Analysis Techniques (General)

Preloads in LS-DYNA
Introduction
Analysis Techniques (General)

Dynamic Relaxation
Explicit
Implicit
Transient Explicit with Mass Damping

Implicit Analysis
Bolt Preload Techniques
Thermal
Interference Contact
Stress in Solid Cross-section
Force in Beams
Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Preload 1
Preload - Introduction
Sometimes it is important to induce a steady

state preload before performing a transient
dynamic analysis.
Rotating fan or turbine blades, rotating flywheels

Gravity
Pressure vessels or tires
Shrink-fit parts
Stresses induced by a torqued bolt
Preload 2
Explicit Dynamic Relaxation (DR)
Explicit DR is an optional transient analysis that takes place in

pseudo-time (precedes regular transient analysis).
DR is typically used to preload a model before onset of
transient loading.
Preload stresses are typically elastic and displacements are small.
In explicit DR, the computed nodal velocities are reduced each

timestep by the dynamic relaxation factor (default = .995).
Thus the solution undergoes a form of damping during DR.
The distortional kinetic energy is monitored. When this KE has
been sufficiently reduced, i.e., the convergence factor has
become sufficiently small, the DR phase terminates and the
solution automatically proceeds to the transient analysis phase.
Alternately, DR can be terminated at a preset termination time.
Preload 3
Explicit Dynamic Relaxation
DR is typically invoked by setting parameter SIDR in a load

curve (*DEFINE_CURVE) to 1 or 2.
Ramp the load during DR phase and then hold load
constant until solution converges
Make sure convergence occurs after 100% of preload is
applied
Maintain the preload in subsequent transient analysis phase
(use separate load curve without the ramp)
DR converges
SIDR = 1 (DR phase)
SIDR = 0 (transient phase)
Preload 4

*CONTROL_DYNAMIC_RELAXATION
*CONTROL_DYNAMIC_RELAXATION parameters
Iterations between convergence check (default=250)
Also affects output interval for d3drlf
Convergence tolerance (default 0.001)

Ratio of distorsional KE at convergence to peak distorsional KE
Smaller value results in converged solution nearer to steady
state but run will take longer to get there
Dynamic relaxation factor (default=0.995)

Reduction factor for nodal velocities each time step
If value is too small, model never reach steady state due to
overdamping
Optional termination time for DR (default = infinity)

DR will stop if time reaches DRTERM even if convergence
criterion not satisfied
Time step scale factor used during DR
Preload 5
Dynamic Relaxation
*CONTROL_DYNAMIC_RELAXATION
*CONTROL_DYNAMIC_RELAXATION parameters
IDRFLG
Flag to activate DR (not required if DR is activated with *DEFINE_CURVE)
Set to 2, will invoke a completely different and faster initialization approach
Initialization by Prescribed Geometry .
Requires supplemental input file containing nodal displacements and rotations (m=filename
on execution line).
Such a file drdisp.sif is written at conclusion of standard DR run.

If nodal rotations are not included in file, method is invalid for beams and shells.
LS-DYNA runs a short transient analysis of 100 timesteps to preload the model by imposing the
nodal displacements and rotations.
Solution then proceeds with regular transient analysis.
Set to 5, activates implicit method for solution of preloaded state
Must also set DRTERM to signal end of DR phase.

*CONTROL_IMPLICIT... provide controls on implicit phase.
Preload 6
Dynamic Relaxation
Output Related to Dynamic Relaxation
ASCII output files are NOT written during DR phase, e.g.,

glstat, matsum, rcforc, etc. The binary d3thdt file can be
used if IDRFLG=-1.
Binary database, d3drlf, is written by including

command *DATABASE_BINARY_D3DRLF. Set output
interval to 1. This will cause a state to be written each
time convergence is checked during DR
Plotting time histories from d3drlf with LS-PrePost allows
user to confirm solution is near steady state
relax file is automatically written and contains record of

convergence history. Data can be plotted with LSPrePost.
drdisp.sif contains nodal displacements and rotations at

conclusion of DR phase.
Preload 7
ExplicitOutput
Dynamic
Related to ExplicitRelaxation
Dynamic
Relaxation
Dynamic Relaxation information is written

to the screen. The transient phase starts
when the convergence tolerance or a
Specified termination time is reached.
Convergence plot from relax file
Kinetic Energy plot from relax file
Preload 8
Dynamic Relaxation
Typical Loads During Dynamic Relaxation
Gravity loads and centrifugal loads (spinning bodies) are

imposed using *LOAD_BODY_option.
LCID and LCIDDR are separate curves for transient phase and DR
phase, respectively.
Thermal stresses can be imposed using

