Chapter 6

Create Finite Element Model

Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the meshing element
attributes, various means to create a mesh in ANSYS, and finally
how to import one’s finite element model directly into ANSYS.
Recall, ANSYS does not use the solid model in the solution of the
model, rather it needs to finite elements.

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• 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

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Element Attributes Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• 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 include:
– Element types
– Real constants
– Material properties

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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 150 element types from which you
can choose. Details on how to choose the “correct” element type
will be presented later. For now, let’s see how to define an
element type.

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Element category

• ANSYS offers many different categories of elements. Some of the

commonly used ones are:
– Line elements
– Shells
– 2-D solids
– 3-D solids

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• Line elements:
– Beam elements are used to model bolts, tubular members, C-sections,
angle irons, or any long, slender members where only membrane and
bending stresses are needed.
– Spar elements are used to model springs, bolts, preloaded bolts, and
truss members.
– Spring elements are used to model springs, bolts, or long slender
parts, or to replace complex parts by an equivalent stiffness.

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• Shell elements:
– Used to model thin panels or curved surfaces.
– The definition of “thin” depends on the application, but as a general
guideline, the major dimensions of the shell structure (panel) should
be at least 10 times its thickness.

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• 2-D Solid elements:
– Used to model a cross-section of solid objects.
– Must be modeled in the global Cartesian X-Y plane.
– All loads are in the X-Y plane, and the response (displacements) are
also in the X-Y plane.
– Element behavior may be one of the following:
• plane stress
• plane strain
• axisymmetric
• axisymmetric harmonic

Z X

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• Plane stress assumes zero stress in
the Z direction.
– Valid for components in which the Z
dimension is smaller than the X and Y Y
dimensions.
– Z-strain is non-zero.
Z X
– Optional thickness (Z direction)
allowed.
– Used for structures such as flat plates
subjected to in-plane loading, or thin
disks under pressure or centrifugal
loading.

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• Plane strain assumes zero strain in the Z
direction.
– Valid for components in which the Z dimension is
much larger than the X and Y dimensions.
– Z-stress is non-zero.
– Used for long, constant cross-section structures Z
such as structural beams.
Y
X

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• Axisymmetry assumes that the 3-D model and its
loading can be generated by revolving a 2-D
section 360° about the Y axis.
– Axis of symmetry must coincide with the global Y
axis.
– Negative X coordinates are not permitted.
– Y direction is axial, X direction is radial, and Z
direction is circumferential (hoop) direction.
– Hoop displacement is zero; hoop strains and
stresses are usually very significant.
– Used for pressure vessels, straight pipes, shafts,
etc.

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• Axisymmetric harmonic is a special case of axisymmetry where
the loads can be non-axisymmetric.
– The non-axisymmetric loading is decomposed into Fourier series
components, applied and solved separately, and then combined later.
No approximation is introduced by this simplification!
– Used for non-axisymmetric loads such as torque on a shaft.

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• 3-D Solid elements:
– Used for structures which, because of geometry, materials, loading, or
detail of required results, cannot be modeled with simpler elements.
– Also used when the model geometry is transferred from a 3-D CAD
system, and a large amount of time and effort is required to convert it
to a 2-D or shell form.

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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.

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Linear approximation
(Poor Results)
Quadratic distribution of
DOF values
Actual quadratic
curve

Linear approximation
with multiple elements Quadratic approximation
(Better Results) (Best Results)

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• 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.

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Linear elements Quadratic elements

• Can support only a linear variation of • Can support a quadratic variation of

displacement and therefore (mostly) displacement and therefore a linear
only a constant state of stress within a variation of stress within a single
single element. element.

• Highly sensitive to element distortion. • Can represent curved edges and

surfaces more accurately than linear
• Acceptable if you are only interested elements. Not as sensitive to element
in nominal stress results. distortion.

• Need to use a large number of • Recommended if you are interested in

elements to resolve high stress highly accurate stresses.
gradients.
• Give better results than linear
elements, in many cases with fewer
number of elements and total DOF.

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• Notes:
– For shell models, the difference between linear and quadratic elements
is not as dramatic as for solid models. Linear shells are therefore
usually preferred.
– Besides linear and quadratic elements, a third kind is available, known
as p-elements. P-elements can support anywhere from a quadratic to
an 8th-order variation of displacement within a single element and
include automatic solution convergence controls.

