WB-Mech 120 Ch02 Basics

Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.
Chapter 2
Mechanical Basics
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 2-1 Inventory #002593
Basics
Chapter Overview Training Manual
• In this chapter, the basics of using Mechanical to perform analyses

will be covered, which include:
A. The Mechanical GUI and Operation
B. Introduction to the Mechanical Application Wizard
C. Basic Analysis Procedure
D. The Engineering Data application
E. Workshop 2-1
• The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable

to the ANSYS DesignSpace Entra licenses and above, unless noted.

Basics
A. Launching Mechanical Training Manual
• Recall that there are two ways of running Mechanical:

– Configured from within ANSYS Workbench …
– … or from a supported CAD system

Basics
… Mechanical Interface Training Manual
• The components of the user interface are shown below:

Toolbars
Menus
Graphics Window
Tree Outline
Mechanical
Application Wizard
Details View Message Window
Status Bar
Basics
. . . GUI – Menus Training Manual
• The menus provide much of the functionality present in Mechanical.

The more commonly used menu items are covered below:
– The title bar lists analysis type, product and active ANSYS license.
– “File > Clean” to delete mesh and/or results from database.
– “Units” to change units on-the-fly.
– “Tools > Options… ” to customize settings and options.
– “Help > Mechanical Help” to access documentation.
Analysis Type Product License

Basics
… GUI – Toolbars Training Manual
• There are a number of toolbars to provide users quick access to

functionality also found in the menus.
– The toolbars can be repositioned anywhere on the top of the Mechanical

window.
– The “Context” toolbar, as will be illustrated later, updates depending on
what branch is active in the “Outline” tree.
– Tooltips appear if the cursor is placed over the toolbar button.

Basics
… GUI – Toolbars Training Manual
• The “Standard” toolbar is shown below:
Bring up Mechanical Wizard Annotations Comments
Capture Snapshot
Solve Model Slice Planes
• The “Graphics” toolbar is used for selection and graphics

manipulation:
Select mode Viewports

Selection Tools Graphics Manipulation
– The left mouse button can be either in “selection” mode or “graphics

manipulation” mode. The above toolbar buttons are grouped as “select
entities” and “graphics manipulation” control.
– The graphics selection can be done using individual selection or box-
selection. This is controlled by the “Select Mode” icon.

Basics
… GUI – Outline Tree Training Manual
• The Outline Tree provides an easy way of organizing the model,

materials, mesh, loads, and results for the analysis
– The “Model” branch contains the input
data required for the analysis
– The “Static Structural” branch contains
the loads and supports relevant to the
analysis discipline
– The “Solution” branch contains result
objects and solution information
– Other branches (not covered here)
are also available.

Basics
… GUI – Outline Tree Training Manual
• The Outline Tree shows icons for each branch, along with a status
symbol. Examples of the status symbols are below:
– Checkmark indicates branch is fully defined/OK

– Question mark indicates item has incomplete data (need input)
– Lightning bolt indicates solving is required
– Exclamation mark means problem exists
– “X” means that item is suppressed (will not be solved)
– Transparent checkmark means body or part is hidden
– Green lightning bolt indicates item is currently being evaluated
– Minus sign means that mapped face meshing failed
– Check mark with a slash indicates a meshed part/body
– Red lightning bolt indicates a failed solution
Becoming familiar with the basic status symbols allows users to debug
Mechanical problems quickly.

Basics
… GUI – Details View Training Manual
• The Details View contains data input and output fields. The contents
will change depending on branch selected.
– White field: input data
• Data in white text field is editable
– Gray (or Red) field: information
• Data in gray fields cannot be modified.
– Yellow field: incomplete input data
• Data in yellow fields indicates missing information.

Basics
… GUI – Graphics Window Training Manual
• The Graphics Window shows the geometry and results. It can also provide
worksheet (tabular) listings, the HTML report, and a Print Preview option.
Geometry Tab Print Preview Tab
Worksheet Tab Report Preview Tab

Basics
… GUI – Mechanical Application Wizard Training Manual
• The Mechanical Wizard is an optional component, a

useful aid to remind users steps required to
complete an analysis
– The Mechanical Wizard provides a list of required
steps and the status of them
– Green checkmark indicates the item is complete
– Green “i” shows an informational item
– A greyed symbol shows that the step cannot be
performed yet
– A red question mark means that there is an
incomplete item
– An “x” means that the item is not performed yet
– A lightning bolt means that the item is ready to be
solved or updated
• The Mechanical Wizard can be toggled on/off by
selecting the button on the Standard Toolbar
• The options on the Mechanical Wizard menu will
change depending on the analysis type chosen

Basics
B. Mechanical Application Wizard Training Manual
• By selecting an item on the “Required Steps” checklist, a callout appears,

illustrating how that function is performed.
– In the example below, “Verify Materials” was selected, and the callout shows the
user where this item can be changed.