*LOAD_THERMAL_LOAD_CURVE.
Parts, e.g., bolts, defined with a coefficient of thermal expansion

will have thermal stresses imposed.
LCID and LCIDDR are separate curves for transient phase and DR
phase, respectively.
Other load types or boundary conditions are applied during DR

if SIDR in corresponding *DEFINE_CURVE is set to 1 or 2.
Example: *LOAD_SEGMENT,
*BOUNDARY_PRESCRIBED_MOTION.
*CONTACT_..._INTERFERENCE imposes load associated with

geometric interference.
*INITIAL_... (more on that later)

Preload 9

Example Gravity Loading on a Tire
One of the tires from NCACs Ford 250 was us

this example but without the control volume. A
gravity load is applied in the transient phase as
constant curve, which makes the tire bounce
during the simulation (time =1) as seen when
plotting the Z-displacement for a node on the t
rim. This model is used to investigate the beha
of Dynamic Relaxation.
g
Contact
Node Considered
Ground is constrained
Preload 10
Dynamic Relaxation
Dynamic Relaxation was added to the model using a ramped load

curve for the DR phase, i.e., load curve LCIDDR (*LOAD_BODY_Z) has
SIDR (*DEFINE_CURVE) set to 1. The load is ramped in curve LCIDDR
over 2000 time steps. The *CONTROL_DYNAMIC_RELAXATION
parameters are all set to default and the deck is the same as before.
A No DR
B With DR
Preload 11
Dynamic Relaxation
Three different settings of the convergence tolerance, DRTOL, were tried: 1e-3
(default), 1e-4 and 1e-6. The tolerance is the only change in the model.
The value of DRTOL offers a tradeoff between run time and amplitude
of residual dynamic oscillation.
DRTOL
1e-3
1e-4
1e-6
Elapsed Time
(sec)
3808
5032
13755
Preload 12
Transient Stress Initialization
As an alternative to using DR, in some cases the

preload can be established in the early part of
the regular transient simulation.
Use *initial_velocity_generation_start_time for problems
whose transient response is driven by initial velocity.
Delays onset of initial velocity.
Ramp up preload quasi-statically and then hold steady.

Use time-dependent mass damping
(*DAMPING_GLOBAL) to impose near-critical damping
until preload is established.
Drop damping constant to zero after preload is established

and transient loading is ready to be applied.
Apply transient loads AFTER preload is established.
Use nonzero birthtime or arrival time for transient loads
Preload 13
Transient Stress Initialization

Preload
Transient Load
Load
Load
t1
Time
t2
Time
Mass Damping
Coef
t1
t2 Time
Preload 14
Preload via Implicit Analysis
Recall that true static analysis is possible by invoking

implicit analysis in LS-DYNA . Static analysis is well-suited
to inducing preload. However, no rigid body modes can be
present for a static analysis. One has the option of dynamic
implicit combined with an extended loading period.
Implicit analysis is invoked via the command

*CONTROL_IMPLICIT_GENERAL.
Other implict-related commands often used are:

*CONTROL_IMPLICIT_AUTO automatically adjusts step size based on
ease or difficulty in achieving convergence.
*CONTROL_IMPLICIT_DYNAMICS can make the implicit solution
dynamic rather than static.
Invoking dynamics can ease convergence.
Step size has units of time if dynamics is invoked.
Preload 15
Approach 1: Two separate analyses.

Make an implicit (or explict) simulation of the preload. In
the input deck specify *INTERFACE_SPRINGBACK_LSDYNA.
This creates an ASCII file called dynain when the simulation
is finished. The dynain file contains keyword commands
describing the deformed geometry, stresses, and plastic
strains. Merge these commands into the original deck,
deselect the implicit cards, modify the loads, and run a
second, explicit simulation.
The dynain file does not include contact forces nor does it
contain nodal velocities. Thus these quantities from the
preload analysis do not carry over to the second analysis.
Using only data from the d3plot database, LS-PrePost can

output a dynain file via Output > Format: Dynain Ascii >
Write.
Preload 16
Approach 2: Single, switched analysis.

