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Introduction of FEA and Abaqus
Introduction of FEA and Abaqus
It starts the analysis by dividing the interested object into a number of non-uniform
regions (finite elements) that are connected to associated nodes as shown in Fig.1.
After applying boundary condition, the governing algebraic equations can be solved for
the dependent variable at each node. The strain and stress can be calculated based on the
displacement of nodes associated with the element.
Tip: The theory about finite element analysis can be found in any FEA or FEM books
from the University library or internet.
Wheel tooth
Q3: Is it necessary to know the background theory (FEA) before learning Abaqus?
No, it is not necessary. You still can study and use Abaqus even though you don’
t know
FEA theory or know a little.
Tip: In this training, we will study how to use Abaqus rather than FEA. In your further
study, you can also solve your problem about Abaqus using Abaqus documentation.
ABAQUS/CAE Tutorial_Xiaoguang Yang
Abaqus/CAE-with ABAQUS/CAE you can quickly and efficiently create, edit, monitor,
diagnose and visualize advanced ABAQUS analysis. Easy-to-use environment make it
simple to learn for new users.
Tip: You can find the relevant information, training tutorial and workshops from
http://www.fea.bham.ac.uk/index.shtml
Q7: What kind of support can you get from University for FEA and Abaqus?
You can use University’ s high performance cluster (bluebear) to solve your complex
Abaqus model.
You can join in the Abaqus group held by Bluebear.
You can also get the opportunity to attend the Abaqus forum in the campus.
General Finite Element Analysis Procedure includes the following three steps which also
construct the main framework of available FEA software.
1. Preprocessing: in this step, the user constructed model is divided (meshed) into a
number of discrete subregions or "elements", connected at discrete nodes. Certain
boundary conditions are applied to some of the nodes in displacement or load. In one
word, after preprocessing of FEA, the finite element model should be ready for being
submitted to the solution.
2. Solution/Analysis: in this step, the finite element model is submitted to the solver as
input in finite element code. A series of linear or nonlinear equations will be solved to
generate numerical output of displacement, stress, et al., on nodes.
Canvas and drawing area:The canvas can be thought of as an infinite screen or bulletin
board on which you post viewports;The drawing area is the visible portion of the canvas.
Viewport:Viewports are windows on the canvas in which ABAQUS/CAE displays your
model.
Prompt area:
The prompt area displays instructions for you to follow during a procedure; for example,
it asks you to select the geometry as you create a set. In the Visualization module a set of
buttons is displayed in the prompt area that allow you to move between the steps and the
frames of your analysis.
Message area: ABAQUS/CAE prints status information and warnings in the message
area. To resize the message area, drag the top edge; to see information that has scrolled
out of the message area, use the scroll bar on the right side. The message area is
displayed by default, but it uses the same space occupied by the command line interface.
If you have recently used the command line interface, you must click in the bottom
left corner of the main window to activate the message area.
Note: If new messages are added while the command line interface is active,
ABAQUS/CAE changes the background color surrounding the message area icon to red.
When you display the message area, the background reverts to its normal color.
Command line interface: You can use the command line interface to type Python
commands and evaluate mathematical expressions using the Python interpreter that is
built into ABAQUS/CAE. The interface includes primary (>>>) and secondary (...)
prompts to indicate when you must indent commands to comply with Python syntax.
The command line interface is hidden by default, but it uses the same space occupied by
the message area. Click in the bottom left corner of the main window to switch from
the message area to the command line interface.