Ansys Modeling And Meshing Guide
ANSYS Release 9.0
Table of Contents
1. Overview of Model Generation ........................................................................................................... 1–1
1.1. What Is Model Generation? ........................................................................................................... 1–1
1.2. Typical Steps Involved in Model Generation Within ANSYS ............................................................ 1–1
1.2.1. Comparing Solid Modeling and Direct Generation ................................................................ 1–2
1.2.1.1. Solid Modeling ............................................................................................................ 1–2
1.2.1.2. Direct Generation ........................................................................................................ 1–3
1.3. Importing Solid Models Created in CAD systems ............................................................................ 1–3
2. Planning Your Approach ..................................................................................................................... 2–1
2.1. The Importance of Planning .......................................................................................................... 2–1
2.2. Determine Your Objectives ........................................................................................................... 2–1
2.3. Choose a Model Type (2-D, 3-D, etc.) ............................................................................................. 2–1
2.4. Choose Between Linear and Higher Order Elements ...................................................................... 2–1
2.4.1. Linear Elements (No Midside Nodes) ..................................................................................... 2–2
2.4.2. Quadratic Elements (Midside Nodes) .................................................................................... 2–3
2.5. Limitations on Joining Different Elements ..................................................................................... 2–6
2.6. Find Ways to Take Advantage of Symmetry ................................................................................... 2–6
2.6.1. Some Comments on Axisymmetric Structures ....................................................................... 2–7
2.6.1.1. Some Special Requirements for Axisymmetric Models .................................................. 2–7
2.6.1.2. Some Further Hints and Restrictions ............................................................................ 2–8
2.7. Decide How Much Detail to Include .............................................................................................. 2–8
2.8. Determine the Appropriate Mesh Density ..................................................................................... 2–8
3. Coordinate Systems ............................................................................................................................ 3–1
3.1. Types of Coordinate Systems ........................................................................................................ 3–1
3.2. Global and Local Coordinate Systems ............................................................................................ 3–1
3.2.1. Global Coordinate Systems .................................................................................................. 3–1
3.2.2. Local Coordinate Systems .................................................................................................... 3–2
3.2.3. The Active Coordinate System .............................................................................................. 3–4
3.2.4. Surfaces ............................................................................................................................... 3–5
3.2.5. Closed Surfaces and Surface Singularities ............................................................................. 3–6
3.3. Display Coordinate System ........................................................................................................... 3–7
3.4. Nodal Coordinate Systems ............................................................................................................ 3–8
3.4.1. Data Interpreted in the Nodal Coordinate System ................................................................. 3–8
3.5. Element Coordinate Systems ........................................................................................................ 3–9
3.6. The Results Coordinate System ..................................................................................................... 3–9
4. Using Working Planes ......................................................................................................................... 4–1
4.1. What Is a Working Plane? .............................................................................................................. 4–1
4.2. Creating a Working Plane .............................................................................................................. 4–1
4.2.1. Defining a New Working Plane ............................................................................................. 4–2
4.2.2. Controlling the Display and Style of the Working Plane ......................................................... 4–2
4.2.3. Moving the Working Plane ................................................................................................... 4–2
4.2.4. Rotating the Working Plane .................................................................................................. 4–3
4.2.5. Recreating a Previously-defined Working Plane .................................................................... 4–3
4.3. Working Plane Enhancements ....................................................................................................... 4–3
4.3.1. Snap Increment ................................................................................................................... 4–3
4.3.2. Display Grid ......................................................................................................................... 4–4
4.3.3. Retrieval Tolerance ............................................................................................................... 4–4
4.3.4. Coordinate Type .................................................................................................................. 4–4
4.3.5. Working Plane Tracking ........................................................................................................ 4–5
5. Solid Modeling ................................................................................................................................... 5–1
5.1. An Overview of Solid Modeling Operations ................................................................................... 5–1
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5.2. Creating Your Solid Model from the Bottom Up ............................................................................. 5–5
5.2.1. Keypoints ............................................................................................................................ 5–6
5.2.2. Hard Points .......................................................................................................................... 5–8