Use one input deck where switching between implicit and
explicit is determined by a curve. The abscissa of the
curve is time and the ordinate is set to 1.0 for implicit and
to 0.0 for explicit (curve is a step function). This switching
is activated by setting IMFLAG at
*CONTROL_IMPLICIT_GENERAL to -|curve ID|. Switching
from one analysis to the other is seamless and has no CPU
or I/O overhead.
Approach 3: Implict DR (mentioned previously).
Preload 17
Bolt Preload
Iterative Loading Types

Require multiple runs to tune load in order to give
desired bolt stress
*LOAD_THERMAL_LOAD_CURVE
*CONTACT_INTERFERENCE
Non-iterative Loading Types

Bolt stress is specified directly.
*INITIAL_STRESS_SECTION
Solid elements only
*INITIAL_AXIAL_FORCE_BEAM
Type 9 beams only
Preload 18
*LOAD_THERMAL_LOAD_CURVE
Idea is to shrink the bolt by cooling it. As bolt contracts

during DR phase, preload is induced.
Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) must be given for
bolt material, e.g., via *MAT_ADD_THERMAL_EXPANSION.
Negative temperature is prescribed using
*LOAD_THERMAL_LOAD_CURVE.
LCID = curve of temperature vs. time for transient phase (constant T).
LCIDDR = curve of temperature vs. time for DR phase.
SIDR=1 in *DEFINE_CURVE.
Ramp T and then hold constant.
Temperature T (or CTE) to produce a target bolt stress can

be estimated.
= E * CTE * -T
Adjust T (or CTE) in subsequent run to fine tune bolt stress
Example:
http://ftp.lstc.com/anonymous/outgoing/jday/bolt.thermal.k.gz
Preload 19
*CONTACT_..._INTERFERENCE
Developed for modeling shrink-fit parts.

Define the initial geometry to include finite initial penetration
between parts. Parts are initially in an unstressed state.
The initial penetration check is not done for ths contact type.
To avoid sudden, large contact forces, the contact stiffness is
scaled with time using LCID1 (DR phase) and LCID2 (Transient
phase).
Shell thickness offsets are considered.
Segment orientation is important. Orient the normals correctly
facing against opposing contact surface.
Specify the contact using segment sets.
Types:
*CONTACT_NODES_TO_SURFACE_INTERFERENCE
*CONTACT_ONE_WAY_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE_INTERFERENCE
*CONTACT_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE_INTERFERENCE
Preload 20
Dynamic relaxation (LCID1)
Contact
Stiffness
Scale
Factor
1.0
Transient Phase (LCID2)
Contact
Stiffness
Scale
Factor
Time
1.0
Time
OR
Transient Phase Only (LCID2) if LCID1=0
Contact
Stiffness
Scale
Factor
1.0
Time
Preload 21
Example:
http://ftp.lstc.com/anonymous/outgoing/jday/bolt.interf.k.gz
Four bolts clamp two, 1.0 thick solid rings together.

Mesh is defined so each bolt head and each nut overlap (penetrate) the
solid ring surface by 0.003.
Trial overlap based loosely on target bolt stress/(bolt length * E)
*CONTACT_SURFACE_TO_SURFACE_INTERFERENCE defined between

overlapping surfaces.
Contact stiffness is ramped up over time during DR phase.
Overlap can be adjusted in subsequent trials to fine tune bolt stress.
Preload 22
Preloading a Solid Cross-section to a Known

Stress
*INITIAL_STRESS_SECTION will preload a crosssection of solid elements to a prescribed stress value

Preload stress (normal to the cross-section) is defined via
*DEFINE_CURVE (stress vs. time)
This curve is typically flagged with SIDR=1, so that dynamic

relaxation is invoked for applying the preload
Stress should be ramped from zero
Physical location of cross-section is defined via

*DATABASE_CROSS_SECTION
A part set, together with the cross-section, identify the
elements subject to the prescribed preload stress
Contact damping (VDC) and/or *DAMPING_PART_STIFFNESS
may be required to attain convergence during the dynamic
relaxation analysis
Preload 23
Example:
http://ftp.lstc.com/anonymous/outgoing/jday/bolt.initial_stress_section.4not1.k.gz
Four bolts clamp two, 1.0 thick solid rings together.

