Beruflich Dokumente
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1 Introduction 1
What is StressCheck? 1
Why use StressCheck? 2
Who should use StressCheck? 3
StressCheck features 3
How to use this manual? 3
Frequently asked questions about the p-version and StressCheck 5
2 StressCheck Interface 9
Interface layout 9
Standard file extensions 17
File menu 17
Edit menu 19
Class menu 21
View menu 21
Display menu 24
Tools menu 27
General interface conventions 27
3 The Handbook 31
Handbook framework 31
Handbook library 31
Handbook interface 32
Solving a handbook problem 36
Handbook results 44
Handbook library expansion 44
4 Tutorial 45
Planar elasticity problem 45
Extrusion problem 65
Three-dimensional problem 72
Index 83
1 Introduction
What is StressCheck?
From the perspective of designers, StressCheck is a very advanced handbook that
provides reliable solutions quickly and conveniently.
From the perspective of analysts, StressCheck is a tool for advanced problem solv-
ing and a framework for communicating the results to designers.
1
extensions, and capabilities related to the analysis of fastened connections,
including cold working analysis.
1
StressChecks unique handbook capability is combined with an automated paramet-
ric analysis capability making it convenient to investigate the sensitivity of a solu-
tion to variations in critical design parameters.
StressCheck features
StressCheck is based on the p-version of the finite element method: The errors of
approximation are controlled by increasing the polynomial degree of the elements.
The main features of the program are summarized in the table on page 4.
1
StressCheck features - Elasticity
Model Materials Boundary Solution Output
Conditions
Geometry: Linear: Loads: Reference: Standard:
Parasolid kernel Isotropic Tractions Plane-Stress Error Estimate
System Orthotropic Point Load Plane-Strain Equilibrium Check
Point Anisotropic Body Force Axisymm. Resultants
Line Fitted Fiber Spring Displ. Plate Bending Contour Plotting
Circle Temperature- Bearing Extrusion Deformed Shape
Fillet dependent Shear 3D-Solids Min/Max Extraction
Ellipse Moment Point/Line/Edge
Spline Imposed Displ. Extraction
Cylinder Nonlinear: Thermal Analyses: Averages
Cone Formula Animation
Elastic- Linear
Plane Running load Nonlinear
Plastic
Torus importation Material
Bilinear Advanced:
Formula TLAP Traction Nonlinear
Ramberg-
Composite Osgood TLAP Bearing Geometry 2D & 3D Fracture
more Modal Mechanics
Iso-Exponential
Prestress SIF
Constraints:
Modal T-Stress
Elements: Rigid Body Eigenvalue
Separated J-integral
Beam Laminated: Nodal Constr. Buckling
Fastener Boundary General Cold Working
Cartesian (flat)
Link Face Constr. Margin
Cylindrical Check
Quadrilateral Spring Coeff.
General Measurement
Triangular Built-In
Curvature
Hexahedral Soft-Simple Crack Path
Pentahedral Symmetry Contact
Tetrahedral Antisymmetry Global-Local
Fastener to Fastener
Meshing: Hinge
Manual Imported point con-
Automesh 2D & 3D straint
Boundary Layer Meshing Formula
Autolamination Point constraint
inportation
Automesh refinement
1
An overview of the user interface is presented in the second chapter. The third
chapter provides an introduction to the Handbook framework. The fourth chapter
was written for first time users who are encouraged to follow the example problems
in a step-by-step fashion. This will provide a sense of the look and feel of the pro-
gram. For specific analysis types and procedures refer to the Analysis Guide and
the Advanced Guide.
1
Are error estimation procedures available in h-version codes as well?
Most h-version codes offer some form of adaptive capability. The theory of
adaptive mesh construction was developed in the 1970's by Babuska and Rhei-
nboldt. The objective of an h-adaptive process is to obtain a sequence of finite
element meshes in such a way that the error measured in energy norm is mini-
mal, or nearly minimal, for each mesh. Subsequently Zienkiewicz and Zhou
proposed an adaptive scheme, variants of which have been implemented in h-
version codes. In general, h-version codes do not provide convenient and reli-
able means for making an assessment of the quality of computed information,
however.
1
Are there areas of application which can be handled by the p-version but not by the h-
version or vice versa?
In principle, any problem which can be solved by the h-version can be solved by
the p-version and, conversely, any problem which can be solved by the p-version
can be solved by the h-version. There are large differences in convergence rates,
however. For example, it was demonstrated in one well-documented plane elastic
model problem that to achieve one percent relative error in energy norm (which is
similar to the root-mean-square measure of error in stress), approximately 1000
degrees of freedom were needed with the p-version and properly designed mesh,
whereas 10 million degrees of freedom would have been required with the h-ver-
sion, utilizing 8-noded quadrilaterals and uniform mesh refinement. For details we
refer to p.190 in Szabo and Babuska, Finite Element Analysis (1991). There are
other important areas where the p-version has clear and substantial advantages:
adhesively bonded joints (where very large aspect ratios are required), structural
plates and shells, fracture mechanics, etc.
There are many other advantages as well: StressCheck incorporates advanced pro-
cedures for the computation of stress intensity factors in linear elastic fracture
mechanics; it can compute the natural straining modes and the corresponding gen-
eralized stress intensity factors in homogeneous and heterogeneous bodies. Stress-
Check is the first FEA program to provide hierarchic models for homogeneous and
1
laminated plates. StressCheck provides a number of unique post-processing
procedures as well.
This chapter covers the most relevant features of the user interface. For a complete overview of the user
interface refer to the Users Guide. The interface layout, standard file extensions, file menu options,
interface conventions, and display manipulation sections provide enough information to create the finite
element model, to compute the solution and to perform an analysis of a model problem.
Interface layout
The StressCheck user interface is designed to simplify data entry and to standardize
program operation. As shown in Figure 1, this interface consists of a Main Menu
Bar and four Toolbars (Main, Attributes, Reference/Theory/Units, and Part/Assem-
bly) at the top of the screen, a graphic Model Window in the center, and four Tool-
bars (Views, Edit, Display Options, and Display Objects) at the bottom of the
screen. Tabbed dialog windows provide for data entry. When a tabbed dialog win-
dow has more tabs than can fit on the screen, a convenient pop-up menu can be
activated by a right mouse button click.
The Main Menu Bar provides access to program options which are used on a rela-
tively infrequent basis; such as opening and closing files, changing display
attributes, selecting an input class, etc. The Views and Main Toolbars provide a
shortcut to the most frequently used menu options, such as display manipulation,
Model Window
Status Line
Views Toolbar Tabbed Input Dialog Window
FIGURE 1 StressCheck screen layout.
and access to the dialog windows. The Reference selector should be used to
choose whether to model a problem as a membrane, as an axisymmetric solid,
as a plate in bending, or as a fully three-dimensional solid. The Theory selector
should be used to indicate whether the problem to be solved is an elasticity or a
heat transfer problem. It is now necessary to consider the choice of units of
measurement before creating any geometry in StressCheck. In the Units selec-
tor combo box, the options are: Other, in/lbf/sec/F, and mm/N/sec/C. The
Model Window is where the finite element model will appear for both pre- and
post-processing. A dialog window is where most text based user interaction
will occur. There are five primary dialog windows: one for model information, one
for model input, one for solver options, one for model results, and one for interact-
ing with the handbook framework.
