FEMAP Student Guide

SIEMENS
Femap 101 Student Guide

Version 10.1.1 10 1 1
Siemens PLM Software
Proprietary and restricted rights notice
This software and related documentation are proprietary to Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. 2010 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks belong to their respective holders.
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Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide
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Femap 101
Training Class Agenda

Day 1 Lesson No 1 2 3 4 5 Topic The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap The Femap User Interface Part 1 Geometry Creation and Editing Materials and Properties Boundary Conditions Loads and Constraints Workshop(s)
Day 2 Lesson No 6 7 8 9 10 Topic The Femap User Interface Part 2 Model Display and Visualization Meshing Analysis Set Manager Postprocessing Workshop(s)
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Day 3 Lesson No
11 The Meshing Toolbox
Topic
Workshop(s)
12 13 14
Midsurfacing Assembly Modeling Finite Element Modeling Debugging Student Topics
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Lesson 1 Th FEA M d li L The Modeling P Process
Using Femap
Purpose This lesson provides an overview of general overview of Finite Element Modeling and Analysis and the tools in Femap available to generate FEA models. Topics What is Finite Element Analysis? What comprises a FEA model? Femap Modeling Process Flow Femap Model Objects and Commands
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Fermp 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide
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Lesson 1
The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap
What is Finite Element Analysis?

A Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a mathematical simulation of a physical structure when internal and external forces are applied to it. It can be used to simulate the following types of physical behavior: Structural Thermal Fluid Flow Optical Electromagnetic
Femap can be used to model the first four types of FEA models.
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Lesson 1
What comprises a FEA model?

A Finite Element Analysis model is a collection of: Finite Elements - well-defined mathematical models of: Beams and Rods Surface or Sh ll elements S f Shell l t Solids (Tetrahedral or Hex) Miscellaneous elements such as Springs, Mass, Rigid, and Contact
Material attributes Boundary conditions (loads and constraints)
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Lesson 1
Takeaway
A FEA model is at best, an approximation of a physical structure. The accuracy of the results from a FEA model are only as good as the quality of the mesh and the accurate application of material attributes and boundary conditions to a model. diti t d l
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Lesson 1
Femap Objects and Workflow for Generating a FEA Model
Geometry
Materials
Boundary Conditions Constraints Loads
Properties
Mesh
Analyze
Postprocess
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Lesson 1
Geometry
Import Geometry File, Import Geometry y File, References Create Geometry Modify Geometry Geometry, commands y Modify, commands
Geometry, Geometry commands
Direct CAD geometry interfaces Solid Edge, NX (Unigraphics and Ideas), ProE, CATIA, deas) ProE CATIA and SolidWorks. Industry standard CAD geometry Interfaces
Parasolid, ACIS, IGES, STEP, STL
Femap geometry creation and editing Points, 2D and 3D curves Surfaces Solid creation and editing operations
Midplane surface extraction and editing
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Lesson 1
Materials and Properties

Materials Model, Material commands Properties Model, Property commands
Isotropic 2D and 3D Orthotropic 2D and 3D Anisotropic Elastomers Hyperelastic, Foam, etc. Analysis program specific types (NX Nastran, MSC Nastran, LSDyna, Abaqus, Marc)
Line elements Plane elements Volume elements Other elements
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Lesson 1
Boundary Conditions
Constraints Model, Constraint commands Loads Model, Load commands
Femap models can contain multiple Constraint Sets and Load Sets Constraints and Loads can be assigned to geometry or meshes For loads, the Model Info window allows:

Creation, editing, highlighting, and deletion of Load and Constraint sets. Creation, editing, highlighting, and deletion of individual Loads, Load Definitions, Constraints, and Constraint Definitions. Creation and editing of Body, Nonlinear, Dynamic, and Heat Transfer loads and settings.
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Lesson 1
Femap Model Objects and Commands Meshing

Mesh Control and Multielement Meshing Mesh, Mesh Control, commands Mesh, Geometry commands
Single Nodes
Single Elements
Model, Node command
Model, Element command
Additional mesh creation and editing tools are available through the Meshing Toolbox
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Lesson 1
Femap Model Objects and Commands - Analysis

View Results (Postprocess) View, Select (F5) View, Options (F6) View, Advanced Post commands
Analyze
Report List, Output, commands Data Table operations
Model, Analysis command
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Lesson 2
The Th FEMAP User Interface U I t f Part 1
Purpose This lesson provides an overview of the Femap User Interface. Topics Femap Main Window Layout Graphics Windows Femap Main Menus Toolbars and Customizable Menus View Manipulation Part 1 Dockable Panes Model Info Tree Entity Editor Status Bar and Tray Right Mouse Button Entity S l ti E tit Selection Setting the Pick or Snap Mode Locate and Vector Dialog Boxes Shortcut Keys Online Help Units
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Lesson 2
The Femap User Interface Part 1
Femap Main Window Layout

Femap Main Menu Femap Title Bar
Femap Graphics Window Named Tabs for Graphics Windows
Tabs for Stacked Stacked dockable panes
Floating dockable pane
Current Model Status (FEMAP Menu Help when in command)
FEMAP Status and Tray bar
FEMAP Trays
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Lesson 2
Graphics Windows
Femaps graphics windows have the ability to display: Wireframe, hidden line, or rendered FEA models XY plots of functions and analysis results.
Multiple Models can be opened at the same time each with multiple views. A single model with multiple views has the view name displayed in the view tab When multiple models are open, each view has their view tab displayed as Model Name : View Name
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Lesson 2
Graphics Windows (continued)

Dynamic Viewing Views can be dynamically rotated, zoomed, and panned using the mouse. Through the use of a supported SpaceBall device
True Windows - provide easy transfer from Femap to other Windows programs. Cut and Paste Windows Metafiles JPEG, BITMAP, GIF, TIFF, and PNG picture file formats AVI and Animated GIF animation files
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Lesson 2
Femap Main Menus

Provides access to most Femap operations through drop-down menus. Menu commands displays short-cut keys (hotkeys) and shows toolbar icons on menu (includes user-defined shortcut keys and icons, when assigned)
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Lesson 2
Customize Dialog Box

Toolbars Turns toolbars on and off Create and delete userdefined toolbars. toolbars
Commands Add regular and userdefined commands to an existing menu or toolbar.
Keyboard K b d Designate and manage shortcut keys (hotkey) combinations for specific commands. Create and manage userdefined commands.
User Commands
Options Set options on the toolbars such as using large icons, showing tooltips (with or without shortcut keys), and menu animation options (options are selected for ALL toolbars).
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Lesson 2
Toolbars
Dockable Toolbars Toolbars can be docked anywhere around the perimeter of p the main Femap window. When docked, toolbars can be placed next to one another or stacked on top of one another.
Floating Toolbars Toolbars can be peeled off the perimeter of the main Femap window and made to peeled float anywhere within the main Femap window. Floating toolbars can be reshaped.
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Lesson 2
Customizing Toolbars
Three (3) methods to customize or create a new toolbar: Select the Tools, Toolbars, Customize command Right-click in a toolbar pane or outside of any Femap pane Click the Customize icon (d Cli k th C t i i (down-arrow i icon) on a d k d or fl ti t lb and th ) docked floating toolbar d then select Customize from the context-sensitive menu.
Clicking the Down icon in a toolbar allows direct access to that toolbar and has options to disable commands in that toolbar.
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Lesson 2
Creating Custom Toolbars

Click the New button inside the Toolbars tab, then give the new toolbar a unique name. 1. Click the Commands tab and choose a category. 2. Drag the desired command or menu onto the blank toolbar 3. Alter 3 Alt any icons using the individual icon editing t l explained on th previous page i i th i di id l i diti tools l i d the i 4. Close the Customize dialog box and start using the new user toolbar.
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Lesson 2
Toolbars Icon Editing Menu

While the Customize Dialog box is open, you can also edit individual icons by placing the cursor over any icon and clicking the right mouse button. This will bring up a menu as follows:
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Lesson 2
View Manipulation
View Rotation, Zooming and Panning View Orientation Toolbar Entity Display Toolbar View Toolbar
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Lesson 2
View Rotation, Zooming and Panning

Views can be dynamically manipulated with the mouse by holding a mouse button and keys and dragging the mouse in the Graphics window:
Action Rotate
No command active Left or Middle mouse button Ctrl+Left or Ctrl+Middle mouse button
While a command is active Middle mouse button
Pan
Ctrl+Middle mouse button
Zoom
Shift+Left or Shift+Middle mouse button
Shift+Middle mouse button
The mouses Scroll wheel can be used for dynamic zooming. Femap Preferences can be modified to swap the use of the Ctrl and Shift keys for dynamic viewing viewing. Located under the User Interface tab, Mouse Interface options.
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Lesson 2
View Orientation Toolbar

The View Orientation toolbar allows you to rapidly reorient a view to one of Femaps standard nine (9) views. This toolbar is not activated as part of the standard Femap GUI layout, you will need p to activate and place it.
The Isometric, Dimetric, and Trimetric view orientation(s) can be modified using Femap s Femaps Preferences. Select the View tab and set the angles for these views under the View and Dynamic Rotation section.
As an alternative, you can use the View, Rotate, Model command (F8 hotkey) to rotate or orient views. Version 10 added the option to Rotate Around any coordinate system, including those defined by the user.
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Lesson 2
Entity Display Toolbar

The Entity Display toolbar toggles the display of different entity types within a Graphics window.
Coordinate Systems
Text Surfaces
Constraints Nodes
View Analysis
Regions
Elements
Model Toggle
View Geometry Toggle View Labels Loads Curves Connectors
Toggle
Points
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Lesson 2
Entity Display Control with the y p y View Visibility dialog box

The View Visibility dialog box controls the display of entities in a manner similar to the Entity Display toolbar, but in more detail. Access via the View, Visibility command, the Ctrl+Q hotkey or by clicking the View y Visibility icon on the View toolbar.
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Lesson 2
View Toolbar
The View toolbar allows control of the active view orientation, magnification, view style, and layers.
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Lesson 2
View Toolbar View Style Icon Pulldown Menu

The View Style menu controls settings for view type (wireframe, hidden line, etc.), mesh display, element colors, mesh size indicators and other commonly used display settings.
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Lesson 2
Dockable Panes
There are seven (7) standard dockable panes Model Info Meshing Toolbox Entity Editor Entity Info Data Table Data Surface Editor Messages Window
Two other dockable panes are available for customization of Femap: P Program Fil File API Programming Can be turned on and off using the Tools menu and the Panes toolbar. Panes can be resized when docked or floating.
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Lesson 2
Dockable Panes Display Configurations

Panes can be shown on the screen in a few different configurations Floating Docked Docked d St k d (click Tab to ti t Pane) D k d and Stacked ( li k T b t activate P ) Docked and Tabbed (Retracted) Place cursor over tab to have pane fly-out and be used (Docked and Tabbed Panes can also be Stacked)
The Push Pin Icon is used to toggle a dockable pane from simply Docked to Docked and Tabbed.
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Lesson 2
Dockable Panes - Positioning

