Ansys University of Alberta Tutorials

ANSYS Utilities

An introduction to using ANSYS, including a quick explanation of the stages of analysis, how to start ANSYS, and the use of the windows in ANSYS, and using Pro/ENGINEER with ANSYS.

• Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
  A brief introduction of the 3 stages involved in finite element analysis.
• Starting up ANSYS
  How to start ANSYS using windows NT and Unix X-Windows.
• ANSYS Environment
  An introduction to the windows used in ANSYS
• ANSYS Interface
  An explanation of the Graphic User Interface (GUI) in comparison to the command file approach.
• Convergence Testing
  This file can help you to determine how small your meshing elements need to be before you can trust the solution.
• Saving/Restoring Jobs
  Description of how to save your work in ANSYS and how to resume a previously saved job.
• ANSYS Files
  Definitions of the different files created by ANSYS.
• Printing Results
  Saving data and figures generated in ANSYS.
• Working with Pro Engineer
  A description of how to export geometry from Pro/E into ANSYS.

Basic Tutorials

The following documents will lead you through several example problems using ANSYS. ANSYS 7.0 was used to create some of these tutorials while ANSYS 5.7.1 was used to create others, therefore, if you are using a different version of ANSYS make note of changes in the menu structure. Complete these tutorials in order as each tutorial will build on skills taught in the previous example.

• Two Dimensional Truss
  Basic functions will be shown in detail to provide you with a general knowledge of how to use ANSYS. This tutorial should take approximately an hour and a half to complete.
• Bicycle Space Frame
  Intermediate ANSYS functions will be shown in detail to provide you with a more general understanding of how to use ANSYS. This tutorial should take approximately an hour and a half to complete.
• Plane Stress Bracket
  Boolean operations, plane stress and uniform pressure loading will be introduced in the creation and analysis of this 2-Dimensional object.
• Solid Modeling
  This tutorial will introduce techniques such as filleting, extrusion, copying and working plane orienation to create 3-Dimensional objects.

Intermediate Tutorials

The majority of these examples are simple verification problems to show you how to use the intermediate techniques in ANSYS. You may be using a different version of ANSYS than what was used to create these tutorials, therefore, make note of small changes in the menu structure. These tutorials can be completed in any order, however, it is expected that you have completed the Basic Tutorials before attempting these.

• Effect of Self Weight
  Incorporating the weight of an object into the finite element analysis is shown in this simple cantilever beam example.
• Distributed Loading
  The application of distributed loads and the use of element tables to extract data is expalined in this tutorial.
• NonLinear Analysis
  A large moment is applied to the end of a cantilever beam to explore Geometric Nonlinear behaviour (large deformations). There is also an associated tutorial for an explanation of the Graphical Solution Tracking (GST) plot.
• Buckling
  In this tutorial both the Eigenvalue and Nonlinear methods are used to solve a simple buckling problem.
• NonLinear Materials
  The purpose of the tutorial is to describe how to include material nonlinearities in an ANSYS model.
• Dynamic Analysis
  These tutorial explore the dynamic analyis capabilities of ANSYS. Modal, Harmonic, and Transient Analyses are shown in detail.
• Thermal Examples
  Analysis of a pure conduction, a mixed convection/conduction/insulated boundary condition example, and a transient heat conduction analysis.
• Modelling Using Axisymmetry
  Utilizing axisymmetry to model a 3-D structure in 2-D to reduce computational time.

Advanced Tutorials

The majority of these examples are simple verification problems to show you how to use the more advanced techniques in ANSYS. You may be using a different version of ANSYS than what was used to create these tutorials, therefore, make note of small changes in the menu structure. These tutorials can be completed in any order, however, it is expected that you have completed the Basic Tutorials.

• Springs and Joints
  The creation of models with multiple elements types will be explored in this tutorial. Additionally, elements COMBIN7 and COMBIN14 will be explained as well as the use of parameters to store data.
• Design Optimization
  The use of Design Optimization in ANSYS is used to solve for unknown parameters of a beam.
• Substructuring
  The use of Substructuring in ANSYS is used to solve a simple problem.
• Coupled Structural/Thermal Analysis
  The use of ANSYS physics environments to solve a simple structural/thermal problem.
• Using P-Elements
  The stress distribution of a model is solved using p-elements and compared to h-elements.
• Melting Using Element Death
  Using element death to model a volume melting.
• Contact Elements
  Model of two beams coming into contact with each other.
• ANSYS Parametric Design Language
  Design a truss using parametric variables.

Postprocessing Tutorials

These tutorials were created to show some of the tools available in ANSYS for postprocessing. You may be using a different version of ANSYS than what was used to create these tutorials, therefore, make note of small changes in the menu structure. These tutorials can be completed in any order, however, it is expected that you have completed the Basic Tutorials.

• Viewing Cross Sectional Results
  The method to view cross sectional results for a volume are shown in this tutorial.
• Advanced X-Sectional Results: Using Paths to Post Process Results
  The purpose of this tutorial is to create and use 'paths' to provide extra detail during post processing.
• Data Plotting: Using Tables to Post Process Results
  The purpose of this tutorial is to outline the steps required to plot results using tables, a special type of array.
• Changing Graphical Properties
  This tutorial outlines some of the basic graphical changes that can be made to the main screen and model.

Command Line Files

The following files should help you to generate your own command line files.

• Creating Command Files
  Directions on generating and running command files.
• ANSYS Command File Programming Features
  This file shows some of the commonly used programming features in the ANSYS command file language known as ADPL (ANSYS Parametric Design Language). Prompting the user for parameters, performing calculations with paramaters and control structures are illustrated.

The following files include some example problems that have been created using command line coding.

Basic Tutorials	This set of command line codes are from the Basic Tutorial section.
Intermediate Tutorials	This set of command line codes are from the Intermediate Tutorial section.
Advanced Tutorials	This set of command line codes are from the Advanced Tutorial section.
PostProc Tutorials	This set of command line codes are from the PostProc Tutorial section.
Radiation Analysis	A simple radiation heat transfer between concentric cylinders.