Chapter 9

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Overview Training Manual
INTRODUCTION
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• The solution step is where we apply loads on the object and let
the solver calculate the finite element solution.

• Loads are available both in the Preprocessor and Solution menus.

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Chapter 9 - Loading
A. Define Loads Training Manual

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• There are five categories of loads:
DOF Constraints Specified DOF values, such as displacements
in a stress analysis or temperatures in a
thermal analysis.
Concentrated Loads Point loads, such as forces or heat flow rates.
Surface Loads Loads distributed over a surface, such as
pressures or convections.

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Body Loads Volumetric or field loads, such as temperatures
(causing thermal expansion) or internal heat

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generation.
Inertia Loads Loads due to structural mass or inertia, such
as gravity and rotational velocity.

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Chapter 9 - Loading
…Define Loads Training Manual
INTRODUCTION
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• You can apply loads either on the solid model or directly on the
FEA model (nodes and elements).
– Solid model loads are easier to apply because there are fewer entities
to pick.
– Moreover, solid model loads are independent of the mesh. You don’t
need to reapply the loads if you change the mesh.
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Pressure on line Pressures on element faces

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Constraint Constraints
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on line at nodes

Solid model FEA model

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Force at keypoint Force at node

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Chapter 9 - Loading
…Define Loads Training Manual

INTRODUCTION
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• Regardless of how you apply the loads, the solver expects all
loads to be in terms of the finite element model. Therefore, solid
model loads are automatically transferred to the underlying nodes
and elements during solution.

• Solid Model Loads can be transferred to the finite element mesh

manually before solving by using the SBCTRAN command. This
can be useful to see all of the loads, both solid model and FE, that

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have been applied.

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– For example, if a pressure is applied to an area, a plot of the elements
will not show the pressure until the SBCTRAN command is issued or
the model is solved.

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Chapter 9 - Loading
B. Nodal Coordinate System Training Manual
INTRODUCTION
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• All forces, displacements, and other direction-dependent nodal
quantities are interpreted in the nodal coordinate system.
– Input quantities:
• Forces and moments FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ
• Displacement constraints UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ
• Coupling and constraint equations
• Etc.
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– Output quantities:
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• Calculated displacements UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ

• Reaction forces FX, FY, FZ, MX, MY, MZ
• Etc.
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...Nodal Coordinate System Training Manual

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• A nodal coordinate system is attached to every node in the model.

• By default, the nodal CS is parallel to Global Cartesian, i.e, all

applied forces and displacement constraints are interpreted in
Global Cartesian by default.

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Yn
Xn
Yn
Xn

Yn

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Y Yn
X Xn

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...Nodal Coordinate System Training Manual
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• If necessary, you can rotate
the nodal CS to a different
orientation.

For example:
– To simulate an inclined roller
support.
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– To apply radial forces.

– To apply radial constraints
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(perhaps to simulate a rigid,

press-fitted pin).
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...Nodal Coordinate System Training Manual

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• To “rotate nodes,” use this four-step procedure:
1. Select the desired nodes.
2. Activate the coordinate system (or create a local CS)
into which you want to rotate the nodes, e.g,
CSYS,1.
3. Choose Main Menu > Preprocessor > Modeling >
Move/Modify > Rotate Node CS > To Active CS, then
press [Pick All] in the picker.

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Or issue NROTAT,ALL.

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4. Reactivate all nodes.
• Note: When you apply symmetry on anti-symmetry boundary
conditions, ANSYS automatically rotates all nodes on that boundary.

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• Very Important: Nodal Coordinate Systems ALWAYS behave in a
Cartesian manner. NROTAT simply aligns the nodal CS with a global

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or local CS. Consequently, remember that (a) there is no dependency
or association of a nodal CS with a global/local CS to which it is
rotated and (b) the nodal CS still acts as a Cartesian CS.
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• Demo:
– Resume rib.db.
– Offset working plane to center of bottom circle (using average keypoint location).
– Create local cylindrical CS at working plane origin.
– Select nodes at radius = 0.35 and plot them.
– Rotate all selected nodes into active system.
– Apply a UX displacement constraint (or an FX force) at all selected nodes. Note
the radial direction.
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– Now activate global Cartesian (CSYS,0).

– Rotate all selected nodes into active system.
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– Replot, and note the new direction of the loads.

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Chapter 9 - Loading
C. Displacement Constraints Training Manual

INTRODUCTION
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• Displacement constraints are also used to enforce symmetry or
antisymmetry boundary conditions.
– Symmetry BC: Out-of-plane displacements and in-plane rotations are
fixed.
– Antisymmetry BC: In-plane displacements and out-of-plane rotations
are fixed.

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Y

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Symmetry Boundary Antisymmetry Boundary
UX=0 UY=UZ=0
ROTY=ROTZ=0 ROTX=0
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D. Concentrated Forces Training Manual
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO
• A force is a concentrated load (or
“point load”) that you can apply at
a node or keypoint.

• Point loads such as forces are

appropriate for line element
models such as beams, spars, and
springs.
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In solid and shell models, point

loads usually cause a stress
singularity, but are acceptable if
you ignore stresses in the vicinity.
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Remember, you can use select

logic to “ignore” the elements in
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the vicinity of the point load.

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• In the 2-D quarter symmetry solid model shown at bottom left, notice that
maximum stress SMAX (23,590) is reported at the location of the force.

When the nodes and elements in the vicinity of the force are unselected,
SMAX (12,281) moves to the bottom left corner, which is another
singularity due to the reentry corner. Reflected about x-z plane
half symmetry model

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reentry corner

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By unselecting nodes and elements near the bottom left corner,
you get the expected stress distribution with SMAX (7,945) near
the top hole.
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…Concentrated Forces Training Manual

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Note that for axisymmetric models:

• Input values of forces are based on the full 360°.

• Output values (reaction forces) are also based on the full 360°.

• For example, suppose a cylindrical shell of radius r has an edge load of P

lb/in. To apply this load on a 2-D axisymmetric shell model (SHELL51

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elements, for example), you would specify a force of 2πrP.
P lb/in 2πrP lb

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Chapter 9 - Loading
E. Verifying Loads Training Manual
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Verifying applied loads

• Plot them by activating load symbols:

– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Symbols
– Commands -- /PBC, /PSF, /PBF

• Or list them:
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– Utility Menu > List > Loads >

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