Module 6

Submodeling

6. Submodeling

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Submodeling is a finite element technique used to get more accurate results in a region of the model. It is a way to zoom in on specific regions of a previouslyanalyzed model, create a fine mesh, and obtain highly accurate results just for that region.

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...Submodeling

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

The submodeling technique has been successfully used not just for stress analyses, but also for thermal, electromagnetic and CFD analyses. In this chapter, we will describe the submodeling procedure for a stress analysis. The following topics will be covered:
A. General Procedure B. Workshop

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Submodeling

A. General Procedure
Five main steps: 1. Create and analyze the initial model

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

2. Create the submodel

3. Perform cut boundary interpolation 4. Analyze the submodel

5. Verify that the distance between the cut boundaries and the stress concentration is adequate

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
1. Create and analyze the initial (coarse) model Follows the same steps as in a normal static analysis.

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

The geometry need not include local details such as fillet radii.
The mesh must be fine enough for accurate displacement results since submodeling theory is based on displacements interpolated from the coarse model to the submodel.

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
2. Create the submodel

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

The submodel is an independent, more finely meshed model of a region of interest within the initial model. Typically, the submodel will include details such as a fillet radius that were omitted in the initial model. Some rules for the submodel:
It must be in the same location with respect to the global origin as the corresponding portion in the initial model. It must have the same loading conditions as the initial model: gravity, symmetry boundaries, temperatures, etc.

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
Steps to create the submodel:
a) Start by changing the jobname (since files from the initial analysis will be needed later). Utility Menu > File > Change Jobname Or /FILNAM command b) Build the submodel by: Clearing the database and starting a new model

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Or simply clearing the mesh and modifying the initial model Which method you choose depends on how much detail you want to include in the submodel geometry.

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
c) Specify desired mesh controls and mesh the submodel. d) Apply all loads and boundary conditions that need to be duplicated from the initial model. Examples: symmetry conditions gravity temperatures

Training Manual

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Submodeling

...General Procedure
3. Perform cut-boundary interpolation

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

This is the key step in submodeling, where displacements from the initial model are mapped to the cut boundaries of the submodel. Steps involved:
a) First select the nodes on the cut boundary of the submodel.

b) Write those nodes to a file.

Preprocessor > Create > Nodes > Write Node File Or use the NWRITE command The file name defaults to jobname.node.

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
c) Restore the full set of nodes, save the database, and exit PREP7. Utility Menu > Select > Everything (or ALLSEL command) Toolbar > SAVE_DB (or SAVE command) Main Menu > Finish (or FINISH command)

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

d) Activate results from the initial analysis. (Remember, we need the displacements from the initial analysis.)

Change the jobname back to the initial one

Resume the initial database (RESUME command or Toolbar > RESUM_DB) Enter POST1 and read in the desired set of results (SET command or General Postproc > -Read Results-)

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
e) Initiate cut-boundary interpolation: General Postproc > Submodeling > Interpolate DOF Or use the CBDOF command

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

This maps displacements from the initial model to the cutboundary nodes (on the .node file) and writes out D commands to jobname.cbdo.

Interpolate

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Submodeling

...General Procedure

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

f) Exit POST1, change to the submodel jobname, and resume the submodel database. Main Menu > Finish (or FINISH command) Utility Menu > File > Change Jobname (or /FILNAM command) Toolbar > RESUM_DB (or RESUME command) g) Apply cut-boundary displacements to the submodel:

Enter PREP7 and read input from the .cbdo file written in step (e) above.
Utility Menu > File > Read Input from Or /INPUT command

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
4. Analyze the submodel Ensure that all loading conditions have been duplicated on the submodel. Then save the database and solve the analysis.
Toolbar > SAVE_DB (or SAVE command)
Solution > -Solve- Current LS (or SOLVE command)

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

SX stresses

Stress deviation SDSG

Review the submodel results using standard postprocessing procedures.

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Submodeling

...General Procedure
5. Verify the cut-boundary distance

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

This is an important step since submodeling theory is based on the assumption that the cut boundary is far away from the stress concentration region. You can do this by comparing stress or strain results at the cut boundary:
Compare path plots at that location between the initial model and submodel.
Use the query option. List the results.

Etc.

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Submodeling

...General Procedure

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

SX queries for the plate-with-a-hole model are shown below. Near the submodel boundary, the SX values show good agreement, indicating that the boundary is far enough away from the stress concentration.
SX = 63 to 113 psi for the initial model SX = 70 to 109 psi for the submodel

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Submodeling

B. Workshop
This workshop consists of the following problem:
W5. Crankshaft

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.

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