Nastran Thermal

Patran 2016
Interface To MSC Nastran

Preference Guide
Volume 2: Thermal Analysis
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P3:V2016:Z:INT-NATHM:Z:DC-USR-PDF
Contents
Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal
Patra
MSC
mal,
Overview
Introduction
Using this Guide
Thermal Material Properties
Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions
Thermal Analysis
11
Steady-State Analysis
11
Transient Analysis
13
Steady-State and Transient Convergence Criteria
References
14
15
Getting Started - A Guided Exercise

Introduction
Objectives
Start Patran
18
19
21
Create a Database
22
Create a Rectangular Geometric Surface

Mesh the Surface with Elements
25
26
Modify the Mesh (Reduce the Number of Elements)

Specify Material Properties
29
Assign Element Properties
30
Define the Temperature at the Plates Bottom Edge

Apply Heat Flux to the Plates Right Edge
34
Apply Convection to the Plates Left Edge
37
27
32
iv Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal
Perform a Steady-State Thermal Analysis

Visualize the Thermal Results (Contour Plot)
Building A Model
Introduction
46
Finite Elements
47
Nodes
47
Finite Elements
49
Multi-Point Constraints
Coordinate Frames
50
51
Material Library
52
Materials Form
53
Constitutive Models
55
Finite Element Properties
Element Properties Form
57
58
Loads and Boundary Conditions

66
Loads and Boundary Conditions Form
66
Load Cases
103
Running a Thermal Analysis

Introduction
106
Review of the Analysis Form

Analysis Form
108
Translation Parameters
111
Numbering Options
113
Solution Types
115
Solution Parameters
116
Direct Text Input
121
Subcases
123
Subcase Parameters
125
Output Requests
132
Direct Text Input
135
107
40
41
CONTENTS v
Subcase Select
137
Results Processing and Visualization

Overview
140
Reading Thermal Analysis Results

Read Output2 Form
143
Attach XDB Form
148
Results Visualization Options
Contour Plots
153
XY Plots
155
141
152
Read Input File

Review of Read Input File Form
Read Input File Form
165
Entity Selection Form
166
Define Offsets Form
168
Selection of Input File
169
Summary Data Form
170
Reject Card Form
171
164
Data Translated from the NASTRAN Input File

Conflict Resolution
172
173
Example Problems
Overview
176
Example 1 - Transient Thermal Analysis
177
Example 2 - Free Convection on Printed Circuit Board
202
Example 3 - Forced Air Convection on Printed Circuit Board

Example 4 - Thermal Contact Resistance
Example 5 - Typical Avionics Flow
243
Example 6 - Radiation Enclosures
263
Example 7 - Axisymmetric Flow in a Pipe
233
275
216
vi Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal
Example 8 - Directional Heat Loads
292
Example 9 - Thermal Stress Analysis from Directional Heat Loads

Example 10 - Thermal Stress Analysis of a Bi-Metallic Plate
Files
Files
334
Error Messages
Error Messages
336
Supported Commands
File Management Statements
338
Executive Control Statements

Case Control Commands
Bulk Data Entries
339
340
341
345
312
304
Chapter 1: Overview
Overview
Introduction
Using this Guide
Thermal Analysis
References
15
11
5
7

Introduction
1.1
Introduction
The Patran MSC Nastran Heat Transfer Preference supports the full range of thermal analysis capabilities
available within MSC Nastran. These capabilities include:
conduction in one, two, and three dimensions
fundamental convection
one dimensional advection
radiant exchange with space
radiant exchange in enclosures
specified temperatures
surface and volumetric heat loads
elements of thermal control systems
contact conduction
MSC Nastran can span the full range of thermal analysis from system-level analysis of global energy
balances to the detailed analysis associated with temperature and thermal stress limit levels. Within the
integrated Patran-MSC Nastran environment, you can simulate linear, nonlinear, steady-state, and
transient thermal behavior. You can apply loads and boundary conditions either on the models geometry
or on its finite element entities.MSC Nastrans sophisticated solution strategy automatically addresses the
existence and extent of nonlinear behavior and adjusts the solution process accordingly.
Chapter 1: Overview 3
Using this Guide
1.2
Using this Guide

This guide is written for both new and experienced users of Patran and MSC Nastran. It provides:
practical, how to descriptions of thermal modeling, analysis, and results processing and
visualization techniques
descriptions of the relevant Patran menu forms
basic engineering concepts and theory associated with MSC Nastran's thermal solution
capabilities
The Patran on-line help system provides logical and efficient access to all of this material.
The remainder of Overview (Ch. 1), describes heat transfer basics. It discusses the concepts of thermal
material properties, loads and boundary conditions, steady-state and transient analysis, and convergence
criteria.
Getting Started - A Guided Exercise (Ch. 2), is designed to familiarize users quickly with the basic Patran
menu interfaces to thermal modeling, steady-state analysis, and results processing. Before beginning,
please review the Guided Tour at the top of the Patran on-line help system.
Building A Model (Ch. 3), describes Patran's menu forms for each phase of thermal modeling:
Meshing the geometric model with finite elements
Defining material properties
Specifying element properties
Applying loads and boundary conditions
Running a Thermal Analysis (Ch. 4), describes how to select steady-state or transient analysis solution
types, define solution and subcase input data, select load cases, and submit the MSC Nastran analysis job.
Results Processing and Visualization (Ch. 5), describes how to retrieve MSC Nastran thermal analysis
results into the Patran database. This chapter also summarizes the options for sorting and graphically
rendering analysis results as contour or XY plots.
Example Problems (Ch. 7), presents more advanced engineering problems covering the following
applications:
Transient thermal analysis (using the same flat plate model, plate.db, created in Getting
Started - A Guided Exercise (Ch. 2))
Free convection on a printed circuit board
Forced air convection on a printed circuit board
Thermal contact resistance
Typical avionics flow
Radiation enclosures
Axisymmetric flow in a pipe
Directional heat loads

Using this Guide
Thermal stress analysis from directional heat loads

Thermal stress analysis of bi-metallic plate
Files (App. A), describes the files created when using the Patran MSC Nastran thermal preference
product.
Error Messages (App. B) describes general error and diagnostic messages.
Supported Commands (App. C) describes the MSC Nastran input data used behind the scenes,
including File Management Statements, Executive Control Statements, Case Control Commands, and
Bulk Data Entries.
1.3

MSC Nastran thermal material properties include thermal conductivity, constant pressure specific heat,
density, dynamic viscosity, internal heat generation, and temperature range and latent heat quantities
associated with phase change phenomena.
Conductivity
Thermal conductivity is an intrinsic property of all materials and in the absence of any other mode of heat
transfer, provides the proportionality constant between the flow of heat through a region and the
temperature gradient maintained across the region (Fouriers Law). Thermal conductivity is generally a
mild function of temperature, decreasing with increasing temperature for solids and generally increasing
with increasing temperature for liquids and gases. Additionally, within a solid, thermal conductivity can
vary due to material orientation (anisotropy). Preferential paths for heat flow can result. MSC Nastran
allows for temperature-dependent and directionally dependent thermal conductivity.
Specific Heat and Heat Capacitance
Specific heat is another intrinsic material property. When multiplied by the volume and density of
material, the quantity of interest is referred to as heat capacitance. Given a closed thermodynamic system,
heat capacitance provides the proportionality constant between heat added or subtracted from the system
and the resultant temperature rise or fall of the system (dq = C * dT). Since heat capacitance only
multiplies the time derivative of temperature in the heat conduction equation, specific heat is usually only
relevant in the solution of transient thermal phenomenon. We will note later that advection introduces a
pseudo-transient flavor even in steady-state analysis and therefore the specific heat and density of the
advecting fluid are needed in these calculations.
Specific heat is also slightly temperature dependent. However, in typical heat transfer problems, the
largest variations in specific heat are generally attributed to materials changing phase.
Density
For the purpose of conserving mass, the density cannot be allowed to vary with temperature. Since grid
points are fixed in space in MSC Nastran thermal analysis, if the density were to change with
temperature, Density*Volume would also be changing, thus altering the system mass.

Table 1-1 provides several sets of consistent units which may be used by MSC Nastran for the various
material properties.
Table 1-1
Table 1-2
Typical Units for Thermal Material Properties

Thermal
Conductivity
Table 1-3
W Table 1-4
/
m
-
Btu/h
r-ftoF
C
Table 1-5
Specific Heat
Table 1-6
J/ Table 1-7
k
go
Btu/l
b moF
C
Table 1-8
Density
Table 1-9
k Table 1-10
g/
m
lbm/ft
3
Table 1-11
Dynamic
Viscosity
Table 1-12
k Table 1-13
g/
m
s
e
c
lbm/ft
-hr
Table 1-14
Enthalpy
Table 1-15
J/
k
g
Table 1-16
Btu/l
bm
Table 1-17
Latent Heat
Table 1-18
J/
k
g
Table 1-19
Btu/l
bm
1.4

MSC Nastran supports a full range of thermal boundary conditions and heat loads, starting with simple
temperature constraints and heat flux boundary conditions, and moving on to more complicated heat
transfer mechanisms associated with contact, convection and radiation. All of the thermal boundary
conditions can be modeled as functions of time.
Thermal boundary conditions can be applied to finite element entities as well as geometric entities and
include the following:
Table 1-20
Table 1-21
Typical Units for Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions

Temperature
Table 1-22
Table 1-23
K
Table 1-24
Normal Heat Flux
Table 1-25
W/m Table 1-26
Btu/hr-ft2
Table 1-27
Directional Heat Flux
Table 1-28
W/m Table 1-29
Btu/hr-ft2
Table 1-30
Nodal Source
Table 1-31
Btu/hr
Table 1-33
Volumetric Generation
Table 1-34
W/m Table 1-35
Btu/hr-ft3
Table 1-36
Convection Heat Flow
Table 1-37
W/m Table 1-38
Btu/hr-ft2
Table 1-39
Advection Heat Flow
Table 1-40
Btu/hr
Table 1-42
Convection Heat Transfer

Coefficient
Table 1-43
W/m Table 1-44

2-oC
Btu/hr-ft2oF
Table 1-45
Radiation to Space
Table 1-46
W/m Table 1-47
Btu/hr-ft2
Table 1-48
Radiation Enclosure
Table 1-49
W/m Table 1-50
Btu/hr-ft2
Note:
Note:
2
2
Table 1-32
3
2
Table 1-41
2
2
When applying flux type loads or boundary conditions to nodal points, the units will still
flux, i.e., loads per unit area. Patrans input data forms for thermal loads and boundary co
require you to specify an associated nodal area.
Temperature Boundary Conditions

Temperature constraints can only be applied to nodal points. Temperature constraints can be defined as
constant, spatially varying, or time varying.
Normal Heat Flux
Normal heat flux is defined using the nodal, element uniform, or element variable loading operations. As
with temperature boundary conditions, heat flux loads can be made to vary with space or time.

Directional Heat Flux

MSC Nastran supports vector heat flux from a distant radiant heat source. This capability allows you to
model phenomena such as diurnal or orbital heating. The required input for this capability includes:
the magnitude of the flux vector
the absorptivity of the surface on which the flux is being applied
the vector components of the flux vector
The absorptivity can be dependent on temperature. The magnitude and components of the heat flux can
be defined as constant, spatial varying, or time varying.
Nodal Source
Heat can be applied directly on nodal points (or grid points in MSC Nastran terminology). Nodal
source heat can be defined as constant, spatially varying in a global sense, or time varying.
Volumetric Heat Generation
Volumetric heat can be applied to one or more conduction elements and can be defined as constant,
spatially varying, or time varying. The Patran MSC Nastran interface also includes a heat generation
multiplier for specifying temperature dependence. The multiplier feature is available in the input form
used to specify the material property data.
Basic Convection
Basic convection boundaries can be defined. The approach to basic convection heat transfer in MSC
Nastran is to define the basic convection via a heat transfer coefficient and associated ambient
temperature. The film coefficient is user specified and is available from a number of sources, including
Reference 1. (p. 14). The film coefficient can be defined as a function of temperature; the ambient
temperature can be defined as a function of time.
Advection, Forced Convection
Advection, forced convection, is a complicated heat transfer phenomenon that includes aspects of heat
transfer as well as fluid flow. MSC Nastran supports 1D fluid flow, which allows for energy transport due
to streamwise advection and diffusion. Heat transfer between the fluid stream and the surroundings may
be accounted for through a forced convection heat transfer coefficient based on locally computed
Reynolds and Prandtl numbers; see Reference 1. (p. 14) and Reference 2. (p. 14) for more information
on the underlying theory of this type of convection.
The input for forced convection includes:
the mass flow rate of the fluid
the diameter of the fluid pipe
the material properties of the fluid
The calculation of the heat transfer coefficient between the fluid and the adjoining wall requires the
specification of a film temperature. By default, this temperature will be internally calculated as the
average of the temperatures of the fluid and the adjoining wall.
Additional forced convection inputs consist of the type of convection relationship used to calculate the
energy transport and the method of calculating the heat transfer coefficient at the tube wall.
There are two choices with respect to the energy transport. The default method includes advection and
streamwise diffusion, and its theoretical basis is the Streamwise-Upwind Petrov-Galerkin method, or
SUPG.
There are also two choices for picking the method for calculating the heat transfer coefficient that applies
between the fluid and the adjacent wall. The default method uses the following equation:
h = Coef Re
Expr
Pr
Expp
(1-1)
The second method, chosen by picking the alternate formulation option, uses the following equation:
k
Expr
Expp
h = --- Coef Re
Pr
d
(1-2)
=the heat transfer coefficient between the fluid and the adjacent wall (internally
calculated)
Coef
=a constant coefficient
Re
=the Reynolds number based on the diameter (internally calculated)
Pr
=the Prandtl number (internally calculated)
Expr
=the Reynolds number convection exponent
Expp
=the Prandtl number convection exponent
=the fluid conductivity
=the tube diameter
Radiation to Space
Radiation to space is a boundary condition that defines radiant exchange between a surface and
blackbody space. The inputs required for radiation to space are the absorptivity and emissivity of the
surface, the ambient temperature of space, and the radiation view factor between the surface and space
(usually equal to 1.0). The absorptivity and emissivity can both be temperature dependent. The ambient
temperature can vary with time. The exchange relationship is defined to be:
4
q = View fac e T e e T amb
(1-3)
10

=the net energy flux in W/m2 (internally calculated)
=the Stefan-Boltzmann constant which has the value

5.668x10-8 W/m2 oK4 [0.1714x10-8 Btu/h ft2 oR4]
Viewfac
=the view factor
= the emissivity
=the absorptivity (usually e = e )
Te
=the temperature of the element (internally calculated)
Tamb
=the ambient temperature of space (user specified)
Calculation of radiation exchange requires that the temperatures be defined on an absolute scale (Kelvin
or Rankine). If the temperatures input in a problem involving radiation are either Celsius or Fahrenheit,
an internal conversion can be defined.
Radiation Enclosures
Radiation Enclosure exchange is similar to the Radiation to Space boundary condition; however, this
type of boundary condition takes into account the radiation exchange between discrete surfaces. As a
result, subsequent to building a finite element mesh, the geometric relationship (view factor) between
individual finite element surfaces must be determined. For enclosure radiation the view factors between
surfaces are internally calculated. Also, for enclosure radiation, the absorptivity is taken as being equal
to the emissivity (Kirchhoffs Identity).
Calculation of the radiation view factors can be the most computationally intensive operation in heat
transfer analysis. MSC Nastran has implemented a unique set of algorithms for solving this problem
which provides for both reasonable performance while maintaining an accurate calculation. To help
facilitate this calculation, the Can Shade and Can Be Shaded options have been added for those situations
where the shading is known. These options can help reduce the calculation time for radiation enclosures.
Patran also allows you to define multiple radiation enclosures. The view factors within each Radiation
Enclosure will be independently calculated from the view factors of the other enclosures.
In general, good view factor calculations require a reasonable surface mesh. Since the accuracy of the
view factors tends to decrease as the distance between elements is reduced and becomes on the order of
the element size, a mesh which prevents this sizing issue is recommended and is generally not too
restrictive.
Contact Conduction
If contact bodies are present in the model for a SOL 153, 159 or 600 analysis heat transfer will occur
between the contact bodies based on the properties defined on the contact bodies or via the contact table
accessible from the subcase parameters for. as the bodies get closer the contact changes from radiation
to convection to conduction. See the MSC Nastran Quick Reference Guide for more information.
Thermal Analysis
1.5
Thermal Analysis
Thermal problems can be categorized as steady-state or transient, linear or nonlinear. Transient analyses
are characterized by solution evolution over time, and in addition to energy exchange with the
environment, involves thermal energy storage. Steady-state analyses are concerned with state point
solutions to fixed boundary condition problems.
Nonlinearities enter into both steady-state and transient solutions through several areas. The most
common nonlinearity is associated with temperature dependent material properties, in particular thermal
conductivity and specific heat. Other nonlinearities are introduced from application of boundary
conditions principally convection and radiation. All nonlinear analyses necessarily involve solution
iteration, error estimation, and some form of convergence criteria. MSC Nastran attempts to do this as
efficiently and trouble free as possible.
Steady-State Analysis
The most general form of the steady-state heat balance equation is as follows:
4
(1-4)
K u + u + T abs = P + N
[K]
=the heat conduction matrix
=the radiation exchange matrix
{u}
=the vector of unknown temperatures
Tabs
=the temperature offset from absolute required for radiation

calculations (absolute temperature)
{P}
=the vector of constant applied heat flows
{N}
=the vector of temperature dependent heat flows
This equation is inherently nonlinear due to the presence of the fourth power law radiation term. In
addition to the radiation term, many other nonlinearities may be introduced into this equation through the
coefficient matrices and boundary condition terms. Specifically, nonlinearities are introduced by
specifying the material properties and boundary conditions as temperature dependent as discussed in the
Thermal Material Properties, 5 and Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions, 7.
MSC Nastran applies a Newton-Raphson iteration scheme for the solution of these nonlinear equations.
This process leads to the following form of the heat balance equation:
i
K T u = R
(1-5)
12

Thermal Analysis
KT
=the tangential conductance matrix

i
3 N
i
i
i
i
u K + 4 R u + T abs -------
u
=the residual vector

{P}i + {N}i - [K]i {u}i - [R]i {ui + Tabs}4
At each iteration, the left-hand side matrix and the right-hand side vector are computed based on the
temperature from the previous iteration u i . By solving for the unknown vector u i , the new
temperatures u i + 1 can be determined:
i
u = u
i+1
(1-6)
or
u
i+1
= u + u
(1-7)
Because of the expense of performing matrix decompositions, MSC Nastran recalculates the residual
vector at each iteration, but only recalculates the tangent matrix when convergence is illusive or if it will
lead to improvement in the iteration efficiency. MSC Nastran will attempt to achieve an optimum
converged solution by balancing various solution aspects such as: load bisection, residual updates,
tangent matrix updates, line searches, and BFGS updates. Further description of the methods employed
can be found in Reference 2. (p. 14).
For steady-state analysis, the defaults for controlling the nonlinear solution should be sufficient for most
problems. For those problems where additional control is required, the convergence tolerances for
Temperature, Load, and Work can be overridden. See Steady-State and Transient Convergence Criteria,
14 for more information.
Initial Conditions in Steady-State Analysis
Since the nonlinear equations are solved by an iterative scheme, careful consideration of the initial
conditions can have a significant effect on how quickly a problem will converge, or if it will converge at
all. The initial conditions provide the starting point temperatures for the iterative solution method.
Clearly, if we were able to exactly guess the solution to our problem, the process would converge on the
first iteration, as it must for linear analysis. Although this is highly unlikely, a good initial guess can speed
up the convergence process significantly. For highly nonlinear problems, good initial temperature
estimates may be required in order to achieve convergence. See Initial Conditions in Transient Analysis,
14 for more information.
Thermal Analysis
Transient Analysis
The most general form of the transient heat balance equation is:
4
B u + K u + u + T abs = P + N
(1-8)
where, in addition to the terms already defined in the steady-state equation, we have:
[B] = the heat capacity matrix.
(1-9)
du
u = -----dt
(1-10)
Because of its transient behavior, this equation must be integrated over time. The numerical method
implemented for performing the time integration is Newmarks method. As in the steady-state case, this
equation also can be extensively nonlinear due to radiation and temperature-dependent material
properties and boundary conditions. As a result, nonlinear iterations are also required for the solution of
this equation. The iteration is performed within each time step until a converged solution for that time
step is achieved (see Reference 2. (p. 14) for more details).
Transient analysis requires specifying the total solution time. Solution time is defined by the initial time
step size and total number of time steps requested. The total solution time is determined from their
product. Because MSC Nastran employs an automatic time stepping scheme (i.e., the time step is varied
by the solver as the solution progresses), the actual number of time steps used may ultimately be quite
different from the input request. In any event, the total amount of solution time will be approximately
equal to the initially calculated product within some small tolerance of the last time step size. The
advantage of using the adaptive time step algorithm is the potential for significantly reduced run times.
To avoid inaccurate results or unstable solutions, the proper choice of the initial time step is required. A
responsible initial time step is dependent on a number of factors, including the spatial size of the element
mesh and the thermal diffusivity of the material. The selection criteria is:
Cp
1
t 0 ------ x 2 -------------k
10
(1-11)
t 0
=the initial time step
=the mesh size
=the density
Cp
=the specific heat
=the conductivity
14

Thermal Analysis
Initial Conditions in Transient Analysis

Initial conditions define the temperature starting point for a transient analysis. Every node in the problem
must have an initial temperature explicitly defined. Any node that does not have an initial temperature
defined will automatically have a temperature of 0.0 assigned to it. This default temperature can be
changed in the Solution Parameters form for the given application, either steady-state or transient
analysis.
Caution must be exercised when specifying initial conditions relative to any specified temperatures
defined via a boundary condition. The initial condition temperature for these nodal points must match the
(Implicit and Explicit) boundary condition temperature at time equal to zero. Failure to match these
temperatures will cause an initial jump in the solution that can make convergence difficult to achieve.
Fortunately, the default analysis setup will automatically enforce these temperatures to be equal at the
start of the problem.
Steady-State and Transient Convergence Criteria

As discussed previously, the solution of the nonlinear equations requires an iteration scheme. Efficient
iteration schemes are highly dependent on convergence criteria and error estimation. Convergence
criteria provide a means of measuring solution error relative to some predetermined acceptable level. For
each iteration performed during the solution process, error levels are calculated and compared with preset
tolerances. Three convergence criteria are available within MSC Nastran that measure error based on
temperature, load, and work. These criteria apply to steady-state and transient solutions alike.
Four recommendations regarding nonlinear convergence can be made:
1. For most problems, use the default criteria selection with their default tolerance values.
1. If the analysis is transient and involves any time-varying temperature boundary conditions, you
must use the temperature convergence criteria.
1. Convergence may be enhanced by increasing the numerical tolerance levels from their default
values.
1. For highly nonlinear transient problems, the maximum number of iterations per time step may be
increased.
The defaults for controlling the nonlinear solution should be sufficient for most problems. However, for
those problems requiring additional control, the convergence tolerances for Temperature, Load, and
Work can be overridden. (In the solution of heat transfer problems, a convergence criteria based on
WORK is realistically just a mathematical construct representing an extension of the equations used in
the comparable structural solver.)
References
1.6
References
1. Holman, J. P., Heat Transfer, Sixth Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1986.
2. Chainyk, Mike, MSC/NASTRAN Thermal Analysis Users Guide, Version 68, The MacNealSchwendler Corporation, 1994.
3. Peterson, Ken (ed.), MSC/NASTRAN Encyclopedia, Online Documentation CD-ROM, The
MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation, 1995.
16

References
Chapter 2: Getting Started - A Guided Exercise

Getting Started - A Guided Exercise
Introduction
18
Objectives
Start Patran
Create a Database
29
30
34
37
40
19
21
22
25
26
41
27
32
18

Introduction
2.1
Introduction
This guided exercise shows you in step-by-step fashion the basics of MSC Nastran thermal modeling,
analysis, and results visualization using Patran. By intention, the geometry is simple, as are the applied
loads and boundary conditions. We will create the geometry for a rectangular metal plate, mesh it with
quadrilateral elements, specify material and element properties, apply thermal loads and boundary
conditions, run a steady-state thermal analysis to determine temperature distributions, and visualize the
results using Patrans postprocessor.
Before attempting this exercise, please complete the guided tour provided at the top of the Patran on-line
help system. It gives you an overview of the Patran user interface, including the layout of the main form,
the various application selections, the use of menus and forms, mouse picking, and basic modeling
operations. Although the menu options for thermal analysis differ from those for structural analysis,
Patran has a common look-and-feel across both disciplines.
Chapter 2: Getting Started - A Guided Exercise 19

Objectives
2.2
Objectives
The objectives in this exercise are to:
Create a new database defined for MSC Nastran thermal analysis.
Define geometry for a rectangular plate.
Mesh the structure with quadrilateral elements.
Modify the mesh.
Define the plates material as aluminum. Specify a thermal conductivity of 204 W/m-oC, specific
heat of 896 J/kg-oC, and a density of 2707 kg/m3.

Define the plates thickness to be 0.1 m.
Clean up the display.
Apply a temperature of 50 oC to the bottom edge of the plate.
Apply heat flux of 5000 W/m2 to the right edge of the plate.
Apply to the left edge of the surface a convection boundary condition with heat transfer
coefficient of 10.0 W/m2-oC and ambient temperature of 20 oC.

Perform a steady-state thermal analysis using MSC Nastran within the Patran system.
20

Objectives
Visualize the temperature distribution as a contour plot.
1m
Aluminum Plate
K = 204 W/m-oC
Cp = 896 J/kg-oC
= 2707 kg/m3
h = 10.0 W/m2-oC
3m
q = 5000.0 W/m2
Tamb = 20.0 oC
Thickness = 0.1 m
T = 50 oC

Start Patran
2.3
Start Patran
To begin the Patran modeling session from your workstations XTERM window, enter the command
patran
or
patran &
(if you want to run the application in the background).
22

Create a Database
2.4
Create a Database
From Patrans main form, pull down the File menu and select New.
Patran
File Group Viewport Viewing Display Preferences Tools
File
Help
Geometry FEM LBCs Matls Properties Load Cases Fields Analysis Results
New...Ctrl N
Open... Ctrl O
Close Ctrl W
$#Save
Session file patran.ses.01
Ctrl S started recording at 25
$#Save
Recorded
by
Patran
03:36:58 PM
a Copy
$# FLEXlm Initialization complete. Acquiring license(s)...
Utilities
hp, 2
Import...
Export...
Session
Print...
Report...
Quit
Ctrl Q
XY

Create a Database
A form will appear called New Database.

New Database
Template Database Name
/patran/patran3/template.db
New Database Name Change Template ...
NOTE: If only the MSC Nastran

Preference is accessed by the
model, the
mscnastran_template.db
Modify Preferences...
can be used as template database

to save disk space.
Filter
/tmp/*.db
Apply
Filter
Cancel
Directories
Database List
mdl.db
/tmp/.
/tmp/..
New Database Name
STEP 1: Position the cursor

inside the New Database Name
databox. Type in the word
plate.
plate
OK
Filter
STEP 2: Click on OK.
Cancel
24

Create a Database
The New Model Preferences form will appear, which will display MSC Nastran as the default analysis
solver.
New Model Preferences

Model Preferences For:
plate.db
Tolerance
u
Based on Model
uu Default
Approximate Maximum
Model Dimension:
10.0
Analysis Code:
MSC Nastran
Analysis Type:
STEP 3: Toggle the Analysis Type
setting to Thermal.
Thermal
OK
Reset

2.5

Click on the Geometry application. The Geometry form will appear.
Geometry
Action:
Object:
Method:
Create
Surface
XYZ
STEP 1: Change the settings to:

Action:Create
Object:Surface
Method:XYZ
Surface ID List
1
Surface Type
PATRAN 2 Convention
Refer. Coordinate Frame
Coord 0
STEP 2: Under Vector Coordinate List, we can enter

the desired XYZ dimensions for our surface. Type
<1 3 0> in the databox.
Note: you must use angle brackets to define
vectors. You must use square brackets to define
coordinates. Make sure to provide a space between
each number.
Vector Coordinates List

STEP 3: Make sure that the Origin Coordinate List is
[0 0 0], which is the default.
<1 3 0>
Auto Execute
Origin Coordinates List
[0 0 0]
-ApplyY
Z X
STEP 4: Click on Apply.
26

2.6

Click on the Finite Elements application. The Finite Elements form will appear.
Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
STEP 1: Toggle the Object setting to Mesh.
Surface
Output Ids
Node Id List
1
Element Id List
The Global Edge Length is 0.1, which is the default setting. We

will leave this value as is for now. (We will change it later, after
we mesh the surface.) The global edge length specifies the
physical length of each element. If you are making 10 elements
to comprise 1 unit (for example, 1 m) in length, you would
specify an edge length of 0.1 to create 300 elements.
Global Edge Length
0.1
Element Topology
Quad4
Quad5
Quad8
Mesher
u
STEP 2: Click inside the databox under the heading Surface

List. You can now use the mouse to click on the actual surface
you want to mesh. Click anywhere on the surface we have
made.
IsoMesh uu Paver
IsoMesh Parameters...
Node Coordinate Frames...
Surface List
Surface 1
-Apply-
Y
Z X
STEP 3: Click on Apply. A mesh of 300 quadrilateral elements will be generated on the surface with elements
automatically numbered.

2.7

At this point, we will invoke Patran's undo feature so that we can make a coarser mesh. The mesh we
have just created (300 elements) is excessive for our example.
Table 2-1 STEP 1: Click on the erasure icon at the top right corner of the Patran main form. The word undo will
appear, and Patran will automatically delete the created mesh (the last specified action).
STEP 2: Click on the paintbrush icon. The words Refresh Graphics will appear, and the geometric
surface will be regenerated exactly as it appeared before we applied the mesh.
28

Output IDs
Node ID List
1
Element ID List
1
Global Edge Length
0.2
STEP 3: Note that the Finite Elements form is still

visible. Change the Global Edge Length from 0.1 to 0.2.
This will create elements of 0.2 units (meters) in length,
which will result in a coarser mesh of 75 quadrilateral
elements. Click on Apply.
The resulting mesh (75

elements) is now more
to our liking.
Y
Z X

2.8

Our material for this exercise will be aluminum. Click on the Materials application. The Materials form
will appear with certain default options.
Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Filter
STEP 1: Type in alum under Material Name.
Existing Materials
Input Options
Constitutive Model:
Solid properties
Property Name
Material Name
alum
Description
Date: 22-May-96
Time:16:13:13
Code: MSC Nastran

Type:
Value
Thermal Conductivity =
204
Specific Heat =
896
Density =
2707
Temperature Dependent Fields:
Thermal
Input Properties ...
Change Material Status ...
Current Constitutive Models:
-ApplySTEP 2: Click on Input

Properties.
Clear
Cancel
STEP 3: The Input Options form will appear.