Docking position indicators are used to position Dockable Panes in specific places in the interface and can also be used to stack the panes. Docking locations appear as arrows.
Docking position indicators only appear when a dockable pane is being dragged from one position to another. An outline of where the pane will be positioned will appear when the cursor is placed over a specific Indicator.
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Lesson 2
Messages Window
Can be turned on and off using the Tools, Other Windows, Messages menu Provides information on commands Femap is performing, and their status. List and error information
Undock i d U d k window b d bl li ki on the Titl Bar, return to previous docked size b by double-clicking th Title B t t i d k d i by double-clicking Title Bar again. Messages window can be resized when docked or floating.
Copy or Save Information from List Highlight and Cut Save t File S to Fil
Note:
When typing in the Messages window, anytime you type a shortcut key, the command assigned to the key will be invoked.
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Lesson 2
Messages Window Other Options

Format contents of the Messages window with the context sensitive pop-up menu (rightmouse click).
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Lesson 2
Model Info Tree

Can be turned on and off using the Tools, Model Info command or with the Panes toolbar. Provides quick access to top-level entities in Femap through an easy to navigate tree structure. t t Top-level items found in the tree include: Coordinate Systems Geometry Solids and Sheet Solids Only Connections Properties Regions Connectors Elements Materials Properties Layups Loads and Constraints Functions Data Surfaces
Model
Analyses Analysis Sets Results Output Sets Views Groups Layers Selection List
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Lesson 2
Model Info Tree Addition Features and Selection List

Context-Sensitive menus available for each item in the Model Tree by highlighting an item then clicking the right mouse button. Multiple entities can be highlighted at the same time in order to perform operations on all of the entities at once. f th titi t Active Entity of each entity type is displayed with Blue text in the tree. Selection List used when Select Multiple is active in the Select Toolbar. Lists each entity type currently in the selection set Displays the number of entities of each entity type in parentheses
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Lesson 2
Model Info Tree Icons

Collapse/Expand All Collapses or expands ALL categories in the Model Info tree at once. Can be used to only show what you need to view specific entities. Reload From Model Reloads the Model Info tree with all current information from the model. Always collapses the whole tree completely. Reset All Visibility Options Toggles the display of all entities on Send To Data Table Sends selected data to the Data Table pane for sorting, filtering, and evaluation. Data Table MUST be open and unlocked for this icon to be used.
Show When Selected pull down
Toggle on/off and settings for highlighting of selected objects. Similar to the Window, Show Entities command.
Note:
Defaults for Show When Selected can be set in the Show Entities Defaults section found on the User Interface tab of the Preferences dialog box.
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Lesson 2
Model Info Tree Context Sensitive Menus

Context-Sensitive menus are available for each item in the Model Tree by highlighting an item then clicking the right mouse button. Menu is different for each entity type in the tree. Some context sensitive menu commands require that multiple entities be chosen to activate a command. (e.g., MultiSet Animate) Select individual entities while holding down the CTRL key. Hold down the SHIFT key and select a first entity and a last entity to select a continuous list of entities.
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Lesson 2
Entity Editor
Turn on and off with the Tools, Entity Editor menu or with the Panes toolbar. Provides information of specific entities in Femap displayed using different types of fields. The types of fields include: Numeric Value - Enables you to enter a numeric value for a specific field Text - Text can be typed directly into these fields. Usually in a Title, Text, or Notes field Drop-down menu button - Button has arrow facing down. Lists options for that can be selected for a particular field. Options button - Button has three dots. Brings up the color palette or a dialog box that is used to change the information in that specific field. Read Only - Cannot be changed. Shown in Blue text.
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Lesson 2
Entity Editor (continued)

Entities can be sent to the Entity Editor using the following entry methods: Model Info pane When an entity in the tree is highlighted, it will appear in the Entity Editor (Analyses and entities in the Selection List from the tree will not populate the Entity Editor when highlighted) When activated, the last chosen entity will appear in the Entity Editor pane. Once the Data Table has entity data in it, every time a row containing entity data in the table is highlighted, it will appear in the Entity Editor.
Select Toolbar
Data T bl D t Table pane
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Lesson 2
Entity Editor Icons
Lock/Unlock Toggle - When unlocked, the Entity Editor will always display the entity that was last selected using an entity entry method. When locked, the data in the Entity Editor will remain there until the pane is unlocked. Copy to Clipboard - Copies the current data in the Entity Editor to the clipboard so it can be pasted into the Messages window or an outside program Clear All clears the contents of Entity Editor window Does not delete the window. entity. Categorized - Default listing method of the Entity Editor. For each entity, groups similar parameters, options, and settings together for more efficient use. Alphabetic - Displays all the fields without any categories in alphabetical order Collapse/Expand All - Collapses or expands ALL categories in the Entity Editor at once. Can be used to only show what you need to modify specific entities. Reload From Model - Reloads the Entity Editor fields with the values that are currently in the model for the chosen entity. Use this to recover the original values for all the fields, except for modifications made with a prior Update Model action. Update Model - Applies any changes made in the Entity Editor to a chosen entity and saves the changes to the model database
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Lesson 2
Entity Editor Other Options

Expand/Collapse toggles Allow you to collapse and expand individual categories and sub-categories inside the Entity Editor.
Entity Editor Help Shows a title and short description of what each field of every entity represents. Also documents the Nastran Bulk Data entry (if applicable) the field will produce when a Nastran Input File (*.DAT, *.BDF, or *.NAS file usually) is exported.
Context Sensitive Menus Different menus appear when the right mouse button is clicked depending on what type of field is currently highlighted. For instance, when a Text or Numerical Value field is highlighted, a menu will pop-up which will allow you t U d ( hi h ill ll to Undo (reverts to last t t l t saved value while field is still highlighted), Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, or Select All.
Note:
You can use calculator functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), as well as exponentials (i.e. 1.234E4 for 12,340 OR 5.67E-3 for 0.00567) in any real number field.
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Lesson 2
Status Bar and Tray

Can be turned on and off using the Tools, Other Windows, Status Bar command. Located at bottom of Femap Main Window Provides running total of nodes and elements in model.
Displays a short description of commands when in the menu structure of Femap or positioned over icon.
Tray on Right Provides Access to Current Entities Displays Active Property, Load Set, Constraint Set, Group, and Output Set Change Current Entity or create a new one Right-clicking the Status Bar brings up a customization menu which can be used to toggle individual Tray items on and off
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Lesson 2
Right Mouse Button

Provides quick and convenient access to common commands. OK and Cancel for commands and dialog boxes Previous Command Recalls the last command executed
Modify the Workplane. Show Tooltips When activated, shows information for a highlighted entity in a Tooltips window (small yellow window in the main graphics window) Works much like Dynamic Query in previous versions of FEMAP when there is entity active in the Select toolbar
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Lesson 2
Right Mouse Button - continued

Picking Options - Snap To, Pick Query, Pick Any Inside, Pick All Inside See section on setting the snap mode This Thi menu of options allows you to control f ti ll t t l which coordinates will be selected when ou use the graphics cursor to pick a location. Select
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Lesson 2
Right Mouse Button - continued

Equations Brings up the Equation Editor in FEMAP (a field must be highlighted in a dialog p ) box for this option to be available).
Visibility, Post Data, and XY Data Convenient method of changing view parameters Menu commands for these option several layers down, right mouse button provided easy access
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Lesson 2
Entity Selection Dialog Box

The Entity Selection dialog box is used by commands to build a list of entity IDs that will be used for the operation. The Add method allows you to graphically, and through Methods, add entity IDs to the list of IDs. The Remove method allows you to graphically remove entity IDs from the list, and is dependant on the order you removed the entities. So if you were to add the entity ID after removing, it would still be included in the list. The Exclude method allows you to exclude entity IDs permanently from the list (Used primarily with Groups) The Delete command will delete the entity ID from the list list. Selection methods with the Method button vary depending on the entity type.
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Lesson 2
Entity Selection Dialog Box - Continued

The Entity Selection dialog box is used by commands to build a list of entity IDs that will be used for the operation. The Pick button allows you to: Switch between Normal Front and Query picking Normal, Front, Select entities graphically from the screen using a Box, Circle, Polygon, or Freehand shape Hotkeys are available for the following: Box press and hold the Shift key Circle press and hold the Ctrl key Polygon press and hold the Ctrl+Shift keys
Select based on Coordinate(s), Around a Point, Around a Vector, or Around a Plane Specify options for selecting Combined Curves and Boundary Surfaces Add additional entities based on entities already selected using Add Connected Fillets and Add Tangent Surfaces Select titi S l t entities matching th C l selected f t hi the Color l t d from a color palette. l l tt Select From List button. For objects that have "Titles" the "Select from List" button can be used to choose entities from a list dialog box. Ctrl+L in a dialog box field brings up the list of "Titled" entities. The Preview button graphically highlights the entities selected.
Note: Clicking the icon in a Femap Entity Selection dialog box takes you directly to the Femap User Guide through on-line help and has a table of all the Selection methods for each entity type.
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Lesson 2
Using the Filter in the g Select from List Dialog Box

With Femap v10.1.1, when the Select from List dialog box is used, you can filter the selection list to reduce the number of entries to select from . Enter the filter string and push the Filter g those entries that contain the filter string icon to reduce the search list to the
You can enter additional filter strings or push the Clear All Filters icon to clear your filter and return to the original, unfiltered selection list.
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Lesson 2
Setting the Pick or Snap Mode

For any Femap operation where a location is used to specify a coordinate, you can set the Pick or Snap Mode to one of four types: p ( ) Snap to Screen (default) Snap to Grid snaps to the nearest grid location on the current XY Workplane regardless whether the workplanes display is toggled on or off. Snap to Point location snaps to the nearest point on the visible model. Points p do not need to be displayed. Snap to Node location snaps to the nearest node on the visible model. Nodes do not need to be displayed.
The snap mode can be specified by e t e either:
Using the standard contextsensitive menu activated by clicking the right mouse button in the Graphics pane. Using the Snap Mode p pulldown menu on the Select toolbar.
The current Snap Mode is always displayed on the Select toolbar.
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Lesson 2
Locate Dialog Box

Whenever a location is required in Femap, the Locate Enter dialog box will appear. Enter coordinates directly (relative to specified Coordinate System) or Click the Methods button to change the method of specifying a location
See section 4.3.1 Entity Selection in the Femap User Manual (user.pdf).
Note: Setting th Method in the Locate N t S tti the M th d i th L t dialog box does NOT change the Snap Mode
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Lesson 2
Vector Locate Dialog Box

Whenever a vector is required in Femap, the Vector Locate Select Vector dialog box will appear. Enter coordinates directly (relative to specified Coordinate System) or Click the Methods button to change the definition method of the vector vector.
Note: To change the Method of specifying the coordinates of the vector, place the cursor in one of the coordinate boxes, and press the Ctrl+Z hotkey.
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Lesson 2
Plane Locate Dialog Box

Whenever a Plane is required in Femap, the Plane Locate Specify Plane dialog box will appear. Enter coordinates directly (relative to specified Coordinate System) or Click the Methods button to change the definition method of a plane plane.
Note: To change the method of specifying the coordinates of the plane, place the cursor in one of the coordinate boxes and press the boxes, Ctrl+Z hotkey.
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Lesson 2
Shortcut Keys
Femap contains preprogrammed shortcut keys for commonly used commands. F5 - View Select, F6 - View Options, F8 - View Rotate, Ctrl+D - View Redraw, Ctrl+A - View Autoscale Visible, Ctrl+G - View Regenerate, Ctrl+Z - Undo, and y ( pp ) Many More. (See Appendix A of User Guide) Preprogrammed Keys shown on Menu Structure.
Dialogue Box Keys available when in a command. Ctrl+A - Measure an Angle Ctrl+C - Windows Copy Ctrl+D - Measure a Distance Ctrl+Z - Use Standard Coordinate Selection Dialog Box to define location. And Many More (See Appendix A of User Guide)
Customizable Shortcut Keys Use the Tools, Toolbar, Customize command Customized shortcut keys can be saved to a .LAYOUT file and imported into other installations of FEMAP FEMAP. In some cases, importing a .LAYOUT file with customized shortcut keys only into a new version of FEMAP will recreate some or all of the customized shortcut keys.
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Lesson 2
Creating Customized Shortcut Keys