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Mesh Density

• The fundamental premise of FEA is that as the number of

elements (mesh density) is increased, the solution gets closer and
closer to the true solution.

• However, solution time and computer resources required also

increase dramatically as you increase the number of elements.

• The objectives of the analysis usually decide which way the slider
bar below should be moved.

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• If you are interested in highly accurate stresses:
– A fine mesh will be needed, omitting no geometric details at any
location in the structure where such accuracy is needed.
– Stress convergence should be demonstrated.
– Any simplification anywhere in the model might introduce significant
error.

• If you are interested in deflections or nominal stresses:

– A relatively coarse mesh is sufficient.
– Small geometry details may be omitted.

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• If you are interested in mode shapes (modal analysis):
– Small details can usually be omitted.
– Simple mode shapes can be captured using a relatively coarse mesh.
– Complex mode shapes may require a uniform, moderately fine mesh.

• Thermal Analyses:
– Small details can usually be omitted, but since many thermal analyses
are followed by a stress analysis, stress considerations generally
dictate the detail of the model.
– Mesh density is usually determined by expected thermal gradients. A
fine mesh is required for high thermal gradients, whereas a coarse
mesh may be sufficient for low gradients.

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• To define an element type:
– Preprocessor > Element Type >
Add/Edit/Delete
• [Add] to add new element type
• Choose the desired type
(such as SOLID92) and press
OK
• [Options] to specify additional
element options
– Or use the ET command:
• et,1,solid92

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• Notes:
– Setting preferences to the desired discipline (Main Menu > Preferences)
will show only the element types valid for that discipline.
– You should define the element type early in the preprocessing phase
because many of the menu choices in the GUI are filtered out based on
the current DOF set. For example, if you choose a structural element
type, thermal load choices will be “grayed out” or not shown at all.

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Real Constants

• Real constants are 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 and moment of inertia, you need to use
real constants.
– 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, you need to use real constants.
– Most 3-D solid elements do not require a real constant since the
element geometry is fully defined by its nodes.

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• To define real constants:
– Preprocessor > Real Constants
• [Add] to add a new real constant set.
• If multiple element types have been defined, choose the element
type for which you are specifying real constants.
• Then enter the real constant values.
– Or use the R family of commands.

• Different element types require different real constants, and some

don’t require any real constants. Check the Elements Manual,
available on-line, for details.

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Material Properties

• Every analysis requires some material property input: Young’s

modulus EX for structural elements, thermal conductivity KXX for
thermal elements, etc.

• Refer to Chapter 7 for details on the two ways to define material

properties.

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 Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Multiple Element Attributes Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• Most FEA models have multiple attributes. For example, the silo shown
here has two element types, three real constant sets, and two materials.

TYPE 1 = shell
TYPE 2 = beam MAT 1 = concrete
MAT 2 = steel

REAL 1 = 3/8” thickness

REAL 2 = beam properties
REAL 3 = 1/8” thickness

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• Whenever you have multiple TYPEs, REALs and MATs, you need
to make sure that each element is assigned the proper attributes.
There are three ways to do this:
– Assign attributes to the solid model entities before meshing
– Activate a “global” setting of MAT, TYPE, and REAL before meshing
– Modify element attributes after meshing

• If no assignments are made, ANSYS uses default settings of

MAT=1, TYPE=1, and REAL=1 for all elements in the model. Note,
the current active TYPE, REAL, and MAT dictates mesh operation.

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Assigning Attributes to the Solid Model

1. Define all necessary element types, materials, and

real constant sets.

2. Then use the “Element Attributes” section of the

MeshTool (Preprocessor > MeshTool):
– Choose entity type and press the SET button.
– Pick the entities to which you want to assign
attributes.
– Set the appropriate attributes in the subsequent
dialog box.

Or select the desired entities and use the VATT,

AATT, LATT, or KATT command.

3. When you mesh an entity, its attributes are

automatically transferred to the elements.

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Using Global Attribute Settings

1. Define all necessary element types,

materials, and real constant sets.