5.2.3. Lines ................................................................................................................................... 5–9
5.2.4. Areas ................................................................................................................................ 5–12
5.2.5. Volumes ............................................................................................................................ 5–15
5.2.5.1. Extruding Volumes .................................................................................................... 5–17
5.2.5.2. Sweeping Volumes .................................................................................................... 5–19
5.3. Creating Your Solid Model from the Top Down: Primitives ........................................................... 5–19
5.3.1. Creating Area Primitives ..................................................................................................... 5–20
5.3.2. Creating Volume Primitives ................................................................................................ 5–21
5.3.2.1. Creating a Torus or Toroidal Sector ............................................................................ 5–22
5.4. Sculpting Your Model with Boolean Operations ........................................................................... 5–23
5.4.1. Boolean Operation Settings ................................................................................................ 5–24
5.4.2. Entity Numbering After Boolean Operations ....................................................................... 5–25
5.4.3. Intersect ............................................................................................................................ 5–25
5.4.3.1. Illustrations of Intersection Operations ....................................................................... 5–25
5.4.4. Pairwise Intersect ............................................................................................................... 5–28
5.4.4.1. Illustrations of Pairwise Intersection Operations ......................................................... 5–28
5.4.5. Add .................................................................................................................................. 5–30
5.4.5.1. Illustrations of Addition Operations ............................................................................ 5–30
5.4.6. Subtract ............................................................................................................................. 5–31
5.4.6.1. Illustrations of Subtraction Operations ....................................................................... 5–33
5.4.7. Working Plane Subtract ...................................................................................................... 5–40
5.4.7.1. Illustrations of Working Plane Subtraction Operations ................................................ 5–40
5.4.8. Classify .............................................................................................................................. 5–42
5.4.9. Overlap .............................................................................................................................. 5–42
5.4.9.1. Illustrations of Overlap Operations ............................................................................. 5–43
5.4.10. Partition ........................................................................................................................... 5–44
5.4.10.1. Illustrations of Partition Operations .......................................................................... 5–44
5.4.11. Glue (or Merge) ................................................................................................................ 5–45
5.4.11.1. Illustrations of Glue Operations ................................................................................ 5–45
5.4.12. Alternatives to Boolean Operations ................................................................................... 5–46
5.5. Updating after Boolean Operations ............................................................................................. 5–47
5.6. Moving and Copying Solid Model Entities ................................................................................... 5–48
5.6.1. Generating Entities from a Pattern ...................................................................................... 5–49
5.6.2. Generating Entities by Symmetry Reflection ....................................................................... 5–50
5.6.3. Transferring a Pattern of Entities to a Coordinate System .................................................... 5–50
5.7. Scaling Solid Model Entities ........................................................................................................ 5–50
5.8. Solid Model Loads ...................................................................................................................... 5–52
5.8.1. Transferring Solid Model Loads ........................................................................................... 5–52
5.8.2. Displaying Load Symbols .................................................................................................... 5–53
5.8.3. Turning Off Large Symbols for Node and Keypoint Locations .............................................. 5–53
5.8.4. Selecting a Format for the Graphical Display of Numbers .................................................... 5–53
5.8.5. Listing Solid Model Loads ................................................................................................... 5–54
5.9. Mass and Inertia Calculations ...................................................................................................... 5–54
5.10. Considerations and Cautions for Solid Modeling ........................................................................ 5–55
5.10.1. Representation of Solid Model Entities .............................................................................. 5–55
5.10.2. When a Boolean Operation Fails ....................................................................................... 5–55
5.10.2.1. Degeneracies .......................................................................................................... 5–55
5.10.3. Graphically Identifying Degeneracies ................................................................................ 5–56
5.10.4. Listing the Keypoints Associated with Degeneracies ......................................................... 5–56
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5.10.4.1. Discontinuities ........................................................................................................ 5–60
5.10.4.2. Other Causes of Boolean Failures ............................................................................. 5–61
5.10.5. Some Suggested Corrective Actions ................................................................................. 5–61
5.10.6. Other Hints ...................................................................................................................... 5–63
5.10.6.1. Avoid Regions that Cross over Themselves ............................................................... 5–63
5.10.6.2. Use ANSYS Parameters ............................................................................................ 5–63
