TABLE OF CONTENTS ANSYS is a general-purpose finite-element modeling package for numerically solving a wide variety of mechanical problems. These problems include static/ dynamic, structural analysis (both linear and nonlinear), heat transfer, and fluid problems, as well as acoustic and electromagnetic problems.
In general, a finite-element solution maybe broken into the following three stages.
Preprocessing: defining the problem
The major steps in preprocessing are (i) define keypoints/lines/areas/volumes, (ii) define element type and material/geometric properties, and (iii) mesh lines/areas/ volumes as required.
The amount of detail required will depend on the dimensionality of the analysis, i.e., ID, 2D, axisymmetric, and 3D.
Solution: assigning loads, constraints, and solving
Here, it is necessary to specify the loads (point or pressure), constraints (translational and rotational), and finally solve the resulting set of equations.
Postprocessing: further processing and viewing of the results
In this stage one may wish to see (i) lists of nodal displacements, (ii) element forces and moments, (iii) deflection plots, and (iv) stress contour diagrams or temperature maps.
There are two methods to use ANSYS. The first is by means of the graphical user interface or GUI. This method follows the conventions of popular Windows and X-Windows based programs. The GUI method is exclusively used in this book.
The second is by means of command files. The command file approach has a steeper learning curve for many, but it has the advantage that the entire analysis can be described in a small text file, typically in less...
