
Thermal Boundary conditions:
1. Convection exposed to hot gas at 800 F with h equals to 0.2 Btu/sec-in2*F along the edge of the
turbine blade
2. Fix the bottom of base temperature at 70 F
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MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
34
Figure 2-9 Temperature contour
Main Index
35
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Figure 2-10 Temperature of the blade
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MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
36
Figure 2-11 Thermal mesh
Since the blade exhibits many temperature gradients across the surface, and in order to capture the
thermal stress, we will refine the mesh in this region.
Main Index
37
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Here is the refined structure mesh:
Figure 2-12 Refine the mesh for structure analysis
Structure Boundary conditions:
1. Fix at the top surface of the blade
2. Fix the bottom surface of the base
The following is the structure material property:
MAT1 1 1.2+6 .33 1.0-6
$ Material Record : blade_st
$ Description of Material : Date: 02-Apr-10 Time: 13:47:02
MAT1 2 2.+6 .33 1.2-6
Please note that for mesh mapping, there is a parameter for which you can control the interpolation
between the coarse and fine mesh. In this case, the default for NLMOPTS, MAPTOL is 0.2. This means
that the boxes for the thermal mesh and structure mesh are within 20 percent.
In this case, the MAPTOL tolerance is adjusted to 0.5. Then, the interpolating from the coarse thermal-
mesh temperature is able to map to the fined structure mesh.
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Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
38
NLMOPTS,MAPTOL,0.5
Figure 2-13 Refined map temperatures
Main Index
39
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Figure 2-14 Map temperature on refined mesh
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MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
40
Figure 2-15 Refine mesh (Thermal displacement)
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41
CHAPTER 2
Multi-Physics in SOL 400
Figure 2-16 Thermal displacement
NASTRAN test deck: tpl/m_physics/map_structure1b_m.dat
assign hrun='map_heat1_m.MASTER'
dbloc datablk=(heatdb) logi=hrun
NASTRAN system(316)=7
SOL 400
CEND

TITLE = MD Nastran job created on 02-Apr-10 at 13:30:31
ECHO = NONE
SUBCASE 2
ANALYSIS=NLSTAT
TITLE=This is a default subcase.
temp(load,hsub=1)=9
NLPARM = 1
SPC = 2
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
SPCFORCES(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
STRESS(SORT1,REAL,VONMISES,BILIN)=ALL
nlstress(nlout=12)=all
BEGIN BULK
nlout,12,tottemp
nlmopts,maptol,0.5
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Uncoupled Thermal-Mechanical Analysis
42
Please note that using the advance nonlinear elements along with nlstress output that request the tottemp
allows the interpolated temperatures to be shown with refined mesh. You can use the param,post,-1
(OP2) file or use NASTRAN SYSTEM(316)=7 (MASTER) file to see the results with SimXpert.
Main Index
Chapter 3: Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in
SOL 400

Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear Analyses in SOL 400


Main Index
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Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear Analyses in SOL 400
44
Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear
Analyses in SOL 400
Introduction
Linear perturbation analysis provides the analyst with the ability to perform an analysis based on the
nonlinear equilibrium state of a structure. This allows the user to take into account the stress stiffening
(or stress softening), large displacement, material nonlinear, and contact effects when performing an
analysis. A common example is to perform a normal modes analysis of a structure that changes load path
because of contact. Linear perturbation analysis was introduced to MD Nastran R3 but was limited to
normal modes, direct and modal complex Eigenvalues, and brake squeal analysis. MD Nastran 2010
extends the linear perturbation capability to include direct frequency response, modal frequency
response, and modal transient response. Note that performing a static nonlinear solution followed by a
nonlinear transient response has been available since MD Nastran R2 and is referred to as analysis
chaining. Therefore, direct transient response is not available for linear perturbation analysis.
Multidisciplinary linear analysis will allow multiple linear analysis types to be executed within the same
analysis job. For instance, the user might want to run linear static, normal modes, buckling, and modal
frequency response in the same run and have a complete set of results for all the disciplines. The
multidisciplinary linear analysis is new in MD Nastran 2010 and includes linear static, normal modes,
buckling, direct frequency response, modal frequency response, modal transient response, direct
complex eigenvalues, modal complex eigenvalues, static aeroelasticity, and flutter analysis types.
It is noted that both linear perturbation analysis and multidisciplinary linear analyses can be combined in
a single solution. And since these capabilities share similar Case Control, these topics are covered
together in this section. Users familiar with the multidisciplinary features of design optimization (SOL
200) will recognize the similarities in the case control for SOL 400.
With the same rule as the MD Nastran R3 release on the linear perturbation analyses, a nonlinear static
analysis is required to precede a linear perturbation analysis. Linear perturbation analyses are performed
in a way as what is called Analysis Chaining.
Benefits
The linear perturbation analysis and multidisciplinary linear analysis features are another step in
completing MD Nastran, which will ultimately bring together multi-physics, multidisciplinary analyses
and design optimizations in a single software platform.
Linear perturbations, with response analyses in either frequency or time domain, will further enable the
users to perform comprehensive analyses beyond Nastran existing capabilities offered by SOL 1xx
sequences, such as SOLs 108, 111, 112, and 106. It allows the finite element analysts to conduct more
sophisticate nonlinear analyses with geometric, material and contact nonlinearities prior to the linear
perturbation analyses.
Main Index
45
CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
Linear analyses by SOL 400 will offer the users more flexibility in terms of both modeling and analyses.
It also opens the door for the future enhancement in both analysis capabilities and design optimizations
in MD Nastran.
Method and Theory of Linear Perturbation Analyses
Linear perturbation analyses, in its definition, are performed at an instant of nonlinearly deformed
equilibrium state, by linearizing the nonlinear equation of motion. The linearized perturbation equation
of motion, is formulated as
where M, B and K are system mass, damping and tangent stiffness matrices, respectively, at a nonlinear
static solution state, represented by total nonlinear displacement and applied load vectors, u and P, and
a set of history-dependent internal variables, , such as plastic strains. Both and are
perturbed displacement vector and applied perturbation load, respectively. Parameter, t, is either the real
time or a time-like variable, starting from for the perturbation solutions. Both and are
the first and second-order derivatives of , respectively, with respect to time, t. It should be
emphasized that load vectors, P and , are completely independent of each other.
In general, the system matrices, M, B and K are nonlinear in nature. In other words, they are dependent
on the deformation history and the loading path. The tangent stiffness matrix, K, can be asymmetric. One
example is when a friction or follower force is applied on the structure. Their contribution to the
structural stiffness is one of the sources that cause its asymmetry. The unsymmetrical stiffness is essential
in the study of dynamic instability of structures, such as brake squealing.
Standard linear solution procedures can be applied to solve the linear perturbation equation. In the
previous MD Nastran release, we implemented the eigenvalue solutions, such as Normal Modes, both
Direct and Modal Complex Eigenvalues, with special applications to brake squeal analyses.
In MD Nastran 2010, the solutions are further sought in either frequency or real-time domain. For the
linearly-perturbed responses in the frequency domain, we have both direct and modal approaches. For
the responses in the time domain, the modal approach has been implemented.
For all the solutions of linear perturbation analyses, either eigenvalues or responses, the contact
constraints are applied at the specified nonlinear loading step or increment, where the linear perturbation
analysis is performed. The contact constraints, in the form of MPC equations and handled by the
Augmented Lagrange Multiplier Method, are kept unchanged for the linear solutions. In other words, we
actually apply the permanent glued contact in the linear perturbation analyses, even though a general
contact is involved in the preceding nonlinear solution process. For the linear perturbation with modal
transient responses, this is the only sensible approach in case the contact is included in the solutions. For
the users who are more interested in the direct transient responses with the general contact, they must
resort to the nonlinear transient analysis, offered by SOL 400.
The incremental, or perturbed, displacement vector, , from solving the linear perturbation equation,
is measured from the nonlinearly deformed structural configuration. The total displacement vector is
M u ( )Au

B u c
P
, ( )Au

K u P c
P
, , ( )Au + + Af t ( ) =
c
P
Au Af t ( )
t 0 = Au

Au

Au
Af t ( )
Au
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Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear Analyses in SOL 400
46
where is the nonlinear displacement vector at specified nonlinear loading step or increment. The
element perturbation strains are computed from based on the linear theory. Element stresses are
calculated from the strains on the ground that the constitutive relation is linear. For most of Nastran
elements, the material constants can be found in material Bulk Data entries, such as MAT1, MAT2 and
so on. The total element stresses are the sum of nonlinear stresses, , and the linear perturbation
stresses, .
Other solution results, such as element forces, SPC and MPC forces, are computed accordingly.
Input
Input of Linear Perturbation Analyses
A linear perturbation analysis is invoked by the Case Control command ANALYSIS=analysis_type. A
nonlinear static analysis is required before performing the linear perturbations. For complicated loading
conditions the user must specify which nonlinear initial conditions should be used by the perturbation
analysis. In this case the Case Control command NLIC can be used to reference the nonlinear solution at
a specific loading step or increment in a preceding STEP with ANALYSIS=NLSTATIC.
In MD Nastran R3, the analysis types that were supported for linear perturbation analysis were:
Normal modes analysis (ANALYSIS=MODES)
Direct and Modal Complex Eigenvalues (ANALYSIS=DCEIG, MCEIG)
Brake Squeal Analysis (BSQUEAL)
In MD Nastran 2010, the newly added analysis types for linear perturbation are:
Direct frequency analysis (ANALYSIS=DFREQ)
This is for the linear perturbation Direct Frequency Response Analysis. The normal Case
Control commands and Bulk Data entries required by running SOL 108 (SEDFREQ) must be
present.
Modal frequency analysis (ANALYSIS=MFREQ)
This is for the linear perturbation Modal Frequency Response Analysis. A Case Control
command, METHOD, needs to be specified for the modal approach. Other Case Control
commands and Bulk Data entries, required by running SOL 111 or SEMFREQ, must be present.
Modal Transient Analysis (ANALYSIS=MTRAN)
This is for the linear perturbation Modal Transient Response Analysis. A Case Control
command, METHOD, needs to be specified for the modal approach. Other Case Control
commands and Bulk Data entries, required by running SOL 112 or SEMTRAN, must be present.
u
T
u = Au +
u
Au
o
NL
Ao
L
o
T
o
NL
= Ao
L
+
Main Index
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CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
Input of Regular Linear Analyses
A regular linear analysis is introduced by Case Control command, ANALYSIS=analysis_type, in a
SUBCASE. Neither STEP - MD Only nor SUBSTEP - MD Only are supported in linear analyses. Each
analysis is an independent solution discipline. For linear buckling analysis the Case Control command
STATSUB(BUCKLING)=subcaseid must be specified to select the appropriate stress-stiffening
SUBCASE. The following ANALYSIS types, supported by SOL 400, are also shared by SOL 200.
ANALYSIS=STATICS, linear statics
ANALYSIS=MODES, normal modes
ANALYSIS=BUCK, buckling analysis
ANALYSIS=DFREQ, direct frequency response
ANALYSIS=MFREQ, modal frequency response
ANALYSIS=MTRAN, modal transient response
ANALYSIS=DCEIG, direct complex Eigenvalues
ANALYSIS=MCEIG, modal complex Eigenvalues
ANALYSIS=SAERO, static aeroelastic response
ANALYSIS=FLUTTER, aerodynamic flutter
Output
1. The output of both linear perturbation and regular linear analyses share the same data formats and
data-blocks as their corresponding individual solution sequences, such as SOL 101, 103, 105,
108, 112, and so on.
2. The linear perturbation solutions, such as displacements, stresses, strains, element forces, SPC
and MPC forces, are not superposed on their corresponding nonlinear static solutions.
3. Data recovery of a linear perturbation analysis is performed in its current SUBCASE-STEP,
while the solutions of a nonlinear analysis are output after all iterations are completed, except for
the nonlinear solution PHASE II output.
4. If there are linear, nonlinear and perturbation subcases, the linear subcases will be solved first.
The linear subcases are reordered for processing and the output will be in the following order
regardless of original subcase number: STATICS, MODES, BUCKLING, DFREQ or MFREQ,
MTRAN, DCEIG or MCEIG, SAERO, FLUTTER.
Guidelines and Limitations
With more and more capabilities of both multi-physics and multidisciplinary analyses brought into
SOL 400, it has recently evolved enormously well beyond its original analysis capacity of nonlinear
static and transient analyses. The solution environment, which is set up for nonlinear analyses, may not
be suitable for a regular linear analysis. This is particularly obvious when it comes to the default settings
of Case Control commands and Nastran system cells. One example is Case Control command,
Main Index
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48
RIGID=elimination_method. In SOL 400, its default is RIGID=LAGRAN, for the Augmented Lagrange
Multiplier method when there are some rigid elements in the model, while in the rest of SOL 1xx
sequences, the default is RIGID=LINEAR. Although RIGID=LAGRAN is also supported by some of
SOL 1xx sequences, users are less motivated to use it in a linear analysis. Another example is AUTOSPC.
In nonlinear analyses, AUTOSPC=YES could be detrimental to the solution procedure, while it is almost
universally used in linear analyses. The default setting, AUTOSPC=YES, which is universal for both
nonlinear and linear analyses, is the uncharted water that needs more exploration to identify the issues in
order to make it more robust and user-friendly in the future.
In this MD Nastran 2010 release, it is advised that the user explicitly specify the solution-critical Case
Control commands rather than the defaults. This is particularly important when running a job that
combines all linear, nonlinear and linear perturbation analyses together. It is also helpful that similar and
related analyses are run together in a single job submittal. For example, nonlinear and related linear
perturbation analyses are executed in a separate job from other regular linear analyses. The aeroelastic
analyses, such as static-aero and flutter, are better put in a job separated from other unrelated analyses,
such as a nonlinear transient analysis or a linear perturbation. In doing so, it will cause less confusion in
case something goes wrong.
The following items have been identified and need special attention:
1. Lagrange rigid elements (Case Control command RIGID=LAGRAN) do not work with residual
vectors (Case Control command RESVEC=YES) when either a modal analysis or an modal
approach is performed in either a linear perturbation or a regular linear analysis.
a. For a linear analysis SUBCASE it is recommended to specify RIGID=LINEAR and
RESVEC=YES
b. For a linear perturbation STEP with a modal approach (ANALYSIS=MODES, MFREQ,
MTRAN, or MCEIG), it is recommended to set RIGID=LAGRAN and RESVEC=NO
2. Lagrange rigid elements (Case Control command RIGID=LAGRAN) do not work well with
aeroelastic analyses, such as SAERO and FLUTTER. For linear analysis it is recommended that
RIGID=LINEAR be used for SUBCASES with ANALYIS=SAERO or ANALYSIS=FLUTTER.
3. In linear perturbation analyses, all element stresses, strains and forces are not computed for
advanced nonlinear elements (PBARN1, PBEMN1, PCOMPLS, PRODN1, PSHEARN,
PSHLN1, PSHLN2, and PSLDN1) and MD Nastran nonlinear-only elements, such as
hyperelastic elements.
4. In linear analyses, ANALYSIS=DFREQ and ANALYSIS=MFREQ cannot be executed in the
same job, even though they are in different SUBCASE. Linear perturbation analyses have no such
restriction.
5. Case Control command STATSUB(BUCKLING)=subcaseid is recommended for linear subcases
with ANALYSIS=BUCKLE.
6. STATSUB(PRELOAD) is not supported in a linear analysis subcase.
7. Enforced motion (SPCD method) is not supported in either linear or linear perturbation transient,
frequency response, or flutter analyses. The large mass method is supported.
Main Index
49
CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
8. When a superelement analysis is performed the Case Control command
ANALYSIS=analyis_type must be defined in each SUBCASE assigned to a specific
superelement.
9. The linear perturbation analysis uses the nonlinear deformation as the initial geometry. Therefore,
the linear perturbation deflections are relative to the nonlinear deformation associated with the
nonlinear initial condition (NLIC). It should be noted that the linear perturbation solutions are not
superimposed upon the nonlinear solutions. It should also be noted that PARAM,ADSTAT has
no effect in linear perturbation analysis.
10. Inertia relief is supported in linear analysis only (PARAM,INREL).
Examples
The following examples are available in the TPL in the following directories
/tpl/perturb400: nlfreq01.dat, nlfreq03.dat, nlfreq05.dat, nlmtra02.dat, nlmultib.dat,
nlmultsa.dat, nlfreq02.dat, nlfreq04a.dat, nlmtra01.dat, nlmultia.dat, nlmultic.dat
/tpl/aero_400: nlcfreqs.dat, nlflut01.dat, nlflut02.dat, nlha200a.dat, nlsaer01.dat
TPL Example nlcfreqs.dat: Linear Perturbation Analysis with both DFREQ and MFREQ
Here is an example that shows how non linearities, such as large displacements and contact, work with
linear perturbation analyses of frequency responses, in both direct and modal approaches. The structure
consists of two cantilever beams of plate elements. Under pressure load on the upper beam, the structure
deflects in finite or large displacements with contact, as shown in Figure 3-1. At the end of nonlinear
static loading, both direct and modal frequency response analyses are performed as linear perturbations
with contact constraints applied in the form of permanent glued contact. The perturbed displacement
responses at different excitation frequencies are plotted in Figure 3-2 and Figure 3-3. The excitation
forces are applied at the free end of the upper beam. It should be mentioned that the perturbed deflections
are plotted on the undeformed structure configuration. It can be seen that the contact constraints are
reflected in responses. Both direct and modal solutions match with each other.
Input File
ID MSC, NLCFREQS $
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$
$ STEP 1: NLSTATIC with contact, LGDISP is on
$ Two plates contact with sliding.
$ STEP 2: Linear perturbation with DFREQ
$ STEP 3: Linear perturbation with MFREQ; NLIC at STEP 1
$ Load factor=1.0%
$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$
SOL 400
$
CEND
TITLE=MD Nastran SOL 400, Linear Perturbation Analysis
SUBTI=3D General Contact with Large Displacement Turned on
$
SUBCASE 1
STEP 1
LABEL=Nonlinear Static Analysis with Contact
ANALYSIS = NLSTATIC
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50
NLPARM = 1
BCONTACT = 1
BOUTPUT=ALL
SPC = 2
LOAD = 3
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
STEP 2
LABEL=Linear Perturbation, DFREQ
ANALYSIS = DFREQ
DLOAD=200
FREQ =10
AUTOSPC=YES
SPC = 2
DISPLACEMENT = ALL
STEP 3
LABEL=Linear Perturbation, MFREQ
ANALYSIS = MFREQ
NLIC STEP 1 LOADFAC 1.0
METHOD = 30
DLOAD=200
FREQ =10
AUTOSPC=YES
RESVEC =NO
SPC = 2
DISPLACEMENT = ALL
$
BEGIN BULK
PARAM LGDISP 1
PARAM PRTMAXIM YES
NLPARM 1 2 FNT P YES
BCTABLE 0 3
SLAVE 3 0. 0. 0. 0. 0
1 0 0
MASTERS 3
SLAVE 3 0. 0. 0. 0. 0
1 0 0
MASTERS 4
SLAVE 4 0. 0. 0. 0. 0
1 0 0
MASTERS 1
BCTABLE 1 3
SLAVE 3 0. 0. 0. 0. 0
1 0 0
MASTERS 3
SLAVE 3 0. 0. 0. 0. 0
1 0 0
MASTERS 4
SLAVE 4 0. 0. 0. 0. 0
1 0 0
MASTERS 4
$
FREQ 10 600.0 1200.0
RLOAD1 200 100 3
TABLED1 3
0. 1. 100. 1. ENDT
FORCE 100 101 10.0 -1.
FORCE 100 122 20.0 -1.
FORCE 100 143 10.0 -1.
$
EIGRL 30 200
$
$ Elements and Element Properties for region : left
PSHELL 1 1 .1 1 1
$ Pset: "left" will be imported as: "pshell.1"
CQUAD4 1 1 1 2 23 22
CQUAD4 2 1 2 3 24 23
.
.
.
$ Elements and Element Properties for region : right
PSHELL 2 2 .1 2 2
$ Pset: "right" will be imported as: "pshell.2"
CQUAD4 101 2 101 102 123 122
CQUAD4 102 2 102 103 124 123
.
.
.
MAT1 1 6.+7 .3 2.59-4
Main Index
51
CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
MAT1 2 6.+7 .3 2.59-4
$ Nodes of the Entire Model
GRID 1 0. -0.1 0.
GRID 2 .5 -0.1 0.
GRID 3 1. -0.1 0.
GRID 4 1.5 -0.1 0.
GRID 5 2. -0.1 0.
.
.
.
SPCADD 2 1 3
LOAD 3 1. 1. 2
$ Displacement Constraints of Load Set : fixed-ends
SPC1 1 123456 1 22 43
$ Displacement Constraints of Load Set : fixed-ends.1
SPC1 3 123456 121 142 163
$ Deform Body Contact LBC set: left
BCBODY 3 3D DEFORM 3 0
BSURF 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
40
$ Deform Body Contact LBC set: right
BCBODY 4 3D DEFORM 4 0
BSURF 4 101 102 103 104 105 106 107
108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115
116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123
124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131
132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139
140
$ Pressure Loads of Load Set : p-right
PLOAD4 2 101 -5. THRU 140
$ Referenced Coordinate Frames
CORD2R 1 0. 0. .05 0. 0. 1.05
1. 0. .05
ENDDATA $
Figure 3-1 Nonlinear Static Deflection with Contact
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Figure 3-2 Displacement Response at Frequency, 0.6KHz
Main Index
53
CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
Figure 3-3 Displacement Response at Frequency, 1.2KHz
TPL example nlmultic.dat: Combined Nonlinear Static, Linear Perturbation and Regular
Linear Analyses
This example shows how we can combine nonlinear, linear perturbation and regular linear analyses
together in a single run of job. The model is simple and solutions are trivial. The main purpose is to show
the Case Control structure. The linear analyses are executed first. They are followed by the nonlinear
static analyses. Linear perturbation analysis is the last.
Input File
ID MSC, NLMULTIC $
SOL 400
CEND
$
TITLE =SOL 400: Multi-discipline Analyses
SUBCASE 101
DISP = 10
STRESS = ALL
STEP 11
LABEL=Nonlinear Statics, Load 1001
ANALYSIS = NLSTATIC
NLPARM = 11
LOAD = 1001
STEP 12
LABEL=Nonlinear Statics, Load 1005
ANALYSIS = NLSTATIC
NLPARM = 11
LOAD = 1005
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STEP 13
LABEL=Linear Perturbation, Modes
ANALYSIS = MODES
METHOD = 1003
RESVEC = NO
AUTOSPC(NOPRINT) = YES
DISPL = ALL
SUBCASE 1001
LABEL=Linear Static
ANALYSIS = STATIC
LOAD = 1001
DISP = 10
STRESS = ALL
SUBCASE 1002
LABEL=Direct Frequency Response
ANALYSIS = DFREQ
DISPL(PHASE) = 10
DLOAD = 1002
FREQ = 1002
SUBCASE 1003
LABEL=Modal Transient Response
ANALYSIS = MTRAN
DISPL = 10
DLOAD = 1003
METHOD = 1003
TSTEP = 1003
OLOAD = ALL
SUBCASE 1004
LABEL=Normal Modes
ANALYSIS = MODES
SVECTOR = ALL
METHOD = 1004
SUBCASE 1005
LABEL=Linear Static; 2nd Static Subcase
ANALYSIS = STATIC
LOAD = 1005
SPC = 1005
DISP = 10
STRESS = ALL
SUBCASE 1006
LABEL=Direct Frequency Response; 2nd Direct Subcase
ANALYSIS = DFREQ
SPC = 1005
AUTOSPC(NOPRINT) = YES
DLOAD = 1006
FREQ = 1006
DISPL(PHASE) = 10
STRESS = ALL
SUBCASE 1007
LABEL=STATIC for BUCK
ANALYSIS = STATIC
LOAD = 1007
DISPL = 10
STRESS = ALL
SUBCASE 1008
LABEL=Buckling with STATSUB=1007
ANALYSIS = BUCKLING
STATSUB = 1007
DISPL = ALL
METHOD = 1008
BEGIN BULK
$
PARAM, WTMASS, .002588
PARAM, LGDISP, 1
NLPARM 11 FNT PWU YES
1.0-4 1.0-4 1.0-4
GRID 100 0. 0. 0.
GRID 101 2. 0. 0.
GRID 102 4. 0. 0.
.
.
.
ENDDATA $
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55
CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
TPL example nlha200a.dat: Aeroelastic Analyses in SOL 400
This example is converted from a SOL 200 file. It runs analyses of both SAERO and FLUTTER. Case
Control command, RIGID=LINEAR, is put above all SUBCASE's to override the default in SOL 400.
The solution results are verified with the ones from SOL 200.
Input File
TIME 30 $ CPU TIME IN MINUTES
SOL 400 $ MD SOL 400 with AEROELASTICITY
CEND
TITLE = EXAMPLE HA200A: 30 DEG FWD SWEPT WING WITH CANARD AND HA200A
SUBTI = DEMONSTRATION OF AEROELASTICITY IN MD(SOL 400)
RIGID = LINEAR $ sol 400 default: RIGID=LAGRAN
SPC = 1
DISP = ALL $
STRESS = ALL $
FORCE = ALL $
AEROF = ALL $
APRES = ALL $
SUBCASE 1
LABEL = SUBSONIC SYMMETRIC PULLOUT
ANALYSIS = SAERO
TRIM = 1 $
SUBCASE 2
LABEL = SUPERSONIC SYMMETRIC PULLOUT
ANALYSIS = SAERO
TRIM = 2 $
SUBCASE 3
LABEL = HIGH SPEED ROLLING PULLOUT
ANALYSIS = SAERO
TRIM = 3 $
SUBCASE 4
LABEL = HIGH SPEED PULLUP WITH ABRUPT ROLL
ANALYSIS = SAERO
TRIM = 4 $
SUBCASE 5
LABEL = SUBSONIC ENTRY INTO SNAP ROLL
ANALYSIS = SAERO
TRIM = 5 $
SUBCASE 6
LABEL = SUBSONIC FLUTTER ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS = FLUTTER
SET 10 = 1,THRU,100000
PARAM OPPHIPA,1
DISP = 10
STRESS = NONE $
FORCE = NONE $
ID MSC, NLHA200A $
$$$$$$$$ HANDBOOK FOR AEROELASTIC ANALYSIS EXAMPLE HA200A $$$$$$$$
$ $
$ MODEL DESCRIPTION FULL SPAN 30 DEG FWD SWEPT WING $
$ WITH AILERON, CANARD AND AFT SWEPT $
$ VERTICAL FIN AND RUDDER. $
$ BAR MODEL WITH DUMBBELL MASSES. $
$ $
$ SOLUTION QUASI-STEADY AEROELASTIC ANALYSIS $
$ AND UNSTEADY FLUTTER ANALYSIS USING $
$ DOUBLET-LATTICE METHOD $
$ AERODYNAMICS AT MACH NO. 0.9. $
$ $
$ OUTPUT STANDARD AEROELASTIC OUTPUT PLUS $
$ A TABLE IDENTIFYING RESPONSES $
$ FOR WHICH SENSITIVITY RESULTS ARE $
$ AVAILABLE FOLLOWED BY A MATRIX OF $
$ SENSITIVITY VALUES. $
$ $
$ $
$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear Analyses in SOL 400
56
AEROF = NONE $
APRES = NONE $
METHOD = 20
FMETHOD = 30
SUBCASE 7
LABEL = SUPERSONIC FLUTTER ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS = FLUTTER
DISP = NONE $
STRESS = NONE $
FORCE = NONE $
AEROF = NONE $
APRES = NONE $
METHOD = 20
FMETHOD = 40
$
BEGIN BULK
$
INCLUDE 'TPLDIR:fswtwo.dat'
$
$ * RIGHT WING STRUCTURE * $
$ $
$ THE CBAR ENTRY DEFINES A SIMPLE BEAM ELEMENT. LISTED ARE $
$ ITS PROPERTY ENTRY ID, THE TWO GRID POINTS JOINED BY THE $
$ BEAM AND COMPONENTS OF A VECTOR FROM THE FIRST POINT. $
$ THIS VECTOR DEFINES THE DIRECTION OF THE STRUCTURAL DE- $
$ FLECTION OF THE POINT AND ITS POSITIVE SENSE. $
$ $
$ EID PID GA GB X1,GO X2 X3
CBAR 110 101 100 110 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 120 102 110 120 0. 0. 1.
$ $
$ THE RBAR ENTRY DEFINES A RIGID BAR. LISTED ARE THE GRID $
$ POINTS AT EACH END AND THE DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT DOFS $
$ AT EACH END. THE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT DOFS AT THE TWO $
$ ENDS MUST EQUAL SIX. BY DEFAULT THOSE NOT DECLARED INDE- $
$ PENDENT ARE MADE DEPENDENT. $
$ $
$ EID GA GB CNA CNB CMA CMB
RBAR 111 110 111 123456
RBAR 112 110 112 123456
RBAR 121 120 121 123456
RBAR 122 120 122 123456
$
$ THE PBAR ENTRY DEFINES GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE BEAM. $
$ LISTED ARE ITS ASSOCIATED MATERIAL ENTRY ID, ITS CROSS SEC- $
$ TIONAL AREA, AREA MOMENTS OF INERTIA, TORSIONAL MOMENT $
$ OF INERTIA AND NON-STRUCTURAL MASS PER UNIT AREA. THE $
$ OPTIONAL CONTINUATION ENTRY CONTAINS STRESS RECOVERY $
$ COEFFICIENTS, I.E., Y,Z COORDINATES WHERE STRESSES ARE $
$ TO BE COMPUTED. K1 AND K2 ARE AREA FACTORS FOR SHEAR $
$ STIFFNESS (DEFAULT IS BLANK; THEN SHEAR STIFFNESS IS $
$ INFINITE, I.E., SHEAR FLEXIBILITY IS ZERO. I12 IS THE $
$ AREA PRODUCT OF INERTIA. $
$ $
$ INBOARD WING
$
$ PID MID A I1 I2 J NSM
PBAR 101 2 1.5 0.173611+2.0 0.462963 +PB1W
$ C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2
+PB1W 0.5 3.0 0.5 -3.0 -0.5 3.0 -0.5 -3.0 +PB2W
$ K1 K2 I12
+PB2W 0.0
$
$ OUTBOARD WING
$
$ PID MID A I1 I2 J NSM
PBAR 102 2 1.5 0.173611+2.0 0.462963 +PB3W
$ C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2
+PB3W 0.5 3.0 0.5 -3.0 -0.5 3.0 -0.5 -3.0 +PB4W
$ K1 K2 I12
+PB4W 0.0
$ $
$ * LEFT WING STRUCTURE * $
$ $
$ EID PID GA GB X1,GO X2 X3
CBAR 210 101 100 210 0. 0. 1.
CBAR 220 102 210 220 0. 0. 1.
$
Main Index
57
CHAPTER 3
Linear Perturbation Analysis in SOL 400
$ EID GA GB CNA CNB CMA CMB
RBAR 211 210 211 123456
RBAR 212 210 212 123456
RBAR 221 220 221 123456
RBAR 222 220 222 123456
$ $
$ * FIN STRUCTURE * $
$ $
$ EID PID GA GB X1,GO X2 X3
CBAR 310 103 100 310 0. 0. 1.
$ $
$ PID MID A I1 I2 J NSM
PBAR 103 3 1.5 0.173611+2.0 0.462963 +PB1V
$ C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2
+PB1V 0.5 3.0 0.5 -3.0 -0.5 3.0 -0.5 -3.0 +PB2V
$ K1 K2 I12
+PB2V 0.0
$
$ EID GA GB CNA CNB CMA CMB
RBAR 311 310 311 123456
RBAR 312 310 312 123456
.
.
.
ENDDATA
TPL Example nlmultsa.dat: Linear Analyses with Superelements
This example shows how both STATICS and MFREQ are run with a super-element FE model. It is
required that the different analysis types be assigned to the same super-element to complete the analyses.
Input File
ID MSC, NLMULTSA $
SOL 400
CEND
$
TITLE= Super-Elements with Multiple boundary conditions
SUBTI= MFREQ and STATICS
SET 101 = 99
SET 102 = 1,6,101,301
SET 103 = 111,202,206
DISP = ALL
SPCFORCE = 101
STRESS = 102
STRAIN = 102
METHOD = 99
FREQ = 33
$
SUBCASE 1
SUBTI= SUBCASE 1; ANALYSIS=MFREQ
LABEL= SUPERELEMENT 1
ANALYSIS = MFREQ
SUPER = 1
MPC = 88
MPCFORCE = ALL
SUBCASE 2
SUBTI= SUBCASE 2; ANALYSIS=STATICS
LABEL= SUPERELEMENT 1
ANALYSIS = STATICS
SUPER = 1
MPC = 88
MPCFORCE = ALL
DISP = ALL
SUBCASE 11
SUBTI= SUBCASE 11; ANALYSIS=MFREQ
LABEL= SPC 11; Residual
ANALYSIS = MFREQ
SPC = 11
DLOAD = 101
SDAMP = 11
SUBCASE 22
SUBTI= SUBCASE 22; ANALYSIS=MFREQ
LABEL= SPC 22; Residual
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Linear Perturbation and Multidisciplinary Linear Analyses in SOL 400
58
ANALYSIS = MFREQ
SPC = 22
DLOAD = 202
SDAMP = 22
SUBCASE 33
SUBTI= SUBCASE 33; ANALYSIS=MFREQ
LABEL= SPC 11; Residual
ANALYSIS = MFREQ
SPC = 11
DLOAD = 101
SDAMP = 22
SUBCASE 44
SUBTI= SUBCASE 44; ANALYSIS=STATICS
LABEL= SPC 11; Residual
ANALYSIS = STATICS
SPC = 11
DISP = ALL
LOAD = 44
BEGIN BULK
PARAM,WTMASS,.00259
PARAM,AUTOSPC,YES
FORCE 2 104 100.0 0. 0. -1.
FORCE 2 204 100.0 0. 0. -1.
FORCE 44 111 100.0 0. 0. -1.
FORCE 44 211 100.0 0. 0. -1.
SESET 1 104 204
RLOAD1 101 701 31
RLOAD1 202 702 32
DAREA 701 111 3 2000.
DAREA 701 211 3 2000.
DAREA 702 111 3 4000.
DAREA 702 211 3 4000.
.
.
.
ENDDATA
GUI Support
SimXpert supports multistep case control.
Main Index
Chapter 4: Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in
SOL 400

Outline of New SOL 400 RC Network Solver Capabilities

RC Network Solvers

Advanced Radiation Features

Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and Primitives

Convection Correlations

Coating and MLI Materials

RC Network Thermal Contact

User-Defined Routines
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Outline of New SOL 400 RC Network Solver Capabilities
60
Outline of New SOL 400 RC Network Solver
Capabilities
The SOL 400 RC Network Solver is a part of MD Nastran 2010. It combines the advanced features of
MSC SINDA and some of MSC Patran/Thermal. It has the following unique advanced thermal features:
Advanced Radiation Features
Links to 5 spacecraft thermal REF/orbital heating analysis codes: THERMICA, NEVADA, TSS,
TRASYS and SINDARad. The radiation exchange factors (REFs) and orbital heating will be
calculated in these commercial codes and brought back to the RC Network Solver. SINDARad
also supports geometry and exchange view factor visualization.
RC Network Solvers
Add 4 steady state solvers and 14 transient solvers for thermal analysis. User can pick adequate
thermal solvers for different kinds of models, and compare the results from different solvers.
Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and Primitives
Support some advanced radiation features, such as radiation collections and Primitives
which are geometric primitives utilizing true geometric shapes. The radiation mesh does not
have to be congruent with the conduction mesh.
Convection Correlations
Supports the convection correlation library (Materials and Properties/Correlation), allowing
users to pick one of 44 industry-standard convection correlations, model internal/ external forced
convection and natural convection, and then attach these to a convection load.
Coating and MLI Materials
Supports Coating and MLI materials which can be referenced directly from the loads. These are
often used in space thermal analysis.
Advanced Thermal Contact and its Visualization
Supports thermal contact loads based on the projection algorithm, including edge-to-edge,
edge- to-surface, and surface-to-surface contact, coupled advection, and gap radiation. The
contact pair does not need to have congruent meshing.
User-Defined Routines
Supports user defined routines and C/Fortran logic.
Main Index
61
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
RC Network Solvers
Introduction
Choosing an appropriate steady state or transient solver and good control constant values can be essential
for obtaining an accurate RC Network solver thermal solution. FE-based models can become quite large
and the solver/control constant selection can have an even more dramatic effect on accuracy and/or run-
time.
MD Nastran 2010 adds the capability to use 4 steady state solvers and 14 transient solvers for thermal
analysis. The user can pick adequate thermal solvers for different kinds of models, and compare the
results from different solvers.
When running FE-based models, default solvers and control constants are pre-selected, but can always
be overridden by the user. Typically, SNSOR is the default steady state solver, and ATSDUF the default
for transient. Although these defaults usually suffice, the need to make different choices is not
uncommon, most often caused by radiation or some other nonlinearity in the model.
The user should never trust the first apparently successful RC Network solver solution for any real-work
model. Whether the method was steady state or transient, the solution needs to be verified before the
model can be trusted. Several methods are available for verifying the solution.
Obtain nearly identical results with a different numerical method
Obtain nearly identical results with tighter convergence (steady state or transient)
Obtain nearly identical results with a smaller time step (transient)
Obtain nearly identical results with more rays or different random seeds (external radiation
solvers)
Benefits
MD Nastran 2010 allows the user to select from 4 steady state and 14 transient RC network solvers so
that the most appropriate solver can be used for the specific analysis task.
Input
Additional fields have been added to NLSTEP to run the RC Network thermal solvers.
In general, iterative solvers are good choices for highly nonlinear models, very large models, and models
with 3-dimensional heat conduction. Direct matrix solvers are good choices for linear or mildly nonlinear
problems, especially for sparse problems or numerically stiff problems.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NLSTEP ID TOTTIME
GENERAL MAXITER MINITER MAXBIS CREEP
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
RC Network Solvers
62
Example:
FIXED NINC NO
ADAPT DTINITF DTMINF DTMAXF NDESIR SFACT INTOUT NSMAX
IDAMP DAMP CRITTID IPHYS LIMTAR RSMALL RBIG
ADJUST MSTEP RB UTOL
ARCLN TYPE DTINITFA MINALR MAXALR SCALEA NDESIR NSMAXA
HEAT CONVH EPSUH EPSPH EPSWH KMETHODH KSTEPH
MAXQNH MAXLSH LSTOLH
MECH CONV EPSU EPSP EPSW KMETHOD KSTEP MRCONV
MAXQN MAXLS LSTOL FSTRESS
COUP HGENPLAS HGENFRIC
RCHEAT SOLVER DRLXCA ARLXCA BALENG DAMPC GRVCON CSGFAC
NRLOOP OUTINV DTIME1
NLSTEP 1
RCHEAT
SNSOR 0.001 0.001 0.0 0.0 9.81
5000
NLSTEP 1 1000
RCHEAT
SNDUFR 0.001 0.001 0.0 0.0 9.81 1.0
5000 100 10 5 20
Field Contents
ID Identification number. (Integer > 0)
TOTTIM Total time for the load case. (Real; Default = 1.0)
KSTEP Number of iterations before the stiffness update for the ITER method. (Integer;
Default = 10).
RCHEAT Keyword to indicate that RC Heat Transfer Analysis is to be performed. See
Remark 10.
SOLVER The Relaxation scheme to be used. See Remark 12. (Character; Default = SNSOR)
DRLXCA Diffusion node convergence criterion. See Remark 11. (Real > 0; Default = 1.e-3)
ARLXCA Arithmetic node convergence criterion. See Remark 11. (Real > 0.0; Default = 1.0e-
3 degrees)
BALENG Allowable system energy imbalance. See Remark 11. (Real > 0.0; Default 0.0
energy/time)
DAMPC Damping constant. (Real > 0.0; Default 0.0 non dimensional)
Main Index
63
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Remarks:
1-9 current QRG description
10. This entry is used for a non-finite element, Resistance-Capacitor network method of analysis for
heat transfer.
11. Convergence is determined by the combination of DRLXCA, ARLXCA, and BALENG.
DRLXCA and ARLXCA determine if relaxation is met on a node by node basis, rather then a
residual vector length.
12. If in Case Control the ANALYSIS=RCNS, then valid values are:
GRVCON Gravitation constant. (Real > 0.0; Default 9.81 length/ )
CSGFAC Time step control factor. See Remark 13. (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0 nondimensional)
NRLOOP Number of relaxation loops allowed. (Integer > 0; Default 5 loop)
OUTINV Output interval. See Remark 13. (Real > 0.0; Default 60.0 time)
DTIME1 Time step. See Remark 13. (Real > 0.0; Default 0.0 time)
SNSOR (Default) Successive over-relaxation method
SSQMR*
*These routines (SSQMR, ATSQMR, TRQMR )are based on the QMR (quasi-minimal residual)
algorithm developed by Roland Freund and Noel Nachtigal ( 1992).
Steady state Quasi Minimal Residual method
SSSPM
These sparse matrix solvers (SSSPM, TRSPM and ATSPM) are based on the Y12M algorithm
as described in the following papers
Z. Zlatev, J. Wasniewski and K. Schaumburg: "Y12M - solution of large and sparse systems of
linear algebraic equations". Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, 1981.
O. sterby and Z. Zlatev: "Direct methods for sparse matrices". Springer-Verlag, Berlin-
Heidelberg-New York, 1983.
Z. Zlatev: "On some pivotal strategies in Gaussian elimination by sparse technique". SIAM
Journal on Numerical Analysis, Vol. 17 (1980), 18-30.
Z. Zlatev: "Use of iterative refinement in the solution of large and sparse systems". SIAM
Journal on Numerical Analysis, Vol. 19 (1982), 381-399.
Z. Zlatev: "Computational methods for general sparse matrices". KLUWER Academic
Publishers, Dordrecht-Boston-London, 1991.
Steady state sparse matrix solver method
STDSTL An iterative solver aimed at the fourth root of a quartic for the network
equations (good for strong radiation dependence).
time
2
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
RC Network Solvers
64
If in Case Control the ANALYSIS=RCNT, then valid values are
If SOLVER is left blank or set to SNSOR and ANALYSIS=RCNT then internally the RC code
will select SNDUFR.
13. About the time step:
a. The default computed time step (DTIMEU) = CSGMIN*CSGFAC. CSGMIN is based on the
conductance in the model and can be checked in the .sot file. If CSGFAC is not specified, it
is internally set to 1.0.
b. In a normal sized model, CSGMIN is usually small enough for the time step which will assure
a convergent transient run.
c. CSGFAC is used to adjust the time step. It is recommended to determine the best CSGFAC to
the model while maintaining acceptable temperature errors.
d. If OUTPUT < CSGFAC*CSGMIN or OUTPUT < DTIMEI, then OUTPUT becomes the time
step. All the OUTPUT points are automatically required to be calculated.
e. DTIMEI is the forced time step which will ignore any other factors. Sometimes it may lead to
inaccurate answers if it is too large. DTIMEI does not affect the automatic time step solvers.
f. If the model size is very small, CSGMIN may be too big for the time step. A small CSGFAC
or DTIMEI should be used to adjust the time step.
g. CSGFAC*CSGMIN or DTIMEI should be small enough to catch any details in time fields,
temperature fields or flux arrays.
SNDUFR
(Recommended)
An unconditionally stable, explicit method based on a modified Dufort-
Frankel scheme
SNFRDL Fast, accurate explicit forward differencing transient method
FWDBKL Implicit forward/backward differencing Crank Nicolson method
SNADE Alternating direction explicit method
ATSDUF SNFUFR with automatic time step based on ERRMIN/ERRMAX
ATSFBK FWDBKL with automatic time step based on ERRMIN/ERRMAX
SNTSM Weighted implicit forward/backward differencing method
SNTSM3 Weighted implicit forward/backward differencing method
SNTSM1 Weighted implicit forward/backward differencing method
SNTSM4 Weighted implicit forward/backward differencing method
TRSPM Transient sparse matrix solver method
ATSSPM TRSPM with automatic time step based on ERRMIN/ERRMAX
TRQMR Transient Quasi Minimal Residual
ATSQMR TRQMR with automatic time step based on ERRMIN/ERRMAX
Main Index
65
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Maintained for legacy, but not shown in GUI:
SNSOR1, SNSORA, SNSOR1A, SNHOSD, SNSOSS, SNHOSS, SCROUT, SNDSNR, TRSPMA
About non-default solvers:
For non-spacecraft, non-radiation problems
Solid type model SNSOR, SNTSM1
Very large solid type model SSQMR, ATSQMR
Very large plate type model SSSPM, ATSSPM
For spacecraft/radiation models
SNSOR (with user-specified DAMPD if necessary)
FWDBKL if thermo-stats are present
ATSDUF, SNTSM1 for most other cases
Output
Output is in the form of temperatures in the f06 file and optionally, temperatures in the XDB or OP2 files.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory tpl/thermal400.
Test Case:
QT3_start_a.dat -------- Steady State
QT12_start_b.dat -------- Transient
Steady state Key cards:
Transient Key cards:
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
RC Network Solvers
66
Additional Information and References
MSC SINDA Users Guide
MSC SINDA Tutorial Guide
Sinda for Patran Workshop 1 Getting Started
Main Index
67
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Advanced Radiation Features
Introduction
Links to 5 spacecraft thermal REF/orbital heating analysis codes: THERMICA, NEVADA, TSS,
TRASYS, and SINDARad. The radiation exchange factors (REFs) and orbital heating will be calculated
in these commercial codes and brought back to the RC Network Solver. SINDARad also supports
geometry and exchange view factor visualization.
The enclosure radiation loads (small facet, super element, and primitive loads) are transferred into the
radiation codes to generate the radiation model. The RC Network translator will create the radiation
model which can be displayed in the GUI of the radiation codes. The orbital, pointing, kinematics and
mission parameters are defined in the radiation GUI. The radiation codes calculate the view factors and
orbital fluxes. The view factors and orbital fluxes can be time dependent. These results are transferred
back and mapped with the conduction mesh to create the input file of the RC Network solver.
Benefits
Supports space thermal analysis with orbital view factors and orbital heating calculation. User can define
different orbit parameters, pointing constraints, and missions.
The radiation model built in SimXpert or PATRAN is not dependent on a particular radiation code. If you
currently use NEVADA and decide to switch to TSS, or TRASYS, the models will run automatically and
not become obsolete. You may also switch to THERMICA which is an add on package that may be
purchased from MSC.
Input
The VIEWEX Bulk Data entry defines the radiation solver and correlating solver parameters for
radiation calculations in RC heat transfer. Note that you must have a copy of the external radiation code
to use it. Each entry type is designed for one specific radiation solver, except the very last two types,
which are for SINDARads two options. Note: SINDARad is not included with the MD Nastran license
but can be purchased as an add on package from MSC.
Format: (NEVADA)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VIEWEX
ICAVITY Run
Interactively
RADK
Distro
Method
Orbital Re-use
existing
results
NEVADA RENO
Reflection
Restart Reno Ray
count
Vegas Ray
count
Energy
Cutoff
Confidence GRID
closure
GRID
iterations
Time Scale RADK
cutoff
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Advanced Radiation Features
68
Example:
Format: (TSS)
Example:
Format: (THERMICA)
Example:
Format: (TRASYS)
Example:
VIEWEX 2 T FULL T F
NEVADA T T 5000 5000 -3 99. 0.001
300 1.0 1.0-8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VIEWEX
ICAVITY Run
Interactively
RADK
Distro
Method
Orbital Re-use
existing
results
TSS
VIEWEX 3 T FULL T F
TSS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VIEWEX
ICAVITY Run
Interactively
RADK
Distro
Method
Orbital Re-use
existing
results
THERMICA Solar Flux Planet
Albedo
Planet
BlackBody
Restart Suppress VF
Articulation
Radiation
ray count
Orbital flux
ray count
Confidence Time scale RADK
cutoff
VIEWEX
4 T FULL T F
THERMICA 1380.0 0.3 -19.0 T F 5000 5000
99.0 1.0 1.0-8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VIEWEX
ICAVITY Run
Interactively
RADK
Distro
Method
Orbital Re-use
existing
results
TRASYS Axi Radial
mesh
Axi Axial
mesh
Axi Angular
mesh
Time scale RADK
cutoff
VIEWEX 5 T FULL T F
TRASYS 1 1 4 1.0 1.0-8
Main Index
69
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Format: (SRR)
Example:
Format: (SRQ)
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VIEWEX
ICAVITY Run
Interactively
RADK
Distro
Method
Orbital Re-use
existing
results
SRR
Gebhart
Solver
Convergence
Tol
Max Iter Fij
smoothing
method
Fij Filter
cutoff
Fij Smothing
Tol
Fij Smooth
Iter
Bij
smoothing
method
Bij Filter
cutoff
Bij
Smoothing
Tol
Bij Max Iter
VIEWEX
6 T FULL T F
SRR GS 1.0-5 50 CROP 1.0-8 1.0-4 50
CROP 1.0-8 1.0-4 50
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
VIEWEX
ICAVITY Run
Interactively
RADK
Distro
Method
Orbital Re-use
existing
results
SRQ Flux solver Convergence
Tol
Max Iter Fij
smoothing
method
Filter cutoff Fij
Smoothing
Tol
Fij Smooth
Iter
VIEWEX 7 T FULL T F
SRQ GS 1.0-5 50 CROP .0-8 1.0-4 50
Field Contents
ICAVITY Cavity identification number (Integer > 0; Required)
Run Interactively Run the radiation code interactively (Character; T or F, Default F)
Do not currently have batch mode for Thermica or TSS
Do not have interactive mode for TRASYS
RADK Distro Method How to redistribute RADK onto elements. (Character; FULL, AREA, or
DIRECT; Default FULL)
Orbital Use orbital analysis for radiation (Character,;T or F; Default F)
Not supported in SindaRad
Re-use existing
results
Reuse previous radiation results (Character; T or F; Default F)
NEVADA Identification that NEVADA will be used (Character)
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Advanced Radiation Features
70
RENO Reflection Use reflection method of ray tracing for RADK (Character; T or F;
Default T)
Restart Use Restart (Character; T or F; Default F)
Reno Ray count Number or rays cast for Reno module (Integer > 0; Default 5000)
Vegas Ray count Number or rays cast for Vegas module (Integer > 0; Default 5000)
Energy Cutoff Energy cutoff level (Integer; Default -3)
Confidence Confidence Level % (Real > 0.0; Default 99.0)
GRID closure GRID closure tolerance (Real > 0.0; Default 0.001)
GRID iterations Maximum GRID iterations (Integer > 0; Default 300)
Time Scale Orbital time scale factor, number of time units in an hour. Ex. If using seconds,
value would be 3600.0. (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0)
RADK cutoff RADK filter smallest element (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-8)
TSS Identification that TSS will be used (Character)
THERMICA Identification that THERMICA will be used (Character)
Solar Flux Quantity of solar flux (Real > 0.0; Default 1380.0 W/m
2
)
Planet Albedo Planetary Albedo (Real; Default 0.3; assumes Earth orbit)
Planet BlackBody Planet Blackbody (Real; Default -19.0; assumes Earth orbit)
Restart Use Restart option (Character, T or F; Default F)
Suppress VF
Articulation
Suppress view factor articulation (Character; T or F; Default T)
Radiation ray count Number or rays cast for radiation calculation (Integer > 0; Default 5000)
Orbital flux ray count Number or rays cast for orbital flux (Integer > 0; Default 5000)
Confidence Confidence Level % (Real > 0.0; Default 99.0)
Time Scale Orbital time scale factor, number of time units in an hour. Ex. If using seconds,
value would be 3600.0. (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0)
RADK cutoff RADK filter smallest element (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-8)
TRASYS Identification that TRASYS will be used (Character)
Axi Radial mesh Axisymmetric element mesh in radial direction (Integer > 0; Default 1)
Axi Axial mesh Axisymmetric element mesh in axial direction (Integer > 0; Default 1)
Axi Angular mesh Axisymmetric element mesh in angular direction (Integer > 0; Default 4)
Time Scale Orbital time scale factor, number of time units in an hour. Ex. If using seconds,
value would be 3600.0. (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0)
RADK cutoff RADK filter smallest element (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-8)
SRR Identification that the SindaRad RADK method will be used (Character)
Field Contents
Main Index
71
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Remarks:
1. This entry is for RC Network solver only.
2. Each entry type is designed for one specific radiation solver, except the very last two types, which
are for SindaRads two options.
NEVADA
TSS
THERMICA
TRASYS
SINDARad RADK method
SINDARad Q method
3. For more details about the parameters in the entry, please reference SINDA for Patran Users
Guide and the SINDARad Users Guide.
Gebhart Solver Which RADK solver to use (Character; GS or FGS; Default GS)
Convergence Tol Tolerance for convergence of RADK calculation (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-5)
Max Iter Maximum allowable iterations to converge (Integer > 0; Default 50)
Fij smoothing method How to filter view factors (Character; CROP or HIGH; Default CROP)
Fij Filter cutoff Parameter for filter (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-8)
Fij Smoothing Tol Tolerance for smoothing (Real; Default 1.0e-4)
Fij Smooth Iter Maximum allowable iterations to smoothing (Integer > 0; Default 50)
Bij smoothing method How to filter conductors (Character; CROP or HIGH; Default CROP)
Bij Filter cutoff Parameter for filter (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-8)
Bij Smoothing Tol Tolerance for smoothing (Real; Default 1.0e-4)
Bij Max Iter Maximum allowable iterations to smoothing (Integer > 0; Default 50)
SRQ Identification that the SindaRad QRad method will be used (Character)
Flux Solver Which QRad solver to use (Character, GS or CG; Default GS)
Convergence Tol Tolerance for convergence of QRad calculation (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-5)
Max Iter Maximum allowable iterations to converge (Integer > 0; Default 50)
Fij smoothing method How to filter view factors (Character, CROP or HIGH; Default CROP)
Fij Filter cutoff Parameter for filter (Real > 0.0; Default 1.0e-8)
Fij Smoothing Tol Tolerance for smoothing (Real; Default 1.0e-4)
Fij Smooth Iter Maximum allowable iterations to smoothing (Integer > 0; Default 50)
Field Contents
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Advanced Radiation Features
72
Output
Files containing view factors, radiation exchange factors (REFs), and fluxes from orbital heating.
Test Case
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory tpl/thermal400:
Test Case: QT13_satellite_steady.bdf
This is a simple satellite model. THERMICA is selected as the radiation code. The orbit can be a round
orbit, or composed by a few curves. The pointing of the satellite can be adjusted. The solar panel can
point to the Sun while the satellite body points to the Earth. The thermal results (temperature, view factor,
and orbital flux) can be displayed along with the satellite orbit.
Product Dependencies
User needs a copy of a radiation code. Currently supported are 5 radiation codes, including THERMICA,
NEVADA, TSS, TRASYS and SINDARad.
GUI Support
SimXpert supports both the pre- and post-processing requirements of the RC thermal network approach
in MD Nastran. Patran directly supports the SINDA product or post-processing of the RC thermal
network approach in MD Nastran.
Main Index
73
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Additional Information and References
Sinda for Patran Workshop 9 Satellite and Orbit
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and Primitives
74
Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and
Primitives
Introduction
Supports some advanced radiation features, such as radiation collections, geometric primitives
utilizing true geometric shapes. The radiation mesh does not have to be congruent with the conduction
mesh.
Benefits
Many elements are grouped together and treated as one single element in the radiation code. This greatly
reduces the radiation calculation time. The results from the small sized radiation model are distributed
back to the real, finer model using advanced algorithms.
The primitives are real curved surfaces, instead of flat facets in the radiation models. These can yield
higher accuracy, especially in situations where true curved surfaces are required, such as optical mirrors,
parabolic antenna, etc. The AB mesh does not have to match the conduction mesh. The speed is
dependent on how fine the AB mesh is.
Input
A new Bulk Data entry RADCOL is used to define a Radiation Collective Entity (Super
Element).RADCOL specifies a collection of element free faces to be used as a single face in the radiation
calculation. This will decrease computation time at the small cost of accuracy. Computational savings
and accuracy are dependent on the coarseness of the collection versus the constituents. View factors of
the collection are redistributed across the elements for calculation of the radiative energy transfer.
Format:
Example:
A new Bulk Data entry PRIMx is used to define Thermal Geometric Primitives for RC Radiation
(Primitive). PRIMx (where x can be from 1-8) specifies the properties of geometric primitives to be used
in radiation calculations in place of elements.
PRIM1: Rectangle
PRIM2: Quadrilateral
PRIM3: Triangle
PRIM4: Disc
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RADCOL RADCOLID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
RADCOL 101 5 6 2 3 7
Main Index
75
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
PRIM5: Cylinder
PRIM6: Cone
PRIM7: Sphere
PRIM8: Parabola
Format:
Example:
Format:
Example:
Format:
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM1
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM1 11 101 102 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0.
0. 1. 0. 3 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM2
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) P4(1) P4(2) P4(3) A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM2 12 102 103 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0.
0. 1. 0. 1. 1. 0. 3 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM3
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM3 13 103 104 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 0.
0. 1. 0. 3 4
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and Primitives
76
Format:
Example:
Format:
Example:
Format:
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM4
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) Diam1 Diam2 Angle1 Angle2
A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM4 14 104 105 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0.
0. 0. 1. 1. 0. 60. 180.
3 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM5
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) Diam1 Angle1 A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM5 15 105 106 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0.
0. 0. 1. 1. 60. 180. 3 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM6
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) Diam1 Diam2 Angle1 Angle2
A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM6 16 106 107 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0.
0. 0. 1. 1. 0. 60. 80.
3 4
Main Index
77
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Format:
Example:
Format:
Example:
Output
The output is in the form of temperatures in the .f06 file. Additionally, Radiation Exchange Factors
(REFs) are created from the external radiation program.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory tpl/thermal400
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM7
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) Diam1 Angle1 Angle2 Trunc1 Trunc2
A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM7 17 107 108 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0.
0. 0. 1. 1. 60. 180. -0.5 0.5
3 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRIM8
PRIMID IVIEWF IVIEWB RADMIDF RADMIDB SET3ID
P1(1) P1(2) P1(3) P2(1) P2(2) P2(3)
P3(1) P3(2) P3(3) Diam1 Angle1 Angle2 Trunc1 Trunc2
A_mesh B_mesh
PRIM8 18 108 109 3 4 2
0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0.
0. 0. 1. 1. 60. 180. 1. 0.5
3 4
Main Index
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Radiation Collections (Radiation Super Elements) and Primitives
78
Test Case:
QT16_hemi_sph_sf.dat
QT33_hemi_sph_se.dat
QT32_hemi_sph_pr.dat
The example model has a hemisphere and a plate. They are all primitives. The hemisphere and plate
radiate to each other, the other sides are radiation insulated. A heat flux 1000 W/ m is applied to the inner
side of the hemisphere. A black coating is applied on the surface of both hemisphere and plate.
$! Primitive Shape
$!----------------------------------------------------------------------------!$
PRIM7 3 4 2 2
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.
1. 0.0 0.0 1. 0.0 360. -0.5 0.0
1 1
Radiation Executing Time (s) Temperature Result (C)
Small facet method 43 -79.7 104.8
Super element method 1 -79.7 104.6
Primitive method 1 -79.6 104.3
Main Index
79
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
GUI Support
SimXpert supports Radiation Collections
Known Issues
PRIM8 (parabola) is not yet available in SimXpert.
Additional Information and References
MSC SINDA for PATRAN training workshops
MSC SINDA for PATRAN Users Guide
Sinda for Patran Workshop 7 Super Element and Primitive
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Convection Correlations
80
Convection Correlations
Introduction
Supports convection correlation library (advanced fluid materials), which allows users to pick one of 44
industry-standard convection correlations, model internal/ external forced convection and natural
convection, and easily attach this to a convection load.
Benefits
Allows the user to model airflow through avionic packages or electronic equipment, without
using complex and time consuming CFD codes
Allows the user to easily incorporate industry standard convection correlations in a thermal
model.
Allows the user to easily change or modify the fluid material for any convection correlation.
The convection correlation library provides simple forms with graphic depictions of various flows and
adds these convection correlations automatically to the Nastran model.
Feature Description
The PCONV1 Bulk Data entry is added to define Thermal Convection Calculation Properties. PCONV1
defines the properties required to calculate convective heat transfer. It can exist in a simple mode with
the convection coefficient defined in the MID or in advanced mode where the H-value is calculated using
the geometric parameters and referenced material.
Format:
Example:
Output
Output is in the form of temperatures in the .f06 file and optionally, temperatures in the XDB or OP2 files.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PCONV1 PID CorrID MID Mdot Velocity Length or
Diameter
Flow Cross
Section
Length
function type
Flow Cross
Sec type
Mdot f Velocity f Length or
Diameter f
Flow Cross
Sec f
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16
C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24
PCONV1
2 701 2
Main Index
81
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory tpl/subdir.
Test Case: QT25_pcb_forced.bdf
A convection correlation (507) is used to simulate the forced convection of PCB and chips. The forced
convection is applied to both sides of the PCB and outer side of the chips. The inlet air temperature is
20 C.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Convection Correlations
82
PRJCON and SET3 key card
Main Index
83
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
GUI Support
Patran and SimXpert both support Convection Correlations. Pre-processing is also supported by
SimXpert.
Additional Information and References
MSC SINDA for PATRAN Users Guide
MSC SINDA for PATRAN training workshops
MSC SINDA Users Guide
Sinda for Patran Workshop 6Convection and Contact
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coating and MLI Materials
84
Coating and MLI Materials
Introduction
Supports Coating and Multilayered Composite Insulation (MLI) materials that can be referenced directly
from the loads. These are often used in space thermal analysis.
Benefits
Coating and MLI material options are used for radiation loads only, i.e., they do not influence the thermal
conductivity or the specific heat of the material. They cannot be referenced by any properties. Users have
the choice to input emissivity or absorptivity directly into the load input form, or they can input coating
or MLI materials instead.
The advanced coating has parameters for IR, UV specularity, transparency, translucence, and refraction
index.
Input
New Bulk Data entries COAT, MLI, and RADCT are introduced to define Thermal Radiative Coating
Properties and Multi-layer Insulation Properties.
COAT defines the radiative properties of advanced materials such as coatings and multilayer insulation,
commonly used in the aerospace market.
Format: (COAT)
Example:
Format: (MLI)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RADC RADMID Emis Absorptivity IR Spec UV Spec
COAT IR Traspa IR Transluc UV Transpa UV Transluc IR Refrac
Ind
UV Refrac
Ind
RADC 101 1. 1. 0.
COAT 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 1.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RADC RADMID Emis Absorptivity IR Spec UV Spec
MLI Estar
Main Index
85
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Example:
RADCT Format:
Example:
Output
The output is in the form of temperatures in the .f06 file. Additionally Radiation Exchange Factors
(REFs) are created from the external radiation program.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory tpl/subdir.
Test Case:
QT31_MLI_Coating_orbit.bdf
The good example will be a plate with a MLI (or coating) material in the orbital space.
RADC 102 1. 1. 0.
MLI 0.02
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RADCT RADMID Emis f(T) Abs f(T)
RADCT 11 101 102
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coating and MLI Materials
86
C Conductors due to element conduction
1, 1, 2, 0.2783333E-01
2, 1, 3, 0.5566667E-01
3, 1, 4, 0.2783333E-01
4, 2, 3, 0.2783333E-01
5, 2, 4, 0.5566667E-01
6, 3, 4, 0.2783333E-01
C Conductors due to MLI node to surface links
-7, 1, 6, 0.5000000E-02
-8, 2, 7, 0.5000000E-02
-9, 3, 8, 0.5000000E-02
-10, 4, 9, 0.5000000E-02
C Conductors due to solved radiation loads (THERMICA)
-11, 1, 5, 0.2025000
-12, 2, 5, 0.2025000
-13, 3, 5, 0.2025000
-14, 4, 5, 0.2025000
-15, 6, 5, 0.2125000
-16, 7, 5, 0.2125000
-17, 8, 5, 0.2125000
-18, 9, 5, 0.2125000
END
/=0.25/0.81
*=0.02

Whitecoating
Reference line: Gamma point
General Ellip. Orbit: (round orbit)
Apogee km: 334
Perigee km: 334
Inclination deg: 42.8
Rht.asc.nde deg: 338.9
Sun decl. deg: -9.422
Earth Oriented
Main Index
87
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
The red curve shows the temperature vs time on the plate. The temperature on the plate is mainly affected
by the solar flux. The average temperature of the plate is low because we applied the white coating on
the plate which absorbs far fewer solar fluxes. The MLI on the side toward the Earth shields the heat flux
from the Earth. We can not use SimXpert Results/Chat to generate the temperature curves for the MLI
nodes, because the MLI nodes are added by the translator. These MLI nodes do not really exist in
SimXpert. To draw the temperature curves for the MLI nodes, we have to use Thermal Studio, or add
some Fortran logic to output a text file, and then draw the curve in Excel, but they are not available within
SimXpert.
RADC key cards:

