Customer Training Material

Workshop 5.2

2D Structural Analysis

Introduction to ANSYS
Mechanical

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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

Goals Customer Training Material

Workshop 4.2 consists of a 2 part assembly representing a pressure

cap and retaining flange (full model shown below).
We will solve it as a 2D axisymmetric model (shown on next page).

Pressure Cap

Retaining Ring

Full Model

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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

Assumptions Customer Training Material

2D axisymmetric model assumptions:

The retaining ring is fixed at its mounting holes.
The contact region between the parts is frictionless.
The base of the pressure cap is constrained using a compression only
support.
Note: due to the presence of the bolt holes the structure is not truly axisymmetric.

Pressure Cap

Retaining Ring
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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

Units Customer Training Material

Open the Project page.

From the Units menu verify:
Project units are set to Metric (kg, mm, s, C, mA, mV).
Display Values in Project Units is checked (on).

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Project Schematic Customer Training Material

1. Double click Static

Structural analysis type to
add a new system.

2. RMB the Geometry cell and

2
request Properties.

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. . . Project Schematic Customer Training Material

3. In the Analysis Type field specify

2D.
Once this setting is made the
properties window may be closed if
desired.

Note this setting indicates the

model to be analyzed is not a full
3D model but represents a 3
symmetry section. It is important
that this is set prior to importing
geometry as this setting cannot be
changed after the import.
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. . . Project Schematic Customer Training Material

4. Double click the Engineering Data

cell and activate the Data Sources 4
filter.

5. With the General Materials library

highlighted choose the + next to
Stainless Steel to add the material to
the project.

6. Return to Project.
6

5
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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

Geometry Setup Customer Training Material

7. From the Geometry cell, RMB >

Import Geometry and browse to:
Axisym_pressure_2D.stp.
7

8. Double click the Model cell to

start Mechanical.
8

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Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical

Preprocessing Customer Training Material

9. Set the working unit system:

Units > Metric (mm, kg, N, s, mV, mA).
9

10. Change part behavior to Axisymmetric: a.

a. Highlight the Geometry branch
b. Change the 2D Behavior under the Details of
Geometry to Axisymmetric

Rename the Parts:

b.
Part 1: RMB > Rename to Retaining Ring.
Part 2: RMB > Rename to Pressure Cap.

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Preprocessing Customer Training Material

11. Change the material assigned to the

Pressure Cap: 11a.
a. Highlight Pressure Cap
b. Under the Details of Pressure Cap
Choose Material > Assignment =
Stainless Steel.
11b.

12. Modify contact behavior:

a. In the Details of Contact Region,
change the Type to Frictionless

12a.

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Contact Customer Training Material

13. Generate the Mesh:

a. RMB the Mesh branch and choose Generate
Mesh.

a.

Note the mesh will vary somewhat on different machines and may not match
the picture shown here.

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Environment Customer Training Material

14. Apply Loads on the model (make sure the Static

Structural branch is highlighted):
a. Select the 4 inside edges (shown in dashed black lines) of
the Pressure Cap .
Hint : select one of the edges and use extend to limits
b. RMB > Insert > Pressure.
c. Set the pressure magnitude = 0.1 MPa.

b.
a.

c.

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Environment Customer Training Material

15. Apply Supports to the model:

b.
a. Highlight the bottom edge of the pressure cap
(shown in black dashed lines).
b. RMB > Insert > Compression Only Support.

a.

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Environment Customer Training Material

c. Select the middle line on the top of the retaining ring (shown in black
dashed lines).
d. RMB > Insert > Fixed Support.
Note : Remember, the axisymmetric assumption here is that the retaining ring is a continuous solid.
Actually there are bolt holes around its circumference. For this reason, when the model was created
in DesignModeler this separate line was intentionally created to provide a location to add our
support.

d.

c.

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Solution Customer Training Material

Solve the model.

Notes on axisymmetry :
Notice that the model lies completely in +X space with the Y axis as the axis of revolution. This is
required for axisymmetry.
Axisymmetry assumes that the model is a complete 360 degree model. For this reason no constraints
in the X direction are required. The portion of the pressure load acting in the +X direction is assumed to
be offset by an equal portion in the X direction.
View any warning messages/errors :
a. Errors/warning messages are displayed in the Messages tab at the bottom of the graphics
screen.
b. Double click on the message to view it. Click OK to close the warning window.
Note : Note: due to the fact that the pressure cap is constrained using frictionless contact and a
compression only support, weak springs are added to prevent rigid body motion

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Postprocessing Customer Training Material

Insert Results into the Solution branch:

Highlight the Solution branch, RMB and insert Stress > Equivalent (von-
Mises)
Highlight the Solution branch, RMB and Insert> Deformation > Total
Switch to body select mode, select the pressure cap and repeat steps
(a.) and (b.)
Note : the last two results are now scoped to the pressure cap. This will allow us to isolate its
response.

Solve

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Highlight each of the result objects to inspect the results.

Equivalent Stress on all bodies Total Deformation on Pressure Cap

View the model in true scale by opening the drop down section of the results
controller.

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Postprocessing Customer Training Material

View Solution time by highlighting the Solution Information branch:

The graphics window will change to the Worksheet view. Scroll to the
bottom of the solution information and note the Elapsed Time (this will
vary by machine).
Note, CP time represents the sum for all processors used. In multiprocessor machines it will
sometimes exceed elapsed time.

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Comparison Customer Training Material

Solution time comparison using refined 3D symmetry mesh:

2D Elapsed Time = 11.0 seconds.
3D Elapsed Time = 41.0 seconds.

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