Hints on commands

Modeling and simulation I Lecture 05: Pressure container

3D-solid elements, symmetry, stress calculation, mesh refinement, results validation
Aims: Linear static analysis of a three-dimensional solid cube-shaped container with
spherical hole, using symmetry conditions. Post-processing and correct interpretation of stresses. Convergence behavior of displacements and stresses. Assessment of safety factor.

Type help,<command name> in the command line in order to open the ANSYS help. The commands below are just some suggestions, of course you can create your own log file in a different way. The command list is by no means complete.

For the preprocessing part (geometry and meshing)

*SET,MYVARIABLE ET MPTEMP MPDATA BLOCK !! for the definition of the cube SPH4 !! for the definition of the sphere VSBV !! subtract volumes ESIZE MSHKEY MSHAPE VMESH

C p = 3.0 kN cm2
10 cm
A

steel : E = 21000 kN cm2 = 0.3

For the preprocessing part (mesh refinement)
NSEL NREFINE ALLSEL

B
9.0 cm

max = 36 kN cm2

For the preprocessing part (constraints and loads)

DA SFA

Problem description, task:

The structure under consideration is a steel cube with a spherical cavity, as illustrated in the figure above. We assume perfect symmetry for the geometry (i.e. neglecting construction details like tubes, valves or internal channels) as well as for the load (constant internal gas pressure). The system ought to be analyzed with three-dimensional solid elements, using triple symmetry to reduce numerical effort. On the basis of a linear elastic analysis, answer the following questions: What is the safety factor for the given pressure load if the allowable v. Mises stress is max ? What is the displacement at point A (in the center of any face of the cube) for the critical pressure load (i.e. the load level at which the maximum v. Mises stress reaches max )? Observe convergence of displacements at A and maximum stress (value and location!) as you refine the mesh. Compare accuracy of displacements and stresses (take the finest mesh result as your reference solution). Plot distribution of individual stress components along a radial material fiber at A (using paths) and compare it to expected results (stress boundary conditions!). Analogously, create a path from B over A to C and estimate the quality of stresses! (All points A, B, C are located in the symmetry plane.)
Technische Universitt Mnchen Fachgebiet Computational Mechanics Modeling and Simulation I Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Fabian Duddeck

For the postprocessing part (print displacements and stresses)

NSEL AVPRIN PRNSOL

For the postprocessing part (path operations)

PATH PPATH PDEF PLPAGM PCALC,INTG

Other usefuls commands (viewing direction)

/VIEW,1,-1,-1,-1 /REPLOT

Other usefuls commands (plot and number areas)

APLOT /PNUM,AREA,1 /REPLOT

Technische Universitt Mnchen Fachgebiet Computational Mechanics

Modeling and Simulation I Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Fabian Duddeck