2. Then use the “Element Attributes” section

of the MeshTool (Preprocessor > MeshTool):
– Choose Global and press the SET button.
– Activate the desired combination of
attributes in the “Meshing Attributes” dialog
box. We refer to these as the active TYPE,
REAL, and MAT settings.

Or use the TYPE, REAL, and MAT

commands.

3. Mesh only those entities to which the above

settings apply.

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Modifying Element Attributes

1. Define all necessary element types, materials, and real constant

sets.

2. Activate the desired combination of TYPE, REAL, and MAT

settings:
– Preprocessor > -Attributes- Define > Default Attribs...
– Or use the TYPE, REAL, and MAT commands

3. Modify the attributes of only those elements to which the above

settings apply:
– Issue EMODIF,PICK or choose Preprocessor > Move/Modify > -Elements-
Modify Attrib
– Then pick the desired elements

4. In the subsequent dialog box,

set attributes to “All to current.”
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Some points to keep in mind:

• You can verify element attributes by activating

attribute numbering:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering
– Or /PNUM,attr,ON, where attr may be TYPE, MAT,
or REAL

• Element attributes assigned directly to solid model entities will override

the default attribute pointers.

• By assigning attributes to solid model entities, you can avoid having to

reset attributes in the middle of meshing operations. This is advantageous
because ANSYS meshing algorithms are most efficient when meshing all
entities at once.

• Clearing a solid model entity of its mesh will not delete attribute
assignments.

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• Demo:
– Resume ribgeom.db
– List element types, real constants, and materials. One of each has
been defined.
– Bring up MeshTool, choose area attributes, and press Set
– Pick the single area, show the Area Attributes dialog box, and press
OK. (There is only one set of attributes, but this illustrates the general
procedure.)

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Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Controlling Mesh Density Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• ANSYS provides many tools to control mesh density, both on a
global and local level:
– Global controls
• SmartSizing
• Global element sizing
• Default sizing
– Local controls
• Keypoint sizing
• Line sizing
• Area sizing

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SmartSizing

• Determines element sizes by assigning divisions on all lines,

taking into account curvature of the line, its proximity to holes
and other features, and element order.

• SmartSizing is off by default, but is recommended for free

meshing. It does not affect mapped meshing. (Free meshing vs.
mapped meshing will be discussed later.)

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• To use SmartSizing:
– Bring up the MeshTool (Preprocessor > MeshTool), turn on
SmartSizing, and set the desired size level.
• Or use SMRT,level
• Size level ranges from 1 (very fine) to 10 (very
coarse). Defaults to 6.
– Then mesh all volumes (or all areas) at once, rather than
one-by-one.

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• Examples of different SmartSize
levels are shown here for a
tetrahedron mesh.

• Advanced SmartSize controls, such

as mesh expansion and transition
factors, are available on the SMRT
command (or Preprocessor >
-Meshing- Size Cntrls > -SmartSize-
Adv Opts...)

• You can turn off SmartSizing using

the MeshTool or by issuing smrt,off.

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Global Element Sizing

• Allows you to specify a maximum element edge length for

the entire model (or number of divisions per line):
– ESIZE,SIZE
– or Preprocessor > MeshTool > “Size Controls - Global” [Set]
– or Preprocessor > -Meshing- Size Cntrls > -Global- Size

• Can be used by itself or in conjunction with

SmartSizing.
– Using ESIZE by itself (SmartSizing off) will
result in a uniform element size throughout the
volume (or area) being meshed.
– With SmartSizing on, ESIZE acts as a “guide,”
but the specified size may be overridden to
accommodate line curvature or proximity to
features.

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Default Sizing

• If you don’t specify any controls, ANSYS uses default sizing,

which assigns minimum and maximum line divisions, aspect ratio,
etc. based on element order.

• Meant for mapped meshing, but is also used for free meshing if
SmartSizing is off.

• You can adjust default size specifications using DESIZE or

Preprocessor > -Meshing- Size Cntrls > -Global- Other.

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Keypoint Sizing

• Controls element size at keypoints:

– Preprocessor > MeshTool > “Size Controls: Keypt” [Set]
– or KESIZE command
– or Preprocessor > -Meshing- Size Cntrls > -Keypoints-

Different keypoints can have different KESIZEs, giving

you more control over the mesh.

