Appendix B <Mechanical> Quick Reference

Appendix B
<Mechanical> Quick Reference

B-1 <Mechanical> GUI

When starting up <Mechanical>, you will see several areas [1-7] in its GUI (graphic user interface); many of them are similar to those in DesignModeler GUI (A-2). On the top are pull-down menus and toolbars [1]; on the bottom is a status bar [7]. In-between are several "window panes" [2-6]. Separators [8] between window panes can be dragged to resize window panes. You even can move or dock a window pane by dragging its title bar. Whenever you mess up the workspace, simply pull-down-select <View/Windows/Reset Layout> to reset the default layout.
The <Outline> [2] display a project tree, which is a structured representation of the project. The <Details> [3] shows the detail information of the highlighted tree objects. The <Geometry> [4] area displays the model in various styles; you can click a tab to switch to <Print Preview> or <Report Preview>; Sometimes, a <Worksheet> is also available to provide numerical data. The <Graph> typically shows quantities varying with time. The <Tabular Data> shows the numerical counterpart of the <Graph>. A set of animation tools are available along with the <Graph>, in which you can play, stop, or save the animation.

[1] Pull-down menus and toolbars.

[4] Geometry.

[2] <Outline> of project tree.

[8] Separators allow you to resize the window panes.

[3] <Details> of highlighted tree objects.

[7] Status bar.

[5] <Graph>.

[6] Tabular data.

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B-2 Project Tree1, 2

A project tree [1] is a structured representation of a project. A project tree may contain one or more simulation models. Often, there is only one simulation model in a project tree, such as the case shown [1]. A simulation model may contain one or more <Environment> branches, along with other objects. Default name for the <Environment> branch is the name of the analysis system, for example: <Static Structural>. An <Environment> branch contains an <Analysis Settings>, objects that dene the environment conditions, and a <Solution> branch. The <Solution> branch contains a <Solution Information> and results objects.
Right-clicking an object and select a tool from the context menu, you can operate on the object, such as delete, rename, duplicate, etc. Selecting multiple objects and operating on them at the same time are allowed.
The order of the objects in a project tree is not relevant, unlike the objects of a model tree in DesignModeler, in which their order is important.

[1] An example of Project tree.

B-3 Global Mesh Controls3

By highlighting the <Mesh> in a model tree (B-2[1]), you will see the Details view of the mesh.
<Relevance Center> [1] and <Relevance> [2] together provide a way of global mesh control. The <Relevance Center> can be Coarse, Medium, or Fine. The <Relevance> ranges from -100 to 100, the larger the ner. These two values are related roughly as follows: (Coarse, 0) = (Medium, -100), (Coarse, 100) = (Medium, 0) = (Fine, -100), and (Medium, 100) = (Fine, 0).
After the model is meshed, a statistics of the mesh shows on the bottom of the Details view. The mesh count [3] provides an estimation of problem size, and thus the computing time. [2] Relevance.

[1] Relevance center.

[3] Mesh count.

Appendix B <Mechanical> Quick Reference

B-4 Unit Systems

In geometric modeling, such as working with DesignModeler, the only unit needed is the length unit. In simulation, units are much more complicated. Fortunately, ANSYS Workbench takes care the consistency of the unit system. Your responsibility is to select a unit system suitable for your model. Selecting a suitable unit system for your model, in some cases, is crucial. In these cases the solution accuracy may deteriorate due to an accumulation of machine errors.

[1] Built-in unit systems.

[2] Unit system for current project.

[3] Default unit system.

Choosing Unit Systems

As a guideline, select a unit system such that the values stored in the computer have about the same order. As an example, if you choose SI unit system for a micro-scale model, you would have the lengths of order 106 and a Young's modulus of order 1011 . That may raise the precision issue. On the other hand, if you choose the MKS unit system, you would have the lengths of order 100 and a Young's modulus of order 105 . That is much better.

[5] The boxed items are consistent unit systems, including SI.

[4] Checked unit systems won't be available in the pulldown menu.