Basics
… Mechanical Application Wizard Training Manual
• The Mechanical Wizard is handy for

users who do not use Mechanical
every day
– Besides basic functionality, callouts
for more advanced items are also
available as shown on right

Basics
C. Basic Procedure Training Manual
• The purpose of analysis is usually to determine the response of a

system based on some type of excitation or loading.
• It is crucial to remember that a mathematical model is used:
– CAD geometry is an idealization of the physical model
– The mesh is a mathematical representation of the CAD model
– The accuracy of answers is determined by various factors:
• How well the physical model is represented depends on the assumptions
• Numerical accuracy is determined by the mesh density
CAD Model Finite Element Mesh

Basics
… Basic Procedure Training Manual
• Every analysis involves four main steps:

– Preliminary Decisions
• What type of analysis: Static, modal, etc.? Preliminary
• What to model: Part or Assembly? Decisions
• Which elements: Surface or Solid Bodies?
– Preprocessing
• Attach the model geometry
Preprocessing
• Define and assign material properties to parts
• Mesh the geometry
• Apply loads and supports
• Request results
– Solve the Model Solution
– Postprocessing
• Review results
• Check the validity of the solution
Postprocessing

Basics
… Basic Procedure Training Manual
• The Wizards in Mechanical aid the user in following the basic

analysis template discussed previously:
– Attach/import geometry
– Assign material properties
– (Mesh geometry)
• A default mesh will be supplied by Mechanical if this step is not performed
manually by the user
– Apply loads and supports
– Request results
– Solve model
– Review results/postprocessing
• Several examples of using the Mechanical Wizard follow . . . .

Basics
… Wizard Example: Assign/Verify Material Properties Training Manual
• “Verify Materials” is selected, and the callout shows how to verify/change material
properties in the pull-down menu (engineering data is described later in this chapter).
After “Verify Materials” is

selected, all of the parts
from the “Geometry”
branch are highlighted,
and the Details view shows
how to change the
material.

Basics
… Wizard Example: Assign Material Properties Training Manual
• The call out message indicates the user should return to the
Workbench interface to access Engineering Data
– The default material property is “Structural Steel” but can be changed
– As a material is added to the project it will appear in the material
assignment detail field
– Material properties supplied with Mechanical are for demonstration purposes.

Users should use their own material property values in production use.

Basics
Wizard Example: insert Loads & Supports Training Manual
• After verifying and assigning materials, “Insert Structural Loads” is selected

from the Stress Wizard
– Loads are applied from the pull-down icons in the Context toolbar.
After “Insert Loads” is

selected, notice that the
“Environment” branch is
highlighted.
By highlighting the
“Environment” branch, the
Context toolbar and Details
view change.

Basics
Applying Loads & Supports Training Manual
• Loads and supports are applied on geometric entities in two different ways:
– Pre-select geometry entity in Graphics Window, then select load or support from
Context Toolbar
– Or, select load or support from Context Toolbar then select geometry entities in
Graphics Window, then click on “Apply” in Details View.

Basics
… Applying Loads & Supports Training Manual
• After assigning the load the user can enter additional data in the Details view,
if necessary.
– Notice that in the Outline Tree the associated load’s branch symbol status will also
change to ‘completed’ (checkmark).

Basics
• For some structural loads direction is

needed:
• If “Components” is chosen, enter X, Y, or Z
Components of loading
• If “Vector” is chosen, select geometry and
enter magnitude of loading
• Defaults can be set in “Tools > Options …
> Mechanical: Miscellaneous
> Load Orientation Type”
– The Global Coordinate System or user
defined local coordinate systems can be
referenced
• User-Defined Coordinate Systems will be
discussed later

Basics
• Existing geometry can be referenced to

control direction:
• In the “Details” view, select “Define By: Vector”
• Three types of existing geometry can be used
– Normal to planar face or along axis of cylindrical
face
– Along straight edge or normal to cylindrical edge
– Two vertices defining vector
• Click on “Direction” and select geometry used
for vector orientation. Use the arrows in the
Graphics window to toggle the direction.
• Click on “Apply” when finished.
• Enter magnitude for loading in “Magnitude.”
Toggle arrow buttons to

reverse load direction
Basics
… Mouse Controls Training Manual
– The left mouse button is used to select geometric entities OR to

manipulate the graphics display
– User can select items (vertex, edge, surface, body) or manipulate the view
(rotate, pan, zoom in/out, box zoom)
– Select mode can be single-select or box-select
• In single-select mode, click-drag with left mouse
button to “paint select” multiple items
• Use Ctrl-Left mouse button in single-select mode to select or unselect multiple
entities
– In box-select mode, click-drag from left to right selects entities fully enclosed in
bounding box
– In box-select mode, click-drag from right to left selects any entity partially enclosed in
bounding box

Basics
… Mouse Controls (shortcuts) Training Manual
• In select mode the middle mouse provides several short cuts for graphics
manipulation
– Click + drag middle mouse button = dynamic rotate
– CTRL+ Middle mouse button = dynamic pan
– Shift + Middle mouse button = dynamic zoom
– If present, the wheel can be used to zoom in/out
– RMB + drag = box zoom
– Click right mouse button once and select “Fit” to fit model in view or access contex
menu options

Basics
… Selection Planes Training Manual
• Selection planes allow for users to easily select surfaces which are hidden
from view by other surfaces.
– User selects a plane; if more planes lie directly underneath the cursor, selection
planes appear. Selection planes are color-coded with the same color as its parent
part and are ordered by depth from the cursor.