The four bolts are given a prestress of 20,000 psi
using *INITIAL_STRESS_SECTION.
The sections being preloaded are defined by a plane
through the middle of the bolts.
The direction of prestress is normal to the plane.
Preload 24
Example of preloaded bolts
Target bolt stress is

achieved without multiple
trial simulations.
Preload 25
Initial Forces in a Beam
*INITIAL_AXIAL_FORCE_BEAM will preload beam

elements to a prescribed axial force.
The preload curve (axial force vs. time) is defined with
*DEFINE_CURVE.
The curve is typically flagged with SIDR=1 so preload is applied

during a DR phase.
Curve should ramp up beam force to ease convergence.
The beam to be loaded is given by a SET_BEAM.
Beam formulation (ELFORM) must be set to 9 (spot weld beam).

Use with *MAT_SPOTWELD.
The spot weld beams initialized in this manner will not be
excluded from automatic contacts.
For models with contact, damping in the contact (VDC=20) is

recommended.
*DAMPING_PART_STIFFNESS may promote convergence
during DR phase.
Preload 26
Example:
http://ftp.lstc.com/anonymous/outgoing/jday/initial_axial_force_beam_drelax.k
The bolt is modeled with a type 9 beam and *MAT_100.

The deformable bolt beam is attached to the plates being bolted by rigid beams.
The bolt is preloaded with a force of 0.05 using *INITIAL_AXIAL_FORCE_BEAM.
The load curve is applied in DR phase with a ramp function.
No additional load is applied in subsequent transient phase.
Bolt
Deformable plates
Rigid beams
Bolt beam
Preload 27

Example of preloaded bolt
Stress at conclusion of DR phase due to bolt preload.
Axial force in
bolt is
successfully
initialized
Preload 28

Analysis Techniques (General)

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Analysis Techniques (General)

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Preloads in LS-DYNA

Analysis Techniques (General)

Transient Explicit with Mass Damping

Bolt Preload Techniques

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Sometimes it is important to induce a steady

Rotating fan or turbine blades, rotating flywheels

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Explicit Dynamic Relaxation (DR)

Explicit DR is an optional transient analysis that takes place in

In explicit DR, the computed nodal velocities are reduced each

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Explicit Dynamic Relaxation

DR is typically invoked by setting parameter SIDR in a load

SIDR = 1 (DR phase)

SIDR = 0 (transient phase)

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Explicit Dynamic Relaxation

Convergence tolerance (default 0.001)

Dynamic relaxation factor (default=0.995)

Optional termination time for DR (default = infinity)

Time step scale factor used during DR

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Such a file drdisp.sif is written at conclusion of standard DR run.

Set to 5, activates implicit method for solution of preloaded state

Must also set DRTERM to signal end of DR phase.

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

ASCII output files are NOT written during DR phase, e.g.,

Binary database, d3drlf, is written by including

relax file is automatically written and contains record of

drdisp.sif contains nodal displacements and rotations at

Dynamic Relaxation information is written

Convergence plot from relax file

Kinetic Energy plot from relax file

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Gravity loads and centrifugal loads (spinning bodies) are

Thermal stresses can be imposed using

Parts, e.g., bolts, defined with a coefficient of thermal expansion

Other load types or boundary conditions are applied during DR

*CONTACT_..._INTERFERENCE imposes load associated with

*INITIAL_... (more on that later)

Explicit Dynamic Relaxation

One of the tires from NCACs Ford 250 was us

Dynamic Relaxation was added to the model using a ramped load

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Transient Stress Initialization

As an alternative to using DR, in some cases the

Delays onset of initial velocity.

Ramp up preload quasi-statically and then hold steady.

Drop damping constant to zero after preload is established

Apply transient loads AFTER preload is established.

Use nonzero birthtime or arrival time for transient loads

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Transient Stress Initialization

Copyright 2003-2011 by LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Preload via Implicit Analysis

Recall that true static analysis is possible by invoking

Implicit analysis is invoked via the command