Workbench-Simulation Introduction 11.

Chapter 1
Introduction

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Introduction

Welcome! Training Manual

• Welcome to the ANSYS Workbench Simulation introductory training course!

• This training course covers the basics of using Simulation in performing
structural and thermal analyses.
• It is intended for all new or occasional Simulation users, regardless of the
CAD software used.
• Course Objectives:
• General understanding of the user interface, as related to geometry import, meshing,
application of loads and supports, and postprocessing
• Procedure for performing FEA simulations, including linear static, modal, and harmonic
structural analyses and nonlinear steady-state thermal analyses
• Utilizing parameters for ‘what-if’ scenarios
• Interfacing with the ANSYS solver for more advanced functionality
– Although some aspects of interfacing with ANSYS will be covered, this course is not intended for
users wishing to work primarily in the traditional ANSYS environment. Those users should consider
taking Introduction to ANSYS Parts 1 and 2 Training courses.
– This course covers the Simulation module of ANSYS Workbench. DesignModeler,
Meshing Application, DesignXplorer, Advanced CFD and Blade Geometry modules
of ANSYS Workbench are covered in separate classes.

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Introduction

Course Materials Training Manual

• The Training Manual you have is an exact copy of the slides.

• Workshop descriptions and instructions are included in the
Workshop Supplement.
• Copies of the workshop files are available (upon request) from the
instructor.
• Several advanced training courses are available on specific topics.
See the training course schedule on the ANSYS homepage
http://www.ansys.com/ under “Solutions> Services and Support>
Training Services”
– http://www.ansys.com/services/ts-schedules.asp
– DesignModeler and DesignXplorer Training Courses are also available,
which cover usage of these other Workbench modules.

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Introduction

A. About ANSYS, Inc. Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc.
• Developer of ANSYS family of products
• Global Headquarters in Canonsburg, PA - USA (south of Pittsburgh)
– Development and sales offices in U.S. and around the world
– Publicly traded on NASDAQ stock exchange under “ANSS”

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Introduction

… ANSYS Family of Products Training Manual

ANSYS, Inc. Family of Products include the

following:
• ANSYS – Advanced nonlinear mechanical
and multiphysics FEA solution capabilities
• ANSYS Workbench – Complete environment
for simulation and modeling needs: includes geometry
modeling which is tightly integrated with CAD packages,
meshing, structural/thermal analysis, CFD analysis, and
optimization
• ANSYS CFD – State-of-the-art CFD solvers,
including CFX and Fluent
• ICEM CFD – Powerful meshing tools with
general pre- and post-processing features,
including ICEM CFD for generating complex
CFD grids and AI*Environment for creating
with sophisticated structural FEA meshes
• AUTODYN – Transient non-linear dynamics simulations
• ANSYS LS-DYNA – LSTC’s LS-DYNA explicit dynamic solver
technology with the pre-/post-processing power of ANSYS
software. This powerful pairing can be used to simulate crash
tests, metal forging, stamping, and catastrophic failures.

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Introduction

… ANSYS Channel Partners Training Manual

ANSYS Channel Partners

• Sales and support network for ANSYS
• Over 75 offices worldwide
• Local expertise for ANSYS consulting and training

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Introduction

… ANSYS Support Coordinators Training Manual

ANSYS Support Coordinator (ASC)

• Contact for ANSYS at your company site
• Focal point for ANSYS correspondence; software updates, error
notices, newsletter and other mailings, etc.

For more information about ANSYS and the company:

• www.ansys.com
– Where you’ll find the Customer Portal, providing Service Pack updates,
New Features training material, etc.
• On-line documentation
• Training manuals from other ANSYS courses

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Introduction

B. ANSYS Workbench Overview Training Manual

• What is ANSYS Workbench?

– ANSYS Workbench is a new-generation solution from ANSYS that
provides powerful methods for interacting with the ANSYS solver
functionality. This environment provides a unique integration with CAD
systems, and your design process, enabling the best CAE results.
• ANSYS Workbench is comprised of various applications:
– Simulation for performing structural and thermal analyses using the ANSYS solver
– Geometry (DesignModeler) for creating and modifying CAD geometry to prepare
the solid model for use in Simulation
– Meshing for generating Structural and CFD meshes
– Advanced Meshing for generating Structural and CFD meshes using ICEM CFD
– Advanced CFD for performing CFD analyses using the CFX solver
– DesignXplorer and DesignXplorer VT for optimization
– Finite Element Model (FE Modeler) for translating a NASTRAN and ABAQUS mesh
for use in ANSYS
– Blade Geometry (BladeModeler) for creating blade geometry
– AUTODYN for explicit dynamics simulations featuring modeling of nonlinear
dynamics

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Introduction

… ANSYS Workbench Overview Training Manual

AUTODYN Advanced Meshing

ANSYS Workbench

Simulation
DesignXplorer (VT)

DesignModeler FE Modeler

Meshing
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Introduction

… ANSYS Workbench Overview Training Manual

• Continued from
previous page…

ANSYS Workbench

BladeGen Advanced CFD

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Introduction

… Simulation Overview Training Manual

• Analysis types available in Simulation:†

– Structural (static and transient):
• Linear Stress, Nonlinear Structural to account for large deflection effects,
plasticity and contact nonlinearities.
– Heat Transfer (steady state and transient):
• Solve for temperature field and heat
flux. Temperature-dependent
conductivity and convection
allowed. Thermal-stress analysis
supported as well.

– Shape Optimization:
• Indicates areas of possible volume reduction based on load paths through the
part using Topological Optimization technology.