Click the customize triangle on any toolbar and select Customize from the menu, then choose the Keyboard tab. Choose a Category from the drop down list, then highlight the command from the Commands li t C d list.. Once the command is highlighted, place the cursor in the Press new shortcut key field and key in a new character or keyboard combination. If the key or keyboard combination has already been defined, FEMAP will bring up a dialog box stating This shortcut is currently assigned. Do you want to re-assign this shortcut? By clicking the Yes button, the key or keyboard combination will be added to the Key assignments: list and replace the previous command assigned to that key. After you have chosen the correct key o eyboa d combination, click the or keyboard co b at o , c c t e Assign button.
Note: When typing in the Messages window, anytime you type a shortcut key, the command assigned to the key will be invoked.
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Lesson 2
On-Line Help
Menu Help - Femap provides description of each command while pointing at it or accessing it on the Status Bar . Help is context sensitive Access a command Click F1 to access HELP Shift + F1 to choose a command with the Whats This? cursor. Help Window will appear with description of the current command.
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Lesson 2
FEMAP Help Menu

Full On-Line Help System accessed through the Help Menu. Toolbars Dockable Panes NX Nastran access the complete NX Nastran documentation set Whats New Examples Using Help Programming access the API Programming Guide Basic Language access when the API Programming window is open Tip of the Day Femap on the Web Technical Support access FEMAP Technical Support via the web About access to licensing info and input of license keys
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Lesson 2
Femap Model Units

Femap is unit less and does not track or maintain consistent units But Femap standard material and beam section property libraries use in-lbs units Solid geometry defaults to inches on desktop, meters in model file database Parasolid (regardless of product) always stores data in meters
Units conversion tool lets user convert units of data in model User must be aware of current units system being used You can use the File, Notes command to make a notation for future reference and to add a comment in the analysis file.
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Lesson 2
Units Conversion
Use the Tools, Convert Units command to convert units. Convert all quantities using conversion of basic units Convert specific entities with individual conversion factors
E.g. convert N-mm units in model to N-m Length: 0.001 m = 1 mm Mass: 1000 kg = 1 tonne Force: 1 N = 1 N Energy: 0.001 Nm = 1 Nmm
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Lesson 3
Geometry Creation and Editi G t C ti d Editing
Purpose This lesson provides an overview of the Femaps geometry import, creation and editing tools. Topics

Geometry Overview Parasolid Geometry Kernel Geometry Import Solids Overview Geometry Cleanup Wireframe Geometry Creation and Modification Surface Geometry Creation and Editing Solid Geometry and Editing General Geometry Modification Tools Additional Geometry Tools for Meshing
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Lesson 3
Geometry Creation and Editing
Geometry Overview
Femap supports the creation and modification of wireframe, surface, and solid geometry using the Parasolid geometry kernel Femap reads multiple CAD formats Femap geometry creation and editing Points, 2D and 3D curves Surfaces Solid creation and editing operations Supports Solid, Sheet and Non-manifold Bodies Midplane surface extraction and editing (to be covered in a separate lesson)
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Lesson 3
Parasolids Geometry Kernel

Parasolid geometry is always stored in SI (meters) no matter what unit it is created in. Parasolid has a box with dimensions of 1000 x 1000 x 1000 with its origin at the center of the box Default Coincident Point Tolerance of 1.0E-8 Parallel Tolerance of 1.0E-11 Radians
Independent of product (Femap, UG NX, Solid Edge, etc.) From the Parasolid documentation: To allow precision to be handled correctly, all parts of a body must be within this box b It is highly recommended to set the default unit in your application code to one meter
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Lesson 3
Solid Geometry Scale Factor

Scaling of geometry is managed in Femap with the Solid Geometry Scale Factor. Set in Femaps preferences under the Geometry/Model tab e.g - When the models length is in millimeters, a length of 1.0 mm on the desktop will be stored as .001 meters in the database 001 Effectively scales the box to +/- 500,000 mm in X, Y, and Z from the origin.
Can also be set in the Solid Model Read Options dialog box for Parasolid and ACIS files and the STEP Read Options dialog box for STEP. When the dialog boxes are opened, the Geometry Scale Factor reflects Femaps p preference. Geometry Scale Factor for Meters = 1 Geometry Scale Factor for Inches = 39.37 Geometry Scale Factor for Millimeters = 1000
Note:
If you change the Geometry Scale Factor to a value other than the value of Femaps preference in one of these dialog boxes, this will update Femaps preference to the value input.
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Lesson 3
Geometry Importing
Import geometry with the File, Import, Geometry command. Import Geometry icon can be found on the Main toolbar
Direct CAD Interfaces Solid Edge (.par, .psm, .pwd, .asm) NX Unigraphics (.prt) NX I-deas (.idi) Pro/Engineer (.prt, .asm) Catia v4 ( C (.mdl, .exp, .dlv) ) Catia v5 (.catP*) optional SolidWorks (.sldprt, .sldasm) Parasolid ACIS STEP (AP 203 Solids, AP 214 Surfaces) IGES DXF STL reads .stl files as triangular surface mesh
Standard CAD Interfaces
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Lesson 3
Geometry Updates from CAD

When solid geometry is imported from a CAD file, a reference to the source file of the geometry imported is created in the Femap model. The reference is based on the time/date stamp of the CAD file(s) imported, including ( ) p y modification(s) to components in an assembly.
The File, References command is used to view the status of a reference in Femap. If the time/date stamp is modified due to changes in the CAD model, this will be shown in the Reference Manager dialog box. Femaps default preferences are set to generate references upon import and to automatically check for reference updates when opening a model.
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Lesson 3
Solid Bodies
A Solid body is completed enclosed by surfaces and has no gaps or dangling surfaces. Any Solid body is shown in the Model Info panes Geometry tree with this icon:
Note:
Running the Tools, Mass Properties, Solid Properties command will show that a Solid body has Volume.
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Lesson 3
Sheet Bodies
Sheet bodies have one or more contiguous surfaces that do not enclose a volume. For multi-surface Sheet bodies, all surfaces must connect on a common edge with one other surface as with solid 2 below.
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Lesson 3
Non Manifold Bodies

Non Manifold bodies are connected solids that can be a combination of Solid and/or Sheet bodies. Creating Non Manifold bodies from mid-surfaced geometry can also be very useful g purposes, as surfaces coming together at T-Junctions share a , g g for meshing p p common curve.
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Lesson 3
Geometry Checking and Cleanup

After importing geometry, it is strongly recommended that you check and fix all solid geometry before attempting to mesh The Solid, Geometry, Cleanup y command checks the validity of selected solids in your Femap model file.
The Meshing Toolbox has the Entity Locator tool to locate curves and surfaces within solids by specifying a search method and size. This will be covered in detail in Lesson 11 The Meshing Toolbox.
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Lesson 3
Geometry, Solid, Cleanup Command

Remove Redundant Geometry Cleans curves imprinted on surfaces and merges surfaces that are part of y g g the underlying original surface.
Remove Sliver Surfaces Removes small sliver surfaces resulting from inaccuracies in solid geometry operations.
Check Geometry Checks the validity of the solid. Will show that an imported solid body is in reality a sheet solid if imperfections are detected.
Match Model Scale Factor Use when solids imported are at a different Solid Geometry Scale Factor than the factor set in Femap preferences. Adjusts the selected solid(s) to the factor set in Femap preferences. Must have Check Geometry option enabled.
Advanced cleanup options - See section 3.4.2.22 of the Femap Commands manual. Has options to repair and remove small features features. Surface Heal and Stitch option is similar to Explode and Stitch commands. Can only be used on one solid at a time. Note: If you still have problems cleaning geometry for meshing, an alternative technique is to Explode the problem solid, then Stitch it back together.
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Lesson 3
Wireframe Geometry Creation and Modification Topics

Workplanes Wireframe Geometry Defaults Lines Arcs Circles Splines Wireframe Geometry Modification Boundary Surfaces
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Lesson 3
Workplanes
The Workplane is used to define the local X-Y plane for 2D wireframe and some solid geometry creation commands. Access via the Tools, Workplane command or the F2 hotkey. Snap Options control display of the grid spacing, etc. of the workplane
Workplane display can be toggled on and off with the View Style, Workplane icon on the View toolbar Grid display options in the View Options Tools and View Style dialog box controls color and fill settings for the workplane
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Lesson 3
Wireframe Geometry Defaults

Default colors for curves are set in Femaps Preferences dialog box. Color can also be set for a model with the Tools, Parameters command or in the View Options dialog box.
Color, ID, Default Length, Spline Order, etc. are set in the Geometry Parameters dialog box. Press the Parameters button in the Locate - dialog box to access the Geometry Parameters dialog box
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Lesson 3
Lines
Creation with the Geometry, Curve Line commands: Locate on the Workplane: Project Points Horizontal Vertical Perpendicular Parallel Midline At Angle Angle to Curve Point and Tangent Tangent Rectangle Continuous Points Coordinates Offset Vectored
Locate in 3D space:
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Lesson 3
Arcs
Arcs are always placed on the Workplane Arc creation with the Geometry, Curve Arc commands: Center-Start-End Radius-Start-End two points on the arc define the start and end of the arc. A positive radius will create an arc less then 180 degrees while a negative radius will generate an arc greater than 180 degrees. Angle-Start-End two points on the arc define the start and end of the arc; a positive angle will generate the arc from the start to the end in a counterclockwise direction a negative angle will generate the arc clockwise from the start point to the end point.. Chord-Center-Start locate the center, start point for the arc, and a chord length less than twice the radius. Points locate the start point, a point on the arc, and the end. Center and Points use this to create an arc in 3D space. Specify by four points: Center, start, end, and a fourth point that defines the direction of the arc. Start-End-Direction specify the start and end points, and the tangent direction for the start point.
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Lesson 3
Circles
Circles are always placed on the Workplane Circle creation with the Geometry, Curve Circle commands: Radius two points define the center and a point on the circle. Diameter two points on the circle define the diameter. Center define the C t d fi th center and th t d the radius of the circle. Two Points locate two points on the circle and enter the radius. Point-Tangent locate the center point and a tangent curve. Concentric create a circle by selecting an existing circle and the new circles radius. Points on Arc create a circle by three points. Center and Points create a circle by defining the center, starting point on the circle, and a point defining the positive direction of the circle.
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Lesson 3
Splines
Splines can be generated by Control Points or by Points on the spline (the splines control points are automatically generated by Femap). Four (4) point Bezier splines are created when using the following commands: Ellipse Parabola P b l Hyperbola The Equation spline is created by specifying coefficients of parametric cubic equations. A Tangent spline is created by specifying the start and end points of a spline and the tangents at those points. The spline created by the Blend command creates a spline blending two curves. A Blend Factor controls the interior shape. The Offset spline uses a point projected onto the Workplane to determine the offset location. Combine a set of contiguous curves into a single curve using the Multiple Curves command. Not to be used with sharp corners.
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Lesson 3
Boundary Surfaces and Sketching