Most of the tabbed dialog windows are divided into three sections (FIGURE 3). At
the bottom are 2 or more tabs, which allow the user to select a category of input. In
the center are the input fields and combo-boxes which relate to the specific cate-
gory of input chosen with the tab. At the bottom of each dialog window is a set of
push-buttons which are used to invoke a command. 2
Of particular importance is the additional interface control found in the input dialog
window which contains a summary of the data records corresponding to a particular
class. This listbox gives the user access to data previously entered so that it may be
altered and replaced. For geometry and mesh classes, this listbox can be viewed by
selecting the Index tab.
Model Info The Model Information window can be displayed on the screen by selecting
Model Info from the Main Menu Edit pulldown menu. The model window
(FIGURE 2) can also be activated by selecting the icon from the Main Toolbar. The
Browser icon
three tabs at the top of the window give the user access to model descriptions,
design variable definitions, and design variable rules. The model browser can
be activated from this window by selecting the Browser icon.
Input The Input window can be displayed on the screen by selecting Input from
the Main Menu Edit pulldown menu, or by selecting an input class such as
Geometry, Mesh, Thickness, etc. from the Main Menu Class pulldown
menu. Alternatively, the Input dialog window (FIGURE 3) may be activated by
2 selecting the Create Model icon from the Main Toolbar.
Class Tabs
Curve/Surface Selector
Surface/Solid Option
Input Fields
Command Buttons
Solution The Solution window can be displayed by selecting Solution from the Main
Menu Edit pulldown menu, or by selecting the Compute Solution icon in the
Main Toolbar. The Solution dialog window is shown in FIGURE 4 for 3D Elastic-
ity. The solution interface contains several tabs, one for each type of solution sup-
ported by StressCheck, i.e. Linear, Nonlinear, Modal, Buckling, Measurement, and
Margin Check. Once a specific solution type is selected, and the pertinent options
are chosen, the solution may be performed by choosing the SOLVE! tab. This tab
contains the various options that are common to all solution types.
2
Results The Results window can be displayed by selecting Results from the Main
Menu Edit pulldown menu, or by selecting the View Results icon in the Main
Toolbar. The Results dialog window is shown in FIGURE 5. The results interface
contains several tabs, one for each type of post-processing option supported by
StressCheck, i.e. Error Estimation, Points Extraction, Resultant Extraction, etc.
Class Tabs
2
Solution ID Selection
Computation Options
Command Buttons
NOTE: The Graph window is not applicable for the Plot tab.
Handbook The Handbook Library window can be displayed by selecting Handbook from
the Main Menu Edit pulldown menu, or by selecting the Handbook Library
icon in the Main Toolbar. The Handbook Library dialog window is shown in FIG-
URE 6.
The Handbook Library interface provides access to, and interaction with, pre-
defined models of frequently occurring mechanical design components. Its tabs
provide access to different functions of the handbook framework. The Model
Info tab through its Browser Icon gives access to the Model Browser. The Model 2
Browser provides a list of the available handbook models from which to choose.
Click on the Browser Icon and the Model Browser will be displayed on the screen.
The three buttons to the right of the Browser Icon provide access to the Icon win-
dow and a capability to capture, edit and save an image of the model. The Icon win-
dow provides an illustration for each handbook problem which is useful for
associating the design parameters with the model. The Keywords help to identify
the model during browsing. The Comments are intended to provide specific
instructions to assist in the execution of a handbook model or in the interpretation
of results.
The Analysis tab gives the user control of model dimensions and other design
properties, and provides a set of command buttons which automatically perform a
solution, plot results, and compute engineering data specific to each handbook
model. The Analysis tab also contains a Design Study feature which makes it possi-
ble to evaluate design variations by selecting design variables which will be sys-
tematically changed during a series of solution computations.
The Results tab provides a variety of post processing procedures that may be per-
formed very conveniently within the handbook framework. Computing an estimate
of the error in energy norm, plotting standard engineering quantities, computing
minimum and maximum engineering quantities, computing engineering data at
selected locations in the model, computing resultants, computing fracture mechan-
ics quantities, or computing various engineering properties such as deformed area/
volume or distortion, are possible options when using this interface.
The Material tab provides access to linear isotropic material property definitions.
The user may modify existing material properties only.
The Constraint tab gives the user the possibility of changing the existing type of
constraint. It applies to Built-In, Symmetry, Antisymmetry, Soft Simple and Free
types.
Handbook Tabs
Browser
2 Icon
Icon Window
File menu
The following sections provide a brief summary of the options found in the Main
Menu Bar, FILE pulldown menu. If an icon exists for a specific operation, it will be
shown to the right of the command name.
New When starting StressCheck, a database will be created with a primary filename
already provided by StressCheck. The program will attach special filename exten-
sions to this name for each file it creates. If you click on the icon at any tine, a new
database will be opened.
Open If you have created a StressCheck database in a previous session, then you may re-
open the database using the Open menu option.
Close Use this option to close the current database, but keep StressCheck active.
Save Use this option if you wish to save the current state of your StressCheck model
to the database.
SaveAs Use this option to create a copy of the current database with a new name, and
to make this new database active.
2 Read Input Use this option to read a StressCheck input file (.sci) into your current data-
base. The current contents of your database will be erased automatically before
the new data is read in.
Save Input Use this option to save only the input data of your model to a StressCheck
input file (.sci). It is recommended to use a different name than that of the data-
base name to save the input file.
Erase Database Use this option to delete all information from the currently open database. The
database will be in the same condition as if you had opened a new database.
Exit When you exit from StressCheck, if your current preference setting (see Tools
menu) is set to not save a backup copy of your database files, StressCheck will
simply ask you whether you want to save the dataset before exiting.
base files. One is the active database where all operations that you perform during
the session are applied. The second database is a shadow database which is pre-
served in the original state that existed at the start of the current session. If you
choose to save your changes, the shadow database will be deleted, and the current
database will be preserved as the permanent version of your model database. If you
choose not to save your changes, the current database will be deleted, and the
shadow database will be preserved as the permanent version of the model database.
NOTE: if you perform a SAVE operation during a modeling session, the currently
active database is copied to the shadow database, and the original state of the data- 2
base will be lost.
Edit menu
The following sections provide a brief summary of the options found in the Main
Menu Bar, EDIT pulldown menu.
Undo Use this option to reverse the effect of the previous data transaction. The Undo
applies only to creation, deletion, and modification of geometric objects, and other
input records. It does not apply to selection, blanking, rotation, or other display
related operations. The Undo operation may be repeated indefinitely until the entire
sequence of input operations is reversed. Note: Solution data is not preserved after
an Undo operation.
Redo Use this option to re-apply a data transaction which has been reversed with the
Undo operation. Like the Undo, Redo applies only to creation, deletion, and modi-
fication of geometric objects and other similar input records. The Redo may be
repeated until all Undo operations have been reapplied.