Unit Systems in Workbench

In Workbench GUI, pull-down-select <Units/Unit Systems...>, you will see a list of built-in unit systems [1-5]. Note that Workbench always uses a consistent unit system for internal computation. There are 6 consistent unit systems in the list: SI, CGS, NMM, MKS , BIN, and BFT [5]. Highlight a unit system in the list, you will see the details of that unit system [6].
Other unit systems are inconsistent ones. They are, however, more convenient to use than consistent ones. When you select an inconsistent unit system for use in <Mechanical>, it internally adapts a consistent unit system that is most close to the one you have chosen.
Unlike <DesignModeler>, in which you cannot change the unit, <Mechanical> allows you to change the unit system any time, using the pull-down menu <Units> [7]. The internal consistent unit system also changes accordingly.

[6] Details of the unit system Metric (tonne, mm, s, oC, mA, N, mV).

[7] <Mechanical> allows you to change the unit system any time, as frequent as you wish, using the pull-down menu <Units>.

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B-5 Environment Conditions

Highlighting an analysis system branch, you will see a row of environment conditions on the toolbar [1]. These environment conditions may also be accessed through the context menu.
Environment conditions are classied into three groups: loads [2], supports [3], and inertial forces [4]. Environment conditions available in each group depends on the dimensionality (2D or 3D) as well as the type of analysis system (e.g., static or dynamic, structural or thermal).
Here, we will introduce the environment conditions available in 2D static structural simulations. Many of environment conditions are self-explained while others have many useful features. When going through each environment condition, we will point out their locations in the ANSYS Help system. Many details can be found in the ANSYS Help System. You should consult these ofcial documentation whenever needed. [1] Highlighting an analysis system branch, you will see a row of environment conditions on the toolbar.

[2] Loads.

Magnitude of Environment Conditions4

Magnitude for most of environment conditions can be specify in three ways: a constant value; a tabular form, values with corresponding time points; or a mathematical function with "time" as independent variable.

[3] Supports.

[4] Inertia forces.

Appendix B <Mechanical> Quick Reference

B-6 Loads5
Pressure
Applies on 2D edges or 3D faces. It is possible to dene a spatial varying pressure6.

Force
Applies on vertices, edges, or faces. If applied on edges/faces, the force is evenly distributed on the edges/forces.

Thermal Condition
Applies on bodies. The temperature change T is the difference between specied temperature and the reference temperature, which is part of information of the material properties, default to 22oC.

Bearing Load
Applies on 2D circular edges or 3D cylindrical faces. The total force is distributed on the compressive side of the circular edges or cylindrical faces.

Hydrostatic Pressure
Applies on 2D edges or 3D faces. It simulates pressure that occurs due to uid weight. A free surface location may be specied, default to the surface at X = 0.

Moment
Applies on 2D edges or 3D faces. A statically equivalent pressure distributed on the edges/faces are calculated and applied on the edges/faces.

Remote Force
Applies at a location anywhere in the space. Workbench calculates the equivalent moment and force and applies them on the body. It may be used as an alternative to building a rigid part and applying a force to it.

Joint Load
Applies on a <Joint>7. You use a joint load to apply a kinematic driving condition in a multi-body dynamic simulation.

B-7 Supports8
Fixed Support
Applies on vertices, edges, or faces. Prevents nodes from moving in X- Y- and Z-directions. Note that, it doesn't prevent nodes from rotations for beam/shell elements.

Displacement
Applies on vertices, edges, or faces. Displacements on X- Y- and Z-directions can be specied. A zero value prevents nodes from moving in that direction. An unspecied value set that direction free.

Frictionless Support
Applies on 2D edges or 3D faces. Prevents nodes from moving in the normal direction; allows nodes to freely move in the tangential direction.

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Compression Only Support

Applies on 2D edges or 3D faces. The associated body is free to depart from the edges or faces, but cannot to penetrate them. It in effect sets up a frictionless contact region between the body and a rigid support; it introduces contact nonlinearity into the problem.

Cylindrical Support
Applies on 2D circular edges or 3D cylindrical faces. Each of radial, tangential, and axial (3D only) directions can be set free or xed.

Elastic Support
Applies on 2D edges or 3D faces. A foundation stiffness must be specied to establish the relation between the reaction pressure and the support displacement.

Remote Displacement
Applies at a location anywhere in the space. Workbench calculates the equivalent displacement and rotation and applies them on the body. It may be used as an alternative to building a rigid part and applying a displacement to it.

B-8 Inertial5
Standard Earth Gravity
Applies on bodies. You must select a direction along which the gravitational force applies; it defaults to -Z direction.