The Geometry, Boundary Surface command creates planar surfaces made up of a boundary curves. This command is very useful when the wireframe geometry needs to be converted to surfaces and/or solids. p Can include multiple holes. Boundary Surface(s) are non-Parasolid surface(s) use the Geometry, Surface, Convert command to convert into a Parasolid surface.
The Geometry, Sketch command creates a Boundary Surface from curves created during the Sketch command sequence. Also accessible from the Solid toolbar once the sketch is completed, you have the option to extrude or revolve the sketched boundary surface.
The Modify, Edit, Boundary command allows you to add or remove curves from an existing Boundary Surface.
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Lesson 3
Wireframe Geometry Editing

Wireframe geometry can be edited with the following commands: Modify, Trim Trims the intersection curves These curves. curves must extend past one another will not extend to the intersection. Extend the end point of the selected curve(s) to a point projected from the point normal to the curve curve. Splits the selected curve(s) at a point projected from the selected point normal to the curve. Trims and/or extends the selected curves to their intersection point. Creates a tangent arc between the two selected curves. Creates a chamfer between the two selected curves.
Modify, Extend
Modify, Break
Modify, Join
Modify, Fillet
Modify, Chamfer y,
Note:
Except for the Break operation, these commands cannot be applied to solid or surface geometry curves curves.
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Lesson 3
Surface Creation and Non-Manifold Geometry Commands

Edge Curves Creates a surface from 3 or 4 curves. Lofts a surface through curves. Used to sweep multiple-curve cross sections along a curve Used to convert boundary surfaces and surfaces made with the standard FEMAP geometry engine into Parasolid surfaces. Only planar boundary surfaces will be converted with the Convert command. Used to remove interior voids in surfaces. Can also be used to remove holes in solids. Used to combine surfaces which do not enclose a volume and/or contain nonmanifold features (i.e., T-junctions) into a Parasolid General Body May also be used to combine solids and surfaces into a Parasolid General Body Used to break a Parasolid General Body created using the NonManifold Add break General Body command into manifold sections. Aligned Curves Sweep Convert
Remove Hole
NonManifold N M if ld Add
Recover Manifold Geometry
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Lesson 3
Surface Curves
The Geometry, Curve - From Surface set of commands are used to create curves on surfaces with the following techniques: Intersect select two intersecting surfaces and/or solids. Project project the selected curve(s) normal to the selected surface(s) surface(s). Project Along Vector - project the selected curve(s) along the specified vector onto the selected surface(s). Parametric Curve specify a location to generate a curve along a U or V direction on the selected surface. Slice split the selected surface(s) and/or solids by a plane. Split at Locations generate a parametric curve on a surface by specifying the start and end locations of the curve.
When the Update Surfaces option is enabled (default for new models), the curves become part of the surface and will split the surface into multiple surfaces (if the curves selected make up a closed loop). Otherwise, the curves generated by this py command are simply internal curves of the surface.
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Lesson 3
Surface Curves (continued)

The Offset Curve/Washer command generates curves offset from the selected curves. The Washer option is used to generate concentric arcs around the selected arc(s). Offset Curves is used when the curves to be offset are around non-planar holes or around non-circular i t i f t d i l interior features. For cases where offsets of non-planar curves are requested, deselect the AutoSelect Surfaces option.
The Save Split Lines option creates connecting lines from the selected arc(s) to the concentric arcs and tags the surface around the arcs to use mapped four corner meshing.
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Lesson 3
Surface Curves (continued)

The Pad command generates a square centered at the selected hole. Pad Width = 2 X Hole Diameter X Pad Size Factor Pad Size Factor = Pad Width / (2 * Hole Diameter) Setup Mapped Meshing sets the mesh sizes around the four surfaces on the pad area for Four sided Mapped Meshing Three (3) options for aligning the orientation of the pad: Auto Align Vector Align Tangent Align
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Lesson 3
Surface Curves
Finally, three additional commands exist for creating curves on surfaces: Point to Point select two points on a p generated. surface and a parametric curve is g Similar to the Split at Locations command, except that the points must exist on the surface. The surface is automatically selected by the first point. Point to Edge generates a curve on a surface by selecting a existing point on a surface and a curve on the interior or exterior boundary of the surface to project that point onto. Edge to Edge - project the end points selected curve(s) along the specified vector onto the selected edge on the same surface.
Point to Edge curve
Edge to Edge curve
Point to Point curve
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Lesson 3
Solid Geometry Creation

Extrude and Revolve 2D profiles Primitives Block Cylinder Cone Sphere
Stitch Explode Editing operations Fillet Chamfer Shell Thicken Remove Face
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Lesson 3
Additional Solid Modeling Creation and Editing Tools

Boolean operations Add Remove Common Embed Intersect Slice and Slice Match Slice along Face Embed Face
Face imprint and splitting
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Lesson 3
General Geometry Modification Tools

Copy geometry via the following commands: Geometry, Copy Geometry, Radial Copy Geometry, Scale G t S l Geometry, Rotate Geometry, Reflect
Move geometry via the following commands: Modify, Project Projects points onto curves, surfaces, vectors and planes Moves a point from its current location to the selected location Modify, Move To Modify, Move By Modify, Rotate To Modify, Rotate By f Modify, Align Modify, Scale Allows scaling in three directions of the specified coordinate system
Modify a points location with the following command: Modify, Edit, Point
Change color and transparency with: Modify, Color Modify, Transparency
Change layer with: Ch l ith Modify, Layer
Modify the ID of the geometry with: Modify, Renumber
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Lesson 3
Additional Geometry Tools for Meshing

In some cases, you may need to modify geometry for meshing . In addition to the Geometry tools covered in this lesson, there are additional techniques that will be covered in subsequent sections: p g Midplane Modeling Feature Suppression Meshing Toolbox Entity Locator Feature Suppression Feature Removal Combined / Composite Curves Combined / Boundary Surfaces
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Lesson 4
Materials d Properties M t i l and P ti
Purpose This lesson provides an overview of creating and editing materials and properties with Femap. Topics Types of materials supported Defining Materials Other Types of Materials Modifying Materials Defining Properties Beam Properties Composite Laminates
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Lesson 4
Materials Supported by Femap

Isotropic Properties are constant in all directions (values entered as a single value). Orthotropic 2D and 3D Direction dependent. Define in two planer or three principle directions. Anisotropic 2D and 3D Properties specified as a general 3x3 (2-D) or 6x6 (3-D) elasticity matrix. Hyperelastic yp Materials subject to large deformations Input distortional and volumetric deformations or stress/strain data. Other Types material definitions unique to specific solvers Nastran Fluid material (MAT10) NX Nastran Hyperelastic Materials (MATHE, MATG) MSC.Nastran Hyperelastic (MATHE) LS-DYNA, MARC, and ABAQUS/Explicit. User Defined material types for custom program interfaces.
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Lesson 4
Other Types of Materials

Other Materials are for solver specific materials such as Nastran, NX Nastran, MSC.Nastran, LS-DYNA, MARC, and ABAQUS/Explicit Material types. The other material types specific to NX Nastran are shown in the Define Material dialog box below.
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Lesson 4
Defining Materials
Create new materials with the Model, Material command or use the Model Info window (right-click on the Material object and select New). Default material type is Isotropic To select different material model, choose Type which appears on the top right of every material definition dialog box, and then select a different material type, e.g., Hyperelastic. type e g Hyperelastic The default material type changes to the last selected type after changing the material type. Type values directly into the fields provided; or Access the material library by selecting the Load button
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Lesson 4
Defining Materials with Functions

The Function Reference tab in the Define Material dialog box can be used to define Stress/Strain and Temperature dependent material values. Create new Functions without leaving the Define Material dialog box by clicking the fxy (function) icon button. ( )
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Lesson 4
Modifying Materials
Use the Modify, Edit Material command: Enter the Material ID you want to edit; or: Select an element with the material you want to edit; or: Alternatively, you can click th S l t f Alt ti l li k the Select from Li t i List icon; or: Use Method to select a material by Element, etc
In the Model Info pane right-click an individual material to be edited. Right-clicking on the Materials heading in the tree will select ALL materials for editing.
Note:
The Visibility Toggle icon to the left of the material name indicates whether or not objects using that material are displayed in displayed views of the Femap model.
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Lesson 4
Defining Properties
A Property defines the element shape and associated material. Create new properties with the Model, Property command or in the Model Info pane, right-click on the Property object and select New.

The default property (element type) is Plate. Other types are selected with Elem/Property Type dialog box. Selecting a different element/property type makes that type the default type.
Properties define additional analysis information for each element type, and are controlled by the element type.
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Lesson 4
Define Property Dialog Box

Property data includes (depending on Element / Property Type) Material selection Select the Material icon ( ) to create a new material if the material for the new property has not y been defined. p p y yet Thickness Area, etc Mass and inertia Radius Stress Recovery Points (Beams)
Property Values
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Lesson 4
Bar and Beam Properties

For Elem/Property Type Bar, Beam, or Curved Beam Enter values directly; or Use the Shape button to enter cross-sectional data
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Lesson 4
Bar and Beam Shape Input

Choose either a Standard or NASTRAN (PBEAML) category of Beam. Choose a standard shape from the Shape drop down list in the Cross Section Definition dialog box. Enter appropriate values for a shape and determine stress recovery points (Arrows can be used to dynamically position Stress Recovery and Reference points).
Choose General Section under Shape to select any planar surface as the cross section of a beam. Beam properties will be automatically calculated by after clicking OK.
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Lesson 4
Beam Orientation and Offsets

Nodes on beams are located by default at the shear center of the beam. Offsets can be preset when creating or editing a Beam element. Offset is from the shear center unless the option to Compute Shear Center Offset is turned off. i t d ff The Mesh, Mesh Control, Attributes on Curve command has options to preset beam Offset and Orientation.
Use the Modify, Update Elements, Line Element Orientation command to change orientation of the selected beam elements. The Modify, Update Elements, Line Element Offsets command is used to change the offset of the selected beam elements. ff t f th l t db l t Can also change the offset by setting the location of the node to the beam Reference Point.
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Lesson 4
Beam Coordinate System

Bar and Beam elements have a local coordinate system for each element. X axis of the beam is along the length of the beam Pt A is the start of the Beam Pt B is the end of the B i th d f th Beam
Y and Z axes are determined by the beams property definition. FEMAP prompts |for an alignment vector when creating beam elements. l t This vector is used to specify the direction of the Y-Axis specified in the Beam Property. Property
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Lesson 4
View Settings for Line and Planar Elements

Femaps View Options (View, Options or the F6 hotkey) has several settings to help in displaying line and planar element attributes. In addition, the View Style pulldown menu on the View toolbar has shortcuts to toggle line l li element display settings on and off. t di l tti d ff Offsets toggle display of line (and planar) elements offsets. Orientation toggle display of line (and planar) element orientations. Thickness/Cross Section toggle display of line (and planar) element cross sections.
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Lesson 4
Modify, Update Elements Commands

Reassign Element Properties and Materials Line Element settings Plane Element settings Element Order
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Lesson 4
Modify, Update Elements General Commands