GUI Support
Patran
SimXpert
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coating and MLI Materials
88
Additional Information and References
MSC SINDA for PATRAN Users Guide
MSC SINDA for PATRAN training workshops
Sinda for Patran workshop 3 Radiation and Orbital Heating
Sinda for Patran workshop 8 MLI and Honeycomb Panel
Main Index
89
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
RC Network Thermal Contact
Introduction
Supports thermal contact loads based on the projection algorithm, including edge-to edge, edge-to-
surface, and surface-to-surface contact, coupled advection, and gap radiation. The contact pair does not
have to have congruent meshing.
Benefits
Contacts can be created between any two regions. This includes element groups and nodal groups.
Advanced materials are used to specify the properties of energy transfer between these groups.
The projection method is used instead of the nearest neighbor method. The projection method provides
higher accuracy.
Input
The Thermal RC Element Contact specifies a thermal connection between two regions of elements. The
connection is automatically determined geometrically as a projection of the slave region onto the master,
and the strength of the connection is calculated based on the properties given.
Format: (HEAT1)
Example:
Format: (HEAT2)
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRJCON BID
HEAT1 SET3
MASTER
SET3
SLAVE
h
PRJCON 1
HEAT1 1 2 1.2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRJCON BID
HEAT2 SET3
MASTER
SET3
SLAVE
MAT6 ID
PRJCON 1
HEAT2 1 2 1001
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
RC Network Thermal Contact
90
Format: (HEAT3)
Example:
Format: (HEAT4)
Example:
Thermal Contacts
Edge-to-edge
Edge-to-surface
Surface-to-surface
Output
Output is in the form of temperatures in the f06 file and optionally, temperatures in the XDB or OP2 files.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory tpl/subdir.
Test Cases:
QT10_e2e_contact.bdf
QT18_contact.bdf
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRJCON BID
HEAT3 SET3
MASTER
SET3
SLAVE
F Emis Master Emis Slave
PRJCON 1
HEAT3 1 2 1. 0.85 0.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PRJCON BID
HEAT4 SET3
MASTER
SET3
SLAVE
F RADC ID
Master
RADC ID
Slave
PRJCON 1
HEAT4 1 2 1. 1001 1002
Main Index
91
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
There are many contact examples.
PRJCON key card:
GUI Support
Patran
SimXpert
Additional Information and References
MSC SINDA for PATRAN Users Guide
MSC SINDA for PATRAN training workshops
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
User-Defined Routines
92
User-Defined Routines
Introduction
Supports user-defined FORTRAN logics and routines. The EntUDS is a generalized entry point for the
solution sequence but has no specific function. Users may construct their own interface through the
standard input parameters, then adjust model data accordingly through the interface back to the Solver
interface.
Benefits
Adds greater flexibility to the RC Network solver, especially for some specific engineering projects.
Input
The User Defined Logic at Entry Point calls user-defined logic within a SCA service at the point specified
within the solution sequence.
Format:
Example:
Output
The output varies according to what function was carried out by the user routine.
Test Cases
The following test case files are available in the TPL in directory tpl/subdir.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ENTUDS
ENTID ENTPNT GROUP
INT IDATA1 IDATA2 IDATA3 IDATA4 IDATA5 IDATA6 IDATA7
IDATA8 IDATA9 ... ... IDATAn
REAL RDATA1 RDATA2 RDATA3 RDATA4 RDATA5 RDATA6 RDATA7
RDATA8 RDATA9 ... ... RDATAn
CHAR CDATA1 CDATA2 ... ... CDATAn
ELEMUDS
1 RCENT1 MY_FUNC
INT 2 17
REAL .5 .25
Main Index
93
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Test Case files needed:
tut4.bdf; PrintServer.idl; RCEnt.idl; RCSolv.idl; SConopts; SConscript; SConstruct; Tut4Ent.cdl;
Tut4Ent.cpp; Tut4Ent.h; Tut4Ent.sdl
This model consists of a copper bar with natural convection. The convection is computed by a user
defined routine.
Custom Convection Calculator
SCAResult Tut4Ent::RCEnt1(const SCAInt32Sequence& Idata, const SCAReal32Sequence& Rdata,
const SCAStringSequence$ Cdata)
{
// Idata[0] First ID of conductors to update
// Idata[1] First ID of nodes to get temps for (correlates to conductor)
// Idata[2] # of conductors/nodes from 0 and 1
// Idata[3] Ambient node ID
// Rdata[0] Cross sectional area of bar
// Rdata[1] Length per bar chunk
// Get model data from solver service.
DynReal64 T(NULL,0,0); DynReal64 C(NULL,0,0); DynReal64 Q(NULL,0,0);
DynReal64 G(NULL,0,0); DynReal64 A(NULL,0,0); DynReal64 K(NULL,0,0);
DynReal64 X(NULL,0,0);
Solv->Arrays64( T,C,Q,G,A,K,X);
5.0 in
1.0 in
Boundary
Node 1
200F
Boundary
Node 7
200F
Node 2 Node 3 Node 4
R
2
R
1
R
3
R
4
R
5
R
6
Circular cross sectional area of 1.0 in
2
Node 5 Node 6
Air Boundary
Node 8
75F
Convection
Conductors
R
7
R
8
R
9
R
10
R
11
2.5f
0.5f
2
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
User-Defined Routines
94
// And Calculate.
SCAInt32 idr,ambr;
double temp, diam;
diam = sqrt( Rdata[0] / 3.14159 ) * 2.0;
// Get ambient relative index
ambr = Solv-.ActRel( NR, Idata[3] );
for( int i=0; i<Idata[2]; i++ ) {
// Get relative node index
idr = Solv->ActRel( NR, Idata[1] +i) );
// Find temperature difference to ambient
temp = fabs( T[idr] T[ambr] ) / diam;
// Get relative conductor index
idr = Solv->ActRel( NGR, (IData[0] +1) );
// Calculate the new conductor value G = hA= (0.27*(dT/diam)^0.25)*(pi*diam*len)
G[idr] = pow( temp, 0.25) * 0.84823 * diam *RData[1];
}
Return SCASuccess;
}
Nastran Model
CONNECT SERVICE MYGN1 'SCA.MDSolver.Obj.Uds.Tut4Ent'
SOL400
CEND
ANALY= RCNS
ECHO= NONE
TEMP(INIT)=1
SUBCASE 1
NLSTEP = 77
SPC = 1
THERM = ALL
FLUX = ALL
BEGIN BULK
$------------------------------------
$ Solver parameters
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
NLSTEP 77
RCHEAT SNSOR
PARAM SIGMA 5.67-8
PARAM POST 0
PARAM TABS 0.0
$------------------------------------
$ Nodes
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
GRID 1 0. 0. 0.
GRID 2 .25 0. 0.
GRID 3 .75 0. 0.
GRID 4 1.25 0. 0.
GRID 5 1.75 0. 0.
GRID 6 2.25 0. 0.
GRID 7 2.5 0. 0.
$------------------------------------
Main Index
95
CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
$ Bar elements
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
CBAR 1 20 1 2 0. 1. 0.
CBAR 2 20 2 3 0. 1. 0.
CBAR 3 20 3 4 0. 1. 0.
CBAR 4 20 4 5 0. 1. 0.
CBAR 5 20 5 6 0. 1. 0.
CBAR 6 20 6 7 0. 1. 0.
$------------------------------------
$ Bar element Property
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
PBAR 20 101 6.944-3
$------------------------------------
$ Material
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
MAT4 101 223. 552.96 0.092
MAT4 102 1.65
$------------------------------------
$ Boundary Elements
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
CHBDYP 501 30 TUBE 1 2
CHBDYP 502 30 TUBE 2 3
CHBDYP 503 30 TUBE 3 4
CHBDYP 504 30 TUBE 4 5
CHBDYP 505 30 TUBE 5 6
CHBDYP 506 30 TUBE 6 7
$------------------------------------
$ Boundary Element Properties
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
PHBDY 30 .1477 0.09403 0.09403
$------------------------------------
$ Scalar Points
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
SPOINT 8
$------------------------------------
$ Temperature loads
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
SPC 1 1 1 200.
SPC 1 7 1 200.
SPC 1 8 1 75.
TEMPD 1 0.
$------------------------------------
$ Convection loads
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
CONV 501 40 8
CONV 502 40 8
CONV 503 40 8
CONV 504 40 8
CONV 505 40 8
CONV 506 40 8
$------------------------------------
$ Convection properties
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
User-Defined Routines
96
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
PCONV 40 102
$------------------------------------
$ Our super UDS convection solver
$------------------------------------
$234567812345678123456781234567812345678123456781234567812345678
ENTUDS 1 RCENT1 MYGN1
$ As created and described in our service:
INT 7 2 5 8
$ 1. First ID of conductors to update (This is
$ unfortunately a magic number because I already know
$ which conductor the convection will end up as
$ after RC translation. A better way is
$ to use tables because table ID's become equal array $
ID's in Sinda.
$ 2. First ID of nodes to get temps for
$ 3. # of conductors/nodes from 0 and 1
$ 4. Ambient node ID
REAL 6.944-3 .5
$ 1. Cross sectional area of bar
$ 2. Length per bar chunk
$
$ Service takes temperature difference between bar nodes and ambient
$ to calculate conductance of convection conductors
$------------------------------------
ENDDATA
T E M P E R A T U R E V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE ID VALUE ID+1 VALUE ID+2 VALUE ID+3 VALUE ID+4 VALUE ID+5 VALUE
1 S 2.000000E+02 1.899454E+02 1.785880E+02 1.749153E+02 1.785881E+02 1.899454E+02
7 S 2.000000E+02 7.500000E+01
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CHAPTER 4
Thermal Analysis Extensions in SOL 400
Additional Information and References
MSC P/Thermal Users Guide
EntUDS.ppt
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User-Defined Routines
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Chapter 5: Fluid Structure Interaction in SOL 400
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
5
Fluid Structure Interaction in
SOL 400

OpenFSI
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OpenFSI
Introduction
The MD OpenFSI interface provides the ability to solve coupled fluid structure interaction (FSI)
problems as well as to generally access forces calculated by an external service. MSC Software has
partnered with select CFD vendors to provide an interface for fluid structure interaction problems. Users
can similarly utilize the published APIs and build environment to create a custom OpenFSI interface. A
custom OpenFSI interface can be as simple as a lookup table for forces or as extensive as an interface to
an in-house CFD code. This document describes how to utilize an available OpenFSI interface, as well
as how users can create their own OpenFSI interface.
Benefits
OpenFSI is intended for problems where the boundary conditions cannot be specified simply by a table
or field. Instead, OpenFSI boundary conditions must be solved by coupling to an external code or
application.
A common OpenFSI multidisciplinary application is where the fluid flow affects the structural response
and the structural response in turn affects the fluid flow. In such applications the structural model must
be coupled to a flow field solution in an external CFD code or user-defined application.
This release supports structural applications where MD Nastran provides displacements and velocities
on the OpenFSI boundary while the service returns the calculated forces on the wetted surface nodes.
Some sample applications in MD Nastran 2010 include:
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For CFD services, the partner has implemented the Open FSI APIs and the service is delivered as part of
the CFD software installation. The CFD code should support a model with boundary conditions that can
be tagged by the OpenFSI service. A list of current commercially available OpenFSI services from CFD
partners can be found on the MSC website:
http://www.mscsoftware.com/partners/technology.cfm?Q=434&Z=436.
In the case of look-up table services, the user creates a SCA service that complies with the APIs
(OpenFSI IDL). The tools for building these custom SCA services are delivered in the MD Nastran
solver SDK. An OpenFSI lookup table use case is described in OpenFSI Look-up Table Service for
Forces - Example 2, 127.
Feature Description
OpenFSI is based on the Simulation Component Architecture (SCA) framework. It allows the MD
nonlinear solver to communicate with a CFD code or other external code to access forces computed by
the CFD code and send structural displacements and velocities computed by MD Nastran during
dynamic simulations. MSC has partnered with several CFD vendors who have agreed to implement the
published OpenFSI APIs. These interfaces are delivered in the form of a library and SCA catalog entry
that enables the communication.
To use a commercial CFD OpenFSI service, you simply point to the location of these SCA services files
on the network. You can similarly create OpenFSI interfaces for in-house CFD codes or other application
Automotive Door seal
aspiration, shock absorbers,
hydraulic engine mounts,
convertible top

Aerospace Flexible wings,
Time Domain Flutter, Latch
loads

Energy & Biomed - Wind
Turbines, Flows in blood
vessels
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102
by implementing the OpenFSI APIs with the SCA build environment included in MD Nastran. The SCA
service has to be built on the same platform as MD Nastran. However, the implementation can
accommodate the flexibility to run MD Nastran and the CFD solutions on a different platform; e.g., one
on Windows the other on Linux. This allows OpenFSI simulations where the CFD code may reside on a
platform not supported by MD Nastran.
For coupling with CFD codes, the OpenFSI approach assumes a pre-existing CFD model with wall
boundaries corresponding to the wetted surface of the structural model. The CFD model should be ready
to run except for displacement information to be passed by OpenFSI. MD Nastran only needs to be aware
of results on the wetted surface nodes. The CFD wall surfaces and the MD Nastran wetted surfaces
participating in the FSI solution should have similar geometric form, although their respective meshes
will likely be different.
In MD Nastran 2010, data interpolation of coupling regions will be performed by the CFD code.
MD Nastran obtains the required coupling definition from SimXpert and the CFD solver accesses the
structural wetted surface via the API. The CFD coupling region should be collocated and in the same
units as the MD Nastran structural model.
MD Nastran and the CFD code exchange data on the on the wetted surfaces to account for the viscous
and pressure loads, and corresponding displacements during the simulation. The Open FSI process is
illustrated in Figure 5-1.
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Figure 5-1 Schematic of OpenFSI Interface APIs
The OpenFSI service is called from the MD nonlinear solution (SOL 400) at each solution time step or
at a user specified iterative frequency. The basic dataflow is illustrated in Figure 5-2.
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104
Figure 5-2 Basic Data Flow in OpenFSI Service
The OpenFSI interface communicates the data on so called wetted surfaces, see Figure 5-3, which are the
surfaces where the fluid is in contact with the structures. The wetted surfaces are defined in MD Nastran
as meshes consisting of triangular and quadrilateral elements. The MD Nastran wetted surface mesh
coordinates and elements are sent to the CFD code (or external code) in an OpenFSI initialize call. The
matching surfaces in the CFD code can take any form chosen by the CFD vendor, and the mapping
between the possibly discrepant wetted surface representations is performed by the CFD code. Note that
in this implementation, the mesh topology is constant during the simulation, which means that no mesh
adaptivity is supported.
Figure 5-3 Example of CFD and MD Nastran wetted surface meshes
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Nastran User Interface
For a user to run a simulation using the OpenFSI interface, a SCA service must be defined in the file
management section in the Nastran input file, which is associated with one ore more wetted surfaces
defined in the bulk data section in the input file. The connection between the SCA service and a wetted
surface is done by defining a load on the wetted surface, which is tagged with the SCA service name.
The load on the wetted surface is specified as a dynamic load in the case control section in the Nastran
file, but it must be done using a TLOAD1 Bulk Data entry. To this end, the DLOAD entry in the case
control section references a TLOAD1 entry in the Bulk Data Section, which in turn references the load
on the wetted surface, defined by the new WETLOAD entry. The entries in the Nastran input file related
to the OpenFSI interface are given in Table 5-1, which indicates that five new bulk data entries need to
be defined. The structure of the Nastran input file is shown in Table 5-2.
Table 5-1 Nastran input file entries
Table 5-2 Nastran input file structure for single wetted load WL1, and a single wetted
surface WS1.
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The dependency between the entries used for OpenFSI using a single load (with input file structure as
Table 5-3) is illustrated in the diagram.
Table 5-3
If a linear combination of TLOAD1 entries are specified in the DLOAD Bulk Data entry (as in
Table 5-3), we have the dependency between the entries used for OpenFSI as follows:
DLOAD
WETSURF
WETELME WETELMG
Case Control File Management
OpenFSI
SCA service
TLOAD1 WETLOAD FSICTRL
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The definitions of the OpenFSI Bulk Data entries are explained below. The FSICTRL and WETLOAD
entries reference SERV ID, an OpenFSI SCA service. If more than one FSICTRL and WETLOAD
entries are used, they may reference different OpenFSI SCA interfaces, which is useful if different
external codes are used for different sets of wetted surfaces.
Two different approaches may be used to define the wetted surface elements:
Using the WETELMG entry, the grid points making up a wetted element are specified;
Using the WETELME entry, a wetted element is defined by referencing a face (or a side) of a
parent structural element.
If a shell has wetted surfaces on both faces, separate WETELMG or WETELME are provided on each
face.
OpenFSI support an implicit or explicit type coupling with the external service. Explicit coupling is the
simplest type of service, as the nodal forces from the external code are only read at the beginning of the
time step, and the nodal results, the displacement and velocity, are only sent at the end of the time step.
The data flow for an explicit service is illustrated in Figure 5-4,
DLOAD
WETSURF
WETELME WETELMG
Case Control File Management
OpenFSI
SCA service
TLOAD1 WETLOAD FSICTRL DLOAD
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108
.
Figure 5-4 Data Flow for Explicit Coupling
In the implicit service coupling, the data is communicated inside the Newton-Raphson loop at a
frequency specified by the FSICTRL entry in the Bulk Data Section. Note that the nodal forces are also
read at the beginning of the time step before entering the Newton-Raphson loop (not shown here), in
which case the FSI forces do not have to be read at the first iteration. The data flow for an implicit method
service coupling is illustrated in Figure 5-5.
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Figure 5-5 Data Flow for Implicit Coupling
The formats of the Bulk Data entries FSICTRL - MD Only, 1876, WETLOAD, WETSURF, WETELME,
and WETELMG to support OpenFSI are described here:
FSICTRL
Examples:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
FSICTRL SERV_ID TYPE FREQ
FSICTRL scafsi
EXPLICIT
1
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WETLOAD
Example:
Field Contents Type Default
SERV_ID OpenFSI SCA service name associated with the wetted
surface loads. The OpenFSI SCA service is defined using
the CONNECT SERVICE File Management Section
statement
Character None
TYPE Type of solution strategy coupling between the external
code and MD Nastran. TYPE can be either EXPLICIT or
IMPLICIT.
Character EXPLICIT
FREQ External force and displacement update frequency per
time step, for the exchange with the external code using
the IMPLICIT solution strategy TYPE.
Integer > 0 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
WETLOAD
WLID WSID SERV_ID
WETLOAD
1 1001 scafsi
Field Contents
WLID Load set ID, referenced by the EXCITEID field in the TLOAD entry. (Integer > 0; no
Default)
WSID Wetted surface identification number. The wetted surface must be defined in the
WETSURF Bulk Data entry. (Integer > 0; no Default)
SERV_ID OpenFSI SCA service name associated with the wetted surface loads. The OpenFSI
SCA service is defined using the CONNECT SERVICE FMS entry. (Character; no
Default)
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WETSURF
Alternate Format:
Example:
WETELME
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
WETSURF
WSID WTAG
WEID1 WEID2 WEID3 WEID4 WEID5 WEID6 WEID7 WEID8
WEID9 WEID10 -etc.-
WETSURF
WSID WTAG
WEID1 THRU WEID2 BY INC
WETSURF
10001 wall1
5 THRU 21 BY 4
27 30 33
35 THRU 44
67 68 70 72 77 82 86 79
89 THRU 110 BY 3
Field Contents
WSID Wetted surface identification number. (Integer > 0; no Default)
WTAG Wetted surface tag name exported to an external code using the OpenFSI SCA
interface. (Character; no Default)
WEID1,
WEID2, ...
Wetted element identification numbers defined using the WETELMG or
WETELME Bulk Data entries. (Integer > 0; no Default)
THRU, BY Keywords to specify a range of wetted elements. (Character; no Default)
INC Increment to use with the THRU and BY keywords. (Integer; Default = 1)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
WETELME
WEID EID SIDE
WETELME
10001 34 3
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WETELMG
Example:
Limitations
The following limitations should be noted for MD Nastran 2010:
1. OpenFSI is limited to structural applications, where MD Nastran solves for displacements and
velocities on the wetted surface and the service calculates the forces on the wetted surface nodes.
The plan is to extend OpenFSI to heat transfer applications in a future release.
2. The wetted surface is limited to triangular or quadrilateral faces of 3D elements or 2D faces. A
line surface element is supported but without accounting for moments.
3. Interpolation of dissimilar meshes are performed by the CFD code. A mapping component is
planned in a future release.
4. The CFD coupling region should be collocated and in the same units as the MD Nastran structural
model. This restriction may be relaxed in a future release.
Field Contents
WEID Wetted element identification number. (Integer > 0; no Default)
EID Structural element identification number, which corresponds to a surface element
CQUAD4, CQUAD8, CQUADR, CQUAD, CTRIA3, CTRIA6, CTRIAR; or a solid
element CTETRA, CPENTA, or CHEXA. (Integer > 0; no Default)
SIDE Side identification number of element EID. (1 < Integer < 6; no Default)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
WETELMG
WEID TYPE
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8
WETELMG
10001 QUAD4
23 35 124 28
Field Contents
WEID Wetted element identification number. (Integer > 0; no Default)
TYPE Wetted element type, which can be any of TRIA3, TRAI6, QUAD4, QUAD8, LINE2
or LINE3. (Character; no Default)
G1, ..., G8 Grid point identification numbers for the wetted surface element WEID. (Integer > 0;
no Default)
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Example
Two OpenFSI examples are presented in this section. The first example utilizes a predefined OpenFSI
CFD service (AcuSolve from Acusim). MD Nastran and the CFD code are coupled for the transient FSI
simulation. The second example involves building a user defined OpenFSI service that calculates nodal
forces on the wetted surface nodes based on an expression that is a function of time and node number.
Deformable Baffle in a Duct using OpenFSI CFD Partner Service - Example 1
This example illustrates setting up a transient FSI simulation using one of the available OpenFSI CFD
partner interface. MD Nastran calculates the baffle deformation and nodal velocities while the CFD code
calculates the flow induced loads on the baffle wetted surfaces. The initial condition is a converged CFD
solution on the undeformed baffle. The SOL 400 nonlinear transient solution references the connected
OpenFSI service. This is transient FSI problem as indicated by the XY-plot.
The steps in this analysis follow a typical scenario in industry. The CFD group has created the CFD
model ignoring the baffle deformation. The structural analyst has an existing model of the baffle that may
have been solved based on the undeformed pressure distribution. The baffle geometry and spatial
location are the same in both models. The objective is to get the true baffle behavior based on the fluid
structure interaction. This example illustrates the OpenFSI-AcuSolve service from Acusim (the steps
should be similar for other CFD partners). The basic steps are:
1. The CFD partner will deliver the OpenFSI service in the form of a library (.dll or .so) and a
SCAServiceCatalog (.xml). Make sure that the partner CFD code has been installed and the SCA
service environment variables are set to locate the OpenFSI CFD service
(SCA_LIBRARY_PATH, SCA_RESOURCE_DIR, SCA_SERVICE_CATALOG). See the
User Defined Services guide for more detail on user services.
2. Obtain the ready to run CFD model. The input file may need to be edited to enable FSI coupling.
3. The structural file for this example is included in the vendor example (tentatively named
plate_baffle_cfd.dat)
4. The SCA OpenFSI library and service catalog need to be moved under the Nastran installation
directory or included in the environmental variables for finding SCA interfaces.
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5. The user creates a model in SimXpert that references the OpenFSI service for loads on wetted
surfaces.
6. The model is submitted to MD Nastran. MD Nastran will use the SCA environment path to locate
and load the service.
7. Displacement results appear in the standard MD Nastran output files and are post-processed by
SimXpert.
The CFD model should be ready to run except for a few input file changes involving the coupling to the
structural code.
The task for the structural engineer is to determine the deformation and stresses in the baffle. The fluid
loads on the wetted surfaces of the baffle are obtained by the CFD solver.
The user should obtain the CFD model for the baffle in a duct. A link for the AcuSolve CFD model
illustrated below can be found in the MD Demonstration Problems, Chapter 60. The geometry in the CFD
model is illustrated in Figure 5-6.
Figure 5-6 CFD Geometry
The CFD model consists of approximately 800K tets. Note the baffle surface in the CFD model is made
up of triangular faces while in the structural model the baffle wetted surfaces are quadrilateral. The
mapping will be handled by AcuSolve. Flow enters the channel on the left face of the volume. The flow
conditions should create sufficient pressure to deform the baffle (~2000 N/m2).
The coupling feature has to be enabled in the CFD input file. The following illustrates this step in
AcuSolve:
EXTERNAL_CODE {
communication = socket
socket_initiate = off
socket_host = "name_of_nastran_host"
socket_port = 10000
}
The specified host is where the MD Nastran model will be running on the network. It can be a different
platform than where the CFD code is running (e.g., MD Nastran on Linux, AcuSolve on Windows). The
socket host name must include the quotes. The port number (10000) has been set in the AcuSolve service
but could be changed if there conflicts through the environment variable
"ACUSIM_NASTRAN_PORT".
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The set of CFD surface elements corresponding to the baffle structural wetted surface are also identified
in the input file.
EXTERNAL_CODE_SURFACE( "baffle" ) {
surfaces = Read( "baffle.srf.tri" )
shape = three_node_triangle
element_seT = "interior"
mesh_displacement_type = tied
velocity_type = wall
gap = 0.0
gap_factor = 0.0
}
Once the CFD part has been prepared, the rest of the OpenFSI problem can be set up through SimXpert.
The OpenFSI service is delivered by the CFD vendor and the location of the service should be set as
described earlier.
Launch SimXpert and Import the Structural Model
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Define the Service for the Coupled Solution
Note: The form above shows a generic name (myService.openFSI) for the OpenFSI Service
name. This will be translated to the Connect Service entry in the MD Nastran input file
along with the alias Name (8 characters or less). Check for the actual service in the
SCAServiceCatalog.xml as defined by the vendor, for example, 'acuSolveService.openFSI'
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Define the OpenFSI LBCs (Wettted Surfaces)
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Define a Nonlinear Simulation
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Launch MD Nastran OpenFSI-AcuSolve Simulation
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Launch MD Nastran OpenFSI-MpCCI Simulation (for Fluent & StarCD)
Examine the Results Using SimXpert
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OpenFSI Look-up Table Service for Forces - Example 2
In this example, the user wants to reference an external service that provides a time-dependent force over
various wetted surface application regions. The left end of the cantilever beam is constrained. The
OpenFSI boundaries are applied over the remaining 5 free faces of the beam.
The forces returned by the service on the wetted surface nodes are a function of time based on the
following formula:
force_x = 0.00
force_y = 0.01*sin( 2.0*PI * fsiTime / 2.0 )
force_z = -10.0*cos( 2.0*PI * fsiTime / 2.0 )
where fsitime is the transient time in the nonlinear solution. The nonlinear simulation is to determine
the transient deformations resulting from the external service load.
Figure 5-7 Cantilever beam with loads referencing an OpenFSI service
The steps in this example are as follows:
1. Make sure that you have installed the MSC_ SDK version consistent with the MD Nastran
delivery. The OpenFSI IDL file appears under MD Nastran Installation
<version>\sdk\idl\SCA\MDSolver\Util\OpenFSI while the service example for external forces
appears under <version>\nast\services\Implementations\OpenFSI subdirectory. The input file
that references the service is included under the OpenFSI/model directory.
2. The user defines an external function that complies with the OpenFSI IDL.
3. The service is built using the SCA service tools.
4. The SCA OpenFSI library and service catalog are moved under the Nastran installation directory
or included in the environmental variables for finding SCA interfaces.
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128
5. The user creates a model in SimXpert that references the OpenFSI service for loads on wetted
surfaces.
6. The model is submitted to MD Nastran. MD Nastran will use the SCA environment path to locate
and load the service.
7. Displacement results appear in the standard MD Nastran output files and are post-processed by
SimXpert.
In many situations, the service creation in steps 1 and 2 above will have been done by a commercial
vendor (e.g., CFD code) or a methods group in the company. In these cases the user would start with Step
3. The example below will first illustrate the case where the service exists. The second part will illustrate
how to create the service.
SimXpert Graphical User Interface for this Example
SimXpert provides the user interface to create all the required bulk data entries for OpenFSI. A new
button has been added in the Loads toolbox as shown in Figure 5-8.
Figure 5-8 SimXpert Main Menu OpenFSI load
This brings up the OpenFSI LBC form shown in Figure 5-9.
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Figure 5-9 SimXpert Open FSI LBC form
SCA Service allows selection from a list of OpenFSI interfaces that have been defined under the User
Services menu.
Wetted Surface defines the surfaces where loads are to be applied from the OpenFSI external service.
The user can select either surface(s) or element face(s) as wetted surface. If the user selects a surface,
then all the elements faces lying on the surface will be exported as WETELMG*.
Coupling Region Tag Name is passed to the OpenFSI service and usually represent the BC name in the
CFD code corresponding to the OpenFSI wetted surface. In the case of a lookup table, this tagname can
be used to define an entry point in the service. The default name of the companion region will be given
as WS_<ID>.
Load Scale Factor can be used to scale the loads coming from the OpenFSI service (default is 1.0).
This Open FSI object will create the TLOAD1 along with the WETLOAD.
Open FSI Control Parameters
The OpenFSI control parameters are defined under User Services. The user service should be selected
and control parameters set before applying the OpenFSI load. Open FSI allows two coupling methods.
An implicit coincident OpenFSI MD Nastran simulation makes the get force and put displacements
and velocities calls multiple times within the nonlinear (Newton) loop. For implicit coupling, the user
can defined a frequency (default is 1). The Explicit coupling method simply couples the solution at each
timestep.
The Open FSI control parameter UI is shown in Figure 5-10.
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Figure 5-10 SimXpert OpenFSI Control form
OpenFSI allows pointing to different interfaces for each OpenFSI LBC. Only one FSICTRL entry per
service will be exported in the bulk data entry, irrespective of the number of WETLOAD entries.
The input file generated by SimXpert for this example is as follows:
Input File: plate.bdf (full file provided separately)
connect service CFDFSI 'myopenFSI'
$=======================================================================
$ Executive Control Section
$=======================================================================
ID Example OpenFSI
SOL NONLIN
$
CEND
$=======================================================================
$ Case Control Section
$=======================================================================
TITLE = FSI plate
SUBTITLE = OpenFSI example
$ECHO = NONE
$
DISPLACEMENT=ALL
GPFORCE=ALL
$
PARAM,POST,0
$
SUBCASE 1
STEP 1
ANALYSIS = NLTRAN
DLOAD = 100
$ NLPARM = 1
TSTEPNL = 1
$
BEGIN BULK
$
$----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ Parameter for newton raphson (static)
$NLPARM ID NINC DT KMETHOD KSTEP MAXITER CONV INTOUT
$ 1 10 AUTO 25 UPW YES
$ EPSU EPSP EPSW MAXDIV MAXQN MAXLS FSTRESS LSTOL
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$ 0.01 0.01 0.01 3 0 4 0.2 0.5
$ MAXBIS MAXR RTOLB MINITER
$ 5 20.0 20.0 1
$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------
NLPARM 1 3 .1 FNT U
.1
0
$----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ Parameter for newton raphson (transient)
$TSTEPNL ID NDT DT NO METHOD KSTEP MAXITER CONV
$
$ EPSU EPSP EPSW MAXDIV MAXQN MAXLS FSTRESS -------
$
$ MAXBIS ADJUST MSTEP RB MAXR UTOL RTOLB MINITER
$
TSTEPNL 1 20 0.10 1 FNT 25 U
$----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ Material
$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------
MAT1 1 2.1+11 .33 7.0
PSOLID 1 1
$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------$-------
GRID 1 0.00000 0.00000-0.01000 12345
GRID 2 0.01000 0.00000-0.01000

<<<< deleted for clarity >>>

GRID 3333 1.00000 0.10000 0.01000
CHEXA 1 1 1 2 103 102 1112 1113
1214 1213
CHEXA 2 1 2 3 104 103 1113 1114
1215 1214
<<<< deleted for clarity >>>
CHEXA 2000 1 2120 2121 2222 2221 3231 3232
3333 3332
WETELMG 1 QUAD4
1 2 103 102
WETELMG 2 QUAD4
2 3 104 103

<<<< deleted for clarity >>>
WETELMG 2420 QUAD4
2221 2222 3333 3332
$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-
WETSURF 1 wall1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
<<<< deleted for clarity >>>
993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000
WETSURF 2 wall2
1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008
1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016
<<<< deleted for clarity >>>

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
WETSURF 3 wall3
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2017 2018 2019 2020
WETSURF 4 wall4
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028
2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036
<<<< deleted for clarity >>>

2213 2214 2215 2216 2217 2218 2219 2220
WETSURF 5 wall5
2221 2222 2223 2224 2225 2226 2227 2228
2229 2230 2231 2232 2233 2234 2235 2236
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2413 2414 2415 2416 2417 2418 2419 2420
$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-
FSICTRL CFDFSI EXPLICIT 1
WETLOAD 101 1 CFDFSI
WETLOAD 102 2 CFDFSI
WETLOAD 103 3 CFDFSI
WETLOAD 104 4 CFDFSI
WETLOAD 105 5 CFDFSI
$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-
DLOAD 100 1.0 1.0 101 1.0 102 1.0 103
1.0 104 1.0 105
TLOAD1 101 101 10
TLOAD1 102 102 10
TLOAD1 103 103 10
TLOAD1 104 104 10
TLOAD1 105 105 10
TABLED1 10
0.0 1.0 10000.0 1.0 ENDT
$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-$-+-+-+-
User Defined OpenFSI External Service
The above input file Connect Service entry references an external OpenFSI service called
'myService.openFSI'
The desired service will return forces returned on the wetted surface nodes are a function of time based
on the following formula:
force_x = 0.00
force_y = 0.01*sin( 2.0*PI * fsiTime / 2.0 )
force_z = -10.0*cos( 2.0*PI * fsiTime / 2.0 )
This example OpenFSI service along with the source structure is included in the delivery. See the
OpenFSI.idl file for the details of the interface, and openFsi.cpp for the implementation example.
The following methods are implemented in an OpenFSI service:
For the initialization stage:
initialize
For the solver stage:
initializeTimeStep
getWettedNodeForces
putWettedNodeDisplacementsAndVelocities
finalizeTimeStep
For the termination stage:
terminate
The abbreviated source for this user-defined service is given below (OpenFSI.cpp file).
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To make the build, just execute
scons
in the OpenFSI root directory. This will generate an Apps directory containing the library (dll or so) and
the SCA service catalog.
If the service has been built in a directory not in the default path, the user will have to set the following
environment variables (Windows example shown).
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SCA_LIBRARY_PATH <path>/Apps/WINNT/bin/ (/lib on Linux and Unix)
SCA_SERVICE_CATALOG
<path>/Apps/res/SCAServiceCatalog.xml
SCA_RESOURCE_DIR <path>/Apps/res/
For a detailed description of how to build a SCA service, see the MD Nastran 2010 User Supplied
Subroutines and SCA Service Guide.
Product Dependencies
A CFD interface requires an OpenFSI enabled CFD code. These are either commercial codes that have
implemented the OpenFSI APIs or in-house codes that have created custom interfaces.
In MD Nastran 2010, SimXpert provides the graphical user interface for defining the structural wetted
surface application regions and selecting the OpenFSI service. For CFD OpenFSI interfaces, the CFD
model and coupling boundary are defined in the CFD pre-processor.
In the case of the OpenFSI-UVLM (Unsteady Vortex Lattice Method) service from Zona Technologies,
the aero model is included in the Nastran input file.
Documentation Dependencies
User defined OpenFSI interfaces are created using the SCA build environment delivered with
MD Nastran. For more information on creating SCA interfaces see the following documents:
MD Nastran 2010 - SCA Service Guide
MD Nastran 2010 - User Defined Services
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Chapter 6: Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400) MD Nastran R3 Release Guide

6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)

Offsets for Beams and Shells

Segment-to-Segment Contact

Automated Bolt Modeling

Load Stepping Robustness

Additional Output Control with NLOPRM SOL 400

Nonlinear Solution Statistics (STS) File

Large Displacement Grid Point Weight Generation (GPWG)

User Subroutines

User Defined Module Service UDMSRV


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Offsets for Beams and Shells
Introduction
The original design of the BAR, BEAM and shells included an offset feature. This feature allows you to
specify a BAR/BEAM axis of shear centers offset from connected grid points; and, a shell element
reference plane offset from the connected grids for triangular and quadrilateral shell elements.
The axis of the elastic BAR/BEAM was assumed to extend from the two endpoints offset from the
connected grid points; and, the reference surface of the shell element connected points offset from the
connected grids. The elastic stiffness was then calculated in the offset element coordinate system and
transformed to the connected grid points using the rigid body transformation equations.
Figure 6-1 CBAR and CBEAM Element Offset Definitions
Figure 6-2 CQUAD4 and CQUAD8 Element Coordinate System Definitions
Prior to the offset project in MD Nastran 2010, element offsets had the following limitations:
The differential stiffness is not supported. Therefore, they are not applicable in solution sequence
where differential stiffness is required, such as linear buckling analysis (SOL 105).
The effect of offsets is not included the mass matrix.
The effect of offset is not included in computation of thermal loads, pressure loads, or gravity
loads.
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For curved shell problems, the offset is defined in the z direction of the element and not the shell
normal direction, this results in gaps between elements when offset geometry is applied.
The transformation is linear and therefore, it cannot be used in nonlinear analysis.
This enhancement extends the use of offsets to nonlinear solutions, linear differential stiffness, load and
mass generation and maintenance of geometric continuity for adjacent curved shells along the common
shell normal.
Benefit
The enhanced offset method has the following benefits:
DIFFERENTIAL STIFFNESS - The differential stiffness is computed for the offset so that it
is applicable to solution sequences that required differential stiffness. These include, for
example, SOL 103, SOL 105, and SOL 400.
MASS - The effect of offset is included in the mass matrix generation.
LOADS - The effect of offset is included in the load generation.
GEOMETRY COMPATIBILITY - For QUAD4, TRIA3, QUADR, TRIAR, QUAD8 and
TRIA6 elements the shell normal is used as the offset direction. Thus, the new offset will
enhance solution of a model in two aspects: there is no gap in the offset geometry, and the mass
and stiffness matrices are computed based on the offset geometry. Figures New Offset Behavior
when Angle between adjacent elements is less than SNORM and New Offset Behavior when
Angle between adjacent elements is greater than SNORM demonstrate how the new offsets are
considered in conjunction with SNORM.
NONLINEAR EFFECTS - The transformations are nonlinear so that it can be used in
nonlinear analysis such as SOL 400.
Feature Description
Differential Stiffness
The original offset method does not compute the differential stiffness for offset. Therefore, it is not
applicable to solution sequences where differential stiffness is needed such as SOL 103 or SOL 105. The
enhanced offset computes the differential stiffness for offset, using the same formulation as that of the
Lagrange RBAR element. The Lagrange multipliers are eliminated internally. For the new offset method,
the differential stiffness is computed for offsets for solution sequences that require it. These include SOL
105, SOL 400 and any linear solution that supports differential stiffness effects via the case control entry
STATSUB.
Mass Matrix
For an element, the mass matrix is computed at the offset locations of the element. The mass matrix needs
to be transformed from the offset locations to the external grid points. In performing this transformation,
mass moments of inertial are created. Without this transformation, the mass matrix for model with offsets
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is only an approximation. With this transformation, the mass matrix for SOL 103, and other dynamic
solution sequences are correctly computed. The additional terms in the mass matrix may adversely affect
the solution time for dynamic solutions. Therefore, a provision to disable the mass offset calculation
while retaining other offset effects is available.
Load Effects
Element loads, such as thermal, pressure, and gravity load, are computed at the offset locations of the
element. These loads are then transformed from the offset locations to the external grid points.
For thermal load, there are two types of effect due to offset:
The location of thermal load is changed due to offset, i.e. the thermal load is first computed at the
element offset locations and then transformed to the external grid points. This effect is computed
for both linear solution sequences and nonlinear solution sequence SOL 400.
The temperature load will change the length of the offset. This effect is computed for the
nonlinear solution sequence SOL 400 only.
If you dont want these effects to be calculated, a provision to disable the offset load effects is available.
Offset Direction
For beam elements, the direction of offset is given by the WiA and WiB on the connection Bulk Data
entries.
For shell elements, the old offset direction is in z-direction of the element coordinate system. For curved
shell model, such as cylindrical shell, this approach has two deficiencies:
The offset geometry has gap or overlap in the structure model.
The computations of stiffness matrix, mass matrix, and element load are based on the original
geometry, which is not the same as the offset geometry.
In order to remedy these deficiencies, the new offset method for QUAD4, TRIA3, QUADR, TRIAR,
QUAD8, and TRIA6 use the shell normal as the offset direction for default.
If you dont want the geometric advantages of the new offset method, a provision to revert to the previous
offset behavior for shell elements is available.
Figure 6-3 Unique Grid Point Normal for Adjacent Shell Elements
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Figure 6-4 New Offset Behavior when Angle between adjacent elements is less than
SNORM

Figure 6-5 New Offset Behavior when Angle between adjacent elements is greater than
SNORM
Nonlinear Analysis
For nonlinear analysis, the following are implemented for the new offset method:
The offsets are formulated based upon large rotation theory.
The differential stiffness for offsets is computed.
For thermal loads, the length of the offsets may change due to thermal loads. This effect has
been implemented.
Input
The new offset formulation must be invoked by specifying the MDLPRM,OFFDEF ,option in the Bulk
Data Section. The format of the MDLPRM entry and options associated with OFFDEF are shown.
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MDLPRM Format:
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MDLPRM PARAM1 VAL1 PARAM2 VAL2 PARAM3 VAL3 -etc.-
MDLPRM QR6ROT 2 QRSHEAR
1
OFFDEFF LROFF
Name Description, Type, and Default Values
OFFDEF Element offset definition. A flag to determine how shell elements and bar and
beam elements behave when the user supplies ZOFF values on the shell
connection entries (CQUAD4, CQUADR, CTRIA3, CTRIAR, CQUAD8, and
CTRIA6) and WiA and WiB on CBAR, CBEAM, and CBEAM3 connection
entries. (Character)
ELMOFF Standard Nastran offset method. The ZOFF rotate with the shell
element. The WiA and WiB offsets for beams are fixed.
MD Nastran R3 and earlier. (Character, Default)
LROFF Large rotation offsets. The shell normal directions are used to
define the offset direction at each shell grid. This method allows
for thermal load effects on ZOFF for shells and WiA and WiB
for beams. Thermal load effect for offset is computed based on
the grid point or element temperature, and thermal coefficient of
the element (see NOTHRM). The mass moment of inertia is
computed for the offset due to the grid point location change
introduced by offset. Differential stiffness is computed for the
offset using the same method as that of the Lagrange formulation
of the RBAR. (Character)
NODIF LROFF is used but the differential stiffness effect is turned off.
(Character)
NOTHRM LROFF is used but the thermal load effects are turned off. The
thermal load has two effects: 1) the location of thermal load
changes due to offset and 2) the length of offset changes due to
thermal load. Effect (1) is computed for all solution sequences
and Effect (2) is computed for MD Nastran SOL 400 only. Both
effects are turned off by NOTHRM. (Character)
NODT LROFF is used but the differential stiffness and thermal load
effect are turned off. (Character)
ELMZ LROFF is used but the element z-direction is used for the offset
direction. IF PARAM, SNORM, 0.0 or the computed value for
SNORM is greater then the PARAM,SNORM,value, then the
LROFF option will revert to this method for CQUAD4,
CTRIA3, CQUADR, and CTRIAR. (Character)
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Note that there is no Case Control modification or other modifications to the input file required. By
default, the old offset definition is used (MDLPRM,OFFDEF,ELMOFF)
Output
There is no new output associated with the new offset methodology.
Guidelines and Limitations
Solution Sequences and Element Type to be Supported by Offset
Solution sequences and element types supported by the new offset method are:
All linear solution sequences that use differential stiffness such as SOL 103, 105 and dynamic
solution sequences support the new offset method.
For nonlinear solution sequences, only SOL 400 is supported. SOL 106 and SOL 129 use the old
offset method.
For linear solution sequences, the new offset method supports the following elements: QUAD4,
TRIA3, QUADR, TRIAR, BEAM, BAR, BEAM3, QUAD8, and TRIA6.
For SOL 400, the new offset supports QUAD4, TRIA3, QUADR, TRIAR, and BEAM.
For advanced nonlinear elements in SOL 400, in addition to QUAD4, TRIA3, QUADR, TRIAR
and BEAM elements, QUAD8, TRIA6 and AXISYM are also supported.
NOMASS LROFF is used but the no mass effects are included. (Character)
NDMTZ LROFF is used but the element z-direction is used for the offset
direction and the differential stiffness, the thermal load effects,
and the mass effects are turned off. For CQUAD4 and CTRIA3
elements this method should get similar results to the standard
ELMOFF method. (Character)
Notes: This entry only effects ZOFF calculations for ZOFF specified on
the shell connection entries. For ZOFF specified on the PCOMP
or PCOMPG entries, the standard ELMOFF method will be used.
For CBEAM, CBAR, CQUAD8 and CTRIA6 elements, the
LROFF option will revert to the ELMZ sub option.
If the computed value for SNORM is greater then the PARAM,SNORM,value
and the user wishes not to change the parameter value, the Bulk Data entry
SNORM can be used to override the shell normal.
Solution sequences affected: For linear - all solution sequences. For MD
Nastran - SOL 400 nonlinear only. The new method is not implemented into
SOL 106 and 129.
Name Description, Type, and Default Values
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For QUAD4 and TRIA3, the stiffness for drilling DOFs is zero. The offset is not completely constrained
by the elements. For the linear solution sequences, this will not create any problem. For nonlinear
analysis, this will not impede the solution of QUAD4/TRIA3 for most cases. However, for certain type
of models, especially if the model is completely flat, the zero stiffness will make the solution with offset
difficult to converge in SOL 400. If this happens, a large value K6ROT, in the order of 1,000.0 - 10,000.0,
may be used to resolve this problem. Another work around is to use the QUADR/TRIAR elements.
The new offset method has not been implemented for composites using the PCOMP or PCOMPG Bulk
Data entries. For these entries, the user needs to transfer the offset definition to the connection entries in
order to use the new offset method.
Test Problems
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/offsetmeth:
TPL Example ofsl014.dat
This example is a simple cantilever with offsets, model by QUAD4 and TRIA3 to obtain solution in the
linear buckling analysis (SOL 105). There are two types of element in the file. The first subcase is
preload. The second subcase is for QUAD4 and the third subcase is for TRIA3. Both loading and
geometry are exaggerated to show the differential effect of offset. Bulk data input required for new
offsets: MDLPRM, OFFDEF, LROFF The first buckling factor for both QUAD4 and TRIA3 are 1.52
with differential stiffness of offset. However, if we ignore the differential stiffness of offset
(OFFDEF=NODIFF), the first buckling factor is 6087.
Figure 6-6 TPL example problem ofsl014.dat
TPL Example ofslq416.dat
This example is a cylindrical shell to demonstrate the effect of shell normal using linear static analysis
SOL 101. Bulk data input required for new offsets: MDLPRM, OFFDEF, LROFF. In this example,
both elastic element stiffness and mass matrix are computed based on the offset geometry of the model.
Since the shell normal is used as the direction of the offset, there is no gap in the geometry. For this model,
the weight for shell normal model (OFFSET=LROFF) is 120.8, while for the z-direction model
(OFFSET=ELMZ) the weight = 109.8. Results are obtained from grid point weight table. The
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displacement at T1 of grid 1 is 0.1095. However, if we use offset in z-direction (OFFDEF=ELMZ), then
the corresponding displacement is 0.0996.
Figure 6-7 TPL example problem ofslq416.dat
TPL Problem ofsnbm01.dat
This example is for the nonlinear solution of SOL 400. A simple cantilever beam is modeled by BEAM
with offset. Bulk data input required for new offsets: MDLPRM, OFFDEF, LROFF. Both geometry
and loads are exaggerated to show effects of offset and geometric nonlinear. In this model, the large
rotation theory and differential stiffness are computed for the offsets of beam. This model is verified by
explicitly modeling the offset by RBAR element. Both offset and RBAR give the same results.
Figure 6-8 TPL example problem ofsnbm01.dat
GUI Support
Patran
Currently Patran does not support the definition of MDLPRM,OFFDEF,offdef. However, it is expected
that this will be supported in Patran 2008r3.
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SimXpert
SimXpert supports the definition of MDLPRM,OFFDEF,option. Figure 6-9 shows the GUI interface.
Figure 6-9 SimXpert Support for MDLPRM,OFFDEF,option
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Segment-to-Segment Contact
Introduction
The automated contact algorithm introduced in a previous version of MD Nastran is based on grid points
or nodes being in contact with a segment (a curve, surface, element edge, or element face), and can thus
be called a node-to-segment algorithm. This contact algorithm has matured and has been successfully
applied to a large variety of contact problems. However, there are a few weaknesses of this algorithm
especially for deformable contact, which call for the development of an alternative contact algorithm:
When contact has been detected, the non-penetration constraint is enforced on a grid point basis.
Because of this point-wise application of constraints, the node-to-segment algorithm does not
generally maintain stress continuity across the contact interface of deformable contact bodies
(this can be easily illustrated using the contact patch test, where a uniform stress distribution
should be obtained in two deformable contact bodies with dissimilar meshes).
Since the non-penetration constraints are enforced using multi-point constraint equations, there
is a potential dependency of the solution on the selection of the master and the slave nodes. In
other words, the solution depends on which grid points are touching and which grid points
correspond to a touched contact segment. Although there are various options to optimize the
multi-point constraint equations, it is not always possible to achieve the best results everywhere
in the model and to completely eliminate the dependency on the contact body numbering.
If there would be contact detected at the top and the bottom face of a shell element, it is not
possible to only use the grid points of the shell element to apply both multi-point constraint
equations. This implies that there are limited modeling options for so-called double sided shell
contact. A similar problem occurs when the edge of a shell element is in contact with the face of
another element. If this happens, then the contact constraints are based on either the shell top or
the shell bottom face. Consequently, the footprint of the shell edge is not directly related to the
shell thickness.
In MD Nastran 2010, a new contact algorithm has been introduced based on a segment-to-segment
algorithm, where the non-penetration constraints are enforced using augmented Lagrangians.
Benefits
The easy way to define contact bodies in the node-to-segment algorithm is maintained in the segment-
to-segment algorithm, while the difficulties of finding the optimal contact body numbering and getting
the correct constraints in case of shell contact are avoided.
Feature Description
Instead of using automatically generated multi-point constraint equations to enforce the contact
constraints in a point-wise manner, the segment-to-segment contact algorithm tries to enforce the contact
constraints on the common area of contacting bodies. The methodology used is that of augmented
Lagrangians, which can be seen as a combination of a penalty method and a Lagrange multiplier method.
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In contrast to a Lagrange multiplier method, there are no extra degrees of freedom in the system of
equations to be solved, but there may be extra iterations needed to improve the fulfillment of the contact
constraints. An important parameter in the algorithm is the augmented Lagrange penalty factor.
Typically, a too high value of this factor can cause an ill-conditioned stiffness matrix, where a too small
value can cause a relatively large penetration after the first iteration in the Newton-Raphson process and
many iterations to remove this penetration. The default value of the penalty factor is determined by the
program, but the BCPARA and BCTABLE options allow the user to overrule the default value. The
default value of the penalty factor depends on the body stiffness of the two contact bodies involved
and a characteristic length (note that the dimension of the penalty factor is force per cubic length). The
body stiffness is either defined by the average trace of the initial stress-strain law of the elements defining
the two contact bodies or by the average bulk modulus for (nearly) incompressible rubber materials,
whichever of the two is the largest. For continuum elements, the characteristic length is given by one half
of the average length of all the edges being part of the contact boundary. For shell elements, the
characteristic length is given by half of the average thickness of all the shell elements being part of a
contact body. When there is contact between a solid and a shell element, then the characteristic length is
defined by the shell element. If there is contact between the deformable bodies and , with body
stiffnesses and , and the characteristic length of the model is , then the default value of is
given by:
In case of contact with a rigid body, the default value of is related to the deformable body only and
is given by:
Since the contact constraints are generally fulfilled in an iterative fashion, a threshold value of the
penetration distance is needed to decide whether or not the augmentation procedure will be invoked. Like
the penalty factor discussed above, this penetration distance beyond which an augmentation is applied
has a default value determined by the program. but can also be user-defined via the BCPARA and
BCBODY options. The default value is based on the characteristic length according to:
As for the augmentation procedure, the following options are available:
No augmentation. This results in a pure penalty method and is recommended for most analyses,
since it gives reasonably accurate results in a relatively small number of iterations.
Augmentation based on a constant penetration field. This is the recommended augmentation
procedure for linear finite elements.
Augmentation based on a (bi-)linear penetration field. This augmentation procedure should be
used only for quadratic finite elements.
E
n
k l
S
k
S
l
L E
n
E
n
0.5 S
k
S
l
+ ( )
L
------------------------------ =
E
n
k
E
n
1000S
k
L
----------------- =
L
c
aug
0.001L =
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It is also possible to let the program decide on the use of a constant or (bi-)linear penetration field, based
on the element types involved (linear or quadratic).
Guidelines and Limitations
Currently, the segment-to-segment algorithm has the following limitations:
Mechanical contact only; no thermal or coupled contact;
Small sliding for deformable-deformable contact (large sliding is allowed for deformable-rigid
contact);
No friction (glued contact is allowed).
The default contact algorithm is still the node-to-segment algorithm. If one has to solve a contact
problem which does not go beyond the just mentioned limitations and typical drawbacks of the node-to-
segment algorithm play a role, then the segment-to-segment algorithm should be invoked with preferably
default settings (no augmentation and default penalty stiffness).
GUI Support
The segment-to-segment algorithm is supported by SimXpert. The menu to select this method and to
eventually overwrite the default parameters is shown below.
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Test case
As an example of the segment-to-segment algorithm (see TPL problem ns2sc69), a clamped cantilever
beam with a tip load is analyzed. The beam is partly modeled with continuum elements and partly with
shell elements (see the figure below). The material properties of both parts are given by Youngs modulus
and Poisson's ratio . The length of the two parts is the same: and
the out of plane thickness for both parts is . Two analyses will be performed, one where
and one where and . The total tip load is given by , which
is applied using point loads.
The solid part is meshed using quadratic tetrahedral elements, the shell part is meshed using linear
quadrilateral elements.
L
1
L
2
h
1
h
2
F
E 1
7
10 = v 0.3 = L
1
L
2
5 = =
t 1 =
h
1
h
2
1 = = h
1
1 = h
2
0.5 = F 1 =
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According to elementary beam theory, the tip deflection for the two cases can be calculated as:
In the finite element analysis, two deformable contact bodies are defined, one consisting of the solid
elements and one consisting of the shell elements. They will be joined together using glued contact.
The segment-to-segment contact algorithm is selected on the BCPARA option:
BCPARA 0 METHOD SEGSMALLNLGLUE 1
It should be noted that, unlike the node-to-segment algorithm, there is no need to specify moment
carrying glue on the BCTABLE option. Instead, when there is contact with shell elements, the segment-
to-segment algorithm always generates constraints in which the rotational degrees of freedom are
involved. This implies that on the BCTABLE option IGLUE = 1 is equivalent to IGLUE = 3 and,
similarly, IGLUE = 2 is equivalent to IGLUE = 4.
The default value of the augmented Lagrange penalty factor is used.
The calculated displacement fields are shown below. It can be seen that the tip displacements are in very
good agreement with the theoretical solution.
w
t i p
h
1
h
2
1 = = ( ) 4
4
10 =
w
t i p
h
1
1 h
2
0.5 = ; = ( ) 7.75
4
10 =
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h
1
h
2
1 = =
h
1
1 h
2
0.5 = ; =
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Automated Bolt Modeling
Introduction
Bolt preload is a critical design consideration for detailed joint analysis in all industries. One of the
critical factors for a proper joint analysis is to capture the bolt preload effects properly. The bolt spacing,
preload, and general joint design will affect items like gasket pressure, o-ring seal behavior, and gapping
analysis for instance.
In the automotive industry, bolt modeling is important in analyses of engine assemblies. Gasket joints,
which are used in such assemblies to prevent steam or gas from escaping, are often fastened by a number
of bolts. In a typical loading sequence of an engine assembly, the bolts are first fastened until a certain
pre-tension force is present in the bolts. This can be achieved by shortening the bolts until the desired
force is reached. Next, the bolts are locked, that is, the amount of shortening remains fixed, while the
assembly is subject to other (thermo-)mechanical loads. Finally, the bolts are loosened again, either by
decreasing the shortening or by releasing the bolt forces.
MD Nastran has had automatic bolt modeling available in SOL 600 with the MBOLT and MBOLTUS
entries. MD Nastran 2010 improves the MBOLT and MBOLTUS formulations and offers the new BOLT
formulation in SOL 400.
Benefits
The new bolt formulation will benefit users who are performing detailed joint analysis that require
preload and contact. Applications are many in automotive, machinery, aerospace, and other industries
that have critical joints.
Although existing MPCs can be used to pre-stress bolts, the required split of the structure (bolt) causes
limitations when used in a contact analysis. The new BOLT option is formulated so that there are no
issues with contact at the split.
Feature Description
Historical Methods
In MD Nastran R3, the bolt loading sequence can be simulated by splitting the finite element mesh of
the bolt along element boundaries into two disjoint parts (see Figure 6-11). The grid points on the bottom
side of the split are connected with user-defined multipoint constraints to the corresponding grids on the
top side and a control grid point. The latter is shared by all multi-point constraints of the bolt. The
multipoint constraints are defined via the MPC Bulk Data option in such a way that an overlap of the two
mesh parts (hence a shortening of the bolt) can be created by prescribing the displacements of the control
grid point via SPC(D) Bulk Data options. Moreover, the total force in the bolt can be prescribed via
FORCE bulk data options on the control grid point.
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This method works well, but is difficult to use in combination with contact for two reasons:
1. Due to the mesh split, the internally generated contact surface of the bolt is no longer continuous
and also consists of two disjoint parts. Grid points which touch the bolt surface and slide across
the split will first have to separate from the bottom part, say, and will then have to be found in
contact again with the top part before they can continue; and
2. The slave grid points in the user-defined multipoint constraints are fully constrained by the
multipoint constraints, so contact of these grids, for example with the bolt hole, has to be avoided.
New Implementation
In MD Nastran 2010 a new Bulk Data entry for BOLT has specially designed for bolt modeling in SOL
400. Assuming that the finite element mesh of the bolt has been split up in two disjoint parts along
element boundaries across the shaft of the bolt, the new option will impose the proper multipoint
constraints on these parts, such that the bolt can be prestressed, locked and loosened by applying
appropriate boundary conditions to a special control grid point associated with the bolt. Special
treatment of the constraints by the contact algorithm will ensure that the option can be used with contact
and that the internally generated contact surface will be continuous across the split. Grids touching the
bolt surface can then slide across the split without problems. The automated bolt modeling method is
based on a mesh split principle and a control node. Figure 6-10 demonstrates how the mesh split principle
is applied to a typical joint.
Figure 6-10 Example of a Bolted Joint using BOLT using the Mesh Split Principle
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The key to the new BOLT formulation is the concept of the control node.
Figure 6-11 Control Node and Top Nodes / Bottom Nodes Definition
The user defines the Top Nodes (GT) and the Bottom Nodes (GB) and the control node (GC).
MD Nastran generates internal MPC equations that satisfy the equation:

: Displacement of the nodes in the bolt direction n


GTs: Independent nodes (N-set; Master)
GBs: Dependent nodes (M-set; Slave)
GC: Control node (N-set; Master)
u
GB
u
GT
u
GC
+ =
u
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The Mesh Split Principle
Figure 6-12 will be used to derive the equations used in the mesh split principle.
:
Figure 6-12 MPC equations generated by the Mesh Split Principle
1. Let:
2. Constraint matrix:
3. Constraint imposed by MPCs:
4. Force vectors work-conjugate to and :
and
5. Principle of zero work for MPCs:
u= u
1 bot ,
u
2 bot ,
u
1 top ,
u
2 top ,
| |
T
and u u
1 top ,
u
2 top ,
u
control
| |
T
=
T
1 0 1 0
0 1 0 1
1 1 0 0
T
=
u Tu

=
u u
F= F
1 bot ,
F
2 bot ,
F
1 top ,
F
2 top ,
| |
T
F

= F

1 top ,
F

2 top ,
F

control
| |
T
F
T
u F
T

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CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
6. It follows that: (3+5) or:
,
,
.
In the non-mechanical parts of a coupled analysis, the constraint will guarantee continuity of the primary
field variables across the split mesh (for example: temperatures). Therefore, the control node is not
required and it will be ignored. The MPC relationship for non-mechanical parts becomes:
Defines a rigid bolt by a set of MPC constraints.
Format:
Example:
BOLT
Defines the Multi-Point Constraints for a Bolt
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BOLT ID GRIDC
TOP GT1 GT2 GT3 GT4 GT5 GT6 GT7
GT8 GT9 etc.
BOTTOM
GB1 GB2 GB3 GB4 GB5 GB6 GB7
GB8 GB9 etc.
BOLT 100 1025
TOP 101 102 103 104 105
BOTTOM
1 2 3 4 5
Field Contents
ID Element ID of the bolt. (Integer; Required; no Default)
GRIDC Control GRID ID where forces or displacements are applied. (Integer; no Default;
Required)
T
T
F F

=
F
1 bot ,
F
1 top ,
F

=
1 top ,
+
F
2 bot ,
F +
2 top ,
F

=
2 top ,
F
1 bot ,
F +
2 bot ,
F

=
1 control ,

GBi

GTi
=
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Remarks:
1. The GRIDS entries of the TOP and BOTTOM keywords are open-ended.
2. GRIDC is the control grid point and usually not connected to any element.
3. (GTi, GBi) are pairs of grid on top and bottom.
4. To each pair of (GTi, GBi) and GRIDC, MPCs are created internally to all 6 DOFs. Since the GBs
always belong to dependent-DOFs, they cannot be applied to any SPC, SPC1, SPCD and SPCR.
5. Same number of grid points in TOP and BOTTOM. They should be coincident but it is not
required. Users who do otherwise do so at their own risk since the current design does not consider
the initial offset between them.
6. Bolt loads, including enforced motion, are usually prescribed on GRIDC to represent the pre-
tension, overlap or loading of the bolt. BOLT relative displacements are given in the global
coordinate system of the control node.
7. Global Coordinate System may have to be defined at the Control Node if the bolt direction is not
a Basic Coordinate direction and the user wants to apply the loads along the shaft of the bolt.
8. Loads in directions other than the shaft of the bolt direction are possible.
9. The internally written MPC relationship is of the form:
10. In 3D Contact analysis, it replaces GBi (Bottom bolt segment) by GTi (Top bolt segment) on the
internally generated contact surface, which makes contact surface continuous across the mesh
split between them.
11. Force output is obtained through Case Control MPCFORCE.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/solid_101:
TOP Enter the character string TOP to define the start of the entry that defines all of the
grids at the top of the bolt intersection with the structure. (Integer; no Default)
GT1, GT2, etc. Grid IDs of the grid points at the top of the bolt intersection. (Integer; no Default)
BOTTOM Enter the character string BOTTOM to define the start of the entry that defines all
of the grids at the bottom of the bolt intersection with the structure (do not enter
the ID for GRIDC). (Integer; no Default)
GB1, GB2, etc. Grid IDs of the grid points at the bottom of the bolt intersection. (Integer; no
Default)
Field Contents
u
GB
u
GT
= u
GC
+
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Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
TPL Examples simple_solid.dat and simple_solid2.dat
The following example demonstrates how to create a BOLT for a 3-D model using two different methods
in SimXpert. The cross-sectional area of the BOLT is 1.0 area units, a preload force of 5000 load units.
The boundary conditions are chosen such that Poissons effect will not add additional stresses to the
model. The resulting SimXpert test case are are available as simple_solidn.dat and simple_solid2n.dat.
SimXpert Automatic Method
Steps for creating an automatic BOLT with a 5000 unit preload Force in SimXpert.
1. In the SimXpert Assemble tab, select the Create 3D Bolt icon to access the 3D Bolt Model
form
2. Set the Axial Preload Type to Force and enter a Value of 5000.
3. Set the Method to Automatic.
4. Select the Part and press OK to complete the operation.
SimXpert will automatically detect the long direction of the Part and split the mesh at the center. A
new coordinate system will be created so that the Z is aligned with the long direction. SimXpert
automatically splits the mesh and creates duplicate nodes at the center of the part. The control node is set
above the part and the BOLT is graphically displayed with lines connecting the control node to the split
plane. When the model is run, the stresses are a constant 5000 as expected. The figures below
demonstrate the steps in SimXpert.