Basics
D. Engineering Data Training Manual
• The Engineering Data application provides overall control for

material properties.
– Engineering data is a part of every project.
– Engineering data can be opened “stand alone” (as a precursor to starting
a project for example).
To open the Engineering Data To edit the Engineering

standalone, add from the Data in an existing
component systems in the toolbox project RMB > Edit or
(drag/drop or double click), then double click
RMB > Edit or double click.

Basics
. . . Engineering Data Training Manual
• The Engineering Data application is displayed below. Individual

controls and components are described next.
Outline Filter Properties for material

selected below
Toolbox
Outline of “Filtered” Materials
Properties of Property
material selected Chart
above

Basics
• The window interaction provides cascading data presentation.

• To view or modify materials one generally follows a work flow shown here:
data source > material > individual property

Display Property in
tabular and graphical
format
Choose Data Source

(Library)
Choose Material
Choose Property

Basics
Outline Filter
The Engineering Data field represents the Check box allows
list of materials which have been imported library to be unlocked
for use in the current project for editing.
A list of available material

libraries is displayed. These may
be ANSYS supplied or user
defined.
Browse for existing

Favorites are materials which will be
libraries or choose
available in every project without the need
new library location.
to import from a library.

Basics
• The toolbox provides numerous material property definitions that can be

added to existing or new materials.
• To modify materials in existing libraries the library must be unlocked, (note
this permanently modifies the material stored in that library).
• Materials in the current project’s engineering data can be modified without
affecting the material library.
The Toolbox Customization

settings allows filtering of the
properties displayed in the toolbox.

Basics
• To add a material from an existing library to

the current project click the plus sign (+)
next to that material.
• Any material defined in the current project

will be marked as show at right.
• Once “added” each material becomes

available for use in the current project (it
becomes part of the current “Engineering
Data”).
Note, to add a
material to the
“Favorites” list,
RMB the material
and add.

Basics
• To create a new material first

select the library where you
want the definition to be stored
(or Engineering Data for the
current project).
• Enter a name, and description

if desired, for the new material.
• From the Toolbox double click

or drag and drop the desired
properties.
• Finally enter values for the

properties.

Basics
• Units menu in Engineering Data:

– You may choose to display “Values as Defined”
or “Values in Project Units”.
– “As Defined” units are controlled individually.
“Project Units” are taken

from the current Units menu
selection.

Basics
E. Workshop 2-1 – Mechanical Basics Training Manual
• Workshop 2 – Mechanical Basics

• Goal:
– Using the Stress Wizard, set up and solve a structural model for
stress, deflection and safety factor.


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Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• In this chapter, the basics of using Mechanical to perform analyses

• The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Recall that there are two ways of running Mechanical:

– … or from a supported CAD system

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The components of the user interface are shown below:

Details View Message Window

• The menus provide much of the functionality present in Mechanical.

Analysis Type Product License

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• There are a number of toolbars to provide users quick access to

– The toolbars can be repositioned anywhere on the top of the Mechanical

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The “Standard” toolbar is shown below:

Bring up Mechanical Wizard Annotations Comments

Solve Model Slice Planes

• The “Graphics” toolbar is used for selection and graphics

Select mode Viewports

– The left mouse button can be either in “selection” mode or “graphics

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The Outline Tree provides an easy way of organizing the model,

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

– Checkmark indicates branch is fully defined/OK

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

Geometry Tab Print Preview Tab

Worksheet Tab Report Preview Tab

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The Mechanical Wizard is an optional component, a

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• By selecting an item on the “Required Steps” checklist, a callout appears,

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The Mechanical Wizard is handy for

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The purpose of analysis is usually to determine the response of a

CAD Model Finite Element Mesh

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Every analysis involves four main steps:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The Wizards in Mechanical aid the user in following the basic

• Several examples of using the Mechanical Wizard follow . . . .

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

After “Verify Materials” is

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

– Material properties supplied with Mechanical are for demonstration purposes.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• After verifying and assigning materials, “Insert Structural Loads” is selected

After “Insert Loads” is

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• For some structural loads direction is

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Existing geometry can be referenced to

Toggle arrow buttons to

– The left mouse button is used to select geometric entities OR to

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The Engineering Data application provides overall control for

To open the Engineering Data To edit the Engineering