Type assign a different property to the selected element(s). The element(s) must be of the same shape (Line, Plane, etc.) Formulation modify formulation of elements of the same type. e.g. Change a Nastran Spring element to a Nastran CBUSH element.
Property ID assign a different property ID to element(s) of the same type. Material ID assign a different material to the selected physical property.
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Lesson 4
Modify, Update Elements Commands y, p for Line Elements

Line Element Orientation update beam/bar element orientations Line Element Offsets update beam/bar element offsets Line Element Reverse Direction reverse element connectivity i e ; Swap A and B Direction connectivity. i.e.; nodes. Beam/Bar Releases update beam/bar element end releases Beam Warping update beam warping as defined using NASTRAN SPOINTs Remove Cross Section removes beam/bar element section shape while retaining properties
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Lesson 4
Modify, Modify Update Elements Commands for Plane Elements

Reverse Normal/Orient First Edge offers options for setting the normal direction and orientation of 2-D element(s). Material Angle set or modify the material angle of selected element(s). Used for direction-dependent materials and l i t di ti d d t t i l d laminates. Split Quads splits quad element(s) into triangles Adjust Plate Thickness/Offset modify the thickness or offset of the selected element(s).
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Lesson 4
Modify, Update Elements, Adjust Plate Thickness/Offset Command

Used to modify Element Offsets or Thicknesses of Plane Elements Modify the Offset distance of the selected plane elements. By default, nodes are located at the midplane (1/2 the thickness) of shell elements. Use the Mesh, Mesh Control, Attributes on Surface command to preset the offset. Constant element offset can also be set in FEMAP 10 and above when meshing surfaces by pressing More Options button and setting the appropriate options in the Offset section.
Change the Thi k Ch th Thickness of the selected elements, i l di creating and/or modifying f th l t d l t including ti d/ dif i variable thickness shells Automatically creates new properties for the variable thickness planar elements.
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Lesson 4
Modify, Update Elements Miscellaneous Commands

Linear/Parabolic Order update the Order of the selected element(s) to/from Parabolic. To convert from Parabolic to Linear, select No in the first dialog box presented in the command.
You must manually delete and/or merge any midside nodes for elements converted from Parabolic to Linear.
Midside Nodes moves the midside nodes on the selected element(s) to the midside of the element. Use after nodes have been moved. Rigid Thermal Expansion assign a Coefficient of Thermal Expansion () to the selected Rigid Element(s). elements converted from Parabolic to Linear.
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Lesson 4
Composite Layups
Layups are a Femap object that designates multiple composite plies Practical limit of 5000 plies per Layup
A Ply has the following attributes: y as t e o o g att butes Ply ID (number) Material Thickness Angle Global Ply ID Used to designate a common ply ID for use in other layups. e.g. The OML or Outer Skin Ply for all layups.
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Lesson 4
Creating and Updating an Individual Ply

New Ply - Once you have a Material, Thickness, and Angle specified, click this button to add the ply to the layup. Update buttons - Once a ply has been added to the list, the definition of that ply can be updated using: d t d i Update Global Ply Update Material Update Thickness Update Angle
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Lesson 4
Duplicating and Modifying Ply Sequences

Duplicate The selected ply or plies will be copied to the top of the Layup.
Delete Delete the selected ply or plies from the Layup.
Symmetric The mirrored plies will be added to the top of the Layup in reverse order of selection.
Reverse Reverse th order of th selected plies b R the d f the l t d li based on th original position (i d the i i l iti (i.e., th the selected ply which was closest to the Bottom of Layup will now be closest to the Top of Layup in the list).
Move Up and Move Down The selected ply or plies will be moved closer to the Top of Layup (Move Up) or Bottom Layup Bottom of Layup (Move Down) in the order selected.
Rotate The selected ply or plies are rotated by the angle input in the Rotate Ply By dialog box. The order of the plies in the Layup is not effected.
Copy and Paste Copy and paste the selected ply or plies to the top of the current or another Layup.
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Lesson 4
Layup Editor Layup Viewer

The Layup Editor dialog box has the Layup Viewer icon that launches the Layup Viewer. Options to control display of: Thickness Ply Angles Titles Color Scale
The Copy icon pastes picture of the layup to Windows clipboard.
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Lesson 4
Composite Layup Mechanical Properties

When the Entity Info window is active, the Laminate Equivalent Properties are automatically calculated and displayed when a Layup is created or edited. These properties are updated continuously along with modifications to the Layup. When the Entity Info window is not activated, selecting the Compute , g p button will display the calculated Laminate Equivalent Properties in the Messages window. These properties are NOT updated until the Compute button is reselected.
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Lesson 4
Composite Laminate Materials and Properties

Composite Laminate Materials are generally designated as 2D Orthotropic materials. A Bond Shear Allowance should be specified for the Laminate element property. This value represents the bond strength between the bonded laminate sheets and is used to calculate a factor of safety against shear failure between laminate panels. A Failure Theory must also be specified for the Laminate element property.
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Lesson 5
Loads and Constraints
Purpose This lesson provides an overview of Femaps capabilities in managing, creating and editing boundary conditions . Topics Constraint Sets and Constraints Load Sets Body Loads Load Categories Structural, Thermal, and Fluid loads Creating and Editing Loads Structural Load Types Thermal Load Types Fluid Load Types Advanced Femap Loads Load Set Options for Advanced Analyses
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Fermap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide
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Lesson 5
Constraint Sets
The Model, Constraint, Create/Manage Set command creates a new Constraint Set or activates an existing Constraint Set. This command is also available in the Status Bar Tray and the Model Info tree. You may create as many different Constraint Sets as necessary. necessary Combine multiple Constraint Sets with the Model, Constraint, Combine command.
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Lesson 5
Constraint Set Manager Dialog Box

Activating the Model, Constraint, Create/Manage Set command opens the Constraint Set Manager dialog box. The selected constraint set becomes the active set when the Done button is clicked.
With this dialog box, you can: Create a New Constraint Set. Change the name of an existing constraint set by selecting a constraint set and then clicking the Update Title button. Renumber the selected constraint set. Delete (the selected) or Delete All constraint set(s). set(s) Copy the selected constraint set. Create Referenced Sets for Nastran SPCADD/MPCADD constraint sets. Requires that a combined set already be created and selected.
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Lesson 5
Creating New Constraint Sets

Selecting the New Constraint Set button in the Constraint Set Manager dialog box activates the New Constraint Set dialog box. When a model has no constraint sets, you can only create a Standard constraint g y set. A Standard set is used to contain geometry and nodal constraints.
Clicking the More button will create the constraint set with the ID and Title and will then resets the options in the New Constraint Set dialog box to enable the creation of a new constraint set. If one or more constraint sets are in a model you can also create a Nastran model, SPCADD/MPCADD Combination constraint set. A combined set references one or more Standard constraint sets. When a Nastran deck is created by Femap, it writes out the Nastran SPCADD and MPCADD cards as needed.
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Lesson 5
Nastran SPCADD/MPCADD Combination Constraint Sets

To reference Standard constraint sets, select a Nastran SPCADD/MPCADD Combination set the Constraint Set Manager dialog box, or right-click the constraint set in the Model Info pane and select and select Referenced Sets button in the dialog box or the context sensitive menu. context-sensitive menu The Reference Constraint Set for Nastran SPCADD/MPCADD dialog box will list the Available (standard) Sets and the Referenced Sets. Manage references by selecting one or more Standard reference sets and click the Add Referenced Sets or Remove Referenced Sets.
Note:
Nastran combined sets are not displayed in the graphics window unless the Show Constrained Entities is selected from the context-sensitive menu in the Model Info pane.
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Lesson 5
Creating Constraints
Use the Model, Constraint commands, Constraint toolbar, or the Model Info tree.
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Lesson 5
Nodal Constraints
Nodal Constraints - specify six (6) specific degrees of freedom with the Model, Constraint, Nodal command X translation = 1, X rotation = 4 Y translation = 2 Y rotation = 5 2, Z translation = 3, Z rotation = 6 Specify Coordinate System
Constraint Equations relate the motion or displacement of one node to the motion or displacement of one or more other nodes. Often referred to a MPCs
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Lesson 5
Geometry Constraints
Geometric constraints - applied to geometry and expanded to nodes during export to an analysis file. Model, Constraint, On Point Model, Constraint Model Constraint, On Curve Model, Constraint, On Surface Expand Geometric constraints manually by using the Model, Constraint, Expand command.
Available when constraining a surface.
Available for arcs or cylindrical surfaces.

femap101-g-v10.1.1 Fermap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide 5-8
Lesson 5
Editing Constraints
Edit Constraints with: Modify, Edit, Constraint Definition command Modify, Edit, Modify Edit Constraint Individual command Individual constraints in a Constraint Definition may be edited. If the Constraint Definition is subsequently edited, q y , the individual edit is overwritten by the value of the Constraint Definition. You can convert a Constraint Definition to Individual Constraints by right-clicking a Constraint Definition in the Model Info pane and selecting Remove Definition.
Model Info tree Includes the option to Edit Where Applied add and/or remove entities where a constraint is applied. (new in v10.1)
Entity Editor
Note:
Constraints created prior to Femap v9.3 are shown in the Model Info tree as Other Constraints. This also applies to all FEMAP models created by importing analysis files.
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Lesson 5
Creating Load Sets

The Model, Load, Create/Manage Set command creates a new Load Set or activates an existing Load Set. This command is also available in the Status Bar Tray and the Model Info tree. You may create as many different load sets as necessary necessary.
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Lesson 5
Load Set Manager Dialog Box

Activating the Model, Constraint, Create/Manage Set command opens the Load Set Manager dialog box. The selected constraint set becomes the active set when the Done button is clicked.
With this dialog box, you can: Create a New Load Set. Change the name of an existing constraint set by selecting a constraint set and then clicking the Update Title button. Renumber the selected constraint set. Delete (the selected) or Delete All constraint set(s). set(s) Copy the selected constraint set. Create and manage Referenced Sets for Nastran Load Combination sets. Requires that a combined set already be created and selected.
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Lesson 5
Creating New Load Sets

Selecting the New Load Set button in the Constraint Set Manager dialog box activates the New Load Set dialog box. When a model has no constraint sets, you can only create a Standard load set. A g y, , y Standard set is used to contain geometry, nodal, elemental and body loads.
Clicking the More button will create the load set with the ID and Title and will then resets the options in the New Load Set dialog box to enable the creation of a new constraint set. If one or more load sets are in a model you can also create a Nastran Load model, Combination constraint set. A combined set references one or more Standard constraint sets. When a Nastran deck is created by Femap, it writes out the Nastran LOAD cards as needed.
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Lesson 5
Nastran Load Combination Constraint Sets
To reference Standard constraint sets, , select a Nastran SPCADD/MPCADD Combination set, the Constraint Set Manager dialog box, or right-click the constraint set in the Model Info pane and select and select Referenced Sets button in the dialog box or the context-sensitive menu. context sensitive menu
The Reference Load Sets for Nastran SPCADD/MPCADD dialog box will list the Available ( (standard) Sets and the Referenced Sets. ) Manage references by selecting one or more Standard reference sets and click the Add Referenced Sets or Remove Referenced Sets. Set the Overall scale of the combined load set. Set the scale of the For Referenced Set. .
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Lesson 5
Standard Combined Load Sets