Model Info This option provides access to the Model Information window. The creation of the
icon for the model, the problem title and comments, and the entering and editing of
Input The Input option provides access to the various input classes, including Geom-
etry, Mesh, Section Properties, Thickness, Materials, Loads, Constraints, and
Solution IDs. When selected, the StressCheck Input dialog window will
appear in which you will find a tab for each available input class.
2
Solution The Solution option provides access to the various StressCheck solver options,
including Linear, Nonlinear, Modal, Buckling, Measurement, Margin Check
and Crack Path analysis. When selected, the StressCheck Solution dialog win-
dow will appear, and there will be a tab for each solver option. Once you have
entered the required information for the desired solver, select the SOLVE! tab
to activate the corresponding solution procedure.
Results The Results option provides access to the various output classes, including
Error Estimation, Plot, Min/Max, Points, Resultant, Properties, and Fracture
Mechanics. When selected, the StressCheck Results dialog window will
appear, and there will be a tab for each results option.
Handbook The Handbook option provides access to the StressCheck Handbook Library
interface, including the handbook Model Info, Analysis, Results, Material and
Constraint options. When selected, the StressCheck Handbook dialog window
will appear, and there will be a tab for each option.
Formulae The Formulae option provides access to the dialog window for entering and
editing formula record definitions.
For more details and the description of other menu options, refer to the Users
Guide, Chapter 2.
Class menu
The class menu provides quick access to the various Input and Results class inter-
faces. Simply select the Input or Results class of interest and a dialog window will
appear, containing a set of property sheet tabs, with the appropriate tab automati-
cally selected.
Classes provide the basic organizational structure for input and results interaction 2
in StressCheck. Input classes include Geometry, Mesh, Thickness, Section Proper-
ties, Material, Load, Constraint, etc. Each Input class provides access to model
objects and input data records which define the finite element model.
Results classes include Error Estimation, Plot, Points, etc. The Results classes pro-
vide access to the various post-processing features of StressCheck. Post-processing
requires selection of the desired results class, followed by selection of the solu-
tion(s) of interest and various options related to the chosen results class.
View menu
The View pulldown menu provides quick access to the various StressCheck dock-
able tool bars. You may remove a tool bar from the display, or replace it again by
selecting the corresponding menu option from the View Menu.
Views Toolbar Choose View > Views Toolbar to obtain the icons for all the available view perspec-
tives and other display manipulation operations.
You may select a predefined view of your model from the Views Toolbar; for exam-
ple, to get a 3-dimensional view of your model click on the Isometric view. The Iso-
metric view is a 3D view with a 45 degree rotation about the x-axis and a -35
degree rotation about the y-axis. You may store a particular view of your model,
and then restore the model to this precise orientation at a later time using the Save
and Restore options in the Views Toolbar. You may fit the current orientation of the
model into the screen by selecting Center Model.
Pre-defined views
Capture Graphics
Center Model Capture Window Content
To Report
Rotate
Display Report
Center of Rotation
Bring Error Window To Front
Translate Restore Saved View
Zoom Save View
Box Zoom View Controls
Edit Toolbar The View > Edit Toolbar contains icons for quick access to object editing fea-
tures which may be used to cancel selected objects, blank selected objects,
unblank blanked objects, and to undo or redo previous operations.
Display Reset
Undo Reveal Blanked
Redo Unblank Objects
Cancel Highlighted Objects Blank Objects
Cancel Specific Object Type Select Any Object
Select Unobscured Objects
Invert Selection
Attributes The View > Attributes Toolbar contains icons for quick access to the model
attributes (loads, constraints, etc.) in the graphic display area. To control scaling of
the attribute symbols, you must interact directly with the corresponding section
property class tab of the Input dialog window.
Display Objects The View > Display Objects Toolbar contains icons for controlling the objects
being displayed in the display window.
Display Objects
Display Points Display Mesh Layers
Display Nodes Display Text
Display Systems Display Fasteners
Display Curves Display Elements
Display Surfaces
Display Options The View > Display Options Toolbar contains icons for better visualization of
your model.
Surface Grid
2 Axis/Legend Surface Shade
Perspective Wetted Faces
Toggle Light Source Element Handles
Wireframe Element Edges
Hidden Lines Shrink Elements
Shade Cutting Plane
Display menu
There are several ways to manipulate the contents and appearance of the
graphic display information. These options are contained in the DISPLAY
pulldown menu in the Main Menu Bar and in the View Controls dialog box
(Display > View Controls).
Move You may change the orientation of the model on the screen by translating,
zooming, or rotating. Model orientation may be manipulated dynamically
using the mouse cursor. First you must choose the type of orientation operation
you wish to perform by selecting Display > Move in the main menu or clicking
the appropriate icon in the Views Toolbar. Translation, Rotation, and Zoom are
self explanatory. Just press the right mouse button and drag the mouse while
you hold down the button. The Box Zoom option is provided so that you may
draw a rectangle around the area of interest and it will be expanded to fill the
display window.
Objects The Display > Objects dialog window shown in FIGURE 7 provides a mechanism
for controlling the display and labelling of each type of object. The label check box
will turn the object labels on or off. The display check box will enable or disable
the display of each object type. If you wish to view a specific range of objects, or a
specific set of objects, select the corresponding tab labeled Ranges or Sets.
Each object is assigned an object number, which may be used to display a range of
objects. Sets may be created using the input Sets class, and may be referenced in the
Sets tab to display only the objects belonging to the selected set.
View Controls Model orientation may also be controlled by bringing the Display Controls dialog
box shown in FIGURE 8 to the screen by activating Display > View Controls. This
box also contains input fields for controlling the size of each rotation step, transla-
tion step, and zoom step. In addition, you may control the shrink option for the ele-
ments. The resolution of geometric boundary objects and element edges may be
increased to improve display precision, or decreased to improve display speed. The
Display Format controls the precision of the data values displayed in the Geometry
Input box and the Input Check reports. This is a C language format specification.
Attributes The Display > Attributes menu contains options for displaying various model
attributes in the graphic display area such as loads or constraints, etc. To control
scaling of the attribute symbols, you must interact directly with the corresponding
property sheet class tab of the Input dialog window. Attribute display may also
be controlled using the View > Attributes Toolbar discussed earlier.
Selection The Display > Selection menu provides a mechanism for controlling the dis-
play of blanked objects.
Model Icon Display > Model Icon displays the Icon Window associated with your current
model.
Model Summary Display > Model Summary allows you to obtain a summary of model information
such as the number of elements and number of nodes. The Model Summary win-
dow is illustrated in FIGURE 9.
Material Summary Display > Material Summary allows you to obtain a summary of standard materials
currently used in your model. This summary carries useful information about the
material including its type (isotropic, orthotropic, anisotropic) its nonlinear behav-
ior law (Ramberg-Osgood, Elastoplastic, Bilinear, etc.) and so on. For more infor-
mation refer to the Users Guide.
Assign Colors Display > Assign Colors provides options for displaying in grayscale, default col-
ors, or a user defined color scheme.