Edit the form to specify a thermal conductivity
of 204, specific heat of 896, and a density of
2707.
30

2.9

Our next task is to specify a thickness of 0.1 to our aluminum elements. Click on the Properties
application. The Element Properties form will appear.
Element Properties
Action:
Create
Dimension:
2D
STEP 1: Click inside the Property Set Name databox. Type in the name
plate.
Shell
Type:
Existing Property Sets
STEP 2: Click on Input Properties.

STEP 3: The Input Properties form appears. The
word alum will appear within the Material Property
Sets listbox. Click on this word. The Material
Name databox will now appear as m:alum.
Property Set Name

plate
STEP 4: Type in 0.1 in the Thickness databox.
Input Properties
Input Properties ...
Stan. Homogeneous Plate(CQUAD4)

Property Name
Value
Material Name
Application Region
Select Members
Thickness
Mat Prop Name

CID
[Material Orientation]
Surface 1
Add
m:alum
Value Type
0.1
Real Scalar
Remove
Application Region
Surface 1
-Apply-
Material Property Sets

alum
OK
STEP 6: From the Element Properties form, click on the Select Members databox. Patran will display two
icons to the left of the Element Properties form. The first icon represents surface or face; the second
represents 2D element. The two options allow you to apply properties either on the geometric entity (in
this case, the surface) or on the finite elements.

STEP 7: We will apply properties directly on the geometry. Pick the top icon; it will
turn black when you pick it.
Application Region
Select Members
Surface 1
Add
Remove
STEP 8: Now click anywhere on

the geometric surface. The
surface will be highlighted in red.
The Select Members databox will
now appear as Surface 1.
Application Region
STEP 9: Click on Add at the
bottom of the Element
Properties form.
Surface 1
-Apply-
32

2.10

Click on the Loads/BCs application. The Loads/Boundary Conditions form will appear.
Create
Action:
Object:

Action:Create
Object:Temp (Thermal)
Type:Nodal
Temp (Thermal)
Type:
Nodal
Analysis Type: Thermal

Current Load Case:
Default...
Type:
Static
Existing Sets
STEP 2: Type in a New Set

Name in the databox. We will
call it tempbc.
Input Data
Boundary Temperature
50
New Set Name
tempbc
Spatial Fields
STEP 3: Click on Input

Data. The Input Data form
will appear.
Reset
Input Data...
.
Select Application Region..
-Apply-
STEP 4: Click in the

databox and type in 50.
OK
Cancel
STEP 6: Click on the Select Application Region. The

Select Application Region form will appear.

STEP 7: Under Geometry Filter, the default setting is

Geometry. To the left, five options are given,
represented as icons: Geometric entity, Point or Vertex,
Curve or Edge, Surface or Face, Solid.
Select Application Region

u
STEP 8: Click on Curve or

Edge. This icon will become
black, indicating that it has
been selected.
Geometry Filter
Geometry
uu
FEM
Application Region
Select Geometry Entities
Surface 1.4
Add
Remove
STEP 9: With your mouse, position the cursor on the bottom

edge of the surface. Click on the edge. You will see Surface 1.4
appear in the Select Geometry Entities databox. This means we
have selected Edge number 4 in Surface number 1.
Application Region
STEP 10: Click on Add.
OK
STEP 11: Click on OK. You must also click on Apply located on the
Loads/Boundary Conditions form.
Note: A label on the bottom of your model will appear showing a boundary condition of 50 oC applied to the
desired edge of the surface.
34

2.11

We will now apply heat flux to the model using the Loads/Boundary Conditions form.
Load/Boundary Conditions
Create
Action:
Object:
Type:
Applied Heat

Object:Applied Heat
Type:Element Uniform
Option:Normal Fluxes
Element Uniform
Option: Normal Fluxes

Current Load Case:
Default...
Type:
Static
Existing Sets
New Set Name
flux
STEP 2: Click inside the New Set Name databox. Type in

the name flux.
Target Element Type: 2D
Input Data...
.
STEP 3: Because the problem is a 2D one, we need to

toggle the Target Element Type setting to 2D. Even though
we are applying heat flux along an edge, which we normally
think of as 1D, our finite element problem is 2D; i.e., we are
modeling heat conduction in two dimensions.
-ApplySTEP 4: Click on the Input Data button. The Input Data form
will appear.

Input Data
Form Type:
Basic
Surface Option:
Edge
Edge Heat Flux
STEP 5: Toggle the Surface Option

setting from Top to Edge.
5000
STEP 6: Click inside the databox under
Edge Heat Flux. Type in 5000.
Spatial Fields
Reset
OK
Cancel
Next, click on Select Application Region located on the Loads/Boundary Conditions form.
36

STEP 8: Two icon choices will appear, Surface and Edge. Click
on the bottom icon, Edge.

u
Geometry Filter
Geometry
uu
FEM
Application Region
Select Surfaces or Edges
Surface 1.3
Add
STEP 9: Position the cursor over the

right edge of the surface and click on
this edge with the mouse. Patran will
insert Surface 1.3 in the databox
under the heading Select Surfaces or
Edges.
Remove
Application Region
STEP 10:
Click on Add.
OK
STEP 11: Click on OK. Be sure to click

on Apply located on the
5000.
Y
Z X
50.00
50.005000.
A yellow flag will

appear on the
right edge of your
surface indicating
that a heat flux of
5000 W/m2 has
been applied
along the right
edge.

2.12

We will now apply a convection boundary condition to the left edge of the plate--again, using the
Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Type:
Option:

Object:Convection
Option:To Ambient
Element Uniform
To Ambient

Current Load Case:
Default...
Type:
Static
Existing Sets
New Set Name
conv
STEP 2: Click inside the New Set Name databox and type
in conv.
STEP 3: Toggle the Target Element Type setting to 2D.
Input Data...
.
-Apply-
STEP 4: Click on the Input Data button. The Input

Data form will appear.
38

STEP 5: Change the Surface Option setting to Edge.
Input Data
STEP 6: Click inside the Edge
Convection Coef databox and
type in 10.
Surface Option:
Edge
Edge Convection Coef
Form Type:
Basic
* Temperature Function
10
Ambient Temperature
STEP 7: Type in an
Ambient Temperature of
20.
20
Spatial Fields
OK
Temperature Dependent Fields
Reset
Cancel
Next, click on Select Application Region located on the Loads/Boundary Conditions form.

STEP 9: Two icon choices will appear, Surface and Edge. Click on the bottom icon,
Edge.

Geometry Filter
u Geometry
uu
FEM
Application Region
STEP 10: Position the cursor over the

left edge of the surface and click on
this edge with the mouse. Patran will
insert Surface 1.1 in the databox
under Select Surfaces or Edges.

Surface 1.1
Add
STEP 11:
Click on Add.
Remove
Application Region
STEP 12: Click on OK. Be sure to

click on Apply located on the
OK
10.00
5000.
A green label will

appear confirming
that you have applied
a convection
coefficient of 10.0
W/m2-oC at this
location of your
model.
Y
Z X
50.00
5000.
Select
Menu
10.00 50.00
40

2.13

We are now ready to submit the model for MSC Nastran steady-state thermal analysis. Click on the
Analysis application located on the Patran main form. The Analysis form will appear.
Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Code: MSC Nastran

Type: Thermal

Action:Analyze
Object:Entire Model
Method:Full Run
Note: The Full Run Method will run the job in the
background. If Method is changed to Analysis
Deck, Patran will translate the MSC Nastran input
file but will not run the job.
Available Jobs
plate
Job Name
STEP 2: Make sure that the Job Name setting is plate.
plate
Job Description
MSC Nastran job created
on 18-Apr-96 at 13:58:15
Translation Parameters...
Solution Type...
Direct Text Input...
Subcase Create...
Note: In the background, Patran will submit the needed

input data information to the MSC Nastran solver. The
heartbeat icon at the top right of Patran main form will
turn blue, indicating that Patrans forward translator and
MSC Nastran are active in the background. (In your
XTERM windows, from which you launched Patran, you
can similarly note a message indicating that MSC
Nastran has been executed.) When the analysis is
completed, you are ready to visualize the results.
Subcase Select...
Apply

2.14

MSC Nastran has now finished its processing, and the thermal results are ready to be displayed. To
visualize the results in Patran, you must first access the OUTPUT2 results data created by MSC Nastran.
Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate

Action:Read Output2
Object:Result Entities
Method:Translate
Code: MSC Nastran

Thermal
Type:
Available Jobs
plate
Job Name
STEP 2: Make sure that the Job Name setting is

plate.
plate
Job Description
MSC Nastran job created
on 18-Apr-96 at 13:58:15
Select Results File...
STEP 3: Click on the Select Results File button. A

new form will appear called Select File that lists all
the available output2 files. (Note that these files all
have the extension .op2).
STEP 4: Double click on the file called plate.op2.
Apply
STEP 5: Click on Apply. The heartbeat will change

to the color blue, indicating that postprocessing is
underway.
42

When the heartbeat becomes green again, click on the Results application selection located on the Patran
main form. The Results Display form will appear.
Results
Action:
Object:
Create
Quick Plot
Select Result Cases

Default,
Default, PW
PW Linear:100.
Linear : 100.%%ofofLoLoa
STEP 1: In the Results form, make sure the Default, PW

Linear : 100. % of Load selection is highlighted in the Select
Result Cases listbox.
Select Fringe Result

Heat Fluxes,
Temperature Gradients,
Temperatures,
Quantity:
STEP 2: Within the Select Fringe Result listbox, highlight

Temperatures.
Magnitude
Select Deformation Result
Animate
-Apply-

A contour plot displaying temperature distributions will appear as follows:
Select the Save and Close operations from the File menu to save your plate.db file. We will perform
a transient thermal analysis on this model in Example Problems (Ch. 7).
You have now learned the basics of steady-state thermal analysis using Patran and MSC Nastran.
Example 1 - Transient Thermal Analysis (Ch. 7) builds on this example. The remaining examples in
Example Problems (Ch. 7) describe more advanced applications.
44

Chapter 3: Building A Model

Building A Model
Introduction
46
Finite Elements
Coordinate Frames
Material Library
Load Cases
47
51
52
103
57
66
46

Introduction
3.1
Introduction
Building a model for heat transfer analysis can be divided into several steps:
Import or create the

geometry
You can either import the geometry for your model from a CAD definition or
create it within Patran. For a complete description of this process, see Patran
Reference Manual, Part 2: Geometry Modeling.
Define the finite element

mesh
The objective of this step is to subdivide the geometry into nodes and elements.
Temperatures are calculated at the nodal points in the analysis. Heat conduction
takes place within the elements. This step is described briefly in Finite Elements,
47. For more complete information, see Patran Reference Manual, Part 3:
Finite Element Modeling.
Define material properties
In a steady-state conduction analysis, the thermal conductivity of one or more

materials must be defined. In a transient analysis, the specific heat and density of
the materials must also be defined. Sophisticated analyses may also require latent
heat or fluid viscosity to be defined. This step is described in Material Library, 52.
Define element properties
The elements that define the heat conduction paths in the body can be
characterized geometrically as 1D, 2D, 3D, or axisymmetric. All elements have
associated material properties. In addition, one-dimensional elements must have
their cross-sectional properties defined, and shell elements must have their
thickness defined. This step is described in Finite Element Properties, 57.
Define loads and boundary

conditions
Defining loads and boundary conditions is often the most difficult step in building
a model for thermal analysis. In a steady-state analysis, fixed temperatures can be
specified at any nodal points in the model. This applies to structural nodal points
as well as ambient nodal points. In a transient analysis, temperatures specified on
nodal points may be fixed or time varying.
In addition to specifying temperatures, you can apply numerous other boundary
conditions, including several forms of convection and radiation. Applied surface
or volumetric heat flux or heat flow are described as thermal loads. Initial
temperatures are specified for two primary reasons. In a transient analysis, the full
mathematical description of the Fourier problem requires the statement of the
initial condition, for heat transfer the beginning temperature. In a nonlinear
steady-state analysis, the MSC Nastran solver necessarily employs an iterative
scheme in solving the system equations, and it requires a starting temperature to
initialize the process. For more information, see Loads and Boundary Conditions,
66.
Chapter 3: Building A Model 47

Finite Elements
3.2
Finite Elements
The Finite Elements Application in Patran provides options for creation of nodes, elements, and multipoint constraints in the thermal finite element model.
Patran
Help
XY
$# Session file patran.ses.01 started recording at 25

$# Recorded by Patran 03:36:58 PM
hp, 2
For more information on how to create finite element meshes, see Mesh Seed and Mesh Forms (p. 25)
in the Reference Manual - Part III. For information on the concepts of multi-point constraints, see the
Patran Thermal Users Guide, Volume 1: Thermal/Hydraulic Analysis.
Nodes
Nodes in Patran will translate into unique GRID Bulk Data entries in MSC Nastran. Nodes can be created
either directly using the Node object, or indirectly using the Mesh object. Each node has associated
Reference (CP) and Analysis (CD) coordinate frames. The ID is taken directly from the assigned node
ID. The X1, X2, and X3 fields (Node Location List) are defined in the specified CP coordinate frame. If
48

Finite Elements
no reference frame is assigned, the global system is used. The PS and SEID fields on the translated GRID
entry are left blank.
Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Node
Method:
Edit
Node ID List
1
Analysis Coordinate Frame

Coord 0
Refer. Coordinate Frame
Coord 0
Associate with Geometry

Auto Execute
Node Location List
(0 0 0)
-Apply-
The analysis frame (CD of the GRID) is the ID of the

which the loads and boundary conditions are define
reference coordinate system for any output in vecto
temperature gradients and heat fluxes.
The coordinate system in which the node location is
GRID) can be the reference coordinate frame, the a
frame, or a global reference (blank), depending on
forward translation parameter Node Coordinates.

Finite Elements
Finite Elements
The Finite Elements application in Patran assigns element connectivity, such as Quad/4 (CQUAD4), for
standard finite elements. The type of MSC Nastran element to be created is not determined until the
element properties are assigned. See the Element Properties Form, 58 for details concerning the MSC
Nastran element types. Elements can be created either explicitly using the Element object or implicitly
using the Mesh object.
Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Surface
Type:
Output IDs
Node ID List
1
Element ID List
Elements not referenced by an element property

region that is recognized by the Patran MSC
Nastran forward translator will not be translated.
1
Global Edge Length
0.1
Element Topology
Quad4
Quad5
Quad8
Mesher
IsoMesh
uu Paver
IsoMesh Parameters...
Node Coordinate Frames...
Surface List
-Apply-
50

Finite Elements
Multi-Point Constraints
Multi-point constraints (MPCs) can also be created from the Finite Elements menu. These are special
element types that define a rigorous algebraic relationship between several specified nodes. The forms
for creating MPCs are found by selecting MPC as the Object on the Finite Elements form.
For MSC Nastran thermal analysis, the MPC object is used to implement temperature coupling.
Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
MPC
Method:
Explicit (Thermal)
Analysis Preferences:
Code: MSC Nastran
Type: Thermal
MPC ID
2
Define Terms...
Creates an explicit MPC between a dependent

grid point and one or more independent grid
points. This constraint is used to specify a grid
point temperature to be a weighted combination
of any number of other grid point temperatures.
The dependent term consists of a node ID, while
an independent term consists of a coefficient and
a node ID. An unlimited number of independent
terms can be specified, while only one dependent
term can be specified;
A1T1+A2T2+ ...AnTn = 0
where T1 must be defined to be the dependent
node temperature.
-Apply-
Note:
1. Patran automatically sets the A1 field on
the MPC entry to -1.0.
2. When specifying initial temperature conditions, the nodal temperatures associated
with the node points in an MPC must
identically satisfy the MPC constraint
equation.

Coordinate Frames
3.3
Coordinate Frames
Coordinate frames will generate a unique CORD2R, CORD2C, or CORD2S Bulk Data entry, depending
on the specified coordinate frame type. The CID field is defined by the Coord ID assigned in Patran. The
RID field may or may not be defined, depending on the coordinate frame construction method used in
Patran. The A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, and C3 fields are derived from the coordinate frame
definition in Patran.
Only Coordinate Frames that are referenced by nodes, element properties, or loads and boundary
conditions can be translated. For more information on creating coordinate frames, see Creating
Coordinate Frames (p. 393) in the Geometry Modeling - Reference Manual Part 2.
Patran
Help

hp, 2
XY
52

Material Library
3.4
Material Library
The Materials form will appear when you select Materials from the main form. The selections made on
the Materials menu will determine which material form appears, and ultimately, which MSC Nastran
material will be created.
The following pages give an introduction to the Materials form and details of all the material property
definitions supported by the Patran MSC Nastran Thermal Application Preference.
Only material records that are referenced by an element property region will be translated. References to
externally defined materials will result in special comments in the MSC Nastran input file, e.g., materials
that property values are not defined in Patran.
The Patran MSC Nastran forward translator will perform material type conversions when needed. This
translation applies to both constant material properties and temperature-dependent material properties.
Patran
Help

hp, 2
XY

Material Library
Materials Form
This form appears when you select Materials from the main menu. The Materials form provides options
for specifying MSC Nastran material data.
Materials
Create
Action:
Isotropic
Object:
Manual Input
Method:
*
Defines the basic material directionality and can

be set to Isotropic, 2D Orthotropic, 3D
Orthotropic, 2D Anisotropic, or 3D Anisotropic.
Filter
Existing Materials
Lists the existing materials with the specified directionality.
Material Names
Defines the material name. A unique material ID will be
assigned during translation.
Description
DATE: 01-Apr-92
Time: 17:08:02
Code:
MSC Nastran
Type:
Thermal
Input Properties...
Change Material Status...
Describes the material that is being created.
Indicates the active analysis code and analysis type.

These selections are made on the
Preferences>Analysis (p. 443) in the Patran Reference
Manual.
Generates a form that is used to define the material
properties.
Generates a form that is used to indicate the active
portions of the material model. By default, all portions of a
created material model are active.
54

Material Library
The following table outlines the material properties for MSC Nastran thermal analysis.
Object
Isotropic
Constitutive Model
Solid properties
Fluid properties
Phase changes
2D Orthotropic
3D Orthotropic
MSC Nastran
Bulk Data
MAT4, MATT4
MAT4, MATT4
MAT4
Input Data
Temp
Dep
Thermal Conductivity
yes
Specific Heat
yes
Density
no
yes
Specific Heat
yes
Density
no
Dynamic Viscosity
yes
Reference Enthalpy
no
Phase Change Temperature
no
Phase Change Temp. Range
no
Latent Heat
no
Heat generation
MAT4, MATT4
Heat Generation Multiplier
yes
Solid properties
MAT5, MATT5
Thermal Conductivity Kx/Kr
yes
Thermal Conductivity Ky/Kz
yes
Specific Heat
yes
Density
no
Heat generation
MAT5, MATT5
yes
Solid properties
MAT5, MATT5
Thermal Conductivity Kx
yes
Thermal Conductivity Ky
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kz
yes
Specific Heat
yes
Density
no
yes
Heat generation
MAT5, MATT5

Material Library
Object
MSC Nastran
Bulk Data
Constitutive Model
2D Anisotropic
3D Anisotropic
Solid properties
MAT5, MATT5
Input Data
Temp
Dep
Thermal Conductivity Kxx
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kxy
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kyy
yes
Specific Heat
yes
Density
no
Heat generation
MAT5, MATT5
yes
Solid properties
MAT5, MATT5
Thermal Conductivity Kxx
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kxy
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kxz
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kyy
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kyz
yes
Thermal Conductivity Kzz
yes
Specific Heat
yes
Density
no
yes
Heat generation
MAT5, MATT5
Constitutive Models
The material properties for isotropic materials are divided into different categories called constitutive
models, as follows:
Solid Properties, 56
Fluid Properties, 56
Phase Changes, 56
Heat Generation1, 56
For a single material, you only need to define the constitutive models and properties necessary for the
particular analysis. For example, in a steady-state analysis of a simple solid, you need only define the
thermal conductivity. The phase changes and heat generation constitutive models need to be defined only
when these effects are present in the analysis.
56

Material Library
Solid Properties
Thermal conductivities may be defined for isotropic, orthotropic, and anisotropic materials. When the 2D
orthotropic material is used in an axisymmetric analysis, the conductivity Kr applies to the radial
direction and the conductivity Kz is along the axis of symmetry. The conductivities may be defined as
functions of temperature by creating temperature-dependent functions in the Fields application and then
referencing these functions on the Materials form.
Density and specific heat define the heat capacity of the body and are needed only in transient analysis.
Fluid Properties
The dynamic viscosity is used in the calculation of the Reynolds (Re) and Prandtl (Pr) number in forced
convection/advection applications and applies only to the Flow Tube element. The fluid specific heat,
thermal conductivity, and density are also required for the formulation of the advective Streamwise
Upwind Petrov Galerkin (SUPG) elements. This is the case even for steady-state analysis.
Recall
Cp
DV
Re = ------------ and Pr = ----------
K
(3-1)
Phase Changes1
To model a phase change, you need to specify the latent heat and a finite temperature range over which
the phase change is to occur. You also need to specify the lower boundary of the transition temperature
as well as the reference enthalpy. The reference enthalpy is defined as the enthalpy corresponding to a
zero temperature if the heat capacity Cp is a constant. If the heat capacity is temperature dependent, then
the enthalpy must be defined at the lowest temperature value in the tabular field.
For pure materials, the temperature range over which the phase change takes place can be quite small,
whereas for solutions or alloys the range can be quite large. Numerically, the wider the range the better.
It is not recommended to make this range less than a few degrees.
Heat Generation1
The heat generation multiplier allows the definition of a temperature-dependent rate of volumetric heat
generation to be defined. Usually a temperature-dependent function will be defined in Fields and selected
on the Materials form. The value defined by this field will multiply the rate of heat generation defined on
the Applied Heat, Volumetric Generation LBC. If the heat generation is not temperature dependent, only
the Volumetric Generation LBC needs to be defined.
1If
you define this constitutive model, you must also define a constitutive model for Solid Properties.

3.5

The Element Properties form appears when you select Properties from the main form. There are several
option menus available when creating element properties. The selections made on the Element Properties
menu will determine which element property form appears, and ultimately, which MSC Nastran element
will be created.
The following pages give an introduction to the Element Properties form and details of all the element
property definitions supported by the Patran MSC Nastran Thermal Application Preference.
Patran
Help

hp, 2
XY
58

Element Properties Form

This form appears when you select Element Properties from the main menu. There are four option menus
on this form. Each will determine which MSC Nastran element type will be created and which property
forms will appear. The individual property forms are documented later in this section. For a full
description of this form, see Element Properties Forms (p. 67) in the Patran Reference Manual.
Element Properties
Create
Action:
Dimension:
1D
Type:
Beam
Use this option menu to define the elements dimension. Th

options are:
0D (point elements)
1D (bar elements)
2D (tri and quad elements)
3D (tet, wedge, and hex elements)
Existing Property Sets

This option menu depends on the selection made in the
Dimension option menu. Use this menu to define the gener
type of element, such as:
Shell versus Axisym Solid
Property Set Name
Option (s):
General Section
Input Properties...
Application Region
Select Members
Add
Application Region
Remove
This option is only presented for 1D Beam and Rod

elements.

The available element types are described briefly in the table below.
Dimension
0D
Type
Option
Grounded
Elem Type
Input Data
CELAS1
Thermal Conductance
CDAMP1
Thermal Capacitance
CBAR
Material Name
Conductor
Grounded
Capacitor
1D
Beam
General
Section
Curved w/
Area
CBEND
General
Section
Material Name
Center of Curvature
Area
Curved w/
CBEND
Pipe
Section
Material Name
Center of Curvature
Mean Pipe Radius
Pipe Thickness
Tapered
CBEAM
Section
Rod
General
Cross Sect. Areas

CROD
Section
Pipe
Material Name
Material Name
Area
CTUBE
Section
Material Name
Outer Diameter @ Node
[Outer Diam. @ Node 2]
Pipe Thickness
Conductor
CELAS1
Thermal Conductance
Capacitor
CDAMP1
Thermal Capacitance
Flow Tube
CHBDYP
Material Name
Hydraulic Diam. at Node 1
[Hydraulic Diam. at Node 2]
60

Dimension
2D
Type
Option
Shell
Elem Type
Input Data
CQUAD4,8
Material Name
CTRIA3,6
Thickness
Axisym
CTRIAX6
Solid
3D
Solid
Material Name
CHEXA
Material Name
CPENTA
CTETRA
Conductors and Grounded Conductors
These elements provide a simple conductance link between either two nodes in the model or a node and
a zero temperature heat sink. The only property to be defined is the thermal conductance of the link. This
value can either be real or a reference to an existing field definition.
Capacitors and Grounded Capacitors
These elements provide a simple thermal capacitance link between either two nodes in the model or a
node and a zero temperature heat sink. The only property to be defined is the thermal capacitance of the
link. This value can either be real or a reference to an existing field definition.
Beam and Rod Elements with General Section
These elements provide a simple conductance and capacitance link between two nodes in the model. Heat
is conducted only along the length of the element; no heat is transferred across the cross section. The
referenced material and cross-sectional area must be defined. Cross-sectional area can be defined either
as a real value or as a reference to an existing field definition.

Curved General Section Beam

Figure 3-1
Input Properties
Curved General Sec. Beam (CBEND)
Property Name
Value
Material Name
Value Type
Defines the material for the

element.
Mat Prop Name

Vector
Center of Curvature
Area
Real Scalar
The center of curvature of the pipe

bend can be defined as a vector
from the first node to the center or
by selecting an existing node
located at the center.
Defines the cross-sectional

area of the element. This
value can be either a real
value or a reference to an
existing field definition.

m
OK
62

Curved Pipe Section Beam

Figure 3-2
Input Properties
Curved Pipe Section Beam (CBEND)
Property Name
Value
Material Name
Value Type
Mat Prop Name
Vector
Center of Curvature
Mean Pipe Radius
Real Scalar
Pipe Thickness
Real Scalar
Defines the material for the

element.
The center of curvature of the pipe

bend can be defined as a vector
from the first node to the center or
by selecting an existing node
located at the center.
The distance from the centroid of

the pipe cross section of the midwall of the pipe. This value can
either be a real value or a
reference to an existing field
definition.

m
Wall thickness of the pipe. This
value can either be a real value
or a reference to an existing field
definition.
OK
Tapered Section Beam

The Tapered Section beam allows different cross-sectional areas at each end of the beam. Both areas are
entered in the Cross Sect. Areas databox separated by either spaces or a comma. If only one area is
defined, the cross-sectional area is assumed to be constant at that value.

Pipe Section Rod

Figure 3-3
Defines the tube OD at each end of the element. These values can either be real values or references to
existing field definitions. The Outer Diameter at Node 1 property is required. The Outer Diameter at Node 2
Property is optional.
Input Properties
Pipe Section Rod (CTUBE)
Property Name
Value
Value Type
Material Name
Mat Prop Name
Outer Diameter @ Node
Real Scalar
[Outer Diam. @ Node 2]
Real Scalar
Pipe Thickness
Real Scalar
Defines the material to be

used. When entering data
here, a list of all materials
currently in the database is
displayed. You can either pick
one from the list with the
mouse, or type the name in.
Specifies the wall thickness of

the pipe. This value can be
either real or a reference to an
existing field definition.
OK
Flow Tube
This element defines heat transfer based on 1D fluid flow. A material with the Fluid constitutive model
defined must be selected. In addition, the diameters of tube at each end must be defined; if only the
diameter at node 1 is defined, the tube diameter is assumed to be constant at that value. The value for the
diameter may either be real or a reference to an existing field definition. The Flow Tube elements can
64

be referenced in the Loads/BCs application to support several types of forced convection and advection
conditions.
2D Shell Elements
These elements provide for conduction and heat capacitance within a planar area. Heat is not transferred
through the thickness of the shell.
Defines the material to be used. A
list of all materials currently in the
database is displayed when data is
entered. You can either select one
from the list using the mouse or
type in the name.
Input Properties
Stan. Homogeneous Plate (CQUAD4)
Property Name
Value
Value Type
Mat Prop Name
Material Name
CID
Thickness
Real Scalar
Defines the basic orientation for

any non-isotropic material within
the element. There are three ways
to assign this definition: (1)
reference a coordinate system,
which is then projected onto the
element, (2) define a vector that
will be projected onto the element,
or (3) define a constant angle
offset from the default element
coordinate system. This scalar
value can either be a constant
value in degrees, a vector, or a
reference to an existing coordinate
system. This property is optional.
Defines the thickness, which will

be uniform over each element.
This value can either be real or
a reference to an existing field
definition.
OK

2D Axisymmetric Solid Elements

These elements are used to model heat conduction in a body that is symmetric about a particular
coordinate axis. When defining the model with Patran, this axis must be the global z-axis and the radial
axis must be the global x-axis (i.e., the elements must lie in the x-z plane). The only element property
required is the material. An optional material orientation allows you to define the orientation for any nonisotropic material within the element.
You can specify temperature boundary conditions, initial temperatures, and nodal and volumetric heat
loads on the elements boundaries or interior. You can specify exchange type boundary conditions
(convection and radiation) on the boundaries of the geometry.
With Version 68 of MSC Nastran, if convection or radiation boundary conditions are applied to 6-node
triangular axisymmetric elements, the heat flux results associated with these elements cannot be
postprocessed in Patran. To postprocess boundary heat fluxes, the 3-node triangular axisymmetric
elements must be used instead.
3D Solid Elements
These elements provide for conduction and heat capacitance within a volume. A material property must
be selected to define the thermal conductivity, density, and specific heat.
66

3.6

The Loads and Boundary Conditions form will appear when you select Loads/BCs from the main form.
When you create a loads and/or boundary condition, there are several option menus. The selections made
on the Loads and Boundary Conditions menu will determine which loads and/or boundary conditions
form appears, and ultimately, which MSC Nastran loads and/or boundary conditions will be created.
The following pages give an introduction to the Loads and Boundary Conditions form and details of all
the loads and boundary conditions supported by the Patran MSC Nastran Thermal Application
Preference.
Loads and Boundary Conditions Form

This form appears when you select Loads/BCs from the main menu. The Loads/Boundary Conditions
form provides options to create the various MSC Nastran loads and/or boundary conditions. For a

definition of full functionality, see Loads and Boundary Conditions Form (p. 21) in the Patran Reference
Manual.
Indicates the category of heat loads or boundary condition.
The choices are Temp (Thermal) for prescribing temperatures,
Initial Temperature, Boundary Temperature, Applied Heat,
Convection, Radiation, and Contact.
The Type options are Nodal, Element Uniform, and Element
Variable. Nodal is applied explicitly to nodes. Element Uniform
defines a constant value to be applied over an entire element,
element face, or element edge. Element Variable defines a
value that varies across an entire element, element face, or
element edge.
Indicates the specific type for each general category of

loads/boundary condition. The choices for each Object are
shown on page 68.
Loads or boundary conditions defined here are associated

with the Current Load Case. By default, this is a static
(steady-state) load case called Default. To create heat loads
or boundary conditions for a transient analysis, you must
create a Time-Dependent load case in the Load Cases
application.
Generates either a Static or Transient Input Data form,

depending on the current Load Case Type selected.
The Application Region is the piece of geometry or set of
nodes or elements to which the loads or boundary condition is
applied. Most Loads/BCs have a single region. However,
options are provided for advanced users to define complex
convection or radiation exchange between two application
regions.
68

The following table outlines the options for creating MSC Nastran thermal loads and boundary
conditions:
Object
Option
Temp
Type
Target Element
Type
Region 2
Nodal
--
--
Nodal
--
--
Nodal
--
--
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
--
Nodal
--
--
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
--
Nodal Source
Nodal
--
--
Volumetric
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
--
Total Heat
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
To Ambient
Nodal
--
--
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
--
Element Uniform
1D
--
Nodal
--
Nodal
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
Nodal, 1D, 2D,

3D
Coupled Flow Tube
Element Uniform
1D
Nodal, 1D, 2D,

3D
Coupled Advection
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
1D
Duct Flow
Element Uniform
1D
2D, 3D
(Thermal)
Initial
Temperature
Applied Heat
Normal Fluxes
Element Variable
Directional Fluxes
Generation
Convection
Flow Tube To
Ambient
Coupled

Object
Option
Radiation
Ambient Space
Ambient Nodes
Enclosures
Contact
Deformable
Type
Target Element
Type
Region 2
Nodal
--
--
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
--
Nodal
--
Nodal
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
Nodal 1D, 2D, 3D
Nodal
--
--
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
--
Element Uniform
1D, 2D, 3D
Rigid Body
Body Pair
Input Data Forms--Basic and Advanced Options

Many of the input data forms have a Basic format and an Advanced format. The default is the Basic
format, but you can change the format to Advanced using the option menu at the top of the form.
Many of the advanced forms contain a databox called Control Node ID. If an existing node is selected in
this databox, the temperature at this node during the analysis is used as an implicit load multiplier,
depending on the exact application.
Another advanced option is the Film Node ID that appears on forms for defining convection boundary
conditions. This option allows an existing node to be selected. The temperature of this node during the
analysis is used to define the temperature of the fluid used in determining the temperature-dependent
fluid material properties involved in the calculation of the convection heat transfer coefficient.
70

Two Application Regions

Two application regions provide advanced options for convection and radiation boundary conditions with
complex exchange mechanisms. Application Region 1 defines a convecting or radiating surface, while
Application Region 2 specifies a set of nodes to which the heat is transferred.

