Meshing is the process used to “fill” the solid model with
nodes and elements, i.e, to create the FEA model.
Remember, you need nodes and elements for the finite
element solution, not just the solid model. The solid
model does NOT participate in the finite element solution.
meshing
Solid model FEA model
There are three steps to meshing:
Define element attributes
Specify mesh controls
Generate the mesh
Element attributes are characteristics of the finite
element model that you must establish prior to
meshing. They can include:
Element types
Real constants
Material properties
Section properties
Element Type
The element type is an important choice that
determines the following element characteristics:
Degree of Freedom (DOF) set. A thermal element type,
for example, has one dof: TEMP, whereas a structural
element type may have up to six dof: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX,
ROTY, ROTZ.
Element shape -- brick, tetrahedron, quadrilateral,
triangle, etc.
Dimensionality -- 2-D (X-Y plane only), or 3-D.
Assumed displacement shape -- linear vs. quadratic.
ANSYS has a “library” of over 170 element types from
which you can choose.
Element Order
Element order refers to the polynomial order of the
element’s shape functions.
What is a shape function?
It is a mathematical function that gives the “shape” of
the results within the element. Since FEA solves for
DOF values only at nodes, we need the shape function to
map the nodal DOF values to points within the element.
The shape function represents assumed behavior for a
given element.
How well each assumed element shape function
matches the true behavior directly affects the accuracy
of the solution, as shown on the next slide.
Linear approximation
(Poor Results)
Quadratic distribution of
DOF values
Actual quadratic
curve
Linear approximation
with multiple elements Quadratic approximation
(Better Results) (Best Results)
When you choose an element type, you are implicitly
choosing and accepting the element shape function
assumed for that element type. Therefore, check the
shape function information before you choose an
element type.
Typically, a linear element has only corner nodes,
whereas a quadratic element also has midside nodes.
Linear elements Quadratic elements
Can support only a linear variation of Can support a quadratic variation of
displacement and therefore (mostly) only a displacement and therefore a linear
constant state of stress within a single variation of stress within a single element.
element. Can represent curved edges and surfaces
Highly sensitive to element distortion. more accurately than linear elements. Not
Acceptable if you are only interested in as sensitive to element distortion.
nominal stress results. Recommended if you are interested in
Need to use a large number of elements to highly accurate stresses.
resolve high stress gradients. Give better results than linear elements, in
many cases with fewer number of elements
and total DOF.
Real Constants and Section Properties:
Used for geometric properties that cannot be completely
defined by the element’s geometry. For example:
A beam element is defined by a line joining two nodes. This
defines only the length of the beam. To specify the beam’s
cross-sectional properties, such as the area, moment of
inertia or dimensions, you need to use real constants or
section properties.
A shell element is defined by a quadrilateral or triangular
area. This defines only the surface area of the shell. To
specify the shell thickness or layers, you need to use real
constants or section properties.
Most 3-D solid elements do not require a real constant since
the element geometry is fully defined by its nodes.
Material Properties
Every analysis requires some material property input:
Young’s modulus EX for structural elements, thermal
conductivity KXX for thermal elements, etc.
Generating the mesh is the final step in
meshing.
First save the database.
Then press [Mesh] in the MeshTool.
This brings up a picker. Press [Pick All]
in the picker to indicate all entities.
SOLUTION
A. Define Loads
There are five categories of loads:
DOF Constraints Specified DOF values, such as displacements in a
stress analysis or temperatures in a thermal
analysis.
Concentrated Loads Point loads, such as forces or heat flow rates.
Surface Loads Loads distributed over a surface, such as
pressures or convections.
Body Loads Volumetric or field loads, such as temperatures
(causing thermal expansion) or internal heat
generation.
Inertia Loads Loads due to structural mass or inertia, such as
gravity and rotational velocity.
LOADING :
You can apply loads either on the solid model or directly on the
FEA model (nodes and elements).
Solid model loads are easier to apply because there are fewer entities
to pick.
Moreover, solid model loads are independent of the mesh. You don’t
need to reapply the loads if you change the mesh.
Pressure on line Pressures on element faces
Constrain Constraints
t on line at nodes
Solid model FEA model
Force at keypoint Force at node