Tools menu
The Tools menu provides access to a few additional features of StressCheck
that are used relatively infrequently. For the description of the Mode, Convert
Element Mapping, Set Browser, Table Reset, Set Font, and User Preferences
options refer to the Users Guide.
2
General interface conventions
Since StressCheck is based on Windows graphic user interface development
tools, there are several standard conventions for interacting with the program.
For a description of the on-line Help, Tab navigation, Input evaluation, Win-
dow sizing, Abort process, Input autosave, Reserved parameters, Graphic and
Text input, and some important guidelines for navigating through the Stress-
Check interface refer to the Users Guide.
C/A/O/M The user interface frequently makes use of a Class > Action > Object >
Method convention for command interpretation. This can be roughly com-
pared with declarative sentence construction. The Class tells the program what
type of data you wish to work with: Geometry, Mesh, Material, etc. The
Action is the verb of the command telling the program what action you wish to
perform: Create, Select, Edit, etc. The Object will be acted upon when the
command is performed, as when we create a point, select a circle, move a
node. The Method is how the Action will be performed on the Object. For
example, we might create a node as an intersection of two boundaries. This
approach is also used when specifying boundary conditions and loads. You
might Select (action) a Curve (object) to apply a load by Traction (method).
Note that the program constructs a message at the bottom of the display area
based on the current action, object and method. This is how the program keeps
you informed of what input is expected from you in the graphic display area.
Graphic feedback StressCheck provides several types of feedback to assist in the interpretation of
graphic display information. This is accomplished by varying the cursor icon,
the color of individual object types, and by varying the type of lines used to
display objects.
Cursors: Each time you change the action in StressCheck, the cursor will change
to reflect the current action. Once you learn the different icons used by Stress-
Check, you will be able to determine quickly what action the program is waiting
for. For example, the select action uses the hand icon. As long as the hand icon
appears on the screen, the program is ready to mark the next object selected. No
matter what icon is displayed, you are free to make menu selections or to manipu-
late any buttons or text fields available to you in the user interface. The only infor-
mation the cursor icon conveys is the currently selected action, which will be
invoked by a graphic cursor pick (left mouse button click in the graphic display 2
area).
Colors: Each type of object is displayed in a different color. For example, bound-
aries are displayed in one particular color, elements in another color, etc. When an
object is selected or blanked, it is displayed in yet another color. This makes it easy
to interpret the status of each object displayed.
Line Types: Line type is another way to distinguish objects. Boundaries are usu-
ally displayed with dashed lines and elements with solid lines when both elements
and boundaries are selected for display. This is so that when you select a boundary,
it is still possible to see the underlying element edge between the dashes of the
selected boundary. When elements are not selected for display, boundaries are dis-
played with solid lines.
Selection Object selection is accomplished by clicking the left mouse button while the mouse
cursor is pointing to the desired object. To select more than one object you may
click the left mouse button while dragging the mouse across the display area and
drawing a box around them. Only objects which match the specified object type
will be selected. Since you are selecting many objects at once, no information is
deposited in the geometry input fields. To cancel a single selected object while
retaining the selection status of other selected objects, depress the Ctrl key while
clicking the left mouse button.
It is important to remember that the mouse cursor is always ready to perform the
current Action > Object > Method command when you press the left mouse button.
Dynamic operations All dynamic display operations can be performed by dragging the mouse across the
display area with the right mouse button depressed. This technique is used for rota-
tion, translation, dynamic zoom and box zoom.
The right mouse button is also used to select a point or node as the center of rota-
tion.
Clicking the right mouse button in the model window without dragging will
indicate that a multistep operation should be aborted.
Clicking the right mouse button over a dialog control will activate online help
for the selected control.
For a complete description about the user interface refer to the Users Guide,
Chapter 2.
2
Handbook framework
The Handbook Framework in StressCheck is a simple yet powerful environment
for solving analysis problems encountered in routine and variant design. The hand-
book framework consists of: a Model Information interface which provides a
browser to explore handbooks and handbook models; an Analysis interface for
solving and analyzing a user selected model with user specified design dimensions,
using pre-defined solution methods and post-processing procedures; a Results
interface for performing basic post-processing operations such as error estimation,
contour plotting, and point function extraction in a simplified setting; a Material
and a Constraint interfaces.
Handbook library
StressCheck provides several default handbooks which contain a variety of model
problems which are intended to serve as a sampling of the kind of problems that can
be constructed and placed in a handbook to be solved by a typical design engineer.
Most problems found in the Handbook Library have been defined in parametric
form, though this is not a requirement. Handbook models may be used in a produc-
Handbook interface
Upon selecting the Handbook Library icon from the Main toolbar, the Hand-
book interface shown in FIGURE 10 will appear. The Handbook interface rep-
resents the starting point for handbook analysis and post-processing activities.
The Model Browser is activated by clicking on the Browser icon in the Model
Info tab of the Handbook interface. It serves to select the directory folder of
interest and then the specific model from the chosen folder. Once a handbook
3 model has been selected, you may use the operation tabs to perform an analy-
sis, and post process the solution.
Operation Tabs
Browser Icon
(Model Info tab)
Model Browser
FIGURE 11 shows one of the forms that the handbook browser interface may take,
when the model view option is selected. A handbook is just a collection of related
StressCheck models which have been grouped together for the convenience of the
user. StressCheck currently provides the following handbooks: Basic, Beam, Frac-
ture, Parts, Training and Tutorial.
View Menu
The Basic Handbook focuses on simple design details that might be found in a tra-
ditional engineering handbook such as a filleted corner, or a plate with a hole.
The Beam Handbook focuses exclusively on beam models of simple frames and
trusses.
The Fracture Handbook contains models used specifically for performing fracture
mechanics computations, including multi-site damage calculations and problems
involving a multi-material interface.
The Parts Handbook contains models which represent parts such as latches,
torque arms, crankshaft sections, bathtub fittings, etc. These models frequently
come from benchmark problems posed by StressCheck customers.
The Tutorial Handbook contains example problems from the Analysis and
Advanced guides.
Model Icon
Once you have selected a handbook model and loaded it into StressCheck, a
3 pictorial representation of the model can be obtained by clicking on the Show
Icon button in the Handbook interface (FIGURE 12).
Model Viewer You may choose to have a visual summary of handbook icons (View Menu >
Thumbnails) or a list of the model file names (View Menu > List) in the Model
Browser window. You may scroll the viewer using the browser scrollbar.
To load the model into StressCheck point to the icon in the viewer and double-click
the left mouse button.
Comments
The Handbook interface also displays textual information describing characteristics
of the model that the author thought would be important to a user such as a descrip-
tion of the material used, a reference to the original source of the model, or com-
ments about limiting values of stress data.
Opening a database 3
To run StressCheck double-click on the StressCheck icon on your desktop or select
Start > Programs > ESRD > StressCheck 9.2. The StressCheck Main Window and
the Input Dialog Box shown in FIGURE 13 will appear.
A database name will be assigned automatically and a set of files will be created in
the current directory using the name dataset1 and extensions assigned by the
database manager as described in the Users Guide.