5.10.6.3. Consider Alternatives to Boolean Commands ........................................................... 5–63
5.10.6.4. Work with Lower-Dimension Constructions .............................................................. 5–63
5.10.6.5. Create Complex Models in Pieces ............................................................................. 5–64
5.10.6.6. Don't Forget to SAVE ............................................................................................... 5–64
5.10.6.7. Tessellation Errors .................................................................................................... 5–64
6. Importing Solid Models from IGES Files .............................................................................................. 6–1
6.1. Working With IGES Files ................................................................................................................ 6–1
6.1.1. Using the SMOOTH Option ................................................................................................... 6–1
6.1.1.1. Importing IGES files using the SMOOTH Option ............................................................ 6–2
6.1.1.2. Guidelines for Using the SMOOTH Option .................................................................... 6–2
6.1.1.2.1. While Building the Model in the CAD System ....................................................... 6–2
6.1.1.2.2. While Writing the IGES File From the CAD Program .............................................. 6–2
6.1.1.2.3. While Reading the IGES File into ANSYS: .............................................................. 6–2
6.1.1.2.4. While Writing an IGES File from ANSYS: ............................................................... 6–3
6.1.2. Using the FACETED Option ................................................................................................... 6–3
6.1.2.1. Repair and Enhance the Geometry ............................................................................... 6–4
6.1.2.2. Importing IGES files using the FACETED Option ............................................................ 6–4
6.1.2.3. Using the Geometry Simplification Tools ...................................................................... 6–5
6.1.2.3.1. Visual Inspection for Problem Features ................................................................ 6–6
6.1.2.3.2. Locating Small Features ...................................................................................... 6–7
6.1.2.3.3. Merging Lines ................................................................................................... 6–10
6.1.2.3.4. Merging Adjacent Areas .................................................................................... 6–10
6.1.2.3.5. Collapsing Lines ................................................................................................ 6–13
6.1.2.3.6. Collapsing Areas ............................................................................................... 6–14
6.1.2.3.7. Splitting Lines ................................................................................................... 6–14
6.1.2.3.8. Splitting Areas .................................................................................................. 6–15
6.1.2.3.9. Removing Area Loops ....................................................................................... 6–15
6.1.2.3.10. Removing Cavities and Bosses ......................................................................... 6–15
6.1.2.3.11. Putting It All Together ..................................................................................... 6–17
6.1.2.4. Modeling in the FACETED Mode ................................................................................ 6–18
6.1.2.4.1. Repairing Topology .......................................................................................... 6–18
6.1.2.4.1.1. Set Preferences for Gap Plotting and Listing .............................................. 6–19
6.1.2.4.1.2. Finding Gaps ............................................................................................ 6–19
6.1.2.4.1.3. Deleting Geometric Entities ...................................................................... 6–20
6.1.2.4.1.4. Merging Gaps .......................................................................................... 6–21
6.1.2.4.2. Repairing Incomplete Entities ............................................................................ 6–22
6.1.2.4.2.1. Find Incomplete Boundaries ..................................................................... 6–22
6.1.2.4.2.2. Completing Boundaries ............................................................................ 6–22
6.1.2.4.2.3. Completing Areas .................................................................................... 6–23
6.1.2.4.2.4. Detaching Non-manifold Entities .............................................................. 6–23
7. Generating the Mesh ........................................................................................................................... 7–1
7.1. How to Mesh Your Solid Model ..................................................................................................... 7–1
7.1.1. Free or Mapped Mesh? ......................................................................................................... 7–1
7.2. Setting Element Attributes ............................................................................................................ 7–1
7.2.1. Creating Tables of Element Attributes ................................................................................... 7–2
7.2.2. Assigning Element Attributes Before Meshing ...................................................................... 7–3
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7.2.2.1. Assigning Attributes Directly to the Solid Model Entities ............................................... 7–3
7.2.2.2. Assigning Default Attributes ........................................................................................ 7–4
7.2.2.3. Automatic Selection of the Dimensionally Correct Element Type .................................. 7–4
7.2.2.4. Defining a Variable Thickness at Nodes ........................................................................ 7–4
7.3. Mesh Controls .............................................................................................................................. 7–6
7.3.1. The ANSYS MeshTool ........................................................................................................... 7–6
7.3.2. Element Shape ..................................................................................................................... 7–7
7.3.2.1. A Note About Degenerate Element Shapes .................................................................. 7–7
7.3.2.2. Element Shape Specification ........................................................................................ 7–8
7.3.2.2.1. Command Method ............................................................................................. 7–8
7.3.2.2.2. GUI Method (Via the MeshTool) ........................................................................... 7–8
7.3.3. Choosing Free or Mapped Meshing ...................................................................................... 7–9
