Follower Loads Extension

Version 6

16.0, 16.1 and 16.2 Releases

Anthony Dawson
anthony.dawson@ansys.com
2015 ANSYS, Inc. 1 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2
 Introduction
Standard Workbench functionality does not allow for the inclusion of
loads (forces and moments) that follow geometric deformation

Standard Load Follower Load

However, MAPDL allows for the use of a FOLLW201 element, which can
be used to create follower forces and moments
This is done by creating a point element (of type FOLLW201) and
associating it with an existing node in the model
Loads (forces and moments) applied to this point element will act as
follower loads and change load direction with changing geometry
2015 ANSYS, Inc. 2 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2
 Follower Load Objects
The ACT Follower Loads extension creates load objects which will fully
automate this process

These objects can be loaded by clicking on the Follower Force or

Follower Moment buttons that appear in the Mechanical application
upon loading the extension
These loads can be added to Static Structural or Transient Structural analyses

Once added to the tree, the user must scope the object to a previously
created remote point (which is itself scoped to some entity) and select a
previously created coordinate system

A base axis must be chosen, a load must be applied and Large Deflection
must be turned on

2015 ANSYS, Inc. 3 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2

 Remote Points
Internal or hidden remote points (remote points whose names begin
with Internal Remote Point) will not be available for selection

To use remote points associated with remote objects like Moments,

Joints, Remote Forces, Springs, etc. you must first promote the remote
point (it will then be available for selection)

Suppressed remote points will not be available for selection and each
remote point in your analysis must have a unique name

2015 ANSYS, Inc. 4 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2

 Base Coordinate System
Next, the user must select a base coordinate system (previously created)
that will serve as the initial coordinate system for the follower load

This coordinate system can be the pre-existing global coordinate system

or a user-defined coordinate system
Each available coordinate system in your analysis must have a unique name

Coordinate systems that are automatically created for joints, etc. will
not be available for use in the follower load unless that coordinate
systems name is modified from its default name of Reference
Coordinate System (thus indicating you wish to use it with your
follower load)

2015 ANSYS, Inc. 5 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2

 Applying Load
To apply the follower load, a base coordinate system axis must be chosen

The base coordinate system axis is either the X, Y or Z axis of the chosen
base coordinate system and will act as the initial direction of a follower
force or rotational axis of a follower load
This is the initial axis of the load, but the direction of the applied load can
change throughout the simulation as the geometry deforms

Finally, a load must be specified in a pop-up tabular data window that

will automatically reflect the load steps and times in your analysis

2015 ANSYS, Inc. 6 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2

 Conversion to APDL
Information input into the details box will be converted to APDL script
and placed in the problems input file just before the solve

2015 ANSYS, Inc. 7 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2

 Limitations
If an extremely large number of ETs, Real Constants or Elements are created
in any subsequent linked analyses, this could cause issues
This issue is only relevant if linking analyses to the Solution cell of your original follower
load analysis
The potential to encounter this limitation is exceedingly rare, even in extremely large models

2015 ANSYS, Inc. 8 Releases 16.0, 16.1 and 16.2