Simcenter 3D Solutions Axisymmetric Pressure Vessel Analysis in Simcenter 3D - Part 1: Create Pressure Vessel Geometry

Summary

In this example, a cylindrical pressure vessel will be analyzed using the axisymmetric analysis capability in Simcenter. It is a 6 parts tutorial with the following steps: Part 1: Create pressure vessel geometry Part 2: Mesh the created pressure vessel model Part 3: Apply material properties Part 4: Apply boundary conditions Part 5: Create cylindrical coordinate system for the FEM Part 6: Analysis run and post processing

Details

Part 1: Create pressure vessel geometry

Step 1: 


Create a Simcenter Part

•Launch a new session of Simcenter

•File > New

•In the window that appears, select Model from the list of Templates

•Set the Name to Pressure_Vessel.prt

•Choose a suitable directory where the model will be saved

•Click OK

Step 2: Create the Vessel Geometry

•Select Extrude 

•Click on the XY plane to start the creation of a sketch

•Draw the depicted shape below using the sketch tools

•Ensure that the indicated line is aligned with the x-axis

Step 3: Create the Vessel Geometry


 

•Click Finish   to exit the sketch

•Set the Start Extrude limit to 0mm and the End to 0mm

•Click OK

Step 4: Create the SIM and FEM


 

•File > Pre/Post
Click New FEM and Simulation button      (typically in the top left corner)

•The menu shown to the right should appear

•Ensure that the Create Idealized Part checkbox is checked

•Set the Analysis Type to Axisymmetric Structural

•Set 2D Solid Option to XY Plane, X Axis

•Click OK

Step 5: Set the Solution Parameters for the Analysis

 

•The menu that appears allows various solution parameters to be set. Check that:

•Solver is Simcenter Nastran

•Analysis Type is Axisymmetric Structural

•Solution Type is SOL 101 Linear Statics

•The default settings will suffice for the other setup options. If necessary, it is possible to modify these settings at a later stage in the model setup process

•Click OK

Step 6: Inspect the Simulation Navigator

 

•Expand all items in the Simulation Navigator

•Observe the positions of the SIM (.sim), FEM (.fem), and the Part (.prt) in the Navigator

•Ensure that the Simulation File View at the bottom of the Simulation Navigator is expanded as this will make it easier to navigate between the different simulation files

•Double click the Pressure_Vessel_fem1_i part in the Simulation File View pane using the left mouse button. An Idealised Part Warning message should appear

•Click OK

Step 7: Promote the Bodies to the Idealised Part

•Click on the Promote button

•Select the body in the display port

•Click OK

Step 8: Split the Pressure Vessel Section to facilitate Mapped Meshing

•Select the Split Body      tool in the Geometry Preparation group of the Home tab tool ribbon

•Select the pressure vessel section and click the middle mouse button

•Set the Tool Option to New Plane

•Select the point indicated in the image and ensure that the inferred normal for the plane is in the x-direction

•Click Apply

Step 9: Split the Pressure Vessel Section to Facilitate Mapped Meshing
 

•Repeat the process until the pressure vessel section is split as shown below

Step 10: Stitch the Surfaces Edges

•Double click the Pressure_Vessel_fem1 part in the Simulation File View pane using the left mouse button

•Select the Stitch Edge    tool in the Polygon Geometry group of the Home tab tool ribbon

•Ensure that Method is set to Automatic

•Set Geometry to Stitch to Edge to Edge

•Set the Search Distance and Snap Ends Tolerances to 0.1mm

•Select all bodies in the display

•Click OK

This completes Axisymmetric Pressure Vessel Analysis in Simcenter 3D - Part 1: Create Pressure Vessel Geometry
Please continue with Axisymmetric Pressure Vessel Analysis in Simcenter 3D - Part 2: Mesh the pressure vessel model