Figure 6-13 Creating BOLT in SimXpert using the automatic method - step 1
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Figure 6-14 Creating BOLT in SimXpert using the automatic method - step 2-3
Figure 6-15 Creating BOLT in SimXpert using the automatic method - step 4 and results
SimXpert Assisted Method
Steps for creating an assisted BOLT with a 5000 unit preload Force in SimXpert.
Preliminaries:
1. Create a local coordinate system at the split plane location. Note that Z direction of the local
coordinate system must be aligned with the axial direction of the BOLT because SimXpert will
create the split plane in the XY plane of the local coordinate system. In this example the Z
direction of coordinate system 1 is used as the axial direction.
2. Create a Control Node anywhere in space - it is common to create this node near the split plane
Main Index
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CHAPTER 6
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Proceed to set up the bolt using the following steps:
1. In the SimXpert Assemble tab, select the Create 3D Bolt icon to access the 3D Bolt Model
form
2. Set the Axial Preload Type to Force and enter a Value of 5000.
3. Set the Method to Assisted.
4. Select the Control Node, Splitting Plane (coordinate system) and Part.
5. Press OK to complete the operation.
SimXpert will automatically split the nodes closest to the XY plane of the splitting plane coordinate
system. When the model is run, the stresses are a constant 5000 as expected. The figures below
demonstrate the steps in SimXpert.
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Figure 6-16 Creating BOLT in SimXpert using the assisted method
Main Index
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CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
TPL Example Gasket Assembly Based on MDUG Problem nug_10.dat
The following example is based on the MD User Guide Example problem 10. Example problem
nug_10.dat is modified to use the MD Nastran 2010 BOLT entry. In this case, the control node has a local
coordinate system aligned with the Y direction. The preload is defined by a bolt shortening of 0.175
which is defined using an enforced displacement on an SPCD Bulk Data entry.
Figure 6-17 MD Demonstration Problem example nug_10.dat geometry
Figure 6-18 MD Demonstration Problem example nug_10.dat BOLT entry (file
nug_10_bolt.dat with BOLT)
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Figure 6-19 MD Demonstration Problem example nug_10_bolt.dat Stress from BOLT
preload.
GUI Support
Patran
Patran supports the MBOLTUS option. The Patran interface will appear similar to the following form:
SimXpert
The SimXpert GUI support is covered in detail in the Test Cases Section.
Main Index
163
CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
Load Stepping Robustness
Introduction
In MD Nastran 2010 the load stepping procedure has been improved by introducing a new NLSTEP
option which replaces the existing NLPARM, TSTEPNL, NLPCI, and NLADAPT options. The new
time stepping scheme has the following features:
1. Unified format of bulk data for step control: NLSTEP bulk data card is introduced to define the
time step control for both single and multi-physics jobs.
2. NLSTEP is the only supported time stepping scheme for multi-physics. The time step is
synchronized between the substeps. Generated output for each substep also corresponds to this
synchronized time.
3. All results are provided in terms of TIME with NLSTEP rather than LOAD FACTOR.
Benefits
Nonlinear statics jobs are more apt to run better while also being more robust. More options will also be
available to control the adaptive load stepping, i.e., user specified criteria. Having a single option for the
load case settings will make it easier both for people writing pre-processors and for susers that edit the
input file.
Feature Description
The development on the time stepping schemes is applicable to both single physics and coupled analysis:
The new bulk data option NLSTEP is provided as a unified load stepping scheme that replaces
existing options like NLPARM, TSTEPNL, NLPCI, and NLADAPT. This option can be used for
statics and dynamics, fixed and adaptive load stepping, definition of convergence criteria and
other options for mechanical and thermal and the definition of creep. Apart from the improved
load stepping for statics, the options in NLSTEP are mapping to the same data as previously
obtained from NLPARM and TSTEPNL. This is only a change in input format with the program
performance being the same.
The improved load stepping basically implements the algorithms already used in MSC Marc.
The basic algorithm works with a user input desired number of recycles. The time step is
increased for the upcoming increment if the current increment uses fewer recycles than desired.
If the number of recycles during an increment exceeds the desired number a time step cutback
(bisection) is performed and the time step is reduced. If the increment is converging the time
step decrease is postponed until the next increment. Special care is taken for contact when
changes in contact occurs, like new contact, sliding or separation. A distinction is made between
Newton-Raphson iterations and Contact-Induced iterations - only the former is used for
controlling the time step changes. Without this the time step would often be reduced excessively.
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In addition to this algorithm there is also a scheme based upon artificial damping in a static
analysis. Estimations of strain energy changes are used for applying artificial damping for
unstable situations (with sudden reductions of strain energy). These estimates are also used for
modifying the time step. This algorithm may be restricted to the advanced elements in the first
release.
For adaptive stepping, user-defined criteria for controlling the time step are also available. The
user criteria ID is specified through the CRITTID field on the ADAPT keyword of the
NLSTEP entry and this in turn refers to a TABSCTL Bulk Data entry where the actual criteria is
specified. The user can set a limit on the incremental displacements, rotations, stresses,
temperature, etc. If a criterion would be violated, a bisection and time step reduction is done. The
user criteria thus work as limits. There is also an option to treat the criteria as targets, in which
case the time step for the next increment will be increased in order to reach the specific
displacement increment for instance. The time step is never increased during an increment.
The restriction of using virtual time of 1.0 for static analysis has been removed. Earlier, real-time
was only supported for transient analysis. The real-time feature is supported by simply
specifying the total time for the step TOTTIME on the NLSTEP entry.
Guidelines and Limitations
The following guidelines for the new load stepping scheme should be noted:
1. The default tolerance for mechanical is 10% relative testing on the residual force vector
components (CONV = PV). For some applications, it may be beneficial to have more iterations
in the solution by checking on the incremental displacement vector also (CONV = UPV). The
default iteration scheme followed is Full Newton-Raphson (KMETHOD = PFNT).
2. The default tolerance for thermal is 1% relative testing on displacements, residuals and energy
(CONV = UPW). The default iteration scheme followed is Modified Newton-Raphson with
Automatic Stiffness Update (KMETHOD = AUTO).
The following limitations for the new load stepping scheme should be noted:
1. NLSTEP is not supported for the CREEP material option. It is only supported for elements using
MATVP. CREEP should still be specified through NLPARM with DT > 0.0.
2. NLSTEP with ARCLN does not support contact. This is also an existing limitation of the arc-
length scheme specified through NLPCI.
3. Quasi-static damping (IDAMP) specified on the ADAPT keyword of NLSTEP is only available
for enhanced elements that use property extensions. Automated element defaults automatically
map all possible elements to the enhanced ones in conjunction with IDAMP.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
GUI Support
SimXpert 2010 supports Load Stepping Robustness..
Test Cases
Test cases and GUI support are described in Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Implementation (Ch. 2).
Main Index
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Additional Output Control with NLOPRM SOL 400
166
Additional Output Control with NLOPRM SOL 400
Introduction
There are several minor enhancements which are made for MD Nastran users to better control, monitor
and understand the outcome of a nonlinear analysis. A new Case Control command, NLOPRM, bundles
various existing and new nonlinear solution debugging and output functionalities together in a single
command.
Benefits
Case Control command, NLOPRM, can be used to better control the nonlinear solution output during
solution process, to provide MD Nastran users a direct access to nonlinear solutions even while the job
is still running, to give the users some tools to monitor and debug the nonlinear solution process and gain
some insight of nonlinear solution procedure and also to allow users to print out MPC and MPCY
equations from contact constraints before and during a contact process.
Input
Format
Examples
NLOPRM OUTCTRL=STD,SOLUTION DBGPOST=LTIME
NLOPRM OUTCTRL=(SOLUTION,INTERM), MPCPCH=(OTIME,STEP)
NLOPRM OUTCTRL STD,SOLUTION,INTERM { } = | | =
NLDBG
NONE
NLBASIC,NRDBG,ADVDBG,
N3DBAS
N3DMED
N3DADV
)

`


)


`



=
DBGPOST
NONE
LTIME
LSTEP
LSUBC
ALL
)


`



= MPCPCH
NONE
BEGN,OTIME,STEP
TBEGN,YOTIME,YSTEP
)

`


= ,
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CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
Output
The output from Case Control command, NLOPRM, is basically controlled by four keywords of
OUTCTRL, NLDBG, DBGPOST and MPCPCH. Each keyword has a group of descriptors that are
assigned to either by one at a time or more in juxtaposition. The output is destined to almost all Nastran
output media, such as F06, PCH, OP2 and DBALL, depending on which keyword is used.
Guidelines
1. Case Control command, NLOPRM, may only appear above all SUBCASE, STEP and SUBSTEP
delimiters.
2. For OUTCTRL=SOLUTION, only nonlinear solutions, such as nonlinear stresses, strains,
contact status and so on, are output at the user-specified output intervals. Any solution results in
super-elements are not computed and recovered in what we called Phase 3 data recovery. The job
is terminated as soon as all nonlinear iterations are completed.
The nonlinear solution results are also saved in DBALL when a job is launched with
scratch=post. They are ready for post-processing when the job is completed.
3. When OUTCTRL=INTERM is specified, the nonlinear solutions, such as stresses, strains,
contact status and so on, are output into individual OP2 files for post-processing at the user-
specified output intervals. The user is able to access these files while the job is still running. The
name of a typical OP2 file is the job name followed by a suffix name of eight-digit number, for
instance, my_job.00000008. In an F06 file, the relevant information of an OP2 file is indicated as
corresponding to the load or time increment, STEP, SUBSTEP, and SUBCASE.
4. NLDBG is intended for those sophisticated SOL 400 users, who want to look into the details of
nonlinear iterations. The data printed out in the F06 file is in its raw form and some effort is
required to interpret its meanings.
Among the debugging options, N3DBAS can be used to print out some basic contact information
in the F06 file. It includes the contact condition of touching node on the touched patch and
separation contact forces. Standard contact status output can be requested by Case Control
command, BOUTPUT.
5. DBGPOST is used to select the output of nonlinear iterations for debugging purpose. When
DBGPOST is activated, a Nastran data block, OFDBGDT, is created to store both residual and
displacement vectors at user-specified iterations pertaining to load or time increments, STEP and
SUBCASE.
6. MPCPCH allows the user to punch out multipoint constraint equations from a contact process in
the format of either MPC or MPCY Bulk Data entries. This is probably the most useful tool for
the user to gain some insight of how a Nastran contact job proceeds.
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Nonlinear Solution Statistics (STS) File
168
Nonlinear Solution Statistics (STS) File
The STS file is created for SOL 400 nonlinear analyses and a SOL 101 analysis as well with a general
contact process, as one of standard MD Nastran output files. The name of an STS file consists of the root
name of the job and the extension of STS, for instance, my_job.sts. It has a similar format of data output
as MSC Marc, SOL 600, and ABAQUS.
While an STS file provides MD users a convenient and succinct means to monitor the incremental
solution process and examine the relevant information of the overall iteration procedure, a sophisticated
user is encouraged to look into the F06 file for the nonlinear iteration module output, which is led by the
percent sign % in each entry. The F06 file is a real haven of all nonlinear solution information.
A typical STS file is shown as follows. Its content is well self-explained by the file itself.
information summary of job: ./nug_39a
version: MD Nastran 2009.0.0, Built on Jun 01, 2009
date: Jun 01, 2009; Day Time: 16:02:19
subcase inc cycl sepa cut cycl split separ cut rmesh time step total time wall time cpu time max displ.
/step # # # # # # # # # # of of
100 |--of the inc--|-----------of the analysis-----------| the inc the job
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0000E+00 0.0000E+00 8.00 0.87 0.0000E+00
1 1 3 1 0 3 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 1.0000E-01 9.00 1.85 5.4988E-02
1 2 2 0 0 5 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 2.0000E-01 10.00 2.53 1.1103E-01
1 3 2 0 0 7 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 3.0000E-01 10.00 3.19 1.6795E-01
1 4 2 0 0 9 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 4.0000E-01 11.00 3.87 2.2570E-01
1 5 2 0 0 11 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 5.0000E-01 12.00 4.55 2.8430E-01
1 6 2 0 0 13 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 6.0000E-01 12.00 5.22 3.4390E-01
1 7 2 0 0 15 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 7.0000E-01 13.00 5.89 -4.3202E-01
1 8 2 0 0 17 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 8.0000E-01 14.00 6.57 -6.5000E-01
1 9 2 0 0 19 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 9.0000E-01 14.00 7.25 5.2527E-01
1 10 2 0 0 21 0 1 0 0 1.0000E-01 1.0000E+00 15.00 7.92 5.8834E-01
Job ends with exit number : 0
total wall time: 19.00
total cpu time: 10.91
Main Index
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CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
Large Displacement Grid Point Weight Generation
(GPWG)
The Grid Point Weight Generator (GPWG) provides the user information on the mass matrix, including
center of gravity information and principal moments of inertia. The GPWG calculations are triggered by
PARAM,GRDPNT,gridid. Where gridid > -1; if gridid = 0, then the Basic Origin is used. In MD Nastran
2010 SOL 400, when a geometrically nonlinear or large displacement analysis is performed, all the
weight and balance information is obtained based on the deformed structural geometry and printed out
at user-specified nonlinear output intervals. Prior versions of MD Nastran used the original geometry
only in the GPWG calculations and printout. The printed GPWG information, such as the reference
point, rigid body mass matrix, and others, follows the standard GPWG format.
Detailed information about the GPWG calculations and printout can be found in Appendix B of the
Linear Static Analysis Users Guide.
Main Index
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User Subroutines
170
User Subroutines
Introduction
MD Nastran 2010 introduces a set of user definable objects in SOL 400 in the following areas:
User defined elements
User defined materials
User defined contact
The objects are implemented and built as SCA services external to the Nastran application. A set of tools
are provided to facilitate implementation and build of the services. User defined services can then be
loaded and called upon at run time through special entries in the Nastran BDF file.
Building Services
To facilitate the implementation and build of services, a set of files that define the service shell and its
APIs along with a script to build the service is delivered for each user defined object in MD Nastran 2010.
Using the service shell provided, the user can implement the service either in C++ or FORTRAN. The
user can then build the service using the script provided for that user service.
Using Services
There are two steps involved in using a user defined service in MD Nastran:
Specify the name and location of the service. This is done through the FMS statement
CONNECT (p. 48) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Identify the name of user-defined objects and tie the object to a service name. This is done
through the following entries:
ELEMUDS for user defined elements
MATUDS for user defined materials
BCONUDS for user defined contact
Additional Information and Resources
For details on how to build and use user-defined services, please refer to the Introduction (Ch. 1) in the
User Defined Services Users Guide. Additional information can be located in the Introduction (Ch. 1) in
the SCA Framework Users Guide.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 6
Advanced Nonlinear (SOL 400)
User Defined Module Service UDMSRV
Introduction
MD Nastran 2010 introduces a User Defined Module Service, UDMSRV which provides a mechanism
for Nastran users to develop their own user defined modules and integrate them into Nastrans solution
sequence through DMAP solution sequences. The module services are callable from DMAP
programming language.
Benefits
The User defineUsers who want to create their own DMAP modules to calculate new quantities, or
augment the existing Nastran solutions with their own proprietary methods. This provides a more
modern and integrated method of modifying the solution sequences than the ISHELL method.
Additional Information and Resources
For more information please see, User Defined Module Service UDMSRV (Ch. 2) in the User Defined
Services Users Guide.
Main Index
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User Defined Module Service UDMSRV
172
Main Index
Chapter 7: Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700) MD Nastran R3 Nastran Release Guide

7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)

Introduction

New Capabilities in Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)

DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler

Guidelines in Using SOL 700 FSI DMP

Limitations

Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA

Impact of a Rigid On Composite Laminate Using GENOA PFA


Material

Rigid Impact on Composite Foam Laminate using Genoa Material

New Material Models

Restart Option to Import an Euler Archive from Previous Run

Additional Features

Occupant Dummies

New Examples in MD Demonstration Problems


Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Introduction
174
Introduction
Several new capabilities have been added to the Explicit Nonlinear Solution - SOL 700 in MD
Nastran 2010 to dramatically improve the performance of Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) applications,
extend the material models, and enhance the capabilities and robustness.
New Capabilities in Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
The following new capabilities are added in this release:
1. Parallel support for FSI applications with multi-material Euler based on Distributed Memory
Parallel (DMP) Technology. In addition, the following capabilities are also supported for a DMP
simulation:
ROE solver
Graded mesh
Failed elements in coupling surface
Biased meshing
Coupling surface output and markers
Geometric boundary conditions
Viscosity
2. Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA technology for shells, solids, and
honeycombs
3. New shrink tight fit contact feature
4. New material models
5. Support for new LSTC occupant dummy models
6. Restart option to import a Euler Archive from a previous run
7. Additional features and capabilities
In addition, several software defects have been corrected.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler
With the release of MD Nastran 2010 and completion of the second phase of the project, the DMP
support for FSI applications is extended to include the multi-material euler. The capability allows many
CPU intensive FSI applications that require multi-material interactions to dramatically reduce the
simulation time. Below are some typical applications:
Sloshing with air and fuel (contrary to fuel and void in the type 9 solver)
Underwater explosions with air and water (contrary to void and water in the type 9 solver)
Birdstrike where the bird is made up of a fluid volume with strength (a stress-tensor)
Shaped charge, bullet impact with Euler only or with a coupling to a Lagrangian mesh.
Hydroplaning
All other applications with the MMHYDRO and MMSTREN solver
In the previous release, MD Nastran R3 Parallel FSI capability was limited to single material hydro-
dynamics and general coupling using the MESH box.
Several benchmarks were run to study the performance improvements and investigate the scaling
sensitivities to the model size, number of cube partitions, platforms, etc. The benchmarks are selected
from different applications that require multi-material interactions. Please see below for some typical
performance results.
Summary of Typical Benchmarks and Performance Results
1. Landmine blast on armored plate
The number of Euler elements: 1,000,000
The number of Lagrangian elements: 32
Multi-Material Strength example
Total Simulation Time: 5E-1 seconds
Main Index
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DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler
176
Main Index
177
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
2. Fluid Filled Bottle Drop Test
The number of Euler elements: 410,435
The number of Lagrangian elements:
10,000
Multi-Material Hydro example
Total Simulation Time: 1E-2 seconds
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DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler
178
3. Rigid bullet penetrates Skull
The number of Euler elements: 1,162,851
The number of Lagrangian elements: 0
Multi-Material Strength example
Total Simulation Time: 1.0e-3 seconds
Main Index
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CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
4. Submerged Tunnel
The number of Euler elements: 108,000
The number of Lagrangian elements: 10,374
Multi-Material Hydro example
Main Index
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DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler
180
Total Simulation Time: 1.0E-2 seconds
Main Index
181
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
5. Projectile Impact
The number of Euler elements:
360,000
The number of Lagrangian elements:
312
Multi-Material Strength example
Total Simulation Time: 3.7E-5 seconds
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
DMP for FSI Applications with Multi-Material Euler
182
Main Index
183
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Guidelines in Using SOL 700 FSI DMP
Performance is enhanced using larger-size models.
Performance can be influenced by no. of cubes and its configurations but variance is not
significant.
Performance varies across platforms and sensitive to machine configurations.
Scalability is much better on an even number of processors than odd number of processors
due to nature of dual-core and quad-core processors.
Avoid using prime number of CPUs as the partitioning of the Euler mesh will be in one direction
only and this will reduce the performance of FSI DMP.
The optimum partitioning heavily depends on the shape of the Euler mesh. The ultimate shape
of each partition should be as square as possible (i.e. have as many Euler mesh on the boundary
in each direction).
Linux X8664 has shown better scaling than Windows Platforms even though Windows runs
faster on single processor for the applications we tested.
FSI Applications without Coupling scale better.
DMP FSI Performance in MD Nastran 2010 will be improved in future releases with further
optimization in the following areas:
Load Balancing
Adaptive Coupling
Volume Fraction computation in Coupling
Additional updates in the DMP schema of Dytran DMP
Additional updates in the DMP interface of LS-Dyna coupling with Dytran
Improve editing for DMP
Main Index
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Limitations
184
Limitations
The following limitations exist in MD Nastran 2010 DMP FSI:
Adaptive Euler
Resize option for Euler mesh
Complete Load Balancing and Optimization
Arbitrary Euler mesh (Only MESH command used for Euler region )
General coupling with fast coupling deactivated.
Output request (ARC, THS) for Specific Euler Elements
PEULER property
FLOW between COUPLE and GBAG
Import OF EULER ARCHIVES
PARAM EUSUBMAX not supported
Single Material Euler with Strength solver.
TICREG using ELEM.
How to Run DMP FSI
The following example demonstrates how to run a typical DMP application. For more details please refer
to System Information and Parallel Processing chapter in the MD Nastran SOL 700 Users Guide.
It is important to make sure that the sol700.pth file that resides in your directory includes the following
additional line:
fsidmp=yes
nproc=4 (no. of processors used, 4 processors as in this example)
In addition, use the following DYPARAM entries to define options for Fast Coupling and number of
euler cubes for partitioning:
DYPARAM, FASTCOUP
DYPARAM,EULERCB
Please refer to the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide for more details.
Main Index
185
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Delivery Platforms
The MD Nastran SOL 700 and DMP capability are supported on the following modern platforms and
operating systems:
Platform Operating System
Windows 32
Windows 64
Windows XP-SP2
SGI Altix Propack 4
HP-UX PA RISC 2.0 ** HPUX B.11.11
HP-UX Itanium2 HPUX B.11.23
Sun Sparc Solaris ** Solaris 10
( = SunOS 5.10 )
Solaris X64 Solaris 10
IBM RS/6000 AIX 5.3
Linux Itanium2 IA64 * RedHat 4 update 5
Linux x86_64 RedHat 4 update 5
Intel Linux ** Red Hat 4 update 5
*For correct operation of the Intel Fortran compiler, MS Visual Studio .NET
must be installed prior to installing the Intel 8.1 compiler. For SOL 700, these
installs are not mandatory.
**The SOL 700 does not support the following configurations:
SGI: R4k and R5k; HP: HP-UX 10.20; SUN: Solaris 7; Linux: Redhat 7.3,
Windows NT
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA
186
Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA
In MD Nastran R3 we introduced two major advanced composite capabilities to support the Progressive
Failure Analysis (PFA) and honeycomb material behavior. The first capability was based on prediction
of delamination and failure of composite shell structures CQUAD4, CTRIA3, and PCOMP.
MD Nastran 2010 extends these capabilities to include the support of solids (thick shell element)
CHEXA, CTQUAD, CTTRIA, PCOMPLS for honeycomb material. In addition MATM has been
extended to support the material nonlinearity by defining stress-strain relationship. There are up to six
different material models with up to 24 different failure criteria (see below).
Up to 6 different materials
Fiber Matrix
Ply
Isotropic
Orthotropic Foam
Isotropic Foam
Honeycomb
Up to 24 different Failure Criteria
Maximum Stress/Strain
Failure theory
Honeycomb
Impact of a Rigid On Composite Laminate Using GENOA PFA
Material
Summary
Ref. No. MD User Guide
Title Impact of a rigid body on Composite Laminate using GENOA PFA
material
Features Using Genoa composite shell material for impact simulation
Main Index
187
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Introduction
MD Nastran predicts complex, large deformation composite behavior with extensive material
degradation. GENOA PFA (Progressive Failure Analysis) material model available in MD Nastran
SOL 700 allows prediction of complex composite material behavior and degradation of the plies and
laminates at micro-mechanical level. In the following example which includes two parts, the simulation
results are compared and correlated closely to those of test results during a high velocity impact event.
In part 1, the plate material is a composite laminate using shell elements while in part 2, the plate material
is a combination of laminate composites and solid foam material.
Requested Solution
The displacement and contact force time histories are computed and compared with the test results.
Geometry

Material properties Impactor (Rigid)
Mass = 0.138 lbf-s2/inch = 53.2 lbm
Diameter = 1 inch
Plate (Deformable, GENOA 2D material)
G30-500/45 R6367: /-45/0/90/0/90/0/90/0/90/-45/45
Density = 1.962E-3 lbf-s2/inch4
12 layers (Details will be explained)
Analysis characteristics Transient explicit dynamic analysis (SOL 700)
Boundary conditions Fixed boundary at sides of the plate
Applied loads Initial velocity of a rigid body
Element type 4 node shell element CQUAD4
FE results 1. Displacement and contact force time histories
2. Stress Distribution plot at the end
Main Index
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Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA
188
Model Details of Part 1 - Composite Shells
The 10-inch width by 11-inch length composite panel is sandwiched by two supporting plates during
impact (Test and Simulation Setup). The one-inch diameter impactor has a mass of 53.75 lbs with an
impact velocity of 3.01 ft/sec resulting in a impact energy of 7.58 ft-lbs. The panel was made with six
layers of G30-500/R3676 fabric (in which the fiber volume was 60 percent) with the ply lay-up of (45,-
45), 4x(0,90),(45,-45). Each fabric ply is 0.014 inches thick and the total thickness of the panel is 0.084
inches. For details of the test results, please refer to the paper, Impact, and Tension After Impact of
Composite Launch Space Structure (Frank Abdi, at al, Conference Paper 2001.)
Figure 7-1 Test and Simulation Setup
The composite shell panel is modeled using PCOMP entry. The panel has 12 layers and the thickness of
each layer is 0.007 inch. The panel is made with the ply lay-up of (45,-45), 4x(0,90),(45,-45) which is the
same as the test model.
PCOMP 1
+ 1 .007 45.00000 1 .007 -45.
+ 1 .007 0.0 1 .007 90.00000
+ 1 .007 0.0 1 .007 90.00000
+ 1 .007 90.00000 1 .007 0.0
+ 1 .007 90.00000 1 .007 0.0
+ 1 .007 -45. 1 .007 45.00000
The composite material is modeled using MAT1, MAT8, and MATM entries. MAT1 and MAT8 represent
general isotropic and orthotropic material properties, respectively. Both materials are referred by MATM
material where the fiber/ply and matrix properties of composite materials can be assigned. In addition,
the failure criteria can also be defined in the MATM material model.
MAT1 333 560000.0 0.33 1.962E-3
MATM 1 1 1 0 .6 0.0
+ PLY 1 33 333000.0266000.0333000.0266000.0333000.0
+ 266000.03846.0003846.0003846.000
+
+ MATRIX 333 11000. 55000. 21000. 2.00E-02 .05 4.00E-02
+ CRITICALS11T
+ NONCRIT S11C S22C S33T S33C S12S S23S S13S
+ MDE RROT CRSH DELM FMBK S22T
MAT8 33 3.400E+72500000.0.2 2500000.2500000.1000000.1.962E-3
Impacted panel
Main Index
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CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Results
The results of the simulation were compared with those of the test. MD Nastran SOL 700 generates
Lagrangian time history results into the binout binary and d3plot file while the Eulerian time history
results are output in the THS file. The following displacement time history is generated using SimXpert
reading the results from d3plot.
Displacement time history at node 1 shows the displacement time history result at node 1 which is
located in the center of the panel and shows the maximum displacement of 0.22 inches which correlates
very closely to the maximum displacement from the test of 0.20 inches.
Figure 7-2 Displacement time history at node 1
To generate the contact force time histories, an ASCII file is generated. This is because XY plots
generation from binout binary file is not currently supported in SimXpert or Patran at this time.
Alternatively, LS-Post can be used to generate the XY plot by reading the binout file directly.
To generate the ASCII file from binout file, a convertor tool called I2a is used. l2a is an executable
that resides in the MD Nastran SOL 700 installation directories and reads in the binout binary file and
generates an equivalent ASCII file. The command is:
l2a filename.dytr.binout0000
After running this command, several ASCII files are generated that include nodal forces (ncforc), contact
forces (rcforc), element forces (elout) etc.
In the rcforc file the slave and master time history contact forces are recorded. The magnitude of
contact forces on slave and master bodies are the same but with opposite signs. Using a contact force
time history of the master contact body, the Figure 7-3 is generated by sorting the data first and then using
MS xl for actual plot. The maximum z-contact force is 878.6 lbf compared to 897 lbf from the test results.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA
190
Figure 7-3
Summary
Rigid Impact on Composite Foam Laminate using Genoa
Material
Model Details Composite Shells and Solid Foam Material
The 10-inch wide by 11-inch high panel was fully fixed at each side. The one-inch diameter impactor had
mass of 53.75 lbs and impact velocity of 62.04 inch/sec. The panel was made with a composite foam,
adhesive, and skin composite fabric (Skin: G30-500/R3676, adhesive; FM-300, foam core: Rohacel
200WF.) The panel was laid up by skin, adhesive, foam core, adhesive and skin from the bottom surface.
Each skin fabric ply is 0.014 inch thick and the total thickness of the skin ply is 0.056 inches (Upper skin
ply lay-up angle: -45, 45, 90, 0 and Lower skin ply lay-up angle: 0, 90, 45, -45). The thickness of the
FM300 adhesive layer is 0.01 inch and the thickness of the core foam is 0.37 inch. To get the test results,
please refer the report, (Dade Huang, Frank Abdi, Mohsen Khatiblou Progressive Failure Analysis
(PFA) and Verification of Composite Test Panel Under Impact and Compression After Impact (CAI)
Loading Using GENOA. Alpha STAR Technical Report to Boeing 12/14/1999. Filename: 2-
99_Report-impact_compression.)
The composite shell is modeled using PCOMP entry and the solid composite foam is modeled using
PCOMPLS entry.
Test Simulation
Maximum displacement (in) 0.20 0.22
Maximum contact force (lbf) 897 878.6
Main Index
191
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
PCOMP 8
+ 1 1.4E-02 0.00 1 1.4E-02 90.0
+ 1 1.4E-02 45.0 1 1.4E-02 -45.
PCOMPLS 6
+ 1 2 1.0E-02 0.00
+ 2 3 2.4E-02 0.00
+ 3 3 2.4E-02 0.00
+ 4 3 2.4E-02 0.00
+ 5 3 2.4E-02 0.00
+ 6 3 2.4E-02 0.00
To predict the progressive fracture, the material is modeled using MAT1, MAT8 and MATM entries.
MAT1 and MAT8 represent general isotropic and orthotropic material properties, respectively. Both
materials are referred by MATM material. The fiber/ply and matrix properties of composite materials and
their failure criteria can be assigned by using the MATM entry shown below:
MAT1 333 560000.01 0.33 1.308-4
MATM 1 1 0 .6 0.01
+ PLY 1 33 333000. 266000. 333000. 266000. 333000.
+ 266000.03846.0003846.0003846.0001.00E-021.00E-021.00E-02
+ 1.00E-021.00E-021.00E-021.00E-021.00E-021.00E-02
+ 0.03 0.03
+ MATRIX 333 11000. 55000. 21000. 1.00E-02 .01 1.00E-02
+ CRITICALS11T
+ NONCRIT S11C S22C S33T S33C S12S S23S S13S
+ MDE RROT CRSH DELM FMBK S22T
MAT8 33 3.400E+72500000.0.2 2500000.2500000.1000000. 1.632-4
Results of Part 2:
The results of the simulation were compared with those of the test. To plot the results, same methodology
as part 1 was followed.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Advanced Composites based on AlphaStar GENOA
192
Figure 7-4 Contact force time history
The maximum z-contact force is 1510 lbf compared to 1514 lbf from the test results.
Summary
Test Simulation
Maximum contact force (lbf) 1510 1514
Main Index
193
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
.New Contact Feature
The contact features in BCTABLE are extended to support the shrink tight fit capability by introducing
two new variables ITTID1 and ITTID2 referring to table IDs.
The purpose of this contact feature is to model those parts that are shrink-fitted together and are
therefore, prestressed in the initial configuration. The prestressing can be defined by using two tables,
whereby the first table is used to gradually increase the interference stiffness from zero to its final value
and the second table is used to define the interference stiffness during transient analysis.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Material Models
194
New Material Models
The following material models are added:
MATD130: Special Orthotropic material
Based on a resultant stress formulation
In-plane behavior is treated separately from bending behavior.
MATD147: FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) soil material
Isotropic material with damage
Available for solid elements
Modified Mohr-Coulomb surface is applied
Developed for applications involving road-based soils.
MATD170: Resultant Anisotropic material
Based on a resultant stress formulation
In-plane behavior is treated separately from bending behavior.
It is similar to MATD130 except anisotropic characteristics
MATD193: Drucker Prager Material Model
Suitable for Soil Modeling
Definition of the yield surface and popular geotechnical parameters
Modified Drucker-Prager yield surface is used for a more realistic definition of soils.
MATD025: Geological Cap Material Model
Suitable for modeling geomechanical problems such as concrete
Two invariant cap theory is extended to include nonlinear kinematic hardening as suggested
by Isenberg, Vaughan, and Sandler [1978].
One of the major advantages of the cap model over other classical pressure-dependent
plasticity models is the ability to control the amount of dilatancy produced under shear
loading.
Another advantage of the cap model over other models such as the Drucker-Prager and Mohr-
Coulomb is the ability to model plastic compaction.
MATD159: Continuous, smooth Cap Model
Includes Brittle and ductile damage
Suitable for concrete and rock modeling
Includes softening behavior
Includes viscoplastic rate effects, depending on tension and compression
MATDMG: State Variable Plasticity-Damage Model (based on research work from
Mississippi State University
Main Index
195
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
ISV plasticity formulation of Bammann [1990] with the addition of porosity [Bammann et al.,
1993] and the void nucleation, growth, and coalescence rate equations
For more details, see the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Restart Option to Import an Euler Archive from Previous Run
196
Restart Option to Import an Euler Archive from
Previous Run
This capability will allow the user to do an initial run with very fine mesh and then use the results in a
subsequent run by importing the results. This capability is especially useful in blast simulation where the
distance between the structure and the blast is often large, resulting in excessive CPU time for the blast
wave to reach the structure. In addition, the simulation may have to be repeated several times for different
structures or for different positions. To reduce the simulation time, the simulation is split up in two parts.
In the first simulation, the structure is omitted. In subsequent runs, the result can be imported into a
simulation which includes the structure. The blast wave will almost immediately hit the structure at the
start of the run without using a lot of CPU time. In addition, importing the Euler archive also allows
mapping the fine mesh to a coarser mesh resulting in significant performance improvement.
Figure 7-5 shows an Eulerian fine mesh where a blast wave is propagated. The blast results are then
passed on to a coarser Eulerian mesh with structure Figure 7-5b. To use the restart capability, use the
following command in the SOL 700 .pth file to read in the results from the previous run.
eid-filename.ARC
Figure 7-5 Blast wave formulation with fine mesh and restart with structure.
a b
Main Index
197
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
Additional Features
The following features are also added in MD Nastran 2010:
EULFOR: Body force on Euler elements
CROSSEC: Cross-Section Output Control
New Time History Variables:
BNDOUT option added (Boundary x, y, and z forces)
SECFORC option added
New BJOIN capability: connect several nodes automatically using tolerance
New Initial Condition Entries
ISTRNSH: Initialize strain tensor of shell elements
ISTRNSO: Initialize strain tensor of solid elements
ISTRSSS: Initialize the stress in solid elements that are part of a section definition to create
a preload
TABISTR: Table control for stress initialization
Output request for a subset of the model and select elements by using $S700 flag in Case
Control Section
New Parameters
DYPARAM,LSDYNA,ENERGY: Control for energy dissipation
DYPARAM,LSDYNA,IMPLICIT: Control implicit analysis for Prestress and Springback
simulation
New Bias mesh control of Euler elements
BIAS: MESH Bias Definition
Bias options are also added in MESH entry
New options in RBJSTIF entry
DYFSISW: Control of activation of Euler elements and Coupling
Shell offset: SOL 700 supports Shell offset using CQUAD4
Creation of Dynamic Relaxation database for post processing
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Occupant Dummies
198
Occupant Dummies
MD Nastran 2010 SOL 700 supports the following new occupant dummies developed by LSTC:
Hybrid III - 50% Full FE Dummy
Hybrid III - Rigid-FE (5%, 50% and 95%)
Side Impact Dummy (SID)

The new Hybrid III 50% male dummy
Main Index
199
CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
New Examples in MD Demonstration Problems
Several new examples are created and are made available in MD Demonstration Problems Manual
1
and
the SOL 700 Users Guide. Many of the examples include step-by-step tutorials with SimXpert to
demonstrate how to set up the model, run the analysis, and post-process the results.
Hydroplaning Simulation
1
Formerly called the MD Users Guide - Application Examples
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New SOL 700 Parameters and Bulk Data Entries
200
New SOL 700 Parameters and Bulk Data Entries
Table 7-1 contains new Parameters and Table 7-2 lists the new Bulk Data entries for SOL 700 in MD
Nastran 2010. More details can be found in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Table 7-1 New Parameters for SOL 700
New for MD Nastran 2010 (SOL 700)
Parameters Description
EUSUBCYC Controls the maximum growth of the subcycling interval in Euler
computations.
COSUBCYC Controls the growth of the subcycling interval in the coupling surface.
COSUBMAX Defines the maximum number of subcycles that can occur in
Euler/Lagrange coupling.
Table 7-2 New Bulk Data Entries for SOL 700
New for MD Nastran 2010 (SOL 700)
Bulk Data Entries Description
BIAS Specifies a variation of the mesh-size in one direction for use in the
MESH entry.
CROSSEC Defines a cross section for resultant forces written to SECFORC in MD
Nastran SOL 700.
DYFSISW Allows activating or deactivating Fluid Structure Interaction and
Eulerian solver.
DYPARAM,COHESION Print initial time step sizes for elements in the first cycle in MD Nastran
SOL 700.
DYPARAM,EULERCB Divides a Euler domain into several cubes.
DYPARAM,EUSUBMAX Defines the maximum number of subcycles that can occur in the Euler
solver.
DYPARAM,LSDYNA,
ENERGY
Provide controls for energy dissipation options.
DYPARAM,LSDYNA,
IMPLICIT
Options to modify convergence tolerances and initial/geometric
stiffness of prestress (PRESTRS) or springback (SPRBCK) simulations.
EULFOR Defines a body force loading (acceleration) on Euler elements per unit
mass.
ISTRNSH Initialize stresses and plastic strains in the Hughes-Liu beam elements.
MATD025 This is an inviscid two invariant geologic cap model.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 7
Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)
MATD77H This material model provides a general hyperelastic rubber model
combined optionally with linear viscoelasticity as outlined by
Christensen [1980].
MATD77O This material model provides the Ogden [1984] rubber model combined
optionally with linear viscoelasticity as outlined by Christensen [1980].
MATD130 Special Orthotropic material
MATD147 FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) soil material
MATD159 Continuous, smooth Cap Model
MATD170 Resultant Anisotropic material
MATD193 Drucker Prager Material Model
MATDMG Mississippi State U State Variable Plasticity-Damage Model
TABISTR Defines the usage of table for the stress initialization
Table 7-2 New Bulk Data Entries for SOL 700
New for MD Nastran 2010 (SOL 700)
Bulk Data Entries Description
Main Index
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New SOL 700 Parameters and Bulk Data Entries
202
Main Index
Chapter 8: Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600) MD Nastran R3 Release Guide

8
Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)

SOL 600 Enhancements


Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
SOL 600 Enhancements
204
SOL 600 Enhancements
Introduction
MD Nastran SOL 600 is a Solution Sequence that allows MSC.Nastran users to use the familiar MD
Nastran input file format to execute complex nonlinear problems via a translation to MSC.Marc. A series
of enhancements have been made to increase the functionality of the product based upon customer input
since the MD Nastran R3 release.
Benefits
This allows a broader set of Nonlinear Problems to be solved within the Nastran framework. These
enhancements are outlined below:
Added Pardiso and MUMPS solvers for parallel and multi-threaded processing for Linux and
Windows machines using Intel or AMD processors. These solvers allow features in the Marc
input file that are not allowed for DDM parallel processing, such as coordinate transformations
using the "COORD SYS" option. Please see the following sections in the QRG for more details:
NLSTRAT, PARAM,MRTHREAD, MARAM,MARCSOLV, PARAM,MUMPSOLV.
Added plane stress to add Marcs capabilities use the MRALIAS PARAM or the ALIASM
Bulk Data option
Implemented PARAM,TSTATIC for dynamic analyses
Added friction vs other variable described by tables capability see BCBODY and /or
BCTABLE
Better control of 2-D Rigid bodies Rx, Ry for 2D rigid contact orientation
Provide support for contact user subroutines ufric, ufricbbc, uhtcon, digeom, sepstr, spfor see
BCBODY and BCONUDS
Added rigid contact rigid surface temperature and sink temperature for heat transfer simulations
see BCBODY and BCTABLE
Added new options for BCBOX, such that the user can specify if the complete element needs to
be in the box to be put in body, or only a single node
Allow contact variables such as velocity to be defined using tables
Added conversion of CHEXA and CPENTA to solid shell (customer request)
Add delamination capabilities see MDELAM Bulk Data entry
Improved VCCT crack propagation so the path along the crack tip in 3-d can be easier to
describe - see VCCT Bulk Data Option Not supported by GUI
Add material mixtures capability see MIXTURE Bulk Data entry
SOL 600 now supports RSSCON.
SOL 600 now supports RSPLINE.
Main Index
205
CHAPTER 8
Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)
Added new type of RBE3 to uniformly distribute applied loads see the RBE3U Bulk Data
entry. Note that this does not distribute stiffness.
Added generalized alpha method for dynamics, this includes support for the Hilbert-Hughes-
Taylor (HHT) procedure. Use the HMOUBOLT Param and set dynamic operator to 7.
Added PARAM,MARALPHA to choose between secant and instantaneous CTEs vs
temperature with options to obtain high accuracy
Added general capability for user subroutines. See the MATUDS and BCONUDS Bulk Data
entries. This will only be available in Beta 2.
Added stiffness matrices in output4 and Boeing Hartwell formats. This is controlled using the
MSTIFOT option.
Added improved superelement capability (S6SUPER). This will only be available in the Beta 2
release.
Exposed simplified nonlinear elasticity models available in Marc NLELAST option. See
MATNLE Bulk Data options.
Exposed user defined hypoelastic material model. See MATHYP
Allow user subroutines to be used with rate dependent creep material models. See the MATVP
Bulk Data entry.
Allow nonlinear material behavior over a solid section beam of arbitrary cross section. This
beam will be numerically integrated. The definition of the beam section and the integration
procedure is entered through the PBMARB6 Bulk Data entry.
Added options to improve complex loading
Added option to keep or remove mpi services on Windows systems for a run using parallel
processing with DDM
Added an option to convert MAT1 entries with bad Poisson ratios to MATORT
New SOL 600 Parameters and Bulk Data Entries
Table 8-1 contains new Parameters and Bulk Data entries for SOL 600 in MD Nastran 2010. More details
can be found in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
SOL 600 Enhancements
206
Table 8-1 New Parameters and Bulk Data Entries for SOL 600
New for MD Nastran 2010 (SOL 600)
Description
Parameters
MARAUTO Determines whether NLAUTO entries for SOL 600,129 will override the
default or not.
MARCTOTD Determines whether for SOL 600 dynamic analyses will use full table
association.
MARCTOTL Determines whether total or incremental loads are used in a SOL 600 static
nonlinear analysis.
MARCTOTT Determines whether total loads, including pressures, gravity, spcd, etc., with
associated tables are used in a SOL 600 static or dynamic analysis.
MARCL001 Determines whether Marcs POINT LOAD (without tables) 2
nd
datablock, 3
rd

field will be honored or not. If this value is set to 1, multiple loads at the same
dof in the same subcase will usually be summed.
MARFATAL Determines whether nonexistent grid ids for BCBODY entries will cause fatal
errors or not.
MARTET10 Controls how to treat badly shaped 10-node tetra elements in SOL 600 if
renumbering the element does not correct problems.
MARTETIN Controls whether additional information messages are output to the .f06 file or
not when param,martet10 is set to a positive value.
MCORDUPD Determines the coordinates will be updated if one of the CONTINUE options is
specified on the SOL 600 Executive Control statement.
MINSOUTT Determines that elements that deform so much that they go inside-out in an
analysis will be deactivated.
MMBOLTUS Controls how the top and bottom nodes are placed in the Marc tying 69 input
when MBOLTUS is used in a SOL 600 model.
MQUATERN Controls whether quaternions will be used for SOL 600 models with large
rotation.
MREVPLST Determines whether 2D plain stress triangular element node numbers will be
reversed or not.
MRDYNOLD Determines whether dynamic loads created by SOL 600 are the same as in MD
Nastran R3 (and MSC Nastran 2008) and prior releases or if they use a new
calculation method.
MRCONTAB Determines whether CONTACT and CONTACT TABLE for SOL 600 use
avtable-driven form or not.
MRPLOD4R Determines how PLOAD4 pressures are treated in Marc when
PARAM,MRPLOAD4,2 is set.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 8
Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)
MRPOISCK Controls whether to check if a bad Poisson ratio has been entered in SOL 600
for MAT1 entries.
MRSPRVER Controls how CELAS and all other items map to the Marc input data.
MNASTLDS Option to determine complex force and/or moments using OLOADs as
calculated from SOL 101.
MSPLINC0 This parameter controls whether to enforce C0 continuity for all spline options
if any are requested by setting IDSPL=1 on any BCBODY entry.
MSTTDYNE Controls whether SOL 600 may have static and dynamic load cases in the same
analysis.
MTABIGNR Determines whether tables for VCCT analyses will be ignored or used.
MTEMPCHK Controls how temperature-dependent properties are checked in the Marc
portion of SOL 600.
MTEMPDWN Option to automatically choose the FeFp multiplicative decomposition
plasticity model (PARAM,MARCPLAS,5) for plasticity problems with thermal
loading when the temperature decreases (see PARAM,MARCPLAS).
MTET4HYP Controls settings for TET4 elements with hyperelasticity.
MUALLUDS Controls how material, contact and element-related user subroutines are
specified in SOL 600.
MVERMOON Controls whether 5-term Mooney series or 5-constant Mooney will be used in
the Marc portion of SOL 600.
Bulk Data Entries
CSSHLH Defines conversion of CHEXA elements to Solid Shell elements in SOL 600
only.
CSSHLM Defines conversion of CHEXA or CPENTA elements described by material ID
to Solid Shell elements in SOL 600 only.
CSSHLP Defines conversion of CPENTA elements to Solid Shell elements in SOL 600
only.
DMIGROT Defines large rotation and other characteristics of a matrix entered using DMIG
in SOL 600.
ISTRESS Defines initial stress values. This is the MSC Marcs initial stress option used in
SOL 600 only.
MATNLE The MATNLEx entries specify advanced forms of nonlinear elastic materials.
MATTUSR Specifies table variation of user defined generic materials in SOL 600 and
MD Nastran SOL 400 only.
Table 8-1 New Parameters and Bulk Data Entries for SOL 600
New for MD Nastran 2010 (SOL 600)
Description
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
SOL 600 Enhancements
208
Additional Documentation
In addition to the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide, the user should refer to Marc Volume A for a
theoretical discussion of material models, fracture mechanics, and dynamics. For additional information
on the nonlinear solid section beams, the user should refer to Marc Volume B.
MATUDS Allows the user to provide material routines for use with enhanced material
models in SOL 600.
MATUSR Specifies user-defined, generic material properties for hypoelastic material
models in SOL 600 and user defined material models in MD Nastran SOL 400
only.
MAUXCMD Defines auxiliary command to spawn on a Nastran process from another
Nastran process in SOL 600.
MDELAM Defines materials for which delamination may occur in SOL 600 only.
MDMIAUX Specifies the DOMAINSOLVER command to be used in conjunction with
secondary spawned jobs when MDMIOUT is used. SOL 600 only.
MISLAND Defines an island of connected elements that will be completely removed if the
number of elements within the island becomes smaller than a specified value in
SOL 600 only.
MIXTURE Defines constituents of composite material on original and potentiality
damaged state.
PBMARB6 Defines arbitrary beam/bar cross section for use in SOL 600.
PBMNUM6 Defines four specific numerically integrated BEAM/BAR cross section for use
in SOL 600.
RBE3U Defines Method to Distribute Applied Loads to a Surface in SOL 600
TABD1MD Defines how TABLED1 entries are internally modified in SOL 600.
Table 8-1 New Parameters and Bulk Data Entries for SOL 600
New for MD Nastran 2010 (SOL 600)
Description
Main Index
Chapter 9: Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide

9
Numerical Methods and High
Performance Computing

Serial Performance: Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis of Solid


Models

Distributed Memory Parallel Solutions for Linear and Nonlinear


Contact Analysis

MPI Selection

New Solver Available for Complex Eigenvalue Analysis


Main Index
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Serial Performance: Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis of Solid Models
210
Serial Performance: Linear and Nonlinear Contact
Analysis of Solid Models
Introduction
Linear and nonlinear contact analysis is available in MD Nastran SOL 101 and SOL 400. The CASI
element based iterative solver was integrated into contact analysis for the MD Nastran R2.1 release. This
enhancement enabled efficient computation for the solution of equations for contact
with solid models.
Contact between two or more solid bodies, over a varying contact area, involves a significant
computational cost. The original implementation of contact in MD Nastran utilized previously existing
functional and computational tools. For MD Nastran 2010, a more streamlined solution was developed
by eliminating unnecessary and extraneous operations. New computational tools and procedures have
been implemented to support these changes, resulting in improved performance.
Benefits
Users should observe improved computational efficiency and performance for both linear and nonlinear
contact analysis, especially for solid models of modest size, using the CASI element based iterative
solver.
Inputs
There are no changes to the basic user interface for contact analysis. To select the CASI iterative solver,
specify the SMETHOD command in the Case Control Section.
SMETHOD = ELEMENT
To modify parameters for the CASI solver, specify the ID of an ITER Bulk Data entry:
SMETHOD = 10
For example, to specify a convergence tolerance of 1.0e-4 for the CASI solver:
ITER, 10
PRECOND=CASI, ITSEPS=1.0E-4
The user interface for the CASI iterative solver for contact analysis is the same as it is for linear static
analysis in SOL 101. Refer to the SMETHOD, 488 Case Control command and the ITER (p. 1982) in the
MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide, for more information.
A | | x ( ) b { } =
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CHAPTER 9
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Outputs
There are no new engineering outputs associated with this feature other than informational and
diagnostic messages. In addition, a PCS output text file contains additional diagnostic output.
Guidelines and Limitations
The CASI solver is not designed to handle indefinite coefficient matrices. Differential stiffness effects
and follower stiffness can produce an indefinite and possibly unsymmetrical coefficient matrix that may
result in a FATAL error in the NLSOLV module and termination of the run.
Due to the unsymmetrical nature of the follower stiffness matrix, use caution when follower stiffness is
present and the SMETHOD is ELEMENT or selects the CASI solver. By default, the presence of any of
the MOMENTi, FORCEi, PLOADi, and RFORCE Bulk Data entries causes automatic generation of
follower stiffness. If CASI is specified and follower-stiffness is present, it is automatically symmetrized.
In cases where this is not acceptable, PARAM,FOLLOWK,NO must be specified in the Bulk Data
Section. However, this will alter the analysis results by not including follower stiffness. Currently,
follower stiffness resulting from RFORCE, PLOADX and GRAV loadings cannot be handled by the
CASI solver interface. Therefore, the presence of these Bulk Data entries will generate User Fatal
Message 9192 unless PARAM,FOLLOWK,NO is also specified.
Demonstration Example
Examples are taken from actual models from industry. The model below is proprietary, so it may not be
displayed. However, the basic model characteristics are shown along with the performance comparison.
Example
Analysis type: Nonlinear contact of an engine block
Number of grid points: 697,896
Number of solid elements: 568,264
Number of iterations: 35
Compute platform used: Intel Linux 8664 2.9GHz
Main Index
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Serial Performance: Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis of Solid Models
212
Main Index
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CHAPTER 9
Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing
Distributed Memory Parallel Solutions for Linear and
Nonlinear Contact Analysis
Introduction
Nonlinear analysis is available in MD Nastran SOL 400 and SOL 101. At each nonlinear iteration, a
solution of the equations is executed. For large models, the bulk of the solution time is
spent computing . For MD Nastran R3, support was limited to serial execution and shared memory
parallel.
For MD Nastran 2010, distributed memory parallel (DMP) solvers are introduced into MD Nastran
nonlinear solutions. These solvers perform a matrix based domain decomposition of the global matrix
into N partitions, where N is specified on the command line via the dmp= keyword.
Benefits
For large models, especially large solid models, users should experience significant performance
increases by enabling multiple processors in a distributed environment. DMP solvers available are:
DMP matrix based iterative solver
DMP direct solver
DMP processing may be combined with shared memory parallel (SMP) for the DMP direct solver.
Inputs
There are no changes required to activate Distributed Memory Parallel processing for nonlinear analysis.
Users activate DMP processing by specifying dmp= on the MD Nastran job submittal command. For
more information on DMP job submittal options, see the MD Nastran 2010 Installation and Operations
Guide.
Outputs
There are no new outputs associated with this feature.
Guidelines and Limitations
Distributed Memory Parallel processing for nonlinear analysis is generally recommend for large models
where a high percentage of runtime is spent performing the solution of equations required at each
nonlinear iteration. This consideration results in certain limitations. In addition, there are database
definition and restart limitations for DMP processing in general.
A | | x ( ) b { } =
x { }
Main Index
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Distributed Memory Parallel Solutions for Linear and Nonlinear Contact Analysis
214
Stiffness Update Strategy
Distributed Memory Parallel processing is targeted at large models where a full solution of equations is
required at every iteration. There may be no performance gain if one specifies DMP solvers for a direct
solution (DECOMP/FBS) in situations where many FBS operations are performed using the factor
matrix from a single decomposition. These processing paths are controlled by the KMETHOD field of
Bulk Data entries NLPARM and NLSTEP. The KMETHOD field controls the stiffness matrix update
strategy for nonlinear analysis. In general, only the full Newton iteration method is recommended for
DMP processing.
Accordingly, DMP execution is limited to analyses where KMETHOD is set to FNT or PFNT. For
linear contact in SOL 101, DMP is allowed for the AUTO method. For other KMETHOD values, a
User Fatal Message is issued and the job terminates.
Restarts
DMP processing is not supported for database restarts. This is a general limitation of DMP database
specification and not a specific limitation of nonlinear analysis.
Demonstration Example
Examples are taken from actual models from industry. The model below is proprietary, so it may not be
displayed. However, the basic model characteristics are shown along with the performance comparison.
Example
Analysis type: Nonlinear contact
Number of grid points: 146,979
Number of solid elements: 97,927
Number of iterations: 60
Compute platform used: Intel Linux 8664 2.8GHz
Main Index
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Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
MPI Selection
216
MPI Selection
A single analysis executable is now provided for serial execution as well as DMP execution with all
supported MPI implementations.
In previous versions:
A separate analysis executable was delivered for DMP execution.
If more than one MPI (Message Passing Interface) implementation was supported on a given
platform, a separate analysis executable had to be delivered for each supported MPI
implementation.
An unsupported MPI implementation could not be used without creating a new, separate analysis
executable
Starting with MD Nastran 2010, a single analysis executable will be delivered which can be used for both
DMP and serial jobs, and which can be used with any supported MPI implementation on a given
platform. Moreover, it is possible to use an unsupported MPI implementation with the same executable.
New Keyword: mpiimplementation
On platforms which support more than one MPI implementation, a supported MPI implementation may
be selected using the mpiimplementation keyword. This keyword may be abbreviated as mpiimp.
The table below lists the platforms which support more than one MPI implementation, and the available
MPI implementations:
Platform : mpi implementations
linux32 : openmpi (default), hpmpi
linux64 : openmpi (default), hpmpi, intelmpi
linuxipf : openmpi (default), hpmpi, intelmpi
windows64: msmpi (default) , hpmpi, intelmpi
For example, to select hpmpi on linux64,
mpiimp=hpmpi
should be set on the command line or in an rc file.
The environment variable MPIIMP may also be used to select the MPI implementation. In the case where
both the MPIIMP environment variable and the mpiimplementation keyword are set, the keyword value
will be used.
New Keyword: mpilibrary
An alternate MPI library may be specified using the mpilibrary keyword. This keyword may be
abbreviated to mpilib. The specified MPI library must be in the users library path on all nodes used
during the computation.The environment variable MPILIB may also be used to select the MPI library. In
the case where both the MPILIB environment variable and the mpilibrary keyword are set, the keyword
value will be used.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 9
Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing
New Solver Available for Complex Eigenvalue
Analysis
Introduction
The UMFPACK linear equation solver was first incorporated into Nastran in 2004. It was embedded in
the Auto-Mset capability, as well as integrated into the frequency response module (FRRD1) where it is
available for complex unsymmetric solutions. In MD Nastran 2010, UMFPACK is available in the
complex Lanczos eigenvalue extraction method of the CEAD module.
More information about UMFPACK is available at the following URL:
http://www.cise.ufl.edu/research/sparse/umfpack/.
Benefits
The UMFPACK linear equation solver is more efficient than the default Nastran sparse unsymmetric
solver. This is accomplished by employing contemporary matrix reordering techniques and
computational kernels.
Inputs
To invoke the UMFPACK solver for complex eigenvalue analysis, the UMFLU keyword must be
specified as the factorization method, which must be present on the SPARSESOLVER Executive
Command:
SPARSESOLVER CEAD (FACTMETH=UMFLU)
Outputs
Use of UMPACK will cause User Information Message 4216 is appear in the F04 file:
The UMFD time stamp indicates use of UMFPACK.
11:04:19 0:25 5969.0 948.0 15.6 1.2 UMFD BGN
*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 4216 (FACDRVI)
PARAMETERS FOR IN-CORE SPARSE UNSYM. DECOMP ( MATRIX TYPE=RDP) FOLLOW
MATRIX SIZE =185931 ROWS NUMBER OF NONZEROES =12587614 T
NUMBER OF ZERO COLUMNS =0 NUMBER OF ZERO DIAGONAL TERMS =0
MEMORY REQUIREMENT = 147711 K WORDS MEMORY AVAILABLE = 496541 KWO
MAX FRONT SIZE = 2964 NONZERO TERMS = 67880689
11:04:44 0:50 7013.0 1044.0 40.7 25.2 UMFD END
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New Solver Available for Complex Eigenvalue Analysis
218
Guidelines and Limitations
UMFPACK is a memory resident solution algorithm. It does not feature spill logic. This means that
the solution is limited by available memory. If insufficient memory is available for UMFPACK, the
CEAD module will produce System Warning Message 6136, an example of which is shown here:
Demonstration Example
An example models is shown here.
*** SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE 6136 (CLASSD)
INSUFFICIENT CORE FOR IN-CORE SPARSE DECOMPOSITION.
USER ACTION: INCREASE CORE BY AN ESTIMATED 86618 K WORDS.
WARNING: THE ABOVE NUMBER IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE, THE ACTUAL CORE SIZE NEEDED MAY BE HIG
USER INFORMATION: AN ALTERNATVE SPARSE DECOMPOSITION METHOD WILL BE ATTEMPTED.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 9
Numerical Methods and High Performance Computing
Example
Analysis type: SOL 107 complex eigenvalue analysis
Number of grid points: 63,007
Number of elements: 42.137
Number of complex eigenvalues: 100
Compute platform used: Intel Linux 8664 2.8GHz
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Solver Available for Complex Eigenvalue Analysis
220
Main Index
Chapter 10: Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
MD Nastran R3 Release Guide

10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)

Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)

Frequency Dependent Rigid Absorber Properties

Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences

Nonlinear Harmonic Response

Enhancements to the Frequency Response Function (FRF) and FRF


Based Assembly (FBA) Capability

EFEA/EBEA (Pre-Release)
Main Index
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Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
222
Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
Introduction
In automotive applications, the noise inside the passenger compartment can be caused by many sources
including vehicle drive train, vibrating body panels, tire noise, etc. The Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
calculation focuses on the vibration of body panels, which radiate acoustic power to the passenger cabin.
Understanding which panels are responsible for the radiated power is important in understanding the
structural behavior and acoustic consequences. The radiated power is a function of skin normal velocity,
fluid density, and speed of sound through the fluid.
Benefit
The ERP calculation can be used to compare laser measurements to calculated values in a quantitative
way to validate calculations. ERP can also be used during the design phase to understand the effect of
individual panels on the overall acoustic response. Previously, the calculations were performed by in-
house tools. In MD Nastran 2010 the ERP calculation is made directly by the solver and provides
convenient output in the form of a CSV file.
Theory
In a mathematical sense, ERP squares the normal velocity and multiplies it with the element area. The
sum over this product, multiplied with a constant yields the ERP over a panel. ERP values can be
calculated for both structure and structure-fluid models.
where
and
o=1/2 for Frequency Response, 1.0 for Transient Response
ERPRLF= Radiation Loss Factor
ERPRHO= Fluid density
ERPC= Speed of sound in fluid
In MD Nastran 2010 only direct frequency response and modal frequency response are supported. In
addition to the ERP calculation, an ERPDB calculation is also performed to calculate an equivalent
radiated power sound pressure level.
Note: ERP was introduced in MD Nastran R3.1, but is included in the MD Nastran 2010 release
Guide for those who are not aware of the MD Nastran R3.1 release.
ERP C V
n
2
AS
surf
panel

=
C o ERPRLF ERPRHO ERPC =
Main Index
223
CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Input
The ERP calculation is typically requested for a group of elements defined on a SET3 Bulk Data entry.
The parameters ERPRHO, ERPC, ERPRLF, ERPREFDB, and RHOCP can be defined on either the ERP
Case Control command, or as PARAM entries in the Bulk Data Section. The RHOCP parameter can only
be specified on the ERP Case Control command. The ERP Case Control also references an ERPPNL
Bulk Data entry.
The new Bulk Data entry for ERPPNL is:
Defines one or more panels by referencing sets of elements or properties.
Format:
Example:
Remarks:
1. The SET3 entries can only refer to CQUAD4, CQUADR, CTRIA3, or CTRIAR structural
elements or PSHELL or PCOMP property entries. CQUAD8 and CTRIA6 entries are ignored.
2. NAMEi are used in a Case Control SET definition defining setp to select the panels in the Case
Control command ERP.
ERPPNL
Equivalent Radiated Power Definition
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ERPPNL NAME1 SETID1 NAME2 SETID2 NAME3 SETID3 NAME4 SETID4
NAME5 SETID5
ERPPNL ROOF 1 DOORLF 16
Field Contents
NAMEi Panel label. (CHAR)
SETIDi Identification number of a SET3 Bulk Data entry that lists the panel property entries
or the panel elements. (Integer > 0)
ERPdB 10LOG
RHOCP
ERPREFDB
--------------------------------- ERP
val ue

\ .
| |
=
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Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
224
The new ERP Case Control command is:
Requests the form and type of ERP panel participation factor output.
Format:
Examples:
SET 17 = 10.,20.,30.,40.,80.,100. $ A list of frequencies
SET 25 = ROOF, DOORLF $ A list of ERP Panel names
$ from a ERPPNL Bulk Entry
ERP ( PRINT,PUNCH,SOLUTION=17,KEY=frac ) = 25
ERP
Equivalent Radiated Power Panel Participation Factor Output Request
Describer Meaning
SORT1 Output is presented as a tabular listing of ERP panels for each frequency
SORT2 Output is presented as a tabular listing of frequency for each ERP panel
PRINT Output is written to the .f06 file
PUNCH Output is written to the .pch file
PLOT Results are computed and placed on the ERP table but not output.
SOLUTION Keyword to select frequencies
setf Identifier of Case Control SET command defining frequencies
ERP
SORT2
SORT1
PRINT, PUNCH
PLOT
SOLUTION
ALL
setf
= , ,
\
|
KEY
frequency
fraction
)
`

= FILTER
0.01
_value real
)
`

= , ,
ERPRHO
1.0
_value real
)
`

= ERPC
1.0
_val ue real
)
`

= ,
RHOCP
1.0
_value real
)
`

= ERPRLF
1.0
_value real
)
`

= ,
ERPREFDB
1.0
_value real
)
`

= CSV unit = | | ,
ALL
setp
NONE
)

`


=
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Remarks:
1. ERP is required to produce any ERP output.
2. Output is generated in SORT2 by default. Unlike other Case Control requesting SORT2 format,
the ERP command does not force all other output into SORT2 format.
3. FILTER has no effect on PUNCHed, CSV or OP2 output.
4. In addition to individual panel output, a summary named ALLPANEL is produced. If there are
multiple subcases, the panel name is formed from the serial subcase number (1-nsubc) and the
characters ALLP as in ALLP0002 unless the ERP command request output for ALL panels
across the Subcases. In this case, the summary panel name ALLPANEL is retained.
5. Selectable frequencies are dependent on the presence of an OFREQ Case Control command.
6. ERPRHO, ERPC, ERPRLF, RHOCP, and ERPREFDB are actually PARAM,name,value entries.
ALL If associated with SOLUTION, all frequencies are selected. If associated with setp, all
ERPPNL entries are selected.
KEY Keyword selecting the output item used to sort the printed output. The default produces
output sorted on either frequency (SORT2) or ERP panel name (SORT1).
KEY=fraction produces output sorted in descending order of the fractional ERP value
of total ERP.
FILTER Keyword specifying the value of a filter to be applied to the printed output only. ERP
values are printed only if the fractional ERP value of total ERP exceeds the filter value.
ERPRHO Fluid density for Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP) analysis. This item is actually an
MD Nastran parameter.
ERPC Phase speed of the fluid for Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP) analysis. This item is
actually a Nastran parameter.
ERPRLF Radiation loss factor. In frequency the scale factor, C = ERPRLF * (ERPRHO *
ERPC). In transient the scale factor, C = ERPRLF * (ERPRHO * ERPC).
RHOCP Scale factor used in dB computation. This item is actually an MD Nastran parameter.
ERPREFDB Scale factor used in dB computation. This item is actually an MD Nastran parameter.
The dB calculation is ERPdB = 10 log .
CSV Results will be written to a .csv file.
unit Unit of the .csv file as used on the required ASSIGN statement
setp Identifier of Case Control SET command defining NAMEi entries from an ERPPNL
Bulk Data entry defining panels.
NONE No ERP output is produced.
Describer Meaning
RHOCP
ERP
ERPREFDB
------------------------------
\ .
| |
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Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
226
7. The filter process avoids printing ERP for cases where ERP/ERPMAX is less than the FILTER
value. ERPMAX is the maximum ERP value across all frequencies for a panel.
8. If output to a .csv file is requested, the file must be assigned with logical key USERFILE and
FORM=FORMATTED, e.g.,
ASSIGN USERFILE = myfile.csv UNIT=50 FORM=FORMATTED STATUS=NEW
The SET3 Bulk Data entry is also necessary to define:
Set 3 Examples:
Set3,id,prop,pshellid1,pshellid2,etc.
Set3,id,elem,elemid1,elemid2,etc.
Set3 prop, can be exchanged between acoustic and ERP panels.
See Bulk Data entry SET3 (p. 3116) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide. Also, see the Bulk Data
entry ERPPNL (p. 1815) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Example Input
The following input is typical for ERP calculation including CSV output.
File Management
ASSIGN USERFILE=myerp.csv UNIT=30 FORMATTED NEW DELETE
Case Control
ERP(PUNCH,Filter=0.0,rhocp=2.0E9,ERPRHO=1.189E-12,ERPC=3.43E5,CSV=30)=ALL
Example ERP Panel Definition Bulk Data
ERPPNL,ROOF1,103,ROOF2,203,ROOF3,303
set3,103,prop,100
set3,203,prop,200
set3,303,element,114,124,134,214,224,234,
,314,324,334
Output
The results are available in the OP2, MASTER, Print, Punch, and CSV formats. The output includes ERP,
Fraction, and ERP(dB). Note that the fraction is not based on the entire ERP of the model, just the ERP
that is calculated and there is no check for overlapping or missing elements. There is also a summation
of total ERP. Both SORT1 and SORT2 options are available.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Figure 10-1 Representative ERP results for a complicated system.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. ERP is calculated currently for linear elements 3 and 4 node shells only. If desired the user can
generate a layer of linear shells on top of quadratic solids.
2. PSHELL and PCOMP are supported
3. ERP is supported in direct and modal frequency response only.
4. There is no Direct Results Access (DRA) support.
5. ERP is not supported in Optimization.
6. No limits on coordinate systems
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/erp_mdr4:
erp_1000.dat, erp_base1_frac.dat, erp_base2_frac.dat, erp_c_param.dat, erp_erpx3.dat, erp_fs.dat,
erp_rhocp.dat, erp_soln.dat, erp_base1.dat, erp_base2.dat, erp_c.dat, erp_def.dat, erp_frac_c.dat,
erp_ofreq.dat, erp_rho.dat
TPL Example Problem erp_base1.dat
Test problem erp_base1.dat is a simple fluid bound by two panels. The excitation is on one panel and the
ERP is measured.
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Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
228
Figure 10-2 Example erp_base1.dat geometry.
The input for erp_base1.dat is a standard modal frequency response with a pressure loading and including
fluid-structure interaction. The case control and bulk data entries required for ERP calculation are as
follows:
Case Control
ERP(PRINT,PUNCH,FILTER=0.0)=ALL
Example ERP Panel Definition Bulk Data
ERPPNL,ERPX0,103,ERPX3,203,erpeid3,303
set3,103,prop,100
set3,203,prop,200
set3,303,element,114,124,134,214,224,234,
,314,324,334
Listing 10-1 TPL example erp_base1.dat Output in SORT1 format.
FREQUENCY = 8.000000E+00
E Q U I V A L E N T R A D I A T E D P O W E R

PANEL ERP FRACTION ERP(dB) AREA
ERPX0 2.702487E-02 7.543413E-04 -1.568236E+01 1.000000E+01
ERPX3 4.871353E-03 3.356652E-04 -2.312350E+01 9.000000E+00
ERPEID3 4.871353E-03 3.356652E-04 -2.312350E+01 9.000000E+00
ALLPANEL 3.189623E-02 6.336370E-04 -1.496261E+01 1.900000E+01
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Listing 10-2 TPL example erp_base1.dat Output in SORT2 format.
To obtain CSV output, an ASSIGN statement is added and the ERP case control is modified as follows:
ASSIGN USERFILE='MYERP.CSV' UNIT=30 FORMATTED NEW DELETE
ERP(PRINT,PUNCH,SORT1,FILTER=0.0,CSV=30) = ALL
The resulting CSV file is easily manipulated into a graph using Microsoft Excel, or other programs that
understand CSV format. Note that the graph shown in Figure 10-3 is based on a modified erp_base1.dat
file that has a FREQ1 entry with more output frequencies. Note, the most signficant panel contributiosn
switch at 31 and 33Hz.
Listing 10-3 TPL example erp_base1.dat Output in CSV format (partial listing)
PANEL = ERPX3 (AREA = 9.000000E+00)
E Q U I V A L E N T R A D I A T E D P O W E R

FREQUENCY ERP FRACTION ERP(dB)
2.000000E+00 4.220276E-03 2.908022E-04 -2.374659E+01
4.000000E+00 1.497942E-03 1.032172E-04 -2.824505E+01
6.000000E+00 1.099377E-01 7.575362E-03 -9.588533E+00
8.000000E+00 4.871353E-03 3.356652E-04 -2.312350E+01
1.000000E+01 2.019563E+00 1.391599E-01 3.052574E+00
1.200000E+01 1.467790E-01 1.011395E-02 -8.333361E+00
1.400000E+01 1.451253E+01 1.000000E+00 1.161743E+01
1.600000E+01 2.543595E-02 1.752689E-03 -1.594552E+01
**ERP MAX** 1.451253E+01
Subcase, 1000
" EQUIVALENT RADIATED POWER IN PANELS OF QUAD4S
"
" ALL IN 1 SUBCASE
"
" FIRST SUBCASE (1000) SUBCASE 1000 "
Equivalent Radiated Power
, ERP , ERP , Fraction , Fraction , ERP(dB) , ERP(dB)
Area , 1.00000E+01, 1.90000E+01, 1.00000E+01, 1.90000E+01, 1.00000E+01, 1.90000E+01
Frequency , ERPX0 , ALLPANEL , ERPX0 , ALLPANEL , ERPX0 , ALLPANEL
2.00000E+00, 3.60158E-03, 7.82186E-03, 1.00530E-04, 1.55386E-04,-2.44351E+01,-2.10669E+01
4.00000E+00, 3.66840E-04, 1.86478E-03, 1.02395E-05, 3.70450E-05,-3.43552E+01,-2.72937E+01
6.00000E+00, 9.09168E-02, 2.00855E-01, 2.53775E-03, 3.99009E-03,-1.04136E+01,-6.97118E+00
8.00000E+00, 2.70249E-02, 3.18962E-02, 7.54341E-04, 6.33637E-04,-1.56824E+01,-1.49626E+01
1.00000E+01, 5.50420E+00, 7.52376E+00, 1.53638E-01, 1.49464E-01, 7.40694E+00, 8.76435E+00
1.20000E+01, 2.83194E-01, 4.29973E-01, 7.90474E-03, 8.54165E-03,-5.47917E+00,-3.66559E+00
1.40000E+01, 3.58258E+01, 5.03383E+01, 1.00000E+00, 1.00000E+00, 1.55420E+01, 1.70190E+01
1.60000E+01, 2.49801E-02, 5.04161E-02, 6.97266E-04, 1.00154E-03,-1.60241E+01,-1.29743E+01
Main Index
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Equivalent Radiated Power (ERP)
230
Figure 10-3 TPL example erp_base1.dat plot in Microsoft Excel.
ERP for a Complicated Automotive Assembly
The example shown in Figure 10-4 is used to demonstrate a more complicated system level automotive
example. The loading is based on an engine event and the Equivalent Radiated Power is calculated for
various panels that connect directly to the passenger compartment. Note that this example does not
perform an acoustic response, but the ERP calculations provide insight into which panels would
contribute to an acoustic response at various frequency levels.
Figure 10-4 System Level ERP Example
Main Index
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Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
GUI Support
Neither SimXpert nor Patran currently support pre- or post-processing of ERP. However, the CSV output
provides a convenient interface for users who want to generate plots using Microsoft Excel.
Main Index
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Frequency Dependent Rigid Absorber Properties
232
Frequency Dependent Rigid Absorber Properties
Introduction
The capability to model basic rigid porous absorber properties in acoustic response analysis was
introduced in MD Nastran R2. It allows modeling for some types of absorbent material such as vehicle
seat structures or lining materials with stiff carcasses.
The absorber material is described, taking into account an equivalent fluid analogy, and is modeled as
standard fluid elements using:
Standard fluid solid elements (CHEXA, CPENTA or CTETRA)
Connecting grid points with CD field defined as -1
Referenced PSOLID entry with option PFLUID defined in field 8
Referencing MAT10 entry where the normalized admittance coefficient is defined in field 7
and equivalent values are used for density and bulk modulus
The limitation for MD Nastran R2 implementation is that the normalized admittance coefficient cannot
be defined to be frequency dependent.
In MD Nastran 2010 the frequency dependency for this coefficient has been implemented. The new
option FFLUID has been added for field 8 of PSOLID entry. Furthermore, the user must take care to
define the normalized admittance coefficient in the MAT10 entry properly calculated at .
Benefits
The new capability introduced in MD Nastran 2010 allows defining an automatic calculation of a
different value for the normalized admittance, depending on the value of the excitation frequency.
The major benefit for the user is the possibility to describe, in a very simple way, the right absorbing
behaviors of the rigid porous material at the different excitation frequencies.
Note the user interface chosen to define the frequency dependency of the porous absorber allows:
Maintaining the backward compatibility (frequency independent porous absorbers can still be
modeled)
Defining one set of fluid elements to have a frequency-dependent normalized admittance
coefficient and another set to be frequency-independent
Theory
The porous absorber properties are described by complex parameters (density and bulk modulus). The
general implementation allows for the introduction of complex material properties for elements in the
e 1.0 =
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
fluid which represent a region where sound energy is absorbed. It implies that if the complex density and
bulk modulus are constant:
Mass density
Bulk Modulus B
Damping coefficient GE
The normalized admittance coefficient is a function of the frequency:
Input
As already mentioned, the equivalent fluid analogy allows using the same entries used to describe a
standard fluid region. PSOLID and MAT10 entries are affected by this implementation.

