Ex.

No: CO:
01 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AIDED ANALYSIS AND
Date: SIMULATION Page No:

1.1 The Computer aided analysis and simulation is comprised of three major phases
1. Pre-processing, in which the analyst develops a finite element mesh to divide the given geometry
into sub-domains for mathematical analysis and applies material properties and boundary Conditions
2. Solution, during which the program derives the governing matrix equations from the model and
solves for the primary quantities and
3. Post -processing, in which the analyst checks the validity of the solution, examines the values of
primary quantities (such as displacements and stresses) and derives and examines additional
quantities (such as specialized stresses and error indicators).

1.1.1 Pre-processing
The goals of pre-processing are to develop an appropriate finite element mesh, assign suitable material
properties, and apply boundary conditions in the form of restraints and loads. The finite element mesh
subdivides the geometry into elements, upon which are found nodes. The nodes, which are really just point
locations in space, are generally located at the element corners and perhaps near each mid-side.
The model's degrees of freedom (dof) are assigned at the nodes. The assignment of nodal dof also depends
on the class of analysis. For a thermal analysis, for example, only one temperature dof exists at each node.
Developing the mesh is usually the most time-consuming task in FEA. In the past, node locations were
keyed in manually to approximate the geometry. The more modern approach is to develop the mesh directly
on the CAD geometry, which will be,
(i) Wireframe, with points and curves representing edges.
(ii) surfaced, with surfaces defining boundaries, or
(iii) solid, defining where the material is.
Solid geometry is preferred, but often a surfacing package can create a complex blend that a solid package
will not handle. As far as geometric detail, an underlying rule of FEA is to "model what is there", and yet
simplifying assumptions simply must be applied to avoid huge models. Analyst experience is of the essence.
Material properties required vary with the type of solution. A linear statics analysis, for example, will
require an elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio and perhaps a density for each material. Thermal properties are
required for a thermal analysis. Loads include forces, pressures and heat flux. It is preferable to apply
boundary conditions to the CAD geometry, with the FEA package transferring them to the underlying
model, to allow for simpler application of adaptive and optimization algorithms.

1.1.2 Solution
While the pre-processing and post -processing phases of the finite element method are interactive and time-
consuming for the analyst, the solution is often a batch process, and is demanding of computer resource. The
governing equations are assembled into matrix form and are solved numerically. The assembly process
depends not only on the type of analysis (e.g. static or dynamic), but also on the model's element types and
properties, material properties and boundary conditions.
Solution methods for finite element matrix equations are plentiful. In the case of the linear static KQ = F,
inverting K is computationally expensive and numerically unstable. A better technique is Cholesky
factorization, a form of Gauss elimination method. Another popular approach is the wave front method,
which assembles and reduces the equations at the same time. Some of the best modern solution methods
employ sparse matrix techniques. Because node -to -node stiffnesses are non-zero only for nearby node
pairs, the stiffness matrix has a large number of zero entries. This can be exploited to reduce solution time
and storage by a factor of 10 or more. Improved solution methods are continually being developed. The key
point is that the analyst must understand the solution technique being applied.

1.1.3 Post Processing

After a finite element model has been prepared and checked, boundary conditions have been applied, and the
model has been solved, it is time to investigate the results of the analysis. This activity is known as the post -
processing phase of the finite element method.
Post - processing begins with a thorough check for problems that may have occurred during solution. Most
solvers provide a log file, which should be searched for warnings or errors and which will also provide a
quantitative measure of how well-behaved the numerical procedures were during solution. Next, reaction
loads at restrained nodes should be summed and examined as a "sanity check". Once the solution is verified
to be free of numerical problems, the quantities of interest may be examined. Many display options are
available, the choice of which depends on the mathematical form of the quantity as well as its physical
meaning. For example, the displacement of a solid linear brick element's node is a 3-component spatial
vector, and the model's overall displacement is often displayed by superposing the deformed shape over the
undeformed shape. Dynamic viewing and animation capabilities aid greatly in obtaining an understanding of
the deformation pattern. Stresses, being tensor quantities, currently lack a good single visualization
technique, and thus derived stress quantities are extracted and displayed. Principal stress vectors may be
displayed as color –coded arrows, indicating both direction and magnitude. The magnitude of principal
stresses or of a scalar failure stress such as the Von Mises stress may be displayed on the model as colored
bands. When this type of display is treated as a 3D object subjected to light sources, the resulting image is
known as a shaded image stress plot. Displacement magnitude may also be displayed by colored bands, but
this can lead to misinterpretation as a stress plot.