• Useful for stress concentration regions.

• Specified sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing to

accommodate line curvature or proximity to features.

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Line Sizing

• Controls element size at lines:

– Preprocessor > MeshTool > Size Controls: Lines
[Set]
– or LESIZE command
– or Preprocessor > -Meshing- Size Cntrls > -Lines-
Yes for “soft”
No for “hard”
Different lines can have different LESIZEs.

• Size specifications may be “hard” or “soft.”

– “Hard” sizes are always honored by the
mesher, even if SmartSizing is on. They take
precedence over all other size controls.
– “Soft” sizes may be overridden by
SmartSizing.

• You can also specify a spacing ratio — ratio

of last division to first. Used to bias the
divisions towards one end or towards the
middle.
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Area Sizing

• Controls element size in the interior of areas:

– Preprocessor > MeshTool > “Size Controls: Areas” [Set]
– or AESIZE command
– or Preprocessor > -Meshing- Size Cntrls > -Areas-

Different areas can have different AESIZEs.

• Bounding lines will use the specified size only if they

have no LESIZE or KESIZE specified and if no adjacent
area has a smaller size.

• Specified sizes may be overridden by SmartSizing to

accommodate line curvature or proximity to features.

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• Demo:
– Resume ribgeom.db
– Mesh with SMRT,6. (Not a very good mesh)
– Re-mesh with SMRT,3 (good mesh)
– Set ESIZE to 0.2 and re-mesh. The mesh becomes coarse even though
SMRT is set to 3, because the smart-mesher takes ESIZE into account.
Also note that the element sizes are not uniform (because SMRT is on).
– Turn off SMRT and re-mesh. Element sizes are now uniform.

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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.

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• If a mesh is not acceptable, you can always re-
mesh the model by following these steps:
1. Clear the mesh.
• The clear operation is the opposite of mesh: it
removes nodes and elements.
• Use the [Clear] button on the MeshTool, or use
VCLEAR, ACLEAR, etc.
(If you are using the MeshTool, you may skip this
step since the program will prompt you whether to
clear or not when you execute step 3.)
2. Specify new or different mesh controls.
3. Mesh again.

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• Another meshing option is to refine the
mesh in specific regions.
– Available for all area elements and only
tetrahedral volume elements.
– Easiest way is to use the MeshTool:
• First save the database.
• Then choose how you want to
specify the region of refinement — at
nodes, elements, keypoints, lines, or
areas — and press the Refine button.
• Pick the entities at which you want
the mesh to be refined. (Not required
if you choose “All Elems.”)
• Finally, choose the level of
refinement. Level 1 (minimal
refinement) is a good starting point.

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• Demo:
– Continuing the last demo… (ribgeom has been meshed with ESIZE =
0.2)
– Choose refinement at Lines and press Refine
– Pick the top line, then choose the default “minimal refinement”

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• There are two main meshing methods: free and
mapped.

• Free Mesh
– Has no element shape restrictions.
– The mesh does not follow any pattern.
– Suitable for complex shaped areas and volumes.

• Mapped Mesh
– Restricts element shapes to quadrilaterals for areas
and hexahedra (bricks) for volumes.
– Typically has a regular pattern with obvious rows of
elements.
– Suitable only for “regular” areas and volumes such as
rectangles and bricks.

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Free Mesh Mapped Mesh

+ Easy to create; no need to divide + Generally contains a lower

complex shapes into regular number of elements.
shapes.
+ Lower-order elements may be
– Volume meshes can contain only acceptable, so the number of DOF
tetrahedra, resulting in a large is lower.
number of elements.
– Areas and volumes must be
– Only higher-order (10-node) “regular” in shape, and mesh
tetrahedral elements are divisions must meet certain
acceptable, so the number of DOF criteria.
can be very high.
– Very difficult to achieve,
especially for complex shaped
volumes.

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

Creating a Free Mesh

• Free meshing is the default setting for both area

and volume meshes.

• Create a free mesh is easy:

– Bring up the MeshTool and verify that free meshing
is set.
– SmartSizing is generally recommended for free
meshing, so activate it and specify a size level. Save
the database.
– Then initiate the mesh by pressing the Mesh button.
• Press [Pick All] in the picker to choose all entities
(recommended).
– Or use the commands VMESH,ALL or AMESH,ALL.