7.3.4. Controlling Placement of Midside Nodes ............................................................................ 7–10
7.3.5. Smart Element Sizing for Free Meshing ............................................................................... 7–10
7.3.5.1. The Advantages of SmartSizing .................................................................................. 7–11
7.3.5.2. SmartSizing Controls - Basic versus Advanced ............................................................ 7–11
7.3.5.2.1. Basic Controls ................................................................................................... 7–11
7.3.5.2.2. Advanced Controls ........................................................................................... 7–12
7.3.5.3. Interaction with Other Mesh Controls ......................................................................... 7–13
7.3.6. Default Element Sizes for Mapped Meshing ........................................................................ 7–13
7.3.7. Local Mesh Controls ........................................................................................................... 7–15
7.3.8. Interior Mesh Controls ........................................................................................................ 7–17
7.3.8.1. Controlling Mesh Expansion ...................................................................................... 7–17
7.3.8.2. Controlling Mesh Transitioning .................................................................................. 7–18
7.3.8.3. Controlling Which Mesher ANSYS Uses ...................................................................... 7–18
7.3.8.3.1. Surface Meshing Options .................................................................................. 7–19
7.3.8.3.2. Tetrahedral Element Meshing Options ............................................................... 7–21
7.3.8.4. Controlling Tetrahedral Element Improvement .......................................................... 7–21
7.3.9. Creating Transitional Pyramid Elements .............................................................................. 7–22
7.3.9.1. Situations in which ANSYS Can Create Transitional Pyramids ...................................... 7–22
7.3.9.2. Prerequisites for Automatic Creation of Transitional Pyramid Elements ....................... 7–23
7.3.10. Converting Degenerate Tetrahedral Elements to Their Non-degenerate Forms .................. 7–24
7.3.10.1. Benefits of Converting Degenerate Tetrahedral Elements ......................................... 7–24
7.3.10.2. Performing a Conversion ......................................................................................... 7–24
7.3.10.3. Other Characteristics of Degenerate Tetrahedral Element Conversions ..................... 7–25
7.3.11. Doing Layer Meshing ....................................................................................................... 7–26
7.3.12. Setting Layer Meshing Controls via the GUI ....................................................................... 7–26
7.3.13. Setting Layer Meshing Controls via Commands ................................................................. 7–28
7.3.14. Listing Layer Mesh Specifications on Lines ........................................................................ 7–28
7.4. Controls Used for Free and Mapped Meshing .............................................................................. 7–28
7.4.1. Free Meshing ..................................................................................................................... 7–28
7.4.1.1. Fan Type Meshing and the TARGE170 Element ........................................................... 7–29
7.4.1.1.1. Conditions for Fan Type Meshing ...................................................................... 7–29
7.4.2. Mapped Meshing .............................................................................................................. 7–30
7.4.2.1. Area Mapped Meshing ............................................................................................... 7–30
7.4.2.1.1. Line Divisions for Mapped Meshing ................................................................... 7–31
7.4.2.1.2. Line Concatenation ........................................................................................... 7–31
7.4.2.1.3. Simplified Area Mapped Meshing ...................................................................... 7–33
7.4.2.1.4. Transition Mapped Quadrilateral Meshing ......................................................... 7–33
7.4.2.1.5. Transition Mapped Triangle Meshing ................................................................ 7–35
7.4.2.2. Volume Mapped Meshing .......................................................................................... 7–36
7.4.2.2.1. Area Concatenation .......................................................................................... 7–37
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7.4.2.2.2. Transition Mapped Hexahedral Meshing ........................................................... 7–38
7.4.2.3. Some Notes about Concatenated Lines and Areas ...................................................... 7–40
7.5. Meshing Your Solid Model .......................................................................................................... 7–41
7.5.1. Generating the Mesh Using xMESH Commands .................................................................. 7–42
7.5.2. Generating a Beam Mesh With Orientation Nodes ............................................................... 7–43
7.5.2.1. How ANSYS Determines the Location of Orientation Nodes ........................................ 7–43
7.5.2.2. Benefits of Beam Meshing With Orientation Nodes ..................................................... 7–43
7.5.2.3. Generating a Beam Mesh With Orientation Nodes ...................................................... 7–43
7.5.2.4. Examples of Beam Meshing With Orientation Nodes .................................................. 7–45
7.5.2.5. Other Considerations for Beam Meshing With Orientation Nodes ............................... 7–48
7.5.3. Generating a Volume Mesh From Facets ............................................................................. 7–49
7.5.4. Additional Considerations for Using xMESH Commands ...................................................... 7–49
7.5.5. Generating a Volume Mesh By Sweeping ............................................................................ 7–50
7.5.5.1. Benefits of Volume Sweeping .................................................................................... 7–50
7.5.5.2. What to Do Before You Sweep a Volume .................................................................... 7–50
7.5.5.3. Invoking the Volume Sweeper ................................................................................... 7–53
7.5.5.4. Strategies for Avoiding Shape Failures During Volume Sweeping ............................... 7–54
7.5.5.5. Other Characteristics of Volume Sweeping ................................................................. 7–56
7.5.6. Generating an Interface Mesh for Gasket Simulations .......................................................... 7–58
7.5.7. Aborting a Mesh Operation ................................................................................................ 7–59