You can exit from the program any time you wish by selecting the Exit option from
the File menu. Dont be afraid to browse through the menus and dialog boxes, there
are no hierarchic menus to get lost in.
Selecting a problem
After opening the database, switch to the Handbook Interface. Click on the Browser
Icon to access the Model Browser. Choose the Parts Handbook and double click on
the bolt.sci file. The problem entitled Bolt head in tension (washer support) will be
loaded into StressCheck.
Once a problem is loaded into StressCheck, the finite element mesh appears in the
Model Window with the load and constraint attributes. The finite element mesh for
each problem is designed to provide good convergence properties for a wide range
of parameter values, consistent with the goal of the analysis. Whenever possi-
ble, symmetry conditions are used.
FIGURE 14 shows a sketch of the problem. The bolt is loaded in tension and is
supported by a washer. The objective of the analysis is to compute the magni-
tude and location of maximum first principal stress for the following value of
the parameters: a=0.5, di=0.75, Do=1.5, F=5000, hw=0.125, L=1.5, rf=0.075.
The bolt is made of steel ASTM A-36 (E=29x106 psi, v=0.295), and the
washer material is an aluminum alloy with Ew=10x106 psi.
Parameters You have to update default values of the parameters to suit the dimensions
requirement. To update the value of the parameters select the Analysis tab at
the top of the Handbook interface and then the All tab at the left; type the new
numbers in the corresponding fields. Once a new Value has been typed, you
can use the Return key to jump to the next parameter value. You may use the
= key to enter an expression that will be evaluated immediately and the
F=5000 lb
di
L
r
f washer
hw
a 3
Do
result deposited in the field. After you have modified all parameters, click on the
Update button (FIGURE 15).
Refer to the model icon provided for a visual indication of the meaning of each
parameter.
3
FIGURE 15 Saving new configuration for handbook problem.
Update When you are ready to update the model to reflect the new parameter values,
just click the Update button. If any parameter values violate their predefined
limits, an error message appears and the parameter values will be returned to
their previous valid settings.
Saving parameters If you want to save current parameter settings or retrieve previously saved
parameter settings for a model, use the Analysis tab together with the Settings
tab or the File tab at the bottom of the Handbook interface. FIGURE 16 illus-
trates how the Handbook interface will look if you wish to save this new con-
figuration of the bolt head in a file. Enter the name you want to assign to this
parameter setting in the Name: field, then use the Browser button to select
the location for the file and click on the Write button. The parameter values
will be stored in that place under the name bolt_new.par.
FIGURE 17 shows the Analysis and Input tabs of the Handbook interface, the icon
and parameters for the selected problem and the finite element mesh consisting of
11 quadrilateral elements, with the loading and constraint symbols. The support
provided by the washer is modeled as a spring constraint with the spring coefficient
given by the ratio between the modulus of elasticity and the thickness of the
washer. Once you have made the desired parametric changes, simply click on the
Solve button to invoke the solution procedures defined for this particular model.
The execution parameters for this model have been assigned so that a Downward-p
extension (from p=8 to p=1) is initiated in the automatic mode after clicking on the
Solve button.
FIGURE 17 Analysis tab, problem icon and mesh for handbook problem.
Post-processing
The post-processing procedures are performed while the code is solving the
selected model. StressCheck will automatically produce reports, graphs, and
plots specific to the current model (FIGURE 18). This particular report con-
tains a summary of the parametric values, an estimate of the global error of the
solution, and the location and value of the maximum equivalent stress (von
Mises) in the model. Also, the principal stress distribution (1) over the model
is reported. The 1 distribution is displayed for the maximum p-level (run #1
in this case).
The Design Study interface (FIGURE 19) provides access to the definition of
each parameter defined for the model. Each parameter may be either Constant
or Variable. When a parameter is constant, its value remains constant for each
step of the design study. The value of each variable parameter will change dur-
ing the design study. To make a parameter variable, simply check the box at the
left of the parameter name. To make a parameter constant, un-check the box.
# Steps You may supply the number of steps to perform during the parametric analysis.
The number supplied will be used to determine the value of the scale which in
turn is used to compute the value of each variable parameter.
Scale The current value of each variable parameter is determined by the Scale value
(S) as shown below:
You may preview the parametric configurations of the model by activating the scale
(enable the Scale check box), and clicking the up or down arrows to increase or
decrease the scale value. The Scale value will vary from 0.0 to 1.0 in increments of
1/(Steps-1).
p-level During a design study, the assignment of p-levels to the elements is held constant.
The p-level you enter will be assigned to all elements which have been designated
as variable in the definition of the model. All elements designated as having fixed
p-level will retain their assigned value.
Solve When you are ready to begin the design study, simply click the Solve button. The
model will be updated automatically and the resulting configuration will appear in
the model window. The solution for each design configuration will be saved for
subsequent post-processing.
3
Handbook results
After solving a handbook model, you may simply produce the default report.
However, you may require more information than is provided by these default pro-
cedures. In this case you can use the Handbook Results interface to obtain addi-
tional engineering results. Refer to the Users Guide for additional information
about this feature.
This chapter contains guidelines for the preparation of input data, obtaining a linear solution and per-
forming post solution operations for problems in Planar and 3D Elasticity. Working a simple example
problem in a lock-step fashion will allow you to develop an understanding of the program characteris-
tics and its capabilities.
Opening a database
To run StressCheck double-click on the StressCheck icon. Note the default analysis
type is 3D Elasticity. From the Reference and Theory Selectors select Planar Elas-
ticity. If you are working from an existing database, check the Reference and The-
ory Selectors and adjust them if necessary. Under each analysis mode, all the input
forms contain the appropriate fields and functionality supported for the reference
and theory.
You can always exit from the program any time you wish by selecting the File
> Exit menu option. Dont be afraid to browse through the menus and dialog
boxes, there are not hierarchic menus to get lost in.
Problem description
A rectangular plate with a circular hole in the center (FIGURE 20) is loaded by
a constant traction Tx=0. It has unit thickness, a length to width ratio (L/W)
of 3. The material is ASTM-A36. Assuming plane stress conditions, the goal of
the computation is to determine the gross section (Kt) and net section (Kn)
stress concentration factors for a diameter to width ratio (a/W) of 0.45.
L=30
4
FIGURE 20 Rectangular plate with a central hole.
max
K t = -------------- (1)
0
max ( W a )
K n = -------------- ------------------ (2)
0 W
Making use of symmetry (geometry and loading), it is possible to work with only
one-fourth of the problem. This symmetry consideration will simplify model cre-
ation and reduce solution time.
D C
AB: un = Tt = 0.0 (symmetry)
Specification of units for is not important because the data of interest, Kt and
Kn are dimensionless.
4
Entering geometric data
From the Main Toolbar select the Create Model icon and then select the Geometry
tab in the Input dialog window (FIGURE 22). Geometry provides for the specifica-
tion of the solution domain using points, lines, circles, rectangles, etc. StressCheck
lets you separate the definition of boundaries from the definition of the finite ele-
ment mesh. You will find that this feature gives you a great deal of flexibility and
convenience. You will be able to change the mesh and the new elements will be
assigned the correct boundary conditions by StressCheck automatically. Refer to
the Users Guide for a detailed description of geometry construction in Stress-
Check.
