WB-Mech 120 Ch08 Results

Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.
Chapter 8
Results Postprocessing
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 8-1 Inventory #002593
Chapter Overview Training Manual
• In this chapter, aspects of reviewing results will be covered:

A. Viewing Results
B. Scoping Results
C. Exporting Results
D. Coordinate Systems & Directional Results
E. Solution Combinations
F. Stress Singularities
G. Error Estimation
H. Convergence
• The capabilities described in this section are applicable to all ANSYS

licenses, except when noted otherwise

A. Viewing Results Training Manual
• When selecting a results branch, the Context toolbar displays ways

of viewing results: Min/Max Probe
Displacement Scaling Display Method Contour Settings Outline Display
Vector Display Controls
• In addition, the “Timeline” also has an animation toolbar which lets

the user set animation controls
Distribute
Export
Play Pause Markers Frame Rate Control

… Displacement Scaling Training Manual
• For structural analyses (static, modal, buckling),

the deformed shape can be changed:
– By default, a scale factor “multiplies” actual displacements.
– The user can change to true scale or undeformed displays.
Automatic Displacement Scaling

True Scale

Legend Controls Training Manual
• Right Clicking on the legend in the graphics area allows the user to
modify the legend controls.
Edit Value
Export/Import/Switch to a saved legend setting
Increase/Decrease Contour Bands Horizontal/Vertical legend
Display Date/Time
Display Max/Min label on the legend

Switch to Logarithmic Scale
Switch to Scientific Notation

Number of Significant Digits
• Continued . . .

… Legend Controls Training Manual
The legend bounds can be manipulated to

show result distributions more clearly for
contour plots.
Max/Min values
are unchanged
Click and drag contour dividers (or

type in) to specify contour ranges.
A non-uniform distribution of
contours can be used as well.

… Manipulating the Legend Training Manual
• Independent Bands allow neutral colors to represent regions of the

model above or below the specified legend limits.
Legend Contour
Range

… Display Method Training Manual
• The “Geometry” button controls the contour display

method. Four choices are available:
Exterior IsoSurfaces
“Exterior” is the default

display option and is
most commonly used.
“IsoSurfaces” is useful
to display regions with
the same contour value.
Slice Planes “Capped IsoSurfaces”
Capped IsoSurfaces
will remove regions of
the model where the
contour values are
above (or below) a
specified value.
“Slice Planes” allow a
user to ‘cut’ through the
model visually. A
capped slice plane is
also available, as shown
on the left.

… Display Method Training Manual
• Capped IsoSurfaces are manipulated by an independent controller:

– Icons allow isosurface cap to be top or bottom.
– The striped areas of the legend show what values will not be displayed.
– The cap threshold can be controlled via the slider or by typing the value
directly
Top Capped Isosurface Bottom Capped Isosurface

… Contour Settings Training Manual
• The “Contours” button controls the way in which

contours are shown on the model
Smooth Contours Contour Bands
Isolines Solid Fill

… Outline Display Training Manual
• The “Edges” button allows the user show the

undeformed geometry or mesh
No Wireframe Show Undeformed Wireframe
Show Undeformed Model Show Elements

Section Planes Training Manual
• Section Planes can be added and edited in both the

preprocessor as well as the post processor.
– To add a section plane select the “Draw Section Plane”
icon, then click-drag with the left mouse.
– Selection planes can be turned on/off using the check
box in the details view.
– Delete section planes using the delete icon.
– Edit section planes by highlighting desired plane name
and using the ‘handle’ in the Graphics window.
Move a slice plane by dragging handle Sliced view of geometry in

Preprocessor
Sliced view of model in Post

Processor with results
Click on one side of bar to cap view

Probe Tool Training Manual
• The Probe Tool allows you to scope a result object

to a location and make that result parametric.
• The Probe Tool can be scoped to geometry, a local
coordinate system or using a remote point.
• The orientation of the result item can be with respect
to global or local coordinate systems.