PSOLID Entry
A new option for field 8 (FCNT) of the PSOLID entry has been introduced.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PSOLID PID MID CORDM IN STRESS ISOP FCTN COROT
FAC
FCTN Fluid element flag. (Character: FFLUID indicates a fluid element with frequency
dependent rigid absorber properties, PFLUID indicates a fluid element, SMECH
indicates a structural element; Default = SMECH.)


r
= i
i
+
e

r
2

i
2
+

r
------------------- =
B B
r
= iB
i
+ B
e
B
r
2
B
i
2
+
B
r
------------------- - =
GE

i

r
----- =
o e
B
i
B
r
----- 2tf
B
i
B
r
----- = =
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Frequency Dependent Rigid Absorber Properties
234
All the elements which refer to a PSOLID entry where the option FFLUID has been selected will be
considered as rigid porous absorber with frequency dependent normalized admittance coefficient.
MAT10 Entry
No modification has been done in the format of this entry and no new options have been added. The only
remark that has to be done is relative to the meaning of field 7 in case of frequency-dependent rigid
porous absorber.
In fact:
If the MAT10 entry is referenced in a PSOLID entry where FFLUID option is selected, the value
in the 7
th
field (ALPHA) is considered as the normalized admittance coefficient calculated at
unit circular excitation frequency ;
If the MAT10 entry is referenced in a PSOLID entry where PFLUID option is selected, the value
defined in field 7 (ALPHA) has no special meaning but it is only the normalized admittance
coefficient calculated at the most appropriate excitation frequency (defined in order to have good
results in the range of interest).
The use of a nonzero value in field 7 of the MAT10 entry causes the generation of a damping matrix,
because the normalized admittance coefficient is multiplied by the imaginary operator i. Consequently,
the use of modal methods on the fluid are not appropriate and frequency response analysis must be carried
out using the direct method, at least for the fluid.
Output
There is no additional output that are generated for the elements used to describe the frequency dependent
rigid absorber region.
Guidelines and Limitations
No special modelling technique is required for the mesh representing the rigid porous absorber; the fluid
mesh should be a continuum from air to rigid porous absorber where the elements of the rigid porous
absorber simply discretize the form of the absorbing structure. Unlike the other absorber types in MD
Nastran, the rigid porous absorber does not have to be on the wetted surface between fluid and structure,
although it may be if desired.
When using modal methods, for certain configurations where the bulk modulus becomes negative, the
eigensolution may fail due to negative terms in the mass matrix. This has been reported in CR 1-
241950251 and will be fixed in the next release. For the moment the avoidance is to use the direct method
of frequency response.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
MAT10 MID BULK RHO C GE ALPHA
e 1.0 =
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Test Cases
There are many test cases available in the TPL in subdirectory /tpl/fdr_absorb
TPL problem fh8pr10.dat
Consider the following unbounded fluid (air) and porous absorber medium domains as in Figure 10-5.
An acoustic source is placed at the location indicated and the acoustic response (pressure) at the center
of the fluid is monitored.
Figure 10-5
Using experimental methods the following properties have been determined.
The equations illustrated above have been used to calculate the equivalent properties to be used in the
MAT10 entries. Two different calculations have been executed to check the effect of the new frequency
dependent porous absorber properties implementation.
1. Frequency-independent materials have been considered and frequency of 250 Hz was selected
to calculate the values of alpha for air and the porous absorber.
Air Material
Density Speed of Sound Bulk Modulus
Air
*
*Where
Porous Absorber
MID BULK RHO C GE ALPHA
MAT10 1 141652.5 1.225 0.0 31.41907
1.225 0.0i +
i 1 =
340.0 3.4i + 141595.8 2832.2i +
3.8663 14.2204i + 92.7076 70.2854i + 171190.0 102356.3i +
Main Index
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Frequency Dependent Rigid Absorber Properties
236
Porous Absorber Material
2. Frequency-dependent materials have been considered. The normalized admittance coefficients
for air and porous absorbers have been calculated for .
AirMaterial
Porous AbsorberMaterial
Both the analyses have been executed using 2 different models in which 8 HEXA and 20 HEXA elements
have been used. Notice that the values of bulk modulus, GE damping coefficient and alpha are all
negative; this is a normal characteristic of the implementation. The response at the center of the air
domain is calculated and the results compared with the same model run in the reference solution. Both
HEXA-20 and HEXA elements are compared.
PID MID CORDM IN STRESS ISOP FCNT
PSOLID 1 1 0 PFLUID
MID BULK RHO C GE ALPHA
MAT10 2 -232389. 56.16948 -3.67804 -939.196
PID MID CORDM IN STRESS ISOP FCNT
PSOLID 2 2 0 PFLUID
MID BULK RHO C GE ALPHA
MAT10 1 141652.5 1.225 0.0 0.020002
PID MID CORDM IN STRESS ISOP FCNT
PSOLID 1 1 0 FFLUID
MID BULK RHO C GE ALPHA
MAT10 2 -232389. 56.16948 -3.67804 -0.59791
PID MID CORDM IN STRESS ISOP FCNT
PSOLID 2 2 0 FFLUID
e 1.0 =
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
The results using frequency-dependent rigid absorber properties fit completely with those from the
reference solution. In fact, the increasing differences obtained using the original implementation for
porous material properties departing from the reference excitation frequency (250 Hz in the example)
disappear.
GUI Support
Currently, neither Patran or SimXpert support the pre-processing definition of the FFLUID option in
field 8 of the PSOLID entry.
The post-processing capability of Patran and SimXpert is not affected by this implementation.
Additional Information and References
Additional documentation regarding the implementation of rigid porous absorbers can be found in the
following references:
1. M.E. Delany and E.N. Bazley, Acoustical Characteristics of Fibrous Absorbent Materials,
National Physics Laboratory, Aerodynamics Division, NPL Aero Report Ac 37, March 1969.
2. J. Wandinger, Possible Implementations of Porous Absorbers in Nastran, MSC internal memo,
April 2006.
3. M. Etchessahar, Caracterrisation mcanique en basses frquences des matriaux acoustiques,
Thse de Doctorat, Universit du Maine, 2002.
4. MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide
5. MD Nastran R2/R2.1 Release Guide
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences
238
Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution
Sequences
Introduction
Monitor points is a generic name for four types of user capabilities. The MD Nastran R1 Release Guide
provided the most comprehensive discussion of these inputs. Briefly,
1. MONPNT1 The MONPNT1 provides integrated loads at a user defined point in a user defined
coordinate system.
2. MONPNT2 The MONPNT2 provides element results (e.g., Stress, Strain, Force).
3. MONPNT3 The MONPNT3 provides a summation of grid point forces at a user-specified
monitor point.
4. MONDSP1 The MONDSP1 allows for the sampling of a displacement vector to create a
blended displacement response at a user-specified point and coordinate system.
Prior to MD Nastran 2010, monitor points were only available in SOLs 101, 103, 144 and 146. Design
of Monitor Points, 293 discusses the MD Nastran 2010 implementation in SOL 200. These sections
discuss their application in the linear dynamic response solution sequences; i.e., SOLs 108, 109, 111, and
112.
Benefits
MONPNT1 was first introduced in MSC.Nastran 2001 and provides the user with a way to extract the
applied loading for a specified set of structural nodes (or aerodynamic elements for static or dynamic
aeroelasticity). This enables the batch calculation of VMT (shear, moment, and torque) data for user-
specified regions and locations.
MONPNT2 provides a way of pinpointing a particular response for output, as opposed to finding it in a
large OFP listing.
MONPNT3 provides a summation of the internal loads and therefore, is useful in calculating resultant
forces at a cut in the structure.
The MONDSP1s ability to provide an averaged displacement is seen as providing a qualitative
assessment of the deflection of a structure.
Input
There is no change to the input required to define the monitor points, only the solution sequences which
are supported. The MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide provides guidance on specifying the MONPNT1,
MONPNT2, MONPNT3, and MONDSP1 Bulk Data entries. The MONITOR Case Control command
must be used to obtain output results in the dynamic solution sequences. The command provides options
for frequency response results in terms of either the Real/Imag or MAG/Phase form.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Output
The output is limited to the .f06 file in all solution sequences except SOL 146 which also has op2 support.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. Dynamic monitor points are not available as design responses in SOL 200.
2. Inertia results are available for the MONPNT1 but have not been implemented for the
MONPNT3.
3. The MONSUM feature can be used but is of limited utility when the MONSUM spans monitor
types as described in Connectors (Ch. A) of this guide.
4. In Frequency Response analysis, the monitor point output is in SORT2 format.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/ue6_09a. There are four TPL files with
the name sXXXm13d and four with sXXXm2 where the XXX is one of 108,109,111 or 112. The m13d
files contain MONPNT1, MONPNT3 and MONDSP1 entries while m2 files contain MONPNT2 entries.
TPL example problem s111m13d.dat
Example problem s111m13.dat is a modal frequency response model that contains MONPNT1,
MONPNT3, and MONDSP1 entries. There are two subcases for a central load. The 1st subcase is shown
in Figure REF.
Figure 10-6 TPL example s111m13d.dat
Main Index
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Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences
240
A set of MONDSP1s are generated to define virtual point displacement results using an RBE3 derived
from the GRIDs defined on the SET1 lists referenced on the AECOMP entry:
MONDSP1 DISP2 THIS IS A DISPLACEMENT MONITOR POINT
123456 PLATE3 52 1. 2. 3.
AECOMP PLATE3 SET1 3 4
SET1 3 110901 110902 110903 110904 110905
SET1 4 110801 110802 110803
MONDSP1 DISPREF THIS SHOULD MATCH GRID 110902
123456 POINT1 4. 18. 0. 123456
AECOMP POINT1 SET1 110902
SET1 110902 110902
A set of MONPNT1s are generated to define integration load monitor points; the integration occurs over
the GRIDs associated with the SET1 entries defined on the AECOMP entry:
MONPNT1 MPT11 THIS IS THE FIRST MONPNT1
123456 PLATE1 52 1. 2. 3.0
AECOMP PLATE1 SET1 1 2
SET1 1 110000 110010 111010 111000
SET1 2 110505
MONPNT1 MPT12 THIS IS THE SECOND MONPNT1
123456 PLATE2 20. 20. 0.0
AECOMP PLATE2 SET1 1
SET1 1 110000 110010 111010 111000
Finally, a set of MONPNT3s are generated to sum Grid Point Forces defined on the GRIDSET and
ELEMSET.
MONPNT3 MPT31 THIS IS THE FIRST MONPT3
123456 5 6 1. 2. 3.
SET1 5 110901 119992 110903 110904 110905
SET1 6 1100081 9999980
MONPNT3 MPT41 THIS IS THE SECOND MONPT3
123456 3 4 1. 2. 3.
SET1 3 110901 110902 110903 110904 110905
SET1 4 110801 110802 110803
Typical output for each output is shown below:
STATIC LOAD SUBCASE 1
S T R U C T U R A L M O N I T O R P O I N T D I S P L A C E M E N T S
(REAL/IMAGINARY)
MONITOR POINT NAME = DISP2 COMPONENT = 123456 GENERAL SUBCASE NO. 1
LABEL = THIS IS A DISPLACEMENT MONITOR POINT
CP = 52 X = 1.000000E+00 Y = 2.000000E+00 Z = 3.000000E+00 CD = 52
FREQUENCY T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
1.000000E+02 9.331630E-06 7.714264E-06 1.142239E-06 3.345541E-07 -4.731310E-07 4.621815E-07
-5.560066E-08 -4.663981E-08 -6.488654E-09 -1.900483E-09 2.687689E-09 -3.033787E-09
2.000000E+02 9.721770E-06 8.044613E-06 1.186316E-06 3.474638E-07 -4.913880E-07 4.847471E-07
-1.203002E-07 -1.010250E-07 -1.398631E-08 -4.096495E-09 5.793319E-09 -6.610803E-09
3.000000E+02 1.044643E-05 8.658742E-06 1.267942E-06 3.713716E-07 -5.251988E-07 5.268791E-07
-2.072620E-07 -1.743763E-07 -2.394549E-08 -7.013472E-09 9.918547E-09 -1.152342E-08
4.000000E+02 1.165478E-05 9.684080E-06 1.403449E-06 4.110607E-07 -5.813276E-07 5.976722E-07
-3.416177E-07 -2.881529E-07 -3.912291E-08 -1.145883E-08 1.620524E-08 -1.929935E-08
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
GUI Support
Patran
Patran supports Monitor Point creation via the Flight Loads application. To access Flight Loads, it needs
to be installed during the Patran installation, and the current analysis type must be Aeroelasticity. The
figures in this section provide a general description of how to create the various Monitor Points described
in this chapter. After the Monitor Points are created, the user can export them to a .bdf file for subsequent
inclusion in a non-aeroelasticity solution. Finally, the user will have to change the Analysis Type back
to Structures. Currently Patran does not support the post-processing of Monitor Point results.
STATIC LOAD SUBCASE 1
S T R U C T U R A L M O N I T O R P O I N T I N T E G R A T E D L O A D S (MONPNT1)
(REAL/IMAGINARY)
MONITOR POINT NAME = MPT11 COMPONENT = CX GENERAL SUBCASE NO. 3
LABEL = THIS IS THE FIRST MONPNT1
CP = 52 X = 1.000000E+00 Y = 2.000000E+00 Z = 3.000000E+00 CD = 52
FREQUENCY INERTIAL EXTERNAL FLEXIBLE GUST TOTAL TOTAL
INCREMENT AERO
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
1.000000E+02 -4.455447E-05 1.306395E+01 0.000000E+00 1.306390E+01
2.311694E-07 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.311694E-07
2.000000E+02 -1.835128E-04 1.306395E+01 0.000000E+00 1.306376E+01
1.957264E-06 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.957264E-06
3.000000E+02 -4.345861E-04 1.306395E+01 0.000000E+00 1.306351E+01
7.308116E-06 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 7.308116E-06
4.000000E+02 -8.349048E-04 1.306395E+01 0.000000E+00 1.306311E+01
2.028260E-05 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.028260E-05
STATIC LOAD SUBCASE 1
S T R U C T U R A L I N T E G R A T E D F R E E B O D Y M O N I T O R P O I N T L O A D S (MONPNT3)
(REAL/IMAGINARY)
MONITOR POINT NAME = MPT31 COMPONENT = CMY SUBCASE NO. 1
LABEL = THIS IS THE FIRST MONPT3
CP = 0 X = 1.000000E+00 Y = 2.000000E+00 Z = 3.000000E+00
FREQUENCY RESULTANT

------------ ------------
1.000000E+02 -3.689061E-01
-3.930317E-05
2.000000E+02 -3.910366E-01
4.639984E-04
3.000000E+02 -4.319148E-01
2.253416E-03
4.000000E+02 -4.992898E-01
6.649540E-03
Main Index
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Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences
242
Figure 10-7 Setting Analysis Type to Aeroelasticity for Monitor Point Access via Flight Loads
Figure 10-8 Flight Loads icon enables the flight loads menus
Figure 10-9 Monitor Point Action-Object-Type menu
Main Index
243
CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Figure 10-10 Example of Creating a MONPNT1
Main Index
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Dynamics - Monitor Points in Dynamic Solution Sequences
244
Figure 10-11 Example of Creating a MONPNT2
Figure 10-12 Example of Creating a MONPNT3
Main Index
245
CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Figure 10-13 Example of Creating a MONDSP1
Figure 10-14 Exporting Monitor Points from Flight Loads
SimXpert
SimXpert does not currently support Monitor Point Creation.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Nonlinear Harmonic Response
246
Nonlinear Harmonic Response
Note: Nonlinear Harmonic Response has been delivered with MD Nastran since MFD R1. However, it
was undocumented until now.
Introduction
There is a class of dynamic response analyses where a structure exhibiting nonlinearities is subjected to
a harmonic excitation in which the response is essentially periodic. That is to say that the degree of
nonlinearity in the system is light enough that the response may be described as sufficiently accurate by
a combination of harmonic responses, i.e. periodic; this is achieved using a Fourier series.
Some examples of this class of dynamic response problems are rotor/stator contact under abnormal
running conditions, or an overload condition in an oscillating mechanism causing periodic contact. The
response of such systems may exhibit multiple solutions in a steady-state vibration response scenario,
possibly with amplitude jumps as the system moves from one frequency to another, such as might occur
in a rotor that is increasing or decreasing in speed. These jumps reveal different behavior of the dynamic
system with increasing or decreasing excitation frequency.
The nonlinear harmonic response solution sequence uses the harmonic balance method to calculate the
periodic response of a non-linear system under harmonic excitation. This requires the definition of a
frequency domain problem in the presence of nonlinearities. The harmonic balance method assumes the
steady-state response consists of a sum of sinusoidal responses finding the coefficients of the sinusoids
to satisfy the equations of motion. Harmonic balance is only efficient if a small number of sinusoids are
necessary to approximate the solution to a desired accuracy. This is why the nonlinearities in the system
must be mild.
As with any nonlinearity, it must only be present in the residual structure. However, this does not preclude
the use of superelements or ASET degrees of freedom to perform dynamic reduction using CMS. In fact,
this is a recommended technique in order to keep the number of degrees-of-freedom for harmonic
balance to a minimum.
Nonlinear harmonic response is available in the presence or absence of rotors, but there must be at least
one degree-of-freedom defined on nonlinear force type entries such as the NLRGAP, NLRSFD, and
NOLINi entries. Other types of nonlinearity that may be defined include the CBUSH2D element or
indeed any elements having frequency dependent properties.
MD Nastran R3, which incorporated SCA technology, added the possibility of creating a user-defined
service whereby the NLRSFD entry is able to call external user-defined behavior to replace the standard
NLRSFD behavior.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
Benefit
Input
The FMS Section
If a user-defined nonlinear transient radial squeeze film damper is required, then the FMS CONNECT
entry is required in conjunction with the NLRSFD and MATUDS.
When a user-defined service (UDS) is to be utilized to describe the behavior of the NLRSFD type
nonlinearity in nonlinear harmonic response, the FMS CONNECT entry is used with the SERVICE
qualifier to make the connection between the GROUP name on the NLRSFD Bulk Data entry and the
name of the external service.
Refer to References [1.], [2.], and [3.] for more details.
Executive Control
Nonlinear harmonic response is available as SOL 128 or SOL SENLHARM. This is a complete solution
sequence, based around linear direct frequency response (SOL 108) in which nonlinearities may be taken
into account.
Case Control
The Case Control command NLHARM has been added for nonlinear harmonic response to reference the
NLHARM Bulk Data entry. The existing NONLINEAR Case Control command may now also be used
in nonlinear harmonic response to reference nonlinear force Bulk Data entries (NOLINi, NLRGAP,
NLRSFD,).
Refer to Reference [1.] for a description of the NLHARM Case Control command.
Bulk Data
There are three new Bulk Data entries (NLHARM, NLFREQ, and NLFREQ1) relating specifically to a
nonlinear harmonic response, one general new Bulk Data entry (TABLED5) and modifications to two
existing Bulk Data entries (NLRGAP and NLRSFD). The NOLINi Bulk Data entries may now be used
in a nonlinear harmonic response, but do not require any special remarks.
NLHARM
The NLHARM Bulk Data entry is used to define the parameters for nonlinear harmonic response.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NLHARM ID SUBFAC NHARM NLFREQ
Main Index
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Nonlinear Harmonic Response
248
NLFREQ
The NLFREQ entry is used to define the forcing frequencies for a nonlinear harmonic response.
NLFREQ1
The NLFREQ1 entry is used to define the forcing frequencies for a nonlinear harmonic response by using
a start frequency, a frequency interval and a number of intervals.
Field Contents
ID Identification number referenced by the NLHARM Case Control command. (Integer
> 0)
SUBFAC Factor for capturing sub-harmonic response. See Remark 3. (Integer > 1, Default = 1)
NHARM The number of harmonics to include in the solution. See Remark 2. (Integer > 0)
NLFREQ Identification number of the NLFREQ or NLFREQ1 entry specifying the forcing
frequency list. (Integer > 0)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NLFREQ ID F1 F2 F3 ... Fn
Field Contents
ID Identification number referenced by the NLFREQ field (field 5) of an NLHARM
Bulk Data entry. (Integer > 0)
F1...Fn Forcing frequency values in cycles per unit time. (Real > 0.0)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NLFREQ1 ID F1 DF NDF
Field Contents
ID Identification number referenced by the NLFREQ field (field 5) of an NLHARM
Bulk Data entry. (Integer > 0).
F1 First forcing frequency in the set. (Real > 0.0)
DF Frequency increment. See Remark 1. (Real < > 0.0; Required)
NDF Number of frequency increments/decrements. (Integer > 0, Default = 1)
Main Index
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
TABLED5
The TABLED5 entry is used generally to define a value as a function of two variables for use in
generating frequency-dependent and time-dependent dynamic loads. In nonlinear harmonic response it
is used to define an NLRGAP whose force-penetration characteristics vary with frequency.
Modifications have also been made to the existing NLRGAP and NLRSFD entries in support of
nonlinear harmonic response. Refer to the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide for further remarks on
these entries.
Using Nonlinear Harmonic Response
The nonlinear harmonic response solution uses a combination of sinusoids to form the steady-state
response. Its limitation therefore is that it can only capture harmonic components, so any frequencies
which are not pure sub- or super-harmonics of the excitation will be lost. It is also possible that either no
solution exists (an unstable dynamic system), or that more than one solution is possible. The nonlinear
system being studied may exhibit bifurcation or turning points; points for which a small incremental
change in frequency results in more than one solution. In addition, the system may exhibit a step change
in the response from one frequency to the next in what is referred to in the literature as jump
phenomena. In its present form, the presence of bifurcation or turning points cannot be determined in
nonlinear harmonic response analysis, and the resulting solution is just one of the possible states. Jump
phenomena are revealed by examining the response curves.
In a system with bearing clearance, like hydrodynamic or magnetic bearings, the stiffness of the system
changes depending on whether the bearing forces overcome the clearance in the bearing, resulting in
contact or no-contact conditions. Each of the contact/no-contact states may have essentially linear
behavior, but the overall behavior is nonlinear if the system changes from one state to another. The
simplest example of such a system is the Duffing oscillator. The Duffing equation is:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TABLED5
TID
X(1) TID(1) X(2) TID(2) X(3) TID(3) X(4) TID(4)
... ... ENDT
Field Contents
TID Table identification number. (Integer > 0)
X(i) X value for the function specified by TID(i) (Real; no Default).
TID(i) ID of a TABLED1, TABLED2, TABLED3 or TABLED4 defining the function Y for
the given value of X. (Integer > 0; no Default).
ax

bx

cx dx
3
+ + + f ot cos =
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and is defined in any text book on nonlinear dynamics. This equation exhibits jump phenomena for
certain frequency values where the solution jumps from one significantly different value to another for
a small change in frequency. To complicate matters, the jump differs depending on whether the change
in frequency is positive or negative.
When the system is nonlinear, there is also the possibility of sub- and super-harmonic responses. The
response frequencies in linear harmonic analysis are the same as the forcing frequency. Permanent
oscillations whose frequencies are a fraction of the forcing frequency (, , ...) may occur in a nonlinear
system. These oscillations are known as subharmonic responses. Subharmonic responses require special
conditions (e.g. particular damping characteristics and a non-symmetric stiffness) whereas super-
harmonic responses, i.e. permanent oscillations whose frequencies are a multiple of the forcing frequency
(2, 3, ), are always present. Whether or not they show significant response levels depends on the
damping in the system. These are complex phenomena which may exhibit jumps, further complicating
matters. Refer to [4.] for a more complete discussion of sub and super-harmonic responses.
A nonlinear harmonic response uses an iterative procedure to find the coefficients for the combination of
sinusoids that form the steady-state response. Newtons method of iteration is employed to solve a system
of nonlinear algebraic equations. A trial solution is attempted for displacements and the corresponding
forces in any NLRGAP, NLRSFD, or NOLINi entries are calculated from the user- supplied data on the
relevant tables. The residual forces in the system are calculated and a convergence error is obtained.
Based on the size of the convergence error, the solution is either accepted or an updated displacement
scaling is calculated and the new displacements calculated. The sequence loops until either a diverging
system is detected or convergence obtained.
Controlling Nonlinear Harmonic Response
The interface to nonlinear harmonic response is driven via only the few inputs defined above. The
nonlinear characteristics are defined on NOLINi, NLRSFD, or NLRGAP Bulk Data entries and
accompanying tables. The sequence of excitation frequencies is defined on NLFREQ or NLFREQ1
entries and harmonic response control data supplied on the NLHARM entry. This allows specification of
the number of harmonics and subharmonics to consider for the nonlinear harmonic response analysis, as
well as referencing the excitation frequency Bulk Data entries NLFREQ or NLFREQ1.
PARAM, MXICODE0, 5
In nonlinear harmonic response analysis, if the solution fails to converge more than MXICODE0 times
in succession, a new trial displacement vector is calculated. MXICODE0 allows the number of
successive failed convergences to be modified before a new trial displacement vector is calculated.
(Default is 5).
PARAM, NHPLUS, 20
In nonlinear harmonic response analysis, in order to avoid aliasing in the calculation of the Fourier
coefficients, a certain number of extra evaluation points are used. NHPLUS allows the number of extra
points to be defined.
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A literature search suggests this technique comes from reference [6] where the number of time steps, S,
selected should be in the range (2K-1) S 3(2K-1) and K is the number of frequencies present in the signal.
PARAM, NLHTOL, 1.0E-5
During the iteration procedure of nonlinear harmonic response, the norm of the residual load vector for
the current step is divided by the norm of the residual load vector for the previously converged step. This
value is then compared with NLHTOL. If the value is smaller than NLHTOL, the system is assumed to
have converged. (Default is 1.0E-5).
PARAM, NLHTWK, 1.1
In nonlinear harmonic response analysis, if convergence is not obtained, a line search procedure is
initiated to calculate a scaling factor for the displacement vector from which updated nonlinear loads are
subsequently calculated. If the solution fails to converge more than 5 times in succession (modifiable by
PARAM,MXICODE0), a new trial displacement vector is calculated using a push-off factor the size of
which is defined by NLHTWK. (Default is 1.1).
Handling Nonconvergence in Nonlinear Harmonic Response
During the ascending or descending sequence of excitation frequencies defined on the NLFRQi entries,
if instability is encountered at a particular frequency, the solution may fail to converge at that frequency.
Nonconvergence may be attributed to several causes, and the possibility must always be considered that
there is simply no solution to the system at a particular frequency because the system has become
dynamically unstable.
In most cases of nonconvergence that is not attributed to dynamically unstable conditions, either the
number of harmonics or the subharmonic content is insufficient, or the system has reached a bifurcation
or turning point. Try increasing the number of harmonics or subharmonics (NLHARM entry) as well as
adjusting the parameters described above. If none of these are successful, the system may have struck a
bifurcation point. Try adjusting the excitation frequencies slightly. For example, if using the following
excitation frequencies: 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0etc., try adjusting these to 5.1, 10.1, 15.1, 20.1. In the
current implementation, there is no automatic treatment for possible bifurcation points, and the subject
of using a continuation strategy is under discussion for a future development.
In the case of nonconvergence, the response quantities are set to zero, and the calculation continues to
the next excitation frequency in the sequence retaining the initial conditions of the solution from the last
converged frequency. If the solution at the next excitation frequency does not converge, the same
procedure is followed until a converged solution is found.
There may come a time when it is judicious to change the initial conditions, particularly when the next
excitation frequency becomes distanced from the last converged frequency after a sequence of failed
attempts to converge excitation frequencies. In this situation, where the initial conditions for an
excitation frequency have become somewhat distanced from the previously converged excitation
frequency, it may not mean very much physically to continue to use the initial conditions from that
previously converged excitation frequency.
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252
Therefore, it may be favorable to start from zero conditions as always happens for the first frequency of
an analysis starting from scratch. There is some difficulty in deciding how far away from the previously
converged excitation frequency is acceptable to return to zero initial conditions. There is presently no
logic for handling this situation and the only course available is to reset the initial conditions to zero by
starting a completely new analysis with a starting frequency somewhere after the instability point.
Example
A nonlinear harmonic response was developed to study rotor/stator contact problems, but the presence
of a rotor is not obligatory. The capability may be used to study any periodic response to a harmonic
excitation in the presence of light nonlinearities.
The following example taken from [6.] shows a rotor bearing system in which an out-of-balance load
excites a rigid overhung disk mounted on a flexible shaft turning in bearings exhibiting nonlinear
stiffness.
The round solid shaft of diameter 0.1 metres is 1.0 metre long and runs in two bearings, one located at
one end of the shaft while the other is positioned just inboard of the disk such that the disk is overhung.
The bearings are mounted on an isolation material that exhibits nonlinear stiffness varying with a cubic
law. The overhung massive rigid disk exhibits a small eccentricity in its mass distribution.
Shaft Material Properties:
Disk Properties:
Youngs modulus 2.07E+11 Nm
-2
Density 7750 kgm
-3
Mass of disk 2000 kg
Inertia (polar) 200 kgm
2
Inertia (diametral) 100 kgm
2
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Bearing Stiffness and Damping (Symmetrical)
Firstly, the analysis is run in a linear direct frequency response with linear-bearing properties. The
analysis is then repeated in the nonlinear harmonic solution sequence, still with linear bearing properties
and the answers compared. Finally, the nonlinear bearing stiffness properties are added, and the response
is compared against theory [7.]
The bulk data for the model is shown. This data is common to all runs and for the subsequent files is
assumed to be saved to a file called common.dat.
PARAM,GRDPNT,0
PARAM,COUPMASS,1
$
$ ROTOR
ROTORG,1,1,2,3,4
RGYRO,66,SYNC,1,FREQ
RSPINR,1,1,4,FREQ,1.
GRID,1
GRID,2,,.5
GRID,3,,1.
GRID,4,,.99
CBEAM,1,1,1,2,,1.
CBEAM,2,1,2,4,,1.
CBEAM,3,1,4,3,,1.
PBEAM* 1 1 7.8539820-3 4.9087390-6
* 4.9087390-6 9.8174780-6
+
.68 .68
MAT1,1,2.07+11,,.27,7.75+3
$
$ DISK MASS & INERTIA
CONM2,6,3,,2000.
,200.,,100.,,,100.
$
$ STATOR
GRID,5
GRID,6,,.99
$
$ ROTOR TO STATOR CONNECTION
RBE2,941,5,123456,1
RBE2,953,6,123456,4
$
$ GROUND
GRID,105
GRID,106,,.99
$
$ BEARING DAMPING
CDAMP2,20442,1.72+4,105,2,5,2
CDAMP2,20443,1.72+4,105,3,5,3
CDAMP2,20552,1.72+4,106,2,6,2
CDAMP2,20553,1.72+4,106,3,6,3
Linear stiffness 1.5E+7 Nm
-1
Nonlinear stiffness 1E+12d
3
Nm
-3
(d is the value of displacement)
Damping 1.72E+4 Nsm
-1
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254
$
$ REMOVE SINGULAR DOFS
SPC1,1,14,2,3,5,6
SPC1,1,123456,105,106
$
$ OUT OF BALANCE FOR ROTOR
DLOAD,77,1.,60.,1001,60.,1002
RLOAD2,1001,1001,,,1000
RLOAD2,1002,1002,,1002,1000
DAREA,1001,2,2,9.4286-5
DAREA,1002,2,3,9.4286-5
DPHASE,1002,2,3,-90.
TABLED4,1000,0.,1.,0.,1000.
,0.,0.,39.47842,ENDT
Firstly, a direct linear frequency response analysis is run to allow the results to be compared with the
nonlinear harmonic response with nonlinear forces defined with linear behaviour.
Below is the case control and additional bulk data required for the linear frequency response.
SOL 108
CEND
LINE=9999999
DISP(SORT2,PHASE)=ALL
SPC=1
RGYRO=66
DLOAD=77
FREQ=88
BEGIN BULK
include common.dat
$
$ BEARING STIFFNESS
CELAS2,10442,1.5+7,105,2,5,2
CELAS2,10443,1.5+7,105,3,5,3
CELAS2,10552,1.5+7,106,2,6,2
CELAS2,10553,1.5+7,106,3,6,3
$
FREQ1,88,9.549296,.0530516,240
ENDDATA
Now the same problem is run in a nonlinear harmonic response which solves the problem in an iterative
manner. Half the stiffness of the linear bearings is replaced with nonlinear force definition on NOLIN1
entries. The force-displacement relationship is defined as linear.
Below is the case control and additional bulk data required for the linear harmonic response in SOL 128.
SOL 128
CEND
LINE=9999999
DISP(SORT2,PHASE)=ALL
SPC=1
RGYRO=66
DLOAD=77
NONLINEAR=1000
NLHARM=2000
BEGIN BULK
include common.dat
$
$ LINEAR BAERING STIFFNESS (HALVED)
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CELAS2,10442,7.5+6,105,2,5,2
CELAS2,10443,7.5+6,105,3,5,3
CELAS2,10552,7.5+6,106,2,6,2
CELAS2,10553,7.5+6,106,3,6,3
$
$ LINEAR BEARING STIFFNESS (HALF PROVIDED BY NOLIN1)
NOLIN1,1000,5,2,-1.,5,2,1001
NOLIN1,1000,5,3,-1.,5,3,1001
NOLIN1,1000,6,2,-1.,6,2,1001
NOLIN1,1000,6,3,-1.,6,3,1001
TABLED1, 1001,
, -1.0, -7.5+6, 1.0, 7.5+6, ENDT
$
NLFREQ1,88,9.549296,.0530516,240
NLHARM,2000,1,1,88
$
ENDDATA
When these two linear analyses are run, the magnitude response of GRID point 3 in the Y direction looks
like this:
The linear frequency response curve and the nonlinear harmonic response curve are superposed. This
shows the linear problem can be solved using the 2 different methods (SOLs 108 and 128) and the
response is the same.
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256
Now the bearing stiffness is replaced by a cubic stiffness defined by NOLIN3 and NOLIN4 entries. Here
is the case control and additional bulk data required for the nonlinear harmonic response in SOL 128.
SOL 128
CEND
LINE=9999999
DISP(SORT2,PHASE)=ALL
SPC=1
RGYRO=66
DLOAD=77
NONLINEAR=1000
NLHARM=2000
BEGIN BULK
include common.dat
$
$ BEARING STIFFNESS
CELAS2,10442,1.5+7,105,2,5,2
CELAS2,10443,1.5+7,105,3,5,3
CELAS2,10552,1.5+7,106,2,6,2
CELAS2,10553,1.5+7,106,3,6,3
$
$ CUBIC NONLINEAR STIFFNESS (TENSION)
NOLIN3,1000,5,2,-1+12,5,2,3.
NOLIN3,1000,5,3,-1+12,5,3,3.
NOLIN3,1000,6,2,-1+12,6,2,3.
NOLIN3,1000,6,3,-1+12,6,3,3.
$ CUBIC NONLINEAR STIFFNESS (COMPRESSION)
NOLIN4,1000,5,2,-1+12,5,2,3.
NOLIN4,1000,5,3,-1+12,5,3,3.
NOLIN4,1000,6,2,-1+12,6,2,3.
NOLIN4,1000,6,3,-1+12,6,3,3.
$
$ Spin up
NLFREQ1,88,9.549296,.1591549,240
$ Spin down
$NLFREQ1,88,47.74648,-.1591549,240
NLHARM,2000,1,1,88
$
ENDDATA
The analysis is run in two parts, the first starting from a cyclical frequency of 9.55 Hz (60 radians/second)
with an increasing frequency up to a frequency of 47.7 Hz (300 radians/second); this simulates a spin-up
event where each frequency is considered in its steady state condition. The second part of the analysis
simulates a spin-down event starting from a cyclical frequency of 47.7 Hz with a decreasing frequency.
The magnitude of the Y direction response of GRID point 3 is plotted against rotational frequency with
the resulting two curves:
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Clearly there is a zone of bifurcation just before 23 Hz; that is to say, after 23 Hz, two possible states
exist. In the spin-down case, the solution jumps from one solution to the other and then retraces the spin-
up response curve; an unstable condition exists between these two.
The results are in good agreement with those reported in Reference [7.]
References
1. MD Nastran Release Guide
2. MD Nastran R3 SCA Service Guide
3. MD Users Guide User Defined Services
4. Shock and Vibration Handbook, Page 4-8, 3rd Edition, Cyril M. Harris, McGraw Hill, 1987.
5. Frequency-domain analysis of nonlinear circuits driven by multi-tone signals, A.Ushida and
L.O.Chua, IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst., Vol. CAS-31, pp. 766-778, Sept. 1984.
6. A User Guide for Nonlinear Harmonic Response
7. Steady-State Response of Continuous Nonlinear Rotor-Bearing Systems Using Analytical
Approach, J.W. Zu and Z.Y. Ji, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, ASME, 120,
pp 751 - 758, 1998
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258
Enhancements to the Frequency Response Function
(FRF) and FRF Based Assembly (FBA) Capability
Introduction
The FRF / FBA (Frequency Response Function / FRF Based Assembly) capability was first introduced
in MD Nastran R2. This capability facilitates the computation of the FRFs of individual components and
also the subsequent computation of the FRFs of an assembly of such components from their individual
FRFs.
The capability available in MD Nastran R2 had several limitations that were removed by major
enhancements made in MD Nastran R3. With a view to enhance user convenience further, the following
improvements have been made in MD Nastran 2010:
Support for test FRF components in the FBA process
Expanded output from FBA job giving details of the FRF components comprising the FRF-
based assembly
Allow the FBA process to handle a single FRF component without any connection data
Enhanced subcase IDs for user-specified loads in FRF generation and FBA job output
Enhancements to FRF Case Control command
Enhancements to FRFCOMP Bulk Data entry to support test FRF components
Details of these enhancements are discussed in the following sections.
Benefits
The enhancements made in MD Nastran 2010 for the FRF/FBA capability greatly enhance user
convenience and makes the feature an excellent tool for practical situations and a viable tool for Noise
and Vibration studies.
Support for Test FRF Components in the FBA Process
The FBA process in MD Nastran 2010 offers support for test FRF components. The fact that an FRF
component is a test component rather than a Nastran-generated component is indicated by the FRFCOMP
Bulk Data entry for that component. The FRFCOMP entry has been enhanced for this purpose, as is
described later in this section.
The FRF and other data for a test FRF component is expected to be resident on a Universal File (UF).
The information on the UF is grouped by so-called Universal Dataset Numbers (UDNs). Details of the
various UDNs and their formats can be obtained from the following website:
http://www.sdrl.uc.edu/universal-file-formats-for-modal-analysis-testing-1
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As far as the FBA process is concerned, the heart of the information on the UF for a test FRF component
is in UDN 58 which contains FRF data for that component.
When an FBA job involves test FRF components, an ASSIGN UNVFILE specification is required in the
File Management Statement (FMS) Section to identify the physical file and the Fortran unit number for
the UF for each test FRF component. Details will be clear from the description of the enhanced
FRFCOMP Bulk Data entry given in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Expanded Output from FBA Job Giving Details of the FRF
Components Comprising the FRF-Based Assembly
The output from an FBA job has been expanded in MD Nastran 2010 to give details of the FRF
components that comprise the FRF-based assembly. The information given consists of the following:
Component count
FRF component ID and name
How the FRF information for the component was generated (from a previous or current Nastran
execution or from test)
Medium on which the FRF information resides (database, OP2 file or Universal File, with unit
numbers identified for the latter two options)
Allow the FBA Process to Handle a Single FRF Component
Without Any Connection Data
In MD Nastran R3, the FBA process would not allow a configuration that did not involve some sort of
connection data (via FRFCONN and/or FRFFLEX/FRFRELS Bulk Data entries). This is a meaningful
requirement when more than one FRF component is involved. However, this is not a reasonable
requirement when only one FRF component is involved, since such a component may or may not involve
connection data. In MD Nastran 2010, the FBA process does allow a single FRF component without any
connection data after issuing a User Warning Message about the lack of connection data. This feature is
extremely helpful in performing load studies and Transfer Path Analysis (TPA) for a single FRF
component.
Enhanced Subcase IDs for User Specified Loads in FRF
Generation and FBA Job Output
When the user specifies a dynamic load via the DLOAD Case Control request in an FRF generation or
FBA job, the number of excitations for which the results are output is determined by the XITOUT
keyword in the FRF Case Control command. As explained under the description of the FRF Case Control
in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide, if XITOUT = USER is specified (or assumed by default), the
FRF results are output for the following excitations:
A separate excitation for each individual DOF that has a non-zero load specified for it
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An excitation representing the total load
Thus, if a DLOAD Case Control request involves nonzero load values on N DOFs, then XITOUT =
USER gives results for (N+1) excitations, with the first N in such excitations representing individual and
separate loads on the N DOFs and the (N+1)th excitation representing the total load. If XITOUT =
USERTOTL is specified, then the results are given only for the (N+1)th excitation representing the total
load.
In MD Nastran R3, the subcase IDs for the above (N+1) excitations were identified by sequential
numbers 1 through (N+1) for the XITOUT = USER case and by a subcase ID of 1 for the XITOUT =
USERTOTL case. If the loading involved multiple subcases, then the above sequential numbering
scheme was continued further across the subcases. This made it very difficult to associate a particular
excitation subcase number in the output with the user-specified subcase associated with it, particularly
when multiple subcases were involved. This led to a lot of confusion in interpreting the results.
In order to avoid the above confusion, subcases in MD Nastran 2010 are numbered using a coded scheme.
Under this scheme, each of the (N+1) subcases mentioned above is given a coded subcase ID of the form
xxxxyyyy. Here xxxx is the user subcase ID corresponding to the DLOAD under consideration. For the
first N excitations described above, yyyy has values ranging from 1 through N (with leading zeros where
appropriate). For the (N+1)th excitation mentioned above, the coded subcase ID is of the form xxxx9999.
This makes it very easy and convenient for the user to associate a particular excitation subcase number
in the output with the user-specified subcase associated with it.
Enhancements to FRF Case Control Command
Several enhancements have been made to the FRF Case Control command. These are described below
and may also be found under the description of this command in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Enhancements to the ASMOUT Keyword
In MD Nastran R3, the ASMOUT keyword could be specified to request output in the FBA process for
either all of the FRF components comprising the FRF assembly (ASMOUT = COMP, the default), or for
all of the FRF components plus the assembled FRF configuration considered as a separate entity
(ASMOUT = ALL). Enhancements have been made in MD Nastran 2010 to allow for several additional
output requests. A description of all of the options available for the ASMOUT keyword is given below:
ASMOUT = CONNINFO
Terminate the FBA job after generating the FRF component connection information output
without performing any further FRF assembly operations
ASMOUT = COMP
(Default)
Generate output from the FBA process for all of the individual FRF components comprising the
assembly.
ASMOUT = ALL
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Generate output from the FBA process not only for all of the individual FRF components
comprising the assembly, but also for the assembled FRF configuration considered as a separate
entity.
ASMOUT = ASSEMBLY
Generate output from the FBA process only for the assembled FRF configuration considered as
a separate entity. This is equivalent to specifying ASMOUT = 0 (see later).
ASMOUT = n
n is an integer with the following meanings:
n = 0
Generate output from the FBA process only for the assembled FRF configuration considered as
a separate entity. This is equivalent to specifying ASMOUT = ASSEMBLY (see earlier).
n > 0
Generate output from the FBA process only for those FRF components of the assembly whose
IDs are specified by SET ID n.
n < 0
Generate output from the FBA process only for that single FRF component of the assembly
whose ID is given by |n|.
ASMOUT = cname
Generate output from the FBA process only for that single FRF component of the assembly
whose name is given by cname.
Addition of New LOADLBL Keyword
A new keyword called LOADLBL has been added to the FRF Case Control command. This keyword
can be used to control the load labels in the output of both FRF generation and FBA jobs. Details are
given below:
LOADLBL = STD
(Default)
The load labels in the output of the FRF generation and FBA jobs explicitly identify the grid (or
scalar) point and its component where the load is applied.
LOADLBL = ALT
The load labels in the output of the FRF generation and FBA jobs identify the grid (or scalar)
point and its component where the load is applied by using the following notation:
GGGGGGGG:+C
where GGGGGGGG is the grid (or scalar) point ID and C indicates the component where the
load is applied. C may have the following values:
X Indicates grid point component 1 or scalar point
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Y Indicates grid point component 2
Z Indicates grid point component 3
RX Indicates grid point component 4
RY Indicates grid point component 5
RZ Indicates grid point component 6
LOADLBL = ALTX
Same meaning as ALT except that the load labels also identify whether the load applied is an unit
load or an user load
Enhancements to FRFCOMP Bulk Data Entry
In MD Nastran R3, Field 4 of the FRFCOMP Bulk Data entry was allowed to have two values, DB or
OP2, to indicate whether the FRF and other data for a Nastran-generated FRF component to be employed
in an FBA process is resident on the database or on an OP2 file, respectively. In MD Nastran 2010, Field
4 may also have the value of UF to indicate that the FRF component is a test component with its FRF and
other data resident on an Universal File (UF). In this case, Field 5 of the entry indicates the Fortran unit
number for the UF and Fields 6 and 7 give the length and force scale factors that are to be applied to the
FRF quantities on the UF. An ASSIGN UNVFILE specification is required in the File Management
Statement (FMS) Section of the FBA job to identify the physical file and the Fortran unit number for the
UF. Details will be clear from the description of the enhanced FRFCOMP Bulk Data entry given in the
MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
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CHAPTER 10
Dynamics (Noise and Vibration)
EFEA/EBEA (Pre-Release)
The Energy Finite Element Analysis (EFEA) and Energy Boundary Element Analysis (EBEA) provide
a powerful solution for high frequency acoustics. In contrast to traditional FEA solvers that use
displacements as the primary variables, the EFEA methods use energy based variables which enables
noise and vibration simulations at much higher frequencies than those attained by conventional FEA
analysis. The EBEA solution provides airborne noise loads for use by the EFEA solution. The
combination of EBEA and EFEA methods can be used to predict the interior noise levels in a vehicle due
to exterior acoustic sources. These new solvers are provided through collaboration with Michigan
Engineering Services and are provided as a pre-release in MD Nastran 2010. Please see the EFEA/EBEA
Users Guides included with the MD Nastran 2010 release for more information.
Main Index
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EFEA/EBEA (Pre-Release)
264
Main Index
Chapter 11: Loads Management MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
11
Loads Management

Loads Management
Main Index
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Loads Management
266
Loads Management
Pre-Release in MD Nastran 2010.
Introduction
The internal loads management process of the aircraft design which normally involves static analysis of
the airframe due to various loading conditions, poses a number of challenges to the user on the analysis
engine. This chapter describes challenges specific to this process and presents an extension to the Statics
solution of MD Nastran that addresses these challenges.
Some of the challenges involved include:
Multiple FEM Models
There may be a number of vehicle level FEM models that have to be analyzed and whose results have to
be somehow combined. For example, there may be models with and without doors. There may also be
models with and without landing gear. Analysis results related to these models will have to be combined
to produce critical loads used in subsequent steps.
Multiple Loading Conditions
Internal loads analysis process may include more than 10,000 unique load cases due to flight maneuvers,
ground load cases, cabin pressure, cargo loads, and thermal loads. Loads from these various sources will
have to be combined to achieve critical loads used for design.
Revisions
The loads passed on to the internal loads team frequently change. Changes may be due to model changes
or new maneuver loads from the external loads process. Revisions normally do not affect the entire set
of loads but only a small fractionup to 10% of the load cases.
Figure 11-1 shows the internal loads management process as it relates to the FEM model analysis. The
traditional statics analysis in Nastran does cover the steps highlighted in green as part of an end-to-end
solution, but it does not provide users with access to independent steps of this process. For example, in
traditional statics analysis, the user cannot change few load cases and perform data recovery without
having to rerun all load case.
The solution presented in this section provides users with a lower level of access to individual steps in
the Statics solution in MD Nastran. So changes in load cases or solution vectors do not necessarily require
a complete rerun of the model. This level of control can result in significant improvements in overall
process of internal loads management.
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CHAPTER 11
Loads Management
Figure 11-1
Overview of Solution Functionality
The key functionality that supports the internal loads process is the componentization of the statics
solution in MD Nastran that allows for the close alignment of the solution steps with the engineering
process steps. Figure 11-2 shows the components of the Statics solution that can now be individually
called upon. It also shows the dependencies the components may have on one another.
Model Building
Generic Properties
Actual
Properties
Generate
External Loads
Model Check
Solve
Load Case
Changes
Data Recovery
Change
Management
Combine Loads
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The internal loads solution capabilities can be categorized in the following groups:
Figure 11-2 Traditional End-to-End Solutions
Loads Management
Loads can now be partially modified without the need to rerun the analysis with the entire set of loads.
Load cases can be incrementally added, deleted, or combined. The user can also get a report on the
current contents of the database in terms of loads.These operations can be driven through a high level
command language described in the next section.
Solution Vector Management
Similar to how loads are individually managed, users also have full control in generating individual
solution vectors associated with load vectors. Individual solution vectors can be generated, combined, or
deleted. The user can also get a report on the current contents of the database in terms of solution vectors.
These operations can also be driven through a high level command language.
Data Recovery
Users can generate results on a given subset of the model and/or a subset of load cases. So when a subset
of loads are modified, it is not necessary to regenerate all results. Data recovery operations can also be
driven through a high level command language.
Read FEM
Model in DB
Build Matrices
Factorize
Read Load
Cases in DB
Solve
Load Cases
Combine
Load Cases
Delete
Load Cases
Generate
Results
Combine
Solution
Vectors
Componentized MD Solution
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Loads Management
References
The complete description of the user interface, data recovery, etc. can be found in the MD Nastran 2010
Loads Management Users Guide.
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Main Index
Chapter 12: Optimization MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
12
Optimization

MultiOpt (Multiple Model Optimization)

Part Superelement Optimization Enhancements

Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients

Design of Monitor Points

Parallel Sensitivities

DTABLE Enhancement for Dynamic Analysis

Constants with DTABLE2

New Optimizer - IPOPT

Topology and Topometry Enhancements

Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-


release)

Build External Servers Using the SCons Tool

Deactivation of Original Design Sensitivity (DSA)


