MSC.

Software
EFEA 2012 Tutorial

Main Index

Corporate
MSC.Software Corporation 2 MacArthur Place Santa Ana, CA 92707 Telephone: (800) 345-2078 FAX: (714) 784-4056

Europe
MSC.Software GmbH Am Moosfeld 13 81829 Munich GERMANY Telephone: (49) (89) 43 19 87 0 Fax: (49) (89) 43 61 71 6

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific MSC.Software Japan Ltd. Shinjuku First West 8F 23-7 Nishi Shinjuku 1-Chome, Shinjuku-Ku Tokyo 160-0023, JAPAN Telephone: 0120-924-832 (toll free, Japan only) Mobile phone: 03-6911-1222 Fax: (81) (3)-6911-1201

Worldwide Web
www.mscsoftware.com

Disclaimer
MSC.Software Corporation reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other information contained in this document without prior notice. The concepts, methods, and examples presented in this text are for illustrative and educational purposes only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to apply to any particular engineering problem or design. MSC.Software Corporation assumes no liability or responsibility to any person or company for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of any information contained herein. User Documentation: Copyright 2011 MSC.Software Corporation and its licensors. Portions of this document are licensed from Michigan Engineering Services LLC. Printed in U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. This notice shall be marked on any reproduction of this documentation, in whole or in part. Any reproduction or distribution of this document, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of MSC.Software Corporation is prohibited. This software may contain certain third-party software that is protected by copyright and licensed from MSC.Software suppliers. MSC, MD, Dytran, Marc, MSC Nastran, MD Nastran, MSC Patran, MD Patran, OpenFSI, the MSC.Software corporate logo, and Simulating Reality are trademarks or registered trademarks of the MSC.Software Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. NASTRAN is a registered trademark of NASA. PAMCRASH is a trademark or registered trademark of ESI Group. SAMCEF is a trademark or registered trademark of Samtech SA. LS-DYNA is a trademark or registered trademark of Livermore Software Technology Corporation. ANSYS is a registered trademark of SAS IP, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ANSYS Inc. ABAQUS is a registered trademark of ABAQUS Inc. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective owners. PCGLSS 6.0, Copyright 1992-2005, Computational Applications and System Integration Inc. All rights reserved. PCGLSS 6.0 is licensed from Computational Applications and System Integration Inc. METIS is copyrighted by the regents of the University of Minnesota. A copy of the METIS product documentation is included with this installation. Please see "A Fast and High Quality Multilevel Scheme for Partitioning Irregular Graphs". George Karypis and Vipin Kumar. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 359-392, 1999. Revision 0. October 9, 2011 NA:V2012:Z:TUTR:Z:DC-EFEA

2
Main Index

In the current version of the EFEA software, structures can be simulated by twodimensional (2-D) elements, for plate- or shell-type structures, or one-dimensional (1-D) elements, for beam-type structures. This version allows the modeling of 3-D acoustic elements. This includes the use of 3-D elements to simulate acoustic media. Some special elements to simulate the spring/isolator, acoustic treatment, etc., are also available in Version 2.0 of EFEA (Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide).

This document serves as an introduction to using the EFEA software. There are also six example problems at the end of the tutorial which provides an in-depth idea of specific steps needed to accomplish the tasks outlined here. The basic steps in creating an EFEA model are:

Step 1: Create the conventional FEA model using pre-processing software Step 2: Run the Pre-EFEA code on the conventional FEA model Step 3: Modify the EFEA model file generated by the Pre-EFEA code Step 4: Run the EFEA code on the modified EFEA model file Step 5: Post-process the EFEA results file in PATRAN

In the remainder of this tutorial, a simple cylindrical structural model with an interior acoustic medium is used as an example to outline and further explain the above steps.

1
Main Index

Step 1: Create the conventional FEA model using pre-processing software

Users can generate the FEA model in any available pre-process software, i.e. Patran or MSC.SimXpert . Refer to the corresponding users manual for an explanation of generating the finite element model in the selected software. The size of each element can be large, as long as the model captures the main geometric characteristics of the physical system it models.

Once a finite element model is created, it must be exported in a MSC.NASTRAN short format data file. This single data file should include all model elements (1-, or 2-D elements for structure and 3-D elements for acoustic media, if any) and their properties (material and geometric properties, if available). For a 3-D acoustic model, EFEA Version 2.0 supports CHEXA (8-node), CPENTA (6-node) and CTETRA (4-node) elements. As in the current version, EFEA Version 2.0 supports CQUAD4 (4-node) and CTRIA3 (3-node) elements for the 2-D structural model, and CBAR and CBEAM (2node) elements for a 1-D beam model. Each structural node and element, and each acoustic node and element must have a unique ID number. Before exporting the FEA model into a Nastran data file, the user must ensure the equivalence is done on the model, that is, all duplicated or temporary nodes have been removed. There is one case where duplicated nodes are needed when creating the conventional FE model. This case is explained in the following paragraph.