† Thelist here reflects analysis capabilities possible within the Simulation GUI.
Note, however, that the ANSYS license used dictates what functionality is available to the user.
Not all features listed are covered in this Introductory course.
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Introduction

… Simulation Overview Training Manual

– Modal:
• Determines natural frequencies of a system (free vibration), including
the effects of loading on a pre-stressed structure.
– Harmonic:
• Determines structural response of system under sinusoidal excitation as a
function of frequency.
– Linear Buckling:
• Determines failure load or safety
factor for buckling and its buckling
mode shapes.
– Dynamics:
• Flexible Dynamics to study the
effects of time varying loads on a structure.
• Rigid Dynamics to determine the dynamic
response of an assembly of rigid bodies linked by joints and springs.
• Random Vibration Analysis to study the response of a structure to vibration
loads that are random in nature
– Magnetostatic:
• To perform 3-D static magnetic field analysis
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Introduction

… Product Configuration Training Manual

• Types of licenses available for Simulation:

– ANSYS DesignSpace Entra
• All DesignSpace capabilities but for parts only.
– ANSYS DesignSpace
• Structural capabilities are linear static, modal, and buckling analyses of
assemblies. Thermal and shape optimization included.
– ANSYS Professional
• Linear structural (including harmonic) and thermal analyses
– ANSYS Structural
• All structural capabilities, including linear and nonlinear
– ANSYS Mechanical (including ANSYS Multiphysics)
• All structural and thermal capabilities
– (Other ANSYS licenses are supported for meshing only)

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Introduction

… Product Configuration Training Manual

• Add-on licenses for Simulation:

– Rigid and Flexible Dynamics (one add-on license)
– Fatigue Module

• Workbench products are available for Windows, Unix and Linux

operating systems.
– Check the ANSYS web site or online documentation for the latest
compatibilities.

• FLEXlm network licensing used for all ANSYS and ANSYS

Workbench products

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Introduction

C. Starting Simulation Training Manual

• There are two methods of launching Workbench:

– Directly from CAD system
• Launch Workbench from supported CAD systems under “ANSYS 11.0 >
Workbench”

– From within ANSYS Workbench

• Launch Workbench in Windows via “Start Menu > Programs > ANSYS 11.0 >
ANSYS Workbench”

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Introduction

… Option 1: Directly from CAD Training Manual

• If Simulation is launched directly from a supported CAD system, the active

part/assembly will be brought into the ANSYS Workbench Project page from
where the user can choose to move it to the Simulation environment.

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Introduction

… Option 2: From Workbench Training Manual

• Otherwise, a user may launch Workbench first:

– From the main “Start” page, select “Simulation” icon to bring up a blank Simulation session
– From the Context toolbar, select the active part/assembly under the “Geometry” branch to
bring in the CAD geometry (this is required for neutral geometry files such as IGES, Parasolid,
etc.)

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Introduction

D. Workbench Projects Training Manual

• When ANSYS Workbench is launched, a Start page will be displayed,

similar to the one shown below

New sessions can be started by selecting the

appropriate icons here

Existing databases can be opened by selecting

the type of database first, then selecting
previously-opened databases in the window or
specifying a different database via the
“Browse…” button

Options for Workbench modules can be defined

via the “Options…” button, including the ANSYS
license used for Simulation (see next slide)
Addins allow loading/unloading third party add-
ins that are designed for integration within
Workbench.

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Introduction

… Options Page Training Manual

• Before entering Simulation, the current and default licenses may be chosen through
the “Options …” button
– This is useful for organizations with multiple types of ANSYS licenses (e.g., DesignSpace,
Structural, Mechanical, etc.)
– Preferences for all Workbench modules can also be controlled through this dialog box

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Introduction

… Workbench Databases Training Manual

• There are various types of files used by Workbench, each

differentiated by the file extension:
– .wbdb: Workbench Project database, which keeps track of all of the
different types of Workbench databases in a “Project”
– .dsdb: Simulation database, which has all the information necessary to
perform a structural or thermal analysis in Simulation
– .agdb: DesignModeler database, containing geometry data for use with
Simulation or CFX-Mesh
– .dxdb: DesignXplorer/DesignXplorer VT database, which investigate
relationships between input and output parameters
– .cmdb: CFX-Mesh database, containing a mesh prepared for import to
CFX-Pre and to be solved with CFX-5
– .fedb: FE Modeler database, which has mesh information from a Nastran
or Simulation model, used to convert to ANSYS

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Introduction

… Workbench and Simulation Training Manual

• The Workbench database is simply a ‘directory’ of a “Project.” A “Project”

can be thought of as a collection of different CAD or Workbench files.
• Whenever a Simulation database (.dsdb) is created, there will be an
associated Workbench database (.wbdb) generated as well.
• Saving the Workbench database is not required, but it is helpful in keeping
track of your analysis when multiple applications are employed.

If the Workbench project database

(topmost) is selected, CAD
geometries may be added.
If a CAD geometry branch is
selected, it can be brought into
Simulation.
If a Simulation database is
selected, a DesignXplorer study
can be started, or the mesh can be
brought into FE Modeler or ANSYS.
From the Project page, Simulation
(and other) databases may be
The right menu options deleted.
differ, depending on
what Project branch is
selected.
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Introduction

… Exiting Workbench Training Manual

• When exiting Workbench, the user will be prompted to save any files that
have changed since the last save

In this example on the left, the highlighted

Workbench database, DesignXplorer study, and
DesignModeler geometry have changed since
the last save, so the user is prompted to save
all or none of the highlighted items.
If individual files are to be saved, this can be
done within the appropriate Workbench
module.
Changes to CAD geometry are not controlled
within Workbench but through the CAD
software.

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