You can also create a standard combined load set by combining multiple Load Sets into a new Load Set or another existing Load Set with the Model, Load, Combine command. Allows you to specify the Scale Factor of the Load Set(s) combined y p y ( )
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Lesson 5
Body Loads
Body or Global Loads applied to the entire model. Translational Acceleration (gravity) and Rotational Acceleration Use to apply the weight of the structure as a load Rotational Velocity and Center of Rotations Thermal Default Temperature Required for all Nastran Heat Transfer analyses
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Lesson 5
Creating Load Definitions

Use the Model, Load commands, Load toolbar, or the Model Info pane to create a Load Definition. A Load Definition is a container of all the loads created using one of the techniques above. Load Definitions can be Removed which takes all the loads in the load definition and converts them to Other Loads.
Note:
Loads created prior to Femap v9.3 are shown in the Model Info tree as Other Loads. This also applies to all FEMAP models created by importing analysis files.
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Lesson 5
Create Loads Dialog Box

After selecting the mesh or geometry to be loaded, the Create Loads on (Entity Type) dialog box is opened. In this dialog box, you specify: Title Color and Layer Coord Sys Direction this option is only available when specifying directional loads Load Input Values Phase - used for Frequency Response loading only Midside Node Adjustment follow the distribution of loads as specified in Femaps Femap s preferences under the Geometry tab Total Load when multiple entities are selected to apply the load to, check this option to distribute the load across the selected entities so that the sum of the loads equals the load input value.
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Lesson 5
Editing Loads
Edit Loads with: Modify, Edit, Load Definition command Modify, Edit, Load Individual command Individual loads in a Load Definition may be edited If the Load Definition is edited. subsequently edited, the individual edit is overwritten by the value of the Load Definition. You can convert a Load Definition to Other Loads by right-clicking the Load Definition in the Model Info tree and selecting Remove Definition. You can highlight any number of individual Loads of the same type found in the Other Loads section of a Load Set in the Model Info tree and combine them into a Load Definition using Create Definition Includes the option to Edit Where Applied add and/or remove entities where a load is applied. (new in v10.1)
Model Info pane
Entity Editor
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Lesson 5
Structural L d types supported b F S l Load d by Femap

Load Type Force Force Per Length Force Per Area Force Per Node Bearing Force B i F Moment Moment Per Length Moment Per Area Moment Per Node Torque Displacement Enforced Rotation Velocity Rotational Velocity Acceleration Rotational Acceleration Distributed Load Pressure Points Curves Surfaces Nodes Elements
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Lesson 5
Bearing Force on Surface

Beginning with version 10.1.1 of Femap, you can apply a Bearing Force to a surface or surfaces eliminating the need to create Radial Coordinate System(s) and distribute the load using an Equation or Data Surface. p y j Femap automatically adjusts the value of the individual nodal forces created when the analysis deck is generated to equal the Magnitude input in the Create Loads on Surfaces dialog box
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Lesson 5
Bearing Force on Surface (continued)
The Load Angle (default = 180 degrees) is the total angle that the bearing load is applied across the selected surfaces. The direction of the bearing force is the bisector of the Load Angle Uncheck the option for Normal To Surface to align the load with the vector used to define the direction of the bearing force When multiple surfaces are selected, the Total Load option is automatically enabled spreading the specified Magnitude among all the surfaces selected selected, otherwise, the magnitude will be applied to each surface When the Traction Load option is selected, the distributed load will pull on the surfaces pointing away from the solid volume instead of pushing on the surfaces pointing towards the solid volume
Once the inputs for the Bearing Loads are completed and the OK button is pushed, you will be prompted to specify the direction of the bearing force.
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Lesson 5
Bearing Force on Surface Example

In this example, a 100 lb Bearing Force is applied to the each of the two holes on the vertical tabs on the bracket. Two different load sets are used Load Set 1 uses the Normal Loads option and Load Set 2 p disables the option for Normal Loads The upper bearing load in both load sets has the option for Traction Loads disabled while the lower load has the option enabled
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Lesson 5
Bearing Force on Surface Example (continued)

Note the difference as to what nodes have loads applied around the two holes and the relative magnitude of the forces when Traction Loads are enabled or disabled once the loads are expanded.
Note the differences in the stress distribution and the elongation of the holes where traction is applied on the right vs. the hole on the left where traction is not applied.
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Lesson 5
Torque Loads on Surfaces

Also beginning with version 10.1.1 of Femap, you can apply a Torque to a surface or surfaces eliminating the need to apply individual forces to surfaces or by assigning a moment to a node and connecting it to the surface nodes with a rigid element. p y j Femap automatically adjusts the value of the individual nodal forces created when the analysis deck is generated to equal the Magnitude input in the Create Loads on Surfaces dialog box
Once the inputs for the Torque are completed and the OK button is pushed, you will be prompted to the location and orientation of the axis about which the torque is applied.
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Lesson 5
Torque Example
In this example, a 10 in-lb torque is being applied to the six grey surfaces below. The axis is being specified by using the Vector Global Axis method.
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Lesson 5
Torque Example - continued

Once the load is applied, the torque load is displayed as a double-arrow vector representing the axis the torque is applied about with lines connecting the loaded surfaces to the torques moment axis.
When the Torque load is expanded, it appears as below.
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Lesson 5
Thermal Load types supported by Femap

Load Type Temperature Element Temperature Heat Flux (Heat Energy /Unit Area) Heat Flux per Length Heat Flux per Node Heat Generation (Heat Energy / Unit Volume) Element Heat Flux Convection Radiation Element Heat Generation Points Curves Surfaces Nodes Elements -
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Lesson 5
Fluid Load types supported by Femap
Load Type Static Fluid pressure Total Fluid pressure General Scalar Steam Q lit St Quality Relative Humidity Fluid Height Condition Unknown Condition Slip Wall Condition Fan Curve Periodic Condition
Points
Curves
Surfaces
Nodes
Elements -
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Lesson 5
Notes on Loads
NX Nastran Displacement and Enforced Rotation loads require constraining the loaded object in the direction of the applied load e.g. A Displacement Load of x=.10, and y=.10 applied to a point requires that the corner be constrained in X and Y.
For NX Nastran Advanced Nonlinear (SOL601), loads should be applied with a timebased function. For solvers other than NX Nastran, refer to the Femap Users Guide for details on the loads supported by Femap for the solver used Also refer to that solvers documentation on how to apply loads.
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Lesson 5
Advanced Femap Loads

Femap has the ability to create variable loads via: Functions time and frequency dependant loads Variables distributed or position dependent loads Data Surfaces advanced methods f creating variable l di conditions D t S f d d th d for ti i bl loading diti
In Create Loads dialog box:
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Lesson 5
Advanced Loading with Functions

A Function allows you to create general X vs. Y tables of information. Only Time or Frequency dependant functions can be used to create loads. Can also be used define nonlinear material properties.
Data can be created in four ways: By choosing a Single Value to enter in the X and Y values one at a time. Using a Linear Ramp, you pick a starting and ending X and Y value. An Equation where you specify the starting and ending values of X and delta X and then enter Y as a function of X X. Use the Get function to attain data from a two column spreadsheet, or a listing of two comma separated values from a text file.
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Lesson 5
Advanced Loading with Variables

You can make load equations as a function of a coordinate, nodal, or element centroidal location without having previously created a function. !x, !y, and !z return the X, Y, and Z coordinates of nodes, elements etc.
The Equation Editor is accessible with the CTRL+e hotkey. You can also combine Variable loads with Functions
Note:
Use the command Tools, Check, Sum Forces command to calculate sum of the forces and f th f d moments applied.
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Lesson 5
Data Surfaces
The Data Surface Editor pane allows more flexible and complex load definitions. After setup, the data surface can be edited directly using the Data Surface Editor. Access to all Data Surface types (except Tabular) available through the Create Load dialog boxes. allowing setup on the fly
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Lesson 5
One-dimensional Data Surfaces

Along Coordinates Data Surface Interpolate linearly between at least three data points Multiple piece-wise linear data points Multiple splined data points
5.0 50
Enter or select the 3-D point locations and data values, and FEMAP does the rest
10.0 10 0 7.5
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Lesson 5
Two-dimensional Data Surfaces

Between Coordinates Data Surface Bilinear interpolation between 2, 4, or 8 data points Parametric interpolation between 2 or 4 data points Options t select a C O ti to l t Curve f 2 points or a S f for i t Surface f 4 points t d fi the for i t to define th parametric space.
Simply enter the 3-D point locations and data values, and Femap does the rest.
25.0 5.0
15.0 10.0
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Lesson 5
Output Map Data Surfaces

Maps output from one model as a data surface source for another
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Lesson 5
Other Data Surfaces

Mesh Data Surface Node / Element ID surfaces
Tabular Data Surface 2-D / 3-D spreadsheets Multi-dimensional array of points Linear interpolation
Arbitrary 3-D Data Surface Enter Scalar or Vector data
Equation Data Surfaces Similar to using Variables
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Lesson 5
Support for Advanced Load Definitions

Load Type Force / Forces Per Length / Force Per Area Force Per Node / Moment Per Node Bearing Force Moment / Moment Per Length / Moment Per Area Torque Displacements / Rotations / Velocities / p Accelerations Distributed Loads / pressure Temperatures Heat Flux Heat Flux Per Area H t Fl / H t Fl P A Heat Flux Per Node / Heat Generation / Element Heat Flux Convection / Radiation Fluid Loading Functions Variables Data Surfaces
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Lesson 5
Dynamics Analysis Load Set Options

The Model, Load, Dynamic Analysis command sets the Solution Method and dynamic response analysis control parameters for: Direct Transient Modal Transient Direct Frequency Modal Frequency Random Response Shock Spectrum Generation
Many of these options can be set and modified using the Entity Editor after a Load Set has been selected using the Model Info tree.
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Lesson 5
Nonlinear Analysis Load Set Options

The Model, Load, Load Nonlinear Analysis command sets the Solution for these three types of Nonlinear solutions: Static Creep Transient
Many of these options can be set and modified using the Entity Editor after a Load Set has been selected using the Model Info tree.
Note:
After selecting the type of Nonlinear Analysis, click the Defaults button to automatically enter the NX Nastran Nonlinear defaults and modify as needed. needed
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Lesson 5
Heat Transfer Analysis Load Set Options

The Model, Load, Heat Transfer command is used for: Radiation Free Convection Forced Convection F dC ti
Not required for conduction only models. Many of these options can be set and modified using the Entity Editor after a Load Set has been selected using the Model Info tree.
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Lesson 6
The Femap User I t f Th F U Interface Part 2
Purpose This lesson provides an introduction to selection, viewing, and data collection tools in Femaps user interface. Topics Select Toolbar View Options Data Table Programming Interfaces
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar
The Select Toolbar allows you to select entities one at a time or create a list of selected entities that will remain active until you toggle off or clear the selection list. This functionality allows you to choose entities of different types first and then perform multiple commands from the menus or the toolbars on the selected entities. The Select toolbar is essential to the use of the dockable panes, especially the Entity Editor and Data Table because the selector is often the best way to place an entity into either of these panes. The Select toolbar consists of 5 items which aid in the selection process: Selector Entity Menu Selector Modes Menu Selector Actions Menu Selector Clear (Clear current selection list) Snap Modes (Snap to Screen, Snap to Grid, Snap to Point, Snap to Node)
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Selector Entity