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MultiOpt (Multiple Model Optimization)
Introduction
The MultiOpt (Multiple Model Optimization) capability was created in order to combine two or more
related optimization tasks into a single combined optimization task. This enables support for the ability
to perform design optimization when the design conditions are produced by two or more MD Nastran
design models.
The MultiOpt application initiates servers that start the processing of the separate design models up to
the point where the optimization is to occur. At this point, a new server is invoked to merge the design
information, perform the optimization and partition the results. The servers running the individual
models are then resumed in a design loop that is terminated when either convergence is achieved or the
maximum design cycles are reached. A flow chart of this process with two design models is given in
Figure 12-1.
Figure 12-1
Partition
Constraints/Responses
Check Convergence
Initial Design
Model 1
Model 2
Structural
Analysis
Structural
Analysis
Sensitivity
Analysis
Sensitivity
Analysis
Merge Approximate Models
Approximate
Optimization
Improved
Design
Partition
Constraints/Responses
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
The boxes Merge Approximate Models, Approximate Optimization, and Partition
Constraints/Responses are driven by a subDMAP that is invoked by a MutiOpt created input deck (i.e,
the user does not need to create or even know about this deck).
Benefits
The ability to merge multiple design models allows the user to have separate models that differ in their
topology or in their analyses but still perform a combined optimization. One scenario might be if
different variants of an aircraft share a common wing design but have different fuselages (standard and
stretch configurations). It would be difficult to design this with the previous version of SOL 200, but it
is readily achievable with this capability. Another scenario is one where a detailed model of a component
is available and can be used to match analysis data with test results. At the same time, a less detailed
model of the same component is included in a global model that is being used to perform optimization
with global constraints, such as flutter speed. MultiOpt can be used in this case to perform both
optimizations simultaneously and thereby maintain a common design.
Input
The process of combining the models and performing the optimization is performed by a MSC.Toolkit
application referred to as MultiOpt (Multiple Optimization).
The user can combine up to five separate design models using this process. Each of the models has its
own data deck that is complete to the extent that it could be run stand-alone in MD Nastran SOL 200.
The following changes need to be made in each of these separate input files for a MultiOpt submittal:
1. A DESMOD Case Control command (see below) needs to be inserted in each model of the form:
DESMOD = model
Where model is a unique, user specified name of up to eight characters that designates the model
2. The DOPTPRM entry in the separate models control parameters that are used by the optimizer
and others that are used in the iterative process. It is recommended that an identical DOPTPRM
be used in each model. The DOPTPRM in the first model controls what is used by the optimizer;
e.g., OPTCOD, while convergence parameters and DESMAX are controlled by the local
DOPTPRM entry.
3. If the objectives are to be combined, the first model must have its DESOBJ request point to a
DRESP2 that contains the structure of the combined objective function. This is expanded upon
below.
Invoking MultiOpt
The most basic way to invoke MultiOpt is using a command line of the following form:
MultiOpt nastran n deck1.dat deckn.dat coef c1 c2 ..cn mem m1 m2..scr=sopt [options]
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A more flexible form of the input, which supports all of the previous features, and also allows for running
jobs in parallel across different machines is:
Multiopt file.xml
Where file.xml is of the form:
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<rc name="MultiOpt" >
<path name="/nastran" />
<Job name="deck1" coef = "c1" blocking="bopt" node="platform1 " mem="m1" scr="sopt" args=" " />
<Job name="deck2" coef = "c2" blocking="bopt" node="platform2" mem="m2" scr="sopt" args=" " />
<Merge mem="mm" scr="sopt" args=" " />
</rc>
where:
Option Description
nastran A name to invoke the relevant Nastran executable (e.g., /nast/bin/nast2008)
N Number of models to be merged (1 < n < 6)
Jobname= For the xml form, indicates the subsequent data is a job name
deck1.dat Name of the first input data model
deckn.dat Name of the nth input data model
coef
coef=
A flag to indicate the following input is objective weighting coefficients
For the xml form, indicates the subsequent data is a coefficient for this model
c1 Coefficient that provides the objective weighting for the first model
(Default = 1.0)
c2 Coefficient that provides the objective weighting for the second model
(Default = 0.0)
Cn Coefficient that provides the objective weighting for the nth model
(Default = 0.0)
Mem
Mem=
A flag to indicate the following input are memory requests for the individual
models. If this flag is not used all models require the same amount of memory.
For the xml form, indicates the subsequent data is a memory request for this
model
m1 Memory for the first model and also for the merge operation in the basic
MultiOpt invoking
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Combining the Objectives
Combining objectives from several models relies on a DRESP2 that has to be constructed with some
specific rules:
1. The DRESP2 must have a DTABLE with nmod (the number of models) LABLi values. The
value specified for the first LABL1 must be 1.0 and the subsequent LABLi values must be zero.
In this way, the objective of the first model is simply the first response.
2. The DRESP2 must have either nmod DRESP1 quantities or nmod DRESP2 quantities. It is not
possible to mix DRESP2 and DRESP1 responses in the combined objective.
The DEQATN that corresponds to the DRESP2 performs a linear addition of the responses:
Any other form for specifying the combined response will produce unpredictable results.
If no combining of objectives is desired, the COEF flag can be omitted from the input or, if COEF is
specified, c1 must be 1.0 and c2,c3..cn must be 0.0.
m2 Memory for the second model
mn Memory for the nth model
Mm Memory for the merge operation
Node=platform For the xml form, indicates the this job is to be run on the indicated computer.
Default is to run on the local platform
Blocking=bopt For the xml form, indicates whether that job is to be run in parallel or serially.
Blocking =yes (Default) runs the job serially while blocking=no enables
running the job in parallel.
Scr=sopt Option for scr=yes or no. Scr=yes is recommended.
args=value Any command line option of the form args=value that is a valid Nastran
command line option.
Option Description
Note: The user is required to specifically identify the directory where the executable resides.
This would be something like /nast/bin/nast2000t1. This limitation is due to the fact that
the MultiOpt has been written using FORTRAN and the utilities required for embedding
the Nastran path within the manager have not been identified.
COBJ C
i
= OBJ
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Output
The separate models each provide their separate .f06 files and any other outputs that would be expected
from a SOL 200 run. There is also a merge.f06 file produced from the optimization portion of the process
and could provide some insight into how the optimization is progressing and highlight any problems.
The toolkit application scrolls .log information to the screen while the process so that no .log files are
produced. The process generates a debug file named multiopt.log that may be of some benefit in
showing the problem when the process breaks down.
Test Case and Examples
This section provides details on a test case that is both simple and exercises many of the developed
features. The example is based on the tpl deck dsoug1.dat and is the classic three bar truss example. The
dsoug1.dat example has two subcases. For purposes of this demonstration, the deck has been divided into
two separate models, each with a single subcase. The first deck is named cobj and contains the design
model as it is in dsoug1 and applies only the second subcase. Also, the DLINK entry has been removed
(this was for the purposes of the test and not a requirement). The second deck is called sub2d and applies
the first load case and also removes the second DESVAR (and therefore the design of the vertical truss)
from the design task. Another difference from the dsoug1.dat deck is the cobj deck has a DESOBJ that
points to a DRESP2 that is to be used to combine the two weight objectives from the separate models.
(This is a contrived objective that demonstrates how to combine objectives but does not have any
physical meaning.) The following input shows portions of the input stream for cobj.dat with the items of
interest to this capability highlighted in bold.
ID MSC, D200X1 $ V68 G_MOORE 24-MAR-1994
TIME 10 $
diag 8,15 $
SOL 200 $ OPTIMIZATION
CEND
TITLE = SYMMETRIC THREE BAR TRUSS DESIGN OPTIMIZATION - D200X1
SUBTITLE = BASELINE - 2 CROSS SECTIONAL AREAS AS DESIGN VARIABLES
label = this run only contains the second subcase of test deck d200x1
$ it is run in conjunction with sub2d.dat
ECHO = SORT
SPC = 100
dsaprt=all
DISP(plot) = ALL
STRESS(plot) = ALL
DESOBJ(MIN) = 200 $ (DESIGN OBJECTIVE = DRESP2 ID)
DESMOD=SUB1
DESSUB = 21 $ DEFINE CONSTRAINT SET FOR BOTH SUBCASES
ANALYSIS = STATICS
SUBCASE 2
LABEL = LOAD CONDITION 2
LOAD = 310
BEGIN BULK
$...DESIGN VARIABLE DEFINITION
$DESVAR,ID, LABEL, XINIT, XLB, XUB, DELXV(OPTIONAL)
DESVAR, 1, A1, 1.0, 0.1, 100.0
DESVAR, 2, A2, 2.0, 0.1, 100.0
DESVAR, 3, A3, 1.0, 0.1, 100.0
$
$...DEFINITION OF DESIGN VARIABLE TO ANALYSIS MODEL PARAMETER RELATIONS
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$DVPREL1,ID, TYPE, PID, FID, PMIN, PMAX, C0, , +
$+, DVID1, COEF1, DVID2, COEF2, ...
DVPREL1 10 PROD 11 4 0.0 +DP1
+DP1, 1, 1.0
DVPREL1,20, PROD, 12, 4, , , , , +DP2
+DP2, 2, 1.0
DVPREL1,30, PROD, 13, 4, , , , , +DP3
+DP3, 3, 1.0
$...STRUCTURAL RESPONSE IDENTIFICATION
$DRESP1,ID, LABEL, RTYPE, PTYPE, REGION, ATTA, ATTB, ATT1, +
$+, ATT2, ...
DRESP1, 20, W , WEIGHT
DRESP1, 21, U4, DISP , , , 1, , 4
DRESP1, 22, V4, DISP , , , 2, , 4
DRESP1, 23, S1, STRESS, PROD, , 2, , 11
DRESP1, 24, S2, STRESS, PROD, , 2, , 12
DRESP1, 25, S3, STRESS, PROD, , 2, , 13
dresp2 200 cobj 200
dtable coef1 cdum2
dresp1 20 21
dtable coef1 1.0 cdum2 0.0
deqatn 200 cobj(c1,cdum2,obj1,odum2) = c1 * obj1 + cdum2 * odum2
$
ENDDATA
The DESVAR/DVPREL1 Bulk Data entries set up design variables for each of the three rod elements in
this case. The DESMOD=SUB1 identifies design model as SUB1. The DESOBJ = 200 points to the
DRESP2 that is shown at the bottom of the extracted data. It is seen that the objective is perceived as
being the weighted sum of a DRESP1 that is the weight response plus a DRESP1 that is a displacement
response. Since the weighting terms are 1.0 and 0.0, the objective for this model is actually the weight
of the model, but this sets up the combined objective for the merged model.
The second model is input from the sub2d.dat input and has a different loading condition and a different
(i.e., DESMOD=SUB2) DESMOD value and a different design model from COBJ. A portion of this
input file is listed here:
TIME 10 $
diag 8,15 $
SOL 200 $ OPTIMIZATION
CEND
TITLE = SYMMETRIC THREE BAR TRUSS DESIGN OPTIMIZATION - D200X1
SUBTITLE = BASELINE - 2 CROSS SECTIONAL AREAS AS DESIGN VARIABLES
label = this run contains subcase 1 of d200x1
ECHO = SORT
SPC = 100
DISP(plot) = ALL
STRESS(plot) = ALL
DESOBJ(MIN) = 20 $ (DESIGN OBJECTIVE = DRESP1 ID)
DESSUB = 21 $ DEFINE CONSTRAINT SET
desmod = SUB2
ANALYSIS = STATICS
SUBCASE 1
LABEL = LOAD CONDITION 1
LOAD = 300
BEGIN BULK
$
$...DESIGN VARIABLE DEFINITION
$DESVAR,ID, LABEL, XINIT, XLB, XUB, DELXV(OPTIONAL)
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DESVAR, 1, A1, 1.0, 0.1, 100.0
DESVAR, 3, A3, 1.0, 0.1, 100.0
$
$...DEFINITION OF DESIGN VARIABLE TO ANALYSIS MODEL PARAMETER RELATIONS
$DVPREL1,ID, TYPE, PID, FID, PMIN, PMAX, C0, , +
$+, DVID1, COEF1, DVID2, COEF2, ...
DVPREL1 10 PROD 11 4 0.0 +DP1
+DP1, 1, 1.0
DVPREL1,30, PROD, 13, 4, , , , , +DP3
+DP3, 3, 1.0
$
$...STRUCTURAL RESPONSE IDENTIFICATION
$DRESP1,ID, LABEL, RTYPE, PTYPE, REGION, ATTA, ATTB, ATT1, +
$+, ATT2, ...
DRESP1, 20, W , WEIGHT
$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
ENDDATA
In this case, only two design variables are defined so that the vertical member of the three bar truss is not
being designed. The objective is simply the weight in this case.
The command line for submitting this job is of the form:
MultiOpt /nast/bin/nast2008 2 cobj sub2d coef 1.0 0.5 scr=yes
The coef 1.0 0.5 replaces the DTABLE terms of the cobj.dat shown above so that the combined objective
is all of the weight of the first model plus half the weight of the second. Again, this is a contrived
objective with no particular physical meaning.
Performing this task results in three .f06 files: cobj.f06, sub2d.f06 and merge.f06. The first two contain
the results from exercising the individual models and each has a final design optimization history. The
final design achieved by this process is not intuitive in that the vertical rod in the cobj model is at its
minimum gage and the two angled rods do not have the same value. An inspection of the optimization
behavior in the third .f06 file produced by this process, merge.f06, provides assurance that the numbers
used in the optimization are correct and that therefore the final result is credible.
Guidelines and Limitations
It is necessary to impose some ground rules/limitations on the users to insure that the combining of
models is well posed. These include:
1. Each model must have a unique DESMOD Case Control command.
2. Design variables that are to be shared across models must have the same ID.
3. It is an error to have Design Variables in the separate models that share an ID but have different
label, XLB,XUB , XVAL or DDVAL information.
4. Designed properties are assumed to be unique even when they are not. This is because it is almost
impossible to verify that the design properties are actually identical (e.g; a DVPREL1 that has
identical input may actually be referring to a completely different PSHELL entry in terms of its
physical meaning.)
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
5. Support for shape optimization is minimal in that it the separate models must have the same
topology.
6. Topology optimization is not supported, nor is fully stressed design or ESLNRO (see
Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release), 327).
7. It is expected that running multiple models with MultiOpt will consume more cpu time than if the
identical task could be carried out within a single model. This is primarily due to the overhead
of merging and partitioning data from the separate models and this cost is not expected to be large.
8. Up to five separate models can be merged.
9. If the xml form of the input file is used, the separate jobs can be
a. Run on separate homogeneous machines
b. Have a separate memory request
c. Be run serially or in parallel
10. The feature that allows the user to define an overall objective that is the weighted sum of
individual objective imposes the additional requirement of defining an objective in the first model
that represents the desired final model, but with dummy coefficients and objectives. This is
described in the Input , 273.
11. The process has been demonstrated on AIX and Linux 64 bit machines and Windows.
Additional Documentation
Using Multiopt in the MD Nastran 2010 Installation and Operations Guide has information on invoking
the MultiOpt Utility. More information on the DESMOD Case Control command can be found in
DESMOD (p. 271) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
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280
Part Superelement Optimization Enhancements
Introduction
Part Superelements are a method for defining superelements by having a completely independent bulk
data for each Superelement. One advantage of Part Superelements is that bulk data for various
components or subassemblies can be easily assembled without the need to renumber GRIDs, properties,
etc. Another advantage is that parameters are independent for each superelement. The method for
defining Part Superelements in MD Nastran is by the delimiter BEGIN SUPER=seid, where seid is the
user-defined Superelement Identification number. Note that the residual structure is defined in the main
Bulk Data Section (BEGIN BULK, or BEGIN SUPER=0). The residual structure is also designated as a
Part Superelement with seid=0. The residual structure includes the effects of all the upstream Part
Superelements and is used to calculate the solution vector. For more information on Superelements and
Part Superelements, refer to the MSC Nastran 2001 Superelement Users Guide.
Part Superelement Optimization was introduced in MD Nastran R3 with the limitation that the design
variables, responses, and constraints for SOL 200 optimization were required to be defined in the main
Bulk Data Section. With the MD Nastran 2010 release, Part Superelement Optimization extends the
design model in SOL 200 to allow design of upstream Part Superelements in addition to the residual
structure.
Benefits
Part Superelement technology is widely used in the Aerospace and Automotive industry to assemble bulk
data models from various sources. Some advantages of Part Superelement technology include automatic
connections based on geometry searches and the ability to have completely independent bulk data.
Extending the design model to Part Superelements will allow users great flexibility in assembling models
and performing design optimization using Part Superelement technology. Design variable, response, and
constraint definition for Part Superelement Optimization can include the residual structure and all Part
Superelement(s). Design variables can be linked across Part Superelements. In addition synthetic
responses can include responses from different Part Superelements are supported with new Bulk Data
entries, namely SEDLINK, SEDRSP2, and SEDRSP3.
Input
Each Partitioned Superelement may contain traditional Solution 200 bdf entries such as DESVAR,
DVPREL1, DRESP1, etc. The new bulk data entries are introduced to support cross boundary Part
Superelement design variable linking and synthetic responses. These new bulk data entries are for Part
Superelement only and must involve quantities from more than one Part Superelement. See additional
comments and remarks for Bulk Data entries SEDLINK, SEDRSP2, and SEDRSP3 (p. 3093) in the MD
Nastran Quick Reference Guide. These bulk data entries must be specified in the residual Bulk Data
Section.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SEDLINK ID DSEID DDVID C0 CMULT ISEID1 IDV1 C1
ISEID2 IDV2 C2 ISEID3 IDV3 C3
ISEID4 IDV4 C4 -etc.-
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SEDRSP2 ID LABEL EQID or
FUNC
REGION METHOD C1 C2 C3
DESVAR DVSEID1 DVID1 DVSEID2 DVID2 DVSEID3 DVID3
DVSEID4 DVID4 -etc.-
DTABLE LBSEID1 LABL1 LBSEID2 LABL2 LBSEID3 LABL3
LBSEID4 LABL4 -etc.-
DRESP1 R1SEID1 NR1 R1SEID2 NR2 R1SEID3 NR3
R1SEID4 NR4 -etc.-
DNODE NDSEID1 G1 CMP1 NDSEID2 G2 CMP2
NDSEID3 G3 CMP3 -etc.-
DVPREL1 P1SEID1 DPIP1 P1SEID2 DPIP2 P1SEID3 DPIP3
P1SEID4 DPIP4 -etc.-
DVCREL1 C1SEID1 DCIC1 C1SEID2 DCIC2 C1SEID3 DCIC3
C1SEID4 DCIC4 -etc.-
DVMREL1 M1SEID1 DMIM1 M1SEID2 DMIM2 M1SEID3 DMIM3
M1SEID4 DMIM4 -etc.-
DVPREL2 P2SEID1 PDI2P1 P2SEID2 DPI2P2 P2SEID3 DPI2P3
P2SEID4 DPI2P4 -etc.-
DVCREL2 C2SEID1 DC12C1 C2SEID2 DC12C2 C2SEID3 DC12C3
C2SEID4 DCI2C4 -etc.-
DVMREL2 M2SEID1 DM12M1 M2SEID2 DMI2M2 M2SEID3 DM12M3
M2SEID4 DMI2M4 -etc.-
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SEDRSP3 ID LABEL GROUP TYPE REGION
DESVAR DVSEID1 DVID1 DVSEID2 DVID2 DVSEID3 DVID3
DVSEID4 DVID4 -etc.-
DTABLE LBSEID1 LABL1 LBSEID2 LABL2 LBSEID3 LABL3
LBSEID4 LABL4 -etc.-
DRESP1 R1SEID1 NR1 R1SEID2 NR2 R1SEID3 NR3
R1SEID4 NR4 -etc.-
DNODE NDSEID1 G1 CMP1 NDSEID2 G2 CMP2
NDSEID3 G3 CMP3 -etc.-
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For user convenience, specifying PARAM,PSENPCH,YES will write the updated bulk data entries into
separate .pch files for each Part Superelement, and each design cycle. Note that the number of design
cycles that are output is dependant on the value of PARAM,DESPCH. The advantage of specifying
PARAM,PSENPCH,YES is that each of the .pch files with the updated design bulk data can be used to
replace the original model with an INCLUDE entry after the appropriate BEGIN SUPER=seid. If
PARAM,SPENPCH,YES is not specified, the updated bulk data entries for all Part Superelements are
written to a single .pch file which will require the user to manually extract each Part Superelement
model from the .pch file and place it in the appropriate BEGIN SUPER=seid section of the Bulk Data
Section.
Output
For SOL 200 with design models in each Part Superelement, the .f06 output is similar to non Part
Superelement optimization jobs. There are some minor differences that are specific to Part
Superelements only.
DVPREL1 P1SEID1 DPIP1 P1SEID2 DPIP2 P1SEID3 DPIP3
P1SEID4 DPIP4 -etc.-
DVCREL1 C1SEID1 DCIC1 C1SEID2 DCIC2 C1SEID3 DCIC3
C1SEID4 DCIC4 -etc.-
DVMREL1: M1SEID1 DMIM1 M1SEID2 DMIM2 M1SEID3 DMIM3
M1SEID4 DMIM4 -etc.-
DVPREL1 P2SEID DPI2P1 P2SEID2 DPI2P2 P2SEID3 DPI2P3
P2SEID4 DPI2P4 -etc.-
DVCREL2 C2SEID1 DC12C1 C2SEID2 DCI2C2 C2SEID3 DCI2C3
C2SEID4 DCI2C4 -etc.-
DVMREL2 M2SEID DMI2M1 M2SEID2 DMI2M2 M2SEID3 DMI2M3
M2SEID4 DMI2M4 -etc.-
USRDATA String
-etc.-
PARAM,PSENPCH Default=NO. Setting PSENPCH to YES causes updated bulk data
entries of a Part Superelement for a design cycle punched to a
separate file named as follows
JOBNAME_psexx_yy.pch Where xx is for Part Superelement ID and yy is for design cycle.
Note that PARAM, PSENPCH has no effect for non-Part Superelement run.
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Comparison Between Input Property Values from Analysis and Design Models
This section of the .f06 will repeat for the design model of each Part Superelement. A sample for a Part
Superelement is shown as follows:
Please note that the Part Superelement ID shows up in the title line of a page. In addition, residual Part
Superelement will get two versions of above output, first and last. If there are differences between design
and analysis model for residual Part Superelement, the differences will show up in the first version.
1 DOUBLE FLYSWATTER MODEL $ ANALYSIS USING PART SUPERELEMENTS JANUARY 13, 2009 MD NASTRAN 1/12/09 PAGE 39
S.E. STATICS - MULTIPLE LOADS SUPERELEMENT 4
0
----- COMPARISON BETWEEN INPUT PROPERTY VALUES FROM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN MODELS -----
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY ANALYSIS DESIGN LOWER UPPER DIFFERENCE SPAWNING
TYPE ID NAME VALUE VALUE BOUND BOUND FLAG FLAG
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
PSHELL 4 T 5.000000E-02 5.000000E-02 5.000000E-03 1.000000E+20 NONE
1. THE DIFFERENCE FLAG IS USED TO CHARACTERIZE DIfFERENCES BETWEEN ANALYSIS AND DESIGN MODEL PROPERTIES:
IF THE FLAG IS NONE, THEN THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO VALUES.
IF THE FLAG IS WARNING, THEN THE USER IS ADVISED THAT DIFFERENCES EXIST AND THE DESIGN MODEL
IS BEING USED TO OVERRIDE THE ANALYSIS MODEL.
IF THE FLAG IS FATAL, THEN THE DIFFERENCES ARE GREATER THAN 1.00000E+35 AND THE RUN WILL BE TERMINATED.
2. THE SPAWNING FLAG (*) INDICATES THAT THE SPAWNED PROPERTY IS DERIVED EITHER FROM THE BEAM CROSS SECTION
LIBRARY OR FROM A PBEAM ENTRY. THE PROPERTY ID FOR THE SPAWNED PROPERTY IS IDENTICAL TO ITS PARENT.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Part Superelement Optimization Enhancements
284
Updated Bulk Data Entries
The updated bulk data entries are punched into either a single or multiple .pch file(s). It can be
controlled by PARAM,PSENPCH,YESas described previously. A sample punched updated bulk data
entries for a Part Superelement is shown as follows:
Listing 12-1 Partitioned Superelement punch output for PARAM,PSENPCH,YES
Guidelines and Limitations
1. For each Part Superelement, the design model specifying design variables, responses, and
constraints must be located in the corresponding 'BEGIN SUPER=seid' section.
2. DESVAR, DVxRELi, and DRESPi IDS can be reused in superelements - i.e. each Part
Superelement may define DESVAR,1 DRESP1,1, etc. Note that DESIGN VARIABLE
HISTORY output will not distinguish the SEID, therefore, it is suggested that unique ids be used
whenever practical.
3. SEDLINK, SEDRSP2, and SEDRSP3 must be placed in the main bulk data section before
'BEGIN SUPER=seid' (for seid>0).
4. For Part Superelement, DCONSTR entries can reside in each individual Part Superelement Bulk
Data Section starting with BEGIN SUPER=seid. If DCID is different from a Part Superelement
to the next, DCONADD in the main Bulk Data Section can be defined to group DCONSTR
entries together for reference by DESSUB. Note that DCONADD entries in BEGIN
SUPER=seid where seid>0 will be ignored.
5. Part Superelement optimization does not support topology (TOPVAR), topography
(BEADVAR), or topometry (TOMVAR) optimization.
$ ******************************
$ * *
$ * PART SE 2 *
$ * *
$ ******************************
$
$ *************************************************************
$ * *
$ * CONTINUOUS DESIGN CYCLE NUMBER = 5 *
$ * *
$ *************************************************************
$
$ ******************************
$ * *
$ * PART SE 2 *
$ * *
$ ******************************
$
$ UPDATED DESIGN MODEL DATA ENTRIES
$
DESVAR * 102T2 1.00000001E-01 1.00000001E-01+D 1V
*D 1V 1.00000000E+01
$ ******************************
$ * *
$ * PART SE 2 *
$ * *
$ ******************************
$
$ UPDATED ANALYSIS MODEL DATA ENTRIES
$
PSHELL* 2 2 5.00000035E-03 2*
* 1.00000000E+00 2 8.33333313E-01 0.00000000E+00*
* 0 *
*
Main Index
285
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
6. Design Responses for Image Part Superelements (copies, mirrors, etc. via SEBULK Bulk Data
entry) are supported in the design model.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in TPL library tpl\pse_200:
d200pse1, d200pse2, d200pse3, p200pse6, d200pse7, d200pse8, d200psea and d200pseb
TPL Problem d200pse1.dat
The double-headed fly swatter model will be used to demonstrate Part Superelement Optimization with
the design model including DESVAR from each Part.
Figure 12-2 Example problem d200pse1
Main Index
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Part Superelement Optimization Enhancements
286
The case control is similar to case control and design model definition is similar to non Part Superelement
optimization files. Note that the DESSUB in the case control points to the DCONSTR in each Part
Superelement.
Listing 12-2 Partial input for file /pse_200/d200pse7.dat
$ tpl problem d200pse7.dat
$ Case control
$
ANALYSIS = STATICS $
DESOBJ(MIN)=1001
DESSUB = 100 $ all DCONSTR with ID = 100 will be considered
$
$ tpl problem d200pse7.dat
BEGIN BULK
$ design model for se 0
DCONSTR 100 801 -7.00 7.00
DCONSTR 100 802 -7.00 7.00
DESVAR 110 T10 1.0 .1 10.0
DRESP1 801 RESG12Z DISP 3 13
DRESP1 802 RESG23Z DISP 3 23
DRESP1 1001 WEIGHT WEIGHT
DVPREL1 10 PSHELL 10 T .005
110 .05
BEGIN SUPER=1
$ design model for SE 1
DCONSTR 100 101 -7.00 7.00
DCONSTR 100 102 -7.00 7.00
DESVAR 101 T1 1.0 .1 10.0
DESVAR 1001 GE_1 1. 0.1 10.
DRESP1 101 S1G57Z DISP 3 57
DRESP1 102 S1G93Z DISP 3 93
DVMREL1 1001 MAT1 1 GE .005
++0000031001 .05
DVPREL1 1 PSHELL 1 T .005
++000001101 .05
$ each BEGIN SUPER has additions to the design model
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
The output is similar to output from non Part Superelement Optimization runs, as an example, the Design
Variable History for d200pse1.dat is:
Listing 12-3 Design Variable History Partitioned Superelements
TPL Problem d200pse7.dat
TPL problem d200pse7.dat provides an example of defining a synthesized response using design
components that span multiple Part Superelements. The SEDRSP2 entry is similar to the DRESP2 entry
with the exception that an SEID qualifier is required for each design component that is used in the
synthesized response.
Listing 12-4 Example of SEDRSP2 in file /pse_200/d200pse7.dat
GUI Support for Part Superelement Optimization
Pre Processing
Patran supports Part Superelement and Optimization, however, all the design data will be written to the
main bulk data section. The user will have to manually adjust the location of the design entries.
Alternatively, the user can use the Patran group option to write out each Part Superelement to an
individual bulk data file and then use INCLUDE files to assemble the final models and design models.
$ tpl problem d200pse7.dat
$ design model for se 0 (continued)
$ synthesized response across SE
SEDRSP2 818 AVERD 108
$ SEID DVID SEID DVID
DESVAR 2 102 5 105
$ SEID const SEID const
DTABLE 3 CONST3 6 CONST6
$ SEID RESPID SEID RESPID SEID RESPID
DRESP1 0 801 1 101 3 301
6 601
$ SEID PRELID SEID PRELID
DVPREL1 4 4 7 7
$ SEID MRELID
DVMREL1 1 1001
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Part Superelement Optimization Enhancements
288
There is no direct Patran support for the SEDLINK, SEDRSP2, and SEDRSP3 entries, nor
PARAM,PSENPCH. These entries could be added via Direct Text Input, or the bdf can be modified
before job submission.
SimXpert does not currently support SOL 200 Design Optimization.
Post Processing
With PARAM,POST,-1 the objective, maximum constraint, and design variable history data will be
written to the OP2 and available for post-processing by Patran as normal.
SimXpert does not currently support Optimization.
Main Index
289
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients
Introduction
One component of the design model in gradient based design optimization is the design response
definition. A design response can be used as an objective or a constraint can be placed on the response
to bound the optimization space. A simple example of an objective is to minimize the weight. Constraint
can be as simple as von Mises stress must be less than 20,000 psi, or as complex as a subroutine that
calculates multiple margins of safety based on stress, stability, empirical, and manufacturing
considerations. In MD Nastran, there are three types of responses:
1. Direct responses are output quantities generated by a typical MD Nastran analysis. Examples are
Weight, Frequency, Stress, Displacement, etc. Direct responses are specified for the design
model by specifying DRESP1Bulk Data entries.
2. Equation based responses can be defined by the user based on current design model values and
constants. The equation based responses can be quite extensive and allow the user great flexibility
in defining a synthesized response. The DRESP2 is used to define equation based results.
3. External responses are available by calling a user supplied subroutine. This type of response gives
the user ultimate flexibility by allowing the designer to write his own subroutines that can include
empirical based tables, conditional clauses, loops, etc. in defining the response. The DRESP3is
used to define the inputs and external response server used to calculate the responses.
Sensitivity analysis is performed to calculate the gradient of each response with respect to each design
variable. Additional information on design optimization in MD Nastran can be found in the MD Nastran
Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide.
The MD Nastran R3 release enhanced DRESP3 by returning multiple responses, providing for analytic
gradients, and using a more efficient algorithm when there are many more DRESP1s in the DRESP3
than there are design variables. The MD Nastran 2010 release has added a feature that allows the user to
specify that gradients of the DRESP3 with respect to the design are to be considered invariant during the
approximate optimization task.
Benefits
In the approximate optimization task, DRESP3 gradients have been calculated using central differencing
techniques. For a DRESP3 with 100 arguments, this entails 200 calls to the server for a single gradient
calculation. This can be a performance burden if the server call is non-trivial. For this reason, it was
decided to implement invariant gradient approach which assumes the gradient is not a strong function of
the individual arguments. The approximate optimizer does not have to make any calls to the server.
Input
The format of the DRESP3 Bulk Data entry is unchanged. The user is required to modify the R3SGRT
server subroutine that supplies MD Nastran with the information on the number of responses and the type
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients
290
of gradient evaluation desired. Prior to MD Nastran R3, the only gradient option that was supported was
finite difference so there was no need for the user to specify the method to be used. MD Nastran R3
provided two options for the gradient type and this was specified in the R3SGRT subroutine by
specifying a GRDTYP for each response. With MD Nastran 2010, the number of options is four:
GRDTYP = 1 specifies that analytic gradients will be provided by the user and they will be
computed explicitly during the approximate optimization task
GRDTYP = 2 specifies that analytic gradients will be provided by the user and they will be
considered invariant during the optimization task.
GRDTYP = 3 specifies that finite difference techniques will be required to compute gradient
information and they will be computed explicitly during the approximate optimization task.
GRDTYP = 4 specifies that finite difference techniques will be required to compute gradient
information and they will be considered invariant during the approximate optimization task.
The user provided R3SVALD subroutine that evaluates the DRESP3 response does not need to be
modified as a result of this enhancement.
Output
There is no change to the existing output formats.
Examples
There are two tests cases in the TPL subdirectory /tpl/edresp3_08 that demonstrate the invariant dresp3
capability:
dresp3fi.dat This file calculates all the gradients using finite difference methods and considers the
gradients to be invariant during the approximate optimization task (i.e., GRDTYP = 4).
dresp3fo.dat This file calculates all the gradients using all four methods. The R3SGRT subroutine in
this case has the following specification:
Listing 12-5 Updated input for subroutine R3SGRT
PARAMETER(NTYPES=5)
CHARACTER*8 R3TYPE(NTYPES)
C
DATA R3TYPE/'TYPE88 ','TYPE91 ', 'TYPE92 ', 'TYPE93 ',
1 'TYPE94 '/

ERROR = 0
nresp = 1
DO 100 ITYPE = 1, NTYPES
IF (TYPNAM .EQ. R3TYPE(1)) THEN
grdtyp(1) = 3
go to 200
else IF (TYPNAM .EQ. R3TYPE(2)) THEN
grdtyp(1) = 1
go to 200
else IF (TYPNAM .EQ. R3TYPE(3)) THEN
Main Index
291
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
grdtyp(1) = 2
go to 200
else IF (TYPNAM .EQ. R3TYPE(4)) THEN
grdtyp(1) = 3
go to 200
else IF (TYPNAM .EQ. R3TYPE(5)) THEN
grdtyp(1) = 4
go to 200
else
ERROR = BADTYP
END IF
100 CONTINUE
It is seen that the user is able to specify the gradient type as a function of the response name.
Guidelines and Limitations
Modifying Existing Server Subroutines
The enhanced capability does not require any changes in the MD Nastran input files that have been
developed to utilize the DRESP3, but it does require changes in the R3SGRT server subroutine relative
to the MD Nastran R3 capability (see the MD Nastran R3 Release Guide to see the changes in this
subroutine due to the analytic gradient and multiple response enhancements). To retain the current
capability for an existing DRESP3, the changes required in the R3SGRT subroutine are to:
1. Change existing GRDTYP(i) = -2 to GRDTYP(i) = 3
2. Change existing GRDTYP(i)= 2 to GRDTYP(i) = 1
No changes are required to the R3SVALD subroutine relative to the MD Nastran R3 capability.
Other Guidelines
In R3SGRT, GRDTYP needs to be defined for all NRESP responses and the values must be either 1, 2,
3 or 4. It is an error if any other value is used.
MSC currently does not have test cases that allow an evaluation of the relative performance of the
various gradient options. However, one can make the following recommendations:
1. If the DRESP3 evaluations are cheap and simple, GRDTYP = 1 (analytic, variant) is
recommended.
2. If the DRESP3 evaluations are simple, but expensive, GRPTYP = 2 (analytic, invariant) is
recommended. It would seem that this option would be rarely needed.
3. If the DRESP3 evaluations are not simple, but still cheap, GRDTYP = 3 (finite difference,
variant) is recommended.
4. If the DRESP3 evaluation are complex and expensive, GRDTYP = 4 (finite difference, invariant)
is recommended.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients
292
The invariant gradients will not provide as accurate a calculation as the variable ones so it becomes a
trade-off between the time spent performing the optimization and possible more design iterations to reach
the final design. It is expected that this new capability will be used sparingly, but will provide a dramatic
improvement in CPU time in special circumstances.
The current limitation that all GRDTYPs for a particular TYPE be the same is retained for this project.
The GRDTYPs do not need to all be the same for all the DRESP3s in an input file. That is, one can
specify analytic variant gradients (GRDTYP = 1) for one TYPE and finite difference, invariant gradients
(GRDTYP = 4) for another type.
Additional Information
Building and Using DR3SERV (p. 253) in the MD Nastran 2010 Installation and Operations Guide has
information on installing and running the DR3SERV, the server associated with the DRESP3.
GUI Support for Invariant DRESP3 Gradients
Pre Processing
Since Invariant DRESP3 Gradients is invoked by modifying the DRESP3 fortran server routine, there is
no need for GUI support.
Post Processing
There are no additional post-processing requirements associated for Invariant DRESP3 Gradients.
Main Index
293
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Design of Monitor Points
Introduction
Monitor points is a generic name for four types of output requests. The MD Nastran R1 Release Guide
provided the most comprehensive discussion of these inputs. Briefly,
1. MONPNT1 The MONPNT1 provides integrated loads at a user defined point in a user defined
coordinate system.
2. MONPNT2 The MONPNT2 provides element results (e.g., Stress, Strain, Force)
3. MONPNT3 The MONPNT3 provides a summation of grid point forces at a user specified monito
points.
4. MONDSP1 The MONDSP1 allows for the sampling of a displacement vector to create a blended
displacement response at a user specified point and coordinate system.
With the release of MD Nastran 2010, each of the MONPNT1, MONPNT3 and MONDSP1 quantities
can now be specified as design response quantities on the DRESP1entry. The MONPNT2 capability for
element results effectively duplicates existing DRESP1 response quantities, so MONPNT2 is not
supported.
Benefits
The user of this capability is likely to be an investigator who wants to control a load path in an aeroelastic
analysis. This is a sophisticated application that is related to aeroelastic tailoring, implying that it will be
done in conjunction with composites. Its likely that our users will find other applications that are
currently undefined.
Input
The existing DRESP1 entry now has 5 additional options. The following is extracted from the
description of the entry DRESP1 (p. 1644) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide:
Response Type ATTA ATTB ATTi
STMONP1 Component (see Remark 36.) Blank Blank
STMOND1 Component (see Remark 36.) Blank Blank
MONPNT3 Component (see Remark 36.) Blank Blank
AEMONP1 Component (see Remark 36.) Blank Blank
AEMOND1 Component (see Remark 36.) Blank Blank
Main Index
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Design of Monitor Points
294
36. For monitor point responses (RTYPE = STMONP1, STMOND1, MONPNT3 AEMONP1 or
AEMOND1) the ATTA field specifies the components to be extracted. These can be any subset
of the integers 1 through 6 that appear on the monitor quantity with the NAME provided in the
PTYPE field. All of these responses can be invoked in a static aeroelastic (ANALYSIS=SAERO)
subcase. STMONP1, STMOND1 and MONPNT3 can be invoked from a static
(ANALYSIS=STAT) subcase. The responses are not available in a dynamic response or normal
modes subcase. The response types have the following meaning:
a. STMONP1 A structural MONPNT1
b. STMOND1 A structural MONDSP1
c. MONPNT3 A MONPNT3
d. AEMONP1 An aerodynamic MONPNT1
e. AEMOND1 An aerodynamic MONDSP1
For all but the STMONP1, the response is the elastic monitor point value. For the STMONP1, it is the
elastic minus inertial plus elastic applied load value.
Output
The various response outputs have been modified to clearly identify Monitor Points.
Main Index
295
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Listing 12-6 Sample Monitor Point Response output identification.
Guidelines and Limitations
These new responses are only available for static and/or static aeroelastic subcases
(ANALYSIS=STATIC or ANALYSIS=SAERO). The extracted response value is typically the elastic
value printed in the .f06 file. An exception is the STMONP1. In this case, the response value is the sum
of elastic restrained minus the inertial plus the restrained applied values.
----- DESIGN CONSTRAINTS ON RESPONSES -----
(MAXIMUM RESPONSE CONSTRAINTS MARKED WITH **)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNAL EXTERNAL INTERNAL
INTERNAL DCONSTR RESPONSE DRESPx RESPONSE L/U REGION SUBCASE
ID ID ID ID TYPE FLAG ID ID VALUE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 100 10 3456 STMOND1 UPPER 0 10 2.3412E-01
2 100 11 4567 MONPNT3 LOWER 0 10 -2.7536E-01
3 100 8 5678 GPFORCE LOWER 5678 10 -2.7536E-01
4 100 8 5678 GPFORCE UPPER 5678 10 2.6273E-01**
5 100 9 5679 GPFORCE LOWER 5679 10 5.7648E-02
6 100 9 5679 GPFORCE UPPER 5679 10 -6.6978E-02
7 100 1 6543 EQUA UPPER 6543 10 6.6703E-02
----------------------------------------------------------------------
| R E S P O N S E S IN D E S I G N M O D E L |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----- MONITOR POINT RESPONSES -----
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNAL DRESP1 RESPONSE NAME COMPONENT LOWER UPPER
ID ID LABEL NO. BOUND VALUE BOUND
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 3456 STIP SWTIP 3 N/A 3.0853E+00 2.5000E+00
11 4567 SMP3 SPOINT 3 1.0000E+00 1.2754E+00 N/A
****************************************************************************
* *
* D E S I G N S E N S I T I V I T Y M A T R I X O U T P U T *
* *
* *
* R E S P O N S E S E N S I T I V I T Y C O E F F I C I E N T S *
* *
****************************************************************************


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRESP1 ID= 3456 RESPONSE TYPE= STMOND1 NAME = SWTIP COMP NO= 3 SEID= 0
SUBCASE RESP VALUE DESIGN VARIABLE COEFFICIENT DESIGN VARIABLE COEFFICIENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 3.0853E+00 1 INBD -8.0550E-01 2 SNDD -6.8049E-01

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRESP1 ID= 4567 RESPONSE TYPE= MONPNT3 NAME = SPOINT COMP NO= 3 SEID= 0
SUBCASE RESP VALUE DESIGN VARIABLE COEFFICIENT DESIGN VARIABLE COEFFICIENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 1.2754E+00 1 INBD 3.6495E+00 2 SNDD -3.9502E+00
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Design of Monitor Points
296
Test Cases
Three test cases are provided in the tpl subdirectory /tpl/ue_mdr4 that demonstrate this new capability:
TPL problem dmpa.dat
TPL problem dmpa.dat is a design sensitivity analysis with a single static aeroelastic subcase. The model
is a classic test case of a half-span 15 degree swept wing studied in NASA TN D-1824. The boundary
conditions are a wind tunnel mount and the ANALYSIS=SAERO is performed at a Mach Number of
0.45. Further description of the model and aeroelastic capabilities of MD Nastran can be found in the
Aeroelastic Analysis Users Guide, example problem ha144c.dat.
Figure 12-3 Example problem dmpa
The subcase invokes constraints on each type of monitor responses with constraints contrived to force
their retention. This test case is used to test the quality of the sensitivities. A part of the bulk data file
which contains the monitor points, the design response and their constraints is shown here:
Listing 12-7 Design Response definition for Monitor Points
mondsp1 swtip transverse disp and twist at wing tip
35 swtip 2.515 5.525
aecomp swtip set1 840
set1 840 8 16 24 32 40 23
Main Index
297
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
mondsp1 awtip pitch and plunge at the wing tip
123456 acaero 2.3 4.7
aecomp acaero aelist 101124
aelist 101124 101 thru 124
monpnt3 spoint contains results at a single grid
3 5 6 1.88124 3.1572 0.
set1 5 21
set1 6 12 19
set1 50 5 13 21 29 37
set1 60 5 12 19 26
set1 15 2 10 18 26 34
set1 16 2 9 16 23
set1 25 1 9 17 25 33
set1 26 1 8 15 22
monpnt1 outbd contains from the three outboard strips
123456 otbd 1.88124 3.1572
aecomp otbd set1 1234
set1 1234 5 thru 8 13 thru 16 37
21 thru 24 29 thru 32 38 39
40
monpnt1 aoutbd contains the three outboard aerodynamic strips
35 aotbd 1.88124 3.1572
aecomp aotbd aelist 1234
aelist 1234 113 thru 124
dresp1 1234 oaero aemonp1 aoutbd 3
dresp1 1235 tiptran aemond1 awtip 3
dresp1 1236 ostru stmonp1 outbd 3
dresp1 3456 stip stmond1 swtip 3
dresp1 4567 smp3 monpnt3 spoint 3
dresp1 6789 tipdis disp 3 24
8 16 32 40 23
$constr 200 1234 1.0 1.01
dconstr 200 1234 1.0 3.0
dconstr 200 1235 1.0 3.0
dconstr 200 1236 1.0 3.0
dconstr 200 3456 1.0 3.0
dconstr 200 4567 1.0 3.0
dconstr 200 6789 1.0 3.0
doptprm desmax 20 p1 1 p2 15 iprint 7
delb .01
It is seen that five monitor points are constructed, one for each of the available monitor types. In this
example, only the TZ (component 3) of each of the monitor points is being designed even though
multiple components are available from monitored quantities. A number of displacement constraints are
also specified to provide a qualitative assessment of the MONDSP1 results and their sensitivities.
TPL Problem dmoncants.dat
TPL problem dmoncants.dat is a variation of the TPL problem dmpa.dat and contains both a static
aeroelastic and a static subcase. In this example, constraints are placed on monitor point results that
require redesign in order to provide an optimal design. The weight is minimized while satisfying all the
imposed constraints. The bulk data sample shown in Listing 12-8 indicates that aeroelastic subcase
(ANALSYIS=SAERO with DESSUB=200) has placed upper bound limits on structural and
aerodynamic MONPNT1 responses, an aerodynamic MONDSP1 and a lower bound on a structural
MONDSP1. The static subcase (ANALYSIS=STATIC with DESSUB=100) applies a single, more
stringent limit on the structural MONDSP1.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Design of Monitor Points
298
Listing 12-8 Partial listing of TPL problem dmoncants.dat
mondsp1 swtip transverse disp and twist at wing tip
35 swtip 2.515 5.525
aecomp swtip set1 840
set1 840 8 16 24 32 40 23
mondsp1 awtip pitch and plunge at the wing tip
123456 acaero 2.3 4.7
aecomp acaero aelist 101124
aelist 101124 101 thru 124
monpnt3 spoint contains results at a single grid
3 5 6 1.88124 3.1572 0.
set1 5 21
set1 6 12 19
set1 50 5 13 21 29 37
set1 60 5 12 19 26
set1 15 2 10 18 26 34
set1 16 2 9 16 23
set1 25 1 9 17 25 33
set1 26 1 8 15 22
monpnt1 outbd contains from the three outboard strips
123456 otbd 1.88124 3.1572
aecomp otbd set1 1234
set1 1234 5 thru 8 13 thru 16 37
21 thru 24 29 thru 32 38 39
40
monpnt1 aoutbd contains the three outboard aerodynamic strips
35 aotbd 1.88124 3.1572
aecomp aotbd aelist 1234
aelist 1234 113 thru 124
dresp1 1234 oaero aemonp1 aoutbd 3
dresp1 1235 tiptran aemond1 awtip 3
dresp1 1236 ostru stmonp1 outbd 3
dresp1 3456 stip stmond1 swtip 5
dconstr 200 1234 6.5
dconstr 200 1235 2.0
dconstr 200 1236 6.5
dconstr 200 3456 -2.5
dconstr 100 3456 -2.0
TPL Problem dmp3.dat
TPL problem dmp3.dat is another variant of TPL problem dmpa.dat that provides an example of using
monpnt3 as a design quantity.
Listing 12-9 Partial listing of TPL problem dmpa.dat
MONPNT3 SPOINT CONTAINS RESULTS AT A SINGLE GRID
3 5 6 1.88124 3.1572 0.
DRESP1 4567 SMP3 MONPNT3 SPOINT 3
Reference Documents
The MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide provides a description of the input required for these new
responses while the Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide is a good resource for learning
about design optimization in MD Nastran.
Main Index
299
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
GUI Support for MONPNTi Optimization
Pre Processing
Neither Patran nor SimXpert supports MONPNTi definition or optimization.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Parallel Sensitivities
300
Parallel Sensitivities
Introduction
Design sensitivity and optimization in MD Nastran requires sensitivity calculation of the design
responses w.r.t. each design variable. Design sensitivity calculations can be a very costly portion of a
SOL 200 run for models with large numbers of design variables and large numbers of design responses.
The Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide provides great detail about design sensitivity
calculations in MD Nastran.
In MD Nastran 2010, design sensitivity calculations have been enhanced to be performed in a distributed
parallel (dmp) environment in SOL 200 of MD Nastran. The parallel implementation divides the
sensitivity task across a number of processors so that each processes a subset of the total number of
design variables. Following the sensitivity analysis and before optimization, the separate sensitivity data
are appended into a global sensitivity set.
Benefits
Parallel Sensitivity Analysis is aimed at users who have design optimization tasks that spend significant
time in the sensitivity calculation phase. This typically occurs for models with large dof, or there are
many (perhaps thousands) of design variables and the adjoint method of sensitivity analysis is either
unavailable or still time consuming.
Inputs
1. Specify the DOMAINSOLVERExecutive Control statement with the new DSA keyword. For
example:
DOMAINSOLVER DSA
Other DOMAINSOLVER options like ACMS, FREQ, and MODES may also be specified or
modified along with DSA. For example,
DOMAINSOLVER DSA ACMS
Note: DOMAINSOLVER options MODES and FREQ are defaults on with dmp keyword on the
Nastran submittal command, but the DSA option must be explicitly specified.
2. Specify the dmp=n keyword on the Nastran submittal command; where n is the number of
available processors.
Outputs
There are no new outputs. It should be noted that with dmp=n, by default, only the master processors
output (f04 and f06) is saved. slaveout=yes may be specified on the Nastran submittal command to
request the slaves output.
Main Index
301
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Test Cases
TPL problem /ugdesopt/dsoug7.dat involves a frequency response sizing optimization problem. As an
example, the Executive Control Section is modified as follows:
domainsolver acms dsa
SOL 200
cend
and the job is submitted with:
nastran dsoug7 dmp=2
The job converges after five design cycles and compares exactly with the serial results demonstrating
that the parallel sensitivity calculations provide the same answers.
Listing 12-10 Design Variable History for TPL problem ugdesopt/dsoug7.dat
Testing on larger models has demonstrated that the implementation of parallel sensitivity scales well for
statics. Similar performance is expected for other analysis disciplines and on all platforms that support
dmp.
Figure 12-4 Example problem dspdsa1 run with MEM=2Gb on IBM Power5
DESIGN VARIABLE HISTORY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
INTERNAL | EXTERNAL | |
DV. ID. | DV. ID. | LABEL | INITIAL : 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 :
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
1 | 1 | T1 | 8.0000E-02 : 9.6000E-02 : 9.6301E-02 : 9.9607E-02 : 9.8070E-02 : 1.0022E-01 :
2 | 2 | T2 | 8.0000E-02 : 7.7291E-02 : 8.4733E-02 : 8.3555E-02 : 8.5617E-02 : 8.3472E-02 :
3 | 3 | T3 | 8.0000E-02 : 6.6729E-02 : 6.6797E-02 : 7.0123E-02 : 6.9962E-02 : 6.8825E-02 :
4 | 4 | T4 | 8.0000E-02 : 6.7694E-02 : 5.6433E-02 : 4.8899E-02 : 4.5751E-02 : 4.3705E-02 :
5 | 5 | T5 | 8.0000E-02 : 7.3645E-02 : 6.4645E-02 : 5.6491E-02 : 5.1688E-02 : 4.9985E-02 :
6 | 6 | T6 | 8.0000E-02 : 7.9524E-02 : 7.4968E-02 : 7.1886E-02 : 7.3299E-02 : 7.4792E-02 :
7 | 7 | T7 | 8.0000E-02 : 8.5560E-02 : 8.6633E-02 : 8.6667E-02 : 8.9316E-02 : 9.1213E-02 :
8 | 8 | T8 | 8.0000E-02 : 9.4564E-02 : 1.0857E-01 : 1.1484E-01 : 1.1281E-01 : 1.1295E-01 :
9 | 9 | T9 | 8.0000E-02 : 9.5853E-02 : 1.1502E-01 : 1.3803E-01 : 1.5202E-01 : 1.5574E-01 :
10 | 10 | T10 | 8.0000E-02 : 9.6000E-02 : 1.1416E-01 : 1.3621E-01 : 1.6346E-01 : 1.8296E-01 :
*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 6464 (DOM12E)
RUN TERMINATED DUE TO HARD CONVERGENCE TO AN OPTIMUM AT CYCLE NUMBER = 5.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Parallel Sensitivities
302
GUI Support for Parallel Sensitivity
Pre Processing
Neither Patran nor SimXpert supports the DOMAINSOLVER command for Parallel Sensitivity. Direct
text input can be used to specify DOMAINSOLVER DSA and the job can be submitted with the
additional command line argument DMP=n.
Post Processing
There are no additional post-processing requirements associated for the parallel sensitivity enhancement.
Main Index
303
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
DTABLE Enhancement for Dynamic Analysis
Introduction
As discussed in Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients, 289, one component of the design model in
gradient based design optimization is the design response definition. The advanced response definitions
are available via the equation based response DRESP2, or the external program response DRESP3. In
addition to using design variables and direct responses, the user may want to define constants to use in
the advanced response equations. These constants can be defined with a DTABLEentry for subsequent
use by the DRESP2 or DRESP3. Additional information on design optimization in MD Nastran can be
found in the MD Nastran Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide.
The DTABLE enhancement for MD Nastran 2010 allows the DTABLE entry to reference a TABLEDi
entry. In MD Nastran 2010, when the DTABLE encounters an Integer input for VALUi, it will use the
Real values found on TABLEDi. When the corresponding LABLi is used in a synthesized response
DRESP2, the data defined on the TABLEDi entries will be used.
Benefits
The DTABLE enhancement benefits dynamic optimization problems that use the MATCH function by
greatly simplifying the input. The integer input for DTABLE in MD Nastran 2010 reduces the input to
1 TABLEDi, 1 DRESP1 with ATTB field left blank and a DRESP2 with a single LABLi under DTABLE
and a single NRid under DRESP1.
Prior to this enhancement, the user would need to define
1. DTABLE with LABLi for each forcing frequency
2. DRESP1 for each forcing frequency
3. A DRESP2 with MATCH function with DTABLE calls out each LABLi and DRESP1 ID
involved
For a frequency response SOL 200 job with, say, 50 forcing frequencies, one will need DATBLE with
50 (LABLi,VALUi) pairs, 50 DRESP1 each with a single frequency specified and a DRESP2 which has
50 LABLi under DTABLE flag and 50 NRid under DRESP1 flag. The old-style vs. new-style simplified
input will be demonstrated in the sample section.
Input
The DTABLEBulk Data entry now accepts integer input for a VALUi. The integer value invokes a
TABLEDi which carries (freq,value) or (time,value) pairs for a number of frequencies or times,
respectively. The TABLEDi will be interpolated for frequency or time values that are not explicitly
defined in the table.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
DTABLE Enhancement for Dynamic Analysis
304
Output
No new output.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. Integer input for DTABLE can be utilized with RTYPE of FRxxxx, PSDxxxx, ACxxxx and
Txxxx when the MATCH function selected on DRESP2.
2. For dynamic analysis with DRESP2 selecting MATCH function, spawning of DRESP2 of single
frequency (or time) will not be performed. Instead, DRESP2 will include all responses of
DRESP1 ID specified.
3. Multiple DTABLE entries are allowed and LABLi on DTABLE must be unique among all
DTABLE entries.
Test Cases
There are two tests cases in the TPL subdirectory /tpl/dtabl200 that demonstrate the DTABLE
enhancement
TPL Problem d200tbi1.dat
TPL problem d200tbi1.dat is a design optimization job including normal modes (ANALYSIS=MODES)
and modal frequency response (ANALYSIS=MFREQ) subcases. For the MFREQ subcase, there are 61
forcing frequencies. To use MATCH function on DRESP2 prior to Nastran 2010, the following table
(abridged) shows the input entries involved:
Listing 12-11 Old-style DTABLE input for MATCH function
DTABLE c30 1.e+10 c31 1.e+10 c32 1.e+10 c33 1.e+10
c34 1.e+10 c35 1.e+10 c36 1.e+10 c37 1.e+10
c38 1.e+10 c39 1.e+10 c40 1.e+10 c41 1.e+10
c42 1.e+10 c43 1.e+10 c44 1.e+10 c45 1.e+10
c46 1.e+10 c47 1.e+10 c48 1.e+10 c49 1.e+10
c50 1.e+10 c51 1.e+10 c52 1.e+10 c53 1.e+10
c54 1.e+10 c55 1.e+10 c56 1.e+10 c57 1.e+10
c58 1.e+10 c59 1.e+10 c60 1.e+10 c61 1.e+10
c62 1.e+10 c63 1.e+10 c64 1.e+10 c65 1.e+10
c66 1.e+10 c67 1.e+10 c68 1.e+10 c69 1.e+10
c70 1.e+10 c71 1.e+10 c72 1.e+10 c73 1.e+10
c74 1.e+10 c75 1.e+10 c76 1.e+10 c77 1.e+10
c78 1.e+10 c79 1.e+10 c80 1.e+10 c81 1.e+10
c82 1.e+10 c83 1.e+10 c84 1.e+10 c85 1.e+10
c86 1.e+10 c87 1.e+10 c88 1.e+10 c89 1.e+10
c90 1.e+10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DTABLE LABL1 VALU1 LABL2 VALU2 LABL3 VALU3 LABL4 VALU4
LABL5 VALU5 LABL6 VALU6 LABL7 VALU7 LABL8 VALU8
-etc.-
Main Index
305
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
$
dresp1,130,f130,frvelo,,,1,30.,701001
dresp1,131,f131,frvelo,,,1,31.,701001
dresp1,132,f132,frvelo,,,1,32.,701001
.
. (55 DRESP1 removed)
.
dresp1,188,f188,frvelo,,,1,88.,701001
dresp1,189,f189,frvelo,,,1,89.,701001
dresp1,190,f190,frvelo,,,1,90.,701001
$
dresp2,330,f330,MATCH
+,dtable,c30,c31,c32,c33,c34,c35,c36,
+, ,c37,c38,c39,c40,c41,c42,c43,
+, ,c44,c45,c46,c47,c48,c49,c50,
+, ,c51,c52,c53,c54,c55,c56,c57,
+, ,c58,c59,c60,c61,c62,c63,c64,
+, ,c65,c66,c67,c68,c69,c70,c71,
+, ,c72,c73,c74,c75,c76,c77,c78,
+, ,c79,c80,c81,c82,c83,c84,c85,
+, ,c86,c87,c88,c89,c90
+,dresp1,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,
+, ,137,138,139,140,141,142,143,
+, ,144,145,146,147,148,149,150,
+, ,151,152,153,154,155,156,157,
+, ,158,159,160,161,162,163,164,
+, ,165,166,167,168,169,170,171,
+, ,172,173,174,175,176,177,178,
+, ,179,180,181,182,183,184,185,
+, ,186,187,188,189,190
With the DTABLE enhancement, the input for MD Nastran 2010 is shown as follows
Listing 12-12 MD Nastran 2010 DTABLE enhanced input for MATCH function
tabled1 530
20. 1.e+10 2000. 1.e+10 endt
DTABLE const 1.e+10 const2 530
$
dresp1,130,f130,frvelo,,,1, ,701001
$
dresp2,330,f330,MATCH
+,dtable,const2
+,dresp1,130
Note that this example happens to have a constant matching function. Usually, the matching function in
dynamic analysis is not constant and TABLED1 entry may have many more physical lines to define the
response curve.
GUI Support for DTABLE Enhancement
Pre Processing
Neither Patran nor SimXpert supports the MD Nastran 2010 DTABLE Enhancement.
Post Processing
There are no additional post-processing requirements associated with the DTABLE Enhancement.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Constants with DTABLE2
306
Constants with DTABLE2
Introduction
As discussed in Optimization - Invariant DRESP3 Gradients, 289, one component of the design model in
gradient based design optimization is the design response definition. The advanced response definitions
are available via the equation based response DRESP2, or the external program response DRESP3. In
addition to using design variables and direct responses, the user may want to define constants to use in
the advanced response equations. These constants can be defined with a DTABLE entry for subsequent
use by the DRESP2 or DRESP3. Additional information on design optimization in MD Nastran can be
found in the MD Nastran Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide.
Historically, the DTABLE entry was used to associate a real constant to a label for subsequent use in
design property relations (DVCREL2, DVMREL2, DVPREL2) or advanced design responses (DRESP2,
DRESP3). The DTABLE has a simple input that is a paired label / constant (LABLi/VALUi).
The DTABLE2 Bulk Data entry extends this capability to lookup constant values defined on property,
connectivity, and material entries.
Benefits
DTABLE2 provides a direct access to fields with real value on property, connection and material entries.
This allows the user to change the input file properties without having to redefine all of the values
associated to the properties that are defined on a DTABLE entry. The LABLi on DTABLE2 entries can
be used interchangeably with LABLi on DTABLE for level 2 property relations: DVCREL2, DVMREL2,
and DVPREL2as well as advanced responses: DRESP2and DRESP3.
Input
The new Bulk Data entry for DTABLE2 is:
Format:
Example:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DTABLE2 LABL1 PNAME1 PID1 FNAME1 LABL2 PNAME2 PID2 FNAME2
LABL3 PNAME3 PID3 FNAME3
DTABLE2 PTHK10 PSHELL 10 T MAT1E MAT1 38 E
CBARX1 CBAR 3888 X1
Main Index
307
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Output
No new output for DTABLE2.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. LABLi on DTABLE2 and DTABLE must be unique among all DTABLE and DTABLE2 entries.
2. LABLi on DTABLE2 can be referenced under DTABLE flag of DVxREL2 (where x=P, M or C)
/DRESP2/DRESP3.
3. Value for FNAMEi field of PNAMEi Bulk Data entry with the ID of PIDi are taken from analysis
model before updating analysis values with the designed values. If the designed value is desired,
use DVxREL2 flag on DRESP2 or DRESP3 entries instead.
4. DATBLE2 is accessible from IFPNEW only. IFPNEW can be turned on with NASTRAN
SYSTEM(444)=1.
Test Cases
TPL Problem d200tb2b.dat
TPL problem tpl/dtabl200/d200tb2b.dat is modified to use DTABLE2 for the DRESP2 reference. The
label DVP11 is associated to PBAR with ID 11, A for area. The PNAME A is taken directly from
the Bulk Data entry PBAR:
Field Contents
LABLi Label for the constant. (Character)
PNAMEi Property, material or connection bulk data entry name. (Character)
PIDi ID of PNAMEi entry. (Integer > 0)
FNAMEi Field name of PNAMEi. (Character)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
PBAR PID MID A I1 I2 J NSM
C1 C2 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2
K1 K2 I12
Field Contents
PID Property identification number. (Integer > 0)
MID Material identification number. (Integer > 0)
A Area of bar cross section. (Real; Default = 0.0)
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Constants with DTABLE2
308
Listing 12-13 DTABLE2 example input
$ with DTABLE2
$
dtable2 DVP11 pbar 11 A DVP12 PBAR 11 J
dvc110 cbar 1 x1 dvc111 cbar 1 x2
dvm113 mat1 1 rho dvp23 pbar 11 i1
dvc21 cbar 1 x3 dvm214 mat1 1 E
dresp2 1000 rtest 1010
desvar 1 2
dtable l1 l2 dvp11 dvp12 dvc110 dvc111 dvm113
dvp23 dvc21 dvm214
dresp1 1
dresp2 999
DRESP2,1000 has 10 LABLi including 8 defined via DTABLE2. All 10 LABLi will be considered as
constants during design cycles. Note that if these were considered as designed properties instead of
design constants, the setup should be as shown in following table for DRESP2,1000.
Listing 12-14 Old-style input for using properties as constants
DVPREL1 1 PBAR 11 A
1 1.0
DVPREL1 2 PBAR 11 J .1 12. 1.5
1 1.0
DVCREL1 10 CBAR 1 X1
1 1.0
DVCREL1 11 CBAR 1 X2 .1 12. 1.5
1 1.0
DVMREL1 13 MAT1 1 RHO
1 1.0
DVPREL2 3 PBAR 11 I1 100
DESVAR 1 2
DTABLE L1 L2
DVCREL2 12 CBAR 1 X3 100
DESVAR 1 2
DTABLE L1 L2
DVMREL2 14 MAT1 1 E 200
DESVAR 1
DTABLE L1
dresp2 1000 rtest 1000
desvar 1 2
dtable l1 l2
dresp1 1
dvprel1 1 2
I1, I2, I12 Area moments of inertia. (Real; I1 > 0.0, I2 > 0.0, I1*I2 > ; Default = 0.0)
J Torsional constant. (Real; Default = for SOL 600 and 0.0 for all other
solution sequences)
NSM Nonstructural mass per unit length. (Real)
Ci, Di, Ei, Fi Stress recovery coefficients. (Real; Default = 0.0)
K1, K2 Area factor for shear.(Real or blank)
Field Contents
I12
2
1
2
--- I
1
I
2
+ ( )
Main Index
309
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
dvcrel1 10 11
dvmrel1 13
dvprel2 3
dvcrel2 12
dvmrel2 14
dresp2 999
GUI Support for DTABLE2
Pre Processing
Currently, neither Patran nor SimXpert supports DTABLE2.
Post Processing
There are no additional post-processing requirements associated with DTABLE2.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Optimizer - IPOPT
310
New Optimizer - IPOPT
Introduction
MSC Software conducts surveys of optimizer technologies from industry and academia. This has lead to
the integration of optimizer IPOPT. IPOPT implements an interior point line search filter method that
aims to find a local optimal solution for large scale nonlinear optimization. It was originally developed
by Carnegie Mellon University in 2002 and now is supported by IBM.
Interior point method as one of barrier methods was first proposed in the sixties. Barriers methods are
used to transform a difficult constrained problem into a sequence of easy unconstrained problems.
MSCADS SUMT method is one of this classical barrier method and BIGDOT is also based on this
approach. Barrier methods were popular during the sixties. However, this classical barrier method has its
shortcomings, practitioners of nonlinear programming lost interest and switched to newly emerging,
apparently more efficient MMFD and SQP-like methods (MSCADS and DOT) in the mid-seventies and
eighties.
In the mid-eighties, a modern interior-point revolution started with the well-known Karmarkar linear
programming algorithm which can be interpreted as a barrier method. Since then, interior point
algorithms have emerged as one of most important and useful algorithms for mathematical programming.
In particular, these interior point methods provide an attractive alternative to active constraint set
methods in handling problems with large numbers of design variables and inequality constraints.
IPOPT is a software package for large scale nonlinear optimization. This code has been shown to be
capable of handling tens of thousands of design variables. It can be used to solve SOL 200 sizing, shape,
topology, topometry, and topography problems. Currently, SOL 200 has two license options, Design
Optimization and Topology Optimization (IPOPT requires the Topology Optimization license feature).
In MD Nastran 2010, IPOPT has been made the default optimizer for topology, topometry, and
topography design optimization problems. This is done because testing indicates that IPOPT provides a
more robust solution than the MSCAD SUMT method. The choice of optimizers can be made with the
OPTCOD feature on the DOPTPRMBulk Data entry, or with MD Nastran System Cell OPTCOD (413)).
See also notes in the .Licensing, 313.
Benefits
In theory, the interior point method is a very robust algorithm that provides an alternative to SOL 200
existing optimizers, in particular, MSCADS SUMT method. The IPOPT optimizer not only enables
performing practical topology, topometry, and topography optimization tasks but can also be used to
perform standard shape and sizing optimization for design tasks.
Theory
In this section, a very brief discussion about the interior point method implemented in IPOPT is
presented. More detail can be read on paper On the implementation of a primal-dual interior point filter
Main Index
311
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
line search algorithm for large-scale nonlinear programming, Mathematical Programming, 106(1):25
57, 2006 by A. Wachter and L. T. Biegler.
To simplify the description of the interior point method, we consider a problem with equality constraints
as
where and are the lower and upper bounds on the design variables . is the number of design
variables, and m is the number of equality constraints. The objective function and the inequality
constraints are assumed to be twice continuously differentiable. Inequality constraints can be
transformed to equality constraints by introducing slack variables.
In general, gradient-based optimization algorithms have a common strategy as below:
A general optimization algorithm loop
Start ,
Evaluate and
Calculate gradients of and
Determine a search direction
Perform a one-dimensional search to find that will minimize subject to the
constraints.
Set
Check for convergence. If satisfied, exit. Otherwise repeat the loop
Two critical parts of the optimization task consists of determining a search direction and finding a best
one-dimensional search step. The determining a search direction is the most time consuming part and
one of major difference between the interior method and SOL 200 other optimization methods.
minimize
subject to (12-1)
f x ( )
C
j
X ( ) 0 = j 1 2 . m , , , =
X
i
0 > i 1 2 .n , , =
X
L
X
U
X n
f X ( )
C
j
X ( )
k 0 = X X
0
=
f X ( ) C
j
X ( )
f X ( ) g
j
X ( )
d
k
o
*
f X d
k
+ ( )
X
k 1 +
X
k
= o
*
d
k
+
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Optimizer - IPOPT
312
As a barrier method, the interior point algorithm computes (approximates) solutions for a sequence of
barrier problems
for a decreasing sequence of barrier parameters converging to zero. Equivalently, this can be
interpreted as applying a homotopy method to the primal-dual equations,
(12-3)
with the homotopy parameter which is driven to zero. Here, and correspond to the
Lagrangian multipliers for the equality constraints and the bound constraints, respectively. Note, that
Eq. (12-3) for together with x; are the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions for the
original problem Eq. (12-2). Those are the first order optimality conditions for Eq. (12-1) if constraint
qualifications are satisfied Eq. (12-3).
In order to solve the barrier problem Eq. (12-2) for a given fixed value of the barrier parameter, a
damped Newton's method is applied to the primal-dual Eq. (12-3). Here, a search direction is obtained
from solving a symmetric linear system
(12-4)
where Jacobian and denotes the Hessian of the Lagrangian function
The choice of scalars and is discussed in Wachter's paper.
The overall efficiency of the interior point method is dependent on solving a sparse
linear system Eq. (12-4).
minimize:
(12-2)
subject to:

x ( ) f x ( ) = x
i
( ) ln
i 1 =
n

C
j
x ( ) 0 = j 1 . m , , =
Vf x ( ) Vc x ( ) z + 0 =
c x ( ) 0 =
XZe e 0 =
ER
m
zER
n
0 = z 0 >