Geometry Filter
u Geometry
uu
Defines the coupling methods of two application regions.

The Patran MSC Nastran Thermal Application
Preference ignores this option and always applies a
closest approach algorithm to associate the companion
region with Application Region 1.
FEM
Order:
Selection
Application Region
Add
Selects geometry or finite element entities by graphical

picks or text input to the databox.
Remove
Application Region
Adds geometry or finite element entities to the

activated Application Region.
Removes geometry or finite element entities from the
activated Application Region.
Surface 1
Active List
Activates the selection of Application Region 1.
Companion Region
Surface 2.4
Active List
Activates the selection of Application Region 2.
OK
Note:
When applying any of the convection or radiation forms involving two

application regions, both regions must use the same geometry filter.

Surface Area
The total amount of heat radiated or convected from a surface or input from a heat source depends on the
area of the surface. For nodal loads and boundary conditions, the nodal area must be defined explicitly.
For faces of 2D or 3D elements, the area is calculated from the relative locations of the nodal points. For
the edge of a shell element, the area is calculated from the nodal points location and the shell thickness.
For general or tapered beam elements, the rod element, or the curved beam with general section, the area
is calculated as:
4. cross_sectional_area beam_length
For the rod or curved beam with pipe section, the area is calculated as:
2 radius beam_length
For directional flux or radiation enclosure on 1D elements, the Patran MSC Nastran forward translator
will automatically calculate the projected area based on the normal vector specified for the given
elements.
Spatial Dependence
Many of the quantities defined on the Loads/BCs forms are allowed to vary as a function of the models
spatial coordinates. This variation is described by first defining a spatial field using the Fields application
and then selecting this field from the Spatial Fields listbox on the Loads/BCs Input Data form. Creation
of spatial fields is described in more detail in Fields Forms (p. 210) in the Patran Reference Manual.
Temperature Dependence
Many of the quantities defined on the Loads/BCs forms are also allowed to vary as a function of
temperature. An example is Convection Coefficient. The convection coefficient can take on different
values depending on the surface or fluid temperatures at each point in the model. All quantities that are
allowed to vary as a function of temperature have a second databox on the Loads/BCs Input Data form
with the *Temperature Function label above it. This indicates that the temperature function multiplies
the value in the databox to its immediate left (this value may be a constant or may come from a spatial
field). Functions of temperature are described by defining a temperature-dependent field in the Fields
application. To create this Field, you must set the Object to Material Property. You may then select the
created field from the Temperature Dependent Fields listbox on the Loads/BCs Input Data form.
For convenience, if you have specified a temperature-dependent function but do not specify any value in
the far left column, Patran will assign a default value of 1.0 to that databox.
Time Dependence
When the Current Load Case is Time Dependent (set from the Load Cases application), a time-dependent
field listbox appears on the far right column of the Loads/BCs Input Data form. This column contains
databoxes that allow the time dependence of the quantities in the far left column of the Input Data form
to be defined. Just as for spatial and temperature dependencies, you must first create a time dependence
in the Fields application. To create the field in the Fields application, you must set the Object to Non
72

Spatial and the Method to Tabular Input. You must also define a set of time-load multiplier pairs. This
field can then be selected from the Time Dependent Fields listbox on the Loads/BCs Input Data form.
For convenience, if you have specified a time-dependent function but do not specify any value in the far
left column, Patran will assign a default value of 1.0 to that databox.

Temp(Thermal)
Forms associated with the Temp(Thermal) Object allow you to define nodal temperatures that remain
constrained during the analysis. The Temp(Thermal) Input Data forms for steady-state (Static) and
transient (Time Dependent) load cases are shown below.
74

Input Data
In a steady-state analysis, you may input a constant
value or select a previously created Spatial Field that
defines the temperature as a function of location in the
model.
Spatial Fields
spatial_fld1
spatial_fld2
In a transient analysis, in addition to the

constant value or Spatial Field, you may
also select a previously created Time
Dependent Field that describes how the
temperature changes as an explicit function
of time.
Reset
OK
Cancel
Input Data
*Time Function
Spatial Fields
Time Dependent Fields
spatial_fld1
spatial_fld2
time_fld1
time_fld2
OK
Reset
Cancel

The input option is described in the table below.

Input Data
Dependence
spatial, time
Description
Defines temperature boundary conditions.
Initial Temperature
Initial temperature is required in a time-dependent analysis. In a nonlinear steady-state analysis, initial
temperatures are input as an initial guess to improve the convergence rate and often to provide
initialization for the nonlinear iterative solution scheme.
As a user convenience, if most of the initial nodal temperatures are to be the same, you can define this
temperature using the Default Init Temperature databox in the Solution Parameters form invoked from
the Analysis application. Any initial temperatures defined using this Initial Temperature option in
Loads/BCs will take precedence over the default value defined in the Analysis application. The Input
Data form for Initial Temperature is very similar to the form for steady-state temperature shown above.
The input option is described in the table below.
Input Data
Initial Temperature
Dependence
spatial
Description
Defines initial condition temperatures for transient
analysis. May also be used to define an initial guess in a
nonlinear steady-state analysis.
76

Applied Heat--Normal Fluxes

This option applies a heat flux either to nodes or elements on the surface of a body.
Input Data
Form Type:
If the Form Type is toggled from Basic to Advanced

Node ID databox appears.
Advanced
Surface Option:
Top
Top Surf Heat Flux
For 2D elements, the heat flux can be applied to the

bottom, or edge of the surface.
Control Node ID
Spatial Fields
Reset
OK
Cancel
The following table describes the options for defining a heat flux.
Input Data
Heat Flux
Dependence
spatial, time
Description
Defines a heat flux.
[Top Surf, Bottom Surf, spatial, time

Edge] Heat Flux
When the Target Element Type on the main form is set to 2D, this
databox appears to define a heat flux applied on the top, bottom, or
edge of a boundary surface.
Nodal Area
--
Appears only when the LBC type is Nodal. Defines the area of a
boundary surface associated with the node.
Control Node ID
--
An advanced option that defines a control node. See Input Data

Forms--Basic and Advanced Options, 69.

Applied Heat--Directional Fluxes

This option applies a thermal vector flux from a distant source onto the surface of a body.
Steady-StateAnalysis
Figure 3-4
Input Data
Form Type:
Absorptivity
Basic
Heat Flux
Incident Thermal Vector
<
When the load type is Nodal

or the target element type is
1D, you must specify a
vector defining the surface
normal.
>
Normal Vector
<
>
Nodal Area
Spatial Fields
OK
Reset
Cancel
When the load type is

Nodal, you must specify the
area associated with the
node.
78

Transient Analysis
For a time-dependent load case, the Input Data form with the Form Type changed from Basic to
Advanced and the Thermal Vec Type changed to Transient is shown below.
Input Data
Surface Option:
Top
Top Surf Absorptivity
Form Type:
Advanced
Thermal Vec Type: Transient
Top Surf Heat Flux
* Time Function
DirCos e1(t) of Thermal Vec
<
>
Control Node ID

Spatial Fields
temp_fld1
temp_fld2
time_fld1
time_fld2
OK
Reset
Cancel

The incident thermal vector defines the direction from the surface to the heat source. In steady-state
analysis, you may use any of the standard Patran vector tools to define this vector. In a transient analysis,
two options are available and controlled with the Thermal Vec Type menu:
1. If only the magnitude of the heat flux changes as a function of time in the analysis, you may
choose Thermal Vec Type Constant and select a previously defined field in the * Time
Function databox to describe this change.
2. If the direction of the vector also changes as a function of time, the Thermal Vec Type menu must
be set to Transient. The form changes to display three databoxes titled DirCos ei(t) of Thermal
Vec. Separate time-dependent fields can be selected for these three boxes to define the change of
direction as a function of time.

The following table describes the options for the forms shown on page 77 through page 78.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Absorptivity
spatial, temp
Defines the absorptivity of the surface.
[Top Surf, Bottom Surf,

Edge] Absorptivity
spatial, temp
When the target element type is 2D, a toggle and databox appear
to define the absorptivity of the top, bottom, or edge of a boundary
surface.
Heat Flux
spatial, time
Defines the heat flux quantity.

Edge] Heat Flux
spatial, time
to define a heat flux applied on the top, bottom, or edge of a
boundary surface.
--
Defines the fixed direction incident thermal vector.
time
Defines the time function of the direction cosine e1 of the incident

thermal vector.
time

thermal vector.
time

thermal vector.
Normal Vector
spatial
When the load type is Nodal or the target element type is 1D, a
vector defining the surface normal must be entered.
Nodal Area
--
When the load type is Nodal, the area associated with the node
must be entered.
Control Node ID
--

Applied Heat--Nodal Source

This option applies a heat flow directly to one or more nodes in the model.
Input Data
Nodal Source
Dependence
spatial, time
Description
Defines the heat applied to the nodes.
80

Applied Heat--Volumetric Generation

This option defines a rate of heat generation within the volume of a conduction solid. This heat generation
rate can be made a function of temperature by assigning a temperature field to the Heat Generation
Multiplier option of the material associated with this solid.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Volumetric Heat Generation spatial, time
Defines the volumetric heat generation in conduction elements.
Control Node ID

--
Applied Heat--Total Heat

This option defines a rate of heat generation within the volume of a conduction solid. This heat generation
rate can be made a function of temperature by assigning a temperature field to the Heat Generation
Multiplier option of the material associated with this solid.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Total Heat
spatial, time
Defines the total heat (power) applied to a surface or element

face. The total heat value given is divided by the total area of the
application region (for surface entities). If the application
region is geometry, then the value displayed graphically on the
geometry is the actual given value. If the application region is
FEM (or Geometry, but displayed on the associated FEM) then
the value displayed is the given value divided by the total area
of the application region. This is the value that will be written
to the MSC Nastran QBDY3 entry.
Control Node ID
--


Convection--To Ambient
This option allows for the definition of the most basic form of convection boundary condition. Heat is
exchanged between the surface of the body and a surrounding media, the temperature of which is known.
The form for a steady-state load case and 2D element type are shown below.
Input Data
Surface Option:
Form Type:
Top
Top Surf Convection Coef
Advanced
Ambient Temperature
Reference Temperature Option

u
Formula Type Option

u
q=h(Ts-Ta)**EXPF*(Ts-Ta)
uu q=h(Ts**EXPF-Ta**EXPF)
Average Temp (Ts+Ta)/2
uu Surface Temp (Ts)

uu Ambient Temp (Ta)
uu Film Temperature
Convection Exponent (EXPF)
Spatial Fields
OK
Reset
Cancel
82

The options for this convection boundary condition are shown in the table below.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Convection Coefficient
spatial, temp, time
Defines free convection heat transfer coefficient.

Edge] Convection Coeff
spatial, temp, time
When the target element type is 2D, a toggle and databox

appear to define the free convection heat transfer coefficient of
the top, bottom, or edge of a boundary surface.
Ambient Temperature
time
Defines ambient temperature.
Nodal Area
--
When the LBC type is Nodal, this databox appears to define

the area of the boundary surface.
Formula Type Option
--
An advanced option for defining a customized form of the free

convection formula:
q = h (Ts-Ta)(expf+1) or q = h (Tsexpf - Taexpf)
By default, the first form is chosen with EXPF equal 0.0.
Convection Exponent
--
An advanced option for defining EXPF in the above equation.
Reference Temperature
Option
--
An advanced option for defining the temperature used in

calculating the convection coefficient. The options are:
average of surface and ambient temperatures, surface
temperature, ambient temperature, or temperature at a userdefined node. By default, this reference temperature is taken as
the average of surface and ambient temperatures.
Film Node ID
--
An advanced option for selecting an existing node for fluid

film temperature.
With MSC.Nastran Version 68, the Patran MSC Nastran Forward Translator will average the values for
Surface Temp (Ts) and Ambient Temp (Ta) to acquire the Average Temp (Ts+Ta)/2. Average Temp will
be used as the temperature at which the temperature dependent heat transfer coefficient will be
determined.
Convection--Flow Tube To Ambient
Two basic heat transport mechanisms take place when the Flow Tube element is used. The first involves
the transport of heat in the streamwise direction from the upstream fluid elements to the downstream fluid
elements. We refer to this as heat transport due to advection. The second heat transfer mechanism
involves heat transport into or out of the working fluid along the fluid tube boundary. We refer to this as
heat transfer due to forced convection.
The transport of heat energy by advection is a function of the mass flow rate (mdot) and the specific heat
of the fluid. In the typical case we can ignore the small amount of heat transfer resulting from conduction
in the fluid1; energy is then transported at the rate: mdot * Cp * T. The heat transfer at the stream tube
1MSC
Nastran does not ignore the component of heat transfer in the fluid due to conduction.

boundary, then, must be equal to (mdot * Cp * T)in - (mdot * Cp * T)out, where in and out refer to the
inlet and exit states of the fluid stream. Typically, the inlet temperature is specified and the exit
temperature is determined as part of the solution.
The forced convection part of the problem allows the fluid stream tube to communicate with the
surrounding environment. You can determine the heat transfer coefficient for a particular problem
externally, or use the generalized correlations available through the preference and MSC Nastran heat
transfer solver. The particular application has a lot to do with the viability of either approach.
A practical example of the use of Flow Tube to Ambient is the situation of analyzing a flow tube in a free
stream of large mass flow and essentially constant temperature. A flow tube in an automobile radiator is
a good example where the flow tube models the flow stream in the tubing (engine coolant) and the
ambient environment is that of the air rushing across the tubes at the local air temperature.
Physical Model
Flow
out
Flow
in
Ambient Flow Stream

At Temperature T = Constant
Finite Element Representation

Forced convection resistance
T
1
Res = ------hA
m cp
Tin
Tout

The Input Data form for a transient load case is shown below.
Input Data
Form Type:
Advanced
Mass Flow Rate
* Time Function
Ambient Temperature
* Time Function
Heat Transfer Coefficient

uu
Formula Type Option
uu
h=coef*Re**Expr*Pr**Expp
uu
uu
h=k/d*coef*Re**Expr*Pr**
Reynolds Exponent
84

Surface Temp (Ts)
Ambient Temp (Ta)
Film Temperature
Film Node ID
Prandtl Exponent, Heat In

Prandtl Exponent, Heat Out
OK
time_fld1
time_fld2
Reset
Cancel
The following table describes the options for defining this convection boundary condition.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Mass Flow Rate
time
Defines mass flow rate within the flow tube element.
Ambient Temperature
time
--
Defines the constant coefficient used for forced convection. A

default value 1.e-20 will be defined if this data is not specified.

Input Data
Formula Type Option
Dependence
--
Description
An advanced option to define forced convection formula type:
h=coef*Reexpr*Prexpp or
h=coef*Reexpr*Prexpp*k/d
By default, the first form is chosen with EXPR and EXPP equal
to 0.0.
Reynolds Exponent
--
An advanced option to define the Reynolds number convection

exponent EXPR.
--
An advanced option to define the Prandtl number convection

exponent EXPPI for heat transfer into the working fluid.
--
An advanced option to define the Prandtl number convection

exponent EXPPO for heat transfer out of the working fluid.
Option
--

calculating material properties for the fluid. The options are:
temperature, ambient temperature, or temperature at a userdefined node. By default, this reference temperature is taken as
the average of surface and ambient temperatures.
Film Node ID
--
An advanced option for selecting an existing node for fluid film

temperature.
determined.
Convection--Coupled
This advanced option for applying a convection boundary condition allows for the explicit definition of
the convecting surface (Application Region 1) and a set of nodes (Application Region 2) between which
heat is exchanged by convection. Mathematically, the exchange mechanism is similar to that for
Convection to Ambient, except here Application Region 2 may be something other than basic ambient
fluid points and their temperatures need not be specified in the description of the problem. The
temperatures in Application Region 2 may be part of the solution. In addition, there does not need to be
86

a one-to-one correspondence between nodal points in Region 1 and those in Region 2. The Input Data
form for a steady-state load case is shown below.
Input Data
Form Type: Advanced
u Average Temp (Ts+Ta)/2

uu Surface Temp (Ts)
Formula Type Option
uu Ambient Temp (Ta)

uu Film Temperature
Application Region 2
Spatial Fields
OK
Reset
Cancel
Application Region 1
The input options for coupled convection are shown in the table below.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
spatial, temp, time

spatial, temp, time

appear to define the free convection heat transfer coefficient
of the top, bottom, or edge of a boundary surface.
Nodal Area
--


Input Data
Formula Type Option
Dependence
--
Description
An advanced option for defining a customized form of the
free convection formula:
Convection Exponent
--
An advanced option for defining EXPF in the above

equation.
Option
--

temperature, ambient temperature, or temperature at a userdefined node. By default, this reference temperature is taken
as the average of surface and ambient temperatures.
Film Node ID
--

film temperature.
determined.
Convection--Coupled Flow Tube
This is an advanced extension of the Convection, Flow Tube to Ambient boundary condition. In this
application, the advection flow tube is attached to nodal points associated with a structure as opposed to
simply an ambient environment. The flow tube in this application transports energy downstream in the
mdot * Cp * T sense. Flow tube relations related to forced convection heat transfer at the tube boundaries
are associated with this model. In this case, the convection area is the area associated with the flow tube
perimeter, and it is the users responsibility to coordinate this area with that of the attached structure. It
is important to realize that if the flow tube relationships are used (as opposed to a user-supplied h), the
88

tube input diameters are used in the calculation of the Reynolds number and subsequently in calculating
the heat transfer coefficient.
Application
Region 1
(Flow Tube)
mdot
1
Res = ------hA
Convection Resistance
Application
Region 2
(Structure)
When this capability is applied, there must be general correspondence (one flow tube element for every
structural element grid point pair) between the flow tube node points in Application Region 1 and the

structural node points in Application Region 2. The Input Data form for a steady-state load case is shown
below.
Input Data
Form Type: Advanced
Mass Flow Rate

u
Formula Type Option
uu
Surface Temp (Ts)
uu
Ambient Temp (Ta)
uu
Film Temperature
uu
Reynolds Exponent
OK
Reset
Cancel
The input options for coupled flow tube convection are described in the table below.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Mass Flow Rate
time
Defines mass flow rate in the Flow Tube element.
--
Defines the constant coefficient used for forced convection.

A default value 1.e-20 will be defined if this data is not
specified.
90

Input Data
Formula Type Option
Dependence
--
Description
An advanced option to define forced convection formula
type:
h=coef*Reexpr*Prexpp or h=coef*Reexpr*Prexpp*k/d
By default, the first form is chosen with EXPR and EXPP
equal to 0.0.
Reynolds Exponent
--
An advanced option for defining the Reynolds number

convection exponent EXPR in the above equation.
--
An advanced option for defining the Prandtl number

convection exponent EXPPI for heat transfer into the
working fluid.
--

convection exponent EXPPO for heat transfer out of the
working fluid.
Option
--

Film Node ID
--

film temperature.
determined.
Convection--Coupled Advection
This advanced option enables the connection between an advection stream and a structural surface. For
this capability, the forced convection tube relationships are essentially turned off by setting the constant
coefficient for forced convection to 1.E-20. The convection connection between the flow stream and the
surface is determined from basic convection; Q = h * A * (T1 - T2). Here the internally calculated area
A is the area associated with the structural surface elements. The user must specify the value of the heat
transfer coefficient, h. In steady-state analysis, the flow tube diameters are of little consequence for this
capability since no Reynolds Numbers or heat transfer coefficients are determined internally. In transient
analysis, the fluid speed needs to be produced by the correct choice of fluid properties and tube diameter.
There need not be any particular correspondence between the nodes on the flow tube and those on the

surface elements; Patran uses a closest approach algorithm to associate the surface elements with the
stream tube elements. The Input Data form for a steady-state load case is shown below.
Input Data
Form Type: Advanced
Mass Flow Rate

u
Formula Type Option
uu
Surface Temp (Ts)
uu
Ambient Temp (Ta)
uu
Film Temperature
Spatial Fields
OK
Reset
Cancel
92

T = 0.0
Res
Flow
Tube
1
Res = ------hA
In MSC Nastran terms, the flow tube ambient points are brought together and set to 0.0 degrees
temperature. The forced convection resistance is set to a large number (negligible heat transfer
coefficient). The connection between the fluid and structure is affected through basic convection with a
user-specified heat transfer coefficient. The input options are described in the table below.
Input Data
Dependence
Description
spatial, temp, time

spatial, temp, time

appear to define the free convection heat transfer coefficient
of the top, bottom, or edge of a boundary surface.
Mass Flow Rate
time
Defines the mass flow rate of the flow tube elements.
Nodal Area
--


Input Data
Formula Type Option
Dependence
--
Description
An advanced option for defining a customized form of the
free convection formula:
Convection Exponent
--
An advanced option for defining EXPF in the above equation.
Option
--

Film Node ID
--

film temperature.
determined.
Convection--Duct Flow
This feature enables the user to associate a 1D fluid stream with a surface or duct composed of 2D or 3D
(shell or solid) elements. When specifying the duct flow attributes, the target element type is 1D and the
region-2 specification will be 2D or 3D. It would be good modeling practice to provide flow stream
element discretization level of approximately the same level as the adjoining structure with respect to the
streamwise direction. Fluid connections can only be made between the flow tube and 3 noded triangular
elemental surfaces or 4 noded quadrilateral elemental surfaces.
The structural surface may represent a physically more complex geometry composed of surface fins. The
increased area associated with extended surfaces can be accounted for in duct flow by using the Extended
Surface Multiplier on the Input Data menu. The actual convection surface area will equal the area
calculated by the code from the elemental areas times this surface multiplier. On this same menu, mass
flow rate refers to the duct mass flow rate (total flow).
The proper treatment of the heat transfer coefficient relationship depends on the input for the flow tube
diameters, defined in this application as the hydraulic diameters (DH). The flow tube hydraulic diameter
is the dimension used in internally calculating the Reynolds Number. It will also automatically be used
as the diameter in the Input Data, Formula Type Option equation for the heat transfer coefficient. With
this formulation, the advection flow heat transfer coefficient is based on the gross dimensions of the
structure and is input to the code through the input of hydraulic diameter. It is the users responsibility to
determine an appropriate DH. The mass flow rate and fluid material properties represent the actual
94

total/real flow characteristics for the duct. The actual elemental surface area flow attachment is accounted
for internally through the triangle and quadrilateral surface element area calculations and may be
enhanced by the extended surface multiplier to represent a finned surface.
Input Data
Mass Flow Rate
* Time Function

Surface Temp (Ts)
Extended Surface Multiplier
Ambient Temp (Ta)

Film Temperature
Formula Type Option

Film Node ID
Reynolds Exponent
OK
Reset
Input Data
Dependence
Cancel
Description
Mass Flow Rate
time
Defines mass flow rate in the Flow Tube element.
--
Defines the constant coefficient used for forced convection.

A default value 1.e-20 will be defined if this data is not
specified.
Extended Surface Multiplier
--
Defines extended area factor for surface fins.

Input Data
Formula Type Option
Dependence
--
Description
An advanced option to define forced convection formula
type:
h=coef*Reexpr*Prexpp or h=coef*Reexpr*Prexpp*k/d
By default, the first form is chosen with EXPR and EXPP
equal to 0.0.
Reynolds Exponent
--
An advanced option for defining the Reynolds number

convection exponent EXPR in the above equation.
--

convection exponent EXPPI for heat transfer into the
working fluid.
--

convection exponent EXPPO for heat transfer out of the
working fluid.
Option
--

Film Node ID
--

film temperature.
96

Radiation--Ambient Space
This option defines a boundary condition for a surface exchanging radiant energy with an ambient
temperature in space. The Input Data form for 3D element types is shown below.
Input Data
Emissivity
Absorptivity
Ambient Temperature
View Factor
Spatial Fields
OK
Input Data
Reset
Dependence
Cancel
Description
Emissivity
spatial, temp
Defines surface emissivity.

Edge] Emissivity
spatial, temp

appear to define the emissivity of the top, bottom, or edge of a
boundary surface.
Absorptivity
spatial, temp
Defines surface absorptivity.

Edge] Absorptivity
spatial, temp

appear to define the absorptivity of the top, bottom, or edge of
a boundary surface.
Ambient Temperature
time

Input Data
Dependence
Description
View Factor
spatial, time
Defines radiation view factor between the surface and the

ambient space. The default value is 1.0.
Nodal Area
--

Radiation--Ambient Nodes
This is an advanced option for applying a radiation boundary condition to a surface. You select both the
surface (Application Region 1) and a set of nodes that define the temperature to which the surface is
exchanging heat by radiation (Application Region 2).
Input Data
Dependence
Description
Emissivity
spatial, temp

Edge] Emissivity
spatial, temp

appear to define the emissivity of the top, bottom, or edge of a
boundary surface.
Absorptivity
spatial, temp
Defines surface absorptivity.

Edge] Absorptivity
spatial, temp

appear to define the absorptivity of the top, bottom, or edge of
a boundary surface.
View Factor
spatial, time
Defines radiation view factor between the surface and the

ambient nodes. The default value is 1.0.
Nodal Area
--
When the LBC type is Nodal, this databox appears to define the
area of the boundary surface.
98

Radiation--Enclosures
This option defines a radiation boundary among a set of surfaces making up a cavity or enclosure. Each
surface is defined independently using the form below. The surfaces are grouped to form an enclosure by
specifying the same Enclosure ID (integer) on all surfaces making up the enclosure.
Input Data
Enclosure ID
Emissivity
Surface Can Shade
Third Body Shading
Surface Can Be Shaded
Complete Enclosure
Normal Vector
<
>
Nodal Area
Spatial Fields
OK
Input Data
Reset
Dependence
Cancel
Description
Enclosure ID
--
Defines the ID number of the radiation enclosure.
Emissivity
spatial, temp

Edge] Emissivity
spatial, temp
to define the emissivity of the top, bottom, or edge of a boundary
surface.
Surface Can Shade
--
Specifies if the face can shade other faces in the enclosure

(default=yes).
--
Specifies if the face can be shaded by other faces in the enclosure

(default=yes).
Normal Vector
spatial
When the load type is Nodal or the target element type is 1D, a
vector defining the surface normal must be entered.

Input Data
Dependence
Description
Nodal Area
--
When the LBC type is Nodal, this databox appears to define the
area of the boundary surface.
Third Body Shading
--
Controls third body shading calculation (default=yes). When set

at no, third body shadowing calculations will be ignored.
Complete Enclosure
--
In an enclosure that is not fully closed, energy may be radiated to

entities outside the enclosure. Toggling this option from no
(default) to yes specifies that all energy not exchanged among
the surfaces of the enclosure will be radiated to a user-defined
ambient temperature. When creating an enclosure it is sometimes
not feasible to model everything that will be generating or
receiving heat from a model. The user models everything that is
of interest, and then simply wants to close the remainder of the his
model with a single ambient element that will allow his view
factors to sum to 1.0. This is done with a RADCAV card and can
be accomplished by selecting the complete enclosure toggle. The
ambient temperature of the open space is then entered, and now
the analysis is able to complete with a total view factor of 1.0.
Ambient Temperature
--
This databox appears when the Complete Enclosure option is

toggled to yes and is used to define the external temperature to
which energy is exchanged with the enclosure.
Cavity 1
Figure 3-5
Multiple Cavity Example
Cavity 2
100

Can Be
Shaded, but
cannot shade
Figure 3-6
Can Shade, but

cannot be shaded
(Third Body Shadowing)
Single Cavity Example
Can Be
Shaded, but
cannot shade

Body Pair
This option defines the parameters for a new LBC called Contact Body Pair. The Contact Body Pair is
made of two contact bodies that form a pair. The Input Data form contains three tabs: Geometric Contact
Parameters, Physical Contact Parameters, and Contact Options. Only Physical Contact Parameters of
thermal analysis differ from that of the structural analysis, while Geometric Contact Parameters and
Contact Options are same in both structural and thermal analyses and are described in the Body Pair
(Ch. 2) in the Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Preference Guide.
102

Input Data
Description
Near Contact DistTol.