1.2 CONCLUSION
In summary, the finite element method is a relatively recent discipline that has quickly become a mature
method, especially for structural and thermal analysis. The costs of applying this technology to everyday
design tasks have been dropping, while the capabilities delivered by the method expand constantly. With
education in the technique and in the commercial software packages becoming more and more available, the
question has moved from "Why apply FEA?" to "Why not?" The method is fully capable of delivering
higher quality products in a shorter design cycle with a reduced chance of field failure, provided it is applied
by a capable analyst. The time is now for industry to make greater use of this and other analysis techniques.
Ex. No: CO:
02
Date:
AWARENESS ABOUT USING ANSYS Page No:

ANSYS is a complete FEA software package used by engineers worldwide in virtually all fields of
engineering:
 Structural
 Thermal
 Fluid, including CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
 Electrical / Electrostatics
 Electromagnetics

A partial list of industries in which ANSYS is used:

 Aerospace
 Automotive
 Bio-medical
 Bridges & Buildings

ANSYS/Multiphysics is the flagship ANSYS product which includes all capabilities in all engineering
disciplines.
 There are three main component products derived from ANSYS/Multiphysics: ANSYS/Mechanical
- structural & thermal capabilities
 ANSYS/Emag - electromagnetics
 ANSYS/FLOTRAN - CFD capabilities

Other product lines:

 ANSYS/LS-DYNA - for highly nonlinear structural problems
 Design Space - an easy-to-use design and analysis tool meant for quick analysis within the CAD
environment
 ANSYS/ProFEA - for ANSYS analysis & design optimization within Pro/ENGINEER

Structural analysis: is used to determine deformations, strains, stresses, and reaction forces.
Static analysis
 Used for static loading conditions.
 Nonlinear behavior such as large deflections, large strain, contact, plasticity, hyper elasticity, and
creep can be simulated
Dynamic analysis
 Includes mass and damping effects.
 Modal analysis calculates natural frequencies and mode shapes.
 Harmonic analysis determines a structure‘s response to sinusoidal loads of known amplitude and
frequency.
 Transient Dynamic analysis determines a structure‘s response to time-varying loadsand can
include nonlinear behavior.
Other structural capabilities
 Spectrum analysis
 Random vibrations
 Eigen value buckling
 Substructuring, submodeling OExplicit Dynamics with ANSYS/LS-DYNA
 Intended for very large deformation simulations where inertia forces are dominant.
 Used to simulate impact, crushing, rapid forming, etc.
Thermal analysis: is used to determine the temperature distribution in an object. Other quantities of interest
include amount of heat lost or gained, thermal gradients, and thermal flux. All three primary heat transfer
modes can be simulated: conduction, convection, radiation.
Steady-State
 Time-dependent effects are ignored.
Transient
 To determine temperatures, etc. as a function of time.
 Allows phase change (melting or freezing) to be simulated
Electromagnetic analysis
It is used to calculate magnetic fields in electromagnetic devices.
Static and low-frequency electromagnetic
To simulate devices operating with DC power sources, low-frequency AC, or low- frequency transient
signals.
Ex. No: CO:
03
Date:
FAMILIARISATIONS OF USING ANSYS Page No:

3.1 Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

 To determine the flow distributions and temperatures in a fluid.
 ANSYS/FLOTRAN can simulate laminar and turbulent flow, compressible andincompressible flow,
and multiple species.
 Applications: aerospace, electronic packaging, automotive design
 Typical quantities of interest are velocities, pressures, temperatures, and film coefficients.

3.2 The GUI Layout

3.2.1 Utility Menu

Contains functions which are available throughout the ANSYS session, such as file controls, selecting,
graphics controls, parameters, and exiting.

3.2.2 Toolbar Menu

Contains push buttons for executing commonly used ANSYS commands and functions. Customized buttons
can be created.

3.2.3 Graphics Area

Displays graphics created in ANSYS or imported into ANSYS.

3.2.4 Input Line Displays program prompt messages and a text field for typing commands. All previously
typed commands appear for easy reference and access.

3.2.5 Main Menu

Contains the primary ANSYS functions, organized by processors (preprocessor, solution, general
postprocessor, etc.)

3.2.6 Output
Displays text output from the program. It is usually positioned behind the other windows and can be raised
to the front when necessary.
3.2.7 Resume
This is opening a previously saved database. It is important to know that if you simply resume a database, it
doesn‘t change the job name. For example: You start ANSYS with a job name of ―file‖. Then you resume
my model.db, do some work, then save. That save is done to file.db! Avoid this issue by always resuming
using the icon on the toolbar. If you open mymodel.db using this method, it resumes the model and
automatically changes the job name to my model.