When generating the FE model, if both structure (simulated by CQUAD4 or CTRIA3 elements) and acoustic elements (simulated by CHEXA, CPENTA or CTETRA elements) exist in the model, the elements on the interface between the structure and acoustic medium need to be matched. Duplicated nodes with different IDs should be used for matched structural elements and acoustic elements on the interface. Figures 1-1 and 1-2 are included as an example to illustrate this concept. Figure 1-1 shows a FE model for a cylindrical structure. This FE model includes 1,314 CQUAD4 elements and 1,316 nodes. Figure 1-2 shows the 3-D FE model simulating the interior acoustic medium surrounded by the cylinder. This 3-D FE model includes 3,540 CHEXA elements and 4,242 nodes.

2
Main Index

In creating the model that includes both the cylinder and the medium, the elements on the interface between the structure and the outer surface of the acoustic medium need to be matched. Nodes with identical locations but different IDs are used for structural elements and acoustic elements on the interface. Because of this necessary duplication of nodes, there are 5,558 nodes, as opposed to 4,242 if equivalence is done, in the final model.

Figure 1-1: Conventional FEA model for the structure

Figure 1-2: Conventional FEA model for the interior acoustic medium

3
Main Index

If there are beams attached to plates when generating the FE model, the beam element and the corresponding connecting edge of the plate element should be matched. Contrary to the case for acoustic and structural elements outlined above, the same nodes should be used for the beam element (CBAR) and plate element (CQUAD4 CTRIA3) at the attachment point, not duplicate nodes. Hence, the whole model should not have duplicate nodes except the nodes on the interface of structure and acoustic medium.

4
Main Index

Step 2: Run the Pre-EFEA code on the conventional FEA model

There are two input files to the Pre-EFEA code. The FE model constructed in Step 1 is the first input. A data.inp file is the second input. The content of the data.inp file for the cylindrical structural model example is shown below in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1: data.inp file

The data.inp file allows users to specify the name of the FE model data file. In this example, example1.dat is the NASTRAN data file of the cylinder model, as denoted by the keyword FILE. This is the only required entry in the data.inp file. The data.inp file also allows the user to control some parameters, i.e. the criterion angle for identifying the plate-plate joints (ANGLE) and the criterion distance for identifying the plate-acoustic joints (DIST). Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions for these available functions. Once the data.inp file has been created, the Pre-EFEA code is ready to run.

5
Main Index

The Pre-EFEA code reads in the FE model specified by the data.inp file and detects all geometric features, changes in material properties, intersections between components, and interfaces between structural and acoustic elements. Once these actions have been completed, the Pre-EFEA code automatically:

Disconnects the model at each structural joint location (plate-to-plate, plate-tobeam) by adding appropriate nodes and by updating the connectivity of the associated structural elements.

Creates all the necessary joints (PJOINT with/without stiffener, BPJOINT) among structural elements or between structural and acoustic elements (PAJOINT, APAJOINT).

Outputs the EFEA input data file which contains all the nodes and elements for the structural and acoustic parts of the model, including modified node numbers and accordingly updated element connectivity at the joints, and all the necessary cards which define the joint connections. The available material and geometric properties defined in the FE model will also be output into the EFEA input data file using the proper format required by EFEA.

Figure 2-2 shows the plate-plate joints (red lines) generated by Pre-EFEA for the cylindrical structural model example.

Figure 2-2: Plate-plate joint (red lines) generated by Pre-EFEA code 6

Main Index

Pre-EFEA will output the generated EFEA model into a data file with the name modelall.dat. The summary information on the EFEA model is written into the pre_efea.log file. An example of the pre_efea.log for the cylinder model is shown below in Figure 2-3:

Figure 2-3: pre_efea.log file

Based on the availability of material and geometric properties (i.e. PSHELL and MAT1 entries for plate or shell properties, PBAR entry for beam properties) in the original FE model file, Pre-EFEA will also output the corresponding material (i.e. MPLATE, MBAR, or MRIB cards) and geometric properties (i.e. PLATE, PBAR, or RIB cards) in EFEA format (some entries may not complete and need to be manually modified by users as explained in the next section). A sampling of the properties output by Pre-EFEA for the cylinder model is included below in Figure 2-4: 7
Main Index

Figure 2-4: Property definition part of model-all.dat output file

Following the property definition part, the model-all.dat file lists the grid nodes, elements and PJOINT entries for the structure model. The grid nodes, elements and JPLAC/JACPLAC entries for the acoustic model are listed at the end of the file.

Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

8
Main Index

Step 3: Modify the EFEA model file generated by the Pre-EFEA code

Users need to manually modify the EFEA input data file created from the Pre-EFEA code in order to provide information about:

The excitation (input powers or forces, locations, and frequencies). The cards used to define the excitation in the current version of EFEA include: PLATEF, PLATEB, PLATEIP, PLATESH, ACOUS, ASOURCE, EDPLTB, EDPLTIP, EDPLTSH, EDACS, PWAVE, and TBL. Refer to the EFEA 2010 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

Material properties (for the structural components and for each acoustic domain). The cards used to define the material properties in the current version of EFEA include: MPLATE, PACOUS, MBAR, MRIB, and MISO. Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

Geometry properties (for the radiation efficiency computations). The cards used to define the geometry properties in the current version of EFEA include: PLATE, PBAR, RIB, ISO, EFEA_PS, and LGOPENING. Refer to the EFEA 2010 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