(DQNEAR)
Distance below which thermal contact behavior occurs for heat

transfer analysis only.
Heat Transfer Coeff. (HTC)
Contact heat transfer coefficient. Can reference a temperature

dependent non-spatial field. Default = 0.0 or 1.0E6 in a
thermal/mechanical analysis when glue option is activated.
Near Field Conv. Coeff.

(HCV)
Convection coefficient for near field behavior. Can reference a

temperature dependent non-spatial field.
Distance Dep. Conv. Coeff.

(HBL)
Separation distance dependent thermal convection coefficient. Can

reference a temperature dependent non-spatial field.
Natural Conv. Coeff. (HNC)
Natural convection coefficient for near field behavior. Can reference

a temperature dependent non-spatial field.
Natural Conv. Exp. (BNC)
Exponent associated with the natural convection coefficient for near

field behavior. Can reference a temperature dependent non-spatial
field.
NL Heat Trans. Coeff. (HNL) Heat transfer coefficient for nonlinear convective heat flow for near
field.
NL Heat Trans. Exp. (BNL)
Exponent associated with the nonlinear convective heat flow for near
field.
Emissivity (EMISS)
Emissivity for radiation to the environment for near thermal radiation.

Can reference a temperature dependent non-spatial field.
Thermal Glue Option

(HGLUE)
Flag to activate the thermal glue option. If OFF, thermal contact

conditions treated by convective heat transfer between bodies. If ON,
temperature fields of bodies are tied as soon as they come in contact
and there is no convective heat transfer over the body interfaces.

Load Cases
3.7
Load Cases
Load cases in Patran enable you to group a series of load sets into one load environment for your model.
Load cases are selected when defining an analysis job. The usage within MSC Nastran is similar. Patran
uses the selected load cases to create the necessary SUBCASE commands in the Case Control Section of
the NASTRAN input file.
For information on how to define multiple static and/or transient load cases, see Load Cases Application
(Ch. 5) in the Patran Reference Manual.
Patran
Help

hp, 2
XY
104

Load Cases
Chapter 4: Running a Thermal Analysis

Running a Thermal Analysis
Introduction
106
Solution Types
Direct Text Input
Subcases
Subcase Select
115
121
123
137
111
107
106

Introduction
4.1
Introduction
To run a thermal analysis, you use the procedure described below.
Select the solution type
The solution type can be either steady-state or transient analysis.
Define the solution related input data
The purpose of this step is to change the default settings of job-related

input data, such as Maximum Run Time, Default Initial Temperature,
Radiation Parameters, and options for view factor calculations.
Define the subcase data
Similar to the previous step, the defaults for nonlinear iteration

controls, time increments, and output requests can be altered in the
Subcase Create section of the Analysis menu form.
Select load cases
This step selects load case(s) for an analysis job.
Submit the job
When a job is ready for analysis, the MSC Nastran solver can be
retrieved by clicking on the Apply button on the main Analysis form.
You can modify the default settings of translation parameters, or you
can insert additional data entries using the Direct Text Input form
before submitting your analysis job.
Read the analysis results
The analysis results must be read into the Patran database by invoking
the Read Output2 Action on the Analysis form. The results can then be
processed by selecting the Results toggle on the Patran application
selections.
To submit a single load case, steady-state analysis job to MSC Nastran, you need only click on the Apply
button on the main Analysis form. Patran will automatically control the appropriate default settings and
other related selections.
In the Patran MSC Nastran Interface, a subcase can be thought of as a Patran load case with some
additional parameters (e.g., Output Requests) associated with it. This association is further strengthened
since the default subcases are created for each load case and have the same name as their associated load
case. In this document, the terms load case and subcase are used interchangeably. When a specific
form is referenced, Load case and Subcase are capitalized.
Chapter 4: Running a Thermal Analysis 107

4.2

The Analysis form appears when you select Analysis from the main form. To run an analysis, or to create
an NASTRAN input file, select Analyze as the Action on the Analysis form. Other forms brought up by
the Analysis form are used to define translation parameters, solution types, solution parameters, output
requests, and load cases. These forms are described on the following pages. For further information, see
The Analysis Form (p. 8) in the Patran Reference Manual.
Patran
Help

hp, 2
XY
108

Analysis Form
This form appears when you select Analysis from the main menu. When preparing for an analysis run,
select Analyze as the Action.
Analysis
Analyze
Action:
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Analysis Deck
Code: MSC Nastran

Type:
Actions can be set to:

Analyze
Read Output2 (p. 125)
Read Input File (p. 571) in the Patran Interface
to MSC Nastran Preference Guide (support is

limited for thermal analysis)
Delete (Ch. 6) in the Patran Interface to MSC
Nastran Preference Guide
Monitor (Ch. 5) in the Patran Analysis Manager
Users Guide
Abort (Ch. 6) in the Patran Analysis Manager
Users Guide
Thermal
Available Jobs
my_job
Indicates the selected Analysis Code and Analysis
Type, as defined in the Preferences>Analysis (p. 443) in
the Patran Reference Manual.
Job Name
my_job
Job Description
MSC Nastran job created on
01-Feb-93 at 14:32:43
Name of job. Patran will use this name as the base

filename for all resulting MSC Nastran files and
message files.
List of already existing jobs. If you select one of these jobs, the name will appear in the Job Name listbox and
all input data for this job will be retrieved from the database. You can submit an existing job again simply by
selecting it and clicking on Apply. It is often convenient to select an existing job, modify the input data as
desired, and click on Apply to submit the new job.

Job Description
MSC Nastran job created on
01-Feb-93 at 14:32:43
Patran uses this text to generate the TITLE statement in the

MSC Nastran Executive Control Section.
Solution Type...
Subcase Create...
Opens the Direct Text Input form; this form allows you
to enter data directly for the File Management,
Executive Control, Case Control, and Bulk Data
sections of the NASTRAN input file.
Subcase Select...
Analysis Manager...
Selects one or more subcases for the analysis job.

Opens the Patran Analysis Manager form.
Apply
Opens a form that allows you to choose either steadystate analysis or transient analysis and to specify
settings for controlling the overall analysis job.
110

The following table outlines the selections for the Analyze action.
Object
Method
Entire Model
Full Run
Check Run
Analysis Deck
Model Only
Current Group
Full Run
Check Run
Analysis Deck
Model Only
Existing Deck
Full Run
The Object indicates which part of the model is to be analyzed. There are three choices for thermal
analysis: Entire Model, Current Group, and Existing Deck.
Entire Model
Indicates that the whole model is to be analyzed.
Current Group
Indicates that only part of the model is to be analyzed. To do this, you create a group of
that part, confirm that it is the current group, then select Current Group as the Object.
For more information, see The Group Menu (p. 280) in the Patran Reference Manual.
Existing Deck
Means that you wish simply to submit an existing input file to MSC Nastran. To form
the input filename, Patran appends the suffix .bdf to the jobname appearing in the
Job Name listbox. This file must reside in the current directory.
The Method indicates how far the translation is to be taken.The methods are as follow:
Full Run
Is the selected type if an Analysis Deck translation is performed, and the resulting input
file is submitted to MSC Nastran for complete analysis.
Check Run
Is the selected type if an Analysis Deck translation is performed, and the resulting input
file is submitted to MSC Nastran for a check run only.
Analysis Deck
Is the selected type if the Model Deck translation is performed, plus all load case,
analysis type and analysis parameter data are translated. A complete input file, ready for
MSC Nastran, will be generated.
Model Only
Is the selected type if a Bulk Data file is created that contains only the model data
including node, element, coordinate frame, element property, material property, and
loads and boundary conditions data. The translation stops at that point.

4.3
This subordinate form appears when you click on the Translation Parameters button on the Analysis
form.
Defines the type of data output. Print specifies output of data to

the MSC Nastran print file (.f06). OP2 specifies output of data
to an MSC Nastran OUTPUT2 file (.op2).
XDB specifies output of data to an MSC.Access database
(.xdb).
Data Output
Data Output:
OP2 and Print
OUTPUT2 Requests:
P3 Built In
OUTPUT2 Format:
Binary
Tolerances
Division:
1.0e-08
Numerical:
1.0e-04
Writing:
1.0e-20
Specifies format of the MSC Nastran

OUTPUT2 (*.op2) files. Use Text format
when the resulting OUTPUT2 file must be
transported between heterogeneous compute
Defines various tolerances used during
translation.
Division is used to prevent division-by-zero
errors.
Numerical is used to determine if two real
values are equal.
Writing is used to determine if a value is
approximately zero when generating a Bulk
Data entry field.
Bulk Data Format

Card Format:
either
Minimum Signif. Digits:
Node Coordinates:
reference frame
MSC Nastran Version:
69
Write Properties on Element Entries

Numbering Options...
Bulk Data Include File...
OK
Defaults
Specifies type of OUTPUT2 commands. P3

Built In signals the use of MSC Nastran
internal OUTPUT2 commands geared toward
Patran. These commands are also
appropriate for PATRAN 2. Alter File
specifies the use of an external alter file found
on the Patran file path and following the
msc_v#_sol#.alt naming convention.
See Files (App. A) for more details. CADA-X
Alter specifies the use of an LMS CADA-X
specific alter file that is identical to the Alter
File but with an additional .lms
extension, e.g.,
msc_v69_sol53.alt.lms. P2 Built
In specifies use of MSC Nastran internal
OUTPUT2 commands geared toward
PATRAN 2.
Cancel
112

Data Output
OP2 and Print
Data Output:
P3 Built In
OUTPUT2 Requests:
Binary
OUTPUT2 Format:
Tolerances
Division:
1.0e-08
Numerical:
1.0e-04
Writing:
1.0e-20
Defines what type of fields are to be used in

the Bulk Data entry. Entry format can be se
to small, large, or either. If either is selected
the Minimum Significant Digits value is use
to determine whether the values on a
particular Bulk Data entry can be placed in
small fields or whether large fields are
required. The small-field format consists of
Bulk Data entry fields 8 columns wide; the
large field format is 16 columns wide.
Bulk Data Format

Card Format:
either
Minimum Signif. Digits:
4
reference frame
Node Coordinates:
MSC Nastran Version:
69
Brings up a subordinate form, Numbering

Options, 113, which defines automatic
numbering offsets and possible syntaxes fo
encoded IDs.
Write Properties on Element Entries

Numbering Options...
Bulk Data Include File...
OK
Defaults
Cancel
Brings up a standard file select form which

allows you to select a file to be included in
the Bulk Data Section of the NASTRAN inpu
file.
Writes CELAS2, CDAMP2, and CONROD Bulk Data entries instead of CELAS1, CDAMP1, and CROD entries.
Note:
Do not turn ON this option if your model has time varying temperature boundary
conditions or conductor/capacitor elements.
Defines which version of MSC Nastran is to be used. The version indicated here serves two purposes: to
create the full name of the ALTER file to be used and to determine which Solution Sequence to be used. Be
sure to specify only whole numbers and letters; e.g., 68 or 69.
Defines which coordinate frame is to be used when generating the grid coordinates. The options are reference
frame, analysis frame, or global. This setting should not affect the analysis. It only changes the method used in the
id
ti
It l d t
i
hi h
di t f
i
f
d i th CP fi ld f th GRID B lk D t
t

Numbering Options
Patran allows you to define numbering offsets for IDs associated with model entities. To invoke this
feature, you click on the Numbering Options button on the Translation Parameters form.
Numbering Options
Automatic Numbering Offsets:

Element Properties:
Material Properties:
Data Tables:
s:
Load Sets:
Load Cases:
Control Sets:
Rigid Elements:
Scalar Points:
Indicates offsets for all IDs to be

automatically assigned during
translation. For example, if you type
100 into the Element Properties Offset
box, the numbering of element
properties in the resulting NASTRAN
input file will begin at 101.
Begin. Contin. Marker:
Specifies the continuation mnemonic

format used on multiple line Bulk Data
entries.
Activates recognition of IDs encoded into
the name of any named entry, such as a
material.
IDs Encoded in Names:
Recognizes and uses an ID if, and only

if, the name of the entity is an actual
number, such as 105. This option is
ON by default.
Number Only
Beginning Number
Recognizes an ID if the number begins

the name, such as 52_shell_property.
This option is OFF by default.
Trailing Number
Encoded Syntax
Syntax Marker:
OK
Recognizes an ID if it directly follows the

first occurrence of the specified syntax.
For example, with this option activated
and the specified syntax set to ., the ID
assigned to a material given the name
Steel_1027.32 would be 32.
Defaults
Cancel
Recognizes an ID if it tails the name, such as shell_property_52. This option is OFF by default.
114

Note that both the Patran Neutral file reader and the Patran MSC Nastran input file reader preserve the
IDS of named entities with a . syntax, so that an MSC Nastran PSHELL entry of ID 12 will be assigned
the name PSHELL.12. This last option allows great continuity between input model data and output
model data. This option is ON by default, and the default Syntax Marker is .
Note:
The Encoded IDs option currently only works for element properties and material
properties.

Solution Types
4.4
Solution Types
Three solution types are supported in the Patran MSC Nastran thermal interface: steady state, transient,
and linear structural. The two thermal (only) analysis types employ nonlinear solution algorithms so that
nonlinear material properties or boundary conditions can be included in the model. The linear structural
analysis type (STRUCTURAL HEAT ANALYSIS) performs first a linear steady-state thermal analysis
(SOL 153), then it performs a linear structural analysis (SOL 101) using the results of the thermal
analysis as loading on the structural model. Use the form shown below to select the solution type. By
default, a steady-state thermal analysis is requested.
Performs linear or nonlinear steady-state thermal analysis usin

MSC Nastran Solution Sequence 153.
Performs linear or nonlinear transient thermal analysis using

MSC Nastran Solution Sequence 159.
Performs linear structurall analysis using MSC Nastran Solutio

Sequence 101, and the temperature results from a linear
steady-state thermal analysis.
Brings up a form that controls various settings that pertain to

the overall analysis process.
Displays the MSC Nastran Solution Sequence number.
116

Solution Types
Solution Parameters
The solution parameter form contains options and subordinate forms for defining parameters that affect
the overall analysis. The Subcase Parameter forms, described below, are used for setting input data that
control the analysis only within a single subcase. You should always review the settings on both forms
before submitting an analysis.
Requests that the model singularities
be constrained automatically.
Select the Solution Sequence. If a static
analysis is being performed (SOL 153)
the choices are SOL 153, 400, or 600. If
a transient analysis is being performed
(SOL 159) the choices are SOL 159,
400, or 600.
Controls whether or not the input file is
printed to the Nastran output file (f06).
Maximum number of lines to be
written to the Nastran output file
(f06).
Maximum number of CPU minutes the
analysis job is allowed to run. The job
will terminate when this limit is reached.
Buttons to bring up subordinate forms

for additional parameters needed for
radiation analysis.
Select this button to specify what is to be
output from the analysis.
Defines the default initial temperature for all node points which have not been given an initial temperature
by the Initial Temperature object of Loads/BCs.

Solution Types
Radiation Parameters
Figure 4-1
The value of absolute

temperature scale may
be entered directly or
selected from the menu.
The value of the Stefan-Boltzmann constant must be input in

units that are consistent with the rest of the model definition.
Values in several different combinations of units are
available for selection in the menu, or you can enter the
value directly.
View Factor Parameters

This subordinate form defines parameters and output options to calculate view factors. For all the
radiation enclosures selected, the Patran MSC Nastran forward translator automatically enables the
Gaussian integration view factor calculation method by applying the terminology defined here. A more
detailed description of the calculation of view factors can be found in the MSC Nastran Thermal Analysis
Users Guide.
118

Solution Types
Figure 4-2
Defines the view factor sum that the enclosure will be set to if the view factor summation of the
enclosure is greater than 1.0. No scaling is performed if this databox is left blank.
View Factor Parameters

Defines Gaussian integration order for
calculating net effective view factors in
the presence of third-body shading.
View Factor Scale =

Gaussian Int Order (3rd Body Shading):
Gaussian Int Order (Self Shading):
Discretization Level =
Error Tolerance =
0.1
Assumed Level of Calculation =
1.0e-10
Assumed Degree of Warpage =
0.01
Defines Gaussian integration order for

calculating net effective view factors in
the presence of self shadowing.
Defines the discretization level used

in the semi-analytic contour
integration method.
Defines the assumed level of

calculation below which the numbers
are considered to be zero.
Defines the assumed degree of warpage above which the

actual value of Fii will be calculated. (For a flat surface Fii =
0.0)
Defines the error tolerance above which a corrected view factor is calculated
using the semi-analytic contour integration method.
NOTE: See the MSC Nastran Thermal Analysis Users

Guide for a description of error estimators for view factor
calculation.

Solution Types
Defines diagnostic output request options for the radiation exchange surfaces. The
output will be written to the NASTRAN output (f06) file.
Diagnostic Output Requests

Grid Table and Element Connectivity
Surface Diagnostics
View Factor Calculation Diagnostics
Output Device Option:
OK
Both
Defaults
Cancel
Defines the output device options (Both, Print, Punch, None) for printing or punching view factors onto
RADLST/RADMTX entries. The printed view factors are written to the NASTRAN output (f06) file, while
the punched view factors are written to a punch file, job_name.pch. If the FEM mesh and the
application regions of loads and boundary conditions are not changed in subsequent runs, the lengthy
view factor calculations may be skipped by including the RADLST/RADMTX punch files, which can be
retrieved from the Bulk Data Include File menu in the Translation Parameters form.
Solution Parameters for Transient Analysis

Figure 4-3
120

Solution Types
Controls the printout of model singularities.
Solution Parameters
Transient Solution Parameters
Controls whether or not the input filefile is

printed to the NASTRAN output (f06) file
Print Out Singularities

Data Deck Echo:
None
Maximum Printed Lines =
999999999
Maximum Run Time =
600
Default Init Temperature =
0.0
Maximum number of lines to be written to

the NASTRAN output (f06) file.
Maximum number of CPU minutes the

analysis job is allowed to run. The job will
terminate when this limit is reached.
Radiation Parameters...
The radiation and view factor input data
forms are identical to those shown
above for steady-state analysis.
View Factor Parameters...
OK
Defaults
Cancel
Defines the default initial temperature for all grid points which
have not been given an initial temperature by the Initial
Temperature Object of Loads/BCs.

Direct Text Input
4.5
Direct Text Input

This form allows you to enter entries directly in the File Management, Executive Control, Case Control,
and Bulk Data sections of the NASTRAN input file. The input file reader1 also creates these entries for
any unsupported entries in the input file. If the data is entered by the user, the Write to Input file toggle
default setting is ON. If the data comes from the input file reader, the default for the Input file toggle is
OFF. A good practice is to review and edit the MSC Nastran input entries. If they should be written to
any input files subsequently created by the interface, the appropriate Write to Input file toggle should be
set to ON.
Text entered into the Case Control section is written to the input file before the first subcase. The Direct
Text Input option on the Subcase Create form should be used to enter text directly within a subcase
definition.
1The
current input file reader provides limited support for thermal analysis.
122

Direct Text Input
Switches to determine which data section the

MSCNASTRAN input would be sent.
Direct Text Input
Bulk Data Section
uu
File Management Section
FMS Write To Input Deck
uu
Executive Control Section
EXEC Write To Input Deck
uu
Case Control Section
CASE Write To Input Deck
Bulk Data Section
BULK Write To Input Deck
OK
Saves the current

setting and data for the
four sections and
closes the form.
Clear
Clears the current form.
Reset
Resets the form back

to the data values it
had at the last OK.
Cancel
Resets all four forms back to its

previous value and closes the
form.

Subcases
4.6
Subcases
This form appears when you select the Subcase Create button on the Analysis form. The subcase is the
MSC Nastran mechanism for associating loads and boundary conditions, output requests, and various
other input data to be used during part of a complete run.
124

Subcases
The Patran MSC Nastran interface automatically associates default parameters and output requests with
each Patran load case to create a subcase with the same name as the load case. You can access the Subcase
Parameters and Output Requests forms to view or modify these defaults.
Subcase Create
Solution Sequence: 153
Available Subcases
Default
Convection_Case
Radiation_Case
100_BTU_Heat_Load
Displays all the available subcases associated

with the current Solution Sequence.
Subcase Name
Displays the subcase name that is being

created, modified, or deleted. You can type in
the subcase name or pick it from the Available
Subcases listbox.
Default
Subcase Description
This is the default subcase
Displays the description of the current subcase

The description can be 256 characters long.
Available Load Cases

Default
Convection_Case
Radiation_Case
100_BTU_Heat_Load
Displays all the available loadcases in the curr

database. Only one loadcase can be selected
subcase.
Subcase Options
Subcase Parameters...
Output Requests...
These buttons bring up subordinate forms for

additional input associated with the subcase.
Apply
Delete
Cancel

Subcases
Note about Structural Heat Analysis:

There can be only two subcases.
First subcase has only thermal Loads/BCs (Case Control LOAD and SPC entries) and thermal
Output Requests (Case Control THERMAL entry).

Second subcase has only structural Loads/BCs (Case Control LOAD and SPC entries) and
structural Output Requests (Case Control STRESS entry). The temperatures from the thermal
analysis (first subcase) are a part of the structural Loads/BCs (Case Control
TEMPERATURE(LOAD) = ID (ID of the first subcase) entry).
Both thermal (Bulk Data MAT4 entry) and structural (Bulk Data MAT1 entry) material
properties must exist. The IDs of the MAT4 and MAT1 entries must be equal.
PARAM, HEATSTAT, YES in written to the Bulk Data section to enable this type of analysis.
To set up and perform a chained thermal-structural analysis in one run using SOL 101. The procedure is
to:
1. With Patran Preferences set to MSC Nastran, Structural, create and set up your structural LBCs
and load case
1. Change the Patran Preferences to MSC Nastran, Thermal, create and set up your thermal LBCs
and load case
1. Set the Solution Type to STRUCTURAL HEAT ANALYSIS
1. Set up two Subcases, one referencing the structural load case and the other referencing the thermal
load case.
1. Select the two Subcases in the order: Thermal, Structural
1. Submit the job
The Nastran run is submitted as a SOL 101 with two Subcases. The first subcase is the heat transfer run
to determine the temperature loading. The temperature results from the first subcase are used along with
any other structural LBCs called out in the second subcase, which is a SOL 101 run. PARAM,
HEATSTAT, YES is written to the input file.
Subcase Parameters
The controls and parameters set on the Subcase Parameters forms apply to a single MSC Nastran subcase
within the overall analysis run.
Steady-State Subcase
This subordinate form appears when the Subcase Parameters button is selected on the Subcase Create
form and the solution type is Steady State. This form provides for the definition of the input data that
controls the solution of the nonlinear equations.
Occasionally, when solving a set of nonlinear equations, it may not be possible to obtain a solution
directly with the total heat load applied. Instead, the solution is obtained by applying the loading in
126

Subcases
increments, solving the system equations for the current fraction of the total load, and using that solution
as the starting point for the next increment of load. This process continues until the desired total heat load
is applied. It should be mentioned that the number of load increments has no effect on the accuracy of
the solution-- it is merely a computational technique to aid in obtaining the solution efficiently. In linear
or mildly nonlinear problems, a single increment is usually applied. In highly nonlinear problems, dozens
of increments may be required to obtain a converged solution.
This incremental procedure is only applicable with respect to applied heat loads and specified
temperature boundary conditions. There is no incremental provision for convection or radiation boundary

Subcases
conditions. As a result, it is more common with highly nonlinear boundary conditions to exceed the
nonlinear iteration limit. This defaults to 25 currently, but can be increased.
Number of increments over which the heat load is

applied.
These parameters control aspects of the

nonlinear equation solving process. For more
information, see table on page 129.
The convergence criteria are used to determine

when the solution is sufficiently accurate to be
considered converged. See page 129 for more
information.
See the next page for the contact table form.
128

Subcases
Thermal Contact Table
This data can optionally be

defined for each individual
contact pair (which is
selected by clicking on the
cell of the above contact
body matrix) and is written
to the BCTABLE bulk data
entry. See the MSC
Nastran Quick Reference
Guide for more information.

Subcases
The parameters controlling the steady-state solution process are discussed more fully in the table below.
More extensive information can be found in the MSC Nastran Thermal Analysis Users Guide.
Parameter Name
Description
Matrix Update Method
This option determines the strategy used to determine how often to

update (reform) the nonlinear conductance and radiation matrices.
The three options are Automatic, Semi-Automatic, and Controlled
Iters. The optimum strategy would result in the lowest computational
cost. When the Automatic option is selected, MSC Nastran tries to
select the most efficient strategy based on convergence rates. If
Controlled Iters is selected, the matrices are updated after a
prescribed number of iterations (determined by the Number of
Iterations per Update parameter).
Number of Iterations per

Update
When the Matrix Update Method is set to Controlled Iters, this is the
number of iterations before the matrices are reformed.
Allowable Iterations per

Increment
This parameter specifies the maximum number of allowed iterations

in a load increment. If this number is exceeded, the load increment
is halved and the iteration process repeated.
Convergence Criteria
The convergence criteria provide for the comparison of userrequested maximum levels of error and the error in the solution as
estimated numerically. In this sense, the convergence criteria
determine when the solution is sufficiently accurate to be considered
converged. Any or all of the three convergence criteria listed below
can be selected. When more than one criteria is selected, each one
must be satisfied for convergence to be achieved.
Temperature Error
Indicates whether a temperature convergence criterion should be

used. If Temperature Error is selected, the Temperature Tolerance
field becomes active. A norm of the temperature increment vector
calculated in the iteration must be less than this tolerance for a
converged solution.
Temperature Tolerance
Load Error
Load Tolerance
Work Error
Work Tolerance
Indicates whether a load convergence criteria should be used. If

Load Error is selected, the Load Tolerance field becomes active. A
norm of the residual heat load vector must be less than this tolerance
for a converged solution.
Indicates whether a work convergence criteria should be used. If
Work Error is selected, the Work Tolerance field becomes active.
The incremental work associated with the iteration must be less than
this tolerance for a converged solution.
130

Subcases
Transient Subcase Parameters

This subordinate form appears when you select the Subcase Parameters button on the Subcase Create
form and the solution type is Transient. This form provides for the definition of the input data that
controls the solution of the nonlinear time-dependent equations.
The integration in time is carried out using Newmarks method with variable time steps. An initial time
step and the number of time steps must be input. Since the time increment is adjusted during the analysis,

Subcases
the actual number of time steps may not be equal to the input value. However, the total time duration will
be close to the product of the input values.
Subcase Parameters
Initial Time Step =
0.01
Number of Time Steps =
100
Initial time increment for the Newmark

method.
This number is used along with the initial time
step to calculate the total time duration.
Transient Nonlinear Iterations

Matrix Update Method:
Adaptive
Number of Bisections per Update =

Defines the maximum number of time step
bisections to be used in each matrix update.
2
Allowable Iterations per Time Step =
10
The maximum number of allowed iterations in a

time step.
Temperature Error
Temperature Tolerance =
1.0e-02
Load Error
Load Tolerance =
The convergence criteria are described

above for the steady-state case. The
temperature convergence criteria must be
selected if the analysis involves any time
varying temperature boundary conditions.
1.0e-03
Work Error
Work Tolerance =
1.0e-06
Fixed Time Steps
Directs MSC Nastran to use the initial time step

for all time steps. This disables the automatic
time stepping mechanism.
Exit on Failure to Converge

OK
Cancel
If this toggle is ON, the run will terminate if the converge criteria are not met for
any time step. If OFF, the run continues to the next time step.
132

Subcases
Structural Heat Subcase Parameters

This subordinate form appears when you select the Subcase Parameters button on the Subcase Create
form and the solution type is Structural Heat. This form provides for the definition of the input data that
controls the solution of the linear structural equations.
The parameters that can be set have to do with 1) Default Load Temperature, 2) Rotor Dynamics, 3)
Contact Table, and 4) Solvers/Options..
Default Load Temperature is for specifying

the temperature at nodes for which the
temperature has not been specified using
Loads/BCs.
By clicking Enable Rotor Dynamics, and
clicking Specify Rotor Speed, several things
are to be specified. They are 1) Reference
Rotor, 2) the units of the speed, and 3) Rotor
Speed.
Clicking the Contact Table button displays the
Contact Table form. This form is used to
specify what and how contact bodies are to be
in contact. For example, rubber seal (flexible)
contacts door (rigid). See Thermal Contact
Table, 128
Clicking the Solvers / Options button displays
the Solvers / Options form that is used to
specify the Solver Type (for example, Nastran
Default or an iterative method), a
Preconditioner method (for example,
Cholesky), Maximum Number of Iterations,
and other parameters.
Output Requests
The output requests forms allow you to define what result quantities will be written to the MSC Nastran
print file for viewing and the OUTPUT2 file for import into Patran. A reasonable set of default result
quantities are predefined. The simplest way to change these is to use the Basic Output Requests form.

Subcases
More control over output quantities is provided for sophisticated users by changing the Form Type menu
from Basic to Advanced. The Basic form is shown below.
Output Requests
The available output requests depend on

the active Solution Sequence as indicated
by this value.
SUBCASE NAME:
SOLUTION SEQUENCE: 159
Form Type:
Basic
This option menu is used to switch between the
advanced and basic versions of this form.
Select Result Type

Temperatures
Heat Fluxes
Applied Linear Loads
Heats of Constraint
Enthalpies
Rate of Change of Enthalpies
Displays the appropriate result types that may

be selected for the solution sequence indicated
at the top of the form. The output requests are
selected one at a time by clicking.
Output Requests
THERMAL(SORT2,PRINT)=All FEM
FLUX(SORT2,PRINT)=All FEM
Displays the selected output requests for the
subcase shown at the top of the form.
Deletes the output request highlighted in the

Output Requests listbox.
Delete
OK
Defaults
Cancel
NOTE: The OK button accepts the output requests and closes the form. The Defaults button deletes all
output requests and replaces them with defaults. The Cancel button closes the form without saving the
output requests.
134

Subcases
When the Form Type is set to Advanced, the Output Requests form expands to the form below. The same
result types are available in the Select Result Type listbox, but more options are available to control these.
This listbox is used to select the group of
nodes or elements to which the output
requests relate.
Use this listbox to select the

result type to be created.
Output Requests
SUBCASE NAME:
SOLUTION SEQUENCE: 153
Form Type:
Select Group(s)/SET
All FEM
Advanced
Select Result Type

Temperatures
Heat Fluxes
Heats of Constraint
Options
Sorting:
By Node/Element
Output Device Opt:
Print
Output Requests
THERMAL(SORT1,PRINT)=All FEM
FLUX(SORT1,PRINT)=All FEM
Create
Intermediate Output Option:
No
Delete
OK
Defaults
Creates output requests for highlighted result types. It

also modifies highlighted output requests. The button
label changes to reflect the operation.
Use this listbox to select output requests
that are to be modified or deleted.
NOTE: The ALL FEM set must be selected to request the
heat flux output associated with loads and boundary
conditions.
Cancel
These options are appropriate for the

highlighted result type. They also indicate
the options that were selected for a
highlighted output request. See Table 4-1.