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Creating a Mapped Mesh

• This is not as easy as free meshing because the areas and

volumes have to meet certain requirements:
– Area must contain either 3 or 4 lines (triangle or quadrilateral).
– Volume must contain either 4, 5, or 6 areas (tetrahedron, triangular
prism, or hexahedron).
– Element divisions on opposite sides must match.
• For triangular areas or tetrahedral volumes, the number of element
divisions must be even.

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• For quadrilateral areas or hexahedral volumes, unequal divisions
are allowed, as shown in these examples, but the number of
divisions must satisfy a formula (shown on the next page).

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• Thus mapped meshing involves a three-step procedure:
– Ensure “regular” shapes, i.e, areas with 3 or 4 sides, or volumes with
4, 5, or 6 sides.
– Specify size and shape controls
– Generate the mesh

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Ensure regular shapes

• In most cases, the model geometry is such that the areas have
more than 4 sides, and volumes have more that 6 sides. To
convert these to regular shapes, you may need to do one or both
of these operations:
– Slice the areas (or volumes) into smaller, simpler shapes.
– Concatenate two or more lines (or areas) to reduce the total number of
sides.

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• Slicing can be accomplished with the Boolean divide operation.
– Remember that you can use the working plane, an area, or a line as the
slicing tool.
– Sometimes, it may be easier to create a new line or a new area than to
move and orient the working plane in the correct direction.

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• Concatenation creates a new line (for meshing purposes) that is a
combination of two or more lines, thereby reducing the number of
lines making up the area.
– Use the LCCAT command or Preprocessor > -Meshing- Concatenate >
Lines, then pick the lines to be concatenated.
– For area concatenation, use ACCAT command or Preprocessor >
-Meshing- Concatenate > Areas

Concatenating
these two lines
makes this a
4-sided area

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• You can also imply a concatenation by simply
identifying the three or four corners of the area. In this
case, ANSYS internally generates the concatenation.
– To do this, choose Quad shape and Map mesh in the
MeshTool.
– Then change 3/4 sided to Pick corners.
– Press the Mesh button, pick the area, and then pick the 3
or 4 corners that form the regular shape.

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• Notes on concatenation:
– It is purely a meshing operation and therefore should be the last step before
meshing, after all solid modeling operations. This is because the output entity
obtained from a concatenation cannot be used in any subsequent solid
modeling operation.
– You can "undo" a concatenation by deleting the line or area it produced.
– Concatenating areas (for mapped volume meshing) is generally much more
complicated because you may also need to concatenate some lines. Lines are
automatically concatenated only when two adjacent, 4-sided areas are
concatenated.
– Consider the add (Boolean) operation if the lines or areas meet at a tangent.

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Specify size and shape controls

• This is the second step of the three-step mapped

meshing procedure.

• Choosing the shape is simple. In the MeshTool, choose

Quad for area meshing, and Hex for volume meshing,
then click on Map.

• Commonly used size controls and the order in which they

are applied:
– Line sizing [LESIZE] is always honored.
– Global element size , if specified, will be applied to
“unsized” lines.
– Default element sizing [DESIZE] will be applied to unsized
lines only if ESIZE is not specified.
– (SmartSizing is not valid.)

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• If you specify line divisions, remember that:
– divisions on opposite sides must match, but you only need to specify
one side. The map mesher automatically transfers divisions to the
opposite side.
– if you have concatenated lines, divisions can only be applied to the
original (input) lines, not the composite line.

6 divisions specified on
each original line.

12 divisions will be
automatically applied to
this line (opposite to
composite line).

How many divisions are

used for the other two
lines? (Upcoming demo
will answer it.)
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Generate the mapped mesh

• Once you have ensured regular shapes and assigned the

appropriate divisions, generating the mesh is easy. Just press the
Mesh button in the MeshTool, then press [Pick All] in the picker or
choose the desired entities.

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• Question: How would you
slice this model for
mapped meshing?