j
W
k
E
k
o
w
I + + A
k
A
k
T
o
c
I
d
k
x
d
k

j
x
k
( ) A
k

k
+
c x
k
( )
=
A
k
Vc x
k
( ) = W
k
V
xx
2
L x
k

k
z
k
, , ( )
L x z , , ( ) f x ( ) = c x ( )
T
z +
ow oc
n m + ( ) n m + ( )
Main Index
313
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Input
There are two ways to select the optimizer IPOPT code. One way is by modifying the Nastran system
cell OPTCOD (413))as shown in Table 12-1.
The second way is by a parameter OPTCOD on a DOPTPRM Bulk Data entry that has options shown in
Table 12-2.
.Licensing
MSC provides two optimization license options:
1. Optimization (license file FEATURE line MD_Optimization)
2. Topology Optimization (license file FEATURE line MD_Topology_Optimization).
The default behavior is as follows:
If both MD_Optimization and MD_Topology_Optimization licenses are found:
The default behavior is that the optimizer and METHOD will be automatically selected for a
better performance based on number of design variables, number of constraints, number of
active/violated constraints and computer memory.
If MD_Optimization is found but MD_Oopology_Optimization license is NOT found:
The default behavior is that the MSCADS optimizer will be used for models with any sizing,
shape design variables, topology, topometry, or topography design variables. The method
used in MSCADS is automatically selected.
Table 12-1 System Cell Summary
System Cell
Number
System Cell
Name Description and Default Values
413 OPTCOD Specifies which optimization code to be used in SOL 200 (Default
= 0, automatic selection for a better performance based on number
of design variaables, number of constraints, number of
active/violated constraints and computer memory)
3 - MSCADS
4 - IPOPT Optimizer
Table 12-2 DOPTPRM Design Optimization Parameters
Name Description, Type and Default Values
OPTCOD OPTCOD (Character; Default= Blank)
= Blank (taken from system cell number 413)
= MSCADS: MSCADS is used
= IPOPT: IPOPT is used
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Optimizer - IPOPT
314
If MD_Topology_Optimization license is found but MD_Optimization is NOT found:
The default behavior is that the IPOPT optimizer will be used for models with any sizing,
shape design variables, topology, topometry, or topography design variables.
Output
If default OPTCOD and/or METHOD is used, the program prints injobname.f06 what optimizer and
method is used. For example,
***SYSTEM INFORMATIN MESSAGE 6649 (ADS9D)
MSCADS METHOD = 1 (MMFD) HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR DESIGN CYCLE= 1.
***SYSTEM INFORMATION MESSAGE 6649 (DOMIP9D)
IPOPT HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR DESIGN CYCLE= 1.
There are no outputs that are affected by optimizer selection with the exception that the optimizer output
produced using the IPRINT > 0 parameter on the DOPTPRM entry is written to a file msc_ipopt.out.
Guidelines and Limitations
The optimization results from IPOPT are expected to be comparable to those from other optimizers.
Numerical results show IPOPT is a robust optimizer. However, unlike MSCADS, IPOPT does not
support active constraint sets. Thus, IPOPT may be slow for problems with many constraints, in
particular, many constraints are inactive. If this is the case, the OPTCOD parameter can be used to invoke
the MSCADS SUMT optimizer for problems with many design variables and many constraints.
Examples
There are several example files in the TPL that can be used to demonstrate the new IPOPT performance.
Main Index
315
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
TPL Problem /optim68/icwse01.dat
TPL problem icwse01.dat is and intermediate complexity wing shown in Figure 12-5 was solved using
MSCADS and IPOPT.
Figure 12-5 Intermediate Complexity Wing Model
This composite structure is modeled with 62 CQUAD4 elements, 55 CSHEAR elements, 39 CROD
elements, and 39 CONM2 elements. Two static load cases are imposed along with an eigenvalue load
case. The objective was to minimization. There are 153 sizing design variables and 414 stress and failure
index constraint and a lower and upper bounds on the first fundamental frequency. To use IPOPT, a
parameter OPTCOD=IPOPT is added on Bulk Data entry DOPTPRM such as
Table 12-3 shows the IPOPT results for this example and all results are comparable.
DOPTPRM APRCOD 2 DESMAX 30 DELP 0.50 DPMIN 0.001
delx 0.49 p1 1 p2 12 OPTCOD Ipopt
Table 12-3 Intermediate Complexity Wing Optimization Results
Initial Value Optimum IPOPT Optimum MSCADS (MMFD)
Objective 1.6892+2 1.9277+2 1.9414+2
Max Con 5.8425+2 8.7297-04 1.3169-03
# Cycles 21 20
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Optimizer - IPOPT
316
TPL Problem /topography/ip3dbeam.dat
TPL problem ip3dbeam.dat, shown in Figure 12-6, is used to demonstrate IPOPT for topology
optimization. The 3D beam is modeled with 48,000 six-sided solid elements (CHEXA). The geometry,
mesh, and loads are shown in Figure 12-6. The structural compliance is minimized with a mass target 0.2
(i.e., 80% material savings).
.
Figure 12-6 TPL file /topography/ip3dbeam.dat Beam Finite Element Model
The input data for this example related to topology optimization model is given in Listing 12-5. A Bulk
Data entry TOPVAR =1 is used to define a topological design region. Type one design responses
DRESP1 = 2 and 10 identify compliance and fractional mass respectively. OPTCOD=IPOPT on the Bulk
Data entry DOPTPRM selects the new optimizer IPOPT for solving this optimization problem.
SMETHOD= ELEMENT is used to select CASI iterative solver that can provide a major speedup in the
solution of large static analyses for solid element models.
Listing 12-15 Partial input for file /topography/ip3dbeam.dat
DESOBJ = 10
DESGLB = 1
ANALYSIS = STATICS
SMETHOD=ELEMENT
$ DIRECT TEXT INPUT FOR GLOBAL CASE CONTROL DATA
Main Index
317
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
SUBCASE 1
$ SUBCASE NAME : RUN1_LOAD_CASE
SUBTITLE=RUN1_LOAD_CASE
SPC = 2
LOAD = 3
BEGIN BULK
DCONSTR 1 2 .2
DOPTPRM, OPTCOD, IPOPT
TOPVAR 1 PSOLID PSOLID .2 1
DRESP1 2 FRM FRMASS
DRESP1 10 COMP COMP
Figure 12-7 shows the topology optimized result that is smoothed and smoothed by using MD Patran.
This optimal design is very clear without any checkerboard effect.
Figure 12-7 TPL file /topography/ip3dbeam.dat Proposed Topology Design Concept
GUI Support for IPOPT
Post Processing
Patran supports IPOPT. There are no additional post-processing requirements associated for IPOPT.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Topology and Topometry Enhancements
318
Topology and Topometry Enhancements
Introduction
Topometry optimization is a special form of sizing optimization most commonly used for shell elements
whereby each shell element in a property region is allowed to change thickness independently of its
neighboring element. This provides the user an insight to the optimum material distribution to achieve
the objective while satisfying constraints. Additional element types commonly supported by topometry
optimization are non-volume elements such as CWELD, CBUSH, and CFAST.
Topology optimization adjusts each elements effectivity by adjusting the modulus of Elasticity and
density to determine a optimum material distribution. Topology optimization can be applied to solid,
shell, and beam elements.
The two methods are describe in further detail in the MD Nastran Design Sensitivity and Optimization
Users Guide.
MD Nastran 2010 contains a few enhancements for SOL 200 topometry and topology optimization
capabilities. The enhancements include
1. density constraint method for topology minimum member size control
2. composite (PCOMP) topometry optimization
3. discrete topometry optimization.
4. enhanced TOPVAR entry and casting constraints
Benefits
Topology Optimization Density Constraint Method
A density constraint method is implemented for topology minimum member size control. This approach
is more efficient than the filtering method for topology problems with a very fine mesh and a relatively
large predefined minimum member size.
Composite (PCOMP) Topometry Optimization
This new feature enables SOL 200 to support composite ply-by-ply thickness optimization. The ply-by-
ply means each ply thickness (or orientation angle) per composite element is treated as an independent
design variable. The ply thickness can be linked together to support element-by-element thickness
optimization. Although topometry optimization is not recommended for topology optimization tasks, it
is observed topometry optimization can be used to get similar topological results for many cases. Since
SOL 200 topology optimization does not support PCOMP entries, this composite TOMVAR can be used
to decide which composite element should be retained and which composite element should be discarded
from the design space.
Main Index
319
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Discrete Topometry Optimization
The discrete optimization capability is expanded to support topometry optimization. This capability
enhances the simplicity of the design and hence its manufacturability.
Enhanced TOPVAR entry and casting constraints
Topology initial value XINIT has a default in MD2010. It is easier and recommended that the user use
the default value of XINIT. Aligned mesh option is added to topology casting and extrusion constraints.
When aligned mesh is used for topology designed properties with casting/extrusion constraints, a smaller
tolerance is used to process casting constraints during optimization. Thus, a better/sharper topology
design proposal may be produced. In addition, topology casting constraint capabilities are significantly
enhanced in MD 2010.
Input for Topometry Enhancements
A review of the topometry and topology optimization section in the MD Nastran R3 and the
MSC Nastran 2005 r2 Release Guide is recommended if you are new to MSC.Nastrans implementation
of the topometry and topology technology.
The enhanced topometry TOMVAR Bulk Data entry format is:
Input for Minimum Member Size Enhancements
The density constraint approach can be selected by a parameter TCHECK on Bulk Data entry
DOPTPRM.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOMVAR ID TYPE PID PNAME/
FID
XINIT XLB XUB DELXV
DLINK TID C0 C1
DDVAL DSVID
Field Contents
TYPE Property entry type. Used with PID to identify the elements to be designed.
(Character: PBAR, PSHELL, PSOLID, and PCOMP, etc.)
DDVAL Indicates that this line defines discrete TOMVAR variables
DSVID DDVAL entry identifier (Integer > 0)
DLINK Indicates that this line relates a ply thickness to another ply thickness
TID TOMVAR entry identifier (Integer > 0).
C0 Constant term (Real; Default = 0.0)
C1 Coefficient term (Real; no Default)
Main Index
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Topology and Topometry Enhancements
320
DOPTPRM Design Optimization Parameter: TCHECK
Input for Topology Enhancements
The enhanced topology TOPVAR Bulk Data entry format is:
Format:
Output
The only change in output for these features is for the Composite Topometry optimization. In this case,
a element result file jobname.plyxxx (where xxx is a PCOMP ply identifier) contains the optimal design
values for each composite ply. The element result file can be imported into Patran or third party post-
processor to display composite topometry optimization results.
Name Description, Type and Default Value
TCHECK Topology Checkerboarding/minimum member size control option. (Integer > -1)
-1 Automatic selection of filtering or density constraint for a better result.
1 Filtering algorithm (Default)
2 Density constraint
0 No control
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOPVAR ID LABEL PTYPE XINIT XLB DELXV POWER PID
SYM CID MSi MSi MSi CS NCS
CAST CID DDi DIE ALIGN
EXT CID EDi ALIGN
TDMIN
TV
Field Contents
XINIT Initial value. (Blank or Real, XLB < XINIT < 1.0 Default=blank). Typically,
XINIT is defined to match the mass constraint on DRESP1=FRMASS, so the
initial design does not have violated constraints. In this case, the default is set
to the constraint value. If the mass (DRESP1=FRMASS or WEIGHT) is the
objective, the default is 0.9. The default of XINIT is 0.6 for the other cases.
ALIGN Indicates whether the designed property finite element mesh is precisely
aligned with the draw direction or extrusion direction. (Character: YES or
NO or Blank; Default = blank = NO)
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Guidelines and Limitations
DISCOD = 3 and 4 (discrete processing method) is recommended for discrete topometry
optimization tasks since topometry Optimization usually involves many design variables and
DISCOD = 4 is the fast discrete processing method.
The density constraint approach is more efficient. However, this approach may result in more
unexpected intermediate density elements than the filtering approach.
Examples
TPL Problem /topography/tomex5.dat
TPL problem /topography/tomex5.dat is a 2D Composite Plate example intended to demonstrate a ply-
by-ply thickness optimization using the TOMVAR entry. This composite plate has 640 CQUAD4
element as shown in Figure 12-8. The ply layup is symmetric: 0, 90, 45, -45,-45,45,90,0. The
objective is to minimize structural compliance and lower/upper bounds are applied on each ply thickness.
since the composite is modeled with the SYM option, there are 4 independent design variables. The
problem is treated as a planar problem an dofs 3456 are permanently constrained on a GRDSET entry.
The input data for this example pertinent to the composite lay up and topometry optimization model is
given in Listing 12-16. The TOMVAR Bulk Data entries 1-4 define the ply-by-ply thickness
optimization. It is noticed that all four ply thickness per element are independent variables. Thus, there
are 640x4 independent design variables.
Figure 12-8 A Composite Plate example tomex5.dat
Listing 12-16 Partial Input File for tomex5.dat
$COMPOSITE TOPOMETRY OPT EXAMPLE
DESOBJ = 10
Main Index
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322
ANALYSIS = STATICS
$ DIRECT TEXT INPUT FOR GLOBAL CASE CONTROL DATA
SUBCASE 1
$ SUBCASE NAME : RUN1_LOAD_CASE
SUBTITLE=RUN1_LOAD_CASE
SPC = 2
LOAD = 3
BEGIN BULK
PCOMP 1 -.0105 0.0 0.65E6 TSAI SYM
70 1.000 0.0 YES 70 1.000 90. YES
70 1.000 45. YES 70 1.000 -45. YES
DOPTPRM, OPTCOD, IPOPT
DRESP1 10 COMP COMP
$...DESIGN TOPOMETRY DESIGN DEFINITION
TOMVAR, 1 , PCOMP, 1, T1 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
TOMVAR, 2 , PCOMP, 1, T2 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
TOMVAR, 3 , PCOMP, 1, T3 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
TOMVAR, 4 , PCOMP, 1, T4 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
In addition to the standard .f04, .f06 and .pch output files, the final ply thickness distributions are
contained in files tomex5.ply0001, tomex5.ply0002, tomex5.ply0003, tomex5.ply0004. To post process
these in Patran, they must be read from the tools menu, and then the results can be displayed using
standard Patran fringe plots.
Figure 12-9 Importing ply topometry results in Patran
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Figure 12-10 through Figure 12-13 show the optimized ply thickness distribution for all elements.
Figure 12-10 Ply 1 Thickness Distribution of 0 plies
Figure 12-11 Ply 2 Thickness Distribution of 90 plies
Main Index
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Topology and Topometry Enhancements
324
Figure 12-12 Ply 3 Thickness Distribution of 45 plies
Figure 12-13 Ply 4 Thickness Distribution -45 plies
The DLINK feature can be used to relate one ply thickness to another ply thickness in order to support
composite element-by-element thickness optimization. The input data for this example is given in
Listing 12-17. The DLINK line is used to explicitly link the thickness of plies 2, 3, and 4 to ply 1. Thus,
each composite element has only one independent design variables.
Main Index
325
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Listing 12-17 Input File for tomex6.dat with DLINK
Figure 12-14 shows the optimized element-by-element thickness distribution. Note that only 1 ply output
file is generated: tomex6.ply0001.
Figure 12-14 Composite Element Combined Thickness Distribution
GUI Support for PCOMP Topometry
Pre Processing
Patran supports topometry optimization, but the DLINK,DDVAL options are not yet supported. The
current Quick topology, topometry, topography optimization setup can be read in the Patran 2008R2
Release Guide.
$...DESIGN TOPOMETRY DESIGN DEFINITION
TOMVAR, 1 , PCOMP, 1, T1 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
TOMVAR, 2 , PCOMP, 1, T2 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
, DLINK, 1, 0.0, 1.0
TOMVAR, 3 , PCOMP, 1, T3 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
, DLINK, 1, 0.0, 1.0
TOMVAR, 4 , PCOMP, 1, T4 , .5, 1.25-3, 1.0
, DLINK, 1, 0.0, 1.0
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Topology and Topometry Enhancements
326
Post Processing
Patran supports post processing of PCOMP Topometry enhancements as described previously in Output,
320.
Main Index
327
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses
Phase 2 (Pre-release)
Introduction
MSC Softwares MD Nastran R3 introduced a basic nonlinear response optimization capability
(ESLNRO) that is based on the Equivalent Static Loads concept. It allows the user to perform sizing and
shape optimization tasks by including geometry and/or material nonlinearities and leverages the linear
multidisciplinary design optimization capability in SOL200 (Ref.1). For example, a large-scale
nonlinear response optimization task of a joined-wing problem was solved with the MD Nastran R3
capability (Ref.2).
The MD Nastran 2010 release has further extended this capability in the following areas:
1. Support of 3D contact in addition to geometry and material nonlinearities;
2. Support of topology optimization applications;
3. Support of new response types = SPCFORCE, FRMASS, COMP.
Now with all three nonlinearities are supported in the nonlinear response optimization tasks and the
design space covers sizing, shape or topological changes, the capability should open up more and more
application possibilities. Since the ESLNRO capability is still a fairly new product, it will require a
combined effort of the users and developers to make it a better product. The users are encouraged to
apply the new capability and to share experience and provide feedback that can lead to future
enhancements.
The following describes the current status of the ESLNRO for MD Nastran 2010.
What is supported:
Analysis = NLSTATIC,
Geometry (large displacement), material and boundary nonlinearities,
Nonlinear stress responses are available from the basic nonlinear elements: CBEAM, CROD,
CTUBE, CQUAD4, CQUADR, CTRIA3, CTRIA6, CHEXA, CPENTA, CTETRA.
Enhanced Nonlinear Elements (PBEMN1, PSNL1D, PSNL2D, PSLDN1) can be included in the
analysis model as long as no TOPVAR is present. The stress responses of these elements may
also be optimized if they can be mapped to that of the basic nonlinear elements.
RTYPE = DISP, STRESS, WEIGHT, VOLUME, SPCFORCE, FRMASS, COMP.
DRESP2
DESVAR, DVPRELx, TOPVAR
What is not supported:
TOMVAR, BEADVAR
DVMRELx, DVCRELx
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release)
328
CASI solver in linear response optimization for displacement and stress responses
Both TOPVAR and enhanced Nonlinear Elements in the same job
Benefits
Allow all three nonlinearities of geometry, material and boundary in an ESLNRO design task.
Leverage the advanced nonlinear analysis capability in SOL 400 and the powerful linear
multidisciplinary design optimization capability in SOL 200
Enable to solve large-scale nonlinear optimization tasks (thousands of design variables and
constraints).
Methodology
Basic Optimization Statement
A general nonlinear response optimization problem can be stated as below:
where is the objective function such as structural weight, nonlinear compliance, maximum
displacement or any user defined response, is the design constraint such as displacement,
stress, fractional mass in topology optimization or any user defined constraint. Since the finite element
based nonlinear analysis solver is used, the basic equilibrium equation, and the contact
condition is any, must also be satisfied. Notice the solution to the equilibrium equation
requires iterative process in addition to the optimization design loop.
ESLNRO
In the ESLNRO, the nonlinear response optimization problems is first transformed into a linear problem
using the equivalent static loads that are obtained from a nonlinear analysis and the original problem is
indirectly solved by a linear response optimization procedure. The whole process repeats until it
converges.
Find: X
Minimize:
Subject to:
and and for contact conditions
F X U
NL
, ( )
g X U
NL
, ( ) 0 <
X
L
X X
U
< <
K X U
NL
, ( )U
NL
P = u U ( ) 0 =
F X U
NL
, ( )
g X U
NL
, ( )
K X U
NL
, ( )U
NL
P =
u U ( ) 0 =
Main Index
329
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
The ESLNRO approach involves three-iterative-procedures:
The main solution driver, or the ESLNRO loop controls the executions of two sub-iterative solutions for
nonlinear analysis and linear response optimization. The following three sub-sections will discuss
several topics that are critical to a successful ESLNRO process.
The Enhanced Convergence Criteria for ESLNRO
An ESLNRO job will be terminated if one of the conditions is satisfied. The design cycle here refers the
ESLNRO design cycle (or the outer loop) not the design cycle in the linear response optimization (or the
inner loop).
Notice and at start of linear response optimization U
L
U
NL
=
o
L
o
NL
=
K X U
NL
, ( )U
NL
P =
P
eq
K
L
U
NL
=
K
L
X ( )U
L
P
eq
=
F X U
L
, ( )
K
L
X ( )U
L
P
eq
=
U
L
U
Al l owabl e
s
o
L
*
o
Al l owabl e
s
o
L
*
' o o
L
, = o o
NL
o
L
= ,
Find:
Minimize:
Subject to:
Nonlinear analysis
Transformation to ESL
Linear contact analysis with ESL
Linear
response
optimization
including
contact
conditions
ESLNRO
Loop
X
u U ( ) 0 =
u U ( ) 0 =
u U ( ) 0 =
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release)
330
1. the maximum change among all design variables between the current and previous design cycles
is less than a given tolerance (CONVDV) for two consecutive design cycles or
2. the linear response optimization task achieves hard convergence in a single inner design cycle for
two consecutive ESLNRO design cycles or
3. the percentage of design variables that have their relative changes satisfy the tolerance
(CONVDV) exceeds the user-supplied tolerance (TOPOCONV) for two consecutive design
cycles. This only applies to topology optimization applications or
4. the maximum number of design cycles (DSMXESL) is reached
For an ESLNRO job terminated due to conditions 1 through 3, the following message will be printed out
in the f06 file:
Figure 12-15 Special Strategy to Handel Divergent Nonlinear Analyses
During a topology optimization process, the program adds density to the element with higher strain
energy and reduces density from the element with lower strain energy to minimize the compliance while
maintaining the weight constraint. Iteratively, this will result in a collection of elements with lower strain
energy or empty elements. Although creating empty and non-empty element groups is the goal of
topology optimization, the empty elements introduce singular behaviors to the analysis itself. When
enough empty elements exist in the structure, the nonlinear analysis tends to fail to converge. In MD
Nastran 2010, a simple strategy has been implemented to handle divergent nonlinear analyses. If a
nonlinear analysis fails to converge at the initial design cycle, the job is terminated with appropriate
message for the user to improve the model. However, if a divergent analysis is encountered for design
cycles greater than 1, the design move produced by previous design cycle is cut by half and a new
analysis is performed on the reduced design. This heuristic strategy will be consecutively for five design
cycles. If the nonlinear analysis still fails to converge, the job will be terminated.
Special Move Limit Scheme for topology optimization tasks
For topology optimization tasks, only the scaled-back scheme is supported (See Ref.1 for discussions of
move limits).
****************************************************************************
ESLNRO CONVERGENCE ACHIEVED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
(HARD CONVERGENCE DECISION LOGIC)

1) MAXIMUM OF RELATIVE D.V. CHANGES = EEEEEEEEEEEE IS LESS THAN
EEEEEEEEEEEE FOR 2 CONSECUTIVE ESLNRO DESIGN CYCLES;

--- OR ---

2) TWO CONSECUTIVE LINEAR RESPONSE OPTIMIZATION RUNS ACHIEVED
HARD CONVERENCE IN A SINGLE DESIGN CYCLE.

--- OR ---

3)FFFFFFFF% OF DESIGNED ELEMENTS OR IIIIIIII DESIGNED ELEMENTS HAVE
THE RELATIVE VALUE CHANGE THAT IS LESS THAN THE EEEEEEEE (CONVDV).
THE HARD CONVERGENCE IS ARCHIEVED IF IT EXCEEDS FFFFFFFF% (TOPOCONV).
****************************************************************************
Main Index
331
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Implementation
The ESLNRO capability is implemented using a multiple invocation strategy to bring SOL400 and
SOL200 together to provide an integrated solution for nonlinear response optimization tasks. From the
user point of view, a single user input file is required to specify both nonlinear analysis model and the
design model set up. Behind the scenes, communications between the ESLNRO driver, SOL400 and
SOL200 are through various intermediate files. You may consult Release Guide for MD Nastran R3
(Ref.1) for more detailed discussion how to manage these files.
Input
The following are the new parameters introduced in MD Nastran 2010 for ESLNRO.
ESLLCOMP
Default = NO
ESLLCOMP selects types of compliance response to be included in the design task. The nonlinear
compliance response is defined using a DRESP1 entry with RTYPE=COMP for the ESLNRO topology
optimization tasks. As the default, it is computed by the product of the applied nonlinear loads and
corresponding nonlinear displacement components. Alternatively, ESLLCOMP=YES selects a linear
compliance response that computed as the total work done by the equivalent static loads on the linear
system.
ESLMPC1
Default = 0
This parameter applies only to the ESLNRO jobs with 3D contact. Its default has different meanings
depending on the type of contact applications. As the default, for a glued contact ESLNRO job, a linear
response optimization task will include a set of MPC entries that are created from the nonlinear analysis.
For a touching contact ESLNRO job, the linear response optimization task will not include the MPC
entries by default. Setting ESLMPC1 to a positive number will turn on the MPC inclusion.
ESLMPC1 = 1: uses the MPC entries created from the nonlinear analysis at the converged nonlinear
analysis.
ESLMPC1 = 2 uses the MPC entries created at the beginning of the very first nonlinear analysis
ESLOPTEX
Default = 0
The parameter allows the user to perform an ESLNRO job at a targeted exit point. The allowable values
of ESLOPTX are listed below with their description.
0 - Do not exit. Proceed with ESLNRO nonlinear response optimization.
1 - Exit after the initialization of the analysis and design model but before nonlinear FE analysis
begins.
2 - Exit after nonlinear FE analysis ends.
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Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release)
332
3 - Exit after design constraint evaluation and screening.
ESLPRT
Default = 0
ESLPRT specifies how often the ESLNRO results are printed in the f06 file and saved in the xdb file. By
default, the program will print the results to the f06 file at the first and the last design cycles and save the
results to xdb (or op2) at the first and last design cycles on the disk (See ESLPRT1 for selection of result
contents).
ESLPRT > 0, then the results are printed at the first design cycle; at every design cycle that is a multiplier
of ESLPRT; and the last design cycle.
ESLPRT < 0, the no results are printed and saved.
ESLPRT1
Default = 7
ESLPRT1 specifies what type of results to be written to the f06 and to xdb (or op2). It may take any of
the following base values or to a combination of these base values.
ESLPRT1 = 0, write no data.
ESLPRT1 = 1, write the nonlinear analysis results to the f06 file.
ESLPRT1 = 2, write the optimization data controlled by P1 and P2 to the f06 file.
ESLPRT1 = 4, save the nonlinear analysis results to the xdb (or op2) file.
ESLPRT1 = 8, save the linear response optimization results to the xdb (or op2) file.
For example, by default, results from the nonlinear analysis, the optimization data will be written to the
f06 file and result data will be written to xdb or op2.
ESLUNT1, ESLUNT2
Default = 53, 54
File units are used to store and retrieve design variables and design properties for ESLNRO topology
optimization tasks.
TOPOCONV
Default = 80
Parameter TOPOCONV is applicable only to ESLNRO topology optimization tasks. It sets a lower
bound for the percentage of the design variables whose maximum relative changes are within the
tolerance specified by CONVDV on the DOPTPRM entry.
By default, when more than 80% of the design variables show their maximum relative changes are within
CONVDV, the job will be terminated.
Main Index
333
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Output
The output created by an ESLNRO job can be divided into following types:
1. results from nonlinear analysis run and linear optimization run arranged in the design cycle order.
2. xdb (or op2) fiel per nonlinear design cycle: one for nonlinear analysis results and another for
linear optimization results.
3. For sizing and shape optimization jobs, the design history of objective, maximum constraints and
design variables in the CSV format and a complete updated Bulk Data section are always created
in the pch file based on the final design.
4. for topology optimization jobs, a .des file is created that can be used to show the optimized
configuration.
5. a new ASCII file with a comprehensive summary of design history.
Results from nonlinear analysis run and linear optimization run
By default, the nonlinear analysis results at the initial and the last design cycles are printed to the f06 file.
The following listing shows a sample output for the initial design cycle.
Main Index
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334
By default, the printout from a linear optimization run, controlled by P1 and P2 on the DOPTPRM entry
is printed to the f06 file. The following listing shows a sample output for the initial design cycle.
*******************************************************
* *
* I N I T I A L E S L N R O D E S I G N C Y C L E *
* *
*******************************************************
^^^ A NONLINEAR ANALYSIS JOB INITIATED WITH FOLLOWING COMMAND:
/nast/md2009t1/linux64/nastran /scratch/shz/deslo1_nlsol400 scr=yes bat=no rcf=eslonc out=/scratch/shz/deslo1_nlsol400
***********************************************
* *
* I N I T I A L A N A L Y S I S (S T A R T) *
* *
***********************************************
......
0
N O N - L I N E A R I T E R A T I O N S O L U T I O N C O N T R O L P A R A M E T E R S

LOOP CONTROLS FOR : SUBCASE 1, STEP 1, SUBSTEP 0


SOLUTION CONTROL PARAMETERS FROM : NLPARM ID : 1

Number of Increments (NINC) ............. 10
Incremental Time for Creep (DT) ......... 0.00E+00
Matrix Update Option (KMETHOD) .......... AUTO
Matrix Update Increment (KSTEP) ......... 10
Maximum Number of Iterations (MAXITER) .. 25
Convergence Options (CONV) .............. P V
Intermediate Output Flag (INTOUT) ....... NO
- Displacement (EPSU) ...... 1.00E-02
Tolerance - Residual Force (EPSP) ...... 1.00E-02
- Work (EPSW) ...... 1.00E-02
Divergence Limit (MAXDIV) ............... 3

Maximum Incremental Rotation (RTOLB) .... 2.00E+01
Minimum Number of Iterations (MINITER) .. 0

*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 6204 (NL3EMA)
9.999990E-03 SECONDS REQUIRED TO DECOMPOSE MATRIX.
1 AUGUST 28, 2009 MD NASTRAN 8/28/09 PAGE 33
NASTRAN MODEL - NLC013B IS THE MARC MODEL
0
0 N O N - L I N E A R I T E R A T I O N M O D U L E O U T P U T
.............................................
.............................................
.............................................
***********************************************
* *
* I N I T I A L A N A L Y S I S (E N D) *
* *
***********************************************

Main Index
335
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
^^^ A LINEAR OPTIMIZATION JOB INITIATED WITH FOLLOWING COMMAND:
/nast/md2009t1/linux64/nastran /scratch/shz/deslo1nn_eslsol200 scr=yes bat=no r
cf=eslonc out=/scratch/shz/deslo1nn_eslsol200
/nast/md2009t1/linux64/nastran /scratch/shz/deslo1nn_eslsol200 scr=yes bat=no rcf=eslonc out=/scratch/shz/deslo1nn_eslsol200

----- DESIGN OBJECTIVE -----

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNAL MINIMIZE
RESPONSE RESPONSE OR SUPERELEMENT SUBCASE
ID DRESPx TYPE MAXIMIZE ID ID VALUE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 DRESP2 N/A MINIMIZE N/A N/A 1.4707E+04


----- DESIGN VARIABLES -----

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNAL DESVAR LOWER UPPER
ID ID LABEL BOUND VALUE BOUND
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 3 PSHELL:1 5.0000E-03 1.0000E-01 1.0000E+01
2 4 PSHELL:2 5.0000E-03 1.2500E-01 1.0000E+01
3 1 PSHELL:1 5.0000E-03 1.0000E-01 1.0000E+01
4 2 PSHELL:2 5.0000E-03 1.2500E-01 1.0000E+01
1 AUGUST 28, 2009 MD NASTRAN 8/28/09 PAGE 152
NASTRAN MODEL - NLC013B IS THE MARC MODEL
0 SUBCASE1


----- DESIGNED PROPERTIES -----

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY TYPE OF LOWER UPPER
TYPE ID NAME PROPERTY BOUND VALUE BOUND
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSHELL 1 T DVPREL1 N/A 1.0000E-01 N/A
PSHELL 2 T DVPREL1 N/A 1.2500E-01 N/A
PSHELL 11 T DVPREL1 N/A 1.0000E-01 N/A
PSHELL 22 T DVPREL1 N/A 1.2500E-01 N/A

----- DESIGN CONSTRAINTS ON RESPONSES -----

(MAXIMUM RESPONSE CONSTRAINTS MARKED WITH **)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNAL EXTERNAL INTERNAL
INTERNAL DCONSTR RESPONSE DRESPx RESPONSE L/U REGION SUBCASE
ID ID ID ID TYPE FLAG ID ID VALUE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 200 9 1 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4529E-01
2 200 10 2 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4432E-01
3 200 11 3 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 7.5701E-02
4 200 12 21 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4644E-01
5 200 13 22 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4371E-01
6 200 14 23 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.3030E-02
7 200 15 41 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4735E-01**
8 200 16 42 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4343E-01
9 200 17 61 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4735E-01**
10 200 18 62 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4343E-01
11 200 19 81 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4644E-01
12 200 20 82 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4371E-01
13 200 21 83 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.3025E-02
14 200 22 101 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4529E-01
15 200 23 102 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.4432E-01
16 200 24 103 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 7.5693E-02
17 200 25 160 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.5630E-02
18 200 26 180 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 4.8893E-02
19 200 27 200 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 4.8889E-02
20 200 28 220 STRESS UPPER 200000000 1 1.5615E-02
21 200 2 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6981E-02
22 200 3 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6980E-02
23 200 4 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6979E-02
24 200 5 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6978E-02
25 200 6 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6978E-02
26 200 7 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6979E-02
27 200 8 1001 DISP LOWER 1001 1 -3.6980E-02
1 AUGUST 28, 2009 MD NASTRAN 8/28/09
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336
1. If PARAM, POST, n is requested in the user input file, the analysis results will be stored in a
separate xdb or op2 file with a new name: fn_postxxx where fn is the initial user input file name,
post is the reserved key word and xxxx is the design cycle number at which the results are created.
For example, assume the user input file has a job name as myjob, the job is terminated at design
cycle 25 with PARAM,POST,0, by default, new files named as myjob_post0000.xdb and
myjob_post0025.xdb will be generated after the job is run successfully.
2. A New ASCII File with Comprehensive Summary of Design History
This file will be useful to monitor the ESLNRO job.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. Familiarity of SOL400 and SOL200 is required to use ESLNRO.
2. Specify nonlinear stress item codes on the atta field on a DRESP1 entry for nonlinear stress
quantities. These codes can be found in the Appendix of the Quick Reference Guide.
3. Add keyword sdir=mydir in your command line to redirect all your intermediate files generated
from your job to a designated location to better maintain those files.
4. Use PARAM, ESLRCF, rcfnam to customize the separate Nastran runs. One of its use is to
include a dmap alter. For example,
If DRSPAN is used, PARAM, ESLLCOMP, YES must be included in your job for a job with a
compliance response (i.e., RTYPE=COMP on a DRESP1 entry).
5. Use smaller design move limits (both delxesl and delx) for the highly nonlinear ESLNRO tasks
such as topology optimization with large deformation.
****************************************************************************************
C O M P R E H E N S I V E S U M M A R Y O F D E S I G N C Y C L E H I S T O R Y
****************************************************************************************
Totycle NL.DSCycle LinearDSCycle Objective Maxconst
1 1 0 3.219942E+04 3.929590E-03
2 1 1 7.717369E+03 -8.570094E-02
3 1 2 6.356784E+03 -3.654086E-02
4 1 3 5.621113E+03 0.000000E+00
5 1 4 5.621083E+03 0.000000E+00
6 2 0 9.169358E+04 2.975586E-04
7 2 1 9.911871E+03 -8.711449E-06
8 2 2 9.855386E+03 -8.711449E-06
9 2 3 9.855385E+03 -8.711449E-06
10 3 0 8.065990E+04 5.532227E-04
11 3 1 8.765772E+03 3.244820E-01
12 3 2 9.714928E+03 -1.352803E-02
13 3 3 9.714928E+03 -1.352803E-02
14 4 0 5.646795E+04 1.196680E-03
15 4 1 7.785467E+03 -3.360441E-03
16 4 2 7.708911E+03 -3.360441E-03
17 4 3 7.708912E+03 -3.360441E-03
Mem=120m $ allocate 120 Million words of memory
#debug:my.alter $ include a dmap alter for intermediate runs.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
6. For the design tasks that have a contact body relying on other contact body to prevent rigid body
motion, the MPC equations should be included in the linear optimization using PARAM,
ESLMPC1, 1. However, this setting does not produce good results as expected and requires more
studies.
Examples
Example 1 Designing Cantilevers With General Contact (deslo1.dat) in /tpl/nlropt2427
This problem consists of two cantilever plates modeled with CQUAD4 elements and fixed at both ends
and the top surface of the cantilever is loaded with the pressure load and the bottom surface is loaded at
the free tip as shown in Figure 12-16. Originally, two beams are separate. Without including the contact
condition, the problem would treat the top beam as a simple cantilever under a pressure load as if the
bottom beam is disjoined. However, when the general contact is considered, the intensity of the pressure
load on the top surface eventually forces the top beam to touch the bottom one. Then, the bottom
cantilever acts a flexible supporting mechanism to slow the downward movement of the top beam. In
addition, a different plastic material is specified for each surface with MATS1. The detailed MATS1
entries and 3D contact entries can be found in the user input file, deslo1.dat.
Figure 12-16 Model definition for Example 1

Pressureloadsappliedonthewholetop
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Figure 12-17 Initial Deformed Stress Contour
Figure 12-17 plots the stress contour on the deformed shapes of two beams. The higher stress occurs at
two fixed ends of the beams (1.76E+05) whereas the maximum displacement occurs at the free end of
the bottom cantilever.
The design task is to minimize the structural weight while limiting the deformation at given grid points
and all the element stresses by varying the thicknesses of top and bottom surfaces. Notice the gap
constraint is imposed to ensure the distance between the middle planes of the top and bottom beams.
The job starts with an infeasible design and takes 7 design cycles to converge to a feasible design as
shown in Figure 12-18. Figure 12-19 plots the design variable history. Both xy-plots are created using
CSV file saved in the punch file for an ESLNRO job.
Figure 12-18
Designing Cantilevers with Contact
14500
15000
15500
16000
16500
17000
17500
0 2 4 6 8
W
e
i
g
h
t
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Figure 12-19
Figure 12-20 Final Stress Contounr
Figure 12-20 plots the final stress contour on the deformed structure. The maximum stress still occurs at
the fixed end of the bottom beam but has been reduced to 1.41E5 from 1.76E5 whereas the maximum
deformation is reduced to 0.09 from 0.11.

Design Variable History


0.10
0.11
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.15
0 2 4 6 8
Design Cycle
T
h
i
c
k
n
e
s
s
T of Bottom Cantilever T of Top Cantilever
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MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release)
340
Example 2 Topology Optimization Problem with Large Deformation
(deslo9.dat, deslo9a.dat, deslo10.dat, deslo10a.dat and deslo9l.dat, deslo9al.dat)
This problem is originally published in Ref. 3 that shows the necessity to include nonlinear analysis with
topology optimization when large deformation is involved. A rectangular plate is modeled with
CQUAD4 elements (not shown) and has the dimension of 0.8m by 0.2m by 0.001m (width by height by
thickness). The middle points at both ends are fixed except the z-rotational degree of freedom. A
concentrated force is applied at the middle point on the top as shown in Figure 12-21.
Figure 12-21 A Rectangular Plate Model
Figure 12-22 Initial Deformation Plot

0.8m
0.2m
200.N
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
The deformation of the initial model is plotted as shown in Figure 12-22. The maximum displacement
occurs at the loading point with the value of is 0.249m, about 2.5 times of the height of the plate. So this
is a nonlinear problem with a large deformation behavior.
The design task is to find an optimal distribution of materials on this rectangular plate to minimize the
nonlinear compliance while maintaining 20% of the original weight under the large displacement
condition.
First, a linear topology optimization job of the same model is solved with SOL 200 (deslo9l.dat). It
converges in 39 design cycles. The final configuration with is shown in Figure 12-23. The plot is created
using Patrans DesignTool/Post-Process with the threshold value of 0.2. Let us call it the updated linear
structure (or FE model). One can see that the right and left arms of the updated linear structure are in
compression under the original loading condition.

Figure 12-23 Final configuration from linear topology optimization
Next, the same job is solved by the new ESLNRO capability under the large displacement condition
(deslo9.dat).
The job converges in 89 design cycles. Its final configuration is shown in Figure 12-24 that is created
using Patrans Design Tool/Post-Process/Display Results with the threshold value of 0.2. We will call it
the updated nonlinear structure (or FE model). Notice the updated structure is in always tension.
Figure 12-24 Final configuration from nonlinear topology optimization
It is clear that the updated linear and nonlinear structures are very different. One may notice that under
the current loading condition (see Figure 12-21), a part of the updated linear structure is under
compression while the updated nonlinear structure is all in the tension. To verify which structure is more
capable of sustaining the nonlinear load condition, first Patrans Group techniques are used to create an
updated FE model for both the linear and nonlinear structures as shown in Figure 12-23 and Figure 12-24.
Next, the nonlinear analysis is performed on each of two structures with the original loading
(deslo9al.dat and deslo9a.dat).

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342
The final results are very interesting: the updated linear FE structure collapses due to local buckling
because the right and left arms are in compression. On the other hand, the updated nonlinear FE model
performs well. Figure 12-25 plots the deformation from the updated nonlinear FE model under the
original loading. The maximum displacement of 0.0184m occurs at the loading point.

Figure 12-25 Displacement plot of the updated nonlinear structure
This example shows that it is necessary to perform the topology optimization by including nonlinear
analysis responses.
Notice Ref. 3 published a final configuration that is given in Figure 12-26. It is significantly different
from both the updated linear structure and the updated nonlinear structure as shown in Figure 12-23 and
Figure 12-24. According to Ref.3, this updated nonlinear structure also performs well under the original
loading.
Figure 12-26 Final configuration obtained by Ref.3
It is natural to ask why it is significantly different from the updated nonlinear structure obtained by
ESLNRO (Figure 12-24). One explanation lies in that the objective function used by Ref.3 is nonlinear
mean compliance that is the sum of nonlinear strain energy and complementary energy. However, the
nonlinear compliance response in the ESLNRO is the sum of the product of applied loads and the
corresponding nonlinear displacement components or the work done. In the linear analysis, the strain
energy and its complementary energy are same. So the total work done is twice the strain energy.

Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
However, in the geometrically nonlinear analysis, the above relation does not hold. The nonlinear
compliance response defined in ESLNRO is different from the mean compliance response.
To carry out the study further, a new ESLNRO job is performed by setting DESMAX to 1. This enforces
that the linear optimization job is only carried out in one design cycle and it then immediately returns the
proposed new design back to the ESLNRO loop. A new set of equivalent static loads will be generated
from the updated nonlinear analysis. The purpose of this exercise is to update the equivalent static loads
as much as possible since the equivalent static loads in a linear optimization is invariant. The final
configuration based on this strategy is shown in Figure 12-25. The final configuration agrees well with
the published results (See Figure 12-26) except two small closed loops are formed at the bottom of the
structure. Figure 10 is created using Patrans Design Tool/Post-Process/Display Results with the
threshold value of 0.2. It should be pointed out that this run does not achieve hard convergence. In stead,
it is terminated after 5 consecutive nonlinear analyses unable to find a converged solution.

Figure 12-27 Plot of displacement for the alternate updated nonlinear structure
Furthermore, an independent nonlinear analysis is performed for the updated nonlinear FE model under
the original loading (deslo10a.dat). The deformation plot from this nonlinear analysis is shown in
Figure 12-28 with the maximum displacement of 0.021m that occurs at the loading point.

Figure 12-28 Plot of displacement for the alternate updated nonlinear structure
Main Index
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Optimization of Nonlinear Structural Responses Phase 2 (Pre-release)
344
From this example, we have learned that it is important and necessary to perform the topology
optimization by including large displacement as nonlinear responses. In addition, if measured in terms of
the maximum displacement, both updated nonlinear structures from Figure 12-24 and Figure 12-27 are
close, 0.0184m vs. 0.021m. However, their configurations are significantly different. Therefore, the
nonlinear topology optimization tasks are more difficult to solve than the linear ones because it not only
tends to show the local minima phenomenon but also the nonlinear analyses may not lead to convergent
solution because the collection of elements with lower strain energy or empty elements.
References
1. MD Nastran R3 Release Guide, 2008.
2. S. Zhang, E. H. Johnson, D. Chou, L. Proctor & G.J. Park, Optimization of Nonlinear Structural
Responses with MD Nastran, Proceedings of the 12th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis
and Optimization Conference, 10-12 Sept. 2008
3. H. C. Gea and J. Luo, Topology optimization of structures with geometric nonlinearities,
Computers & Structures 79(2001) 1977-1985
Main Index
345
CHAPTER 12
Optimization
Build External Servers Using the SCons Tool
Introduction
MD Nastran provides the external server capability (beam library, DRESP3 and Spline servers) to allow
the client to create their custom applications without modifying the Nastran program. Prior to MD
Nastran 20101, the binary server executables are built using make utilities. Starting this release, they will
be built using the SCons tool.
Overview
SCons is a Software Construction tool. Its major benefits are given below. It is expected that SCons tool
provide same or better experience to build an external server.
1. Automatically to resolve source code dependencies;
2. Fairly easy to build binary programs on various platforms with different operating systems. It is
particular true for building external server programs on Windows;
3. Easy to develop applications that use combined Python scripts and other source codes written in
C or Fortran because SCons configuration files are written in Python scripts;
4. Easy to extend the server template codes by simply adding your source codes to the target
directory without the need to modify SConscript.
Although DRESP3 server is used to describe the procedures to build an external server, they can be
applied directly to beam library and spline servers.
The Installation Directory for External Server programs
The location of a server directory has been changed and is placed under install_dir/md20101/nast/
directory. Three external servers are placed in three separate directories, respectively.
The root directory for beam library server: install_dir/md20101/nast/beamlib
The root directory for dresp3 server: install_dir/md20101/nast/dr3
The root directory for spline server: install_dir/md20101/nast/spline_server
The DRESP3 server directory can be located in install_dir/md20101/nast/dr3 on UNIX and
install_dir\md20101\nast\dr3 on Windows. Its structure is shown in the figure below that is borrowed
from Directory for dr3 server (p. 11) in the MD Nastran 2010 Installation and Operations Guide. It
contains three SCons construction files and 3 subdirectories: include, lib and src. Notice that the library
subdirectory contains a set of predefined libraries and object files that architecture dependent. The src
directory contains the source codes that are used together with the library and object files to build server
programs.
Main Index
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Build External Servers Using the SCons Tool
346
The SCons tool requires a subdirectory be created for each server program. For example, directory
dr3serv is created for server dr3serv that contains a SConscript file and Fortran files r3sgrt, r3svald,
r3svals. It is convenient to use the program name as the directory name but is not required.
Data Structure of DRESP3 Server
---- dr3 (root)
|
--- SConopts
--- SConscript
--- SConstruct
--- Include
|-- ftncalls.h
|-- stdmsc.h
|-- stdsystm.h
--- lib
|
----- < ARCH 1>
|
----- linux64
| -- libdr3srv.a, libdr3main.a
| -- cnxx.o
| -- initgmsrvcmns.o
| -- main.o
| -- semd.o
----- win64
| -- dr3srv.lib, dr3main.lib
| -- cnxx.obj
| -- getlserm.obj
| -- initgmsrvcmns.obj
| -- main.obj
| -- semd.obj
------ <ARCH i>
---- src
| -- SConscript
| -- dr3serv
| | -- SConscript
| | -- r3sgrt.F
| | -- r3svald.F
| | -- r3svals.F
| -- dr3serva
| |
| -- other sample dresp3 server directories
Build a DRESP3 Server
The simplest way to build a server is to enter the command from the install_dir/md20101/nast/dr3
directory
scons dr3serv
where dr3serv is the program name you want to build. The command creates dr3serv on UNIX or
dr3serv.exe on Windows. By default, the command saves the program in the directory dr3/Apps/arch/bin
Main Index
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CHAPTER 12
Optimization
that is architecture dependent. For example, arch=LX8664 indicates Linux 64 bit machine or
arch=WIN8664 a Window 64 bit machine.
If you do not have the write privilege to the install_dir, you have two options:
1. Define APPS_LOCAL and SCA_OBJECT construction variables to redirect the output to
another writable location. To learn more about the SCons build environment, please consult
Subsection of 'Build External Servers using SCons tools' Under the External Response Section in
the DS&O's User Guide.
2. Copy the entire dr3 directory to another location that you have the write access to. This option is
particularly useful when you want to create your server program in a new subdirectory.
Guidelines to Build a DRESP3 Server
Building an external server requires your computer to have Software Development Kit installation
(SDK) and MD Nastran installation with the external server option.
To create a new server program, you may either work in a new subdirectory under the src to develop
required SConscript and Fortran template files or work in an existing subdirectory to modify the required
files.
If your server program requires additional source codes, you can simply include them in the target
directory without the need change in SConscript. However, if you want to add your custom library or
object file, you need to place them in the lib/ directory and to update the SConscript file to reference the
library and/or object files.
To learn more about customizing the SCons build environment and advanced build scenarios, please see
Build External Servers using SCons Tool (p. 294) in the Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users
Guide or SCASCons Build System (p. 403) in the SCA Framework Users Guide.
Using Server Program
Consult the External Responses (p. 191) in the Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide for
more information on how to use the server program in a Nastran job.
Main Index
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Deactivation of Original Design Sensitivity (DSA)
348
Deactivation of Original Design Sensitivity (DSA)
MSC deployed a capability to provide design sensitivities for SOLs 101, 103 and 105 results over 20
years ago. This capability was characterized by a DVAR entry that defined design variables, an associated
DVSET that defined the properties that could be varied and a DSCONS entry to define the response and
the constraint limits. This capability has been absent from the Quick Reference Guide since the
MSC Nastran 2004 release but has still been available in the code. With the release of MD Nastran 2010,
this capability is no longer available. The extensive Design Sensitivity and Optimization capability that
is contained in MD/MSC Nastran and that is documented in the MD Nastran 2010/MSC Nastran 2010
Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide provides all the functionality of the Original Design
Sensitivity Analysis plus many other features as detailed in this document and the Users Guide.
Main Index
Chapter 13: Aeroelasticity MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
13
Aeroelasticity

Input of Pressures on an Aerodynamic Mesh

Aeroelasticity - Output of Trimmed Loads

CSV Output of Trim Results

CSV Output of Stability Derivatives

SUBCOM/SUBSEQ with Static Aeroelasticity

Upper Hessenberg Complex Eigenanalysis No Longer Supported for


Flutter Analysis
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Aeroelasticity
350
Input of Pressures on an Aerodynamic Mesh
Introduction
In MD Nastran 2010 the user can now apply pressures at aerodynamic grid (AEGRID) points.
Benefits
It is now possible to input pressures that come from an external source, such as CFD analyses or wind
tunnel tests, onto an aerodynamic mesh and Nastran will transform these pressures to forces that can be
included in a static aeroelastic analysis.
Feature Description
A new Nastran module has been provided that combines information input on the AEPRESS/DMIJ
entries with geometry provided on AEGRID/AEQUAD4/AETRIA3 entries and coordinate systems data
to produce forces at the aerodynamic mesh points. Spline input can then be used to transfer these forces
to structural grid points so that they can be included in a standard SOL 144 static aeroelastic analysis. No
new input commands or entries are required to invoke this capability.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. Pressure is input at the grids of the aerodynamic mesh and is converted to forces using the same
techniques as are applied with a PLOAD4 entry. That is, the forces are computed using a
combination of connected elements (AEQUAD4 and/or AETRIA3 in this case) to define the area
over which the pressure is acting in conjunction with systems to determine the direction in which
the forces are acting. The forces are computed at the AEGRID locations.
2. Pressure can be input in all three directions at the aerodynamic grid and they do not need to act in
a direction normal to the surface. The aerodynamic coordinate system defined by the AEROS
Bulk Data entry defines the directions in which the pressures act.
3. There is no aeroelastic effect associated with the AEPRESS input in this case. Only rigid
aerodynamic loads are produced. In the example given above, deformations are produced at the
structural grid points but there is no aerodynamic correction due to these deformations.
4. It should be apparent that an application of this technique is to input results from a CFD analysis
into a Nastran static aeroelastic analysis. To do this, the user needs to define the aerodynamic
mesh using AEGRID/AEQUAD4/AETRIA3, the pressure vector using a combination of
AEPRESS/UXVEC and DMIJ entries and the appropriate spline methods.
5. The AEPRESS data can be used in combination with AEFORCE/AEDW input to directly input
aerodynamic forces or downwashes on the same aerodynamic mesh.
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CHAPTER 13
Aeroelasticity
6. It is not possible to combine aerodynamic mesh input with Doublet Lattice like aerodynamics in
a single run. However, it is possible to have separate meshes using the RIGID/Flexible Mesh
concepts introduced in MSC Nastran 2005 R3. This entails making an initial run with only the
rigid aerodynamic mesh and then, in a subsequent run, attaching the database from this run and
using the AERCONFIG case control command to identify the rigid mesh results in a static
aeroelastic analysis that would obtain its flexible increments from a doublet lattice based analysis.
7. Currently, this technology is only available in static aeroelasticity (SOL 144 or the
ANALYSIS=SAERO option in SOL 200). Support for SOL 146 (dynamic response) is not
provided at this time.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available on the TPL in subdirectory /tpl/aero_asm: cyl144b.dat
TPL Problem cyl144b.dat
TPL file cyl144b.dat provides an example of the loads on a cylinder spinning in an airstream. Textbooks
on introductory fluid mechanics such as Chapter 4.8 of Reference 1. provide a closed form solution for
this airflow.
The aerodynamic mesh is depicted in Figure 13-1. The cylinder has a radius of 1.0 and a length of 10.0.
Length units are in inches. Data are input at angles of 22.5 degrees at five spanwise stations ranging from
-5.0 to 5.0.
The structural model consists of 10 CBAR elements that reference a PBARL entry that creates TUBE
cross sections that have an outer radius of 1.0 and an inner radius of 0.95. From the reference, pressure
per unit dynamic pressure in a uniform stream can be expressed as:
where is the rotation speed in radians/sec. is the radius of the cylinder and is the freestream
velocity. The pressure acts radially while Nastran requires input in rectangular coordinates at the grid
points. With a coordinate system that has positive x in the direction of the flow and the z axis normal to
the flow, the radial pressure at each point has components in the x and z directions. For irrotational flow,
the net force in the streamwise direction is zero so that it is only necessary to input the z component of
the pressure. Note that 3D effects of the flow are neglected so there is no spanwise component.
p q 4sin
2
u = 2 u er V
e
( ) sin er V
e
( )
2
+ +
e r V

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Aeroelasticity
352
Figure 13-1 The Aerodynamic and Structural Model for the Flow Around a Spinning
Cylinder.
A section of the pressure input is given shown in Figure 13-2. The AEPRESS entry identifies a UXVEC
entry that indicates the state of the pressure input. In this case, the state includes the intercept and a CIRC
value of 0.1, where CIRC is the parameter. The AEPRESS data at the UXVEC condition is input
as a vector using the DMIJ format that lists the grid and component for each real number that provides
the pressure at the mesh point. Since the three dimensional aspects of the flow are ignored in this analysis,
the same pressure distribution in input at the 5 spanwise cuts.
er V

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CHAPTER 13
Aeroelasticity
Figure 13-2 A Portion of the Input Bulk Data that Provides Pressure Data on the
Aerodynamic Mesh
Figure 13-3 provides an additional snippet with splining and boundary condition information. The
SPLINE7 is a 6 DOF spline that uses a finite beam technique to connect all the aerodynamic mesh points
to the structural grids that are defined along the axis of the tube. The GRDSET entry constrains the
motion in the 1256 directions at all the structural grid points while the SPC condition invokes symmetry
about the x-axis and the SUPORT entry allows the tube to move in the 3 direction.
Figure 13-3 Spline and Boundary Condition Input for the Spinning Cylinder
The goal of the analysis is to determine the rate of rotation necessary to create a lift force that is equal to
the weight (URDD3 = 1.0) of the aluminum tube when immersed in an airstream moving at M= .45
(Velocity = 6031.8 inches/sec) at sea level. The .f06 file indicates that the value of the CIRC parameter
at trim is 1.214E-3. The rotational rate is then cycles/second.
References
1. Kuethe, A.M and Schetzer, J.D., Foundations of Aerodynamics, John Wiley & Sons, New York,
Second Edition, 1959.
aepress 0.45 asymm asymm 102 circ1
uxvec 102
intercpt 1.0 circ 0.1
dmij circ1 0 9 1 0 0 1
DMIj circ1 1 1 1 3 .0
2 3 .2866 3 3 1.6213
4 3 3.505 5 3 4.41
6 3 3.505 7 3 1.6213
8 3 .2866 9 3 0.0
10 3 -.1694 11 3 -1.2213
12 3 -2.8221 13 3 -3.61
14 3 -2.8221 15 3 -1.2213
16 3 -.16942 101 3 0.0
$ $
$ * 6DOF FINITE BEAM SPLINE * $
$ $
$ EID CAERO BOX1 BOX2 SETG DZ
aelist 101 1 thru 16 101 thru 116 401
201 thru 216 301 thru 316 402 403
404 thru 416
set1 101 1001 thru 1011
SPLINE7 100 1 101 101 1.0
both
spc 1 1006 4
suport 1006 3
grdset 1256
1.214E-3 6031.8 2 t ( ) 1.16 =
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354
Aeroelasticity - Output of Trimmed Loads
Introduction
MD Nastran now supports the creation of bulk data force/moment entries for trim loads.
Benefits
A primary reason for performing a static aeroelastic analysis is to determine the aeroelastic loads acting
on the free-flying vehicle. With this new capability it is now possible to output the loads from the trim
solution in the familiar FORCE/MOMENT Bulk Data entry format so that these loads could be passed
to the group performing detailed stress analysis. In another application, these loads could be viewed in a
graphical fashion using, for example, MD Patran.
Input
The TRIMF Case Control command is used to invoke this new capability. The user can provide an
ASSIGN statement to direct the results to a special purpose file, or they will go to the .pch file by default.
The TRIMF command is quite flexible in that it can output load components or total loads. It is also
possible to limit the output to a set of user defined grid points.
TRIMF Format:
Example:
TRIMF(LOADSET=10001,LARGE)=ALL
TRIMF(UNIT=59,INERTIA,NOSUM)=1
Describer Meaning
UNIT Fortran unit to which data are written. (Optional; Default = 7) (punch file).
LOADSET Load set id for output bulk data entries. If the TRIMF specification results in
multiple load sets, then the defined ID will be used for the first and each subsequent
load set has an ID incremented by 1. (Optional; Default = 1)
LARGE Write the output data in large field format (16 characters per field). The default is 8
characters per field.
INERTIA Write out inertial loads as a separate load set. By default, the separate load set will
not be written.
TRIMF UNIT i = | | ( LOADSET n = | | LARGE | | INERTIA | | APPLIED | | AIR | | , , , , , |
NOSUM | | RIGID | | NOELASTIC | | QNORM | | ) , , |
ALL
n
)
`