. . . Probe Tool Training Manual
• Probe Tool example:

– Local coordinate system defined as shown
– Probe located at local CS
– Stress results (all) requested
Probe Location
Local CS

Charts and Tables Training Manual
• Combine results data from multiple steps (static or transient) into

charts and/or tables:
– Select “New Chart and Table” icon.
– From the details “Apply” the desired result(s).
• Use the CTRL key to select multiple results.
– Select desired display items in details.

Animation Controls Training Manual
• The animation toolbar allows user to play, pause, and stop animations
• Note: animations are accessed via the “Timeline” at the bottom of the
graphics screen
Start/Stop/Pause Control resolution and speed
Distributed animation interpolates results Export video

while results sets animates only solution (avi) file
points.
Note: pause feature available during playback

… Alerts Training Manual
• Alerts are simple ways of check to see if a scalar result quantity

satisfies a criterion:
– Alerts can be used on contour results (except vector results), Contact
Tool results, and Shape Finder.
– Highlight the particular result branch, RMB and insert an Alert.
– In the Details view, specify the criterion.
– In the Outline tree, a green checkmark indicates that the criterion is

satisfied. A red exclamation mark indicates that the criterion was not
satisfied.

… Vector Plots Training Manual
• Vector plots involve any result quantity with direction, such as

deformation, principal stresses/strains, and heat flux
– Activate vectors for appropriate quantities using the vector graphics icon
– Once the vectors are visible their appearance can be modified using the
vector display controls (see next slide for examples)
Vector Length Control Vector Density Control
Proportional Vectors Equal Length Vectors Element Aligned Grid Aligned Line Form Solid Form

… Vector Plots Training Manual
• Examples
Solid Form, Grid Aligned Proportional Length
Equal Length Solid Form, Equal Length

… Multiple Viewports Training Manual
• Multiple viewports can be used to display various images at the same

time (model or postprocessing data).
– Useful to compare multiple results, such as results from different
environments or multiple mode shapes

B. Scoping Results Training Manual
• Limiting results displays can be useful when postprocessing:

– Scoping automatically scales the legend to results for selected regions.
• To scope contour results:
– Pre-select geometry then request the result of interest.
– The non-selected geometry will be displayed as translucent.

… Scoping Surface/Part Results Training Manual
• Some examples of scoping results on surfaces/parts:
Stress results on selected surfaces
Scoping results on a single part
Vector Principal Stresses on single part

… Scoping Edge & Vertex Results Training Manual
• Results can be scoped to a single edge (or vertex):

– Select a single edge for results scoping.
– A path plot of the result mapped on the edge will be displayed.

• Use the Worksheet view for a graph only path plot.

. . . Scoping to a Path Training Manual
• Results may be mapped onto a path defined by:

• A coordinate system (or multiple systems).
• Existing geometry (edges or points).
• Existing points.

• A path is created using construction geometry.

• Paths are defined using coordinate systems, model edges or existing
points.
• Examples:

• Path results may be displayed in graphical form.

• The X axis may be displayed as path location (S) or time (transient
analyses).

. . . Linearized Stress Training Manual
• Using the path plot feature a linearized stress calculation can be

plotted (commonly used various structural codes such as ASME).

C. Exporting Results Training Manual
• To export Worksheet tab information:

– Select the branch and click on the Worksheet tab.
– Right-click the same branch and select “Export”.
• To export Contour Results:
– Right-click on the result branch of interest and select “Export”.
• Tabular data from Simulation can be exported to Excel:
– Select the cells to be exported.
– Right click > Copy cell to copy all the data from the cells.
– Paste into Excel.
Export Worksheet Export Results

Export Tables

… Exporting Results Training Manual
• To include node locations and vector directions in results exports,

change the “Include Node Location” option to “Yes” under “Tools
menu > Options… > Simulation: Export”

D. Coordinate Systems Training Manual
• Results containing directional components can be mapped to a local

coordinate system:
– Select from defined coordinate systems in the drop down list shown in
the detail window.
– Direction Deformation, Normal/Shear Stress/Strain, and Directional Heat
Flux can use coordinate systems.