3.2.8 Plotting
Contrary to the name, this has nothing to do with sending an image to a plotter or printer. Plotting in
ANSYS refers to drawing something in the graphics window. Generally you plot one type of entity (lines,
elements, etc.) to the screen at a time. If you want to plot more than one kind of entity use, ―Plot →
Multiplot‖, which by default will plot everything in your model at once.

3.2.9 Plot Controls:

This refers to how you want your ―plot‖ to look on the screen (shaded, wire frame, entity numbers on or
off, etc). Other plot control functions include sending an image to a graphics file or printer.

3.2.10 Creating Geometry:

Geometry in ANSYS is created from
―Main Menu → Preprocessor → Modeling → Create‖ and has the following terminology,
KEYPOINTS: These are points, locations in 3D space.
LINES: This includes straight lines, curves, circles, spline curves, etc. Lines are typically defined using
existing keypoints.
AREAS: This is a surface. When you create an area, it‘s associated lines and keypoints are automatically
created to border it.
VOLUMES: This is a solid. When you create a volume, it‘s associated areas, lines and keypoints are
automatically created.
SOLID MODEL: In most packages this would refer to the volumes only, but in ANSYS this refers to your
geometry. Any geometry. A line is considered a ―solid model‖.
You can‘t delete a child entity without deleting its parent, in other words you can‘t delete a line if it‘s part of
an area, can‘t delete a key point if it‘s the end point of a line, etc.

3.2.11 Boolean Operations:

Top Down style modeling can be a very convenient way to work. Instead of first creating keypoints, then
lines from those keypoints, then areas from the lines and so on (bottom up modeling), start with volumes of
basic shapes and use Boolean operations to add them, subtract them, divide them etc. Even if you are
creating a shell model, for example a box, you could create the box as a volume (a single command) and
then delete the volume keeping the existing areas, lines and keypoints.
These kinds of operations are found under ―Main Menu → Preprocessor → Modeling → Operate →
Booleans‖ with some common ones being:
Add: Take two entities that overlap (or are at least touching) and make them one.
Subtract: Subtract one entity from another. To make a hole in a plate, create the plate (area of volume) then
create a circular area or cylinder and subtract it from the plate.
Glue: Take two entities that are touching and make them contiguous or congruent so that when meshed they
will share common nodes. For example, using default mesh parameters

3.2.12 Creating a Material:

Create the material properties for your model in
―Main Menu → Preprocessor → Material Props → Material Models‖. This gives you this dialog box where
all materials can be created
Double click on items in the right hand pane of this window to get to the type of material model you want to
create. All properties can be temperature dependant. Click OK to create the material and it will appear in the
left hand pane. Create as many different materials as you need for your analysis.

3.2.13 Applying Loads and Boundary Conditions:

Loads and boundary condition can be applied in both the Preprocessor

(―Main Menu → Preprocessor → Loads → Define Loads → Apply‖), and the Solution processor
(―Main Menu → Solution → Define Loads → Apply‖).
Select the kind of constraint you want to apply.
Select the geometric entity where you want it applied.
Enter the value and direction for it.
There is no ―modify‖ command for loads and B.C.‘s. If you make a mistake simply apply it again with a
new value (the old one will be replaced if it‘s on the same entity), or delete it and reapply it.
Loads: Forces, pressures, moments, heat flows, heat fluxes, etc.
Constraints: Fixities, enforced displacements, symmetry and anti-symmetry conditions, temperatures,
convections, etc.
Although you can apply loads and boundary conditions to nodes or elements, it‘s generally better to apply
all B.C.‘s to your geometry. When the solve command is issued, they will be automatically transferred to the
underlying nodes and elements. If B.C.‘s are put on the geometry, you can re-mesh that geometry without
having to reapply them.
Ex. No: CO:
04
Date:
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD Page No:

4.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

In the field of Engineering Design we come across many complex problems, the Mathematical
Formulation of which is tedious and usually not possible by analytical methods. At such instants we resort to
the use of Numerical techniques. Here lies the importance of FEM, which is a very powerful tool for getting
the Numerical solution of a wide range of engineering problems. The basic concept is that a body or
structure may be divided into smaller elements of finite dimensions called as "Finite Elements". The original
body or structure is then considered as an assemblage of these elements connected at a finite number of
joints called as "Nodes" or "Nodal Points". The properties of the elements are formulated and combined to
obtain the properties of the entire body. The equations of equilibrium for the entire structure or body are
then obtained by combining the equilibrium equation of each element such that the continuity is ensured at
each node. The necessary boundary conditions are then imposed and the equations of equilibrium are then
solved to obtain the required variables such as Stress, Strain, Temperature Distribution or Velocity Flow
depending on the application.
Thus, instead of solving the problem for the entire structure or body in one operation, in the method
attention is mainly devoted to the formulation of properties of the constituent elements. A common
procedure is adopted for combining the elements, solution of equations and evaluation of the required
variables in all fields. Thus the modular structure of the method is well exploited in various disciplines of
Engineering.