To specify the domain, select the Geometry tab in the Input dialog box, and then
construct a rectangular domain using the following steps:
4
FIGURE 22 Geometry input.
Geometry tab > Action: Create > Curve Selector > Object: Rect-
angle > Method: Locate > Input: (Make sure the toggle switch is ON)
X: 0.0 > Y: 0.0 > Z: 0.0 > Width: 15 > Height: 5 > Rot-Z: 0.0 > Button:
Accept.
Note that the logical sequence was to select the Class: Geometry, an Action:
Create, an Object: Rectangle, and the method by which the object is to be cre-
ated (Method: Locate), that is, specify the data which define the rectangle (the
coordinates of a vertex point, the width and the height, measured from the ver-
tex point). The resulting rectangle consists of four lines and four points.
Select the Mesh tab when you are ready to define nodes and elements. Nodes may
be associated with previously defined points, specified as intersections of two
boundary curves, assigned as offsets on boundaries, defined directly, etc. 4
To construct the mesh shown in FIGURE 24, the first step is to define the nodes.
Nodes 1 to 5 can be created by the method of intersection.
Mesh tab > Action: Create > Object: Node > Method: Intersection.
Click on the boundary segments near the intersection points where a
node is to be located. StressCheck indicates the node by a small square.
At this point you could construct a finite element mesh by using 2 quadrilateral
elements. However, this wouldnt be a good decision. Both elements, though
acceptable, would have a deviation from the optimal 90 degrees vertex angles
4 that can be avoided easily using 3 quadrilateral elements. To construct a well
balanced 3 elements mesh, lets create two extra nodes.
Mesh tab > Create > Node > Locate > X: 5 > Y: 0 > Z: 0 > Accept.
(Node 7)
Mesh tab > Create > Node > Projection. Click on node 7 and, while
holding the Control and Shift keys, click on Line 3 then, click on
Accept. Node 8 will be created on the line.
Now you are ready to create the elements. To create a quadrilateral element
select:
Mesh tab > Create > Quadrilateral > Selection.
Then, click on the four nodes which define the element in any order. Three ele-
ments are defined by associating the appropriate nodes.
If there are element boundaries which are not connected to other elements they will
be highlighted.
Assigning thickness
For problems of Planar Elasticity (plane stress) it is necessary to associate some
thickness with the elements. To assign thickness, click on the Thickness tab in the
StressCheck Input dialog box (FIGURE 25) and complete the following informa-
tion:
Thickness tab > Action: Select > Object: All Elements > Method:
Selection > Thickness: 1.0 > System: Global > Click on the Accept
button and StressCheck will confirm your entry in the scrolling list.
(a) (b)
Define tab > ID: STEEL > Material: Linear > Type: Isotropic > Units: US >
Case: Pl. Stress > E: 2.9e+7 > v: 0.295 > Accept. (Note that the input fields
for the density and coefficient of thermal expansion do not need to be spec-
ified for this problem.)
Assign tab > Action: Select > Object: All Elements > Method: Selection >
ID: STEEL > Accept.
To create a load record select the Load tab and complete the following infor-
mation:
Load tab > Action: Select > Object: Any Curve > Method: Traction >
ID: LOAD > Direction: Norm/Tan > Normal: 100. Use the mouse cur-
sor to select the right side of the rectangle (Line2 in FIGURE 23).
Click on the Accept button. The load symbols will appear on the mesh
as shown in FIGURE 29.
Check applied load StressCheck makes it very convenient to check the magnitude of the applied
mechanical loads. To check the load vector components Fx, Fy, and the
moment Mz at X=0, Y=0, select the following options:
Load tab > Check > All Elements > ID: LOAD > Moment-X: 0.0 >
Moment-Y: 0.0 > Accept.
To complete the solution record for this problem supply the following information:
Solution ID tab > Action: Define > Object: Name > Method: Selection >
Solutions tab > Solution ID: SOL > Constraint ID: CONST (or click on
item in listbox) > Load ID: LOAD (or click on item in listbox). Click on the
Accept button.
Choosing Upward-p extension means that the solution will be computed from the
minimum to the maximum p-levels specified under p-limits. This option requires
more CPU time than the Downward-p but requires less disk space. The highest
possible p-level in StressCheck is 8.
Next, choose the SOLVE! tab to get the solution. Complete the requested informa-
tion as shown below:
SOLVE! tab > Execute: Initialize > Run Mode: Automatic > Method:
Direct > Converge: None > Button: Solve. The status window will display
the progress of the solution (FIGURE 31).
Error Estimate To obtain the relative estimated error in energy norm, select the Error tab from the
Results dialog window and complete the following information:
Error interface > Input tab > Solution: SOL > Run: 1 to 8 > Click on the
Accept button.
For the example problem, the error estimate shown in FIGURE 33 is obtained.
The tabular results show the run number, the degrees of freedom (DOF), the
computed and extrapolated values of the potential energy, the rate of conver-
gence and the estimated relative error in energy norm. Note that the estimated
relative error in energy norm is only 0.25% at p=8 (220 DOF).
4
FIGURE 32 Results interface.
StressCheck functions StressCheck computes a set of commonly used functions, such as stresses, strains,
etc. in the global or local reference frame. The available standard functions are
listed in Table 1. In addition, any combination of the standard StressCheck func-
tions can be computed through user-specified formulas or through the use of the
calculator. Refer to the Users Guide for additional details.
Plotting the data StressCheck provides convenient means for displaying and printing computed
information in graphical form. To obtain the deformed configuration plot over
the undeformed shape, select the Plot tab from the Results window and pro-
ceed as follow:
Plot tab > Select > All Elements > Selection > Solution: SOL > Run: 8 >
Plot: Solution > Shape: Deform > Overlay ON > Midsides: 10. Click on the
Plot button (FIGURE 34).
To plot the equivalent (von Mises) stress distribution, Seq, on the undeformed
shape, make the following selection:
Plot tab > Select > All Elements > Selection > Solution: SOL > Run: 8 >
Plot: Solution > Contour: Fringe > Shape: Undef. > Func.: Seq > Midsides: 4
10 > Range toggle switch ON, min: 0, max: 400 > Interval: 10. Click on
Plot and the contour fringes of the plotted function will appear in the dis-
play window (FIGURE 35).
Min/Max values To compute minimal and maximal values of displacement, stress and strain data, in
the Results window select the Min/Max tab.
To compute the maximum value of the stress component x (StressCheck name Sx,
refer to Table 1) for the eight available solutions, complete the entries in the Results
input area as follows:
Min/Max tab > Select > All Elements > Grid > Solution: SOL > Run: 1 to 8
> Function: Sx > Midsides: 10 > Maximum button ON. Click on Accept.
The number of midsides represents the size of the search grid to locate the maxi-
mum. Note that the maximum value of Sx is practically independent of the degrees
of freedom for p > 4.