… Coordinate Systems Training Manual
• For the model shown below, displaying results in the local cylindrical
system transforms stresses into that system.
Stresses in Global Y-Direction Stresses in Local Cylindrical Y-Direction

E. Solution Combinations Training Manual
• In the project schematic, duplicating an analysis cell below the Model branch
(Setup, Solution or Result), allows the creation of Solution Combinations to
quickly evaluate results combinations.
• Solution combinations are only valid for linear static structural analyses.
• The supports must be the same between Environments (only the loading can
change).
• ANSYS Professional license and above.

. . . Solution Combinations Training Manual
With the Model branch highlighted a “Solution

Combination can be chosen from the context
menu.
A new branch is inserted where combined results
can be requested and retrieved.
With the Solution Combination branch highlighted,
the worksheet view allows multiple environments
to be combined. Note: a multiplication factor may
be included in combinations (see below).
Solution Combination = Coeff 1 * Environment 1 + Coef 2 * Environment 2 + . . .

… Solution Combinations Training Manual
In the trivial example here, 2

environments contain equal and
opposite loads. The resulting
combination is as expected
(essentially zero).
Combination

F. Stress Singularities Training Manual
• In most finite-element analyses as the mesh is refined one expects to

get mathematically more precise results.
– Quantities directly solved for (degrees of freedom) such as
displacements and temperatures typically converge with little difficulty.
– Derived quantities, such as stresses, strains, and heat flux, should also
converge as the mesh is refined but typically not as smoothly as DOF.
– In some cases these derived quantities will not converge as the mesh is
refined and may even diverge.
– These cases are sometimes the result of some form of stress singularity.
Force
 As Area Zero  
Area

… Stress Singularities Training Manual
• In a linear static structural analysis there are several situations which

may cause artificially high stresses:
Idealized Geometry Point Constraints Point Loads
• In the above situations, refining the mesh at the artificially high

stress area will keep increasing the stresses.
 
… Stress Singularities Training Manual
• The Remedy:
– If the singularity is not in an area of interest one can usually scope results to
regions of interest.
– If the singularity is in the area of interest there are several ways to obtain more
accurate stress results:
• Model geometry with fillets or other details which do not cause geometric discontinuities.
• Apply loads and/or constraints spread over areas rather than point locations (see below).
Example
Point Loading Distributed Loading

G. Error Estimation Training Manual
• You can insert an Error result based on stresses (structural), or heat

flux (thermal) to help identify regions of high error (see example next
page).
• These regions show where the model could benefit from a more
refined mesh in order to get a more accurate answer.
• Regions of high error also indicate where refinement will take place if
convergence is used.

. . . Error Estimation Training Manual
• Error plot shows region of high

element energy where mesh
refinement may improve the quality
of the result.
• In the thin plate example the initial
solution shows higher energy levels
between the 2 holes.
• The refined mesh (bottom plot)
shows a reduction in local error.
• Please note, error is a relative

measure comparing individual
elements to one another. The actual
value of the energy is generally not
significant.

H. Convergence Training Manual
• As the mesh is refined, typically the mathematical model becomes

more accurate. However, there is computational cost associated with
a finer mesh.
• Obtaining an optimal mesh requires the following:
– Having criteria to determine if a mesh is adequate.
– Investing more elements only where needed.
• Performing these tasks manually is cumbersome and inexact:
– The user would have to manually refine the mesh, resolve, and compare
results with previous solutions.
• Simulation has convergence controls to automate adaptive mesh
refinement to a user-specified level of accuracy.
• Convergence controls cannot be used on all result items.

