Lecture 10

14.5 Release

Submodeling
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Introduction

FE Technique where the actual structure is analysed

as a series of smaller structures. Also known as
substructuring or cut-boundary displacement
method.

New in v14.5. No need for command objects.

Reduced sized matrices are created where the

reduced matrices are only defined in terms of the
connection freedoms.

The reduced matrices are assembled and

displacements are found along common boundaries.

Boundary displacements are fed back to the

individual component(s) to assess the response.

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Benefits

Very useful when the complete structure is made up

of a series of identical smaller components.

Ideal for stress recovery at a small part of a larger

structure (tip of crack or tubular joint).

A very fine mesh can be created studying singularity

effects, mesh sensitivity, and SIFs.

Savings of a factor between 20 and 50 compared to

repeating the full analysis can be achieved.

Streamlined workflow

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General Procedure

Four main steps:

1.

Create and analyze the initial model

2.

Create the submodel

3.

Analyze the submodel

4.

Verify that the distance between the cut boundaries

and the stress concentration is adequate

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General Procedure (cont.)

1. Create and analyze the initial (coarse) model
Follow the same steps as in a normal static analysis.
The geometry does not need to 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 (fine mesh).

2012 ANSYS, Inc.

February 14, 2013

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General Procedure (cont.)

2. Create the submodel
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.

2012 ANSYS, Inc.

February 14, 2013

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General Procedure (cont.)

3. Analyze the submodel
Ensure that all loading conditions have been duplicated
on the submodel.
Review the submodel results using standard
postprocessing procedures.

2012 ANSYS, Inc.

February 14, 2013

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General Procedure (cont.)

4. Verify the cut-boundary distance
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.

2012 ANSYS, Inc.

February 14, 2013

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General Procedure (cont.)

4. Verify the cut-boundary distance
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 = -38 to 45 psi for the initial model

SX = -56 to 51 psi for the submodel

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Restrictions

The method is based on St. Venants principle:

if an actual distribution of forces is replaced by a
statically equivalent system, the distribution of stress
and strain is altered only near the regions of load
application.

Currently applicable only on solid elements in

structural (stresses) and thermal analyses.

User must verify that cut boundaries are far enough

from the stress concentration region.

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Workflow

Modeling methodology is identical to

that of static structural/transient.

Two
models
will
have
to
be solved, i.e. coarse (global) and fine
(submodel.

The user needs to create

submodel manually in CAD.

Material properties can be shared if

desired.

Outline tree is updated if successful.

User can specify the time at which the

data is imported from coarse model

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the

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Details of Load Mapping

To transfer data across a dissimilar mesh interface,

the nodes of one mesh must be mapped to the local
coordinates of a node/element in the other mesh

Program controlled settings will use the following

table to determine which type of mapping algorithm
to use based on the source and target mesh data.
Source mesh can provide

Target mesh can provide

Weighting that will be used

Nodes only

Nodes only

Uses triangulation to calculate

mapping data

Nodes and Elements

Nodes only

Uses Shape Function to calculate

mapping data

If mapping control set to Manual user has additional

options

Transfer type: Surface or Volumetric.

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Workshop 8 Submodeling
Workshop 8a & 8b Carry out a submodeling analysis (solid
elements)
Goal:

Become acquainted with working methodology

Study the differences between coarse and fine model
Workshop 8c Carry out a submodeling analysis (shell elements)
Goal:

Become acquainted with a slightly different working methodology

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