7.5.8. Element Shape Checking .................................................................................................... 7–59
7.5.8.1. Turning Element Shape Checking Off Entirely or to Warning-Only Mode ..................... 7–60
7.5.8.2. Turning Individual Shape Tests Off and On ................................................................. 7–61
7.5.8.3. Viewing a Summary of Shape Test Results .................................................................. 7–61
7.5.8.4. Viewing Current Shape Parameter Limits ................................................................... 7–61
7.5.8.5. Changing Shape Parameter Limits ............................................................................. 7–63
7.5.8.5.1. Examples of Changing Shape Parameter Limits ................................................. 7–63
7.5.8.6. Retrieving Element Shape Parameter Data ................................................................. 7–63
7.5.8.7. Understanding Circumstances Under Which ANSYS Retests Existing Elements ............ 7–64
7.5.8.8. Deciding Whether Element Shapes Are Acceptable .................................................... 7–64
7.5.9. Mesh Validity Checking ...................................................................................................... 7–65
7.6. Changing the Mesh ..................................................................................................................... 7–66
7.6.1. Remeshing the Model ........................................................................................................ 7–66
7.6.2. Using the Mesh Accept/Reject Prompt ................................................................................ 7–67
7.6.3. Clearing the Mesh .............................................................................................................. 7–67
7.6.4. Refining the Mesh Locally ................................................................................................... 7–67
7.6.5. Improving the Mesh (Tetrahedral Element Meshes Only) ..................................................... 7–67
7.6.5.1. Automatic Invocation of Tetrahedral Mesh Improvement ........................................... 7–68
7.6.5.2. User Invocation of Tetrahedral Mesh Improvement .................................................... 7–68
7.6.5.3. Restrictions on Tetrahedral Mesh Improvement ......................................................... 7–68
7.6.5.4. Other Characteristics of Tetrahedral Mesh Improvement ............................................ 7–69
7.7. Meshing Hints ............................................................................................................................ 7–69
7.8. Using CPCYC and MSHCOPY Commands ..................................................................................... 7–71
7.8.1. CPCYC Example .................................................................................................................. 7–71
7.8.2. CPCYC Results .................................................................................................................... 7–72
7.8.3. MSHCOPY Example ............................................................................................................ 7–73
7.8.4. Low Sector Boundary ......................................................................................................... 7–74
7.8.5. Area Elements from MSHCOPY and AMESH ......................................................................... 7–75
7.8.6. Meshing the Sector Volume(s) ............................................................................................ 7–75
8. Revising Your Model ........................................................................................................................... 8–1
8.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 8–1
8.2. Refining a Mesh Locally ................................................................................................................. 8–1
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8.2.1. How to Refine a Mesh ........................................................................................................... 8–1
8.2.1.1. Advanced Controls ...................................................................................................... 8–1
8.2.2. Refinement Commands and Menu Paths .............................................................................. 8–1
8.2.2.1. Specifying the Level of Refinement .............................................................................. 8–4
8.2.2.2. Specifying the Depth of Refinement ............................................................................ 8–4
8.2.2.3. Specifying Postprocessing for the Refinement Region: Smoothing and Cleanup ........... 8–4
8.2.2.4. Specifying Whether Quadrilateral Elements Should Be Retained ................................... 8–6
8.2.3. Transfer of Attributes and Loads ........................................................................................... 8–7
8.2.4. Other Characteristics of Mesh Refinement ............................................................................ 8–7
8.2.5. Restrictions on Mesh Refinement .......................................................................................... 8–9
8.3. Moving and Copying Nodes and Elements .................................................................................. 8–10
8.4. Keeping Track of Element Faces and Orientations ........................................................................ 8–12
8.4.1. Controlling Area, Line, and Element Normals ...................................................................... 8–13
8.4.1.1. Reorienting Shell Element Normals ............................................................................ 8–14
8.4.1.2. Reorienting Area Normals .......................................................................................... 8–14
8.4.1.3. Reversing the Normals of Existing Shell Elements ....................................................... 8–14
8.4.1.4. Reversing the Normal of a Line ................................................................................... 8–15
8.4.1.5. Reversing the Normal of an Area ................................................................................ 8–15
8.5. Revising a Meshed Model: Clearing and Deleting ......................................................................... 8–15
8.5.1. Clearing a Mesh ................................................................................................................. 8–16
8.5.1.1. Modifying Element Attributes .................................................................................... 8–16
8.5.1.2. The Brute Force Method: ........................................................................................... 8–17
8.5.2. Deleting Solid Model Entities .............................................................................................. 8–17
8.5.3. Modifying Solid Model Entities ........................................................................................... 8–18
8.6. Understanding Solid Model Cross-Reference Checking ................................................................ 8–19
8.6.1. Circumventing Cross-Reference Checking (A Risky Activity) ................................................. 8–20
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