Concentration factors
The gross and net section stress concentration factors for the p=8 solution are com-
puted by determining the maximum normal stress at the edge of the hole
max=x(0,2.25) and then using equations (1) and (2) with 0=100. Using the
value for p=8 (Sx=399):
a
----- = 0.45, K = 3.99, K = 2.19 (3)
W t n
The gross and net section stress concentration factors compare very well with the
published data. In Stress Concentration Factors by R. E. Peterson, John Willey &
Sons, 1974, the values of Kt and Kn extracted from the curves on page 150 are:
a
----- = 0.45, K = 4.01, K = 2.20 (4)
W t n
Write a StressCheck input file for the problem solved during this session with the
name: PlateWithHole, we will use it later (PlateWithHole.sci).
To exit the program select File > Exit from the Main Menu Bar.
Extrusion problem
The Extrusion option in StressCheck provides a simple way to investigate the
effects of out-of-plane loads and constraints on bodies which are essentially
two-dimensional. Extrusion is applicable only for components that are
defined in the XY-plane (Planar reference) and have piecewise constant
thickness. The loads and constraints (symmetry, antisymmetry, built-in) are
automatically converted to their 3D equivalent when Extrusion is performed.
Once a model has been extruded all quadrilateral elements are converted into
hexahedrals, and triangular elements into pentahedrals. It is also possible to
add to or modify existing load and constraint records before executing the
analysis.
Extrusion constraints
When extruding a 2D model it is necessary to check if the constraints are suffi-
cient. The following cases illustrate additional model constraints required
when certain 2D models are extruded. The four cases below illustrate the rules
to convert 2D nodal constraints, and to specify constraints on the extrusion
side.
Double symmetry FIGURE 37 shows how double symmetry constraint applied in 2D should be
complemented with nodal constraints in 3D applications.
4
(b)
(a) 1 addition
symmetry Uz=0
(one node)
Single symmetry FIGURE 38 shows how single symmetry plus a nodal constraint applied in 2D
should be complemented in 3D applications.
(b)
(a)
symmetry 2 additions
Uy=0
(two nodes)
node constraint
Uy=0
Symmetry-antisymmetry FIGURE 39 shows how symmetry, antisymmetry and nodal constraints applied
in 2D should be complemented in 3D applications.
(a)
(b)
symmetry
1 addition
Uy=0
4
nodal constraint (two nodes)
Uy=0
antisymmetry
Double antisymmetry FIGURE 40 shows how double antisymmetry plus a nodal constraint applied in 2D
should be complemented in 3D applications.
(a) (b)
antisymmetry
no change
nodal constraint
Uy=0
If you did not create the file, create the 2D problem as explained in the previ-
ous section before continuing. The input data will be loaded and the finite ele-
ment mesh will be displayed in the Model Window.
4
From the Reference and Theory Selectors select Extrude Elasticity. The pro-
gram will convert the 2D problem you just loaded into a 3D-solid problem, as
shown in FIGURE 41. Note that the original nodes that defined the 2D prob-
lem are the only ones visible. This is a reminder that we are dealing with a
solid created by extrusion.
Constraint tab > Select > Node > Node > ID: CONST (Same name as used
before in 2D) > Direction: XYZ > Data Type: Fixed (turn on the switch) >
System: Global > Turn ON the Z switch. Select node 1 (see FIGURE 24),
and then click on the Accept button to enter the constraint information into
the database. 4
A summary of the new constraint record is added to the scrolling list and the con-
straint symbol is displayed on the element.
Note that the original constraint information provided in 2D was automatically con-
verted to its 3D equivalent when the model was extruded. Note also that the traction
load specified along an element edge in 2D is now distributed over the element
face.
Also note the Extrude toggle switch shown in the Constraint dialog box of FIGURE
42. This switch is turned on when it is required to impose the nodal constraint at
both sides of the extrusion (see FIGURE 39).
Execution
You are now ready to start the computation. Select the Compute Solution icon
4 from the Main Toolbar. When the Solver dialog window appears select the Lin-
ear tab and complete the requested information as done before:
Linear tab > Extension: Upward-p > p-limits: 1 to: 8.
SOLVE! tab > Execute: Initialize > Run Mode: Automatic > Method:
Direct > Click on the Solve button. A sequence of solutions of increas-
ing polynomial order (from p=1 to p=8) will be obtained.
Extraction of results
After the execution is complete we can extract results from the finite element
solutions. The procedures for estimating the error in energy norm, plotting the
data of interest, etc., are the same as those described for the 2D analysis. Fol-
lowing the same steps, the results shown in FIGURE 43 will be obtained. Note
that the results are practically identical to those corresponding to the planar prob-
lem.
Note that there is a variation of the normal stress in the thickness direction, with the
maximum occurring at the center of the plate. The value of Sx obtained from the
2D model (FIGURE 36) should be close to the average of this distribution. Turning
on the Average button shown in FIGURE 44, the integral average of Sx along the
edge will be obtained. the average is computed as
1 l
x = --- x ds
l 0
Edge
and the value is 391, which practically is the same value obtained from the 2D
model (399).
Three-dimensional problem
We are interested now in creating a 3D description for the same rectangular
plate problem analyzed in 2D, but with the thickness given in parametric form.
An outline of the steps for creating the geometry and finite element mesh,
applying the load and enforcing the constraints is described in the following.
File > Read input > PlateWithHole.sci > Double-click on the file name.
If you did not create the file, create the 2D problem before continuing. The input
data will be loaded and the finite element mesh will be displayed in the Model Win-
dow.
To create the parameter for this problem, select the Model Info icon from
the Main Toolbar and when the interface appears select the Parameters tab. Com-
plete the following information (FIGURE 45):
Parameters tab > Input tab (its at the bottom of the dialog box) > Name: th
> Description: Panel thickness > Value: 1.0 > Accept button.
There are several ways to produce the geometric description for this problem. We
have chosen to update the model you already have from Planar Elasticity.
A useful feature of StressCheck is the Copy command. The Copy button at the bot-
tom of the Input interface may be used to create copies of objects currently selected
in the graphic display area. The selected objects defined in global coordinates will
be copied and attached to a new local system. All of their associative objects will be
copied and the associative relationship will be transferred to the new copies of
the related objects. Note that if the original group of objects contains elements,
the resulting copy will also have elements.
We want to copy the 2D profile to a different z-plane (z=th). Select the Geom-
etry tab from the Input dialog window and follow the steps indicated below:
Geometry tab > Select > Any Object > Locate. Select the desired group
of objects by drawing a box around the 2D model; this will cause the
objects to be highlighted. Make sure you have all object types active.
Next, enter the coordinates where the copy is to be located (Z=th), in
the corresponding input fields as shown in the FIGURE 46. Finally,
click the Copy button.
Mesh The next step is to create the three hexahedral elements as shown in FIGURE
47. In the StressCheck Input window select:
Mesh tab > Create > Hexahedron > Face to Face.
In this case, there is a one to one correspondence between the elements in the
original model and the elements in the copy. Move the cursor to the display
area and click on an element in one section with a corresponding element in the
other section until the 3 hexahedrals have been created.