Definition: The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical analysis technique used by Engineers,
scientists, and mathematicians to obtain solutions (approximate solutions) to the differential equations or
partial differential equations that describe, or approximately describe a wide variety of physical and non-
physical problems. Physical problems range in diversity from solid, fluid and soil mechanics, to
electromagnetism or dynamics.

4.2 BASIC STEPS IN FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

The solution of a general continuum problem by the finite element method always follows an orderly
step-by-step process. The step-by-step procedure with reference to the static structural problems can be
stated as follows:
4.2.1 Discretisation of the continuum: The first step in the finite element method is to divide the
given continuum into smaller regions of finite dimensions called as "Finite elements". The
original Continuum (body or structure) is then considered as an assemblage of these elements
connected at a finite number of joints called as "Nodes" or "Nodal Points". At each node,
unknown displacements are to be prescribed. The type, size, number, and arrangement of the
elements depend on the accuracy of the solution required.
4.2.2 Selection of approximating functions: Approximating functions are also known as the
displacement function or interpolation model. Displacement function is the starting point of the
mathematical analysis. This represents the variation of the displacement within the element. The
displacement function may be approximated in the form of a linear function or a higher -order
function. A convenient way to express it is by polynomial expressions. The shape or geometry of
the element may also be approximated.
4.2.3 Formation of the element stiffness matrix: After continuum is discretised with desired element
shapes, the individual element stiffness matrix is formulated. Basically it is a minimization
procedure whatever may be the approach adopted. The geometry of the element is defined in
reference to the global frame. Coordinate transformation must be done for elements where it is
necessary.
4.2.4 Formation of overall stiffness matrix: After the element stiffness matrices in global coordinates
are formed, they are assembled to form the overall stiffness matrix. The assembly is done
through the nodes which are common to adjacent elements. The overall stiffness matrix is
symmetric and banded. Overall stiffness matrix is also known as the global stiffness matrix.
 4.2.5 Formation of the element loading matrix: The loading forms an essential parameter in any
structural engineering problem. The loading inside an element is transferred at the nodal points
and consistent element matrix is formed.
4.2.6 Formation of the overall loading matrix: Like the overall stiffness matrix, the element loading
matrices are assembled to form the overall loading matrix. This matrix has one column per
loading case and it is either a column vector or a rectangular matrix depending on the number of
loading cases.
4.2.7 Formation of the overall equilibrium equation: Overall equilibrium equation is the systematic
arrangement of the overall stiffness matrix, overall load vector and overall displacement vector to
get set of simultaneous equations. Overall equilibrium equation can be expressed as shown
below:
[k]{Q} = {F}
Where, [k] is a overall or global stiffness matrix (Square matrix)
{Q} is a overall or global displacement vector (Column matrix)
{F} is a overall or global force vector (Column matrix)
4.2.8 Incorporation of boundary conditions: The boundary restraint conditions are to be imposed in
the stiffness matrix to avoid the condition of singularity. The solution cannot be obtained unless
support conditions are included in the stiffness matrix. This is because, if all the nodes of the
structure are included in displacement vector, the stiffness matrix becomes singular and cannot
be solved if the structure is not supported amply, and it cannot resist the applied loads. A solution
cannot be achieved until the boundary conditions i.e., the known displacements are introduced.
4.2.9 Calculation of unknown nodal displacements: After incorporation of boundary conditions,
elimination method or penalty methods of handling boundary condition are used to calculate
unknown nodal displacements from the equilibrium equation or simultaneous equations.
4.2.10 Calculation of strain and stresses: Nodal displacements are utilized for the calculation of strain
and stresses using the suitable equations. This may be done for all elements of the continuum or
it may be limited to some predetermined elements. Results may also be obtained by graphical
means. It may desirable to plot the contours of the deformed shape of the continuum.

4.3 Structural Problems

4.3.1 Stress analysis including bars, truss and frame analysis.
4.3.2 Stress concentration problems typically associated geometric discontinuity (with holes, Fillets or
other changes in geometry in a body).
4.3.3 Buckling Analysis:
Example: Connecting rod subjected to axial compression.
4.3.4 Vibration Analysis:
Example: A beam subjected to different types of loading.

4.4 Non - Structural Problems

4.4.1 Heat Transfer analysis:
Example: Steady state thermal analysis on composite cylinder.
4.4.2 Fluid flow analysis:
Example: Fluid flow through pipes.