=
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Remark:
1. By default, the loads are written to the punch file (Fortran unit 7). If the user specifies an alternate
Fortran unit number on the TRIMF entry, by default the loads will be written to a file name that
is machine specific (i.e. fort.53 on many UNIX platforms). The user may connect the Fortran
unit to a user-defined file name by using an ASSIGN entry in the FMS Section of the input file.
For example:
ASSIGN USERFILE='load13.inc',STATUS=UNKNOWN,FORMATTED,UNIT=53
2. Up to eight loads sets are available: Rigid Inertial, Rigid Applied, Rigid Air, Rigid Sum and four
more with the sum of the rigid and elastic increment.
3. Care must be taken if LOADSET is specified in a run with multiple subcases. There are no checks
that the load set IDs which are generated by one subcase are not also used for another subcase.
For example, consider the following Case Control commands:
SUBCASE 1
TRIM = 1
TRIMF(RIGID) = ALL $
SUBCASE 2
TRIM = 2
TRIMF(LOADSET=2) = ALL
Subcase 1 will generate two load sets with set IDs 1 and 2. Subcase 2 will also output a load set
ID 2.
4. The LOADSET option should not be specified in a TRIMF entry that is located above the subcase
level. For example, consider the following:
APPLIED Write out applied loads as a separate load set. By default, the separate load set will
not be written.
AIR Write out aerodynamic loads as a separate load set. By default, the separate load set
will not be written.
NOSUM By default, the sum of the inertial, applied, and aerodynamic loads will be written
as a separate load set. This option suppresses the writing of that set of loads.
RIGID Write out rigid instances of the selected loads (Inertial, Applied, Air and/or Sum) as
separate load sets. By default, the separate load set will not be written.
NOELASTIC By default, the sum of the rigid and elastic increment loads will be written as a
separate load set. This option suppresses the writing of that set of loads.
QNORM Normalize the load by the dynamic pressure used in the trim analysis. By default,
the loads are not normalized.
ALL Loads for all points will be output
n Set identification of a previously appearing SET command. Only loads on points
with identification numbers that appear on this SET command will be output
(Integer > 0)
Describer Meaning
Main Index
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356
TRIMF(LOADSET=101) = ALL
SUBCASE 1
TRIM = 1
SUBCASE 2
TRIM = 2
Here, both subcases will output trim loads with load set ID = 101.
Output
The output of TRIMF are FORCE and MOMENT bulk data entries. The output is to either the punch file
or user defined file. See test case below for sample output.
Guidelines and Limitations
The TRIMF request can be placed above all subcases, in which case it is in effect until overwritten or at
the subcase level to make a subcase dependent request.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/ue6_09a: trimf.dat
TPL file trimf.dat is a variation of the ha144e.dat test file documented in the MD Nastran Aeroelastic
Users Guide. The variation is to add the following trimf commands in two of the five subcases:
assign userfile='abrupt.inc', status=unknown,formatted,unit=53
...
...
SUBCASE 1
TRIM = 1 $ HIGH SPEED LEVEL FLIGHT
SUBCASE 2
TRIM = 2 $ HIGH SPEED ROLLING PULLOUT
SUBCASE 3
trimf(unit=53,loadset=1,rigid)=all
TRIM = 3 $ HIGH SPEED PULLOUT WITH ABRUPT ROLL
SUBCASE 4
trimf(loadset=10,inertia,air,rigid) = 100
TRIM = 4 $ HIGH SPEED SNAP-ROLL ENTRY
SUBCASE 5
TRIM = 5 $ HIGH SPEED CLIMBING TURN
The test case in contrived to test a number of the features of the new capability. For example, the assign
statement is used to capture the output from the third subcase while the data from the fourth subcase goes
to the .pch file. It is seen that the output only goes to a set of grids in the fourth subcase. This feature
could be used, for example, if only the loads on the wing are of interest.
Subcase 3 output is to the user defined file abrupt.inc-
$...............................................................................
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$
$ TRIM CASE: 3
$ RIGID (AERODYNAMIC + APPLIED - INERTIAL) LOADS
$
FORCE 1 97 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -14400.
FORCE 1 98 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 6408.71
FORCE 1 99 0 1.0 0.0 -5.97767-16280.6
FORCE 1 100 0 1.0 0.0 -849.963-17073.7
FORCE 1 111 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 7102.12
FORCE 1 112 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -9393.04
FORCE 1 121 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 35721.3
FORCE 1 122 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -33645.6
FORCE 1 211 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 6736.25
FORCE 1 212 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -2391.09
FORCE 1 221 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -20757.3
FORCE 1 222 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 28125.5
FORCE 1 311 0 1.0 -1.84-11-832.2 -288.
FORCE 1 312 0 1.0 -1.23-11 272.795-192.
MOMENT 1 98 0 1.0 -645.697 0.0 0.0
MOMENT 1 99 0 1.0 -645.697 0.0 0.0
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 3
$ ELASTIC (AERODYNAMIC + APPLIED - INERTIAL) LOADS
$
FORCE 2 97 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -14400.
FORCE 2 98 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 6958.1
FORCE 2 99 0 1.0 0.0 95.7669-14832.1
FORCE 2 100 0 1.0 0.0 -762.642-16588.3
FORCE 2 111 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 16858.9
FORCE 2 112 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -10494.
FORCE 2 121 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 46718.8
FORCE 2 122 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -34359.8
FORCE 2 211 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 11975.7
FORCE 2 212 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -2332.64
FORCE 2 221 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -17538.
FORCE 2 222 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 28513.3
FORCE 2 311 0 1.0 -1.84-11 526.924-288.
FORCE 2 312 0 1.0 -1.23-11 139.951-192.
MOMENT 2 98 0 1.0 -515.146 0.0 0.0
MOMENT 2 99 0 1.0 -515.146 0.0 0.0
Subcase 4 output goes to the default unit (punch file) -
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 4
$ RIGID INERTIAL LOADS
$
FORCE 10 100 0 1.0 -1.65-12-33147.4-21.0849
FORCE 10 111 0 1.0 1584.39-4922.53-298.03
FORCE 10 112 0 1.0 1056.26-4337.95 954.982
FORCE 10 121 0 1.0 4753.18-3093.03 844.847
FORCE 10 122 0 1.0 3168.79-3118.28 1716.9
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 4
$ ELASTIC INERTIAL LOADS
$
FORCE 11 100 0 1.0 -1.65-12-32947.6 44.9123
FORCE 11 111 0 1.0 1584.39-4922.53-369.264
FORCE 11 112 0 1.0 1056.26-4337.95 1861.03
FORCE 11 121 0 1.0 4753.18-3093.03 661.133
FORCE 11 122 0 1.0 3168.79-3118.28 1832.56
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 4
Main Index
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358
$ RIGID AERODYNAMIC LOADS
$
FORCE 12 100 0 1.0 0.0 416.853-16643.4
FORCE 12 111 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 9339.64
FORCE 12 112 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -16832.9
FORCE 12 121 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 18282.9
FORCE 12 122 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -4692.2
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 4
$ ELASTIC AERODYNAMIC LOADS
$
FORCE 13 100 0 1.0 0.0 166.317-15698.5
FORCE 13 111 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 24597.3
FORCE 13 112 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -19263.1
FORCE 13 121 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 33389.
FORCE 13 122 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 -5317.57
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 4
$ RIGID (AERODYNAMIC + APPLIED - INERTIAL) LOADS
$
FORCE 14 100 0 1.0 -1.65-12-32730.5-16664.5
FORCE 14 111 0 1.0 1584.39-4922.53 9041.61
FORCE 14 112 0 1.0 1056.26-4337.95-15877.9
FORCE 14 121 0 1.0 4753.18-3093.03 19127.7
FORCE 14 122 0 1.0 3168.79-3118.28-2975.3
$...............................................................................
$
$ TRIM CASE: 4
$ ELASTIC (AERODYNAMIC + APPLIED - INERTIAL) LOADS
$
FORCE 15 100 0 1.0 -1.65-12-32781.3-15653.6
FORCE 15 111 0 1.0 1584.39-4922.53 24228.1
FORCE 15 112 0 1.0 1056.26-4337.95-17402.1
FORCE 15 121 0 1.0 4753.18-3093.03 34050.1
FORCE 15 122 0 1.0 3168.79-3118.28-3485.
GUI Support
Patran currently does not support the TRIMF case control
SimXpert does not have an aeroelastic workspace.
Main Index
359
CHAPTER 13
Aeroelasticity
CSV Output of Trim Results
Introduction
MD Nastran 2010 contains a new feature that allows the user to create a summary of the trim results in
a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file suitable for viewing and manipulating in a spreadsheet
application.
Benefits
The CSV file provides a convenient summary of the trim results that would otherwise have to be gleaned
from disparate parts of the .f06 file. This is particularly valuable when hundreds of subcases are being
analyzed in a single run.
Input
The CSV feature in activated by PARAM LDSUM (Ch. 5) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
The unit the CSV file is written to is specified by PARAM XYUNIT. An assign statement such as:
assign userfile='aecsv1.csv' status=unknown form=formatted unit=52
defines the file where the results are stored. The unit 52 corresponds to PARAM XYUNIT 52.
PARAM LDSUM
Default = 0
Dictates what information is to be stored on a CSV (comma separated values) file in a SOL 144 (static
aeroelasticity) task. The unit the CSV file is stored to is specified by param XYUNIT. LDSUM has the
following options:
= 0 (Default) Do not create a CSV file for static aeroelasticity
=1 Create a CSV file that contains for each static aeroelastic subcase:
a. Subcase ID
b. Mach number
c. Dynamic Pressure
d. Trim Values
e. Mass and CG information (mass, xcg,ycg,zcg, IXX,IYY,IZZ,IXY,IXZ and IYZ)
= 2 Same as 1 plus net structural monitor point (MONPNT1, MONDPS1, MONPNT2,
MONPNT3) results
= 3 Same as 2 plus the output of RIGID AIR, ELASTIC RESTRAINED, and INERTIAL,
RIGID APPLIED and ELASTIC APPLIED components for the structural MONPNT1 results
Main Index
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360
Output
The output is a csv file as shown in the test case below.
Guidelines and Limitations
1. PARAM LDSUM can appear in case control or in the bulk data portion of the input file. Only one
PARAM LDSUM can appear.
2. The first row in the spreadsheet provides titles for the columns that contain the results. Each
subsequent row contains all the requested results for a single subcase. This means that there is a
potential for more columns in the row than standard spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel
can accommodate. This implies it may be necessary to use a special purpose spreadsheet tool to
take full advantage of the new capability.
3. The PARAM XYUNIT is also used in SOL 200 to provide design optimization results. If the SOL
200 run includes static aeroelastic subcases and PARAM LDSUM is used, the resulting
spreadsheet will have a row for each static aero subcase for each design iteration followed by the
design optimization results.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/ue_csv09: aecsv1.dat, aecsv4.dat
TPL Problem aecsv1.dat
TPL example problem aecsv1 uses PARAM,LDSUM,1 to provide a summary of the trim results without
any monitor points results.
assign userfile='OUTDIR:aecsv1.csv' status=unknown,
form=formatted unit=52
SOL 144 $ STATIC AERO
CEND
param ldsum 1 $ control for csv output
param xyunit 52 $ output unit for csv file
TITLE = EXAMPLE HA144F: FSW WITH FUSELAGE, 3 CONTROLS & 2 STOR HA144F
SUBTI = UNSYMMETRIC FLIGHT CONDITIONS, DOUBLET-LATTICE AERO
LABEL = FULL-SPAN MODEL WITH DISPLACED CANARD
ECHO = BOTH
SPC = 1 $ SYMMETRIC CONSTRAINTS
MPC = 10 $ CANARD/FUSELAGE STRUCTURAL CONNECTIONS
DISP = ALL $ PRINT ALL DISPLACEMENTS
MONITOR = ALL
SUBCASE 1
TRIM = 1 $ HIGH SPEED LEVEL FLIGHT
BEGIN BULK
Partial listing of the resulting CSV file:
Sub Case,Mach,Dynamic Pressure ,INTERCEPT ,ANGLEA ,P ...
1, 9.000000E-01, 1.200000E+03, 1.000000E+00 ...
Main Index
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TPL Problem aecsv4.dat
TPL problem aecsv4.dat is a more comprehensive example geometry with PARAM,LDSUM,4 to
provide a summary of the trim results including comprehensive monitor point results.
Figure 13-4 TPL Problem aecsv4.dat
assign userfile='OUTDIR:aecsv4.csv' status=unknown,
form=formatted unit=52
SOL 144
TIME 600
END
param ldsum 4 $ control for csv output
param xyunit 52 $ output unit for csv file
SEALL = ALL
SUPER = ALL
ECHO = SORT
MAXLINES = 999999
AECONFIG = Freedom4
SUBCASE 1
$ Subcase name : Mach .4 Level Flight
SUBTITLE=Mach .4 Level Flight
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL,plot)=ALL
SPCFORCES(SORT1,REAL)=ALL
OLOAD(SORT1,REAL,plot)=ALL
STRESS(SORT1,REAL,VONMISES,BILIN,plot)=ALL
TRIM = 1
AESYMXZ = Asymmetric
AESYMXY = Asymmetric
SUPORT1 = 1
AEROF = ALL
APRES = ALL
BEGIN BULK
PARAMAESMETHRITZ
GUI Support
Patran currently does not support PARAM,LDSUM
SimXpert does not have an aeroelastic workspace.
Main Index
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Aeroelasticity
362
CSV Output of Stability Derivatives
Introduction
MD Nastran has a new feature that allows the user to write out the stability derivatives from a Solution
144 job to a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file that is suitable for viewing in a spreadsheet program.
Benefits
This new capability will allow the user to examine how the stability derivatives change as a function of
the flight or trim condition.
Input
The name of the file to which the stability derivatives will be written is controlled by the Nastran
ASSIGN statement using standard Nastran syntax. For example:
ASSIGN USERFILE='stabder.csv' STATUS=UNKNOWN FORM=FORMATTED
UNIT=53
Two new Nastran parameters were created to control the CSV output: SDUNIT and SDCSV.
SDUNIT This parameter defines the Fortran unit number to which the stability derivatives will be
written. This unit number should coincide with that from the ASSIGN statement that defines the name
of the CSV file. For example:
PARAM SDUNIT 53
SDCSV This parameter controls which stability derivative data are written:
To output more than one type, the value flags can be summed. For example, to output all stability
derivatives:
Value Derivative
0 No derivatives will be output
1 Rigid Aero
2 Rigid splined
4 Elastic Restrained
8 Elastic Unrestrained
16 Inertial Restrained
32 Inertial Unrestrained
Main Index
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PARAM SDCSV 63
For each type, derivatives for all controllers will be written.
Outputs
A new file will be created that contains the stability derivative information. The file will look similar to
the following:
SUB CASE,MACH,DYNAMIC PRESSURE,REFERENCE_ID,INTERCPT_REF,SIDES_REF, ... ,REF.COEFF_SD_A_CZ_RA,REF.COEFF_SD_S_CZ_RS,
...
1, 8.300000E-01, 2.577100E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
2, 8.300000E-01, 2.577100E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
3, 8.300000E-01, 2.581900E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
4, 8.300000E-01, 2.581900E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
5, 8.300000E-01, 2.588200E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
6, 8.300000E-01, 2.588200E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
7, 8.300000E-01, 2.595900E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
8, 8.300000E-01, 2.595900E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
9, 8.300000E-01, 2.597200E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
10, 8.300000E-01, 2.597200E+00, 0, 1.000000E+00 , 0.000000E+00 , ... , 1.970288E+05 , 1.970288E+05 , ...
The format of the stability derivative column headers is:
<name>_<type>_<mesh>_<axis>_<component>
Where:
Guidelines and Limitations
Nastran will not prevent the user from writing the stability derivatives to the same CSV file as the
monitor points. However, no merging of similar columns is attempted. Instead, the CSV file will contain
two independent sections: one for the monitor points, and one for the stability derivatives.
name Name of the controller
type SD
mesh A = aerodynamic
S = structural
axis CX, CY, CZ, CMX, CMY, CMZ
component RA = rigid aero
RS = rigid splined
ER = elastic restrained
EU = elastic unrestrained
IR = inertial restrained
IU = inertial unrestrained
Main Index
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364
Test Case
The aecsvsd63.dat test case is available in the TPL in directory tpl/ue_csv09. This test case will output
all stability derivatives (SDCSV=63) to a CSV file named aecsvsd63.csv.
assign userfile='OUTDIR:aecsvsd63.csv' status=unknown form=formatted,
unit=53
SOL 144
CEND
TITLE = MSC/NASTRAN Aeroelastic job created on 01-Jun-99 at 16:00:58
SUBCASE 1
SUBTITLE=Mach .4 Level Flight
TRIM = 1
SUPORT1 = 1
BEGIN BULK
PARAM SDUNIT 53
PARAM SDCSV 63
PARAM POST 0
. .
. .
. .
Main Index
365
CHAPTER 13
Aeroelasticity
SUBCOM/SUBSEQ with Static Aeroelasticity
Introduction
The SUBCOM/SUBSEQ commands that were previously limited to statics problems have been
extended to static aeroelasticity problems (both in SOL 144 and in SOL 200 with ANALYSIS=SAERO).
Benefits
The motivation for this task is to allow a scaling of the results (displacements and element responses)
from a static aeroelastic trim analysis as a post-processing operation. This is particularly of benefit in an
optimization task where one desires to explore applying different limit factors to the results in a design
task.
User Inputs
The existing SUBCOM/SUBSEQ case control commands have been activated for a static aeroelastic
analysis. Typically, a single SUBSEQ coefficient is used to scale the results of the previous subcase,
although multiple coefficients are supported. In a SOL 200 job, the SUBCOM subcase needs to be
accompanied by an ANALYSIS=SAERO command to designate that this subcase is to be grouped with
the static aeroelastic subcases.
Outputs
Data recovery occurs for the SUBCOM subcases in the same way as any other subcase. The SUBCOM
ID appears on the right hand side of the page to indicate that the results are associated with the SUBCOM
Guidelines and Limitations
Only element and grid responses are affected by the SUBCOM. Trim results and stability derivative
results are neither computed or output. In SOL 200, it is illegal to invoke a DRESP1 with RTYPE =
STABDER or TRIM from a SUBCOM subcase that has ANALYSIS=SAERO.
Example
A variation of the familiar HA144A test case for the forward swept wing is used to demonstrate the new
SUBCOM capability in a SOL 144 test case. The test case is available in the TPL in directory
/tpl/ue_csv09: subcoma.dat. The case control is shown below and it is seen that there is a SUBCOM 4
that requests output that is 50% greater than that of subcase 3.
TITLE = EXAMPLE HA144A: 30 DEG FWD SWEPT WING WITH CANARD HA14 HA144A
SUBTI = SYMMETRIC FLIGHT CONDITIONS, DOUBLET-LATTICE AERO
LABEL = HALF-SPAN MODEL, STATIC SYMMETRIC LOADING
Main Index
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ECHO = BOTH
SPC = 1 $ SYMMETRIC CONSTRAINTS
DISP = ALL $ PRINT ALL DISPLACEMENTS
STRESS = ALL $ PRINT ALL STRESSES
FORCE = ALL $ PRINT ALL FORCES
AEROF = ALL $ PRINT ALL AERODYNAMIC FORCES
APRES = ALL $ PRINT ALL AERODYNAMIC PRESSURES
SUBCASE 1
TRIM = 1 $ 1 G LEVEL FLIGHT (LOW SPEED)
SUBCASE 2
TRIM = 2 $ 1 G LEVEL FLIGHT (HIGH SUBSONIC SPEED)
SUBCASE 3
TRIM = 3 $ 1 G LEVEL FLIGHT (LOW SUPERSONIC SPEED)
subcom 4
subseq(1.5)
BEGIN BULK
A snippet of the output from this job is shown below. It is seen that the displacements of SUBCOM 4
are 50% greater than those of SUBCASE 3.
1 EXAMPLE HA144A: 30 DEG FWD SWEPT WING WITH CANARD HA14 HA144A OCTOBER 21, 2009 MD NASTRAN 10/20/09 PAGE 62
SYMMETRIC FLIGHT CONDITIONS, DOUBLET-LATTICE AERO
0 HALF-SPAN MODEL, STATIC SYMMETRIC LOADING SUBCASE 3
D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
90 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
97 G 0.0 0.0 -5.984770E-03 0.0 -6.176078E-04 0.0
98 G 0.0 0.0 -8.086921E-04 0.0 -3.176077E-04 0.0
99 G 0.0 0.0 -8.673837E-04 0.0 3.528226E-04 0.0
100 G 0.0 0.0 -9.000074E-03 0.0 1.363732E-03 0.0
110 G 0.0 0.0 -2.312949E-03 6.497581E-04 1.981678E-03 0.0
111 G 0.0 0.0 2.641245E-03 6.497581E-04 1.981678E-03 0.0
112 G 0.0 0.0 -7.267144E-03 6.497581E-04 1.981678E-03 0.0
120 G 0.0 0.0 1.953165E-02 1.088872E-03 2.236090E-03 0.0
121 G 0.0 0.0 2.512188E-02 1.088872E-03 2.236090E-03 0.0
122 G 0.0 0.0 1.394143E-02 1.088872E-03 2.236090E-03 0.0
1 EXAMPLE HA144A: 30 DEG FWD SWEPT WING WITH CANARD HA14 HA144A OCTOBER 21, 2009 MD NASTRAN 10/20/09 PAGE 63
SYMMETRIC FLIGHT CONDITIONS, DOUBLET-LATTICE AERO
0 HALF-SPAN MODEL, STATIC SYMMETRIC LOADING SUBCOM 4

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
90 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
97 G 0.0 0.0 -8.977155E-03 0.0 -9.264118E-04 0.0
98 G 0.0 0.0 -1.213038E-03 0.0 -4.764115E-04 0.0
99 G 0.0 0.0 -1.301076E-03 0.0 5.292339E-04 0.0
100 G 0.0 0.0 -1.350011E-02 0.0 2.045598E-03 0.0
110 G 0.0 0.0 -3.469424E-03 9.746371E-04 2.972517E-03 0.0
111 G 0.0 0.0 3.961868E-03 9.746371E-04 2.972517E-03 0.0
112 G 0.0 0.0 -1.090072E-02 9.746371E-04 2.972517E-03 0.0
120 G 0.0 0.0 2.929747E-02 1.633308E-03 3.354135E-03 0.0
121 G 0.0 0.0 3.768281E-02 1.633308E-03 3.354135E-03 0.0
122 G 0.0 0.0 2.091214E-02 1.633308E-03 3.354135E-03 0.0
Main Index
367
CHAPTER 13
Aeroelasticity
Upper Hessenberg Complex Eigenanalysis No Longer
Supported for Flutter Analysis
The original implementation of the PK flutter analysis utilized an Upper Hessenberg algorithm for
extracting complex eigenvalues. In MSC Nastran 2005 R3, a QZ algorithm was introduced that had the
advantage of being able to accommodate a singular matrix. For several releases, the Upper Hessenberg
algorithm could still have been used if NASTRAN SYSTEM(108)=1 was specified. This option is no
longer available and the use of SYSTEM(108)=1 will cause a User Information Message to be printed:
*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 5282 (FA1PKE)
SYSTEM(108) HAS A NONZERO VALUE, IMPLYING THERE IS A preference TO USE THE UPPER HESSENBERG METHOD FOR PK FLUTTER ANALYSIS.
User information: THIS IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED AND THE DEFAULT QZ ALGORITHM WILL BE USED.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Aeroelasticity
368
Main Index
Chapter 14: Elements
MD Nastran Release Guide
14
Elements

Enhancements to Connector Elements

Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic


Temperature Distribution Across the Element Thickness

Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing


heat flux with thermal thick shell

Axisymmetrical Mechanical and Heat Transfer Shell Elements

Axisymmetrical Shell Elements

Multi-Dof Heat Shell Elements

Herrmann Elements
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Enhancements to Connector Elements
370
Enhancements to Connector Elements
Introduction
A finite element modeler has many ways of modeling structural connections and fasteners. Spot welds,
seam welds, bolts, screws, and so on can be represented, depending on the modeling goals, either with
flexible springs or bars (CBUSH, CBAR), rigid elements (RBAR, RBE2, RBE3), or multipoint
constraints (MPC). Though generally, these elements are sometimes difficult to use; singularities may be
introduced particularly in the out-of-plane rotational direction for shells, rigid body invariance may not
be assured, and data preparation and input can be a formidable task in real-world applications. Increasing
mesh refinement can also introduce further stiffness errors; point-to-point connections in which effective
cross-sectional areas are larger than 20% of the characteristic element lengths can often lead to significant
underestimation of connector stiffness.
Connector elements are a special class of elements that were introduced to MSC Nastran in V2001. The
first implementation was for elements that represent spot welds. These elements are convenient to define
by the user because all that is necessary to define the elements a geometric location in space. Subsequent
versions of MSC Nastran and MD Nastran have provided many enhancements and now include elements
that can model bolts and seam welds.
In MD Nastran 2010, there have been further enhancements to the existing elements to allow data
recovery in dynamic solution sequences, calculate displacements and stresses for seam weld elements
and support user defined coordinate systems for spot weld elements the way that user defined coordinate
systems are used for bolt elements.
Benefits
The following features are included in MD Nastran 2010.
1. Support auxiliary displacement output for frequency response and transient analysis for CWELD,
CFAST and CSEAM elements.
2. Generate eight auxiliary grids internally and compute their associated displacements for CSEAM
elements.
3. Provide stress and strain output for CSEAM elements.
4. Support user defined element coordinate system for CWELD elements.
Theory
Mathematical Model to Construct the CSEAM Auxiliary Points
The four auxiliary vertex points of the cross section at start point GS are constructed by the following
equations (see Figure 14-1), where and are tangent vectors of the element coordinate system at t
1
s
t
2
s
Main Index
371
CHAPTER 14
Elements
start point GS, W is the width of the seam, and T is the thickness of the seam. For a continuous seam,
and vectors are adjusted to a common face for the two consecutive seam elements. Therefore, the
four auxiliary grids at the start point S of the ith seam should be coincident with the four auxiliary grids
at the end point E of the (i-1)th seam, if both elements have same width and thickness.
Figure 14-1 Seam Weld Cross Section at Start Point S
The four auxiliary vertex points of the cross section at end point GE are calculated in the same way as
that for the start point GS. These eight auxiliary points form an auxiliary HEXA element with the
following vertex points.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
GSA1 GSA2 GSB2 GSB1 GEA1 GEA2 GEB2 GEB1
t
1
s
t
2
s
x
SA1
x
s
=
W
2
----- t
1
s

T
2
--- t
2
s

x
SA2
x
s
=
W
2
----- t
1
s

T
2
--- t
2
s

x
SB1
x
s
=
W
2
----- t
1
s

T
2
--- t
2
s

x
SB2
x
s
=
W
2
----- t
1
s

T
2
--- t
2
s

t
2
s
t
1
s
GSB1
GSB2
GSA2
GSA1
T/2
T/2
W/2 W/2
GS
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Enhancements to Connector Elements
372
Input
The only new input is related to the element coordinate system on the CWELD entry. The relevant
changes are shown in the following CWELD entry (other items that did not change are not shown).
The other enhancements are to extend the solution sequences and provide additional output for the
CSEAM.
Main Index
373
CHAPTER 14
Elements
Defines a weld or fastener connecting two surface patches or points. Large displacement and large
rotational effects are supported when using SOL 600 and MD Nastran SOL 400 only.
Format:
Example:
Alternate formats and examples:
Format ELPAT:
Example:
Format ELEMID:
Example:
Format GRIDID:
CWELD
Weld or Fastener Element Connection
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CWELD EWID PWID GS
PARTPAT
GA GB MCID
PIDA PIDB
XS YS ZS
CWELD 101 8 203 PARTPAT
21 33
CWELD EWID PWID GS ELPAT GA GB MCID
SHIDA SHIDB
XS YS ZS
CWELD 103 5 403 ELPAT
309 511
CWELD EWID PWID GS
ELEMID
GA GB MCID
SHIDA SHIDB
CWELD 103 5 403 ELEMID
309 511
CWELD EWID PWID GS
GRIDID
GA GB SPTYP MCID
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Enhancements to Connector Elements
374
Example:
Format ALIGN:
Example:
Remarks:
15. MCID = -1 or blank (Default), then the coordinate system is as defined in Remark 12.
If MCID > 0, then a beam like coordinate system is defined. The axis direction of the
connector defined as
Output
The results of CWELD and CFAST elements are stored in standard beam and standard bush formats
respectively; while the results of CSEAM elements are displayed in hexa format with the eight auxiliary
grids as vertex points. For frequency response, the output data may be in rectangular or polar format. The
examples below will give a description of the output.
Test Cases
The following test cases are available in the TPL in directory /tpl/rg4_conn: r4_conn_exa.dat,
r4_conn_exb.dat
GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7 GA8
GB1 GB2 GB3 GB4 GB5 GB6 GB7 GB8
CWELD 7 29 233 GRIDID QT
15 28 31 35 46 51 55 60
3 5 8
CWELD EWID PWID ALIGN GA GB MCID
CWELD 7 29 ALIGN 103 259
Field Contents Type Default
MCID Specifies the element stiffness coordinate system. See
Remark 15.
Integer > -1 or
blank
Default = -1
x
el em
1
x
B
x
A

x
B
x
A

--------------------- =
Main Index
375
CHAPTER 14
Elements
TPL example model r4_conn_exa.dat
This example demonstrates the modeling of frequency response for CWELD elements with user defined
element coordinate system and the ELPAT format:
Figure 14-2 Example r4_conn_exa.dat geometry
SOL 108
END
DISPL= ALL
FORCE=1
STRESS=1
SUBCASE 1
SUBTITLE= shear the weld
dload=1
method= 400
freq=11
BEGIN BULK
$ Spot weld
cweld, 30, 30, 300, elpat, , , , 755, +CW1
+CW1, 11, 10
pweld, 30, 10, 0.1
$
cord2r, 755, , 0., 0., 0., 0., 0., -1.,
, 0., 1., 0.
Note: Turning on additional diagnostics with SWLDPRM,PRTSW,1 will provide information
about the auxiliary GRID locations and ids. The displacement printout shown afterwards
gives the auxiliary GRID displacements.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Enhancements to Connector Elements
376
The displacement, element force and stress results are shown as follows.
CWELD EID= 30 WITH ELPAT OR PARTPAT
GS IS MOVED FROM ( 1.0000E+00, 4.0000E-01, 5.0000E-01) TO ( 1.0072E+00, 3.9841E-01, 2.3848E-01)
AUXILIARY POINTS= ( 9.8328E-01, 3.6349E-01, 4.3080E-01) ( 1.0718E+00, 3.6307E-01, 4.2595E-01)
( 1.0714E+00, 4.5062E-01, 4.1219E-01) ( 9.8294E-01, 4.5104E-01, 4.1704E-01)
( 9.7227E-01, 3.5413E-01, 4.8613E-02) ( 1.0608E+00, 3.5407E-01, 5.3039E-02)
( 1.0608E+00, 4.4269E-01, 5.3042E-02) ( 9.7233E-01, 4.4275E-01, 4.8616E-02)
NUMBER OF TIMES GS MOVES= 1
NUMBER OF TIMES DA IS REDUCED= 0
ANGLE BETWEEN TWO SHELL NORMALS= 10.77
GS=( 1.007E+00, 3.984E-01, 2.385E-01) GA=( 1.027E+00, 4.071E-01, 4.215E-01) GB=( 1.017E+00, 3.984E-01, 5.083E-02)
T_BE MATRIX: -2.9113E-02 9.9958E-01 0.0000E+00
-2.3310E-02 -6.7890E-04 -9.9973E-01
-9.9930E-01 -2.9105E-02 2.3320E-02
GA ID = 101000001 GB ID = 101000002
PATCH A: EID= 11 GIDS= 111 112 113 114 0 0 0 0
EID= 11 GIDS= 111 112 113 114 0 0 0 0
EID= 11 GIDS= 111 112 113 114 0 0 0 0
EID= 11 GIDS= 111 112 113 114 0 0 0 0
PATCH B: EID= 10 GIDS= 101 102 104 0 0 0 0 0
EID= 10 GIDS= 101 102 104 0 0 0 0 0
EID= 10 GIDS= 101 102 104 0 0 0 0 0
EID= 10 GIDS= 101 102 104 0 0 0 0 0
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 1.000000E+01
C O M P L E X D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
(REAL/IMAGINARY)

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
0 101 G -7.791607E+00 -6.924270E-01 1.487187E-02 -9.710412E-02 -3.703940E-02 7.556269E-01
5.248972E-07 1.286137E-05 -3.858250E-05 8.550648E-06 -3.772603E-05 -1.167940E-05
0 102 G -7.795311E+00 8.285373E-01 8.895068E-02 -9.710412E-02 -3.703940E-02 7.556269E-01
-3.276013E-06 -1.135917E-05 3.686814E-05 8.550648E-06 -3.772603E-05 -1.167940E-05
0 104 G -8.547235E+00 -6.924270E-01 -8.223225E-02 -9.710412E-02 -3.703940E-02 7.556269E-01
1.220098E-05 1.286628E-05 -3.003202E-05 8.550648E-06 -3.772603E-05 -1.167940E-05
0 111 G -7.810302E+00 -6.437430E-01 1.438998E-02 -9.709817E-02 -3.749770E-02 7.554925E-01
2.649062E-06 -7.254856E-06 1.925463E-05 7.837443E-06 1.728056E-05 4.460259E-06
0 112 G -7.806551E+00 7.064308E-01 8.188874E-02 -9.706381E-02 -3.750144E-02 7.554878E-01
8.092410E-07 1.905125E-06 -1.219865E-05 3.714137E-06 1.772999E-05 5.025620E-06
0 113 G -8.705634E+00 8.381162E-01 -2.708165E-02 -9.705853E-02 -3.752504E-02 7.554884E-01
-8.982315E-06 3.584831E-06 -1.199635E-05 3.080924E-06 2.056146E-05 4.950366E-06
0 114 G -8.569546E+00 -6.340333E-01 -8.270818E-02 -9.709751E-02 -3.751689E-02 7.554936E-01
1.027111E-07 -8.022997E-06 2.709107E-05 7.757903E-06 1.958415E-05 4.324563E-06
0 300 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0 101000001 G -8.114884E+00 1.247901E-01 1.340001E-02 -9.707516E-02 -3.750778E-02 7.554896E-01
-7.519017E-07 -2.020528E-06 3.345231E-06 5.076566E-06 1.849139E-05 4.807756E-06
0 101000002 G -8.094540E+00 8.064318E-02 1.383702E-02 -9.710412E-02 -3.703940E-02 7.556269E-01
3.244864E-06 5.525994E-07 3.173882E-06 8.550648E-06 -3.772603E-05 -1.167940E-05
0 SUBCASE 1
Main Index
377
CHAPTER 14
Elements
TPL Problem r4_conn_exb.dat
TPL problem r4_conn_exb.dat demonstrates the static analysis for CSEAM elements with displacement
and stress output requests. In this case there are several overlapping plates connected with CSEAM. The
CSEAM model has internally generated auxiliary grid IDs starting from 90001.
Figure 14-3 Example r4_conn_exb.dat geometry
sol 101
cend
load = 10
spc = 10
disp = all
set 4 = 10001,10002,10003,10004,10005
stress = 4
begin bulk
...
swldprm prtsw 1
$
cseam100011000se0elem113214
1000110002
cseam100021000se010elem330440
1000310004
cseam100031000se1010elem5030060400
1000510006
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 1.000000E+01
C O M P L E X F O R C E S I N W E L D E L E M E N T S ( C W E L D P )
(REAL/IMAGINARY)

ELEMENT BEND-MOMENT END-A BEND-MOMENT END-B - SHEAR - AXIAL
ID PLANE 1 (MZ) PLANE 2 (MY) PLANE 1 (MZ) PLANE 2 (MY) PLANE 1 (FY) PLANE 2 (FZ) FORCE FX TORQUE MX
30 -1.196586E-01 5.743172E-03 -3.431428E-03 3.061221E-03 -3.133458E-01 7.230475E-03 9.014460E-03 -1.499722E-
02
1.436048E-02 -6.890686E-04 4.131643E-04 -3.671607E-04 3.760163E-02 -8.678561E-04 -1.081325E-03 1.800308E-
03
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 1.000000E+01
C O M P L E X S T R E S S E S I N W E L D E L E M E N T S ( C W E L D P )
(REAL/IMAGINARY)

ELEMENT AXIAL MAX STRESS MIN STRESS MAX STRESS MIN STRESS MAXIMUM BEARING
ID STRESS END-A END-A END-B END-B SHEAR STRESS STRESS
30 1.147757E+00 1.278480E+03 -1.276184E+03 6.728133E+01 -6.498582E+01 1.297688E+02 3.134292E+01
-1.376786E-01 1.531557E+02 -1.534311E+02 7.810646E+00 -8.086003E+00 1.557555E+01 3.761164E+00
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Enhancements to Connector Elements
378
cseam100041000sl1030pshell70200
1000710008
cseam100051000sl1030 pshell70200
1000910010
$
$23456
pseam 1000 200.2
$
The displacement and stress results are shown as follows.
0

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
509 G 2.805908E-02 -2.599996E-04 -2.023823E-01 6.784551E-05 1.449939E-02 -6.875442E-07
10001 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10002 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10003 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10004 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10005 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10006 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10007 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10008 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10009 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
10010 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000001 G 7.372772E-03 3.151977E-03 -3.154194E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000002 G 7.673701E-03 3.151946E-03 -3.261929E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000003 G 6.849292E-03 -2.230086E-04 -3.259117E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000004 G 6.850486E-03 -2.224528E-04 -3.151381E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000005 G 7.376085E-03 -3.603303E-03 -2.985591E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000006 G 7.677149E-03 -3.603285E-03 -3.093446E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000007 G 6.851723E-03 -2.002655E-04 -3.090637E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000008 G 6.853319E-03 -2.007576E-04 -2.982783E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000009 G 2.237370E-02 3.150388E-03 -1.297074E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000010 G 2.267277E-02 3.150356E-03 -1.325928E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000011 G 2.469706E-02 -2.220506E-04 -1.326306E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000012 G 2.469634E-02 -2.216082E-04 -1.297368E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000013 G 2.237715E-02 -3.602424E-03 -1.284061E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0
101000014 G 2.267609E-02 -3.602407E-03 -1.313060E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0
0

S T R E S S E S I N S E A M E L E M E N T S ( C S E A M )
0 CORNER ------CENTER AND CORNER POINT STRESSES--------- DIR. COSINES MEAN
ELEMENT-ID GRID-ID NORMAL SHEAR PRINCIPAL -A- -B- -C- PRESSURE VON MISES
0 10001 0GRID CS 8 GP
0 CENTER X 7.490945E+02 XY 3.996807E-02 A 7.490945E+02 LX 1.00 0.0 0.0 -2.497961E+02 7.489476E+02
Y 2.938447E-01 YZ -7.958079E-13 B 1.469501E-01 LY 0.00 0.0 0.0
Z 0.0 ZX 9.094947E-12 C 1.469501E-01 LZ 0.00 0.0 0.0
0 101000001 X 1.635867E+03 XY 7.365383E-02 A 1.635867E+03 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.910887E+02 1.425098E+03
Y 1.320214E+02 YZ -2.318950E-02 B 1.320214E+02 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 3.053776E+02 ZX -3.091930E-04 C 3.053776E+02 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
0 101000002 X 1.635903E+03 XY 7.365383E-02 A 1.635903E+03 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.911407E+02 1.425078E+03
Y 1.320599E+02 YZ 2.318950E-02 B 1.320599E+02 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 3.054590E+02 ZX -3.091930E-04 C 3.054590E+02 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
0 101000003 X -1.369259E+02 XY 6.282309E-03 A -1.311691E+02 LX 0.00 0.00-1.00 1.911511E+02 1.713834E+02
Y -1.311691E+02 YZ 2.318950E-02 B -3.053584E+02 LY 1.00 0.00 0.00
Z -3.053584E+02 ZX -3.091930E-04 C -1.369259E+02 LZ 0.00 1.00 0.00
0 101000004 X -1.370004E+02 XY 6.282309E-03 A -1.312972E+02 LX 0.00 0.00-1.00 1.912586E+02 1.714006E+02
Y -1.312972E+02 YZ -2.318950E-02 B -3.054782E+02 LY 1.00 0.00 0.00
Z -3.054782E+02 ZX -3.091930E-04 C -1.370004E+02 LZ 0.00 1.00 0.00
0 101000005 X 1.636985E+03 XY 7.365383E-02 A 1.636985E+03 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.919526E+02 1.425502E+03
Y 1.326195E+02 YZ -2.318950E-02 B 1.326195E+02 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 3.062530E+02 ZX 3.091930E-04 C 3.062530E+02 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
0 101000006 X 1.636935E+03 XY 7.365383E-02 A 1.636935E+03 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.918799E+02 1.425529E+03
Y 1.325717E+02 YZ 2.318950E-02 B 1.325717E+02 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 3.061331E+02 ZX 3.091930E-04 C 3.061331E+02 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
0 101000007 X -1.395096E+02 XY 6.282309E-03 A -1.322068E+02 LX 0.00 0.00-1.00 1.926500E+02 1.704930E+02
Y -1.322068E+02 YZ 2.318950E-02 B -3.062338E+02 LY 1.00 0.00 0.00
Z -3.062338E+02 ZX 3.091930E-04 C -1.395096E+02 LZ 0.00 1.00 0.00
0 101000008 X -1.394977E+02 XY 6.282309E-03 A -1.322486E+02 LX 0.00 0.00-1.00 1.926329E+02 1.703949E+02
Y -1.322487E+02 YZ -2.318950E-02 B -3.061523E+02 LY 1.00 0.00 0.00
Z -3.061523E+02 ZX 3.091930E-04 C -1.394977E+02 LZ 0.00 1.00 0.00
Main Index
379
CHAPTER 14
Elements
GUI Support
Patran
SimXpert
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic Temperature Distribution Across the
380
Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with
Linear/Quadratic Temperature Distribution Across the
Element Thickness
Introduction
Through the thickness temperature distributions in shell elements is a common physical phenomena
experienced by structures subjected to rapid temperature gradients. In MD Nastran 2010, simulating
constant, linear, or quadratic temperature distribution across the thickness for thermal analysis of thin-
walled structure is now possible in heat transfer analysis.
Benefits
Through thickness temperature solutions provide a more accurate simulation across the shell thickness
compared with that of the classical element that provides only a constant temperature. The heat transfer
temperature solutions provide a better temperature distribution for mechanical analysis.
Through thickness temperature solutions also provide ease of modeling compared to alternative
modeling with brick elements.
Input
Through thickness temperature distributions are turned on by specifying the NLMOPTS,TEMPP Bulk
Data entry. There are three possible values:
NLMOPTS,TEMPP,CONS - constant distribution (default)
NLMOPTS,TEMPP,LINE - linear distribution
NLMOPTS,TEMPP,QUAD - quadratic distribution
Only one TEMPP option is allowed in a job. The GRIDs defined on the element are used for the TOP
temperature. The BOT or MID temperature will be held by the internally created grids.The user can
access the internally generated GRID IDs via the NLMOPTS, TEMPGO option
NLMOPTS,TEMPGO,NO - do not print internally generated GRID IDs (default)
NLMOPTS,TEMPGO,YES -print internally generated GRID IDs
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Figure 14-4 NLMOPTS TEMPP locations for TOP, MID, BOT w.r.t. element coordinate
system
To accommodate the through thickness capabilities, temperature boundary conditions specified with
SPC,SPC1,SCPD have been extended to specify condition at the TOP/BOT/MID position by specify dof
1, 2, or 3 respectively. Internal calculations map the boundary conditions to the internally generated
GRID IDs component 1.
Heat boundary conditions can be defined on surface elements with CHBDYE. Note that only CHBDYE
is supported among the CHBDY elements when NLMOPTS,TEMPP is not CONS. This is because the
TOP/BOT position is related to element normal direction. This entry is extended to allow user specifying
bottom surface by specifying TYPE=6. Internally the entry that references bottom surface will be
converted to a standard CHBDYG with the associated grids.
Initial temperature can be defined with the existing TEMP or new TEMPN1 entries. The TEMP entry
will define initial temperatures at the TOP, whereas TEMPN1 can be used to define temperatures at the
TOP (dof 1), BOT (dof 2), or MID (dof 3).
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Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic Temperature Distribution Across the
382
Defines initial temperature at grid points of heat shell elements with linear or quadratic temperature
distribution across the thickness direction.
Format:
Example:
Point heat fluxes can be defined with existing SLOAD or new SLOADN1 entries. The SLOAD entry will
define the point flux at the TOP, whereas the SLOADN1 entry can be used to define point flux at the TOP
(dof 1), BOT (dof 2), or MID (dof 3).
TEMPN1 - MD Only
TOP/BOT/MID Grid Point Temperature Field for Heat Shell
Element in SOL 400
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TEMPN1 SID G1 C1 T1 G2 C2 T2
TEMPN1 10 100 123 1300.
Field Contents
SID Temperature set identification number. (Integer > 0)
Gi Grid point identification number. (Integer > 0)
Ci Component numbers. (0 < Integer < 3; up to 3 unique Integers may be placed in the
field with no embedded blanks.) 1=TOP, 2=BOT, 3=MID. (Integer > -1; Default = 1)
Ti Temperature. (Real)
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Defines concentrated flux on grid points of heat shell elements with linear or quadratic temperature
distribution through the thickness direction.
Format:
Example:
Output
The output for NLMOPTS,TEMPGO,YES provides a mapping for internal GRID IDs relative to the
nominal GRID which is defined as the TOP.
The output for temperatures and heat flow are unaffected.
SLOADN1 - MD Only
Describes TOP/BOT/MID Scalar Load for Heat Shell
Element in SOL 400
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SLOADN1 SID G1 C1 Q1 G2 C2 Q2
SLOADN1 10 10 12 1300. 20 2 1300.
Field Contents
SID Load set identification number. (Integer > 0)
Gi Grid point identification number. (Integer > 0)
Ci Composite numbers. (0 < Integer < 3; up to 3 unique Integers may be placed in the
field with no embedded blanks.) 1=TOP, 2=BOT, 3=MID. (Integer > -1; Default = 1)
Qi Power. (Real)
U S E R G R I D P O I N T (T O P) M A P P I N G T O B O T/M I D I N T E R N A L G R I D

TOP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BOT 101000001 101000002 101000003 101000004 101000005 101000006 101000007 101000008 101000009 101000010
MID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOP 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
BOT 101000011 101000012 101000013 101000014 101000015 101000016 101000017 101000018 101000019 101000020
MID 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main Index
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Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic Temperature Distribution Across the
384
Guidelines and Limitations
The element connectivity orientation (n) will determine the TOP and BOT location as illustrated
below.
Edge load does not support yet BOT and MID components
For mechanical analysis, the following should be noted:
For bidirectional coupling, all nodal temperatures are mapped to layer-wise temperatures if
ANALYSIS = ISH is used on PSHLN1 card. Only top temperatures are passed in if
ANALYSIS = IH is used .
For chained analysis, only the TOP temperature will be passed into the mechanical analysis.
Test Cases
There are several test cases available in the TPL subdirectories /tpl/mdr4s400a/hsb*.dat and
/tpl/mdr4s400b/hshell*.dat
TPL Problem hshell_dc_2.dat
Example problem hshell_dc_2.dat demonstrates a linear through thickness temperature distribution for a
static heat transfer analysis on a QUAD4, QUAD8, and TRIA3 mesh. The input heat flux loading is
applied to the TOP face of the elements, and the radiation to a 20 degree fixed temperature is allowed
from the TOP face of the elements.i
Figure 14-5 TPL example hshell_dc_2.dat geometry and loading.
In the model a linear through thickness distribution is specified with NLMOPTS,TEMPP,LINE
Main Index
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.
Figure 14-6 TPL example hshell_dc_2.dat Temperatures (BOT)
TPL Problem hshell_dc_4.dat
Test problem hshell_dc_4.dat is a cylinder with a quadratic through thickness temperature capability. It
is loaded with a surface heat flux of 30 W/in^2 directed outwards from the TOP surface; radiating to a
20 degree fixed temperature with an emissivity factor of 0.8
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Element Enhancements - Heat Shell Element with Linear/Quadratic Temperature Distribution Across the
386
Figure 14-7 TPL example hshell_dc_4.dat geometry and loading.
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CHAPTER 14
Elements
Figure 14-8 TPL example hshell_dc_4.dat Temperatures at MID.
GUI Support
SimXpert supports the pre-processing of through thickness heat shell elements. SimXpert supports the
post-processing of the through thickness as shown in the examples above. Patran currently only supports
post-processing of the TOP surface.
Main Index
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Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
388
Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations
with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
Figure 14-9 SimXpert model
Geometry
1. The inner radius is 1 meter with depth of 10 meter
2. The outer radius is 2 meter with the depth of 10 meter
Applications
We are imposing a constant heat flux of 500 watt/m2 along the entire outer cylinder, and the generated
heat is transfer to the inner cylinder through radiation exchange. The loss radiation goes to the opening
at -273.15 degree C.
Main Index
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Since we are using thermal thick shell element for the outer shell, and we want to apply heat flux at the
outer surface. We will see thermal gradients (drop in temperatures) along the thickness.
The thermal - thick shell element is activated using the advanced nonlinear formulations:
PSHLN1:

PSHELL 1 2 0.1 2 2 outer
PSHLN1 1 2 2 ISH outer
Also you will need a global setting called :
NLMOPTS,TEMPP,QUAD
This means a quadratic temperature distribution is assumed. The top ,middle, and bottom temperature
per a single grid point are now available. Previous for the membrane CQUAD4 element, only a single
temperature is allowed per grid .
Top surface definition is based on the normal direction on the nodal connectivity of the CQUAD4 entry.
Objective
We want to find the resulting temperature due to the laser heating imposed on the outer cylinder. In this
exercise, we will use the new hemi-cube view factor calculations in SOL 400, and the geometry was
build entirely within SIMX/version 3086 under the structure workspace.
Limitation
Currently SIMX does not support the heating on the top or bottom surface because it required the
addition of CHBDYE element.
Update:
SIMX does support the pre-processing using QBDY3, CONV, RADBC for the top and bottom surfaces
using SIMX version 2010-83.
Similarly you can have radiation, convection on top or bottom of shell element.
Main Index
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Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
390
The reason is that we will want to apply the heat flux on the bottom face of the outer cylinder:
There is a total 600 CQUAD4 elements.
The numbers of CQUAD4 element is from element ID 401 to 1000.
CHBDYE,3001,401,6
,*1,*1,==
=598
QBDY3,6,500.0,,3001,THRU,3600
Here we have shown the NASTRAN replication command:
This will automatically generated the CHBDYE from 3001 to 3600.
The number 6 in field 4 on the CHBDYE ID 3001 represent the bottom side for the CQUAD4 401 .
We are incrementing each field by 1, and we have to repeat 598 times, or total number of CHBDYE cards
is from element 3001 to 3600.
Boundary Conditions
1. Heat flux (500 watt/m2) is applied on the entire outer cylinder
2. View factor is exchange between the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder
3. The loss radiation goes to -273.15 degree C
4. Sigma is 5.67e-8 watt/m2.K**4
5. Offset temperature is 273.15, the input temperature is degree C
Materials
K (watt/m.C) Shell Thickness emissivity
Inner cylinder 100 0.002 0.8
Outer cylinder 10 0.1 1.0
Main Index
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SIMXpert file: cylinder3_flux.SimXpert
Active side for View factor
Figure 14-10 Front side and backside for the shell elements
As you can see the gray color indicates this is the backside, and in our case the active side is green for
the inside, blue color for the outside. Henceforth, we can select the active side as the front side.
Shading flag
In this case the inner cylinder can potential block the view from outer cylinder, and therefore shading
flag for the view factor calculations is set to BOTH so that program will detect potential blockers in
this model.
Main Index
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Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
392
Figure 14-11 Outer Cylinder
Main Index
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Elements
Figure 14-12 Inner Cylinder
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394
Figure 14-13 Heat Lux Load
Figure 14-14 Browser Tree
Main Index
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Figure 14-15 Radiation Parameters
We will want to use the new NLSTEP with fixed increments:
Main Index
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Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
396
Figure 14-16 Select ITER Method
Main Index
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CHAPTER 14
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Figure 14-17 Convergence on UPW
Figure 14-18 Fix Increments
The initial runs using the SIMX with heating applied on the top side of the cylinder, the top side here is
the side facing the inner cylinder, we will get a constant temperature of 141.6 degree C on all layers for
the outer cylinder.
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Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
398
Next will modified the test deck so that the heating is applied on the bottom side of the cylinder, this way
we will see the gradients through the thickness.
Main Index
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NASTRAN test deck: half_flux_tempp2.dat
Figure 14-19 Temperature Contour
Main Index
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Concentric half cylinder with view factor calculations with imposing heat flux with thermal thick shell
400
Figure 14-20 Outer Cylinder - Top Layers
Main Index
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CHAPTER 14
Elements
Figure 14-21 Middle Layers
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402
Figure 14-22 Bottom Layers
The top here is the element that faces the inward inner cylinder.
Outer cylinder Top Middle Bottom
Temp(max) 141.6 144.1 146.6
Temp(min) 77.78 80.56 83.15
Main Index
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Elements
Figure 14-23 Inner Cylinder Temperature Contour
We can see due to the heating of outer cylinder, the inner cylinder sees the hot spot along the center that
has temperature variations from 138.3 degree C to 28.71 degree C.
The reason that we see the temperature is cooler near the end is because radiation loss to the cold space
at -273.15 degree C.
Summary
We built the entire model in SimXpert 2010 using the THERMAL GUI inside of the structures work
space. We demonstrate the temperature gradients through thickness are supported in MD Nastran 2010.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Axisymmetrical Mechanical and Heat Transfer Shell Elements
404
Axisymmetrical Mechanical and Heat Transfer Shell
Elements
Introduction
This functionality simulates mechanical or thermal axisymmetrical structures subject to axisymmetrical
loading.
Benefits
The model size is significantly smaller compared with that of 3-D shell modeling.
Feature Description
CAXISYM, PAXISYM, PLOADX1, SLOADN1, TEMPN1, SPC, SPC1, SPCD, NLMOPTS.
To input moment load, FORCE entry with 0,0,1 component vectors. The rotation output in the .f06 file
is located under the T3 column.
For thermal analysis, constant/linear/quadratic nodal temperature distribution is supported using
NLMOPTS,TEMPP option. For linear distribution, TOP and BOT temperature can be specified on a grid
using component 1 and 2, respectively. The MID temperature (for quadratic distribution) is assigned
using component 3. The TOP/BOT attribute is defined based on element normal.
For thermal analysis, internally generated grid is created to store the BOT/MID temperature. At this
moment this grid is also used to present the output in f06 file. It is planned to give TOP/BOT/MID
attribute to the user grid output in the .f06 file.
At this moment the stress output is given at the centroid and top surface of the element. It is planned to
output more element results.
Test Cases
There are several test cases available in the TPL subdirectories /tpl/mdr4s400/axishell*.dat
TPL Problem .dat
A cylindrical shell under pressure and axial loading. To demonstrate the basic modeling technique how
to use this feature.
sol 400
cend
title=testing CAXISYM element
subcase 1
analysis=lnstatics
nlparm=10
displacement=all
stress=all
Main Index
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spc=1
load=2
begin bulk
NLPARM,10,10,,PFNT,-1
grid,1,,5., 0., 0.
grid,2,,5., 10., 0.
grid,3,,5., 20., 0.
caxisym,1,1,1,2
caxisym,2,1,2,3
paxisym,1,1,,1.
MAT1 1 210000. .3 7.86-9
spc1,1,2,1
force,2,3,,100.,0.,1.,0.
ploadx1,2,1,10.,10.,1,2
ploadx1,2,2,10.,10.,2,3
enddata
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Axisymmetrical Shell Elements
406
Axisymmetrical Shell Elements
Introduction
This project extends the capability of MD Nastran to simulate mechanical or thermal axisymmetrical
structure subject to axisymmetrical loading. These elements will support contact, material nonlinearity,
and geometrical nonlinearity.
Benefits
The typical benefit of this feature is that the simulation process can be set up and run faster compared to
that using the 3-D shell elements. Offers a new possibility for MD Nastran 2010 users to simulate slender
axisymmetrical structure with axisymmetrical loading. The elements can be used as a preliminary step
before general 3D shell elements are chosen. Since models are normally smaller and faster to run, more
variation in the design parameters of the structure can be studied.
Feature Description
CAXISMY, PAXISYM, PLOADX1, NLMOPTS, SLOADN1, TEMPN1, SPC, SPC1, SPCD
For stress analysis, the number of nodal degrees of freedom is 3. The first two are translational
displacement the third one is rotation which is located as the 6
th
degree of freedom. SPCs and Loads
and nodal output have to be interpreted with this convention.
For thermal analysis, constant/linear/quadratic nodal temperature distribution is supported using
NLMOPTS,TEMPP option. Please refer to the Multi-dof Heat Shell element project for more detail
description about this feature.
Example
The following example (for the complete model please refers to axishell_pls.dat) will demonstrate this
feature. A cylindrical shell under pressure loading will be analyzed. The material is elasto-plastic.
sol 400
cend
subcase 1
analysis=nlstatics
nlparm=10
displacement=all
stress=all
spc=10
load=20
begin bulk
param,lgdisp,1
NLPARM,10,10,,PFNT,-1,,UPV,,
,,,,,,1,,,
,0
CAXISYM, 1, 1, 1, 5
Main Index
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GRID, 1, , 5.0, 0.0, 0.0


...
mat1, 1, 60000., , 0.3
matep, 1, table, , 10
tables1, 10, 2
, 0., 240., 1.0, 4240., endt
paxisym, 1, 1, , 0.15
spc1, 10, 2, 1

ploadx1, 20, 1 , -10., -10., 1, 5

ENDDATA
An excerpt of the .f06 file is shown below for stress and nodal output.
Product Dependencies
SimXpert and Patran need modifications to use the new or updated entries: CAXISYM, PAXISYM,
PLOADX1, NLMOPTS, SPC, SPC1, SPCD, SLOADN1, TEMPN1. These GUIs should also support
the post-processing of TOP/BOT/MID attribute of the nodal temperature.
Documentation Dependencies
None.
Limitations
Offset is not yet supported.
For chained analysis, only the top temperature will be passed into the mechanical model.
Moment carrying glue is not yet implemented for the axisymmetric shells.
LOAD STEP = 1.00000E+00
N O N L I N E A R S T R E S S E S I N A X I S Y M E L E M E N T S ( C A X I S Y M )

ELEMENT FIBER STRESS-XX STRESS-YY STRESS-XY STRAIN-XX STRAIN-YY STRAIN-XY
ID DISTANCE
11 -7.480408E-02 2.509646E+02 2.421699E+02 -1.324018E+00 3.865741E-03 3.557906E-03 -8.177767E-05
7.480408E-02 2.464789E+02 5.841080E+01 -1.887177E+00 3.815957E-03 -2.567605E-04 -8.177767E-05
...


D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 8.829507E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 2.648748E-02 1.140616E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.933693E-02
...
Main Index
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Multi-Dof Heat Shell Elements
408
Multi-Dof Heat Shell Elements
Introduction
This project extends the current capability of the heat shell elements where the temperature distribution
across the thickness can be set as constant, linear or quadratic.
Benefits
This functionality provides more accurate simulation across the shell thickness compared with that of the
classical element when it is expected that temperature is not constant through the thickness.
Another benefit is ease of modeling. For thin wall structure, modeling with shell is much easier compared
to that when using brick elements.Without this feature, shell elements have to converted into brick
elements and the boundary and load conditions have to be redefined.
This functionality also offers a better representation of the temperature distribution for mechanical
analysis (only for bidirectional coupled analysis).
Feature Description
The following features need extra attention when using multi-dof heat shell elements. For more detail
description please refer to the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
NLMOPTS Bulk Data Entry
This feature requires modified NLMOPTS Bulk Data.
NLMOPTS,TEMPP,LINE (CONS,QUAD) is used to activate LINEar (CONSTant, QUADratic)
temperature distribution across the shell thickness. The user grid holds the TOP temperature. Only one
option is allowed in a job.
The BOT or MID temperatures are held by the internally created grids. To print this information on the
f06 file, users have to set NLMOPTS, TEMGO, YES.
PSHLN1 Bulk Data Entry
Shell elements have to reference PSHLN1. Please note that using LINE or QUAD option for
NLMOPTS,TEMPP means that fully 3-D material data are required.
SPC, SPC1, SPCD Bulk Data Entry
The temperature boundary conditions with SPC, SPC1, and SPCD are extended. Component 1, 2 and 3
are now used to assign temperature at TOP, BOT and MID position.
Main Index
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CHAPTER 14
Elements
SLOAD or TEMP Bulk Data Entries
These entries will assign value at the TOP position of the grids. To assign value at other position please
use SLOADN1 or TEMPN1.
SLOADN1 or TEMPN1 Bulk Data Entries
SLOADN1 and TEMPN1 are the extension of the existing entries SLOAD and TEMP, respectively. With
these entries it is now possible to assign component 1, 2, and 3 values for the TOP, BOT and MID
position.
CHBDYE Bulk Data Entry
The SIDE field of CHBDYE is extended to allow user defining TOP, BOT and MID surface for shell
elements using side 1, 6, and 7, respectively.
Example
The following example (hshell4_radbc.dat) will demonstrate this feature. A plate has constant
temperature on the top surface and exchanges heat to the ambient through radiation. The temperature
distribution through the thickness is chosen to be linear. The results show that the temperature at the top
surface differs from that of the bottom surface.
SOL 400
CEND
TITLE = Testing new heat shell element
TEMP(INIT) = 20
SPC = 30
load = 10
THERMAL = ALL
flux = ALL
ANALYSIS = HSTAT
NLPARM = 100
BEGIN BULK
PARAM,SIGMA,5.67E-8
PARAM,TABS,0.0
nlmopts,TEMPP,LINE,
,TEMGO,YES,
,SPCRMPT,1
NLPARM,100,1,,PFNT,,,PU,,+NLP
+NLP,1.0E-03,1.e-03
GRID,1,,0.0,0.0,0.0
GRID,2,,10.0,0.0,0.0
GRID,3,,10.0,10.0,0.0
GRID,4,,0.0,10.0,0.0
GRID,5,,0.0,10.0,0.0
GRID,8,,5.0,5.0,0.0
ctria3,1,1,1,2,8
ctria3,2,1,2,3,8
ctria3,3,1,8,3,4
ctria3,4,1,1,8,4
PSHELL,1,1,1.
PSHLN1,1,,,,IH
MAT4,1,200.0,,,1.2
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Multi-Dof Heat Shell Elements
410
spc1,30,,1,2,3,4,5,8
spcd,10,1,,1300.,2,,1300.
spcd,10,3,,1300.,4,,1300.
spcd,10,8,,1300.
spcd,10,5,,300.
TEMPD,20,1300.0
RADBC,5,1.0,,100001,100002,100003,100004
RADM,45,1.0,1.0
chbdye,100001,1,6,,,45
chbdye,100002,2,6,,,45
chbdye,100003,3,6,,,45
chbdye,100004,4,6,,,45
ENDDATA
An excerpt of the F06 file is shown bellow. First the mapping of the user grids to the internally created
ones is shown. From the temperature vector, it is obviously seen that the grids have different TOP (1,2,
etc.) and BOT (101000001, 101000002, etc.) temperatures.
Product Dependencies
SimXpert and Patran need modifications to use the new or updated entries: NLMOPTS, SPC, SPC1,
SPCD, CHBDYE, SLOADN1, TEMPN1. These GUIs should also support the post-processing of
TOP/BOT/MID attribute of the nodal temperature.
Documentation Dependencies
None.
Limitations
Edge load on the BOTTOM or MID nodes are not supported yet. It will be supported in the next
release.
For mechanical anaylsis it should be noted that for bidirectional coupling, all nodal temperatures
are mapped to layer-wise temperatures if ANALYSIS = ISH is used on a PSHLN1 card and only
top temperatures are passed on if ANALYSIS = IH is used.
For chained analysis, only the TOP temperature will be passed into the mechanical model.
U S E R G R I D P O I N T (T O P) M A P P I N G T O B O T/M I D I N T E R N A L G R I D
TOP 1 2 3 4 5
BOT 101000001 101000002 101000003 101000004 101000005
MID 0 0 0 0 0

LOAD STEP = 1.00000E+00
T E M P E R A T U R E V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE ID VALUE ID+1 VALUE ID+2 VALUE ID+3 VALUE
1 S 1.300000E+03 1.300000E+03 1.300000E+03 1.300000E+03 ...
101000001 S 1.008747E+03 1.008747E+03 1.008747E+03 1.008747E+03 ...
Main Index
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Herrmann Elements
Introduction
This project supports linear Herrmann elements which can be used for incompressible or nearly
incompressible materials. A plane strain, an axisymmetric, and a tetrahedral element is available.
Benefits
The Herrmann elements can be used for incompressible elasticity, rubber elasticity and elasto-plasticity.
For elasto-plastic material behavior update Lagrange formulation based on multiplicative decomposition
must be used (NLMOPTS,LRGSTRN,2). Supported is a tetrahedron element for 3D analyses, a
triangular element for plane strain analyses, and a triangular element for axisymmetric analyses.
Feature Description
The Herrmann element type can be activated on the nonlinear property extension entries as follows:
Note that these elements are selected automatically when they have rubber or elasto-plastic material
behavior. This is controlled in NLMOPTS,SPROPMAP (on by default).
Product Dependencies
This property type needs to be added to SimXpert and Patran.
Documentation Dependencies
None.
Limitations
Initial velocities, accelerations and volumetric loads will not work correctly in transient dynamic
analyses since these elements use internally an extra grid point which does not yet get this
contribution.
Tetrahedron Plane Strain Axisymmetric
PSLDN1 PSHLN2 PSHLN2
C4, ISOL, L C3, IPS, L C3, IAX, L
Main Index
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Herrmann Elements
412
Main Index
Chapter 15: MiscellaneousMD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
15
Miscellaneous

Enhanced MONSUM

PARAM,NONCUP Usage Extended to SOL 111

Application Regions

New Input File Reader - IFPSTAR

Contact Rigid Body Growth

Brake Squeal Analysis

Results and Output Changes

MSC.Nastran Error List


Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Enhanced MONSUM
414
Enhanced MONSUM
Introduction
The MONSUM Bulk Data entry was introduced in MD Nastran R2 to enable the linear combination of
monitor results or the updating in place of a monitor result. The MD Nastran R2 implementation imposed
the restriction that the results to be summed must be of the same type. This restriction has been relieved
in the current delivery.
Benefits
The MONSUM feature of MD Nastran R2 allowed to user to perform such tasks as units conversion on
a monitor result or to combine similar types on monitor results. Users also felt a need to combine different
types of monitor points to create a special purpose response that is meaningful in the analysis task at hand.
This extension of the MONSUM provides this added capability.
Feature Description
The enhanced MONSUM, 2527 Bulk Data entry is described in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
Legacy input files are supported in that the alternate format shown in the guide is identical to the
standard format of earlier releases. A remark in the MONSUM description indicates that the summed
quantities must be of a similar type, specifically:
Force and moment summation monitor points: AMONPNT1, SMONPNT1, MONPNT3
Displacement monitor points: AMONDSP1 and SMONDSP1
Example
Two examples are provided in the TPL:
Monsum2.dat This is a SOL 144 file that has five MONSUM entries. Three of these demonstrate the
legacy feature while one combines an aerodynamic monpnt1 and a monpnt3 and another combines a
structural monpnt1 with an aerodynamic monpnt1.
Monsum4.dat This is another SOL 144 file that has a single MONSUM entry that combines a structural
mondsp1 with an aerodynamic mondsp1.
Guidelines and Limitations
The MD Nastran R2 Release Guide and the previous examples imply this is a SOL 144 capability. This
is not the case in that it can also be used in SOLs 101, 103, 108, 109, 111, 112 and 200.
Summing a MONPNT1 and MONPNT3 in the dynamic solution sequences is currently misleading since
the MONPNT1 support inertia results while the MONPNT3 does not.
Main Index
415
CHAPTER 15
Miscellaneous
The summed results are printed as one of the monitor types with the following order of precedence:
smonpnt1, smondsp1, monpnt3, amonpnt1, amondsp1. E.g., an amonpnt1 and a monpnt3 appearing on
the same entry will result in a monpnt3 regardless of which appears first.
If different monitor results are being summed, the NAME appearing on the MONSUM should be unique
with respect to other names. For the update in place, the name can be the same.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
PARAM,NONCUP Usage Extended to SOL 111
416
PARAM,NONCUP Usage Extended to SOL 111
Until now, the usage of PARAM,NONCUP was allowed only in SOL 112, not in SOL 111. In
MD Nastran 2010, usage of this parameter is allowed in SOL 111 also.
In both SOLs 111 and 112, PARAM,NONCUP has the same meaning as follows:
NONCUP = -1 Use uncoupled solution if there are no off-diagonal terms in any of the
modal matrices (MHH, BHH, and KHH); otherwise use coupled solution.
NONCUP > -1 Use coupled solution regardless of the existence of off-diagonal terms in
the modal matrices.
NONCUP = -2 Use uncoupled solution regardless of the existence of off-diagonal terms in
the modal matrices.
Main Index
417
CHAPTER 15
Miscellaneous
Application Regions
Introduction
A new set concept called SET3 has been added which allows one to group together a list of nodes,
elements, properties or a list of points and associate them with a unique id.
Benefits
Application region can be used for group the elements or nodes. It is necessary for total heat load, contact
loads, super element radiation load, and primitive radiation load. It is more convenient for the translator
to process the groups of FEM data.
Input
SET3 entry is used to define the application regions.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Input File Reader - IFPSTAR
418
New Input File Reader - IFPSTAR
The IFPStar component is MSC Softwares enhanced bulk data processor that is introduced in MD
Nastran 2010 and MSC Nastran 2010. IFP stands for Input File Processor. The IFPStar component
utilizes MSCs Simulation Component Architecture (SCA) framework, and provides a robust mechanism
to verify that the your input is both correct and accurate.
Benefits
The benefits of the IFPStar component include:
Faster input processing (up to 40% faster for typical large models)
SORT is not required before interpretation
Significantly lower memory requirements
Clearer error messaging
Rule based definition identifies exact entry and field of illegal data
Identification of which INCLUDE file / line number of an illegal entry
Uses Quick Reference Guide rule base
Provides consistent and rigorous rule checking
Template definition of fields provides easier implementation of new features, thus reducing
development time.
Higher precision of input tables 64bit maintained
The higher precision may cause slightly different answers compared to previous versions or
models run with the old Input File Processor (IFP)
Replaces IFP, RMDUPBK, and XSORT modules with a single more efficient module
Extensible and Pluggable to in-house or external applications (future)
Simplifies the process of adding new entries
IFPStar significantly improves developers ability to add or modify Nastran bulk data entries in a very
short amount of time (less than 3 hours for a very complex entry, comparing to days using legacy IFP
module). Rather than ad-hoc parsing rules buried in multiple layers of code, within the application,
IFPStar utilizes template-based definitions for entries, which simplifies the process of adding new fields,
putting proper checks in place on the fields within an entry, adding boundary conditions, etc
Another advantage of IFStar component is that it leverages the component capability of the SCA
framework, which means the component can be used in any SCA enabled application (in house or
external), and can easily be updated in the field, without the need for updating the entire installation.
Detailed error messages
The error messages that are created in the IFPStar component are aimed to better help engineers pinpoint
their input errors. For example, lets assume that a user makes the following mistake in a MPC entry:
Main Index
419
CHAPTER 15
Miscellaneous
SPC1 IO 12 1 3

The correct entry is:
SPC1 10 12 1 3

Both IFPStar component and legacy IFP module catch the users error, and below is how each one issues
the error messages:
Legacy IFP module:
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 315 (IFPDRV)
FORMAT ERROR ON BULK DATA ENTRY SPC1
SPC1 IO 12 1
3
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 316 (IFPDRV)
ILLEGAL DATA ON BULK DATA ENTRY SPC1
SPC1 IO 12 1 3
IFPStar Component:
*** USER FATAL MESSAGE 9994 (BULKPM)
Term Violation for Entity: SPC1 near line 27
SID:IO is an illegal integer value.
Potential Behavior Differences
Note that IFPStar enforces the current Bulk Data rule set in the Quick Reference Guide. This means that
legacy models that may have worked in previous versions may fail with IFPStar. Typical causes are
illegal input that was not previously trapped, undocumented features or obsolete input entries. Note that
there are several entries that are only supported by the IFPStar component in MD Nastran 2010 and MSC
Nastran 2010. These entries include:
PRJCON MAXBRG FSICTRL WETLOAD
WETSURF WETELMG WETELME MATUDS
PRPUDS BCONUDS ELEMUDS QUDS
RCPARM MAT6 MATT6 RADC
RADCT VIEWEX PCONV1 PRIM1
PRIM2 PRIM3 PRIM4 PRIM5
PRIM6 PRIM7 PRIM8 TABLEU1
TABLEU2 ENTUDS RADCOL DTABLE2
MATUSR MATTUSR
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
New Input File Reader - IFPSTAR
420
In RESTART runs, the / bulk data has been enhanced to have more user friendly commands.
Previously, the only options on the / bulk data entry were to remove specific sorted bulk data line
numbers, but with IFPStar the delete directives are more user friendly. Please refer to the Quick
Reference Guide for more details.
The sorted bulk data (print/punch) will have a slightly different look.
In future versions of MD Nastran and MSC Nastran new bulk data entries will only be supported by the
IFPStar component.
Known Issues
In addition to the entries listed above, there are a few items that will not work with the IFPStar
component. MSGMESH is no longer supported. Basic replication entries are supported, but some
advanced replication applications may not work. In this case, it is recommended to use the old IFP
processor with the case control command ECHO=PUNCH to generate a bulk data input without
replications.
Since this is a brand new component, and Nastran has 30+ years of legacy, while all attempts have been
made to support the legacy, it is possible that some client models may not work with-in the bounds of
IFPStar component rules and definitions.
When this rare situation occurs with your existing models, you can get around this problem by using the
old IFP by adding the following system cell nastran system(444)=0 to the top of your input file (see next
paragraph for more details).
Changing the Defaults
The NASTRAN System cell 444 is reserved to select the input file processor options. SYSTEM(444)=1
is the new default for the IFPStar component, SYSTEM(444)=0 is old IFP. These settings can be changed
in the Patran Translation Parameters form and in the SimXpert Generic Solver Parameters form. In Patran
2010 and SimXpert 3.2 and earlier versions, the default can be changed in the Direct Text Input system
cell section by adding "NASTRAN SYSTEM(444)=0" - without the quotes
If You Find Errors
If you encounter an entry that follows the Quick Reference Guide rules and does not contain
undocumented fields, but fails in the IFPStar component, please contact MSC support.
Main Index
421
CHAPTER 15
Miscellaneous
Contact Rigid Body Growth
An additional contact enhancement in MD Nastran 2010 release is the rigid body contact growth. This
is particularly important for analysis of biomedical components like stents. A typical stent application
places a stent in a blocked artery and then uses a balloon to expand the device. The main challenge in
simulating stent growth in FEA is by expanding the stent internal surface by growing the rigid body with
time increment. MD Nastran 2010 solves this issue by providing rigid body contact growth.