Acceleration
Applies on bodies. You must specify the magnitude and direction of acceleration. The direction is where the bodies moves. An "Inertia force" will apply in the opposite direction.

Rotational Velocity
Applies on bodies. You must specify the magnitude and direction of the angular velocity of the bodies. A distributed "inertia force" will apply in the opposite direction of rotation.

B-9 Insert Results Objects9

Highlighting the <Solution> branch, you will see a row of results tools available on the toolbar [1]. These results tools may also be accessed through the context menu. Most of them are self-explained, some of them need to be explained.

Linearized Stress
Using this tool, you can view stresses along a straight line path. You need to rst dene a straight line path using <Construction Geometry> under <Model>. [1] Results toolbar.

Appendix B <Mechanical> Quick Reference

Probe10
It contains tools to explore the results of a point, or maximum/minimum values of the results of a scoped region, along the loading history. In other words, we concern about the results across the time domain instead of space domain.

Tools9
It contains special tools: <Stress Tool>, <Fatigue Tool>, <Contact Tool>, and <Beam Tool> [2].

User Dened Results11

You may dene a results expression using keywords. By highlighting <Solution> in the project tree and clicking <Worksheet> on the right side of the GUI, you will see a list of available keywords.

[2] Special tools.

B-10 Coordinate Systems12

Often, when you dene an environment condition or a solution object by components, a coordinate system needed to be referred. By default, the <Global Coordinate System> is used, which is a Cartesian coordinate system. Sometimes this coordinate system is not convenient. In such cases, we may dene additional coordinate systems for further use.
To dene a coordinate system, you need to dene the type of coordinate system [1], the origin [2], and the axes [3].
Currently, workbench supports only two types of coordinate system: Cartesian and Cylindrical [1].
Dening the origin is straightforward. You can click a location or type the coordinates [2].
There are many ways to dene the axes. Basically, you need to dene two of the three axes and the third axis is automatically dened using right-hand rule.
The rst axis you dene is called the <Principle Axis> and the second axis is the <Orientation About Principle Axis>.
For cylindrical coordinate system, you may be confused by such terminology. Fortunately, a triad appears on the graphics area and you are always visually aware when making a mistake. [1] Type of coordinate system.

[2] Dene the origin.

[3] Dene the axes.

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B-11 Results View Controls9

To view results, simply highlight a results object. Tools to control the visual effects of the results are shown on the toolbar [1-8].

[8] Label.

[5] Some results can display with vectors.

[6] Click to turn on/ off the label of maximum/minimum.

[1] Displacement scaling.

[2] Display method.

[3] Contour settings.

[4] Outline display.

[7] Click to turn on/off the probe. Results values will display along with your mouse pointer; click to label the value. To remove a label, activate <Label> [8] and select the label, then press <Delete> (not <Backspace>).

B-12 Legend Controls

Right-click on the legend in the graphics area allows the user to modify the legend [1-7].
Independent bands [6] allow neutral colors to represent regions of the model above or below the specied legend limits.
Whenever needed, Select <Reset All> to return to the default settings [7].

[3] Double-click to edit value.

[1] Increase/ decrease contour bands.

[2] The divider can be dragged.

[5] Turn on/off the date/time.

[4] Number of signicant digits.

[6] Display independent bands.

[7] Reset the legend.

Appendix B <Mechanical> Quick Reference

On-line References
1.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Objects Reference 2.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Basics//The Mechanical Application Interface//Tree Outline//Tree Outline Conventions 3.
ANSYS Help System//Meshing User's Guide//Global Mesh Controls 4.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Features//Applying Boundary Conditions//Specifying Load Values 5.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Features//Applying Boundary Conditions//Types of Loads 6.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Application User's Guide//Features//Applying Boundary Conditions//Specifying Load Values//Function Loads//Spatial Load and Displacement Function Data 7.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Application User's Guide//Features//Connections// Joints//Types of Joints 8.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Application User's Guide//Features//Applying Boundary Conditions//Types of Supports 9.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Features//Results in the Mechanical application//Structural Results 10.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Features//Results in the Mechanical application//Results Related Topics//Result Output//Probe 11.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Features//Results in the Mechanical Application//Results Related Topics//Result Output//User Dened Results 12.
ANSYS Help System//Mechanical Applications//Mechanical Applications User's Guide//Features//Coordinate Systems Overview//Creating Coordinate Systems