Subcases
Table 4-1
Output Request Form Options
Options
Sorting
Label
Multiple
Select
Allowed
Descriptions
By Node/Element No
Output is presented as tabular listing of

nodes/elements for each load step or time.
By Time/Load
Step
No
Output is presented as tabular listing of load

step/time for each node or element type.
No
Requests that the output be written to the

NASTRAN output (f06) file.
Punch
No
Requests that the output be written to the punch file

(job_name.pch).
Both
No
Requests that the output be written to the

NASTRAN output (f06) file and the punch file
(job_name.pch).
IntermediateO Yes
utput Options
Once per
subcase
Intermediate outputs are requested for every

computed load increment. Applicable for steadystate analysis only.
No
Once per
subcase
Intermediate outputs are requested for the last load

of the subcase. Applicable for steady-state analysis
only.
All
Once per
subcase
Intermediate outputs are requested for every

computed and user-specified load increment.
Applicable for steady-state analysis only.
--
Once per
subcase
An integer n that specifies the percentage of

intermediate outputs to be presented for transient
analysis. Default = 100.
Output Device Print

Options
Percent of
Step Output
Direct Text Input

This form is used to directly enter entries into the Case Control section for the defined subcase.
136

Subcases
Directly entered entries may potentially conflict with those created by the interface. Writing these
entries to the file can be controlled with this toggle.
Direct Text Input

Write To Input Deck
OK
Clear
Clears the current form.
Saves the current

setting and data and
closes the form.
Reset
to the data values it
had at the last OK.
Cancel
to its previous value
and closes the form.

Subcase Select
4.7
Subcase Select
This form appears when you select the Subcase Select button on the Analysis form. It allows you to select
a sequence of subcases associated with an analysis job. The Default subcase is selected automatically. If
multiple subcases are selected, the subcases selected must contain identical sets of convection, radiation
boundary conditions, and fixed value temperature boundary conditions because these boundary
conditions are not subcase selectable in MSC Nastran thermal analysis.
Subcase Select
Subcases For Solution Sequence:
153
Default
Second-Load-Case
Radiation-Case
Displays all the available subcases for

the current solution sequence. The
current solution sequence is displayed
at the top of the form.
Subcases Selected:
Default
Displays all subcases that have been
associated with the current jobname.
OK
Cancel
Within the current Patran MSC Nastran design, only those boundary conditions referred to as loads are
subcase selectable. All heat flux types and temperature boundary specifications are defined as thermal
loads, whereas all occurrences of convection and radiation are defined as boundary conditions and are not
subcase selectable. As a result, the use of multiple subcases in MSC Nastran thermal analysis has limited
utility and in general is not recommended.
138

Subcase Select
Chapter 5: Results Processing and Visualization

Results Processing and Visualization
Overview
140
152
141
140

Overview
5.1
Overview
Before postprocessing of thermal results can occur, the MSC Nastran analysis results must be loaded into
the Patran database through the Read Output2 or Attach XDB Action on the Analysis form. You can then
display, sort, or retrieve the results using the following options:
Contour Plots (Fringe

Plots)
Contour Plots can be made for temperatures (isotherms), temperature gradients, and
heat fluxes. Since temperature gradients and heat fluxes are vector quantities, plotting
their values on the geometry requires selecting the desired result quantity; magnitude,
x-component, y-component, or z-component. Contour plots can be made for any
steady-state solution, and any temporal solution state in a transient analysis.
XY Plots
The most common XY plot for heat transfer is the representation of nodal temperature
versus time. On an elemental basis, temperature gradients and heat fluxes may also be
represented as functions of time. In a general sense, the following XY plot types are
available:
Results versus Global Variables
Results versus Another Result
Results versus Distances
Global Variables versus Global Variable
Result in Local System
Result in Arbitrary Path
Global variables include time and percent of load*. Results include: temperature,
temperature gradients, and heat fluxes.
* Percent of load refers to the nonlinear extreme solution technique of determining the result by incrementing the load
toward its full level from a reduced initial condition or load.
Chapter 5: Results Processing and Visualization 141

5.2

The Analysis form will appear when you select Analysis from the main form.
Patran
Help
XY

hp, 2
There are currently two Actions--Read Output2 and Attach XDB--for importing results. Selecting Read
Output2 as the Action on the Analysis form allows the model andor results data to be read into the Patran
database from an NASTRAN OUTPUT2 file. Subordinate forms of the Analysis form will define
translation parameters, which control the data to be translated, and the OUTPUT2 file from which to
translate. The OUTPUT2 data files are created by placing a PARAM,POST,-1 entry in the MSC Nastran
Bulk Data section.
Selecting Attach XDB as the Action on the Analysis form allows the results data from a MSC.Access
database (an .xdb file) to be accessed. In this case the results are not read directly into the Patran database
but instead remain in the MSC.Access database. Only what is termed as meta data is read into the Patran
database. Meta data consists of the Result Case names, their associated subcases, primary and secondary
result types, global variables, and the file location of the MSC.Access database or .xdb file. The Meta
data is used to translate results when the user attempts to postprocess the model. Subordinate forms of
the Analysis form will define translation parameters, which control the data to be accessed on attachment.
142

MSC.Access databases are created by placing a PARAM,POST,0 entry in the MSC Nastran Bulk Data
section.
See following sections
See following sections
Use this option if results are to be attached using MASTER/DBALL
direct results access.
Use this option if SOL 600 results are to be attached using T16/19
direct results access.

Read Output2 Form

This form appears when you select Analysis from the main menu. Read Output2, as the selected Action,
defines the type of data to be read from the MSC Nastran results file into Patran. The Object choices are
Result Entities, Model Data, or Both.
144

Defines how far the results translation will proceed. If Translate is selected, a job file containing information for
the results translation control is created and then submitted for translation. If Control File is selected, the
procedure will stop as soon as the control file is generated.
Analysis
Read Output2
Action:
Result Entities
Object:
Translate
Method:
Code:
MSC Nastran
Type:
Thermal
When the Object selected is Result Entities, the

model data must already exist in the database. No
results can be read into Patran if the associated
node or element does not already exist. Model Data
only reads the model data that exists in the results
file. Both will first read the model data, then the
result entities. If Model Data or Both are selected,
you must ensure that there will not be any ID
conflicts with existing model entities.
Available Job Names

my_job
Defines the jobname to be used for this job. The same

jobname used for the Analyze Action should be used for
the Read Output2 Action. This will allow Patran to load
the results directly into the load cases that were used for
the analysis.
Job Name
my_job
Job Description
MSC.Nastran job created
on 18-Apr-96 at 13:58:15
Defines the tolerances used during model translation.

The division tolerance is used to prevent division by
zero errors. The numerical tolerance is used when
comparing real values for equality. For Results Entities
and Both Objects, the Translations Parameters form
also specifies which version of the NASTRAN
OUTPUT2 file will be read.
Apply
Selects the results file (*.op2) to be read. The form that is

called up lists all files recognized as being MSC Nastran
results files. Even if there is only one .op2 file, it must be
explicitly selected.
Begins the translation of NASTRAN OUTPUT2 results into
the Patran database for postprocessing.

Results File Formats

The Patran MSC Nastran interface supports several different OUTPUT2 file formats. The interface,
running on any platform can read a binary format OUTPUT2 file produced by MSC Nastran running on
any of these same platforms. For example, a binary OUTPUT2 file produced by MSC Nastran running
on an IBM RS/6000 can be read by Patran running on DEC Alpha. Patran may be able to read binary
format OUTPUT2 files from other platforms if they contain 32 bit, IEEE format entities (either Big or
Little Indian).
For platforms that do not produce OUTPUT2 files in these formats, Patran can read OUTPUT2 files
created with the FORM=FORMATTED option in MSC Nastran. This option can be selected from the
Analyze/Translation Parameters form in Patran Analysis menu and directs MSC Nastran to produce an
ASCII format OUTPUT2 file that can be moved between any platforms. The Patran MSC Nastran
interface detects this format when the OUTPUT2 file is opened, automatically converts it to the binary
format, and then reads the model and/or results into the Patran database.
An OUTPUT2 file is created by MSC Nastran by placing a PARAM,POST,-1 entry in the Bulk Data
portion of the input file. The formatted or unformatted OUTPUT2 file is specified in the FMS section
using an ASSIGN OUTPUT2 = filename, UNIT=#, FORM=FORMATTED (or UNFORMATTED)
command. See Translation Parameters, 111.
Supported OUTPUT2 Results
The following table indicates all the possible results quantities that can be loaded into the Patran database
during results translation from MSC Nastran. The Primary and Secondary Labels are items selected from
the postprocessing menus. The Type indicates whether the results are Scalar or Vector and determines
which postprocessing techniques are available to view the results quantity. Data Block indicates which
NASTRAN OUTPUT2 datablock the data comes from. The Description gives a brief discussion about
the results quantity, such as whether it is a nodal or elemental result, and what type of output request will
generate this datablock.
Primary Level
Secondary
Level
Type
Data
Block
Description
Temperatures
OUGV1
Nodal temperatures
OPG1
Nodal applied linear loads
Heats of Constraint
OQG1
Nodal heats of constraint
Applied Load
OEF1
Heat flows from applied surface loads
Free Conv
OEF1
Heat flows from free convection
Forced Conv
OEF1
Heat flows from forced convection
Radiation
OEF1
Heat flows from radiation
Total
OEF1
Total heat flows into surface elems
OEF1
Conduction element temperature gradients
Heat Flows
Temperature Gradients
146

Secondary
Level
Primary Level
Type
Data
Block
Description
Heat Fluxes
OEF1
Conduction element heat fluxes
Enthalpies
OUGV1
Nodal enthalpies
Rate of Change of
Enthalpies
OUGV1
Rate of change of nodal enthalpies
Heats of Constraint are the mathematical (non-physical) heat flow into or out of a nodal point which is
associated with a user-specified temperature. In real-world analysis, we generally do not know the
structural temperatures, but we do know something about the heat loads, convection and radiation
boundaries, etc. We then invoke MSC Nastran to calculate the temperatures. However, suppose we have
results of an experiment in which a thermocouple is used to measure the boundary temperature. This
temperature could then be applied as a boundary condition in the finite element model. In the
experimental test, there may well be heat flow into or out of the boundary, but we have not made any
attempt to qualify or quantify the heat flow mechanism because we actually measured the temperature.
When the MSC Nastran thermal analysis is performed, the heat of constraint output represents the heat
flow that must occur at the physical boundary to support or maintain the measured temperature.
In addition to standard results quantities, several Global Variables can be created. This table outlines
Global Variables that may be created. Global Variables are results quantities where one value is
representative of the entire model:
Label
Type
Data Block
Description
Time
Oxxx
Time value of the time step
Percent of Load
Oxxx
Percent of load value for a nonlinear steady-state analysis

When reading model data from an NASTRAN OUTPUT2 file by selecting the Model Data Object, all
the data that will be created in the Patran database and the location in the OUTPUT2 file from where it
is derived are described in the following table:
Item
Nodes
Block
GEOM1
Description
Node ID
Nodal Coordinates
Reference Coordinate Frame
Analysis Coordinate Frame
Coordinate Frames
GEOM1
Coordinate Frame ID
Transformation Matrix
Origin
Can be Rectangular, Cylindrical, or Spherical
Elements
GEOM2
Element ID
Topology (e.g., Quad4 or Hex20)
Nodal Connectivity
148

Attach XDB Form

This form appears when you select Analysis from the main menu. Attach XDB, as the selected Action,
defines the type of data to be read from the MSC Nastran results file into Patran. The Object choices are
Result Entities, Model Data, or Both.
Action:
Attach XDB
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Local
Code: MSC Nastran

Thermal
Type:
When the Object selected is Result Entities, the model

data must already exist in the Patran database. Only
metadata or catalog information such as Result
Cases/Types, Global Variables, and file connection is
read into the Patran database. The results data
remains in the XDB file. The Model Data Object only
imports Nodes, Elements, and Coordinate Systems.
The Both selection will first read the model data, then
the result entities. If Model Data or Both are selected,
you must ensure that there will not be any ID conflicts
with existing model entities.
Study:
Available Jobs
my_job
Defines the jobname to be used for this job. The same

jobname used for the Analyze Action should be used for
the Attach XDB Action. This will allow Patran to load the
results directly into the load cases that were used for
the analysis.
Job Name
my_job
Job Description
MSC.Nastran job created on
14-Apr-98 at 13:24:31
Selects the results file (MSC.Access database or xdb file)

to be read. The form that is called up lists all files
recognized as being MSC Nastran results files. By
default, all files with an xdb extension are listed on them.
This can be changed with the filter. One may attach up to
20 .xdb files simultaneously.
Defines the tolerances used during model translation. The
division tolerance is used to prevent division by zero
errors. The numerical tolerance is used when comparing
real values for equality.

Apply
Begins the reading of the meta data from the MSC

Nastran xdb file for postprocessing.

Results File Formats

The same basic issues exist for MSC.Access databases as for OUTPUT2 files. For example, the
MSC.Access database (xdb file) may be exchanged between computer systems that have binary
compatibility. That is, an XDB file generated on a SUN Machine may be used on an IBM or SGI
computers.
However, in order to exchange the XDB file on binary incompatible machines, one needs to use the
TRANS and RECEIVE utilities delivered with every installation of MSC Nastran.
TRANS converts an XDB file generated by MSC Nastran to an equivalent character, i.e. ASCII, file
which can be transported to another computer across the network via ftp or rcp. RECEIVE converts the
character file back into the XDB format for postprocessing.
For more information on TRANS and RECEIVE utilities, please consult the Configuration and
Operations Guide for V70 of MSC.Nastran.
A MSC.Access XDB database is created by MSC Nastran by placing a PARAM,POST,0 entry in the
Bulk Data portion of the input file. See Translation Parameters, 111.
In this release, it is assumed that the geometry, loads, and results ouput all reside in the same physical
XDB file. That is, "split" XDB databases are not supported.
Supported MSC.Access Results
The following tables list the currently supported quantities from the MSC.Access database (xdb file). The
Primary and Secondary Labels are items selected from the postprocessing menus. The Type indicates
whether the results are Scalar or Vector and determines which postprocessing techniques are available to
view the results quantity. The Object indicates which MSC.Access object the data comes from. The
Description gives a brief discussion about the results quantity, such as whether it is a nodal or elemental
result, and what type of output request will generate this datablock.
To get further information on the MSC.Access, i.e. XDB, objects supported in Patran, please use the
ddlprt and ddlqry utilities delivered with every installation of MSC Nastran.
ddlprt is MSC.Access' on-line documentation.
ddlqry is MSC.Access Data Definition Language (DDL) browser.
See Configuration and Operations Guide for MSC.Nastran V70.
Primary Level
Secondary
Level
Type
Object
Description
Temperatures
THERR
Nodal temperatures
HTFLR
Nodal applied linear loads
Heats of Constraint
HTFFR
Nodal heats of constraint
150

Primary Level
Secondary
Level
Type
Object
Description
Applied Load
QHBDY
Heat flows from applied surface

loads
Free Conv
QHBDY
Heat flows from free

convection
Forced Conv
QHBDY
Heat flows from forced

convection
Radiation
QHBDY
Heat flows from radiation
Total
QHBDY
Total heat flows into surface

elems
Conduction element
QBARR,
QBEMR,QCON temperature gradients
R,
QHEXR,QPENR,
QQD4R,
QQD8R,
QRODR,
QTETR,
QTUBR, QTX6R
Heat Fluxes
Conduction element heat fluxes

QBARR,
QBEMR,
QCONR,
QHEXR,QPENR,
QQD4R,
QQD8R,
QRODR,
QTETR,
QTUBR, QTX6R
Enthalpies
ENTHR
Nodal enthalpies
Rate of Change of
Enthalpies
ENRCR
Rate of change of nodal

enthalpies
Heat Flows
Heats of Constraint are the mathematical (non-physical) heat flow into or out of a nodal point which is
associated with a user-specified temperature. In real-world analysis, we generally do not know the
structural temperatures, but we do know something about the heat loads, convection and radiation
boundaries, etc. We then invoke MSC Nastran to calculate the temperatures. However, suppose we have
results of an experiment in which a thermocouple is used to measure the boundary temperature. This
temperature could then be applied as a boundary condition in the finite element model. In the
experimental test, there may well be heat flow into or out of the boundary, but we have not made any
attempt to qualify or quantify the heat flow mechanism because we actually measured the temperature.

When the MSC Nastran thermal analysis is performed, the heat of constraint output represents the heat
flow that must occur at the physical boundary to support or maintain the measured temperature.
152

5.3

The Results or XY Plot toggle, located on the Patran application selections, may be chosen to visualize
thermal analysis results. The Results application displays contour plots and XY plots that can be sorted
or grouped by various kinds of variables. The XY Plot application creates and manages the definitions
of XY windows, curves, and titles. It also manages the display of XY plot information.
Patran
Help

hp, 2
The following pages describe how to process basic thermal results. For more information on
postprocessing results, see Postprocessing Results and XY Plotting.
XY

Contour Plots
Thermal contours can be plotted using the Quick Plot object (default) selected from the Results
application. If advanced features or XY plots are desired, the Fringe or Graph object must be used.
Results
Action:
Object:
Create
Quick Plot
Select Result Cases

Default, PW Linear : 100. % of Loa

Heat Fluxes,
Temperatures,
Quantity:
Magnitude
Selects the desired result case. This will fill out the Select
Fringe Result listbox below. If this listbox is empty, no
results exist in the database. Results can be imported from
the Analysis application or with Import in the FIle pulldown
menu.
After selecting a result case, the plot options are

displayed. This listbox is used to select a desired contour
plot.
Displays the result quantity options when a Vector result

(Temperature Gradients or Heat Fluxes) is chosen in the
Select Fringe Result listbox above. If the selected contour
result is a scalar value, this menu does not appear. The
possible result quantities are:
Magnitude, X component, Y component, Z component
Ignores this listbox for thermal analysis.
Animate
-Apply-
Click on Apply to create the contour plot.
154

To create a contour plot:

1. Select the results case from the first listbox.
1. Select the fringe result from the second listbox.
1. If the fringe result is a vector quantity, select the scalar quantity (Magnitude, X component, Y
component, or Z component) to be derived for the fringe.
1. Click on Apply.
Vector Output Definitions
Thermal vector results include temperature gradients and heat fluxes for conduction elements. Their
result quantities are as follows:
Result Quantity
Heat Fluxes
Magnitude
{(dT/dx) + (dT/dy) + (dT/dz) }
X Component
dT/dx
qx = -k dT/dx
Y Component
dT/dy
qy = -k dT/dy
Z Component
dT/dz
qz = -k dT/dz
1/2
{ qx2
qy2 + qz2 } 1/2
The sign convention for heat flow is as follows. Positive heat flow takes place as energy is transferred
from a region of high relative temperature to a region of low relative temperature. Similarly, heat flux
into the surface of a body is a positive quantity.

For example,
T=100.
K = Constant
T=0.
L=10.
T=100.
y
X=4.
X=6.
T=60.
T=40.
x
T=0.
X=0.
X=L=10.
T2 T1
dT = ------------------- 60.- = 2.
-------------= 40.
-------------------(Negative Gradient)
dx 1 2
X2 X1
6. 4.
qx
dT =
= k -----------dx 1 2
12
2k
(Positive Flux)
XY Plots
In transient thermal analysis, XY plotting is frequently applied to track the temperature-time history of
grid points. You select this capability from the Results application using the Graph object. You can also
156

use the Fringe object and the Report object for advanced features of contour plots and text report
generation.
Toggles the form to select the result case(s) from the first list box. This is the default form for the Graph
object.
Results
Display
Results
Action:
Create
Object:
Graph
Method:
-none-
Y vs X
-none-
-none-
-none-
Select Result Case(s)

transient, Time=60.
transient, Time=140.
Y:
Turns the Abbreviate Subcases toggle OFF

if more than one subcase exists for a Result
Case.
Selects result cases for results postprocessing.

NOTE: If nothing appears in this listbox, then the
results are not successfully loaded into the database.
Go back to the Analysis menu or pull down File
Import to read in analysis results.
Selects the Y-axis value.
Result
Select Y Result
Boundary Heat Flux, Radiation
Boundary Heat Flux, Total
Heat Fluxes,
Temperatures,
,
Position...((NON-LAYERED))
X:
Selects a Global Variable.
Time
Apply
Selects the layer if more than one layer is

associated with the result.
Selects the X-axis value.
Global Variable
Variable:
Lists result types for each selected load case. This

listbox is used to select a result for postprocessing.
Reset

The Target Entities form shown below is used to select target entities.
Results
Action:
Create
Object:
Method:
-none-
Graph
Toggles the form to select the entities for which

you wish to create an XY plot.
Y vs X
-none-
-none-
-none-
Target Entity:
Selects entity type.
Nodes
Select Nodes
Select (pick or type) entities.
Node 49:54
Apply
Reset
158

To create a fundamental XY plot of temperature versus time:

Results
Action:
Create
Object:
Method:
-none-
STEP 1: Select Graph object.
Graph
Y vs X
-none-
STEP 4: Press the Target Entities icon to toggle the

form to select target entities.
-none-
-none-
Select Result Case(s)

transient, Time=60.
Y:
STEP 2: For XY Plotting, we need a series of results

data, such as the temperature results over a period of
time from a transient analysis. You can select the result
cases with a mouse click and drag over the time states
of interest.
Result
Select Y Result
Heat Fluxes,
Temperatures,
,
X:
Variable:
Global Variable
Time
STEP 3: Choose Temperatures from the Select Y Result

listbox.

Results
Action:
Create
Object:
Method:
-none-
Graph
Y vs X
-none-
-none-
-none-
Target Entity:
STEP 5: Select Nodes as the target entity.
Nodes
Select Nodes
Node 49:54
STEP 6: Select (pick or type) Node IDs.
STEP 7: Click on Apply to create an XY plot.
Apply
Reset
160

Delete an XY Window
STEP 1: Select the XY Plot toggle on the Patran m
Patran
oup Viewport Viewing Display Preferences Tools
Help
etry FEM LBCs Matls Properties Load Cases Fields Analysis Results
on file patran.ses.01 started recording at 25

ded by Patran 03:36:58 PM
m Initialization complete. Acquiring license(s)...
XYPlot

XY Plot
Action:
Object:
Delete
STEP 2: Select the Delete option.
XYWindow
XYWindow List
window_1
window_2
window_3
window_4
-Apply-
STEP 3: Select the desired window(s) to

delete from the XYWindow List listbox.
162

Chapter 6: Read Input File

Read Input File
Conflict Resolution
173
164
172
164

6.1

The Analysis form will appear when the Analysis toggle, located on the Patran main menu, is chosen.
Patran
Help
XY

hp, 2
Read Input File as the selected Action on the Analysis form allows much of the model data from a
NASTRAN input file to be translated into the Patran database. A subordinate File Selection form allows
the user to specify the NASTRAN input file to translate. This form is described on the following pages.
Chapter 6: Read Input File 165

Read Input File Form

This form appears when the Analysis toggle is selected on the main menu. Read Input File, as the selected
Action, specifies that model data is to be translated from the specified NASTRAN input file into the
Patran database.
Analysis
Action:
Read Input File
Object:
Model Data
Method:
Translate
Code:
MSC Nastran
Type:
Structural
Indicates the selected Analysis Code and Analysis

Type, as defined in the Preferences>Analysis
(p. 443) in the Patran Reference Manual.
Available Jobs
List of already existing jobs.
Job Name
simple
Job Description
Name assigned to current translation job. This job

name will be used as the base file name for the
message file.
MSC.NASTRAN job
created on 30-Jan-93
at 16:05:33
Entity Selection...
Activates a subordinate Entity Selection form

which allows the user to specify the specific
entry types to be read. Also defines ID offset
values to be used during import.
Select Input File...

Activates a subordinate File Select form which
allows the user to specify the NASTRAN input file
to be translated.
166

Entity Selection Form

This subordinate form appears when the Entity Selection button is selected on the Analysis form and
Read Input File is the selected Action. It allows the user to specify which MSC Nastran entity types to
import.
Entity Selection
Entity Packets
Nodes
Elements
Material Properties
Element Properties
Coordinate Frames
Load Sets
Subcases
MPC Data
Highlighted entity types will be imported.
Select None
Select All
Select All FEM
Select All LBC
Activates the form to define ID offsets.
Define Offsets...
Reset
OK
Cancel

The following table shows the relation between the entity types listed above and the actual MSC Nastran
entry types effected. If an entity type is filtered out, it is treated as if those entries did not exist in the
original input file.
Entity Type
MSC Nastran Entries
Nodes
GRID, GRDSET, SPOINT
Elements
BAROR, BEAMOR, CBAR, CBEAM, CBEND, CDAMP1, CDAMP2, CDAMP3,

CDAMP4, CELAS1, CELAS2, CELAS3, CELAS4, CGAP, CHEXA, CMASS1,
CMASS2, CMASS3, CMASS4, CONM1, CONM2, CONROD, CPENTA, CQUAD4,
CQUAD8, CQUADR, CROD, CSHEAR, CTETRA, CTRIA3, CTRIA6, CTRIAR,
CTRIAX6, CTUBE, CVISC, PLOTEL
Material Properties
MAT1, MAT2, MAT3, MAT8, MAT9
Element Properties
PBAR, PBCOMP, PBEAM, PBEND, PCOMP, PDAMP, PELAS, PGAP, PMASS,

PROD, PSHEAR, PSHELL, PSOLID, PTUBE, PVISC
Coordinate Frames
CORD1C, CORD1R, CORD1S, CORD2C, CORD2R, CORD2S
Load Sets
FORCE, GRAV,MOMENT, PLOAD1, PLOAD2, PLOAD4, PLOADX1, RFORCE,

TEMP, TEMPP1, TEMPRB, SPC, SPC1, SPCD
Subcases
LOAD, SPCADD, Case Control Section
MPC Data
MPC, RBAR, RBE1, RBE2, RBE3, RROD, RSPLINE, RTRPLT

It should be noted that since the GRID entry is controlled with the Nodes filter, the grid.ps load set with
the permanent single point constraint data will also be controlled by the Nodes filter.
168

Define Offsets Form

This subordinate form appears when the Define Offsets button is selected on the Entity Selection form.
It allows the user to specify the ID offsets used when reading a NASTRAN input file.
If selected, the value in the Maximum column will be
used as the offset for the selected rows.
Minimum and Maximum IDs currently

found in the Patran database.
Entity Label Offset Definition

Input Offset Value
Automatic Offset
Define Label Offsets for Selected Entities:
Entity
Existing ID Range in Db
Minimum
Maximum
Nodes
200
Elements
200
New ID
All offset data boxes

can be selected at once
by selecting this
column header.
Offset
Material Properties
Element Properties
ID offset value to be
used during import.
The new ID value will
be the ID found in the
NASTRAN input file
plus this offset value.
Coordinate Frames
Distributed Load Set IDs
Node Force Load Set IDs
Node Displacement Set IDs
Bar element Init Displacement
Reset
OK
Cancel
All references made in the input file will also be offset. If a node references a particular CID as its
analysis frame, then the reference will be offset as well. If the coordinate frame is defined in the same
input file, the proper references should be maintained. The preference will be properly maintained. If the
coordinate frame existed in the file prior to the import, then it needs to be the offset CID. If a coordinate
frame with that CID is not found in the database, an error message will be issued.

To determine which offset effects a particular MSC Nastran entry type, refer to the table in the previous
section.
For Patran entities identified by integer IDs (nodes, elements, coordinate frames, and MPCs), the offset
value is simply added to the MSC Nastran ID to generate the Patran ID.
For Patran entities identified by text names (materials, element properties, load sets, and load cases), the
offset value is first added to the MSC Nastran ID. The new integer value is then used to generate the
Patran name per the naming conventions described in later sections.
Selection of Input File

This subordinate form appears when the Select Input File button is selected on the Analysis form and
Read Input File is the selected Action. It allows the user to specify which NASTRAN input file to
translate.
Select File
Filter
/bahamas/users/sprack/pf/main/*.bdf
Files
Directories
/bahamas/users/sprack/pf/main/.
ids.bdf
/bahamas/users/sprack/pf/main/..
ids_1.bdf
/bahamas/users/sprack/pf/main/clip
north.bdf
Selected Input File

/bahamas/users/sprack/pf/main/north.bdf
OK
Filter
Cancel
170

Summary Data Form

This form appears after the import of the NASTRAN input file has completed. It displays the number of
entities imported correctly, imported with warnings, or not imported due to errors. These figures reflect
the number of Patran entities created. In some cases, there is not a one-to-one relation between the
original MSC Nastran entities and the generated Patran entities. For example, when material orientations
on several CQUAD4s are defined using references to varying MCIDs while still referencing the same
PID, Patran needs to create a unique property set for each different MCID reference.
When the OK button is selected, the newly imported data will be committed to the Patran database, and
can not be undone. If there is any question as to whether or not this import was desired, review the
graphics data prior to selecting OK on this form. If the import was not correct, select the undo button on
the main menu bar before selecting OK on this form.
NASTRAN Input File Import Summary

Imported
Imported with Warning
Nodes
Elements
Coordinate Frames
Materials
Element Properties
Load Sets
Load Cases
MPCs
Reject Entries...
OK
Not Imported

Reject Card Form

During import of the NASTRAN input file, some entriess types might not be understood by Patran.
Those entries are brought into Patran in the direct text input data boxes. Selecting the Reject Entries
button on the Summary Data form will bring up this Reject Card Form. You can review these entries here.
Direct Text Import

Bulk Data Section
$
$CBEAM
215
MPCADD
100
213
101
214
0.
0.
1.
102
uu File Management Section
uu Case Control Section
uu Executive Control Section
Bulk Data Section
OK
Only card types not supported by Patran are sent to the reject card blocks. (This includes comments.)
Entries which are otherwise recognized, but can not be imported due to syntax or invalid data errors are
not sent to the reject blocks.
172

6.2

For more information about which specific MSC Nastran entry types can currently be read into Patran,
see Data Translated from the NASTRAN Input File (p. 580) in the Patran Interface to MSC Nastran
Preference Guide.

