Chapter 12

Coupled Field Analysis

Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• In this chapter, we will briefly describe how to do a thermal-stress
analysis.

• The purpose is two-fold:

– To show you how to apply thermal loads in a stress analysis.
– To introduce you to a coupled-field analysis.

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
…Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

Thermally Induced Stress

• When a structure is heated or cooled, it

deforms by expanding or contracting.
Thermal stresses
due to constraints
• If the deformation is somehow restricted —
by displacement constraints or an opposing
pressure, for example — thermal stresses
are induced in the structure.

• Another cause of thermal stresses is non-

uniform deformation, due to different Thermal stresses
materials (i.e, different coefficients of due to different
thermal expansion). materials

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
…Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• There are two methods of solving thermal-stress problems
using ANSYS. Both methods have their advantages.
– Sequential coupled field
- Older method, uses two element types mapping thermal
results as structural temperature loads
+ Efficient when running many thermal transient time points
but few structural time points
+ Can easily be automated with input files
– Direct coupled field
+ Newer method uses one element type to solve both physics
problems
+ Allows true coupling between thermal and structural
phenomena
- May carry unnecessary overhead for some analyses

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
Sequential Method Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• The Sequential method involves two analyses:

1. First do a steady-state (or transient) thermal

analysis. Thermal
• Model with thermal elements. Analysis
• Apply thermal loading.
• Solve and review results. jobname.rth
2. Then do a static structural analysis.
• Switch element types to structural.
• Define structural material properties, including Temperatures
thermal expansion coefficient.
• Apply structural loading, including Structural
temperatures from thermal analysis. Analysis
• Solve and review results.

jobname.rst

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
…Sequential Method Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

1. Thermal Analysis
– The procedure for this is described in Chapter 11.

2. Structural Analysis
a) Move to PREP7 and switch element types from thermal to structural.
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element Type > Switch Elem Type
• Or ETCHG command
Caution: Switching element types will reset all element options back
to their default settings. For example, if you used 2-D axisymmetric
elements in the thermal analysis, you may need to respecify the
axisymmetric option after the switch. Therefore, be sure to verify and
set the proper element options:
• Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete >
[Options]
• Or use ETLIST and KEYOPT commands

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
…Sequential Method Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

b) Define structural material properties (EX, etc.), including the
coefficient of thermal expansion (ALPX). (If you use the ANSYS-
supplied material library, both thermal and structural properties will be
defined, so this step may not be needed.)
Note: If ALPX is not defined or set to zero, no thermal strains will be
calculated. You can use this technique to “turn off” temperature
effects!
c) Specify static analysis type. This step is needed only if the thermal
analysis was a transient.
• Maine Menu > Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis
• Or ANTYPE command

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
…Sequential Method Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

d) Apply structural loads and include temperatures as part of the loading.
• Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural >
Temperature > From Therm Analy
• Or use the LDREAD command.
e) Solve.
f) Review stress results.

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
Direct Method Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• The Direct Method usually involves just one analysis that uses a coupled-field
element type containing all necessary degrees of freedom.

1. First prepare the model and mesh using one of the

following coupled field element types.
• PLANE13 (plane solid). Thermal
• SOLID5 (hexahedron). Analysis
• SOLID98 (tetrahedron). Combined
2. Apply both the structural and thermal loads and
constraints to the model. Structural
3. Solve and review both thermal and structural
Analysis
results.

jobname.rst

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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
Sequential vs. Direct Method
• Sequential
– For coupling situations which do
not exhibit a high degree of
nonlinear interaction, the
sequential method is more
efficient and flexible because you
can perform the two analyses
independently of each other.
– In a sequential thermal-stress
analysis, for example, you can
perform a nonlinear transient
thermal analysis followed by a
linear static stress analysis. You
can then use nodal temperatures
from ANY load step or time-point
in the thermal analysis as loads
for the stress analysis.
Training Manual
INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1
• Direct
– Direct coupling is advantageous
when the coupled-field
interaction is highly nonlinear
and is best solved in a single
solution using a coupled
formulation.
– Examples of direct coupling
include piezoelectric analysis,
conjugate heat transfer with fluid
flow, and circuit-electromagnetic
analysis.
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Chapter 12 – Coupled Field Analysis
Workshops Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 7.0 - Part 1

• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions on:
W12a. Axisymmetric Pipe with Fins (Sequential Coupled Field)
W12b. Axisymmetric Pipe with Fins (Direct Coupled Field)

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