Note: When performing the face to face meshing, a StressCheck Error message will
appear on the screen after creating each hexahedral element. This is to inform the
user of the incompatibility between element types (Quadrilaterals and Hexahedrals)
and inconsistency of boundary conditions. Ignore these messages since they will go
away once the model is fully updated.
To delete the quadrilateral elements: Select > Quadrilateral > Selection, marquee
pick all the quadrilateral elements, and then click on the Delete button. Use the
Shrink Elements icon to improve visualization.
Loads To update the load record select the Load tab in the Input dialog window and click
on the Purge button. At this point a message will overlap the main window Do you
really wish to Purge all data records? Click on the Yes button.
Load tab > Select > Face > Traction > ID: LOAD > Direction: Norm./Tan.
> System: Global > Normal: 100. Move the cursor to the display area and
click on the rightmost face of the element, then click on the Accept button.
A distributed traction pointing in the direction of the outward normal will
be displayed on the element face.
Constraints To update the constraint record select the Constraint tab in the StressCheck Input
dialog window and click on the Purge button. At this point a message will overlap
the main window Do you really wish to Purge all data records? Click on the Yes 4
button.
Constraint tab > Select > Face > Symmetry > ID: CONST. Move the cursor
to the display area and click on the three faces which lie on the planes of
symmetry while holding the Shift key. Click on the Accept button.
As we did before with the extruded model we have to impose a nodal constraint in
the z-direction to prevent rigid body translation. To do this, complete the input area
as follows:
Constraint tab > Select > Node > Node > ID: CONST > Direction: XYZ >
Data Type: Fixed > System: Global > Turn ON the Z toggle switch. Select
node 1, and then click on the Accept button to enter the constraint informa-
tion into the database. A summary of the new constraint record is added to
the scrolling list and the constraint symbol is displayed on the node. The
mesh and boundary conditions for the 3D model are shown in FIGURE 47.
To assess the influence of the thickness in the results, change the thickness
from 1 to 3. To do that select the Model Info icon from the Main Toolbar and
select the Parameters tab. Click on the existing record in the Parameter dialog
window and then type the new value of the parameter in the Value field. Click
on the Accept button. The model will be automatically updated. Rerun the
analysis from p=1 to 8 and perform the same post-processing operations as indi-
cated before. Note that the maximum value of the equivalent (von Mises) stress,
Seq, is practically the same as before, but the distribution of Sx along the edge of
the hole is quite different (FIGURE 49). The maximum value of Sx is now 410
instead of 403 for th=1 (3D-model) or 399 for th=1 (2D model).
Create the parameter th as described on page 72, then select the Geometry tab
in the StressCheck Input interface, and construct a solid block using the fol-
lowing steps:
Geometry tab > Create > Box > Locate > Data tab > Solid button on >
Input toggle switch on > X: 0.0, Y: 0.0, Z: 0.0, Width: 30, Height: 10,
Depth: th, Rot-X: 0.0, Rot-Y: 0.0, Rot-Z: 0.0 > Click on the Accept
button.
Having created the block and cylinder, we now create a body by using a boolean
subtraction:
Create > Body > Bool-Subtract > Click on the Box and then on the cylinder
> Click on the Accept button. This operation creates a body consisting of a
plate with a hole as shown in FIGURE 50.
To take advantage of symmetry, you need to clip the plate with two planes as fol-
lows:
Create > Plane > Locate > Input toggle on > X: 0, Y: 0, Z: 0, Width: 10,
Height: 10, P1-Min: -0.5, P1-Max: 0.5, P2-Min: -0.5, P2-Max: 0.5, Rot-X:
0, Rot-Y: 90, Rot-Z: 0 > Click on the Accept button.
Create > Body > Clip-Back > Click on the solid body and then click on the
plane This operation removes half of the solid (FIGURE 51).
Clipping
plane
Clip-Back and Clip-Front operations are relative to the positive normal to the clip-
ping plane as indicated by the displayed triad. In our case the plane was rotated 90
degrees about the Y-axis, therefore the positive normal is directed in the posi-
tive X-direction. Clip-Back removes the solid that is located in the negative X-
direction relative to the clipping plane.
Create > Plane > Locate > Input toggle on > X: 0, Y: 0, Z: 0, Width: 30,
Height: 10, P1-Min: -0.5, P1-Max: 0.5, P2-Min: -0.5, P2-Max: 0.5,
Rot-X: 90, Rot-Y: 0, Rot-Z: 0 > Click on the Accept button.
Create > Body > Clip-Front > Click on the solid body and then click on
the plane > Click on the Accept button. This operation leaves one
fourth of the domain we want to mesh (FIGURE 52).
This completes the solution domain. To create the three hexahedral elements as
4 shown in FIGURE 47, we have to define the nodes first. Set the view to be iso-
metric. Make sure the Display Curves icon in the Display Objects Toolbar is on
and the Display Surfaces icon is off. In the StressCheck Input dialog window
select the Mesh tab and the following options:
Mesh tab > Create > Node > Point > Click on the Accept button. A node will
be created at every point in the model. A total of 10 nodes should be created
using this method. (FIGURE 53)
.
Create > Node > Mid-Offset. Move the cursor to the display area and
click on two nodes on one circle and then on the two nodes of the other
circle.
Display Curves On
Create > Node > Locate > Input toggle on > X:5.0, Y: 0.0, Z: th > Click on
the Accept button. A node will be created at the front side of the model.
Create > Node > Projection. Move the cursor to the display area, click first
on the last node created and then, while holding the Control and Shift keys,
click on one of the lines closest to the node, then click on the Accept but-
ton. Repeat two more times for a total of 3 nodes.
After the last operation, 16 nodes have been defined as shown in FIGURE 54. Now,
3 hexahedral elements should be created.
Nodes by projection
Nodes by Mid-Offset
Node at (5,0,th)
Create > Hexahedron > Selection. Move the cursor to the display area
and click on 8 nodes that define the element in any order or draw a box
around 8 nodes in a single operation as shown in FIGURE 56.
To enter material properties, load, and constraints follow the same steps indi-
cated above for the model created using the copy operation.
L Q
Line Quality assessment 8, 57
types 29
Load R
assign 53 Redo 19
dialog box 53 Reset 24
display 25 Results dialog window 13
traction 54
types 54 S
Scale 42
M Session
Material properties ending 63
entry 52 Solution dialog window 13
summary 27 Solution IDs
Menu Bar 9 specification 56
Mesh
check 51 T
create 50 Thickness
design 49 assign 51
Method 28 display 25
Min/Max computation 61 Toolbar
Model Browser 33 attributes 23
Model Icon 26 display objects 23
Model Info 11 display options 24
Model Summary 27 edit 22
Move 24 main 9
view 9
Tutorial 45
U
Undo 19
Update 38
V
View Menu
attributes toolbar 23
display object toolbar 23
display options toolbar 24
edit toolbar 22
views toolbar 21
Views Toolbar 21
W
Window
dialog 10
input 12
model 10