… Convergence Training Manual
• To use this feature select a result item RMB and insert “Convergence”:
– Select max/min value for convergence and allowable change (20% default).
– In the Solution branch details input the max number of refinement loops.
• Input a reasonable value, such as 1 to 4, so that Simulation will not try to refine the
mesh indefinitely.

• Simulation will automatically refine the mesh and

resolve:
– At least two iterations are required (initial solution and
first refinement loop).
– The “Max Refinement Loops” value controls the number
of allowable iterations (2 to 4 max loops is usually
sufficient).
– The mesh will automatically be refined in areas deemed
necessary based on error approximation techniques.
– The convergence status is displayed by the
“Convergence” branch:
• Not converged: a red exclamation mark will appear
• Converged: a green checkmark will be shown
– The result branches will display only the last solution.

• After the solution is complete, one can view the results and the last
mesh:
– Note that the mesh is refined only in high energy regions, as shown in
the example below.
– The Convergence branch shows the trend for each refinement loop.
Convergence Divergence

… Convergence & Scoping Training Manual
• In addition to adding details to remove stress singularities, one can

also converge on scoped results.
• If the artificially high stress region is not of interest, one can scope
results on selected part(s) or surface(s) and add convergence
controls to those results only:
– Provides control on where to perform mesh refinement.
– Ignores areas of artificially high stresses which are not of interest.
– Example:
Possible stress singularity
Region of interest

… Convergence & Scoping Example Training Manual
Convergence controls
added to the entire model.
Geometric discontinuity
causes a stress singularity
causing divergence.
Solution becomes very
costly by including the
stress singularity.
Convergence controls on
scoped results allows
adaptive refinement only in
user-specified locations.
Provides more control
over the mesh and the
adaptive solution.
Accurate stresses realized
in the region of interest.
I. Workshop 8 – Advanced Results Processing Training Manual
• Workshop 8 – Advanced Results Processing

• Goal:
– Analyze the high pressure vent assembly shown below and then
use some of the advanced postprocessing features to review
the stress and deflection results.


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Workbench - Mechanical Introduction 12.

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• In this chapter, aspects of reviewing results will be covered:

• The capabilities described in this section are applicable to all ANSYS

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• When selecting a results branch, the Context toolbar displays ways

Displacement Scaling Display Method Contour Settings Outline Display

Vector Display Controls

• In addition, the “Timeline” also has an animation toolbar which lets

Play Pause Markers Frame Rate Control

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• For structural analyses (static, modal, buckling),

Automatic Displacement Scaling

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

Export/Import/Switch to a saved legend setting

Increase/Decrease Contour Bands Horizontal/Vertical legend

Display Max/Min label on the legend

Switch to Scientific Notation

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

The legend bounds can be manipulated to

Click and drag contour dividers (or

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Independent Bands allow neutral colors to represent regions of the

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The “Geometry” button controls the contour display

“Exterior” is the default

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Capped IsoSurfaces are manipulated by an independent controller:

Top Capped Isosurface Bottom Capped Isosurface

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The “Contours” button controls the way in which

Smooth Contours Contour Bands

Isolines Solid Fill

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The “Edges” button allows the user show the

No Wireframe Show Undeformed Wireframe

Show Undeformed Model Show Elements

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Section Planes can be added and edited in both the

Move a slice plane by dragging handle Sliced view of geometry in

Sliced view of model in Post

Click on one side of bar to cap view

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• The Probe Tool allows you to scope a result object

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Probe Tool example:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Combine results data from multiple steps (static or transient) into

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

Start/Stop/Pause Control resolution and speed

Distributed animation interpolates results Export video

Note: pause feature available during playback

• Alerts are simple ways of check to see if a scalar result quantity

– In the Outline tree, a green checkmark indicates that the criterion is

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Vector plots involve any result quantity with direction, such as

Vector Length Control Vector Density Control

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

Solid Form, Grid Aligned Proportional Length

Equal Length Solid Form, Equal Length

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Multiple viewports can be used to display various images at the same

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009

• Limiting results displays can be useful when postprocessing: