Module 2

Array Parameters
2. Array Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• Array Parameters are parameters that can take on multiple
values.
• They can be 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D.
– 1-D: m rows x 1 column
– 2-D: m rows x n columns
– 3-D: m rows x n columns x k planes

17.1 814 17 386

-47.6 1057 -47 704
AA = -5.2 BB = 1033 -52 348 CC =
25.0 7141 25 -66
107.9 622 107 111

5x1 array 5x3 array mxnx3 array

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• In this chapter, we will discuss how to define array
parameters and how to perform operations among them.
• Topics covered:
A. Types of Array Parameters
B. How to Define
C. Retrieving Database Information
D. Array Operations
E. Workshop

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Array Parameters
A. Types of Array Parameters Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• There are three types of array
parameters:
– Array
– Table
– Character

• Type array is a standard 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D

matrix of numeric values, such as BB
shown here.
814 17 386
– BB(2,3) = 704 1057 -47 704
BB = 1033 -52 348
– BB(3,1) = 1033
7141 25 -66
– etc. 622 107 111

5x3 array

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• Type table is similar to array, except that its

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

row, column, and plane indices can be real
numbers, allowing you to interpolate values.
– Requires the “zeroth” row, column, and plane
to be filled with numbers.
– Useful to define time-dependent loads and
other similar functions.
– Primary variables include X, Y, Z, temperature,
velocity, pressure and time.
– For example, the table array FORCE could
represent a force-vs-time function, with the
zeroth column representing time values.
• FORCE(0.4) = 279.9996
• FORCE(6.5) = 560.0
• FORCE(8.9) = 119.25
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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• A character array is a 1-D, 2-D, or 3-D matrix of alphanumeric
strings.
– Useful for storing file names, DOF labels, etc.
– Each string can have up to eight characters.

JOB1 UX
JOB2 UY
jobs = JOB3 dofs = UZ
JOB4 ROTY
JOB5 ROTZ

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Array Parameters
B. How to Define Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Two steps to define an array parameter:
1. Specify name, type and dimension.
– Utility Menu > Parameters > Array
Parameters > Define/Edit > Add
– or *DIM command. Example:
*dim,aa,array,4 ! 4x1x1 array
*dim,force,table,5 ! 5x1x1 table
*dim,bb,array,5,3 ! 5x3x1 array
*dim,dofs,char,6 ! 6x1x1 character array
– parameter name can not exceed 32
characters

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Array Parameters
...How to Define Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

2. Fill in the array values.
– Utility Menu > Parameters > Array
Parameters > Define/Edit > Edit
– Or *VEDIT command
– Or “=”command. Example:
bb(1,1)=11,21,31,41,51
bb(1,2)=12,22,32,42,52
bb(1,3)=13,23,33,43,53

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• For table type arrays, you
must fill in values for the
zeroth locations. Otherwise,
their values will default to the
“tiny” number 7.8886E-31.
– For example:
force(1,1)=0,560,560,238.5,0
force(1,0)=1E-6,0.8,7.2,8.5,9.3
force(0,1)=0

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Array Parameters
...How to Define Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• For character arrays, there is no
graphical way to fill in the strings.
– Use the “=”command to type in the
values, then use *STAT to list them.
– Each string must be enclosed in single
quotes.
– Example:
dofs(1) = ‘ux’, ‘uy’, ‘uz’, ‘rotx’, ‘roty’, ‘rotz’
*stat,dofs

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• There are many other ways to fill arrays:
– Predefined functions in *VFILL command (Utility Menu >
Parameters > Array Parameters > Fill)
• ramp function
• random function
• etc.
– Read data from a file:
• *VREAD for arrays
• *TREAD for tables
• Or Utility Menu > Parameters > Read from File
– Retrieve data from the database (discussed next).

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Array Parameters
C. Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• Just as *GET retrieves scalar data from the database, you can
use *VGET to retrieve array information.
– Or Utility Menu > Parameters > Get Array Data

• First dimension the array, then retrieve the data.

• Example:
*dim,dispval,array,20,3 ! 20x3 array
*vget,dispval(1,1),node,1,u,x ! UX of nodes 1-20 in column 1
*vget,dispval(1,2),node,1,u,y ! UY in column 2
*vget,dispval(1,3),node,1,u,z ! UZ in column 3

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Array Parameters
…Retrieving Database Information Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• Other types of array information you can retrieve:
– nodal and keypoint coordinates (in the active CSYS)
– attributes of elements, volumes, areas, etc.
– select status of entities (1 if selected, 0 if not selected)
– nodal stresses, strains, thermal gradients, thermal flux, etc.
– element table data
– and so on…

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Array Parameters
D. Array Operations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• Once you have defined array parameters, you can perform a
variety of operations among them.
– Utility Menu > Parameters > Array Operations
– Or *VFUN, *VOPER, *VSCFUN, *VWRITE, etc.

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• *VFUN operates on a single array
parameter.
– *vfun,b(1),sin,a(1) will result in
b(j)=sin(a(j))
– Other operations include:
• natural log, common log, exponential
• Square root, sort, copy
• Conversion from local to global
coordinates and vice-versa
• Tangent and normal vectors to a path
• etc.

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• *VOPER operates on two array
parameters.
– *voper,c(1),a(1),sub,b(1) will result in
c(k)=a(k)-b(k)
– Other operations include:
• addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division
• min, max, logical operations
• derivatives, integrals
• dot and cross products

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• *VSCFUN determines properties of an
array parameter.
– *vscfun,maxval,max,a(1) will result in a
scalar parameter maxval = max(a(i))
– Other operations include:
• sum of all the elements of an array
• statistical quantities such as
mean, median, standard deviation,
variance and rms
• min/max, index location of
min/max
• index locations of first and last
non-zero entry

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• *VWRITE writes data to a file in a
formatted sequence.
– Utility Menu > Parameters > Array
Parameters > Write to File

– Example:
*cfopen,wing,dat
*vwrite
(/,3x,’Node Number’,4x,’Temperature’,/)
*vwrite,nnum(1),tval(1)
(5x,f6.0,6x,e14.8)
*cfclose
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Array Parameters
...Array Operations Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• There are many, many more array operations available.
• Please refer to your APDL Programmer’s Guide for details.

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Array Parameters
E. Workshop Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
W1. Axisymmetric Wheel

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