• Answer: It may not be worth the

effort!
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• Demo:
– Resume ribfull.db
– Bring up MeshTool and apply 6 divisions to top and right lines
– Map-mesh the area using “Pick corners.” Notice that the left and
bottom lines get only two divisions each (from DESIZE).
– Now specify ESIZE,,4 (4 divisions per line) and re-mesh
– Finally, clear line divisions, specify ESIZE,0.1 (size), and re-mesh

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Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Hex-to-Tet Meshing Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• For volume meshing, we have only seen two
options so far:
– Free meshing, which creates an all-tet mesh. This
is easy to achieve but may not be desirable in
some cases because of the large number of
elements and total DOF created.
– Mapped meshing, which creates an all-hex mesh.
This is desirable but usually very difficult to
achieve.

• Hex-to-tet meshing provides a third option that

is the “best of both worlds.” It allows you to
have a combination of hex and tet meshes
without compromising the integrity of the mesh.

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• This option works by creating pyramid-shaped elements in the transition
region between hex and tet regions.
– Requires the hex mesh to be available (or at least a quad mesh at the shared
area).
– The mesher first creates all tets, then combines and rearranges the tet elements
in the transition region to form pyramids.
– Available only for element types that support both pyramid and tet shapes, e.g:
• Structural SOLID95, 186, VISCO89
• Thermal SOLID90
• Multiphysics SOLID62, 117, 122

– Results are good even in the transition

region. Element faces are compatible even
when transitioning from a linear hex
element to a quadratic tet element.

SOLID95
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– Hex-to-tet meshing is valid for both quadratic-to-quadratic and linear-to-
quadratic transitions. Element type must support a 9-node pyramid for the
latter.

Hex Mesh Transition Layer Tet Mesh

Quadratic
to
Quadratic
20-Node Hex 13-Node Pyramid 10-Node Tet

Linear
to
Quadratic

8-Node Hex 9-Node Pyramid 10-Node Tet

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Procedure involves four steps:

1. Create the hex mesh.

– Start by map-meshing the regular-shaped volumes. (Or mesh the
shared areas with quads.)
– For stress analysis, use either an 8-node brick (SOLID45 or SOLID185)
or a 20-node brick (SOLID95 or SOLID186).

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2. Activate an element type that supports both pyramids and tets.
– These are usually brick elements that can degenerate into pyramids
and tets. Check the Elements Manual, available on-line, to find out
which element types are valid.
– Examples:
• Structural SOLID95, 186, VISCO89
• Thermal SOLID90
• Multiphysics SOLID62, 117, 122

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3. Generate the tet mesh.
– First activate free meshing.
– Then mesh the volumes that are to be tet-meshed.

Pyramids are automatically generated at the interface.

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4. Convert degenerate tets to true 10-node tets.
– The tet mesh created by the transition mesher consists of degenerate
elements — 10-node tetrahedra derived from 20-node bricks, for
example.
– These elements are not as efficient as true 10-node tets such as
SOLID92, which use less memory and write smaller files during
solution.
– To convert the degenerate tets into true tets:
• Preprocessor > -Meshing- Modify Mesh > Change Tets...
• Or use the TCHG command.

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• Demo:
– Resume hextet.db
– Show element type list using Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete. There
are two element types: SOLID45 & 95
– Bring up MeshTool and set ESIZE,1 (size)
– Map-mesh the regular shaped volume
– Set element type to 2, and activate tet-meshing
– Free-mesh the other volume
– Convert degenerate tets to SOLID92
– Show element type list. There are now three element types.
– Select elements of type 2 (SOLID95 pyramids) and plot elements

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Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Mesh Extrusion Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• When you extrude an area into a volume, you can extrude the area
elements along with it, resulting in a meshed volume. This is called mesh
extrusion.

• Advantage: Easy to create a volume mesh with all bricks (hexahedra) or a

combination of bricks and prisms.

• Obvious requirement: Shape of the volume must lend itself to extrusion.