This menu allows you to choose which type of entity you would like to select. The current entity type available to be selected will be marked with a check mark in an orange square. The Selector Entity icon visible on the toolbar will change to the icon of the g current entity type being selected. You can toggle this icon back and forth between no selection and the current entity by clicking the icon. The entity types are separated into geometric entities, finite element entities, and text.
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Selector Modes

The Selector has different modes to help you select the correct entities, create a Selection List, and modify a Selection List. Add To Selection - Adds entities to the current selection list when Select Multiple is ti i active or simply chooses entities when S l t Si l It i l h titi h Select Single Item i active. Thi i th is ti This is the default Remove From Selection - Removes entities from the current Selection List when Select Multiple is active. Only allows selection of entities currently in the Selection List. Does not highlight anything when Select Single Item is active
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Selector Modes (continued)

Normal - This mode highlights entities which are able to be selected when the cursor is placed over a specific entity. This is the default selection mode. Query - This mode allows you to choose a position on the screen near the entity you wish t select, th d ill down into th graphics window and selects all th entities th t i h to l t then drills d i t the hi i d d l t ll the titi that would be touched by an imaginary line perpendicular to the screen. After the entities have been identified, it opens a dialog box and places them in a list for you to choose the correct entity. As you highlight entities in the list, they will be highlighted in the graphics window as well. Once you have found the correct entity, click the OK button. Front - This mode always selects the entity closest to the front of the screen. It uses the same premise as Query to drill down into the screen with the imaginary line and then simply selects the top-most entity in the current view. If the top-most entity is already chosen, it selects the next one along the line, moving into the screen.
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Lesson 6

Select Any Inside - This is a box pick mode which signifies that any entity entirely enclosed or has a start or end point within the outline of a selection box will be included in the selection. Box picking includes Circle, Polygon, and Freehand picking and is only available when Select Multiple is active. Select All Inside - This is the other box pick mode which signifies that only entities completely inside the box will be included in the selection. Select Related - When this mode is toggled on, it selects ALL other entities that are related to the selected entities and places them in the selection list. To toggle it off, simply select it again. By default this mode is OFF. When Select Related is turned on, Select Multiple is also automatically toggled on.
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Lesson 6

Select Single Item - Restricts selection to only one item at a given time. As each entity is selected it will update the Entity Editor dockable pane. This is the default. Select Multiple Items - Allows you to create a Selection List. A Selection List can contain multiple entities of one t t i lti l titi f type or multiple entity t lti l tit types. A each entity is selected it As h tit i l t d will update the Entity Editor dockable pane, as well as add the entity to the running totals of the Selection List in the Model Info tree.
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Lesson 6

Show Tooltips - When this mode is activated, a Tooltip note will pop up with useful information about the entity which is currently highlighted. To toggle this option off, select it from the menu again. It can also be turned on and off using the right mouse menu in the graphics window, when the Entity Selector is set to None. e.g. When entity selection is set to Node the Tooltip will contain Node, ill Node number, Coordinates, Definition Coordinate System, and Output Coordinate System. When post-processing, the Contour Output Vector will appear in the Tooltip for pp p elements and the Deformation Output Vector will be appear in the Tooltip for nodes.
While a Tooltip pop-up window is displaying information, if you click the left mouse button, the information will be sent to the Entity Editor and/or the Data Table dockable panes, as long as the panes are visible in the FEMAP interface AND unlocked.
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Selector Actions Menu

This menu contains Actions the Selector can use for specific types of selections. There are various Box pick options, grow and shrink commands to build up or cut down a selection, use of the typical FEMAP entity selection dialog box, group commands, copy and paste, and the ability to send a selection over to the Data Table. Box Bo - Creates a rectang lar rectangular selection box to pick multiple entities at once. Holding the Shift key also activates this option. Circle - Creates a circular selection box to pick multiple entities at once Holding the once. Control key also activates this option. Polygon - Allows you to create a selection area by creating a multisided shape using a click of the mouse to end one side of the polygon and begin the next side. The polygon can have as many sides as you would like and is very helpful in selecting individual nodes in uniquely shaped geometry. Freehand - Allows you to create a selection area by holding down the left mouse button and drawing a freehand sketch. Works very similar to the Polygon mode, but the shape is not limited to the use of only straight lines.
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Lesson 6

Coordinate Select objects by X, and/or Y, and/or Z coordinates by: Above or Below a specified value. Outside or Between minimum and maximum values. At Location within a tolerance.
Around Point Specify a coordinate (In a specified coordinate system) and select by: Farther Than or Closer Than a specified radial distance from the point. Outside or Between minimum and maximum values of the specified radial distance. At Location within a tolerance of the specified radial distance.
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Lesson 6

Around Vector Specify a vector and a radial distance from the vector. Select objects: Farther Than or Closer Than a specified radial distance from the vector. Outside or Between minimum and maximum distance from the vector. At Location within a tolerance.
Around Plane Select a plane and the normal distance from the plane. Select objects by: Positive Side or Negative Side distance from the plane. Outside or Between minimum and maximum distance from the plane. At Location within a tolerance of the specified distance.
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Selector Actions Menu (continued)

Grow - Adds the elements surrounding the currently selected elements to the Selection List. In general, it will start with the selected element and expand out one element in all directions to non-selected elements. The selection will move out an additional element layer every time the Grow command is used Shrink - Removes the outer-most layer of selected elements from the Selection List. Works in the reverse direction as the Grow command.
Initial Selection
femap101-g-v10.1.1
1st Growth Iteration
2nd Growth Iteration

6- 12
Lesson 6

Dialog - Brings up the specific FEMAP Entity Selection dialog box for the entity currently active in the selector. This allows you to use all of the entity specific selection methods available on menu when the Method button is clicked inside the dialog box Create Group - Brings up the Save Selection as Group dialog box. Allows you to create a new Group or to add, remove, or p , , exclude the entities in the Selection List from the active Group. Load Group - Allows you to add the entities of any existing Group to the current Selection List. Export Neutral Takes the objects in the Selection List and writes a Femap Neutral File.
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Lesson 6

Copy - Allows you to copy all of the entities in the Selection List and Paste them into a different model. When the Selection List is copied, the entity data is sent to a modified version of a FEMAP neutral file and is placed on the clipboard. Once on the clipboard, it can be pasted into a different model using the Paste command on the Selector Actions menu (Ctrl+v will not work in this case) You Yo MUST be s re that all entities sure related to a specified entity are included in the Selection List before using the Copy command. This will assure an accurate transfer between models occurs. One way to assure a Selection List will be complete for copying p py g purposes is to use the Select Related mode of the Select toolbar.
Paste - This command allows you to paste a copied Selection List into a another opened Femap model. The Paste command recognizes that a modified FEMAP neutral file is on the clipboard and reads that neutral file into FEMAP. When the Paste command is used it will bring up the Neutral File Read Options dialog box to allow you enter an ID offset and select other options to aid in the prevention of overwriting entities in the current model.
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Lesson 6

Add to Data Table - Takes all of the entities in the Selection List that are the entity type currently active in the Selector and sends their data to the Data Table. The Data Table MUST be unlocked in order for this command to be available.
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Context Sensitive Menus

While a certain entity type is active in the selector, only that entity type will be available for picking in the graphics window. Since FEMAP is only highlighting one specific entity type at a time, there are context sensitive menus for each entity type (except Text). These menus can be accessed by highlighting an entity in the graphics window and then clicking the right mouse button. These Context Sensitive menus contain frequently used commands for each entity type.
Any time there is an active entity in the Select Toolbar, clicking Alt + clicking the right mouse button in the graphics window will bring up the Quick Access Menu instead of the context sensitive menu related to the active entity. This can very helpful for picking mode purposes and to toggle Show Tooltips.
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Lesson 6
Select Toolbar Clear Selector Options

Select Toolbar has two options for clearing a Selection List: Clear All clears the entire Selection List Clear Active Entity clears only the active Selector Entity
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Lesson 6
View Options
The View, Options (F6 hotkey) command allows you control the way your view is displayed. There are three major categories in the View Options dialog box: Labels, Entities and Color controls the way text, geometry and mesh entities, and the color of entities are displayed in the active view. Tools and View Style controls view entities, style and display of view objects such as Symbols in the active view. PostProcessing controls the options for displaying graphical and XY plots of analysis results.
See the View Options section of the Femap Commands manual for details on the multiple options available in these dialog boxes.
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Lesson 6
View Options (continued)

The view background can be modified with the View, Background command. With this command, you can specify a background that is either Transparent Solid Shaded You also have the option to specify a bitmap as a logo background. The bitmap for the logo is specified in the Femap Preferences dialog box in the Views tab.
A view with its View Options, Entity Display settings, and Background can be saved to a View Library within the Visibility dialog box (activated with the Ctrl+Q hotkey or from Ctrl Q the View toolbar) by clicking the Save View button. A saved view will update the active views settings by clicking Load View. Changes made to g the active view can also be removed via the Reset View button in this dialog box.
Saved views can also be set as the Startup View for all new models via the View tab of the FEMAP Preferences.
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Lesson 6
Data Table
Use the Tools, Data Table command or the Panes toolbar to turn the Data Table on and off. When the Data Table is first opened, it is locked. The Lock/Unlock icon must be p selected to unlock it to enable it to receive or update data.
Data is placed into an interactive, dynamically changing table using various methods to fill the table provided it is unlocked Each item appears as a single row separated into a number of columns when it enters the Data Table. Information of entities of the same type can be sorted, filtered, and evaluated to help you understand what i occurring i your model b f d d h is i in d l before and after analysis. d f l i In many ways, the Data Table is a complement to the other dockable panes and can also simply be an alternate method to list and view entity data
All FEMAP entities which can be selected using the Select toolbar can be sent to the Data Table. Several commands are available for listing and sorting results when the Data Table is open and analysis results sets are loaded into your FEMAP model: List, Output, Summary to Data Table List, Output, Results to Data Table List, Output, Nodal Changes to Data Table
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Lesson 6
Programming Interfaces
Program Files FEMAP has the ability to record and replay command sequences using Program Files. Program Files can be edited to accept user input input. Program Files may not be compatible between different versions of FEMAP.
API FEMAP has an Application Programming Interface that can be used to customize FEMAP for applications such as: Automate tasks such as swapping the background colors of views for printing . Calculate the midplane stresses on shell elements elements. Interface with other programs for the purposes for importing, modifying, or reporting data. FEMAP has a built-in Basic language programming environment through the API Programming pane. Microsoft Visual Basic and Visual C++.NET can also be used to develop custom applications f FEMAP li ti for FEMAP.
The API can be used to embed FEMAP into other applications; open, create, and/or modify FEMAP models; or to develop standalone FEMAP applications without using FEMAPs GUI. Examples of API applications are shipped with FEMAP in FEMAPs API folder. The Custom Tools toolbar is set by default to point to this folder.
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Lesson 7
Model Display d Visualization M d l Di l and Vi li ti
Purpose This lesson provides an introduction to selection, viewing, and data collection tools in Femaps user interface. Topics Geometry, Material, Property and Layer Visibility Toggles View, Advanced Post, Model Contour Data command Comparing Groups and Layers Layers Groups View Options
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Lesson 7
Model Display and Visualization
Geometry, Element, Material and Property, Display Control