Additional information can be found in the MD Demonstration Problem Chapter 64.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Brake Squeal Analysis
422
Brake Squeal Analysis
The brake squeal option available in MD Nastran R3 was limited to (1) linear finite elements and (2) a
single rotation axis. Since there are quite some applications where quadratic finite elements are preferred
to linear finite elements, in MD Nastran 2010 both linear and quadratic finite elements are supported in
a brake squeal analysis. Moreover, in Sol600, the limitation of a single rotation axis has been removed,
so that it is possible to model e.g. multiple gear wheel combinations in a single analysis, where per pair
of contact bodies a different rotation axis can be specified. To this end, an alternate format of the
BSQUEAL entry has been introduced, where the field entry "BODY" signals the start of data for a pair
of contact bodies.
Main Index
423
CHAPTER 15
Miscellaneous
Results and Output Changes
Change of Solution Method for Dynamic Enforced Motion
Analysis Using SPC/SPCD
The total solution of a dynamic enforced motion analysis using SPC/SPCD can be regarded as a
combination of a static enforced motion solution (similar to what is done in SOL 101) and a dynamic
enforced motion solution that is relative to this static-based solution. Two methods are employed for
obtaining the solution in Nastran. In the total or absolute (TOTAL/ABS) motion method, the program
solves directly, in one step, for the TOTAL solution of the dynamic analysis which includes both the
static-based solution and the dynamic solution that is relative to the static-based solution. In the relative
(REL) motion method, the program obtains the total solution of the dynamic analysis in two steps, by
first solving for the static-based solution and then solving separately for the dynamic solution
RELATIVE to the static-based solution.
The TOTAL/ABS solution method is computationally more efficient. This is also the only method that
is meaningful and that should be employed when a problem involves the use of NOLINi or NLRGAP
entries. An important point to note regarding this method is that, for modal dynamic analysis, residual
vectors are absolutely critical in order for this method to get correct answers.
The REL solution method, though less efficient, may be more accurate for transient solutions and for
modal frequency response solutions at very low forcing frequencies. Also, for modal dynamic analysis,
this method is not as critically dependent on residual vectors as the TOTAL/ABS solution method.
In pre-MD 2010 versions of Nastran, the TOTAL/ABS method did not support modal damping and fluid
structure problems. These problems are now fully resolved. With these enhancements, the TOTAL/ABS
and REL solution methods both yield essentially the same results.
In earlier versions of Nastran, the REL method was the implied default solution method. However,
because of efficiency and other considerations outlined above, the TOTAL/ABS method has been chosen
to be the default solution method in MD 2010. (See also related discussion below.)
New ENFMETH Parameter
There is a parameter called ENFMETH that controls the solution method when dynamic enforced
motion analysis via SPC/SPCD is used in SOLs 108, 109, 111, 112, 146 and 200. This parameter was
an undocumented parameter in earlier versions and was used internally with a implied default value of
REL, implying the use of the REL solution method mentioned above. This parameter is now
documented in the ENFMETH (p. 723) in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide and the default value
has been changed to TOTAL (or ABS) to reflect the new default of the TOTAL/ABS solution method
indicated above.
It should be emphasized here that the new ENFMETH parameter is completely separate, independent
and distinct from the similarly sounding ENFMOTN parameter. These two parameters should not be
confused with each other. The former controls the solution method when dynamic enforced motion
analysis via SPC/SPCD is used while the latter controls how the results of such an analysis are output.
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Results and Output Changes
424
Details will be clear from the descriptions of these parameters in the ENFMETH and ENFMOTN (p. 724)
in the MD Nastran Quick Reference Guide.
NEW OPTMIZER
Optimization tasks that previously used the BIGDOT optimization algorithm now employ the IPOPT
optimization algorithm (See The IPOPT Algorithm (App. C) in the Design Sensitivity and Optimization
Users Guide). These are typically topology optimization tasks or tasks with many design variables. If
the user explicitly selects the BIGDOT algorithm using OPTCOD=BIGDOT on the DOPTPRM bulk data
entry, the IPOTPT algorithm will be used in its place and a User Information Message will be printed that
indicates this. It is expected that the results from the two algorithms will be similar, but not exactly the
same.
Main Index
425
CHAPTER 15
Miscellaneous
MSC.Nastran Error List
The current error lists for MD Nastran can be obtained from the MSC Software Simcompanion website:
http://simcompanion.mscsoftware.com/infocenter/index?page=content&id=KI8008006
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
MSC.Nastran Error List
426
Main Index
Ap. A: Connectors
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
A
Connectors

Connectors Output
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Connectors Output
428
Connectors Output
Example A - Element Force and Element Stress
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 1.000000E+01
C O M P L E X F O R C E S I N W E L D E L E M E N T S ( C W E L D P )
(REAL/IMAGINARY)

ELEMENT BEND-MOMENT END-A BEND-MOMENT END-B - SHEAR - AXIAL
ID PLANE 1 (MZ) PLANE 2 (MY) PLANE 1 (MZ) PLANE 2 (MY) PLANE 1 (FY) PLANE 2 (FZ) FORCE FX TORQUE MX
30 -1.808122E-01 -1.966379E-02 -3.561784E-03 2.373087E-03 -3.979684E-01 -4.947790E-02 2.768694E-02 -2.765884E-02
2.170022E-02 2.359719E-03 4.290746E-04 -2.845342E-04 4.775866E-02 5.936962E-03 -3.321101E-03 3.320390E-03
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 2.000000E+01
C O M P L E X F O R C E S I N W E L D E L E M E N T S ( C W E L D P )
(REAL/IMAGINARY)

ELEMENT BEND-MOMENT END-A BEND-MOMENT END-B - SHEAR - AXIAL
ID PLANE 1 (MZ) PLANE 2 (MY) PLANE 1 (MZ) PLANE 2 (MY) PLANE 1 (FY) PLANE 2 (FZ) FORCE FX TORQUE MX
30 -1.808791E-01 -1.966534E-02 -3.602137E-03 2.367348E-03 -3.980280E-01 -4.946850E-02 2.765457E-02 2.769116E-02
2.171652E-02 2.360096E-03 4.389053E-04 -2.831364E-04 4.777317E-02 5.934670E-03 -3.313215E-03 3.328268E-03
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 1.000000E+01
C O M P L E X S T R E S S E S I N W E L D E L E M E N T S ( C W E L D P )
(REAL/IMAGINARY)
ELEMENT AXIAL MAX STRESS MIN STRESS MAX STRESS MIN STRESS MAXIMUM BEARING
ID STRESS END-A END-A END-B END-B SHEAR STRESS STRESS
30 3.525211E+00 2.045557E+03 -2.038507E+03 6.397730E+01 -5.692688E+01 2.092356E+02 4.010323E+01
-4.228557E-01 2.446496E+02 -2.454954E+02 6.845903E+00 -7.691615E+00 2.511545E+01 4.812626E+00
0 SUBCASE 1
FREQUENCY = 2.000000E+01
C O M P L E X S T R E S S E S I N W E L D E L E M E N T S ( C W E L D P )
(REAL/IMAGINARY)
ELEMENT AXIAL MAX STRESS MIN STRESS MAX STRESS MIN STRESS MAXIMUM BEARING
ID STRESS END-A END-A END-B END-B SHEAR STRESS STRESS
30 3.521090E+00 2.046250E+03 -2.039208E+03 6.432576E+01 -5.728358E+01 2.094103E+02 4.010902E+01
-4.218517E-01 2.448205E+02 -2.456642E+02 6.932804E+00 -7.776507E+00 2.515803E+
Main Index
429
Appendix A
Connectors
Example B - Element Stress Output
S T R E S S E S I N S E A M E L E M E N T S ( C S E A M )
0 CORNER ------CENTER AND CORNER POINT STRESSES--------- DIR. COSINES MEAN
ELEMENT-ID GRID-ID NORMAL SHEAR PRINCIPAL -A- -B- -C- PRESSURE VON MISES
10001 0GRID CS 8 GP
CENTER X 7.747896E+05 XY -3.827610E+03 A 7.748116E+05 LX 1.00 0.00-0.01 -2.940678E+05 7.270885E+05
Y 1.074136E+05 YZ 1.673470E-10 B 2.502929E-09 LY-0.01 0.00-1.00
Z 2.328306E-09 ZX 1.746230E-09 C 1.073916E+05 LZ 0.00 1.00 0.00
90001 X 1.711155E+06 XY -7.739222E+03 A 1.711200E+06 LX 1.00 0.00-0.01 -8.162711E+05 1.342475E+06
Y 3.764584E+05 YZ -3.868169E+03 B 3.602726E+05 LY-0.01 0.23-0.97
Z 3.611997E+05 ZX -5.157554E+01 C 3.773406E+05 LZ 0.00 0.97 0.23
90002 X 1.707039E+06 XY -7.739222E+03 A 1.707084E+06 LX 1.00 0.00-0.01 -8.103257E+05 1.345162E+06
Y 3.646422E+05 YZ 3.868169E+03 B 3.572576E+05 LY-0.01-0.47-0.88
Z 3.592958E+05 ZX -5.157554E+01 C 3.666358E+05 LZ 0.00 0.88-0.47
90003 X -1.638654E+05 XY 8.400235E+01 A -1.563204E+05 LX 0.01 0.00-1.00 2.261826E+05 1.983753E+05
Y -1.563954E+05 YZ 3.868169E+03 B -3.583610E+05 LY 1.00-0.02 0.01
Z -3.582869E+05 ZX -5.157554E+01 C -1.638663E+05 LZ 0.02 1.00 0.00
90004 X -1.655750E+05 XY 8.400235E+01 A -1.580980E+05 LX 0.01 0.00-1.00 2.286519E+05 2.005495E+05
Y -1.581723E+05 YZ -3.868169E+03 B -3.622819E+05 LY 1.00 0.02 0.01
Z -3.622085E+05 ZX -5.157554E+01 C -1.655759E+05 LZ-0.02 1.00 0.00
90005 X 1.727548E+06 XY -7.739222E+03 A 1.727593E+06 LX 1.00 0.00-0.01 -8.258101E+05 1.352764E+06
Y 3.830623E+05 YZ -3.868169E+03 B 3.659432E+05 LY-0.01 0.22-0.98
Z 3.668194E+05 ZX 5.157554E+01 C 3.838939E+05 LZ 0.00 0.98 0.22
90006 X 1.722568E+06 XY -7.739222E+03 A 1.722612E+06 LX 1.00 0.00-0.01 -8.186157E+05 1.356026E+06
Y 3.703815E+05 YZ 3.868169E+03 B 3.612509E+05 LY-0.01-0.39-0.92
Z 3.628978E+05 ZX 5.157554E+01 C 3.719841E+05 LZ 0.00 0.92-0.39
90007 X -1.698541E+05 XY 8.400235E+01 A -1.598039E+05 LX 0.01 0.00-1.00 2.312129E+05 1.993407E+05
Y -1.598779E+05 YZ 3.868169E+03 B -3.639800E+05 LY 1.00-0.02 0.01
Z -3.639066E+05 ZX 5.157554E+01 C -1.698548E+05 LZ 0.02 1.00 0.00
90008 X -1.706989E+05 XY 8.400235E+01 A -1.607165E+05 LX 0.01 0.00-1.00 2.324332E+05 2.003621E+05
Y -1.607901E+05 YZ -3.868169E+03 B -3.658836E+05 LY 1.00 0.02 0.01
Z -3.658106E+05 ZX 5.157554E+01 C -1.706996E+05 LZ-0.02 1.00 0.00
10002 0GRID CS 8 GP
CENTER X 7.406084E+05 XY 9.462977E+02 A 7.406120E+05 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -2.397683E+05 7.514921E+05
Y -2.130364E+04 YZ 4.292815E-10 B -2.130482E+04 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z -1.583248E-08 ZX 1.333328E+03 C -2.400266E+00 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
90009 X 1.623490E+06 XY 1.970375E+03 A 1.623494E+06 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.671043E+05 1.446252E+06
Y 8.306726E+04 YZ 9.464031E+02 B 8.306052E+04 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 2.947562E+05 ZX 1.612613E+03 C 2.947584E+05 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
90010 X 1.623357E+06 XY 1.970375E+03 A 1.623361E+06 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.669126E+05 1.446268E+06
Y 8.317433E+04 YZ -9.464031E+02 B 8.316755E+04 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 2.942068E+05 ZX 1.612613E+03 C 2.942091E+05 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
90011 X -1.337316E+05 XY -7.777978E+01 A -1.233649E+05 LX-0.01-0.01-1.00 1.839953E+05 1.666055E+05
Y -1.233709E+05 YZ -9.464031E+02 B -2.949047E+05 LY 1.00 0.01-0.01
Z -2.948834E+05 ZX 1.612613E+03 C -1.337162E+05 LZ-0.01 1.00-0.01
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Connectors Output
430
S T R E S S E S I N S E A M E L E M E N T S ( C S E A M )
0 CORNER ------CENTER AND CORNER POINT STRESSES--------- DIR. COSINES MEAN
ELEMENT-ID GRID-ID NORMAL SHEAR PRINCIPAL -A- -B- -C- PRESSURE VON MISES
90012 X -1.333445E+05 XY -7.777978E+01 A -1.228786E+05 LX-0.01-0.01-1.00 1.834361E+05 1.662438E+05
Y -1.228843E+05 YZ 9.464031E+02 B -2.941010E+05 LY 1.00-0.01-0.01
Z -2.940796E+05 ZX 1.612613E+03 C -1.333288E+05 LZ 0.01 1.00-0.01
90013 X 1.608190E+06 XY 1.970375E+03 A 1.608193E+06 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.591450E+05 1.435601E+06
Y 7.755697E+04 YZ 9.464031E+02 B 7.755026E+04 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 2.916883E+05 ZX 1.054044E+03 C 2.916916E+05 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
90014 X 1.608294E+06 XY 1.970375E+03 A 1.608298E+06 LX 1.00 0.00 0.00 -6.592958E+05 1.435494E+06
Y 7.790112E+04 YZ -9.464031E+02 B 7.789438E+04 LY 0.00 1.00 0.00
Z 2.916921E+05 ZX 1.054044E+03 C 2.916954E+05 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
90015 X -1.357683E+05 XY -7.777978E+01 A -1.230557E+05 LX-0.01-0.01-1.00 1.835484E+05 1.627915E+05
Y -1.230615E+05 YZ -9.464031E+02 B -2.918279E+05 LY 1.00 0.01-0.01
Z -2.918155E+05 ZX 1.054044E+03 C -1.357617E+05 LZ-0.01 1.00-0.01
90016 X -1.356183E+05 XY -7.777978E+01 A -1.228063E+05 LX-0.01-0.01-1.00 1.833317E+05 1.627466E+05
Y -1.228120E+05 YZ 9.464031E+02 B -2.915773E+05 LY 1.00-0.01-0.01
Z -2.915649E+05 ZX 1.054044E+03 C -1.356115E+05 LZ 0.01 1.00-0.01
10003 0GRID CS 8 GP
CENTER X 1.284104E+03 XY -4.129671E+01 A 1.285049E+03 LX 1.00 0.02 0.00 -2.544763E+02 1.610510E+03
Y -5.206752E+02 YZ 6.457412E-10 B -5.216197E+02 LY-0.02 1.00 0.00
Z -2.142042E-08 ZX 8.847564E-08 C -2.142039E-08 LZ 0.00 0.00-1.00
90017 X 2.416318E+03 XY -5.225373E+01 A 2.417096E+03 LX 1.00 0.01 0.00 -4.974160E+02 3.080820E+03
Y -1.092519E+03 YZ -4.401031E+01 B -1.094830E+03 LY-0.01 1.00 0.03
Z 1.684483E+02 ZX -5.868064E-01 C 1.699818E+02 LZ 0.00 0.03-1.00
90018 X 2.495232E+03 XY -5.225373E+01 A 2.496019E+03 LX 1.00 0.02 0.00 -6.114019E+02 3.040780E+03
Y -9.753662E+02 YZ 4.401031E+01 B -9.776510E+02 LY-0.02 1.00-0.03
Z 3.143401E+02 ZX -5.868064E-01 C 3.158376E+02 LZ 0.00-0.03-1.00
90019 X -8.759534E+01 XY -3.033968E+01 A -2.349008E+01 LX-0.42-0.08-0.91 1.068964E+02 1.504556E+02
Y -5.015059E+01 YZ 4.401031E+01 B -1.968506E+02 LY 0.88-0.30-0.38
Z -1.829433E+02 ZX -5.868064E-01 C -1.003486E+02 LZ 0.24 0.95-0.19
90020 X -1.375186E+02 XY -3.033968E+01 A -7.612272E+01 LX-0.44 0.04-0.90 1.790078E+02 2.061600E+02
Y -9.965966E+01 YZ -4.401031E+01 B -3.093700E+02 LY 0.88 0.21-0.42
Z -2.998451E+02 ZX -5.868064E-01 C -1.515307E+02 LZ-0.17 0.98 0.13
90021 X 2.982642E+03 XY -5.225373E+01 A 2.983355E+03 LX 1.00 0.01 0.00 -8.526937E+02 3.380599E+03
Y -8.465572E+02 YZ -4.401031E+01 B -8.487935E+02 LY-0.01 1.00 0.03
Z 4.219966E+02 ZX 5.868065E-01 C 4.235193E+02 LZ 0.00 0.03-1.00
90022 X 2.948929E+03 XY -5.225373E+01 A 2.949649E+03 LX 1.00 0.01 0.00 -8.039978E+02 3.369357E+03
Y -8.420306E+02 YZ 4.401031E+01 B -8.444359E+02 LY-0.01 1.00-0.04
Z 3.050948E+02 ZX 5.868065E-01 C 3.067800E+02 LZ 0.00-0.04-1.00
90023 X -2.039378E+02 XY -3.033968E+01 A -1.402171E+02 LX-0.43-0.02-0.90 2.671824E+02 2.728479E+02
Y -1.611178E+02 YZ 4.401031E+01 B -4.434710E+02 LY 0.90-0.16-0.42
Z -4.364915E+02 ZX 5.868065E-01 C -2.178590E+02 LZ 0.13 0.99-0.09
90024 X -1.412352E+02 XY -3.033968E+01 A -7.500764E+01 LX-0.41 0.04-0.91 1.766120E+02 1.980148E+02
Y -9.800105E+01 YZ -4.401031E+01 B -3.004030E+02 LY 0.89 0.22-0.39
Z -2.905998E+02 ZX 5.868065E-01 C -1.544254E+02 LZ-0.18 0.98 0.12
S T R E S S E S I N S E A M E L E M E N T S ( C S E A M )
0 CORNER ------CENTER AND CORNER POINT STRESSES--------- DIR. COSINES MEAN
ELEMENT-ID GRID-ID NORMAL SHEAR PRINCIPAL -A- -B- -C- PRESSURE VON MISES
10004 0GRID CS 8 GP
CENTER X 2.857427E+00 XY -5.724032E-02 A 7.595094E+00 LX-0.01 0.00-1.00 -3.483943E+00 6.644488E+00
Y 7.594403E+00 YZ -5.420588E-10 B 1.257286E-08 LY 1.00 0.00-0.01
Z 1.257285E-08 ZX -6.053597E-09 C 2.856735E+00 LZ 0.00 1.00 0.00
90025 X 1.577084E+00 XY 5.002377E+00 A 6.410882E+00 LX 0.72-0.69 0.05 -2.286139E+00 9.076537E+00
Y 1.218060E+00 YZ 1.910919E-01 B -3.610427E+00 LY 0.69 0.72 0.03
Z 4.063272E+00 ZX 2.547832E-03 C 4.057961E+00 LZ 0.06-0.02-1.00
90026 X -5.694098E+00 XY 5.002377E+00 A -8.618130E-01 LX 0.72-0.04 0.69 8.216681E+00 1.117548E+01
Y -6.043215E+00 YZ -1.910919E-01 B -1.292361E+01 LY 0.69 0.06-0.72
Z -1.291273E+01 ZX 2.547832E-03 C -1.086462E+01 LZ-0.01 1.00 0.07
90027 X 3.802032E+00 XY -5.116858E+00 A 1.589757E+01 LX-0.39 0.01-0.92 -4.467181E+00 1.785942E+01
Y 1.373110E+01 YZ -1.910919E-01 B -4.134058E+00 LY 0.92 0.01-0.39
Z -4.131593E+00 ZX 2.547832E-03 C 1.638033E+00 LZ-0.01 1.00 0.01
90028 X 1.120986E+01 XY -5.116858E+00 A 2.345315E+01 LX-0.39 0.92-0.02 -1.516737E+01 1.288174E+01
Y 2.131121E+01 YZ 1.910919E-01 B 9.069369E+00 LY 0.92 0.39 0.01
Z 1.298105E+01 ZX 2.547832E-03 C 1.297959E+01 LZ 0.02-0.02-1.00
90029 X -5.801891E+00 XY 5.002377E+00 A -9.705124E-01 LX 0.72 0.04 0.69 8.360745E+00 1.124266E+01
Y -6.152861E+00 YZ 1.910919E-01 B -1.313789E+01 LY 0.69-0.05-0.72
Z -1.312748E+01 ZX -2.547842E-03 C -1.097383E+01 LZ 0.01 1.00-0.06
90030 X 1.536345E+00 XY 5.002377E+00 A 6.378676E+00 LX 0.72-0.69-0.05 -2.238929E+00 9.062510E+00
Y 1.195284E+00 YZ -1.910919E-01 B -3.641881E+00 LY 0.69 0.72-0.03
Z 3.985157E+00 ZX -2.547842E-03 C 3.979991E+00 LZ-0.06 0.02-1.00
90031 X 1.171584E+01 XY -5.116858E+00 A 2.348970E+01 LX-0.40 0.92 0.03 -1.534583E+01 1.260059E+01
Y 2.126247E+01 YZ -1.910919E-01 B 9.489802E+00 LY 0.92 0.40-0.01
Z 1.305916E+01 ZX -2.547842E-03 C 1.305798E+01 LZ-0.02 0.02-1.00
90032 X 4.514247E+00 XY -5.116858E+00 A 1.643190E+01 LX-0.39-0.01-0.92 -4.943524E+00 1.805928E+01
Y 1.423316E+01 YZ 1.910919E-01 B -3.919224E+00 LY 0.92-0.01-0.39
Z -3.916836E+00 ZX -2.547842E-03 C 2.317893E+00 LZ 0.01 1.00-0.01
Main Index
431
Appendix A
Connectors
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Connectors Output
432
Main Index
Ap. B: Thermo-Mechanical Theory
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory

Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory


Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
434
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
Introduction
Many problems encountered in industry require the analysis of a fully coupled thermo-mechanical
problem. In general the observed phenomena need to be modelled like this if one or more of the following
situations occur:
The structure undergoes large deformation so that there is a change in the geometry and
boundary conditions associated with the heat transfer problem.
Deformation converts mechanical work into heat through an irreversible process which can not
be neglected relative to other heat sources.
Changing contact conditions influence the heat flow between parts that are contacting each other.
Relative sliding of different parts contacting each converts frictional work into heat through an
irreversible process which can not be neglected relative to other heat sources.
In either case the changes in the temperature distribution contribute to the deformation of the structure,
through thermal strains and through changes of the temperature dependent material properties.
In the following a short overview is given of the basic equations governing the thermo-mechanical
problem and their weak form to make their solution feasible by means of the finite element method.
A Short Overview Of The Basic Equations Of Continuum
Thermo-mechanics
Before discussung some of the implementation details of the coupled thermal/mechanical analysis
capability in MD Nastran, a short overview is given of the basic equations of continuum thermo-
mechanics in order to recognize the different sources of coupling between the thermal and the mechanical
phases of the deformation process. The description here is necessarilly brief and only intends to point out
the related physical concepts. For more details the reader is referred to the works of J.F. Besseling and E.
van der Giessen 1., of H. Ziegler 2. and of Y.C. Fung 3., among the many sources available on this topic.
The following notational conventions are used in this overview. Summation is implied over repeated
indices in expressions, where the range is 3 for Latin indices and 2 for Greek indices. A superimposed
dot means taking the material time derivative. denotes the Kronecker delta defined as when
, otherwise it is zero. denotes the permutation tensor defined as when is
an even permutation, when is an odd permutation, otherwise it is zero.
The kinematics of the continuum is described in a Cartesian reference frame, where the undeformed
configuration serves as the reference configuration. The material points in this configuration are
represented by their Cartesian coordinates . Their coordinates in the deformed configuration are
represented by , which can be regarded as a functions of time, t, and their initial position:
o
i j
o
i j
1 =
i j = c
i j k
c
i j k
1 = i j k = =
c
i j k
1 = i j k = =
X
i
x
i
Main Index
435
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
(2-1)
The displacements, , of any material point are thus given as:
(2-2)
To describe the process with plastic deformations, the deformation gradient
(2-3)
is assumed to be the product (cf. E.H. Lee,Elastic-plastic deformation at finite strains, J. Appl. Mech., 36,
1-6, 1969., 450) of an elastic (or recoverable) part, , and a plastic (or non-recoverable) part, :
(2-4)
With this assumption a number of tensors are defined that can be used as measures for the elastic and
plastic deformations and they are valid for arbitrary finite deformations. The total elastic strain tensor is
given as:
(2-5)
The rate of total deformation tensor is given as:
, (2-6)
which is the symmetric part of the velocity gradient
, (2-7)
which is decomposed in an elastic part
(2-8)
and a plastic part
(2-9)
with
x
i
x
i
t X
1
X
2
X
3
, , , ( ) =
u
i
u
i
x
i
X
i
=
F
i j
x
i
c
X
j
c
-------- =
F
i j
e
F
i j
p
F
i j
F
i k
e
F
kj
p
=
E
i j
e 1
2
--- F
ki
e
F
kj
e
o
i j
( ) =
d
i j
1
2
---
u

i
c
x c
j
-------
u

j
c
x
i
c
------- +
\ .
| |
=
L
i j
F

i k
F
kj
1
u

i
c
x
j
c
------- L
i j
e
L
i j
p
+ = = =
L
i j
e
F

i k
e
F
kj
e
1
=
L
i j
p
F
i k
e
A
kl
p
F
l j
e
1
=
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
436
(2-10)
The rate of elastic deformation tensor is given as:
(2-11)
The material time derivative of the elastic strain tensor and the rate of elastic deformation tensor are thus
related by.
(2-12)
The rate of plastic deformation tensor is given as:
(2-13)
The rate of total deformation therefore is the sum of the elastic and plastic rates of deformation:
(2-14)
The balance equations summarized below are formulated with respect to the deformed configuration and
are valid for any amount of deformation. With as the mass density, and, as the material
components of velocity and accelleration, o
ij
as the Cauchy sress tensor components, f
i
as the external
volume force vector components, p
i
as the external pressure force vector components, T as the absolute
temperature, q as the external heat flux per unit area, q
i
as the heat flux vector components, n
i
as the
vector components of the outward unit normal, s as the entropy per unit mass, o as the entropy production
per unit mass, and e as the internal energy per unit mass, the following basic equations of continuum
thermo-mechanics are listed for a closed system:
1. conservation of mass:
=>
(2-15)
2. balance of momentum:
=>
A
i j
p
F

i k
p
F
kj
p
1
=
d
i j
e 1
2
--- L
i j
e
L
j i
e
+ ( ) =
E

i j
e
d
kl
e
F
ki
e
F
l j
e
=
d
i j
p 1
2
--- L
i j
p
L
j i
p
+ ( ) =
d
i j
d
i j
e
d
i j
p
+ =
u

i
u

i
t d
d
V d
V
}
0 =

i
c
x
i
c
------- + 0 =
t d
d
u

i
V d
V
}
p
i
I d
I
p
}
f
i
V d
V
}
+ =
Main Index
437
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
in V and on I
p
(2-16)
3. balance of moment of momentum:
=>
(2-17)
4. conservation of energy:
=>
in V and on I
q
(2-18)
5. law of entropy production:
and =>
(2-19)
It is furthermore postulated that the specific internal energy, e, and the specific entropy, s, are state
variables of the system, so their expressions represent equations of state. Equation (2-15) expresses the
fact that the total mass of the system remains constant. Equation (2-16) expresses the fact that the change
in momentum of the system is caused by the external forces acting on the system. Equation (2-17)
expresses the fact that the change in moment of momentum of the system about the origin of the
coordinate system is caused by the moments of the external forces about this origin. Equation (2-18)
expresses the first law of thermodynamics, which states that the rate of work done by the external loading
plus the heat flux supplied to the system through its external boundaries is equal to the change in internal
energy plus the change in kinetic energy of the system. Equation (2-19) expresses the second law of
thermodynamics, which states that the difference between the total entropy change and the entropy flow
through the external boundaries, i.e. the entropy production, is always non-negative. Only for reversible
thermo-mechanical processes it is zero, for all others it is positive.
With (2-18) the law of entropy production can be put in the following form:
(2-20)
o c
i j
x
j
c
---------- f
i
+ u

i
= o
i j
n
j
p
i
=
t d
d
c
i j k
x
i
u

j
V d
V
}
c
i j k
x
i
p
j
I d
I
p
}
c
i j k
x
i
f
j
V d
V
}
+ =
o
i j
o
j i
=
t d
d
e
1
2
--- u

i
u

i
+
\ .
| |
V d
V
}
p
i
u

i
q + ( ) I d
I
p
I
q

}
f
i
u

i
V d
V
}
+ =
e

o
i j
d
i j
q
i
c
x
i
c
------- = q
i
n
i
q =
t d
d
s V d
V
}
q
T
--- I d
I
q
}
o V d
V
}
+ = o 0 >
o s

q
i
T ( ) c
x
i
c
-------------------- + 0 > =
To
q
i
T
----
T c
x
i
c
------- o
i j
d
i j
e

Ts

( ) + 0 > =
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
438
So far no assumptions have been made about the constitutive behaviour of the material and the above
expressions are still very general. It will be assumed that the internal energy can be given as a function
of entropy, s, and the components of elastic strain, :
, (2-21)
Furthermore Fouriers law of heat conduction is assumed:
(2-22)
where are the coefficients of the thermal conductivity tensor.
The law of entropy production then takes the following form:
(2-23)
Since equation (2-23) must hold for every conceivable thermo-mechanical process in the material it can
be concluded, that the tensor must be positive definite and that must always be positive. This
reflects our notions of irreversibility, that heat can only flow by itself from a region of higher
temperature to a region of lower temperature and that work done in plastic deformations is not
recoverable as mechanical work. Furthermore it is necessary that:
(2-24)
and
(2-25)
The reasoning behind the last two equations is as follows. Assume for instance, that the constitutive
relation of the material is such that the equal sign in (2-25) must be a smaller than sign. Now it is
always possible to conceive a process such that there are no temperature gradients, there is no plastic
deformation, the elastic deformations remain constant, but the entropy is increasing, by supplying heat
over its boundaries. If this heat supply is slow enough, there will be no temperature gradients. This
process would result in a negative entropy production, thus violating (2-19). For similar reasons the
E
i j
e
e e s E
i j
e
( , ) =
q
i

i j
T c
x
j
c
------- =

i j
To

i j
T
------
T c
x
i
c
-------
T c
x
j
c
------- o
i j
d
i j
p
+ =
o
i j

e c
E
kl
e
c
----------
s
F
i k
e
F
j l
e

\ .
|
|
| |
d
i j
e

e c
s c
-----
E
i j
e
T
\ .
|
|
| |
s

0 > +

i j
o
i j
d
i j
p
o
i j

e c
E
kl
e
c
----------
s
F
i k
e
F
j l
e
=
T
e c
s c
-----
E
i j
e
=
Main Index
439
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
larger than sign is also impossible, leaving the equal sign as only possibility that never violates the
entropy production law. The same line of reasoning applies to (2-24). These last two equations give the
thermodynamic definitions of stress and temperature.
Since temperature is often better apprehended as a state variable to describe the process than entropy, the
so-called free energy per unit mass, f, is often used, instead of the internal energy. The specific free
energy is defined as:
(2-26)
The entropy production equation of (2-20) is now written as:
(2-27)
The free energy is a function of state and is written as a function of temperature and elastic strains:
(2-28)
The law of entropy production then takes the following form:
, (2-29)
from which the same conclusions can be drawn with respect to the entropy productive mechanisms as
from equation (2-23) and furthermore it is necessary that:
, and (2-30)
(2-31)
With equations (2-28), (2-30) and (2-31) and also noting equation (2-14), the energy balance equation
(2-18) can now be brought to the following form:
, (2-32)
Since the entropy, s, is a function of state:
f e Ts =
To
q
i
T
----
T c
x
i
c
------- o
i j
d
i j
f

sT

+ ( ) + 0 > =
f f T E
i j
e
( , ) =
To

i j
T
------
T c
x
i
c
-------
T c
x
j
c
------- o
i j
d
i j
p
+ =
o
i j

f c
E
kl
e
c
----------
T
F
i k
e
F
j l
e

\ .
|
|
| |
d
i j
e

f c
T c
------
E
i j
e
s +
\ .
|
|
| |
T

0 > +
o
i j

f c
E
kl
e
c
----------
T
F
i k
e
F
j l
e
=
s
f c
T c
------
E
i j
e
=
Ts

o
i j
d
i j
p
q
i
c
x
i
c
------- =
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
440
, (2-33)
equation Figure 2-32 can be written as:
(2-34)
and by employing equation (2-25), (2-30) and (2-31) this finally becomes:
(2-35)
The heat capacity, c, of the material is defined as:
(2-36)
The final form of the energy equation then becomes:
(2-37)
The equations of motion as given by equation (2-16) are:
(2-38)
Furthermore the system is subjected to mechanical boundary conditions
(2-39)
and thermal boundary conditions
(2-40)
and to mechanical initial conditions
s s T E
i j
e
( , ) =
T
s c
T c
------
E
i j
e
T

T
s c
E
i j
e
c
----------
T
E

i j
e
+ o
i j
d
i j
p
q
i
c
x
i
c
------- =

e c
T c
------
E
i j
e
T

T
o
i j
c
T c
----------
E
i j
e
d
i j
e
o
i j
d
i j
p
q
i
c
x
i
c
------- =
c
e c
T c
------
E
i j
e
T
s c
T c
------
E
i j
e
T
c
2
f
T
2
c
---------
E
i j
e
= = =
cT

T
o
i j
c
T c
----------
E
i j
e
d
i j
e
o
i j
d
i j
p
q
i
c
x
i
c
------- + =
u

i
o c
i j
x
j
c
---------- f
i
+ =
o
i j
n
j
p
i
=
u
i
t ( ) u
i
t ( ) =
, on I
p
, on I
u
q
i
n
i
q =
T t ( ) T t ( ) =
, on I
q
, on I
T
Main Index
441
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
(2-41)
and thermal initial conditions
(2-42)
Here and are resp. the regions on the outer boundary of the structure where the external forces
and the displacemenst are prescribed and and are resp. the regions on this outer boundary where
the external fluxes and the temperatures are prescribed. The first term in the right hand side of equation
(2-37) accounts for the termo-elastic effects in the material, the second term accounts for the dissipative
effects due to irreversible deformation processes.
The differential equations (2-37) and (2-38) together with the boundary conditions (2-39) and (2-40) and
initial conditions (2-41) and (2-42) fully describe the thermal and mechanical behaviour of the system in
terms of absolute temperature, T, and displacements, , provided that they can be supplemented with
adequate constitutive relations. In particular it is necessary to provide more details about the form of the
free energy function, f, and to provide the laws that govern the plastic deformation process. These details
are not pursued in this overview.
Weak Formulation Of The Thermo-mechanical Problem
Including Contact
To arrive at the finite element equations of the coupled thermo-mechanical problem, the governing
differential equations together with their boundary conditions are cast in a weak form. This form allows
to easily include the constraint relations resulting from contact. It also clearly shows the structure of the
set of extremely nonlinear ordinary differential equations and how the coupling terms appear in this set
of equations. The equations are first presented in their strongly coupled form. The solution of this set of
equations is extremely complicated and computationally expensive. By making a number of judicious
assumptions the structure of the equations can be greatly simplified, resulting in a weakly coupled set of
equations. This latter set of equations suffices in most practical applications to obtain an accurate
solution of the coupled thermo-mechanical problem.
When some regions of the external boundary contact each other, it is necessary to add non-penetration
constraints to the set of mechanical equations. If furthermore friction is included it is necessary to split
the contact region into two distinct regions, one where the friction stress is less than the friction stress
limit and no relative sliding can occur, i.e. a sticking region, and one where the friction stress equals the
friction stress limit and relative sliding can occur, i.e. a slipping region. In regions of contact, heat flow
over the contacting interfaces takes place and due to slip frictional work is converted into heat. The
contacting interface can be such that ideal heat conduction takes place, meaning that the temperature
fields on both sides of the interface are the same, or it can be such that some hypothetical medium
conducts heat between the two sides of the interface and the properties of this medium are determined
u
i
t 0 = ( ) u
i
0
=
u
i

t 0 = ( ) u

i
0
=
T t 0 = ( ) T
0
=
I
p
I
u
I
q
I
T
u
i
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
442
by a one-dimensional heat flow law. The different contact regions are denoted as follows: represents
all regions where contact takes place, denotes the sticking region, denotes the slipping
region, denotes the region where ideal heat conduction takes place over the interface and
denotes the region where the heat flow over the interface is controlled by some one-dimensional heat
flow law. Note that these different regions are not static, but are all subject to change during the
deformation process.
For the equation of motion the following expression for its weak form, augmented with terms emerging
from contact, is obtained:
(2-43)
This expression is the well-known virtual work equation including inertia terms and augmented with
additonal contact constraint terms. Here are the virtual displacement components, is the first
variation of the term within the parenthesis and is the virtual strain w.r.t the current configuration:
(2-44)
Note that this last term is not the first variation of some finite strain quantity. The first term in the first
volume integral represents the intertia of the system. The second term in this volume integral represents
the internal force contributions to the system resulting from nonlinear material behaviour, internal
material damping and thermal effects like thermal expansion and temperature dependent material
properties. The second volume integral and the surface integral over represent the external forces
acting on the system. The surface integral over represents the non-penetration contact constraint,
where p is the unknown contact pressure and is the difference in normal displacements on both sides
of the interface. The surface integral over represents the sticking constraint, where is the
unknown tangentional stress and is the difference in tangential displacements on both sides of the
interface. These two integrals represent the hard mechanical contact conditions, where the
displacement fields are made identical on both sides of the interface. The surface integral over
accounts for the slipping condition, where is the friction stress limit, which is often determined by
Coulombs law of friction.
I
c
I
st i ck
I
sl i p
I
cond
I
f l ow
u

i
ou
i
o
i j
oc
i j
+ ( ) V d
V
}
f
i
u
i
o V d
V
}
p
i
u
i
o I d
I
p
}

o pAu
n
( ) I d
I
c
}
o t
o
Au
o
t
( ) I d
I
st i ck
}
t
o
max
o Au
o
t
( ) I d
I
sl i p
}
0 =
ou
i
o ... ( )
c
i j
o
oc
i j
1
2
---
ou
i
c
x c
j
---------- -
ou
j
c
x
i
c
----------- +
\ .
| |
=
I
p
I
c
Au
n
I
st i ck
t
o
Au
o
t
I
sl i p
t
o
max
Main Index
443
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
For the energy equation the following expression for ist weak form, augmented with terms emerging
from contact, is obtained:
(2-45)
Here is the virtual temperature and is again the first variation of the term within the
parenthesis. The first term in the volume integral represents the heat capacity of the system. The second
term represents the thermo-elastic effects. The third term represents the heat as a result of the irreversible
deformation process. The fourth term represents the thermal conductivity of the system. The surface
integral over represents the external heat flux into or out of the system, which may be from direct
heat sources or from convective boundary conditions. The surface integral over represents the
ideal heat conduction constraint, where g is the unknown heat flux over the interface and is the
difference in temperatures on both sides of the interface. This integral represents the hard thermal
contact conditions, where the temperature fields are made identical on both sides of the interface. The
surface integral over represents the heat flow over the interface through some hypothetical
medium, where h is a linear or nonlinear heat flow law depending on the difference in temperatures on
both sides of the interface. The surface integral over represents the heat as a result of friction,
where is the relative tangential velocity in the interface and is the average of the virtual
temperatures on both sides of the interface.
Equations (2-43) and (2-45) form the basis to arrive at the finite element equations for the unknown
temperatures and displacements. Making suitable assumptions for the spatial distributions of the
temperature and displacement fields the following strongly coupled system of equations is obtained for
the mechanical, (2-46), and thermal, (2-47), problem:
(2-46)
(2-47)
Here and are the vectors of unknown displacements and accellerations and and are the vectors
of unknown temperatures and their time derivatives. In equation (2-46) is the mass matrix of the
cT

T
o
i j
c
T c
---------- d
i j
e
o
i j
d
i j
p

\ .
| |
oT
i j
T c
x
i
c
-------
oT c
x
j
c
--------- +
\ .
|
| |
V d
V
}
q T o I d
I
q
}

o gAT ( ) I d
I
cond
}
ho AT ( ) I d
I
f l ow
}
t
o
max
Au

o
t
oT
av
I d
I
sl i p
}
0 =
oT o ... ( )
I
q
I
cond
AT
I
f l ow
I
sl i p
Au

o
t
oT
av
Mu

i nt
u

( , ) F

ext
u

( ) F

sl i p
u

( , ) + 0 =
C T

( )T

K T

( )T

E u

T , ( )T Q

p
u

, ( ) +
Q

q
u

T , ( ) Q

f l ow
u

, ( ) Q

sl i p
u

, ( ) 0 =
u

M
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
444
system, is the internal force vector accounting for nonlinear and temperature dependent material
behaviour, geometric nonlinearities, and thermal expansion, is the external force vector, possibly
accounting for follower force effects and is the external force vector resulting from slipping
friction, where the friction properties may be temperature dependent. Force contributions due to internal
and external damping, i.e. velocity dependent terms, could also be present, but this has not been made
explicit in equation (2-46). In summary, thermal effects enter the mechanical problem through
temperature dependent material properties, temperature dependent friction properties and thermal
expansion. In equation (2-47) is the temperature dependent heat capacity matrix, is the temperature
dependent conductivity matrix, is the matrix accounting for thermo-elastic effects, is the heat flux
vector accounting for plastic work conversion, is the heat flux vector accounting for external heat
sources, is the heat flux vector accounting for heat flow over contact interfaces and is the
heat flux vector accounting for frictional work conversion. Heat transfer due to radiation could also be
present, but this has not been made explicit in equation (2-47). In summary, mechanical effects enter the
thermal problem through geometry changes, plastic and frictional work to heat conversions, thermo-
elastic effects and heat flow over contacting interfaces. The hard contact constraints get incorporated in
these equations by splitting the vectors with displacement and temperature degrees of freedom in two
parts, a part with the dependent and a part with the independent degrees of freedom. The dependent
degrees of freedom are related to the independent ones through the hard contact constraint relations of
the mechanical or thermal problem and they can be condensed out of the global system of eqautions.
Equations (2-46) and (2-47) represent an extremely nonlinear set of coupled equations and this set can
only be solved in an incremental fashion through an iterative process like the Newton-Raphsen process.
In order to carry out this process suitable linearizations have to be made of all the terms in these
equations. Since vectors in the mechanical problem have a temperature dependence and vectors in the
thermal problem have a displacement dependence a number of cross-coupling matrix terms will appear
in the global system matrix. The computation of all these terms is very expensive and they also result in
a nonsymmetric system matrix making its solution very expensive. Displacements are usually measured
in meters and in many applications are of the order or less, whereas temperatures are usually
measured in Kelvin or Celsius and are of the order or , so the order of magnitude of the degrees
of freedom of the mechanical and the thermal problem may differ substantially making the equations
numerically very sensitive. The following assumtions are made to simplify the structure of the equations
without loss of much accuracy. It is assumed that the temperature field is constant in the mechanical set
of equations and the displacement field is constant in the thermal set of equations. This completely
eliminates all cross-coupling terms in the system matrix and completely decouples the thermal and the
mechanical problem resulting in a weakly coupled set of equations that has to be solved in a staggered
way. First a solution is obtained for the thermal problem, while the deformations are held constant. Then
a solution is obtained for the mechanical problem, while the updated temperatures are held constant. With
these new displacements the next thermal increment is solved on the updated geometry and this
procedure is repeated over and over again. This procedure is, of course, only justified if the incremental
changes for each phase are relatively small, but this is not a real limitation, since the incremental Newton-
F

i nt
F

ext
F

sl i p
C K
E Q

p
Q

q
Q

f l ow
Q

sl i p
10
2
10
2
10
3
Main Index
445
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
Raphson process already requires this. Since the mechanical behaviour is assumed to be constant during
the thermal phase, the effects of mechanical work being converted to heat only result in additional
contributions to the external heat flux vector of the thermal problem, namely one for the plastic work and
one for the frictional work. In practice not all mechanical work is converted to heat and conversion
factors are introduced to account for this. Thermo-elastic effects are usually very small and are
disregarded in most practical applications. Conversely, since the thermal behaviour is assumed to be
constant during the mechanical phase, the effects of temperature dependent material properties and
thermal expansion result in additional contributions to the external force vector of the mechanical
problem. For many practical applications it is not necessary to include inertia effects. The decoupled sets
of equations eliminate the numerical sensitivity and the resulting equations for the thermal and
mechanical problems often remain symmetric, so these simplifications greatly reduce the computational
cost of the coupled analysis without sacrificing too much accuracy. With all these assumptions, the
staggered solution process of the weakly coupled set of incremental eqautions for the quasi-static
problem (i.e. no inertia) can be summarized as follows:
start of weakly coupled thermo-mechanical analysis
repeat
start of thermal phase
repeat
until converged
end of thermal phase
start of mechanical phase
u

0
=
T

0
=
n 0 =
T

n
T

=
n n 1 + =
H T

n 1
u

, ( )AT

n
R

Q
T

n 1
u

, ( ) =
T

n
T

n 1
AT

n
+ =
T

n
=
n 0 =
u

n
u

=
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
446
repeat
until converged
end of mechanical phase
until finished
end of weakly coupled thermo-mechanical analysis
The barred quantities denote they are constant during the particular solution phase, i.e. is constant
during the thermal phase and is constant during the mechanical phase. is the system matrix of the
thermal problem and is the flux vector including residual terms from the iteration process, flux terms
from the external heat sources and flux terms from mechanical work conversions and contact. is the
system matrix of the mechanical problem and is the force vector including residual terms from the
iteration process, force terms from the external loads and force terms from thermal expansion,
temperature dependent material properties and friction.
An Example: Metal Plasticity
As an example of the general theory discussed in A Short Overview Of The Basic Equations Of Continuum
Thermo-mechanics. It is applied to the case of metal plasticity, which is probably one of the most
important application areas of the theory. It is assumed that the material is isotropic and that all
deformations and strains remain small. Two aspects need to be made specific. The free energy function
needs to be defined and the relations describing the plastic deformations need to be defined.
The assumption of small strains reduces the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient as
given in (2-4) to an additive decomposition of the total strain into an elastic and plastic part. The
deformation gradients appearing in (2-4) are written as
(2-48)
n n 1 + =
K T

n 1
u , ( )AT

n
R

F
T

n 1
u

, ( ) =
u

n
u

n 1
Au

n
+ =
u u
n
=
u

H
R

Q
K
R

F
F
i j
o
i j
c
i j
+ =
F
i j
e
o
i j
c
i j
e
+ =
F
i j
p
o
i j
c
i j
p
+ =
Main Index
447
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
where all the terms (total, elastic and plastic) are all very small w.r.t. unity, i.e. ,
and . The total deformation gradient therefore can be approximated by
, (2-49)
where the products of strain terms are ignored, so the additive decomposition of the total strain into an
elastic and a plastic part is obtained:
(2-50)
The Green-Lagrange total strain tensor, , is defined from the deformation gradient as follows:
(2-51)
It thus serves as a good approximation for the strain tensor and the same holds for the elastic and
plastic parts of the strain.
With the assumption of isotropic material behaviour the free energy, f, as a function of absolute
temperture, T, and elastic strain, can be represented by the following expression:
(2-52)
I
1
and I
2
are the first and second invariants of the elastic strain tensor defined as:
, (2-53)
where
(2-54)
is the deviatoric part of the elastic strain tensor. T
0
and
0
are the initial temperature and density of the
reference configuration. K, G, o and c are the familiar material constants, K is the bulk modulus, G is the
shear modulus, o is the coefficient of thermal expansion and c is the heat capacity of the material. In
absence of thermal effects, the last two terms in (2-52) together are recognized as the elastic strain energy
c
i j
c
i j
1 c
i j
e
1
c
i j
p
1
F
i j
o
i j
c
i j
e
c
i j
p
+ + ~
c
i j
c
i j
e
c
i j
p
+ =
E
i j
E
i j
1
2
--- F
ki
F
kj
o
i j
( )
1
2
--- U
i k
U
kj
o
i j
( ) c
i j
~ = =
c
i j
E
i j
e

0
f
0
cT
0
T
T
0
------ 1
T
T
0
------
T
T
0
------
\ .
| |
ln
\ .
| |
1
2
--- K o T T
0
( ) | |
2
+ =
1
2
--- K I
1
o T T
0
( ) | |
2
2GI
2
+
I
1
E
i i
e
=
I
2
1
2
--- e
i j
e
e
i j
e
=
e
i j
e
E
i j
e 1
3
--- I
1
o
i j
=
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
448
function per unit undeformed volume for a linear elastic material. With presence of thermal effects, the
elastic strains should actually be understood as recoverable strains, since they also may include
contributions from thermal expansion.
With equations (2-52) the stresses and entropy are found from equations (2-30) and (2-31) as:
(2-55)
(2-56)
For plasticity the stress state is limited by a yield surface, where a stress state inside the yield surface is
elastic and a stress state outside the yield surface is unreachable. The yield surface is a function, , of
stress and temperature and for many metals can accurately be described by the von Mises yield function.
(2-57)
where
(2-58)
with
(2-59)
as the deviatoric part of o
ij
and is the yield stress in shear of the material as a function of temperature.
The criteria for the stress state are:
Elastic when or and
Plastic when and
When plastic flow takes place the stress state remains on the yield surface and the resulting rate of plastic
deformation is given by a flow rule. For associative plasticity this flow rule states that the plastic
deformation rates are normal to the yield surface in the stress point. This type of flow rule accurately
describes the plastic flow of many metals. In addition there can be so-called hardening rules, that describe
the change of the yield surface as a function of the plastic deformation, but for brevity this will not be
considered here. The plastic deformation rate given by the flow rule is:
o
i j

f c
E
kl
e
c
----------
T
F
i k
e
F
j l
e

0
f c
E
i j
e
c
----------
T
~ = =
K I
1
o T T
0
( ) | |o
i j
2Ge
i j
e
+
s
f c
T c
------
E
i j
e
c
T
T
0
------
\ .
| |
ln
Ko

0
-------- I
1
+ = =
|
| | o T , ( ) J
2
t
v
2
T ( ) = =
J
2
1
2
--- s
i j
s
i j
=
s
i j
o
i j
1
3
--- o
kk
o
i j
=
t
v
| 0 < | 0 = |

0 <
| 0 = |

0 =
Main Index
449
Appendix B
Thermo-Mechanical Theory
(2-60)
where is a yet unknown proportionality factor called the plastic multiplier, which is set to zero when
the stress state is elastic. The value of this multiplier is determined by the condition that during plastic
flow the stress state remains on the yield surface:
(2-61)
The stress rate in this expression is given as:
(2-62)
Employing the fact that
, (2-63)
the plastic multiplier can be solved as:
(2-64)
The stress rate can now be written as:
(2-65)
where
(2-66)
and
E

i j
p

| c
o
i j
c
---------- =
|
| c
o
i j
c
---------- o

i j
| c
T c
------ T

+ 0 = =
o

i j

0
c
2
f
E
i j
e
c E
kl
e
c
--------------------- E

kl
e

0
c
2
f
E
i j
e
c T c
---------------- T

+ =
E

i j
e
E

i j

| c
o
i j
c
---------- =

| c
o
i j
c
----------
c
2
f
E
i j
e
c E
kl
e
c
--------------------- E

kl
| c
o
i j
c
----------
c
2
f
E
i j
e
c T c
----------------
| c
T c
------ +
\ .
|
| |
T

+
| c
o
ab
c
------------
c
2
f
E
ab
e
c E
cd
e
c
------------------------
| c
o
cd
c
-----------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =
o

i j
L
i j kl
E

kl
H
i j
T

+ =
L
i j kl

c
2
f
E
i j
e
c E
kl
e
c
---------------------
c
2
f
E
i j
e
c E
pq
e
c
----------------------
| c
o
pq
c
------------
| c
o
rs
c
-----------
c
2
f
E
rs
e
c E
kl
e
c
----------------------
| c
o
ab
c
------------
c
2
f
E
ab
e
c E
cd
e
c
------------------------
| c
o
cd
c
-----------
----------------------------------------------------------------------- =
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical Theory
450
(2-67)
For large strains and deformations the usual assumption is that the elastic strains remain very small, but
the plastic strains can be large. In this case the changes of the geometry must also be considered. Similar
expression as for the small strain case are obtained, but they must be given in terms of objective stress
and strain rates.
References
1. J.F. Besseling and E. van der Giessen, Mathematical modelling of inelastic deformation,
Chapman & Hall, 1993.
2. H. Ziegler, An introduction to thermomechanics, North-Holland publishing company, 1983.
3. Y.C. Fung, Foundations of solid mechanics, Prentice-Hall Inc., 1965.
4. E.H. Lee,Elastic-plastic deformation at finite strains, J. Appl. Mech., 36, 1-6, 1969.
H
i j

c
2
f
E
i j
e
c T c
----------------
c
2
f
E
i j
e
c E
pq
e
c
----------------------
| c
o
pq
c
------------
| c
o
rs
c
-----------
c
2
f
E
rs
e
c T c
-----------------
| c
T c
------ +
\ .
|
| |
| c
o
ab
c
------------
c
2
f
E
ab
e
c E
cd
e
c
------------------------
| c
o
cd
c
-----------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =
Main Index
Ap. C: Thermal Contact Theory
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
C
Thermal Contact Theory

Thermal Contact Theory


Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact Theory
452
Thermal Contact Theory
Introduction
In thermal contact a distinction is made between hard contact glued, hard contact convective and near
contact. Hard contact glued means that two bodies contact each other mechanically and the temperature
fields on both sides of the interface must be made identical. Hard contact convective means that two
bodies contact each other mechanically, but the heat flow between the two sides of the interface is
through some hypothetical medium, so the temperatures on both sides do not have to be identical. The
heat flow through this hypothetical medium is controlled by a one-dimensional linear heat flow law. Near
contact means that two bodies are not in contact mechanically, but are close enough to exchange heat.
The heat flow between the two interfaces is controlled by a linear or nonlinear one-dimensional heat flow
law, so it is assumed that the bodies are already relatively close to each other as compared to their sizes.
Two types of bodies are considered in a thermal contact analysis, meshed bodies and rigid bodies.
Meshed bodies are defined by finite elements and can conduct heat, so they can have a nonuniform
temperature distribution. Meshed bodies can also exchange heat with an environment in regions that are
not contacting other bodies. Various convective heat transfer laws are possible. Rigid bodies are defined
by geometrical entities and have a constant temperature everywhere. Rigid bodies can have a heat
capacity, in which case they can exchange heat with meshed bodies or they have a prescribed
temperature, so they act as a heat source when contacted by meshed bodies.
When a meshed body contacts another meshed body, the grids of the slave (or touching) body touch
entities of a master (or touched) body. These entities are element edges in two-dimensional analysis, like
plane strain or axisymmetric analysis or they are element faces in three-dimensional analysis. In either
case each constraint relation controlling the heat transfer is between one slave grid and a set of master
grids of the touched entity. When a meshed body contacts a rigid body the grids of the slave body touch
geometric entities of the master body. These geometric entities all have the same temperature and each
constraint relation is between one slave grid and the rigid body having the constant temperature.
In the next sections the equations are discussed that describe the different kinds of thermal interactions
when meshed bodies contact other meshed bodies or when they contact rigid bodies.
Mesh to Mesh Contact
Mesh to Mesh Hard Contact Glued
In this case a grid is in contact with a face of an element. The contact condition becomes a MPC
condition. If the contacting grid temperature is and the face grid temperatures are , the condition
is a simple linear MPC:
(3-1)
T
A
T
B
i
T
A
T
B
q , ( ) |
i
q , ( )T
B
i
i 1 =
N

= =
Main Index
453
Appendix C
Thermal Contact Theory
is the dependent grid, are the independent grids. The weight factors depend on the location
where the grid touches the face and are simply the shape function values to interpolate the
temperatures inside the face. This may be written as
(3-2)
The MPC equation can alternatively be expressed as:
(3-3)
Mesh to Mesh Convective Heat Transfer (Hard or Near Contact)
In this case the heat flow between two bodies is controlled by a one-dimensional heat flow law. The heat
leaving body A is:
(3-4)
where is the area contribution for grid A, q the heat flow per unit area and h is the heat transfer
coefficient, which may be composed of several contributions. The heat entering body B is .
For each grid that is in contact with a master face, a conductive heat transfer element matrix gets created
of the following form:
, (3-5)
where the element dof vector is:
This can be interpreted as a one dimensional heat link with one grid being grid A and its other grid B
being on the touching element face, so its temperature is computed from the face grid temperatures by
the linear MPC equation.
T
A
T
B
i
|
i
T
A
T
A
T
B
q ,
1 0 . 0
0 |
1
. |
N
T
A
T
B
1
.
T
B
N
S T = =
1 |
1
. |
N

T
A
T
B
1
.
T
B
N
H
MPC
T
= T 0 =
Q
A
o = q o = h T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
o
Q
B
Q
A
=
K
cont act
o = h S
T
1 1
1 1
S
T
A
T
B
1
.
T
B
N
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact Theory
454
The heat transfer coefficient h can have several contributions, coming from different heat flow types:
(3-6)
(3-7)
(3-8)
(3-9)
(3-10)
Equation (3-6) is just a linear heat flow law with a constant heat transfer coefficient. Equations (3-7), (3-8)
and (3-9) represent some nonlinear heat flow laws, where Equation (3-8) is a radiation law. Equation
(3-10) allows to have a distance dependent heat flow between the two bodies in case of near contact,
where d
near
is the near contact distance tolerance. When bodies are separated by a distance larger than
d
near
, they are not in contact.
The total flux per unit area is the sum of these contributions:
(3-11)
For hard convective contact only the first flux type is used. For near contact it may be a combination of
all five. All relations are of the form:
(3-12)
where the heat transfer coefficient is some nonlinear function of the body temperatures in the contact
point. Note that for the radiative condition the temperatures should always be absolute temperatures.
Mesh to Geometry Contact
Mesh to Geometry Hard Contact Glued
A grid of the meshed body is contacting a rigid surface. In this case the grid temperature is set equal to
the rigid geometry temperature. This can be done in two ways:
As a SPCD condition:
As a MPC condition:
q
1
h
1
= T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
q
2
h
2
= T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
EXPF
T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
q
3
oc = T
A
2
T
B
q , ( )
2
+ ( ) T
A
T
B
q , ( ) + ( ) T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
q
4
h
4
=
T
A
EXPF
T
B
q , ( )
EXPF
( )
T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
---------------------------------------------------------------- T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
q
5
h
5A
1
d
d
near
-------------
\ .
| |
h
5B
d
d
near
------------- + = T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
q q
i
i 1 =
5

=
q h T
A
T
B
q , ( ) , ( ) = T
A
T
B
q , ( ) ( )
q
3
( )
T
A
T
BODY
=
T
A
T
BODY
0 =
Main Index
455
Appendix C
Thermal Contact Theory
In the latter case an extra scalar point for the rigid contact body is created, which may obtain either a
prescribed temperature or it may be loaded with an external flux. A simple MPC between this scalar
point and each grid that contacts the rigid body is created. With this extra scalar point it is possible to
associate a total heat capacity (S.I. units: J/K) of the rigid body, which simply represents a lumped
heat capacity contribution to the scalar point.
Mesh to Geometry Convective Heat Transfer (Hard or Near Contact)
This situation is similar to the mesh-to-mesh case, but the temperature is the everywhere constant
temperature of the rigid geometry, . The film condition at grid A is:
(3-13)
Again two ways are distinguished as discussed in Mesh to Geometry Hard Contact Glued:
1. The body temperature is applied directly. In this case a concentrated conductivity matrix term:
and a load term for grid A are obtained.
2. An extra scalar point is created. In this case a simple conductivity matrix arises:
(3-14)
This latter relation is similar to the one in Mesh to Mesh Convective Heat Transfer (Hard or Near
Contact), but now their is only one master degree of freedom, which is the temperature of the scalar point
associated with the rigid body.
No Contact
A face of a meshed body not being contacted or only partially being contacted may exchange heat with
its environment according to similar laws as the first four in Mesh to Mesh Convective Heat Transfer
(Hard or Near Contact), but the temperature is replaced by an ambient temperature , which is the
same for all faces of a contact body and now represents the surface temperature. The flux per unit are
is:
, (3-15)
where is an area contribution factor for the face . The total contribution is determined by
the integration over the element face (this is similar to an elastic foundation in mechanical terms):
(3-16)
C
MB
T
B
T
BODY
Q
A
o = h T
A
T
BODY
( )
K
cont act
o = h T
A
Q
cont act
o = h T
BODY

K
cont act
o = h
1 1
1 1
and the element dof is: T
T
A
T
BODY
= ,
T
B
T
AMB
T
A
q | = h T
A
T
AMB
( )
| 0 | 1 s s ( )
Q
f i l m
| h
A
f ace
}
= ||
T
T
A
|T
AMB
( )dA H
A
T
A
Q
AMB
=
Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact Theory
456
where is the vector of shape functions that interpolate the temperatures inside the element face. From
above expression a conductivity matrix contribution and a load vector contribution arise.
The conductivity matrix is:
(3-17)
The load vector is:
(3-18)
Treatment of MPC Equations
The MPC equations that can arise as a result of the contact conditions are imposed with the help of
Lagrange multipliers. This is relatively easy, since the heat transfer MPC equations are all linear of the
form:
(3-19)
For each MPC constraint an additional Lagrange multiplier dof is created. The constraint is furthermore
augmented with a penalty term. The system matrix contribution for this constraint becomes:
, (3-20)
where is the penalty factor used in the constraint. The associated incremental dofs are:
,
where is the Lagrange multiplier dof. The residual vector contribution for this constraint becomes:
(3-21)
|
H
A
| h
A
f ace
}
= ||
T
dA
Q
AMB
| hT
AMB
A
f ace
}
= |dA
g T ( )
1 |
1
. |
N

T
A
T
B
1
.
T
B
N
H
MPC
T
= = T 0 =
.
.
.
K
MPC
pH
MPC
H
MPC
T
H
MPC
T
H
MPC
T
0
=
p
dT
d

R
MPC
pg + ( )H
MPC

g
=
Main Index
457
Appendix C
Thermal Contact Theory
When a grid touches a rigid body that has no scalar point associated with it, the SPCD-like constraint is
simulated by a simple MPC equation with a non-homogeneous term . In this MPC there are no
independent grids.
(3-22)
The iteration process repeatedly solves for:
(3-23)
and

is the trivial unit vector with one component, so computing and becomes
almost trivial.
Mechanical Coupling
Frictional heat
The heat generated by sliding friction in the contact interfaces gets evenly distributed over the two bodies
that contact each other and can be expressed as:
, (3-24)
where is the magnitude of the friction force at grid A and is the magnitude of the relative
velocity between the two bodies at grid A. can be applied directly as a concentrated heat flux to the
contacting grid. is distributed over the grids of the master face being contacted: The
scale factor may be used to accommodate different unit systems in the heat transfer and mechanical
analysis or to accommodate a loss to the environment, in which case not all heat generated is available
as a loading heat source.
C
non
( )
g T
A
= T
BODY
0 =
dT
A
g T
A
T
BODY
( ) C
non
= = =
H
MPC
K
MPC
R
MPC
Q
A
Q
B
1
2
--- F
w
= = u
rel

F
w
u
rel
Q
A
Q
B
Q
B
i
|
i
q , ( ) = Q
B

Main Index
MD Nastran 2010 Release Guide
Thermal Contact Theory
458
Main Index

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