Simcenter 3D Solutions Reducing a FEA Model in Simcenter 3D
2020-01-21T02:05:53.000-0500
Simcenter 3D
Summary
Details
Question:
I am trying to use a rather large Finite Element Model (FEA) model (nodes, elements, mode shapes) in Simcenter Testlab. Is it possible to reduce the size of the model so it is easy to use and manipulate in Simcenter Testlab? I would like to do calculation like Modal Assurance Criterion with it.
Answer:
Yes, the model can be reduced using Simcenter 3D! Here are the steps using the Correlation and Pretest analysis modules:
1. Start Siemens Simcenter 3D (SC3D).
2. Generate a new FEM (*.fem) and SIM (*.sim) file by importing the Finite Element Model. Choose "File -> Import -> Simulation.
The SIM file defines a type of simulation analysis to be performed (motion, durability, acoustic) while the FEM file is the FEA file (nodes, geometry, elements) being used.
3. Select the appropriate solver for the import (i.e., Abaqus *obd, Nastran *.op2, or ANSYS *.rst).
4. In ‘Input File’ section on menu box select file type (binary) then browse to location where the input file is stored on your PC then press ‘OK’.
5. The new FEM and SIM files will by default be created in the same location as the input file from your external solver. If you do not want to change the location of these files simply ‘OK’ button.
The SIM file has the definition of the simulation analysis to be performed (durability, fatigue, acoustics, etc). The FEM file has the geometric definition (nodes, elements, etc) for the part or model being analyzed.
6. After the file is finish importing, SC3D will open an information window that will give the number nodes and elements imported. You can close this after you review the statistics of the import file.
7. Next if you are working with an Abaqus input file the modes need to be imported separately. First select the simulation navigator then right click on the *.sim file at the top of the page. Next select ‘New Solution’ from the list of options.
8. A new window solution will open. Instead of the default name ‘Solution 1’ a user defined can be can entered.
Using the defaults values in the other fields and press ‘OK’ at the bottom of the menu.
9. Next a ‘Solution Step’ menu box will open. Accept the default values and press the ‘OK’ button.
10. In the simulation navigator, a solution object is available. Right click on the ‘Results’ folder and select the ‘Specify…’ option to import the structural modal simulation results (mode shapes).
11. A ‘Results File’ menu will open which allows you to select the results file again (*.obd, *.rst, or *.op2) and press the 'OK' button.
After selecting the file, the Structural heading under the results file should say 'Specified'.
12. Steps 7 thru 11 are not always necessary, but best practice is to import the modes in this manner on top of the Finite Element geometry.
13. After importing the geometry and modes, select the 'Correlation' tab from the menu ribbon.
14. Then select the Pre-Test tab in the ribbon.
15. After selecting the ‘Pre-Test’ solution, press the ‘OK’ button in the resulting menu.
A pretest solution will be added to the simulation navigator.
16. Next under the correlation ribbon press the ‘Maximum Spread Node Group’ icon.
17. In the ribbon bar, select all the nodes of the component using the selection filters ‘Element Face’ and ‘Related Nodes’.
18. Use the smart selection tool from the 'Create Maximum Spread Node' menu to select just the model. Because of the settings in the previous step, the surface nodes of the model will be selected.
Either draw a box around the model, or use Control-A to select the entire model.
19. Using the ‘Create Maximum Spread Node’ menu, change the default name of the new group if desired. Use the ‘Maximum Numbers of Nodes’ field enter the maximum number of nodes for reduced model. Also specify the distance between the nodes used to create the reduced model.
Press OK to have the software select the nodes.
20. The nodes are created and can be viewed by highlighting them under the ‘Groups’ folder in the simulation navigator.
When highlighted, the selected nodes are highlighted in orange.
21. Now a pretest analysis can be performed to create the reduced model. A pretest requires that some nodes be selected that will be required to be part of the final nodes. Right click in the Required DOFs field under the Pretest solution.
In this case, the DOFs that were defined in the ‘Create Maximum Spread Node’ menu will be selected.
22. Using nodes filter ‘Nodes by Group’ option select the new group that you previously created then press the ‘OK’ button.
23. Next right click on ‘Configuration’ under Pre-Test solution in the simulation navigator and select the ‘New’ icon.
24. Then enter the ‘Number of Triaxial Sensors’ in the menu. Note the number of sensors should be equal to the number of nodes in your reduced model group. Entering a lower number will reduce the number of points in the reduced model further.
25. Right click on the newly created configuration and select ‘Solve’.
26. Using the Correlation ribbon at the top of the page select ‘Test Analysis Reference Solution’ icon.
27. After confirming the correct Pre-Test solution and Sensor Configurations are selected press the ‘OK’ button.
28. Next right click on the TAM ( Test Analysis Reference Solution ) created in the Simulation Navigator file tree. Then select ‘Export…’ which creates a wireframe geometry model with a reduced number of nodes with mode set data.
29. With the ‘Export Test Analysis Reference’ menu select the format of the output file UNV or SC2TL [Simcenter Testlab format].
It is a good idea to input a ‘Component’ name as well to avoid SC3D creating a default name that is typically very long.
30. Now you now can use Simcenter Testlab to browse to the exported file to view the reduced geometry model and animate the associated mode shapes.
Related Links:
I am trying to use a rather large Finite Element Model (FEA) model (nodes, elements, mode shapes) in Simcenter Testlab. Is it possible to reduce the size of the model so it is easy to use and manipulate in Simcenter Testlab? I would like to do calculation like Modal Assurance Criterion with it.