Conflict Resolution
6.3
Conflict Resolution
If an entity can not be imported into Patran because another entity already exists with that ID or name,
then the conflict resolution logic is used. For more information, see Conflict Resolution (p. 592) in the
Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Preference Guide.
174

Conflict Resolution
Chapter 7: Example Problems

Example Problems
Overview
176
243
263
177
202
216
233
275
292
312
304
176

Overview
7.1
Overview
This chapter provides ten examples that illustrate popular capabilities in Patrans interface to the MSC
Nastran thermal solver. The first example, which describes transient thermal analysis, is an extension of
the steady state modeling exercise given in Getting Started - A Guided Exercise (Ch. 2). This example
contains step-by-step descriptions of the menu picks involved in the modeling process.
Examples 2 through 10 are in easy to follow tutorial format. The actual menu structures are not shown
since the expectation is for the user to follow along interactively with the Patran modeling system.
The session files of the example problems described in this chapter are delivered with the software. To
run an example problem:
1. Start Patran by entering the command p3.
1. From Patrans main form, pull down the File menu and select Session -- Play. A Play Session
File form will appear.
1. Select nastherm_exn.ses from the Session File List listbox.
1. Click on Apply.
Patran will execute the modeling process and show you how to build the model.
Chapter 7: Example Problems 177

7.2

Objectives
The objectives of this exercise are as follows:
Open the database created in Getting Started - A Guided Exercise (Ch. 2).
Define time dependent functions using the Field application.
Create a transient load case. Add two existing load sets (temperature and convection boundary
conditions) to this transient load case.

Apply time varying heat flux to the right edge of the plate.
Apply a transient volumetric heat generation inside the shaded area of the plate.
Select solution type as transient analysis.
Specify the default initial temperature.
Define time steps.
Select a transient load case.
Perform a transient thermal analysis using MSC Nastran within the Patran system.
178

Postprocess the transient results (Contour and XY plots).
0.4 m
1m
Aluminum Plate
k = 204 W/m-oC
Cp = 896 J/kg-oC
= 2707 kg/m3
h = 10.0 W/m2-oC
3m
Tamb = 20.0 C
q = qvol(t) W/m3
q = qflux(t) W/m2
Thickness = 0.1 m
T0 = 50 oC
T = 50 oC

Open the Database Created in Chapter 2

File
Ctrl N
Ctrl O
Ctrl W
Ctrl S
s
STEP 1: From Patrans main form, pull down

the File menu and select Open. A form will
appear called Open Database.
New Database Name
Open Database
Enable NFS Access

s
New...
Open...
Close
Save
Save a Copy
Utilities
Import...
Export...
Session
Print...
Report...
Quit
Filter
/tmp/*.db
Apply
Ctrl Q
Filter
Cancel
Directories
Database List
plate.db
/tmp/.
/tmp/..
Existing Database Name
/tmp/plate.db
OK
Filter
Cancel
STEP 2: Within the Database List listbox,

highlight plate.db. The database name
will appear inside the Existing Database
Name databox.
Define Time Dependent Functions

Before applying time varying loads and boundary conditions, we need to define time dependent functions
using the Field application. In this model, two time fields are defined, one for applied heat flux and one
for volumetric heat generation.
180

Click on the Fields application. The Fields form will appear.
Fields
Action:
Create
Object:
Non Spatial
Method:
STEP 1: Toggle the Object setting to Non Spatial.
Tabular Input
Existing Fields
Field Name
STEP 2: Click inside the Field Name databox and type in
flux_time.
flux_time
Table Definition
Active Independent Variables
Time (t)
Frequency (f)
Input Data ...
[Options...]
-Apply-
STEP 3: Click on the Input Data button.

STEP 4: Fill in the table with the following values

using the RETURN or ENTER key.
Time
Value
1
1.25
1.75
2
2
10
30
50
100
Time/Frequency Scalar Table Data

Input Scalar Data
Time(t)
STEP 5: Click on OK. You must

also click on APPLY located on
the Fields form.
Value
0.00000E+00
1.00000E+00
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1.00000E+01
1.25000E+00
3.00000E+01
1.75000E+00
5.00000E+01
2.00000E+00
1.00000E+02
2.00000E+00
Map Function to Table...

OK
182

Similarly, a time dependent function for volumetric heating is defined as follows.
Fields
Action:
Create
Object:
Non Spatial
Method:
Tabular Input
Existing Fields
Field Name
qvol_time
STEP 6: Click inside the Field Name

databox and type in qvol_time.
Table Definition
Time (t)
Frequency (f)
Input Data ...
[Options...]
STEP 7: Click on the Input Data button. Fill in the

table with the following values using the
RETURN or ENTER key.
Time
Value
10000
12000
13000
14000
14000
10
30
50
100
-Apply-
STEP 8: Click on OK. You must also click on APPLY located on

the Fields form.

Create a Transient Load Case

Our next task is to create a transient load case. Click on the Load Cases application. The Load Cases form
will appear.
Load Cases
Action:
Create
Filter
Existing Load Cases

Default
Load Case Name
transient
Make Current
STEP 1: Click inside the Load Case Name databox. Type in the
name transient.
Load Case Type:

Time Dependent
Description
STEP 2: Toggle the Load Case Type setting to Time

Dependent. Since the temperature and convection boundary
conditions are not changed from the Getting Started example,
we can associate these two load sets with the new load case
directly.
Assigned Load/BCs Sets

Appli_flux
Conve_conv
Temp _tempbc
Temp_tempbc
STEP 3: Highlight Conve_conv and Temp_tempbc within the

Assigned Load/BCs Sets listbox.
Prioritize Load/BCs
-Apply-
184

Apply Time Varying Heat Flux to the Plates Right Edge

At this point, we will impose a transient flux load on the plates right edge. The magnitude of this flux
load is 5000 W/m2 multiplied by the time dependent function flux_time defined earlier under the Fields
application. Click on the Loads/BCs application.
Load/BoundaryConditions
Create
Action:
Object:
Type:
Applied Heat
Action:Create
Object:Applied Heat
Method:Element Uniform
Option:Normal Fluxes
Element Uniform
Option: Normal Fluxes

Current Load Case:
transient...
Type:
Time Dependent
Existing Sets
flux
New Set Name
tran_flux
STEP 2: Click inside the New Set Name databox. Type in the nam
tran_flux.
Input Data...
.
STEP 4: Click on the Input Data button. The Input Data form will
appear.

Input Data
Form Type:
Basic
Surface Option:
STEP 5: Toggle the Surface
Option setting from Top to Edge.
Edge
Edge Heat Flux
* Time Function
5000
f:flux_time
Spatial Fields

qvol_time
flux_time
flux_time
STEP 6: Click inside the databox

under Edge Heat Flux. Type in
5000.
OK
Reset
Cancel
STEP 7: Click on the flux_time in the Time Dependen

Fields listbox. The *Time Function databox will now
appear as f:flux_time.
186

Next, click on Select Application Region located on the Loads and Boundary Conditions form.
STEP 9: Two icon choices will appear, Surface and Edge. Click on the
bottom icon, Edge.

u
Geometry Filter
Geometry
uu
FEM
Application Region
Surface 1.3
Add
Remove
Application Region
STEP 10: Position the

cursor over the right
edge of the surface and
click on this edge with
the mouse. Patran will
insert Surface 1.3 in the
databox under the
heading Select Surfaces
or Edges.
STEP 11: Click on Add.
OK
STEP 12: Click on OK. Be

sure to click on Apply
located on the
form.
Note: A yellow marker will appear on the surfaces right edge indicating that a heat flux load has been
applied along the right edge.

Apply Transient Volumetric Heat Generation Inside the Plate

The volumetric heating can be applied in a similar way, using the Loads and Boundary Conditions form
as follows.
188

Load/BoundaryConditions
Create
Action:
Object:
Type:
Applied Heat

Option:Volumetric Generation
Element Uniform
Option: Volumetric Generation

Current Load Case:
transient...
Type:
Time Dependent
Existing Sets
New Set Name
tran_qvol
STEP 2: Click inside the New Set Name databox. Type in the
name tran_qvol.
Input Data...
.
-Apply-
STEP 4: Click on the Input Data button. The Input Data form will
appear.

Input Data
Form Type:
Basic
* Time Function
f:qvol_time
Spatial Fields
OK

qvol_time
flux_time
Reset
Cancel
STEP 5: Click on the qvol_time

in the Time Dependent Fields
listbox. The *Time Function
databox will now include
f:qvol_time.
Note: The scale factor of the
volumetric heating will be set
to 1.0 by default if no data is
input in the Volumetric Heat
Generation databox.
190

Next, click on Select Application Region located on the Loads and Boundary Conditions form. We want
to apply an internal heat generation inside a section of the plate from x=0.0 m to x=0.4 m. This
application region will be selected by graphical cursor using the FEM geometry filter.
Select Application
Region
Load/Boundary
Conditions
Geometry Filter
Create
Action:
uu Geometry
Object:
Temp (Thermal)
u
FEM
Type:
Nodal
Application
Region
Thermal
Analysis Type:
STEP 7: Click on FEM under the Geometry

Filter. Use the mouse cursor to drag a
rectangle covering the elements located
between x=0.0 m and x=0.4 m. Release the
mouse cursor. The first two columns of the
elements will turn red indicating the selection.
Also, a list of elements will appear in the
Select 2D Elements databox.
Select Load
2D Elements
Current
Case:
56 57 61 Default...
62 66 67 71 72
STEP 8: Click
on Add.
Type:
Static
Add
Remove
Existing Sets
Application Region
New Set Name
tempbc
OK
STEP 9: Click on OK. Be sure to click on

Apply located on the Load/Boundary
Conditions form.
Note: A square yellow marker will appear on the center of the selected element indicating that a volumetric
heating has been applied on this element.

Select Solution Type

Now we are ready to set the analysis controls for transient thermal analysis. Click on the Analysis
application. The Analysis form will appear.
Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:

Action:Analyze
Object:Entire Model
Method:Full Run
Full Run
Code: MSC Nastran

Type: Thermal
Available Jobs
plate
Job Name
plate_tran
STEP 2: Click inside the Job Name databox and change the j
name to plate_tran.
Job Description
STEP 3: Click on Solution Type. The Solution Type form will
appear.

on 18-Apr-96 at 13:58:15
Solution Type
Solution Type...
MSC Nastran
Solution Type
Solution Type:

Subcase Create...
uu
STEADY STATE ANALYSIS
TRANSIENT ANALYSIS
STEP 4: Click
on the
TRANSIENT
ANALYSIS.
Subcase Select...
STEP 5: Click on
Solution
Parameters to
specify the
default initial
temperature.
192

Specify the Default Initial Temperature

For transient thermal analysis, we have to employ a starting temperature from which the solution evolves.
If the initial temperature distribution is uniform, a default initial temperature is sufficient to specify the
initial state. Otherwise, the Initial Temperature object in Loads and BCs application must be used to
define initial nodal temperatures explicitly. See Initial Temperature, 75 for information.
Solution Parameters
Transient Solution Parameters
Print Out Singularities
Data Deck Echo:
None
Maximum Printed Lines =
999999999
Maximum Run Time =
60
Default Init Temperature =
50.0
STEP 1: Click inside the Default Init Temperature

databox and change the value to 50.0.
View Factor Parameters...
OK
Defaults
Cancel
STEP 2: Click on OK. Be sure to click on OK located on the Solution

Type form.
Define Time Steps

We must now create a subcase. Click on Subcase Create located on the Analysis form. The Subcase
Create form will appear.

Subcase Create
STEP 1: Within the Available Subcase listbox, highlight

transient. The word transient will appear inside the Subcase
Name databox.
Solution Sequence: 159

Available Subcases
STEP 2: Click on the Subcase Parameters button. The

Subcase Parameters form will appear.
Default
transient
STEP 3: Change the Initial Time Step to 10.

Make sure the Number of Time Steps
settings is 100. Thus, the total analysis time
is 1000 seconds.
Subcase Name
transient
Subcase Description
Subcase Parameters
10
Initial Time Step =
This is a default subcase.
Number of Time Steps =
100
Transient Nonlinear Iterations
Available Load Cases
Matrix Update Method: Adaptive
Default
transient
Number of Bisections per Update =
2
Allowable Iterations per Time Step =
10
Subcase Options
Subcase Parameters...
Temperature Error
Temperature Tolerance =
Output Requests...
Load Error
Load Tolerance =
Select Superelements...
Delete
STEP 4: Click on OK. Click on
Cancel
1.0e-03
Work Error
Work Tolerance =
Apply
1.0e-02
1.0e-06
Fixed Time Steps

Exit on Failure to Converge
OK
Cancel
194

Select a Transient Load Case

Our last task on specifying analysis controls is to select the load case for the analysis. Click on Subcase
Select located on the Analysis form. The Subcase Select form will appear.
Subcase Select
Subcases For Solution Sequence:
Default
transient
159
STEP 1: Click on transient within the
Subcases for Solution Sequence: 159
listbox. The word transient will appear
inside the Subcases Selected listbox.
Subcases Selected:
Default
transient
OK
STEP 2: Click on Default in the Subcases

Selected listbox to remove the load case
Default.
Cancel
Click on OK.
Perform a Transient Thermal Analysis

To submit the job for MSC Nastran thermal analysis, simply click on the Apply button on the Analysis
form. It will take a while for the MSC Nastran solver to perform a transient thermal analysis in the
background.
When the analysis is completed, the model is ready for result processing.

Read the Analysis Results into Database
Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate

Action:Read Output2
Object:Result Entities
Method:Translate
Code: MSC Nastran

Type:
Thermal
Available Jobs
plate
plate_tran
Job Name
plate_tran
STEP 2: Make sure that the Job Name setting is

plate_tran.
Job Description
on 18-Apr-96 at 13:58:15
Apply
STEP 3: Click on the Select Results File button and

double click on the file called plate_tran.op2.
Note: The heartbeat will change to the color blue, indicating that reading process is underway. When the
heartbeat turns green again, the results are ready for postprocess.
196

Visualize the Transient Results (Contour Plot)

We will create a contour plot of temperature distributions at time=700 sec using the Results Display form.
Results Display
Results
Action:
Object:
Create
Quick Plot
Select Result Cases

STEP 1: Scroll down the vertical scroll bar of the Select Results
Cases listbox, and click on transient, Time=700.

Heat Fluxes,
Temperatures,
Quantity:
STEP 2: Within the Select Fringe Result listbox, highlight

Temperatures.
Magnitude
Animate
-Apply-

Visualize the Transient Results (XY Plot)

Now we will apply XY plotting to visualize the temperature-time history of Nodes 49 to 54.
Results
Action:
Create
Object:
Method:
Graph
Y vs X
-none- -none- -none- -noneSelect Result Case(s)

transient,
transient, Time=60.
Time=60.
transient,
Time=140.
transient,
Time=220.
Time=380.
transient,
Time=860.
Y:
STEP 1: Set the Object setting to Graph.
STEP 4: Press the Target Entities icon to toggle

the form to select target entities.
STEP 2: In the Select Result Case(s) listbox, click and

drag mouse to select the time states from transient,
Time=0. to transient, Time=1020.
Result
Select Y Result
Heat Fluxes,
Temperatures,
,
STEP 3: Within the Select Y Result listbox, highlight
Temperatures.
X:
Global Variable
Variable:
Time
198

Results
Action:
Create
Object:
Method:
-none-
Graph
Y vs X
-none-
-none-
-none-
Target Entity:
STEP 5: Select Nodes as the target entity.
Nodes
Select Nodes
Node 49:54
STEP 6: Click inside the Select Nodes databox.

Use the mouse cursor to drag a rectangle covering
nodes 49 to 54. A list of nodes, Node 49:54, will
appear in the Node IDs databox.
STEP 7: Click on Apply to create an XY plot.
Apply
Reset

Modify the XY Plot

At this point, we will modify the Y scale of the XY plot and display grid lines in the Y direction by
clicking on the XY Plot application.
XY Plot
Action:
Modify
Object:
Axis

Action:Modify
Object:Axis
Select Current XYWindow

XYWindow1
XYWindow1
Active Axis
uu
STEP 2: Toggle the Active Axis setting to Y.
Options...
Scale...
Labels...
Title...
Tick Marks...
Grid Lines...
STEP 3: Click on Scale. The Axis Scale form will

appear.
200

Axis Scale
Scale
u
Linear
uu
Logarithmic
Assignment Method
uu
Automatic
uu
Manual
uu
Semi-Automatic
Range
STEP 4: Toggle the Assignment Method to Range.
Enter Lower and Upper Values
45 70
STEP 5: Change the data under Enter Lower and Upper

Values to 45 70.
Number of Primary Tick Marks
STEP 6: Change the data under Number of Primary Tick

Marks to 6.
Reset
Apply
Cancel
STEP 8: Click on Cancel.

Next, you must click on Grid Lines located on the XY Plot form. The Grid Lines form will appear.
Grid Lines
Display
STEP 9: Click on Primary under the Display selection.
Primary
Secondary
Options
u
Primary
uu
Secondary
uu
Both
Color
Line Style:
LongDash
1
1
?25
50
Line Thickness
Reset
Apply
Cancel
202

7.3

Figure 7-1
Y
9.0 in
1.0 in
1.0 in
1.0 in
6.0 in
1.0 in
4.0 in
1.5 in
1.0 in
2.0 in
1.0 in
1.0 in
X
4.0 in
5.5 in
q = 5.0 W/in2
Kpcb = 0.066 W/in-oC

Kchip = 2.24 W/in-oC
0.25 in
0.1 in
h = 0.02 W/in2-oC
Tamb = 20.0 oC
Figure 7-2
Printed Circuit Board Assembly
Problem Description
Figure 7-2 depicts a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly which has three significant chip devices
mounted on it. Each chip is generating heat at a rate that is consistent with the application of a heat flux
of 5.0 W/in2 over each device surface area. Heat is dissipated by thermal conduction within the chips and
underlying board. Free convection to the ambient environment provides the ultimate heat sink. The
ambient temperature for convection is assumed to be 20.0 oC, and a heat transfer coefficient of 0.02

W/in2-oC is used to apply convection to the entire assembly surface. We will analyze the printed circuit
board to determine the device temperatures so that they can be compared to manufacturer allowables.
Modeling
This example demonstrates the modeling of a printed circuit board with multiple components. We will
create surfaces for PCB and electronic devices, extrude the surfaces to generate 3D solids, specify
properties, apply thermal loads and boundary conditions, and then perform a steady-state analysis.
204


Create the Surfaces of Printed Circuit Board and Electronic Components
Table 7-1
u Geometry
PCB
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
XYZ
Table 7-2 Surface ID List
<960>
[000]
-ApplyChip 1
Surface ID List
< 1 1.5 0 >
[110]
-ApplyChip 2
Surface ID List
<110>
[440]
-ApplyChip 3
Surface ID List
<110>
[ 5.5 2 0 ]
-Apply-
206

Extrude the Surfaces to Create Solids

Create the PCB solid by extruding surface 1 by -0.1 inch in the Z direction. Extrude surfac
direction by 0.25 inches.
Table 7-3
u Geometry
PCB
Action:
Create
Object:
Solid
Method:
Extrude
Table 7-4 Solid ID List
Translation Vector
< 0 0 -0.1 >

If the Auto Execute is ON, you do not need to
click on -Apply-
Auto Execute
Surface 1
Surface List
-ApplyChips 1, 2, 3
Solid ID List
Translation Vector
<0 0 0.25>
Surface List
Surface 2:4
-Apply-
You can use the Auto Execute instead of

clicking on -Apply-

Mesh the Solids

You will now create the models finite elements.
Table 7-5
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Solid
Global Edge Length
0.25
Hex8
Element Topology
Solid List
Highlight
Solid 1:4
-ApplyTo obtain a clearer view, select the isometric
view by clicking on the Iso 1 View icon
208

Specify Materials
For this model we will assume that the PCB and chips are manufactured from isotropic materials having constant
conductivities:
Kpcb = 0.066 W/in-oCKchip = 2.24 W/in-oC
PCB
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Table 7-6 Material Name
pcb
Input Properties...
0.066
-ApplyChips 1, 2, 3
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
chip
2.24
-Apply-
Since we are preforming a steady-state

analysis, specific heat and density are not
required.

210

Define Element Properties

For a solid model element properties are used to assign the materials to the various parts of the model.
PCB
u Properties
Create
Action:
3D
Dimension:
Solid
Type:
Table 7-8 Property Set Name
pcb
Input Properties...
m:pcb
Material Name
Select from Material Property Sets
OK
Solid 1
Select Members
Add
-ApplyChips 1, 2, 3
chip
Property Set Name
Input Properties...
m:chip
Material Name
OK
Solid 2:4
Select Members
Add
-ApplyTo verify that the correct material properties have been defined and assigned to the correct model locations, change th
option to Show and create a scalar plot of the models materials.
Table 7-9
u Properties
Show
Action:
Table 7-10 Select Property
Material Name
Display Method
Scalar Plot
Select Groups
uCurrent Viewport
default group
-Apply-
Highlight
Highlight

Merge the Common Nodes

The duplicate nodes located at the PCB and chip interfaces must be merged. Merging establishes and simulates
the physical connection between the PCB and chip components. In Patran equivalencing the model performs node
merging.
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube
Table 7-11 Equivalencing Tolerance0.005

-Apply-
Verify the Free Edges

To check the equivalence process you should verify the element boundaries. If the model has been equivalenced
properly you should see a wireframe rendering of your model where only the free edges are components of the
wireframe image. Display the view to ensure that the model has no cracks between elements.
u Finite Elements
Action:
Verify
Object:
Element
Boundaries
Test:
Table 7-12 Display Type

-Apply-
uFree Edges
212

Apply a Head Load on Each Device

A heat flux will now be applied to the exposed plan form face of the chips.
u Load/Boundary Conditions
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-13 Option:
Normal Fluxes
New Set Name
flux
Target Element Type:
3D
Input Data...
Heat Flux
5
OK

Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Solid Faces
Solid 2.6 3.6 4.6
Or select with mouse using the

Select icon.
Use the Free Face Select icon to
help you pick the exposed chip
faces.
Add
OK
-Apply-

Apply a Convection Boundary Condition on the PCB .

The convection boundary condition will now be applied to the back side of the PCB (side opposite the
chips).
Table 7-14
Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-15 Option:
To Ambient
New Set Name
conv
3D
Input Data...
0.02
Ambient Temperature
20
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Solid Faces
Solid 1.6
Or select with mouse using the Select icon.

Use the Free Face Select icon to help you pick
the back face of the PCB.
Add
OK
-Apply-
214

Perform the Analysis
Table 7-16
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Table 7-17 Job Name
ex2
Solution Type...
u STEADY STATE ANALYSIS
Solution Type:
OK
-Apply-
Read in the Analysis Results
Table 7-18
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Table 7-19 Job Name
ex2

ex2.op2
OK
-Apply-
Highlight

Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:
Table 7-20 Select Results Cases

Default, PW Linear: 100. % of Load
Highlight
Temperatures
Highlight
-ApplyDiscussion of Results
The heat generated by the electronic devices is conducted to the printed circuit board, and then spread on the epoxy glas
PCB. The cooling mechanism is provided by a free convection heat exchange between the backside of the PCB and th
ambient fluid that is maintained at 20 oC. As a result, the largest electronic device has the highest temperature. Becaus
of their identical size, the other two electronic chips possess nearly the same temperature distribution.
216
7.4
Example 3 - Forced Air Convection on Printed Circuit

Board
Figure 7-3
Z
q = 20.0 W/in2
.
m=
8.33E-3 lbm/sec
Tin = 20.0 oC
h = h(T) W/in2-oC
Air
9.0 in
Problem Description
This is an extension of the previous analysis (Example 2). The geometry is unchanged; however, the
applied heat flux is increased to 20.0 W/in2. In place of free convection to an ambient environment, an
advective flow will traverse the surface. The coolant stream travels in the X-direction with the inlet
located at X=0 and the outlet positioned at X=L=9.0 inches. The mass flow rate is constant at any X
location with a value of 0.5 lbm/min (8.33E-03 lbm/sec). The inlet temperature is set at 20 oC.
Associated with the advection flow which transports energy streamwise, is the heat transfer that takes
place between the fluid stream and the PCB. In this problem, energy passes from the PCB into the fluid
stream. The convection behavior for this transport is specified with a temperature dependent heat transfer
coefficient. In the absence of any film node specification, the look up temperature for this heat transfer
coefficient defaults to the average temperature between the PCB surface element and its ambient points,
in this case, the nodal points in the advected fluid stream.
Modeling
We will model the previous PCB thermal analysis with forced air convection over the flat plate, using the
Coupled Advection feature. The air temperature rises in the X direction as the fluid stream traverses the
circuit board. The temperature dependency of the convection coefficient will be defined using a
temperature dependent field.

Create the Geometry
Table 7-21
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
XYZ
Table 7-22 Vector Coordinates List < 9 6 0 >

[000]
-ApplyVector Coordinates List
< 1 1.5 0 >
[110]
<110>
[440]
<110>
[ 5.5 2 0 ]
-Apply-
218
Extrude the Solid
Table 7-23
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Solid
Method:
Extrude
Table 7-24 Translation Vector
< 0 0 -0.1>
If the Auto Execute is ON, you do not
need to click on -Apply-
Auto Execute
Surface 1
Surface List
-ApplyTranslation Vector
< 0 0 0.25 >
Surface List
Surface 2:4
You can use the Auto Execute instead of
clicking on -Apply-
-Apply-
Mesh the Solids
Table 7-25
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Solid
Table 7-26 Global Edge Length
0.25
Hex8
Element Topology
Solid 1:4
Solid List
-Apply-
Highlight

Table 7-27
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube

-Apply-
Verify the Element Boundaries
Table 7-29
u Finite Elements
Action:
Verify
Object:
Element
Boundaries
Test:
Display Type
-Apply-
u Free Edges
220
Specify Materials
Table 7-30
u Materials
Table 7-31 Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
chip
Input Properties...
Solid properties
Constitutive Model:
2.24
-Applypcb
Material Name
Solid properties
Constitutive Model:
-Apply-
0.066

Table 7-33
u Properties
Create
Action:
3D
Dimension:
Solid
Type:
chip
Input Properties...
m:chip
Material Name
OK
Solid 2:4
Select Members
Add
-Applypcb
Property Set Name
Input Properties...
m:pcb
Material Name
OK
Solid 1
Select Members
Add
-Apply-
222
Define Temperature Dependent Field
Table 7-35
u Fields
Action:
Create
Object:
Material Property
Method:
Tabular Input
Table 7-36 Field Name
conv_temp
Temperature (T)
Input Data...
Hit Enter Key
Input Scalar Data
T
0
100
200
OK
-Apply-
Value
0.2
0.3
0.35

Select Two Nodes to Create a Curve
Table 7-37
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Curve
Method:
Point
With the mouse select the Node icon. Click on
the nodes located at the center of the left edge
and the center of the right edge.
Starting Point List
Node 938
Ending Point List
Node 1838
-Apply-
Define the Location of the Air Stream
Table 7-38
u Geometry
Action:
Transform
Object:
Curve
Method:
Translate
< 0 0 -1.0 >
Curve List
Curve 1
-Apply-
224
Mesh the Air Stream

Preferably, the mesh size should be the same on the air stream as on the PCB.
Table 7-40
u Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Curve
.25
Bar2
Element Topology
Curve 2
Curve List
Highlight
Curve 2 was the result of translating
Curve 1
-ApplyNote: The identical mesh size is not required, but may provide the most accurate model. The Closest Approach metho
select the nearest neighboring structure and fluid nodes.

Specify the Materials Properties of Air
Table 7-42
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
air
Input Properties...
Fluid properties
Constitutive Model:
6.66e-4
Specific Heat =
456.2
Density =
5.01e-5
Dynamic Viscosity =
1.03e-6
-Apply-
226
Define Flow Tube Properties
Table 7-44
u Properties
Create
Action:
1D
Dimension:
Flow Tube
Type:
flow_tube
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:air
Diameter at Node 1
1.0
OK
Curve 2
Select Members
Add
-Apply-

Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-47 Option:
Coupled Advection
flow_by_plate
New Set Name
There are two application regions:

The Structure Region (Application Region 1) can be 1D, 2D, or 3D. In this case we have a 3D structure,
and the appropriate Target Element Type is 3D.

The Second Application Region must be 1D, which represents the airflow over the flat plate. In this case,
select the curve along the X direction. Patran will then couple the fluid to the structure locally by the
Closest Approach method.
3D
Region 2:
1D
Input Data...
*Temperature Function
f:conv_temp
Mass Flow Rate
8.33e-3
Select from Temperature

Dependent Fields
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Solid Faces
Solid 1.6
Add
For the Companion Region (the
second one)
Active List
Curve 2
Select Curves
Add
OK
-Apply-
Highlight
228
Apply a Heat Flux on Each Device
Table 7-48
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-49 Option:
Normal Fluxes
New Set Name
heat_flux
3D
Input Data...
20
Heat Flux
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Solid Faces:
Solid 2.6 3.6 4.6

Add
OK
-Apply-
With the mouse select the top

surfaces of the three-chips

Define the Inlet Temperature of the Fluid
Table 7-50
Action:
Create
Object:
Temp (Thermal)
Nodal
Type:
Table 7-51 New Set Name
inlet_temp
Input Data...
20
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Point 35
Add
OK
-Apply-
Pick the initial point on the

airstream curve
230
Define the Default Initial Temperature and Perform the Analysis
Table 7-52
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Table 7-53 Job Name
ex3
Solution Type...
Solution Parameters...
Data Deck Echo:
Sorted
Examine the input data in the F06 file
Default Init Temperature
100
Define the default initial temperature
OK
OK
-Apply-

Table 7-54
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Table 7-55 Job Name
ex3

ex3.op2
OK
-Apply-
Highlight
232
Display the Results
Table 7-56
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:


Temperatures
With the advection flow attached to the printed circuit boards back surface, the resulting temperature pr
significantly different behavior than in the prior example where free convection provided the heat transfe
the printed circuit board and a surrounding fluid maintained at a constant temperature (20 oC). In this exam
receives energy as it moves downstream along the PCB. Since the inlet flow is maintained at 20 oC, the ed
coincides with X=0 is the coolest and the trailing edge (X=L) is necessarily warmer. Similarly, the most
streamwise sense has the highest peak temperature.