Extrude

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Procedure

1. Define two element types — an area

element and a volume element.
– Area element: Choose MESH200
quadrilaterals. MESH200 is a mesh-only
(Not Solved) element and has no DOFs
or material properties associated with it.
– Volume element: Should be compatible
with the MESH200 element type. For
example, if you choose midside nodes
for MESH200, the 3-D solid element
should also have midside nodes.
– ET command or Preprocessor > Element
Type > Add/Edit/Delete

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2. Mesh the area to be extruded with MESH200 elements.
– Use mapped or free meshing with desired mesh density.
– Preprocessor > MeshTool

3. Choose element extrusion options.

– EXTOPT command or Preprocessor > Operate >

Extrude > Elem Ext Opts
– Typical options are:
• Active TYPE attribute (should be 3-D
solid).
• Number of element divisions in the
extrusion direction (i.e, number of
elements through the thickness). Must be
greater than zero; otherwise, only the area
will be extruded, without elements.

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4. Extrude the area.
– First delete concatenated lines, if any. If concatenations are present,
ANSYS will not allow the extrusion operation.
• Preprocessor > -Meshing- Concatenate > -Del Concats- Lines
– Then extrude the area using any of the extrusion methods.

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• Demo:
– Resume ribgeom.db
– Bring up the Element Types dialog, delete PLANE82 element type, and
replace it with MESH200 4-node quad
– Also add SOLID45 as element type 2
– Bring up MeshTool and set ESIZE,0.1
– Choose free quad-meshing and mesh the area
– Set extrusion options: TYPE=2, number of element divisions = 4
– Rotate view to ISO
– Extrude area along normal with offset = 0.4
– Save the database to ribvol.db

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Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Sweep Meshing Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• Sweep meshing is yet another option available for volume
meshing. It is the process of meshing an existing volume by
sweeping an area mesh.

• Similar to mesh extrusion, except that the volume already exists in

this case (from a geometry import, for example).

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• Advantages:
Target surface
– Easy to create a volume mesh with all (1 area)
bricks (hexahedra) or a combination
of bricks and prisms.
– Option to tet-mesh volumes that are
not “sweepable.” Transition
Source surface
pyramids are automatically
(1 area)
generated.
Valid for sweep meshing
• Requirements:
– Topology of the volume must be
consistent in the sweep direction.
Example: a block with a through hole
(ok even if the hole is tapered).
– Source and target surfaces must be
single areas. Concatenated areas are
not allowed for either the source or
the target.
Not valid for sweep meshing
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Procedure

• Define and activate a 3-D hexahedral solid element type,

such as structural SOLID45 or SOLID95.

• Bring up MeshTool and choose Hex/Wedge and Sweep.

• Choose how the source and target surfaces are

identified:
– “Auto Source/Target” means that ANSYS will
automatically choose them based on the volume’s
topology.
– “Pick Source/Target” means that you will be choosing
them.

• Press the SWEEP button and follow prompt

instructions from the picker. (Or use VSWEEP
command.)

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Tet-Mesh Option

• A useful sweep option is to generate a

tet-mesh in non-sweepable volumes.

• To use this option:

– Make sure that the element type
supports degenerate pyramid and
tetrahedron shapes. Examples:
• Structural SOLID95, 186, VISCO89
• Thermal SOLID90
• Multiphysics SOLID62, 117, 122
– Choose Preprocessor > -Meshing- Mesh >
-Volume Sweep- Sweep Opts and activate
the tet-mesh option. (Or use the
EXTOPT,VSWE command.)

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Notes

• To map-mesh a complex volume, you may need to slice it several

times and also do some area and line concatenations. For sweep
meshing, you typically need only a few slicing operations, and no
concatenations are needed!

• You can control the source area mesh using standard mesh
controls. SmartSizing is generally not recommended since it is
meant for free meshing.

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• Demo:
– Resume ribvol.db
– Clear all volumes and all areas, then plot volumes
– Bring up MeshTool and activate sweep meshing
– Sweep mesh the volume

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Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
F.E. Imports Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• In addition to solid model geometry, ANSYS can also import finite
element model data (nodes and elements) from certain packages.

• The most common approach is for the software vendor to “write

out” the nodes and elements in a format that ANSYS can read
(using NREAD and EREAD). This format is published in the
ANSYS Programmer’s Manual.

• Some software packages provide an interface that allows you to

transfer more than just nodes and elements from another finite
element package into ANSYS.

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Chapter 6 – Creating the Finite Element Model
Workshops Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 1

• This workshop consists of four exercises:
W6A. Pillow Block
W6B. Connecting Rod
W6C. Cotter Pin
W6D. Wheel

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