Answer:
Yes, the model can be reduced using Simcenter 3D! Here are the steps using the Correlation and Pretest analysis modules:
1. Start Siemens Simcenter 3D (SC3D).
2. Generate a new FEM (*.fem) and SIM (*.sim) file by importing the Finite Element Model. Choose "File -> Import -> Simulation.
The SIM file defines a type of simulation analysis to be performed (motion, durability, acoustic) while the FEM file is the FEA file (nodes, geometry, elements) being used.
3. Select the appropriate solver for the import (i.e., Abaqus *obd, Nastran *.op2, or ANSYS *.rst).
4. In ‘Input File’ section on menu box select file type (binary) then browse to location where the input file is stored on your PC then press ‘OK’.
5. The new FEM and SIM files will by default be created in the same location as the input file from your external solver. If you do not want to change the location of these files simply ‘OK’ button.
The SIM file has the definition of the simulation analysis to be performed (durability, fatigue, acoustics, etc). The FEM file has the geometric definition (nodes, elements, etc) for the part or model being analyzed.
6. After the file is finish importing, SC3D will open an information window that will give the number nodes and elements imported. You can close this after you review the statistics of the import file.
7. Next if you are working with an Abaqus input file the modes need to be imported separately. First select the simulation navigator then right click on the *.sim file at the top of the page. Next select ‘New Solution’ from the list of options.
8. A new window solution will open. Instead of the default name ‘Solution 1’ a user defined can be can entered.
Using the defaults values in the other fields and press ‘OK’ at the bottom of the menu.
9. Next a ‘Solution Step’ menu box will open. Accept the default values and press the ‘OK’ button.
10. In the simulation navigator, a solution object is available. Right click on the ‘Results’ folder and select the ‘Specify…’ option to import the structural modal simulation results (mode shapes).
11. A ‘Results File’ menu will open which allows you to select the results file again (*.obd, *.rst, or *.op2) and press the 'OK' button.
After selecting the file, the Structural heading under the results file should say 'Specified'.
12. Steps 7 thru 11 are not always necessary, but best practice is to import the modes in this manner on top of the Finite Element geometry.
13. After importing the geometry and modes, select the 'Correlation' tab from the menu ribbon.
14. Then select the Pre-Test tab in the ribbon.
15. After selecting the ‘Pre-Test’ solution, press the ‘OK’ button in the resulting menu.
A pretest solution will be added to the simulation navigator.
16. Next under the correlation ribbon press the ‘Maximum Spread Node Group’ icon.
17. In the ribbon bar, select all the nodes of the component using the selection filters ‘Element Face’ and ‘Related Nodes’.
18. Use the smart selection tool from the 'Create Maximum Spread Node' menu to select just the model. Because of the settings in the previous step, the surface nodes of the model will be selected.
Either draw a box around the model, or use Control-A to select the entire model.
19. Using the ‘Create Maximum Spread Node’ menu, change the default name of the new group if desired. Use the ‘Maximum Numbers of Nodes’ field enter the maximum number of nodes for reduced model. Also specify the distance between the nodes used to create the reduced model.
Press OK to have the software select the nodes.
20. The nodes are created and can be viewed by highlighting them under the ‘Groups’ folder in the simulation navigator.
When highlighted, the selected nodes are highlighted in orange.
21. Now a pretest analysis can be performed to create the reduced model. A pretest requires that some nodes be selected that will be required to be part of the final nodes. Right click in the Required DOFs field under the Pretest solution.
In this case, the DOFs that were defined in the ‘Create Maximum Spread Node’ menu will be selected.
22. Using nodes filter ‘Nodes by Group’ option select the new group that you previously created then press the ‘OK’ button.
23. Next right click on ‘Configuration’ under Pre-Test solution in the simulation navigator and select the ‘New’ icon.
24. Then enter the ‘Number of Triaxial Sensors’ in the menu. Note the number of sensors should be equal to the number of nodes in your reduced model group. Entering a lower number will reduce the number of points in the reduced model further.
25. Right click on the newly created configuration and select ‘Solve’.
26. Using the Correlation ribbon at the top of the page select ‘Test Analysis Reference Solution’ icon.
27. After confirming the correct Pre-Test solution and Sensor Configurations are selected press the ‘OK’ button.
28. Next right click on the TAM ( Test Analysis Reference Solution ) created in the Simulation Navigator file tree. Then select ‘Export…’ which creates a wireframe geometry model with a reduced number of nodes with mode set data.
29. With the ‘Export Test Analysis Reference’ menu select the format of the output file UNV or SC2TL [Simcenter Testlab format].
It is a good idea to input a ‘Component’ name as well to avoid SC3D creating a default name that is typically very long.
30. Now you now can use Simcenter Testlab to browse to the exported file to view the reduced geometry model and animate the associated mode shapes.
Related Links:
- Using Simcenter Testlab Project Files in Simcenter 3D Correlation
- Correlating Simulation & Modal Test Results with Simcenter 3D
- Structural Dynamics and Vibration On-Demand Webinars
- Modal Analysis and FEA-Test Correlation Seminar
- Comparing Nastran and Simcenter Testlab Mode Shapes and FRFs
- How to animate a Nastran mode in Simcenter 3D?
Associated Components
Acoustics
Additive Manufacturing
Assembly FEM
Correlation and Updating
Durability
Electromagnetics (High Frequency)
Electromagnetics (Low Frequency)
Flexible Pipe
Laminate Composites
Margin of Safety
Motion
Multiphysics
NX Open
Nonlinear
Optimization
Pre/Post
Response Dynamics
Rotor Dynamics
Samcef Environment
Simulation Process Management
Thermal / Flow