7.5

Figure 7-4
Y
5.0 in
2.0 in
2.0 in
5.0 in
Kpwb = 0.6 W/in-oC
Kchip = 1.34 W/in-oC
2.0 in
2.0 in
q = 10.0 W/in2
Contact Coefficient = 1.2 W/in2-oC
0.25 in
0.5 in
X
T = 20.0 oC
Problem Description
The dimension of the chip is 2 x 2 inches with a thickness of 0.25 inches. The printed wiring board is 5
x 5 inches with a thickness of 0.5 inches.
Thermal conductivity properties for the chip and wiring board are, respectively, 1.34 and 0.6 W/in-oC.
234

A heat flux of 10 W/in2 is imposed on the top of the chip component. A thermal conductance value of
1.2 W/in2-oC is applied between the chip and the printed wiring board. The bottom of the printed wiring
board is held at a constant temperature of 20 oC.
Modeling
In this example we will model the contact resistance between two solids--in this case, the contact between
an electronic component and a printed wiring board (PWB)--to determine the maximum temperature at
the top of the chip and the temperature drop to the bottom of the wiring board.
Creating the Geometry
Table 7-58
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Solid
Method:
XYZ
Table 7-59 Solid ID List
< 5 5 .5 >
[000]
-ApplySolid ID List
< 2 2 .25 >
[221]
-Apply-

Mesh the Solids
Table 7-60
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Solid
0.25
Hex8
Element Topology
Highlight
Solid 1:2
Solid List
-ApplyTo obtain a clearer view, select the

isometric view by clicking on the Iso
1 View icon.
Table 7-62
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube

-Apply-
236

Specify Materials
Table 7-64
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
pwb
Input Properties...
Solid properties
Constitutive Model:
0.6
-Applychip
Material Name
Solid properties
Constitutive Model:
-Apply-
1.34

Table 7-66
u Properties
Create
Action:
3D
Dimension:
Solid
Type:
pwb
Input Properties...
m:pwb
Material Name:
OK
Solid 1
Select Members
Add
-Applychip
Property Set Name
Input Properties...
m:chip
Material Name:
OK
Solid 2
Select Members
Add
-Apply-
238

Apply Coupled Convection

Contact resistance is modeled in Patran using the Convection-Coupled menu operation (select the bottom
chip surface and the top of the printed wiring board
to specify the thermal conductance between the two surfaces). This technique enables you to apply a connection throu
convection between two solid geometric faces without connecting the structures with finite elements. One advantage
method is that mesh sizes between the two regions need not be congruent. Patran will automatically find the ambient p
closest to the thermal contact area. (The same technique can be used to model thermal contacts directly from 2D to 1D ge
entities, or even from solid faces to nodal ambient points.) However, this convenience is not intended as a replacemen
responsible modeling practices.
Table 7-68
Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-69 Option:
Coupled
New Set Name
coup_conv
3D
Region 2:
3D
Select the Coupled Option before

defining the Element Uniform Type
Input Data...
Convection Coefficient:
1.2
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Solid Faces
Solid 2.5
Add
second one)
Active List
Solid 1.6
Select Solid Faces
Add
OK
-ApplyNote: Arrows should be pointing downward into the printed wiring board.

Apply a Heat Flux on the Top Surface of the Chip
Table 7-70
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-71 Option:
Normal Fluxes
New Set Name
heat_flux
3D
Input Data...
10
Heat Flux
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Solid Faces
Solid 2.6

Select icon
Using the mouse, select the Free
Face of a Solid icon
Add
OK
-Apply-
240

Apply a Temperature Boundary Condition on the Back Side of the PWB
Table 7-72
Action:
Create
Object:
Temp (Thermal)
Nodal
Type:
Table 7-73 New Set Name
tempbc
Input Data...
20
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Solid 1.5

Select icon
Using the mouse, select the
Surface or Face icon
Add
OK
-Apply-

Table 7-74
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Table 7-75 Job Name
ex4
-Apply-
Table 7-76
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Table 7-77 Job Name
ex4

ex4.op2
OK
-Apply-
Highlight
242

Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:
Highlight
Temperatures
Highlight
Due to the simple geometry, a hand calculation can be performed to provide an estimate of the maximum
temperature at the chip surface:
Layer Resistance Thickness / ( K * A cross section)
Contact Resistance 1 / ( h * A contact)
Material
Chip
Thermal Contact
PWB (5x5)
PWB (2x2)
Total Resistance
Thermal Resistance (C/Watt)

0.046642
0.208333
0.03333
0.208333
0.2883 < R < 0.4633
For a total heat load of 40 W, the maximum temperature can be estimated as:
Q = T / Total Resistance
Then, Tmax = 20.0 + 40.0 * (Total Resistance)
or 31.53 oC < Tmax < 38.53 oC
The finite element calculation determined the maximum temperature as 36.51 oC, which is rational
considering the hand calculation and the approximation inherent in that solution.

7.6

Figure 7-5
Y
q = 20 W/in2
0.5 in
10.0 in
5.0 in
Aluminum Plate
K = 4.0 W/in-oC
Tin = 20.0 oC
m=
DH = 0.5333 in
h = 0.3
Air
0.8 in
8.333E-3 * 5 lbm/sec
0.4 in
0.5 in
W/in2-oC
1.0 in
K = 6.66E-4 W/in-oC
Cp = 456.2 J/lbm-oC
= 5.01E-5 lbm/in3
= 1.03E-6 lbm/in-sec
Problem Description
Forced air convection is a very efficient method of removing heat in a limited space. In electronic
packaging, forced air convection is used to remove heat in a compact heat exchanger. Modeling this
problem within the Patran MSC Nastran system requires building a structural model and a fluid model,
and connecting them in an appropriate fashion. Patran can associate the structure nodes with the fluid
nodes using a technique called the Closest Approach method. This method allows the analyst an option
to specify non-coincident mesh sizes on the structure and the fluid nodes. However, it is recommended
that you use an identical mesh size for a regular isoparametric rectangular mesh, as demonstrated in this
example.
244

Modeling
The compact heat exchanger dimensions are 0.5 inch high, 5.0 inches wide, and 10 inches long. The heat
exchanger has a total of five rectangular ducts. Each duct has a dimension of 0.8 inch in width and 0.4
inch in height. The inlet temperature of the fluid is at 20 oC. The power density is applied to one side of
the heatsink at 20 W/in2. The mass flow rate per channel is 0.5 lbm/min (0.008333 lbm/sec). The fluid
properties of the air are evaluated at 25 oC.

246

Create the Geometry
Table 7-79
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Curve
Method:
XYZ
Table 7-80 Curve ID List
<100>
[000]
-Apply-*
Table 7-81
u Geometry
Action:
Transform
Object:
Curve
Method:
Translate
Translation Vector
< 0 0.5 0 >

If the Auto Execute is ON you do
not need to click on -Apply-
Auto Execute
Curve 1
Curve List
-Apply-*
Table 7-83
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Curve
Method:
Point
Starting Point
Point 1

248

Table 7-85
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
Extrude
< 0 0 -10 >
Curve List
Curve 1:4
-ApplyUse Iso 4 View icon to obtain 3D view
Table 7-87
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Curve
Method:
XYZ
Table 7-88 Vector Coordinates

List
< 0 0 -10 >
[ 0.5 0.25 0 ]
-ApplyTable 7-89
u Geometry
Action:
Transform
Object:
Surface
Method:
Translate
<100>
Repeat Count
4
Click on the Surface icon
Surface 1 2 4
Surface List
-Apply-

Point 3
Ending Point
You can use the Auto Ex

clicking on -Apply-
-ApplyCurve ID List
Starting Point
Point 2
Ending Point
Point 4
You can use the Auto Ex
clicking on -Apply-
-ApplyTable 7-91 Translation Vector
<100>
Repeat Count
250

Create Finite Elements

Mesh Surfaces 1 to 16 to create QUAD4 elements with global edge length 0.25. Similarly, mesh Curves
with Bar2 elements using a Global Edge Length of 0.25.
Table 7-93
u Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Surface
Type:
.25
Element Topology
Quad 4
Highlight
Surface 1:16
Surface List
-ApplyTable 7-95
u Finite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Curve
.25
Element Topology
Bar 2
Curve 5:9
Curve List
-Apply-
Highlight

Table 7-97
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube
Equivalencing Tolerance
-Apply-
0.005
252

Special Material Properties
Table 7-98
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
alum
Input Properties...
Solid properties
Constitutive Model:
4.0
-ApplyMaterial Name
air
Constitutive Model:
Fluid properties
6.66e-4
Specific Heat
456.2
Density
5.01e-5
Dynamic Viscosity
1.03e-6
-Apply-

254


The thickness of the four side walls that separate fluid channels is 0.1 inch. The other walls have a thickness of
0.05 inch. For flow tube elements, the equivalent hydraulic diameter is: Dh = 4 * Cross-Sectional Area / Perimeter
= 4 * 0.32 / 2.4 = 0.5333 inch.
Table 7-99
u Properties
Action:
Create
Object:
2D
Shell
Type:
outside_walls
Input Properties...
Material Name:
m:alum
Thickness
0.05
Select from Material Property

Sets
OK
Using mouse click on Front
View icon to choose walls
Surface 1:3 5 6 8 9 11 12 14:16
Select Members
Add
-Applyinner_walls
Property Set Name
Input Properties...
Material Name:
m:alum
Thickness
0.1
OK
Surface 4:13:3
Select Members
Add
-Apply-
Table 7-101
u Properties
Action:
Create
Object:
1D
Select from Material Property

Sets

air_flow
Input Properties...
Material Name:
m:air
Diameter at Node 1
0.5333
OK
Curve 5:9
Select Members
Add
-Apply-
256

Apply a Heat Load on the Top Surface
Table 7-103
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-104 Option:
Normal Fluxes
New Set Name
flux
Target Element Type
2D
Input Data...
Surface Option:
Top
Top Surf Heat Flux
20
OK

Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 2 6:15:3
Add
OK
-Apply-
Or select with mouse using the Select

icon

Define the Inlet Temperature of the Fluid
Table 7-105
Action:
Create
Object:
Temp (Thermal)
Nodal
Type:
New Set Name
inlet_temp
Input Data...
20
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Point or Vertex icon

Add
OK
-Apply-
Point 9 27:33:2
258

Apply Coupled Advection

Five load sets, one for each channel, are defined for the fluid-structure coupling.
Table 7-106
Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Element Uniform
Type:
Table 7-107 Option:
Coupled Advection
conv1
New Set Name:

2D
Region 2:
1D
Input Data...
Top
Surface Option:
Top Surf Convection Coef
0.3
Mass Flow Rate
8.333e-3
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Change the view to Front View
Surface 1:4
For the Application Region
Add
second one)
Active List
Curve 5
Select Curves
Add
OK
-ApplyDo the same for the remaining four (4) channels

For the Companion Region
Active List
Curve 6
Select Curves
Add
OK
-Applyconv3
New Set Name:
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Active List
Surface 7:10
Add
Active List
Curve 7
Select Curves
Add
OK
-ApplyNew Set Name:
conv4
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Active List
Surface 10:13
Add
Active List
Select Curves
Curve 8
Add
OK
-Apply-
260

Active List
Select Curves
Curve 9
Add
OK
-Apply-

Perform the analysis.
Table 7-109
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Job Name
ex5
-Apply-

Table 7-110
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Job Name
ex5

ex5.op2
Highlight
OK
-Apply-
Display the Results

Display the results.
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

Highlight
Temperatures
Highlight
Change
the view
to Iso1
View
-Apply-
262

Discussion of Results
The heat flux is imposed on the top of the plate with power density of 20 W/in2. The heat is then spread
throughout the aluminum heat sink, and is carried away by the forced air convection inside the channels.
The inlet temperature is at 20 oC. There will be a temperature rise in the fluid due to the imposed surface
heat flux. The maximum temperature, 101.2 oC, occurs near the exhaust of the module. The exit air
temperature is at 71.82 oC.
We can check the energy balance on the fluid as follows:
Total heat = 20*5*10=1000 W
The specific heat is 456.2 J/lbm-oC.
The mass flow rate is 0.008333 * 5 = 0.04167 lbm/sec
T = 1000/(0.04167*456.2) = 52.6 oC
Exit air temperature = 20 + 52.6 = 72.6 oC
We can see the exit temperature (71.82oC) calculated by MSC Nastran is very close to the hand
calculation of 72.6 oC.

7.7
II
III
Cavity 1
Cavity 2
Aluminum Plate
k = 204 W/m-oK
= 1.0
1 1/2 m
3m
Thickness = 0.001 m
q=2000 W/m2
2m
Y
X
1m
2m
3m
Problem Description
Three plates are in radiative equilibrium with a zero-degree ambient environment. Each plate measures
2 m by 3 m, and are arranged as shown in the figure above. The center plate (II) has a heat flux applied
to it with a magnitude of 2000 W/m2 in the central region, as illustrated.
The emissivity of all surfaces is chosen as 1.0, representing perfect blackbodies. The plate thicknesses
are all 0.001 m, and the material is aluminum. Temperature distribution for each plate will be determined.
Modeling
Each plate is meshed with sixteen QUAD8 elements. Two radiation cavities are defined. Cavity 1
includes all the elements on Plates I and II that view each other. These elements also communicate with
zero-degree space. The second cavity is comprised of the elements on Plates II and III, which see each
other, and they also communicate with zero-degree space. By defining two separate cavities, we have
eliminated any of the shadowing calculations that would be required on a single-cavity model. The noncavity sides of Plates I and III are treated as adiabatic surfaces (i.e., perfectly insulated). The normal heat
flux is applied to one side of the centermost four elements of Plate II, for a total heat load of 3000 W.
264

Create the Geometry
Table 7-112
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
XYZ
<230>
[000]
-Apply-
Table 7-113
u Geometry
Action:
Transform
Object:
Surface
Method:
Translate
Translation Vector:
<002>
If the Auto Execute is ON, you do not
need to click on -Apply-
Auto Execute
Surface List
Surface 1
-ApplyChange the view to Iso 2 View
Translation Vector:
<003>
Surface List
Surface 2
-Apply-
You can use the Auto Execute instead

of clicking on -Apply-

Mesh the Plates

Mesh the plates.
Table 7-114
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh Seed
Uniform
Type:
uNumber of Elements
Number=
Curve List
Surface 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2

-Apply-
Table 7-115
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Surface
Type:
Global Edge Length
1
Quad8
Element Topology
uIsoMesh
Surface List
Surface 1:3
-Apply-
Highlight
266

Specify Materials
Specify the materials to be used.
Table 7-116
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
alum
Input Properties...
Solid properties
Constitutive Model
-Apply-
204


Define the element properties.
Table 7-117
u Properties
Create
Action:
2D
Dimension:
Shell
Type:
Property Set Name
alum
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:alum
Thickness
0.001
OK
Select Members
Surface 1:3
Add
-Apply-
268

Define Radiation Enclosures

In this example, we are going to define two cavities for radiation exchange. In so doing, we explicitly
eliminate the need for any shadowing calculations when performing the view factor calculations.
This will save a lot of time in attaining a temperature solution within MSC Nastran. Basically, to
identify the TOP and BOTTOM surfaces appropriately, each independent surface within an
enclosure will have a distinct SET NAME. Consistent use of the ENCLOSURE ID with each SET
NAME ensures that the elements are included in the appropriate enclosure
Table 7-118
Action:
Create
Object:
Radiation
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
Enclosures
New Set Name:
encl_1
2D
Select the Enclosures Option before

defining the Element Uniform Type
Input Data...
Surface Option:
Top
Enclosure ID
Top Surf Emissivity
1.0
First time must turn toggle OFF
Surface Can Shade
First time must turn toggle OFF

OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 1
Add
OK
-ApplyNew Set Name:
Input Data...
encl_1a

270


Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 2
Add
OK
-ApplyNew Set Name:
encl_2
Input Data...
Surface Option:
Top
Enclosure ID
Top Surf Emissivity
1.0
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 2
Add
OK
-ApplyNew Set Name:
encl_2a
Input Data...
Surface Option:
Bottom
Enclosure ID
Bottom Surf Emissivity
1.0
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 3
Add
OK
-Apply-

Apply a Heat Flux
Table 7-119
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
Normal Fluxes
New Set Name
heat_flux
2D
Input Data...
Surface Option:
Top
Top Surf Heat Flux
2000
OK

Geometry Filter
uFEM
Select 2D Elements or Edges
Elm 22 23 26 27
Add
OK
-Apply-
272

Set Default Initial Temperature and Perform the Analysis

Since radiation heat transfer, by definition, makes our problem highly nonlinear, we need to
consider the Default Initial Temperature setting if we hope to achieve a converged solution with
the MSC Nastran thermal solver.
Table 7-120
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Full Run
Type:
Job Name:
ex6
Solution Type....
Default Init Temperature=
500
Radiation Parameters....
Stefan-Boltzmann Constant:
OK
OK
OK
-Apply-
5.6696E-8
Click on Stefan-Boltzmann
Constant for list in various units

u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Table 7-121 Job Name
ex6

ex6.op2
Highlight
OK
-Apply-
Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

Highlight
Temperatures
Highlight
-Apply-
The center plate has the highest and the lowest temperature for the problem. Since the heat flux is applied
to this plate, we expect the maximum temperature to occur here.
274

But what about the minimum temperature? Recall that our model includes a good deal of radiation
exchange with a space environment. The outer plates (I and III) are insulated on their non-cavity sides.
Therefore, only the cavity-facing side can see the space environment. The center plate with the heat
flux load, however, can view space from both sides, allowing it to be twice as effective in loosing energy
to space. This accounts for the minimum temperature condition on the edges of the plate. Additionally,
plate I has a higher temperature than Plate III due to its relative location being closer to the center plate
than Plate III.

7.8

Figure 7-6
Z
Region A
Fluid
Region B
q = qvol (z) = 1200 (1 - Z/5) Btu/hr-ft3
h = 3.0 Btu/hr-ft2-oF
5.0 ft
Tamb = 100 oF
1.5 ft
3.5 ft
3.9167 ft
4.75 ft
Oil Flow
Nu = 0.023 Re0.8 Pr0.3333
Tin = 100 oF
Koil = 0.077 Btu/hr-ft-oF
KA = 0.2 Btu/hr-ft-oF
m = 2.88E6 lbm/hr
Cp oil = 0.44 Btu/lbm-oF
KB = 0.5 Btu/hr-ft-oF
oil = 100.08 lbm/ft-hr
oil = 56.8 lbm/ft3
Problem Description
In this example we will analyze an axisymmetric structure for its temperature distribution. We will use
the MSC Nastran CTRIAX6 axisymmetric element (in its 3 node configuration) as the heat conduction
element.
The basic geometry is detailed in the figure above. A section of pipe consisting of composite materials
is divided into two different material regions. Region A is from radius 1.5 feet to 3.5 feet. Region B is
from radius 3.5 feet to 4.75 feet. The overall pipe section is 5.0 feet long with an inside diameter of 3 feet
and an outside diameter of 9.5 feet.
276

Oil flows through the interior with an inlet temperature of 100 oF and a mass flow rate of 2.88E6 lbm/hr.
The forced convection heat transfer coefficient between the oil and wall is calculated by MSC Nastran
using the following relationship:
Nu = 0.023 Re0.8 Pr0.3333
Thermal conductivity properties for Region A and Region B are 0.2 and 0.5 Btu/hr-ft-oF.
Volumetric internal heat generation occurs in the subregion of Region B (Specifically from radius 3.5 feet
to 3.9167 feet), and varies based on Z location. The heat generation is 1200 * (1-Z/5) Btu/hr-ft3, where
Z is given in units of feet. Free convection to an ambient temperature of 100 oF is applied to the exterior
surface of the structure through a heat transfer coefficient of 3.0 Btu/hr-ft2-oF.
Modeling
We will apply a special modeling technique, FIELDS, to input the volumetric heating rate as a function
of Z. Coupled Flow Tube is used to tie the structure to the fluid elements.

278

Create the Geometry
Table 7-123
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Curve
Method:
XYZ
<005>
[000]
Select the Bottom View for working
with axisymmetric geometries
-Apply-
Table 7-124
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
XYZ
Surface ID List
<205>
[ 1.5 0 0 ]
-ApplySurface ID List
< .4167 0 5 >
[ 3.5 0 0 ]
-ApplySurface ID List
< .8333 0 5 >
[ 3.9167 0 0 ]
-Apply-

280

Mesh the Fluid Curve and the Pipe Surfaces
Table 7-125
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh Seed
Method:
One Way Bias
Number =
10
2.0
L2/L1 =
Curve List
Curve 1 Surface 1.4 3.2

-Apply-
Table 7-126
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Surface
Type:
0.25
Global Edge Length=

Element Topology=
Tria3
Surface List
Surface 1:3
-Apply-
Table 7-127
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Curve
0.25
Global Edge Length =

Element Topology =
Bar2
Curve List
Curve 1
-Apply-

Remove Coincident Nodes
Table 7-128
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube
-Apply-
0.005
282

Table 7-129
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
mat_a
Input Properties...
Constitutive Model:
Solid Properties
0.2
-ApplyMaterial Name
mat_b
Constitutive Model:
Solid Properties
0.5
-ApplyMaterial Name
oil
Constitutive Model:
Fluid Properties
0.077
Specific Heat =
0.44
Density =
56.8
Dynamic Viscosity =
100.08
-Apply-

Table 7-130
u Properties
Create
Action:
2D
Dimension:
Axisym Solid
Type:
Property Set Name
pipe_a
Input Properties...
Material Name:
m:mat_a
OK
Application Region
Select Members
Surface 1
Add
-Apply-
Property Set Name
pipe_b
Input Properties...
Material Name:
m:mat_b
OK
Application Region
Select Members
Surface 2 3
Add
-Apply-
Table 7-131
u Properties
Create
Action:
Dimension:
1D
Flow Tube
Type:
Property Set Name
Input Properties...
oil
284

Define a Spatial Field
Table 7-132
uFields
Action:
Create
Object:
Spatial
Method:
PCL Function
Field Name
qvol_z
Scalar Function (X, Y, Z)
1200*(1.0-Z/5.0)
-Apply-

Apply a Volumetric Heat Load
Table 7-133
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
Volumetric Generation
New Set Name:
qvol
2D
Input Data...
f:qvol_z
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Surfaces:
Surface 2
Add
OK
-Apply-
Select from Spatial Fields
286

Apply Free Convection
Table 7-134
Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
To Ambient
New Set Name
conv
Target Element Type
2D
Input Data...
Surface Option
edge
Edge Convection Coef
3.0
Ambient Temperature
100
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Select the Edge icon

Add
OK
-Apply-
Surface 3.2

Define Inlet Temperatures of the Fluid
Table 7-135
Action:
Create
Object:
Temp (Thermal)
Nodal
Type:
New Set Name
inlet_temp
Input Data...
100
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Point 1
Add
OK
-Apply-
288


Define Coupled Flow Tube

Apply a fluid-structure coupling between the oil and the inner wall of the pipe.
Table 7-136
Action:
Create
Object:
Convection
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
Coupled Flow Tube
New Set Name
coup_ftube
Target Element Type
10
Region 2
2D
Input Data...
Form Type:
Advanced
Mass Flow Rate
2.88e6
0.023
Formula Type Option
u h=k/d*coef*Re**Expr*Pr**Expp
Reynolds Exponent
0.8
0.3333
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Select Curves
Curve 1
Add
(the second one)
Active List
Surface 1.4
Be sure to click on the Edge
icon while selecting the
geometrical entity
Add
OK
-Apply-
290

Table 7-137
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Job Name
ex7
-Apply-
Table 7-138
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Job Name
ex7

ex7.op2
OK
-Apply-
Highlight

Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

Highlight
Temperatures
Highlight
The maximum temperature occurs near the internal heat generation region with a temperature of 842.3oF.
The fluid temperature remains constant at 100 oF because of the massive flow rate at 2.88E6 lbm/hr.
We can check the energy balance on this model as follows:
Total heat = 2.91246E4 Btu/hr (from the OLOAD RESULTANT of the F06 file)
Sum of the heat on the column under Free Convection = 2.5828E4 Btu/hr
Sum of the heat on the column under Forced Convection = 3.297E3 Btu/hr
Sum of the heat on the above two columns = 2.9125E4 Btu/hr, which is equal to the input heat of
2.91246E4 Btu/hr.
An assumption of a 1-D fluid element is that temperature gradients within the fluid are only significant
along the axial direction. With such a large diameter flow tube, this assumption is probably being misused
in this particular problem. The application of the flow tube boundary convection relationship also implies
fully developed flow, yet, over only a 5 foot section and with a 3 foot diameter, this is also a very crude
approximation. In essence, what we are saying, is that this example serves to illustrate coupled
convection in an axisymmetric environment, application of spatial heat loads, and use of convection
correlation equations, rather than fluid physics.
292

7.9

Figure 7-7
6.0 in
Radiation Boundary Condition

View Factor = 1.0
1.5 in
q = qvec = 30
W/in2
Tamb = 20.0 oC
Aluminum Cylinder
k = 3.96 W/in-oC
= = 0.8
Thickness = 0.0625 in
Problem Description
In this example we will apply a directional heat load on cylinder. We will orient the surface normal from
the surface such that the normal vector (Right hand rule) will point away from the surface. This allows
the incoming directional heat flux to see the normals, and project the correct energy by forming a dot
product with this vector. A typical application of this directional heat load process is in an orbital heating
environment.
The dimension of the cylinder is 1.5 inch in diameter with a length of 6 inches. The material is aluminum
with a thermal conductivity of 3.96 W/in-oC. The absorptivity and emissivity of the cylinder surface are

0.8. The directional heat load is 30 W/in2. The exterior surface of the cylinder looses heat by radiation to
space. The radiation view factor is 1.0 and the ambient temperature is 20 oC.
Modeling
We will first calculate the temperature distribution based on the above boundary conditions.
Subsequently in Example 9, we will create a spatial FEM field that defines the temperature load for a
thermal stress analysis.
294

Create the Geometry

Table 7-140 u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Point
Method:
XYZ
Point ID List
Refer Coordinate Frame
Coord 0
Point Coordinates List
[ 0.75 0 0 ]
-Apply-
Table 7-141
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Curve
Method:
Revolve
Curve ID List
Total Angle
360.0
If the Auto Execute is ON, you do not need to
click on -Apply-
Auto Execute
Point List
Point 1
-Apply-
Table 7-142
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
Extrude
Translation Vector
< 0 0 -6 >
Curve List
Curve 1
Click on Iso1 View icon to obtain 3D view of the
cylinder

The surface normal direction is important in this problem, because the incoming heat flux vector will
form a dot product with the normal vector for the surface generating the correct projected surface area
for application of the heat load. Therefore, when we created the cylinder using geometry, we should
verify that the normal vector points outward. This is accomplished by using:
Table 7-143
u Geometry
Action:
Show
Object:
Surface
Info:
Normal
If the Auto Execute is ON, you do
Auto Execute
Surface List
Surface 1
With the mouse draw a box around

Surface 1
Change the view to Front View
-ApplySelect Surface 1 to make sure that the normal vector indicated by the red arrow points outward from the cylinder. If
the normal vector is pointing inward, then you can reverse the surface normal by using the following command:
Table 7-144
u Geometry
Action:
Edit
Object:
Surface
Method:
Reverse
Auto Execute
Surface List
Surface 1
-Apply-
296

Create Finite Elements
Table 7-145
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Method:
Surface
Global Edge Length
0.1
Quad4
Element Topology
Surface List
Highlight
Surface 1
-ApplyChange the view to Iso1
Table 7-146
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube
-Apply-
0.005

Table 7-147
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
alum
Input Properties...
Solid properties
Constitutive Model
-Apply-
3.96
298

Table 7-148
u Properties
Create
Action:
2D
Dimension:
Shell
Type:
Property Set Name
alum
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:alum
Thickness
0.0625
OK
Select Members
Surface 1
Add
-Apply-

Apply a Directional Heat Load
Table 7-149
Action:
Create
Object:
Applied Heat
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
Directional Fluxes
New Set Name
vector_flux
2D

Input Data...
Surface Option:
Top
0.8
Top Surf Heat Flux
30
< -1 0 0 >
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 1
Add
OK
-Apply-
Select the Directional Fluxes

Option before defining the Element
Uniform Type
300

Apply a Radiation Boundary Condition
Table 7-150
Action:
Create
Object:
Radiation
Element Uniform
Type:
Option:
Ambient Space
New Set Name:
rad_space
2D
Input Data...
Surface Option:
Top
Top Surf Emissivity
0.8
0.8
Ambient Temperature
20
View Factor
1.0
OK

Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Surface 1
Add
OK
-Apply-

Specify Radiation Parameters and Perform the Analysis
Table 7-151
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Job Name
ex8
Solution Type...
STEADY STATE ANALYSIS

Absolute Temperature Scale:
273.15
Click on Absolute
Temperature Scale for list in
various units
Stefan-Boltzmann Constant:
3.6580E-11
Click on Stefan-Boltzmann
Constant for list in various
units
OK
OK
OK
-Apply-
302

Table 7-152
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Job Name
ex8
ex8.op2
Highlight
OK
-Apply-
Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

Highlight
Temperatures
Highlight
-ApplyNote:
Continue with Step 1 of Example 9 to perform a structural analysis.
Example 8 demonstrates an aluminum cylinder in radiative equilibrium. The heat source is directional
(light source oriented), and the radiation boundary condition is equal for all directions. The cylinders
maximum temperature (~473 oC) is attained on the side subject to the solar heat load. The minimum

temperature (~424 oC) occurs in the shadow region. The high conductivity of the cylinder helps to
equilibrate the temperatures. If the conductivity were very low, the maximum temperature would
approach 740 oC with the minimum approximately 20 oC.
304
7.10
Example 9 - Thermal Stress Analysis from Directional

Heat Loads
Figure 7-8
6.0 in
Aluminum Cylinder
1.5 in
E = 1.0E7 lb/in2
= 0.34
= 1.3E-5 in/in-oC
Thickness = 0.0625 in
Problem Description
This example demonstrates how to apply the thermal results of Example 8 to perform a stress analysis.
We will create the temperature loading for the stress run by using the Create-Spatial-FEM command
under the Fields Application. You can also use the include punch file option to get the thermal load.
The diameter of the cylinder is 1.5 inch with a length of 6 inches. The material is aluminum. The heat
transfer problem solved in Example 8 resulted in a temperature solution which we would now like to
apply to a thermal stress analysis.