Acoustic absorption properties for representing acoustic treatment. The cards used to define the acoustic absorption in the current version of EFEA include: TMMAT and TMDFACE. Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

The solver option (by METHOD card. Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions of this entry). The format of the requested output. The cards used to specify the output information in the current version of EFEA include: OUTFILE, OUTSTR, OUTACS, OUTBM, OUTDB, REFSPL and REFE. Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

9
Main Index

Excitation and output type selection must also be manually added. The following Figures 3-1 and 3-2 illustrate the modified entries for the cylinder model:

Figure 3-1: Modifiedmodel-all.dat output; FREQ and SUBCASE 1

Figure 3-2: Modifiedmodel-all.dat output; output format, etc. Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for detailed definitions of each entry.

10
Main Index

Step 4: Run the EFEA code on the modified EFEA model file

After Step 3 is completed, the EFEA model file is ready for analysis. Refer to the EFEA 2012 Users Guide for the syntax of running EFEA.

11
Main Index

Step 5: Post-process the EFEA results file in PATRAN

When PATRAN is specified using the OUTFILE keyword in Step 3, the output from EFEA will be ready for post-processing using PATRAN. EFEA will output multiple result files in PATRAN *.nod format. Unlike the PUNCH format files in Step 5a, each of these files corresponds to a combination of one analyzed frequency and one subcase. The names of these files are in the form of s_freq=XXX_subcase=YYY.nod for plate elements results, and a_freq=XXX_subcase=YYY.nod for acoustic elements results. The XXX and YYY in these sample file names are the frequency value and subcase ID respectively. A template file snod.res_tmpl for plate elements, and anod.res_tmpl for acoustic elements will also be created for post-processing the results in PATRAN. The structure model result files s_freq=XXX_subcase=YYY.nod contain the following results: bending wave energy density, longitudinal wave energy density, shear wave energy density and normal velocity. The acoustic model result files a_freq=XXX_subcase=YYY.nod contain the following results: acoustic energy density, acoustic pressure and acoustic sound pressure level. The following are the steps for postprocessing EFEA results in PATRAN.

(1) Load the model into PATRAN

i.) ii.)

Copy the EFEA model data file into a new temp file. Remove the lines with the keyword FREQ, SUBCASE and ENDSUBCASE in the file.

iii.)

Split the model data file into a structure model file and an acoustic model file. As discussed in Step 2, in the model data file, the structure node and element entries are followed by PJOINT entries, and then the acoustic node and element entries. Hence, the model data file can be easily split into a structure model file and an acoustic model file. The reason for splitting the model data file is that the EFEA code output the results for structure model and acoustic model into separate files.

12
Main Index

iv.)

Import the desired (structure or acoustic) model into PATRAN using MSC.Nastran Input template (Figures 5-2 & 5-3). In the following steps, the acoustic model data file is used.

Figure 5-2: Import the EFEA model into PATRAN

Figure 5-3: Imported EFEA model

13
Main Index

(2) Load the PATRAN .nod result template and import the result file

i.) ii.)

Click and select [File] -> [Import] from main menu. In the popup Import windows, select [Results] after [Object], and select [PATRAN 2 .nod] after [Format].

iii.)

In the new popup Template for PATRAN 2.5 Import Results windows, browse to the local directory where your EFEA model is located.

iv.)

Select anod.res_tmpl file in that local directory, which is generated by EFEA (Figure 5-4).

Figure 5-4: Load the PATRAN result template

v.) vi.)

Click OK. In the Import windows, browse to the local directory where your EFEA model is located.

vii.)

Select a_freq=1000_subcase=1.nod from the results file generated by EFEA, as shown in Figure 5-5.

14
Main Index

viii.)

Modified the Zero Tolerance value which is shown in the oval in Figure 5-5 to be 0. This step will avoid unnecessary filtering of results.

ix.)

Click [Apply] (Figure 5-5).

Figure 5-5: Select the result file generated by EFEA

(3) Get contour plot

i.) ii.) iii.)

Click [Results] from toolbar in PATRAN. Select SPL, Acoustic at the windows located at the right side. Click [Apply].

See Figure 5-6 for an example of a contour of the SPL distribution in the interior acoustic medium of the cylinder example.

15
Main Index

Figure 5-6: Contour of SPL in acoustic cavity

In the Select Fringe Result box of Figure 5-6, there are only two available sets of results: Energy Density, Acoustic and SPL, Acoustic. And the results for acoustic pressure are not available. The reason is that the acoustic pressure values in the a_freq=1000_subcase=1.nod file are all zeros, as shown in Figure 5-7. In order to view the acoustic pressure values, the user needs to modify the EFEA data file so that the entry OUTACS SPL shown in Figure 3-2 is changed to be OUTACS SPL P. Figure 5-8 shows the contour of the acoustic pressure distribution in the interior acoustic medium of the cylinder example.

16
Main Index

Figure 5-7: PATRAN format file a_freq=1000_subcase=1.nod

Figure 5-8: Contour of acoustic pressure in acoustic cavity

17
Main Index