Modeling
We will first apply the Create-Spatial-FEM command to define the temperature load for a thermal stress
analysis. Initially, the structure is stress-free at a temperature of 0 oC. The cylinder is clamped on both
ends for the thermal stress calculation.
Create a Spatial FEM Field Based on the Temperature Profile
Table 7-154
uFields
Action:
Create
Object:
Spatial
Method:
FEM
Field Name
tempload
FEM Field Definition
uContinuous
Field Type
uScalar
Mesh/Results Group Filter
uCurrent Viewport
Select Group
default_group
-Apply-
Change the Analysis Type to Structural
Table 7-155 Preferences

Analysis...
Analysis Type:
Structural
OK
Highlight
306
Specify the Structural Materials
Table 7-156
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
alum_st
Input Properties...
Linear Elastic
Constitutive Model
Elastic Modulus =
1.0e7
Poisson Ratio =
0.34
Thermal Expan. Coeff =
1.3e-5
0.0
-Apply-

Table 7-157
u Properties
Create
Action:
2D
Dimension:
Shell
Type:
Property Set Name
alum_st
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:alum_st
Thickness
0.0625
Select from Material Pro
OK
Select Members
Surface 1
Add
-Apply-
Create a New Load Case

We will create a new load case consisting of the structural thermal loading and apply the fi
conditions on the ends of the cylinder.
Table 7-158
u Load Cases
Create
Action:
Load Case Name
Load Case Type:
-Apply-
struct_load
Static
308
Apply the Clamped Boundary Conditions
Table 7-159
Action:
Create
Object:
Displacement
Nodal
Type:
Analysis Type:
Structural
struct_load
Current Load Case:

New Set Name:
Switch to Structural from

Thermal
clamp_bc
Input Data...
Load/BC Set Scale Factor
1.0
Translations <T1 T2 T3>
< 0., 0., 0. >
Rotations <R1 R2 R3>
< 0., 0., 0. >
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Curve or Edge icon

Add
OK
-Apply-
Curve 1 Surface 1.3

Define a Temperature Load
Table 7-160
Action:
Create
Object:
Temperature
Nodal
Type:
Structural
Analysis Type:
struct_load
Current Load Case:

New Set Name
temp_load
Input Data...
1.0
Temperature
f:tempload
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Surface or Face icon

Add
OK
-Apply-
Surface 1
310
Table 7-161
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Job Name
ex9
Subcase Select
Subcases For Solution Sequence: 101
struct_load
Highlight
Subcases Selected:
struct_load
Click on default to
remove
OK
-Apply-
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate

OK
-Apply-
ex9
ex9.op2
Highlight

Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

struct_load, Static Subcase

Stress Tensor
Position:
At Z1
Quantity:
von Mises
Displacements, Translational
For output we plot the von Mises stress for the fixed end cylinder undergoing the directional thermal load.
Peak stresses occur near the fixed end points (recall the points are fixed in X, Y, and Z directions).
Thermal expansion causes growth in the axial and radial directions with a circumferential variation due
to the directional nature of the thermal load. Near the cylinder mid-plane, in an axial sense, we find the
maximum stress at the location which is normal to the directional load vector. The minimum is on the
opposite side of the cylinder in the shadow.
312
7.11
Example 10 - Thermal Stress Analysis of a Bi-Metallic

Plate
Figure 7-9
Y
KGe = 1.524 W/in-oC
1.0 in
Ksolder = 1.27 W/in-oC

EGe = 1.885E7 lb/in2
GGe = 0.933E7 lb/in2
Ge = 5.8E-6 in/in-oC
1.0 in
X
Z
ESolder = 1.3E7 lb/in2

Solder = 0.4
Solder = 2.47E-5 in/in-oC
T = -30.0 oC
Ge: 0.025 in
X
Solder: 0.05 in
Tref = -30 oC
T = 70.0 oC
Problem Description
In this example we will perform the thermal stress analysis of a bi-metallic strip. We will build the entire
model from geometric construction so that we can apply loads directly on the geometry. The dimension
of the bi-metallic strip is one inch by one inch. The thickness for the solder type material is 0.05 inch,
and the thickness of the Ge material is 0.025 inch. Thus the assembly thickness is 0.075 inch.
The top surface temperature boundary condition is -30 oC, and the bottom surface temperature boundary
condition is 70 oC. We will determine the temperature distribution by running a steady-state thermal
analysis.
Modeling
Prior to the development of the Patran MSC Nastran Heat Transfer interface, one would request:
TEMP(PUNCH)=all
in the MSC Nastran Case Control section of the thermal run. The temperature load is then created and
saved inside the punch file. In the subsequent thermal stress analysis one can access this file by defining
TEMP(LOAD)=1

in the Case Control section of the ensuing stress analysis run.

However, using Patran you can use the Create-Spatial-FEM command after you have postprocessed the
thermal result in the viewport. We will use this technique to apply a thermal load for the stress analysis.
Also, we will analyze the thermal stress analysis for the free-free expansion by enforcing a minimum
number of constraints to fix-rigid body motion.
314
Create the Model
Table 7-164
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Surface
Method:
XYZ
<110>
[000]
-Apply-
Table 7-165
u Geometry
Action:
Create
Object:
Solid
Method:
Extrude
Translation Vector
< 0 0 0.05 >

Auto Execute
Surface List
Surface 1
-ApplyClick on the Solid Face icon
Translation Vector
< 0 0 0.025 >
Surface List
Solid 1.6
-Apply-
You can use the Auto Execute

instead of clicking on -Apply-

Mesh the Solids
Table 7-166
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh Seed
Type:
Uniform
Number =
Curve List
Solid 1.1.1 1.2.1 1.2.3 1.1.3
Click on the four (4) corners of Solid

1. Hold the shift key down while you
click
-ApplyNumber =
Curve List
Solid 2.1.1 2.2.1 2.2.3 2.1.3
Click on the four (4) corners of Solid

2. Hold the shift key down while you
click
-Apply-
Table 7-167
uFinite Elements
Action:
Create
Object:
Mesh
Type:
Solid
0.1
Global Edge Length=

Element Topology=
Hex8
Solid List
Solid 1 2
-Apply-
Highlight
316
Table 7-168
u Finite Elements
Action:
Equivalence
Object:
All
Method:
Tolerance Cube
0.005
-Apply-
Specify Thermal Material Properties
Table 7-169
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
Ge
Input Properties...
Solid properties
Constitutive Model
1.524
-ApplyMaterial Name
Solder
Solid properties
Constitutive Model
-Apply-
1.27

Table 7-170
u Properties
Create
Action:
3D
Dimension:
Solid
Type:
Property Set Name
Ge
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:Ge
OK
Change the view to Bottom View
Select Members
Solid 2
Add
-Apply-
Property Set Name
Solder
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:Solder
OK
Select Members
Solid 1
Add
-Apply-
318

Apply Temperature Boundary Conditions

Table 7-171
Action:
Create
Object:
Temp (Thermal)
Nodal
Type:
Thermal
Analysis Type:
New Set Name
temp_bottom
Input Data...
70
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Surface or Face icon
Surface 1
Click on bottom surface
Add
OK
-ApplyNew Set Name
temp_top
Input Data...
-30
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Surface icon

Add
OK
-Apply-
Solid 2.6
320
Perform the Thermal Analysis
Table 7-172
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Job Name
ex10
-Apply-
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
ex10

ex10.op2
OK
-Apply-
Highlight

Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

Temperatures
-ApplyDefine a Spatial FEM Field Based on the Temperature Profile
uFields
Action:
Create
Object:
Spatial
Method:
FEM
Table 7-175 Field Name
t_load
FEM Field Definition
uContinuous
Field Type
uScalar
Mesh/Results Group Filter
uCurrent Viewport
Select Group
default_group
-Apply-
Highlight
322
Change the Analysis Type to Structural
Table 7-176 Preferences

Analysis...
Analysis Type:
Structural
OK

Specify Structural Material Properties
Table 7-177
u Materials
Action:
Create
Object:
Isotropic
Method:
Manual Input
Material Name
Solder_st
Input Properties...
Linear Elastic
Constitutive Model
Elastic Modulus =
1.3e7
Poisson Ratio =
0.4
2.47e-5
-30.0
-ApplyMaterial Name
Ge_st
Linear Elastic
Constitutive Model
Elastic Modulus =
1.885e7
Shear Modulus =
0.933e7
5.8e-6
-30.0
-Apply-
324
Table 7-178
u Properties
Create
Action:
3D
Dimension:
Solid
Type:
Property Set Name
Ge_st
Standard Formulation
Options:
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:Ge_st
OK
Select Members
Solid 2
Add
-Apply-
Property Set Name
Solder_st
Standard Formulation
Options:
Input Properties...
Material Name
m:Solder_st
OK
Select Members
Solid 1
Add
-Apply-

Create a New Load Case
Table 7-179
u Load Cases
Create
Action:
Load Case Name
Load Case Type:
-Apply-
struct_load
Static
326
Define a Temperature Load
Table 7-180
Action:
Create
Object:
Temperature
Nodal
Type:
Structural
Analysis Type:
struct_load
Current Load Case:

New Set Name
Switch to Structural from Thermal
temp_load
Input Data...
1.0
Temperature
f:t_load
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Solid icon

Add
OK
-Apply-
Solid 1 2

328
Apply Constraints
Apply constraints on the four corner points of the top surface.
Table 7-181
Action:
Create
Object:
Displacement
Nodal
Type:
Structural
Analysis Type
New Set Name:
fix_x
Input Data...
1.0
< 0., , >
OK
uGeometry
Geometry Filter
Click on the Point icon
Point 9 10
Add
OK
-ApplyNew Set Name:
fix_y
Input Data...
1.0
< , 0., >
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Point 11
Add
OK
-Apply-

New Set Name:
fix_z
Input Data...
1.0
< , , 0.>
OK
Geometry Filter
uGeometry
Point 9:12
Add
OK
-Apply-
Perform the Structural Analysis
Table 7-182
u Analysis
Action:
Analyze
Object:
Entire Model
Method:
Full Run
Job Name
ex10_st
Subcase Select
Subcases For Solution Sequence: 101
struct_load
Highlight
Subcases Selected:
struct_load
Click on Default to
remove
OK
-Apply-
330
Table 7-183
u Analysis
Action:
Read Output2
Object:
Result Entities
Method:
Translate
Job Name
ex10_st

ex10_st.op2
Highlight
OK
-Apply-
Display the Results
u Results
Quick Plot
Object:

struct_load, Static Subcase

Stress Tensor
von Mises
Quantity:
Displacements, Translational
The reference or zero stress state for the assembly is initialized at -30 oC. The thermal coefficient of
expansion for the solder is approximately four times that of Ge. When the temperature gradient

associated with the temperature boundary conditions is applied, the solder layer wants to grow
significantly more than the Ge layer due not only to the higher coefficient of thermal expansion, but also
because of the higher temperature relative to TREF. The Ge layer ends up with a more complex stress
pattern due to its four corner points being constrained, the distribution of temperature through the layer,
and the growth enforced by the solder layer. The free surface of the solder layer exhibits the low stress
levels.
332
Files
Files
334
334
Files
1.1
Files
The Patran MSC Nastran Preference uses or creates several files.The following table outlines each file
and its uses. In the file name definition, jobname will be replaced with the jobname assigned by the user.
Description
*.db
This is the Patran database. During an analyze pass, model data is read from this
database and, during a Read Results pass, model and/or results data is written into
it. This file typically resides in the current directory.
jobname.jbr
These are small files used to pass certain information between Patran and the
independent translation programs during translation. There should never be a need
to directly alter these files. These files typically reside in the current directory.
jobname.bdf
This is the MSC Nastran input file created by the interface. This file typically
resides in the current directory.
msc_v#_sol#.alt
These are a series of MSC Nastran alters that are read during forward translation.
These alters instruct MSC Nastran to write information to the OUTPUT2 file that
the results translation will be looking for. The forward translator searches the
Patran file path for these files, but they typically reside in the
<installation_directory>/alters directory. If these files do not meet specific needs,
edit them accordingly. However, the naming convention of msc_v# <version
#>_sol#<solution #>.alt must be preserved. Either place the edited file back into
the <installation_directory>/alters directory or in any directory on the Patran file
path, which takes precedence over the <installation_directory>/alters directory. If
these files are not used, remove them from the Patran file path, rename them, or
delete them altogether.
jobname.op2
This is the NASTRAN OUTPUT2 file, which is read by the Read Results pass.
This file typically resides in the current directory.
jobname.flat
This file may be generated during a Read Results pass. If the results translation
cannot write data directly into the specified Patran database, it will create this
jobname.flat file. This file typically resides in the current directory.
jobname.msg.xx
These message files contain any diagnostic output from the translation, either
forward or reverse. This file typically resides in the current directory.
MscNastranExecute
This is a Linux script file, which is called on to submit MSC Nastran after
translation is complete. This file might need customizing with site specific data,
such as, host machine name and MSC Nastran executable commands. This file
contains many comments and should be easy to edit. Patran searches its file path to
find this file, but it typically resides in the <installation_directory>/bin/exe
directory. Either use the general copy in <installation_directory>/bin/exe, or place
a local copy in a directory on the file path, which takes precedence over the
<installation_directory>/bin/exe directory.
Error Messages
Error Messages
336
336
Error Messages
2.1
Error Messages
There are many error or warning messages that may be generated by the Patran MSC Nastran Interface.
The following table outlines some of these.
Description
Unable to open a new message file " ". Translation If the translation tries to open a message file and cannot, it
messages will be written to standard output.
will write messages to Standard Output. On most systems,
the translator automatically writes dmessages to standard
output and never tries to create a separate message file.
Unable to open the specified OUTPUT2 file "
".
The OUTPUT2 file was not found. Check the OUTPUT2

file specification in the translation control file.
The specified OUTPUT2 file " " is not in

standard binary format and cannot be translated.
The OUTPUT2 file is not in standard binary format. Check

the OUTPUT2 file specification in the translation control
file.
Group " " does not exist in the database. Model

data will not be translated.
The name of a nonexistent group was specified in the

translator control file. No model data will be translated
from the OUTPUT2 file.
Needed file specification missing! The full name of The translation control file must be specified as the first
the job file must be specified as the first command- on-line argument to the translator.
line argument to this program.
Unable to open the specified database " ".
Writing the OUTPUT2 information to the PCL
command file " ".
Unable to open either the specified database "
or a PCL command file, " ".
Unable to open the NASTRAN input file "
Unable to open the specified database, "
If the translator cannot communicate directly to the

specified database. It will write the results and/or model
data to a PCL session file.
",
".
".
The naspat3 translator is unable to open any output file.

Check file specification and directory protection.
The translator was unable to open a file to where the input
file information will be written.
The forward Patran MSC Nastran translator was unable to
open the specified Patran database.
Alter file of the name " " could not be found. No

OUPUT2 alter will be written to the NASTRAN
input file.
The OUTPUT2 DMAP alter file, for this type of analysis,

could not be found. Correct the search path to include the
necessary directory if you want the alter files to be written
to the input file.
No property regions are defined in the database.

No elements or element properties can be
translated.
Elements referenced by an element property region in the

Patran database will not get translated by the forward
Patran MSC Nastran translator. If no element regions are
defined, no elements will be translated.
Supported Commands
338
339
Bulk Data Entries
341
340
338
3.1

The following MSC Nastran File Management statement is supported.
Description
ASSIGN
An ASSIGN command is used to assign a particular name (job name + user specified MSC
Nastran results suffix) to the NASTRAN OUTPUT2 file to be created during the analysis.
339
3.2

The following MSC Nastran Executive Control statements are supported.
Description
SOL
Specifies the solution sequence or main subDMAP to be executed. (p. 115)
TIME
Sets the maximum CPU and I/O time.(p. 116), (p. 119)
340
3.3

The following MSC Nastran Case Control commands are supported.
Description
DLOAD
Selects a dynamic load or an acoustic source to be applied in a transient or frequency

response problem. (p. 66)
ECHO
Controls echo (i.e., printout) of the Bulk Data. (p. 116), (p. 119)
ENTHALPY
Requests form of enthalpy vector output in transient heat transfer analysis (SOL 159).
(p. 132)
FLUX
Requests the form and type of gradient and flux output in heat transfer analysis. (p. 132)
HDOT
Requests form of rate of change of enthalpy vector output in transient heat transfer analysis
(SOL 159). (p. 132)
IC
Selects the initial conditions for direct transient analysis (SOLs 27, 69, 99, 109, 129, and
159). (p. 75)
LOAD
Selects an external static load set. (p. 66)
MAXLINES
Sets the maximum number of output lines. (p. 116), (p. 119)
MPC
Selects a multipoint constraint set. (p. 50)
NLPARM
Selects the parameters used for nonlinear static analysis. (p. 125), (p. 135)
OLOAD
Requests the form and type of applied load vector output. (p. 132)
SPC
Selects a single-point constraint set to be applied. (p. 73)
SPCFORCES
Requests the form and type of single-point force of constraint vector output. (p. 132)
SUBCASE
Delimits and identifies a subcase. (p. 123), (p. 137)
SUBTITLE
Defines a subtitle that will appear on the second heading line of each page of printer output.
(p. 123)
TEMPERATURE
Selects the temperature set to be used in either material property calculations or thermal
loading in heat transfer and structural analysis. (p. 75)
THERMAL
Requests the form and type of temperature output. (p. 132)
TITLE
Defines a character string that will appear on the first heading line of each page of MSC
Nastran printer output. (p. 108)
TSTEPNL
Selects integration and output time steps for nonlinear transient problems. (p. 130), (p. 135)
341
Bulk Data Entries
3.4
Bulk Data Entries

The following MSC Nastran Bulk Data entries are supported.
Description
CBAR
Defines a simple beam element. (p. 60)
CBEAM
Defines a beam element. (p. 62)
CBEND
Defines a curved beam, curved pipe, or elbow element. (p. 61) (p. 62)
CDAMP1
Defines a scalar damper element. (p. 60)
CELAS1
Defines a scalar spring element. (p. 60)
CHBDYG
Defines a boundary condition surface element without reference to a property entry. (p. 71)
CHBDYP
Defines a boundary condition surface element with reference to a PHBDY entry. (p. 63),
(p. 71)
CHEXA
Defines the connections of the six-sided solid element with eight to twenty grid points.
(p. 65)
CONROD
Defines a rod element without reference to a property entry.(p. 112)
CONV
Specifies a free convection boundary condition for heat transfer analysis through
connection to a surface element (CHBDYi entry). (p. 81), (p. 85), (p. 90)
CONVM
Specifies a forced convection boundary condition for heat transfer analysis through
connection to a surface element (CHBDYi entry). (p. 82), (p. 87), (p. 90)
CORD2C
Defines a cylindrical coordinate system using the coordinates of three points. (p. 51)
CORD2R
Defines a rectangular coordinate system using the coordinates of three points. (p. 51)
CORD2S
Defines a spherical coordinate system using the coordinates of three points. (p. 51)
CPENTA
Defines the connections of a five-sided solid element with six to fifteen grid points. (p. 65)
CQUAD4
Defines an isoparametric membrane-bending or plane strain quadrilateral plate element.

(p. 64)
CQUAD8
Defines a curved quadrilateral shell or plane strain element with eight grid points. (p. 64)
CROD
Defines a tension-compression-torsion element. (p. 60)
CTETRA
Defines the connections of the four-sided solid element with four to ten grid points. (p. 65)
CTRIA3
Defines an isoparametric membrane-bending or plane strain triangular plate element.
CTRIA6
Defines a curved triangular shell element or plane strain with six grid points. (p. 64)
CTRIAX6
Defines an isoparametric and axisymmetric triangular cross section ring element with
midside grid points. (p. 65)
CTUBE
Defines a tension-compression-torsion tube element. (p. 63)
DLOAD
Defines a dynamic loading condition for frequency response or transient response

problems as a linear combination of load sets defined via RLOAD1 or RLOAD2 entries for
frequency response or TLOAD1 or TLOAD2 entries for transient response. (p. 66)
(p. 64)
342
Bulk Data Entries
Description
INCLUDE
Inserts an external file into the input file. The INCLUDE statement may appear anywhere
within the input data file. (p. 111)
MAT4
Defines the constant or temperature dependent thermal material properties for

conductivity, heat capacity, density, dynamic viscosity, heat generation, reference enthalpy
and latent heat associated with a single phase change. (p. 53)
MAT5
Defines the thermal material properties for anisotropic materials. (p. 53)
MATT4
Specifies table references for temperature-dependent MAT4 material properties. (p. 53)
MATT5
Specifies temperature-dependent material properties on MAT5 entry fields via TABLEMi

entries. (p. 53)
MPC
Defines a multipoint constraint equation of the form. (p. 50)
NLPARM
Defines a set of parameters for nonlinear static analysis iteration strategy. (p. 125), (p. 135)
PARAM,AUT
OSPC
AUTOSPC specifies the action to take when singularities exist in the stiffness matrix
[Kgg]. AUTOSPC = YES means that singularities will be constrained automatically.
AUTOSPC = NO means that singularities will not be constrained. (p. 116)
PARAM,PRG
PST
Controls the printout of singularities. See AUTOSPC. Default = YES. (p. 119)
PARAM,SIG
MA
The radiant heat flux is proportional to SIGMA*(Tgrid + TABS)4, where SIGMA is the
Stefan-Boltzmann constant. Default = 0.0. (p. 117)
PARAM,TAB
S
TABS is used to convert units of the temperature input (oF or oC) to the absolute
temperature (R or K). Default = 0.0. (p. 117)
PBAR
Defines the properties of a simple beam element (CBAR entry). (p. 60)
PBEAM
Defines the properties of a beam element (CBEAM entry). This element may be used to
model tapered beams. (p. 62)
PBEND
Defines the properties of a curved beam, curved pipe, or elbow element (CBEND entry).
(p. 61) (p. 62)
PCONV
Specifies the free convection boundary condition properties of a boundary condition

surface element used for heat transfer analysis. (p. 81), (p. 85), (p. 90)
PCONVM
Specifies the forced convection boundary condition properties of a boundary condition

surface element used for heat transfer analysis. (p. 82), (p. 87), (p. 90)
PDAMP
Specifies the damping value of a scalar damper element using defined CDAMP1 or
CDAMP3 entries. (p. 60)
PELAS
Specifies the stiffness, damping coefficient, and stress coefficient of a scalar elastic
(spring) element (CELAS1 or CELAS3 entry). (p. 60)
PHBDY
Referenced by CHBDYP entries to give auxiliary geometric information for boundary

condition surface elements. (p. 63), (p. 71)
PROD
Defines the properties of a rod element (CROD entry). (p. 60)
343
Bulk Data Entries
Description
PSHELL
Defines the membrane, bending, transverse shear, and coupling properties of thin shell
elements. (p. 64)
PSOLID
Defines the properties of solid elements (CHEXA, CPENTA, and CTETRA entries).
(p. 65)
PTUBE
Defines the properties of a thin-walled cylindrical tube element (CTUBE entry). (p. 63)
QBDY2
Defines grid point heat flux into CHBDYi elements. (p. 76)
QBDY3
Defines a uniform heat flux load for a boundary surface. (p. 76)
QHBDY
Defines a uniform heat flux load into a set of grid points. (p. 79)
QVECT
Defines thermal vector flux from a distant source into a face of one or more CHBDYi
boundary condition surface elements. (p. 77)
QVOL
Defines a rate of volumetric heat addition in a conduction element. (p. 56), (p. 80)
RADBC
Specifies a CHBDYi element face for application of radiation boundary conditions. (p. 96),
RADCAV
Identifies the characteristics of each radiant enclosure. (p. 98), (p. 117), (p. 117)
RADM
Defines the radiation properties of a boundary element for heat transfer analysis. (p. 77),
(p. 96), (p. 97), (p. 98)
RADMT
Specifies table references for temperature dependent RADM entry radiation boundary
properties. (p. 71), (p. 77), (p. 96), (p. 97), (p. 98)
RADSET
Specifies which radiation cavities are to be included for radiation enclosure analysis.
(p. 97)
(p. 98)
SLOAD
Defines concentrated static loads on scalar or grid points. (p. 79)
SPC
Defines a set of single point constraints and enforced displacements. (p. 73)
SPOINT
Defines scalar points. (p. 81), (p. 82), (p. 96)
TABLED1
Defines a tabular function for use in generating frequency-dependent and time-dependent

dynamic loads. (p. 71)
TABLEM1
Defines a tabular function for use in generating temperature-dependent material properties.

(p. 53), (p. 71)
TEMP
Defines temperature at grid points for determination of thermal loading, temperaturedependent material properties, or stress recovery. (p. 75)
TEMPBC
Defines the temperature boundary conditions for heat transfer analysis. Applies to steady
state and transient conditions. (p. 73)
TEMPD
Defines a temperature value for all grid points of the structural model which have not been
given a temperature on a TEMP entry. (p. 116), (p. 119)
TLOAD1
Defines a time-dependent dynamic load or enforced motion of the form. (p. 66), (p. 71)
TSTEPNL
Defines parametric controls and data for nonlinear transient structural or heat transfer
analysis. TSTEPNL is intended for SOLs 129, 159, and 99. (p. 130), (p. 135)
344
Bulk Data Entries
Description
VIEW
Defines radiation cavity and shadowing for radiation view factor calculations. (p. 98)
VIEW3D
Defines parameters to control and/or request the Gaussian Integration method of view
factor calculation for a specified cavity. (p. 117)
MSC.Fatigue Quick Start Guide
Index
A
P
atr
an
Int
erf
ac
e
to
M
case control, 121, 135, 340

conductivity, 5
contour plots, 41, 140, 153
convergence criteria, 14, 127, 129, 131
coordinate frames, 47, 51, 112, 147
analysis coordinate frames, 47
reference coordinate frames, 47
film node, 69, 82, 85, 87, 90, 93, 95

finite element mesh, 26, 46, 47
finite element properties, 30, 46, 49, 57, 58
0D, 58, 59
1D, 58, 59
2D, 58, 60
2D axisymmetric solid elements, 65
2D shell elements, 64
3D, 58, 60
3D solid elements, 65
beam and rod elements-general section,
60
capacitors, 60
conductors, 60
curved general section beam, 61
curved pipe section beam, 62
flow tube, 63
pipe section rod, 63
tapered section beam, 62
forced convection, 8
formats, 112
free convection, 8
absolute temperature, 10, 117

alter file, 111
ambient temperature, 8, 82, 84, 85, 89, 91
analysis, 107, 110
analysis form, 108
applied linear loads, 145, 149
Attach XDB, 141
bulk data entry, 111, 112, 113, 121, 341

bulk data file, 164
database (MSC.Patran), 22, 140, 145

delete XY window, 160
direct text input, 121, 135
elements, 147
enthalpies, 146, 150
error messages, 336
executive control, 121, 339
file management statements, 121, 338

files, 334
film coefficient(see also heat transfer
coefficient), 8
GEOM1, 147
GEOM2, 147
geometry creation, 25
geometry import, 46
grid points, 48
heat flows, 145, 150

heat flux, 8, 146, 150, 154
heat generation, 7, 8, 56
heat transfer coefficient, 7, 8, 9, 82, 83, 84, 86,
89, 90, 92, 93, 94
heats of constraint, 145, 149
346 Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal
INCLUDE files, 112

input file, 164
input file reader, 114, 121
Kirchhoffs Identity, 10
load cases, 103, 106

load tolerance, 14, 127, 129, 131
material properties, 5, 29, 46, 52

absorptivity, 9, 10, 77, 78, 79, 96, 97
anisotropic, 55, 56
conductivity, 5, 56
consistent units, 6
density, 5, 56
dynamic viscosity, 6, 56
emissivity, 9, 10, 96, 97, 98
enthalpy, 6, 56
heat capacitance, 5, 56
isotropic, 54, 55, 56
latent heat, 6, 56
orthotropic, 54, 56
specific heat, 5, 56
MSC.Nastran version, 112
MSC.Patran Analysis Manager, 109
multi-point constraints, 47, 50
node points, 47
nodes, 47, 112, 147
numbering options, 112, 113
OEF1, 145
OPG1, 145
OQG1, 145
OUGV1, 145
output requests, 132, 134, 135, 145, 146, 149
OUTPUT2, 41, 111, 140, 141, 143, 145, 147
Prandtl number, 8, 9, 56, 85, 90, 95
radiation
ambient nodes, 69, 97
ambient space, 69, 96
enclosures, 69, 98
rate of change of enthalpies, 146, 150
read input file, 164
results, 143
results postprocessing, 41, 152
Reynolds number, 8, 9, 56, 85, 88, 90, 95
steady-state analysis (SOL 153), 11, 40, 115

initial conditions, 12
Newton-Raphson iteration, 11
radiation parameters, 116, 117
solution parameters, 116, 129
subcase parameters, 125, 127, 129
view factor parameters, 116, 118
Stefan-Boltzmann constant, 10, 117
subcase, 106, 109, 123, 125, 137
SUPG, 9, 56
temperature gradients, 145, 150, 154

temperature tolerance, 14, 126, 129, 131
thermal analysis
loads and boundary conditions, 7
steady-state analysis, 11
transient analysis, 13
units, 6, 7
INDEX 347
thermal loads and BCs, 7, 46, 66

advection, forced convection, 8, 68
basic convection, 8, 37, 68
consistent units, 7
contact, 69
control nodes, 69, 76, 79, 80
convection coupled, 85
convection coupled advection, 90
convection coupled flow tube, 87
convection flow tube to ambient, 82
convection to ambient, 81
directional heat flux, 8, 68, 77, 79
directional heat flux-function of time, 78, 79
flow tubes, 82, 87, 90
initial temperatures, 75
nodal source, 8, 68, 79
normal heat flux, 7, 34, 68, 76
radiation enclosures, 10, 69, 98
radiation to ambient nodes, 97
radiation to space, 9, 69, 96
spatial dependence, 71
surface area, 71
temperature boundary conditions, 7, 32, 68,
73
temperature dependence, 71
time dependence, 71
two application regions, 70, 85, 87, 90, 97
volumetric heat generation, 8, 54, 56, 68,
80
tolerances, 111
transient analysis (SOL 159), 13, 115
initial conditions, 14
initial time step, 13, 130
solution parameters, 119
subcase parameters, 130
translation parameters, 111, 112
undo feature, 27
view factors, 10, 97, 117, 119
work tolerance, 14, 126, 129, 131
XY plots, 140, 155, 158
348 Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Nastran Thermal

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Patran 2016

Interface To MSC Nastran

MSC Software Corporation

MSC Software Japan Ltd.

Europe, Middle East, Africa

MSC Software (S) Pte. Ltd.

Using this Guide

Thermal Material Properties

Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions

Getting Started - A Guided Exercise

Create a Rectangular Geometric Surface

Modify the Mesh (Reduce the Number of Elements)

Assign Element Properties

Define the Temperature at the Plates Bottom Edge

Apply Convection to the Plates Left Edge

iv Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Perform a Steady-State Thermal Analysis

Loads and Boundary Conditions

Running a Thermal Analysis

Review of the Analysis Form

Results Processing and Visualization

Reading Thermal Analysis Results

Read Input File

Data Translated from the NASTRAN Input File

Example 1 - Transient Thermal Analysis

Example 2 - Free Convection on Printed Circuit Board

Example 3 - Forced Air Convection on Printed Circuit Board

Example 6 - Radiation Enclosures

Example 7 - Axisymmetric Flow in a Pipe

vi Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Example 8 - Directional Heat Loads

Example 9 - Thermal Stress Analysis from Directional Heat Loads

Executive Control Statements

Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Using this Guide

Thermal Material Properties

Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions

Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Using this Guide

Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Thermal stress analysis from directional heat loads

Thermal Material Properties

Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Typical Units for Thermal Material Properties

Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions

Typical Units for Thermal Loads and Boundary Conditions

Normal Heat Flux

W/m Table 1-26

Directional Heat Flux

W/m Table 1-29

W/m Table 1-35

Convection Heat Flow

W/m Table 1-38

Advection Heat Flow

Convection Heat Transfer

W/m Table 1-44

W/m Table 1-47

W/m Table 1-50

Temperature Boundary Conditions

Patran Interface to MSC Nastran Thermal

Directional Heat Flux

=the Reynolds number based on the diameter (internally calculated)

=the Prandtl number (internally calculated)

=the Reynolds number convection exponent