Beginning with Femap Version 10.1, display of Element (by Type or by Shape), Materials, Properties and can be controlled from the Model Info pane. Femap v10.1.1 adds the ability to toggle solids on and off. j y gg The box to the left of the objects ID/name is the Visibility Toggle and indicates whether or not the object is displayed. Indicates that the object is displayed.
You can also select one or more of the same object type and then Right-click to bring up the Visibility Toggle menu. Femap will display the combination of selected geometry, element types materials geometry types, materials, properties and groups, eliminating the need to organize the model by layers or by creating additional groups.
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Lesson 7
Display Control Example

Example: Wing model with multiple groups, element types and shapes, materials and properties.
Model Tree:
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Lesson 7
Display Control Example (continued) Display only portion of the model with elements comprised of Aluminum alloys:
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Lesson 7
View, Advanced Post, Model Contour Data Command

Beginning with Femap v10.1, the View, Advanced Post, Model Contour Data command is available. This command is also directly available on the View toolbar.
With this command, you can display Contour, Criteria, or Beam Diagram plots of model data such as in the example below where Plane Element Thickness is shown as a contour plot plot. You cannot simultaneously display model data and analysis results.
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Lesson 7
Comparing Groups and Layers
Layers
Groups
Can be assigned to multiple Groups Can be assigned to only one Layer Imported with some CAD geometry formats. t f t Assign by rules, relationships, and/or clipping. Automatic generation tools. Reference Groups for managing groups of Groups (Femap v10.1)
Entities
Display Simultaneously?
Multiple / User Controlled
Multiple / User Controlled (single Group only prior to Femap v10.1)
Displayed Layers only Graphical Selection Optional No Pick layer p prevents g p graphical selection of entities on that layer (except when Select All is used). Only entities in the displayed groups can be selected except when Select All is used.
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Lesson 7
Layers
Create new layers using the Tools, Layer command. The Layer Manager dialog box:
Create New Layer y Assign ID, Title and Color View Options allows display of colors by layer (by entity type)
Modify the name of a layer using the Update button Renumber layer(s) Delete layer(s)
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Lesson 7
Layers and the Model Info Tree

Layer objects
New layers
Activate layers M Manage l layers Delete layers Manage visibility
Selection List objects
Modify layer
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Lesson 7
Defining and Populating Groups

Define using commands on Group menu Use the Group, Create/Manage command to create a Group, then use other commands to add entities into group
Group Rules Various entity selection commands, either by ID or using relationships to other entities Entities can be added to group using any combination of selection methods When selecting entities, use the Exclude option if you want the selected entities removed permanently from the group.
Group Clipping Selects all entities inside/outside clipping region Set Clipping first, then rules.
Referenced Groups allow a group to link to one or more other group(s).
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Lesson 7
Control of and Automatic Generation of Groups

The Group, Operations command set: Use Automatic Add to add to the either the Active or Selected group as you model Evaluate and Evaluate Always are used to update groups as the model is modified. Li it use of E l t Always i l Limit f Evaluate Al in large models. d l Copy and Condense groups Combine groups using Boolean operations Use Add Related Entities to add entities to existing groups such as Loads and Constraints on Surfaces, Nodes on Elements, etc. Generate commands can be used to automatically generate and maintain groups in the model by: Solids Property Material Element Type Output Superelements Layers
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Lesson 7
Using Booleans with Groups

The Group, Operations, Booleans command allows you to create a new group: Add / Combine take all entities from the selected groups. In all take entities that are common to all of the selected groups. Not in Any take titi th t d N t i A t k entities that do not exist i any of the selected groups. t i t in f th l t d Subtract remove the entities from the selected groups from another group. Only in One - take only the entities that exist in one of the selected groups. Not in All - take only the entities from the selected groups that do not exist in all of the selected groups.
Note: To see examples of the Group, Operations, Booleans command, go to Section 6.4.3.2 of the Femap Users Guide.
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Lesson 7
Group Creation and Control from the Model Info Pane

Right-click on a group name to bring up the contextsensitive menu for groups. g p Create a New group Combine groups into a new group Add Related Entities Toggle Automatic Add to the Active or Selected group Show the Full Model, Active Group or Multiple Groups (a further explanation of this follows). Activate the selected group List the contents of the selected group(s) Delete the selected group(s) Manage R f M Referenced d Groups Add to Selection adds the contents of the selected group(s) to the Selection List Export Neutral exports the contents of the selected group(s) to a Femap Neutral file
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Lesson 7
Group Display Control

Beginning with Femap Version 10.1, multiple groups can be displayed using either the View Visibility dialog box or via the Group tree in the Model Info pane. To activate the Visibility dialog box to control display of groups: Click the View Visibility icon on the View toolbar or Right-click in the graphics window and select Visibility on the context-sensitive menu Select the Group tab in the Visibility dialog box Choose between: Show Full Model when selected, the selection of individual groups in the group list section of this dialog box is grayed out. Show Active Group Show Single Group when selected, the selection of individual groups in the group list section of this dialog box is grayed out. Show/Hide Multiple Groups The box to the left of the groups ID and name is the Visibility Toggle and indicates whether or not the group is displayed.
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Lesson 7
Group Display Control (continued)

The display of groups can also be controlled from the Group tree in the Model Info pane. The box to the left of the groups ID and name is the Visibility Toggle and indicates whether or not the group is displayed. Indicates that the group is displayed. Indicates that the group is hidden. A blank checkbox also indicates that the group is not displayed. Indicates that all groups are displayed.
You can also select one or more of the same object type and then Right-click the Visibility Toggle.
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Lesson 7
Group Display Control Using the Status Bar Tray

In addition to the Model Info panes Group tree, you can activate a group using the Status Bar Tray Click Grp: (#) on the Status Bar Tray and select the group you want to activate. The number (#) indicates the active group number
Groups can also be created and managed by selecting the Create/Manage option from this menu.
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Lesson 7
View Options
In many cases, you may want to display specific entity indicators such as surface normal, curve direction or element normal's. The View Options dialog box offers options to display these indicators. Example T E l Turn on display of rigid elements d di l f i id l t degree of f d f freedom i di t indicators and d master/slave nodes:
An unfilled box indicates the Slave Node on the rigid element
A filled box indicates the Master Node on the rigid element
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Lesson 7
View Options (continued)

Example Turn on display of surface normal's:
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview M hi O i
Purpose This lesson provides an overview of the tools available in Femap to control and generate meshes. Topics Recommended Meshing Workflows Mesh Control Feature Suppression Geometry Meshing Hex Meshing Mesh Modification Tools
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Recommended Meshing Workflows

Before any meshing, set a reasonable Default mesh size for the model then set the mesh sizing for the objects to be meshed
Break edge curves where needed Create any needed Curves on Surfaces and Mesh Points on Surfaces Solids Suppress any features as needed Set the Mesh Size on Solids Assign solid Attributes Set the mesh size on individual surfaces as needed
Break surface boundary curves where needed Create any needed Curves on Surfaces and Mesh Points on Surfaces Surfaces Suppress any features as needed Set the Mesh Size on Surfaces Assign surface Attributes Mesh the selected surfaces Set the mesh size on individual curves as needed
Break curves as needed Curves Set the Mesh Size on Curves Assign curve Attributes
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Mesh Control
The Mesh, Mesh Control menu creates settings for: Default mesh size Set mesh size on curves, surfaces and solids Hard mesh points Mesh Attributes - assignment of element properties to geometry Mesh approaches on surfaces Suppression of geometric features during meshing
Many of these commands are also on the Mesh toolbar.
Preview mesh sizing on curves with the View, Options (F6) Labels Entities and Colors, Curve (F6), Labels, Colors Mesh Size option Toggle Mesh Size symbols with the View Style, Mesh Size icon on the View toolbar.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Mesh, Mesh Control Commands

Mesh, Mesh Control, Default Size Used to define the default element size. If you only need a uniform mesh, this will be the only mesh control operation you need to do do. Used along curves that have no other sizing specified.
Mesh, Mesh Control, Size commands At Point, used to specify the size along any curve that references that point, and does not already have a size specified. Along Curve, specifies the element size, or number of elements to be placed, and how they will be spaced along the curve curve. On Surface, used to specify the size on all of the curves referenced by the surface, and gives other options for controlling the mesh on the surface. On Solid, provides the same basic mesh control as the previous, but also has additional options that pertain primarily to multi-solid meshing, and hex meshing.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Mesh, Mesh Control Commands (continued)

Mesh, Mesh Control, Interactive, allows you to interactively modify existing mesh sizes along one or more curves. Add: The current curve mesh size is increased by the number of elements p specified Subtract: The current curve mesh size is decreased by the number of elements specified. It is not reduced below 1 Set To: The curve mesh size is set to the number of elements specified
Note:
Interactive sizing with automatic re-meshing is available in the Meshing g g g Toolbox under the Mesh Sizing toolset.
Mesh, Mesh Control, Custom Size Along Curve, can be used to place nodes at specific locations along curves, and match one curve's mesh sizing to another curve or curves. See example on following pages
Mesh, Mesh Control, Mapped Divisions on Surface, allows you to specify divisions for a mesh on 3 and 4 sided surfaces Mesh, Mesh Control, Mesh Points on Surface, defines specific locations on a surface where nodes will be created when the surface is meshed
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Example - Mesh, Mesh Control, Custom Size along Curve
Surface Mesh Size = 5 with Mesh Size of 8 applied to arc on upper boundary of surface
Custom Mesh Size along Curve command applied to the single lower boundary of the surface by Matching the three curves on the upper boundary of the surface
femap101-g-v10.1.1 Fermap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide 8-6
Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Example - Mesh, Mesh Control, Custom Size along Curve p , , g (continued)
Resulting mesh after applying the Mesh, Mesh Control, Custom Size along Curve command
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview

Mesh, Mesh Control, Attributes At Point, used to assign meshing properties to points, so that when the points are meshed, the properties will automatically be assigned to the points Along Curve in addition to specifying the property to be used there are additional Curve, used, options, like element orientation, releases, and offsets On Surface, most commonly used for assigning plate properties to surfaces, and should be used when meshing multiple surfaces with different properties in one meshing operation. Includes ability to pre-assign plate offsets to surface On V l O Volume/Solid, are much th same as th above, only applies t volumes/solids /S lid h the the b l li to l / lid
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview

Mesh, Mesh Control, Approach on Surface, used to specify whether FEMAP will create a free/boundary mesh or a mapped mesh. There are several options for free and mapped meshing. For details, see section 5.1.1.15 in the Femap Commands Manual p primarily uses the Free-Parametric approach for meshing y pp g Femap p Beginning with Femap v10.1.1, Femap can automatically assign the corner points when the Mapped Four Corner option is selected
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Setting Mesh Sizing on Surfaces

Use the Mesh, Mesh Control, Size on Surface command. Select the Replace Mesh Size on All Curves option to override mesh sizes on any curve that has had its mesh size set curve mesh sizing command(s). Use Min Elements on Edge to set the number of elements on curves with their length less then the Element Size setting.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
How Femap determines Element Size

For both solids and surfaces, Femap provides a recommended Element Size by dividing the average length of the curves on the selected surface or solid by 6.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Max Angle Tolerance

Max Angle Tolerance controls the maximum allowable angle between the tangent of a surfaces boundary curve at the start of the element edge and the angle of the free edge of the element. With this option enabled, the length of all free edges on the selected surface(s) must be less than or equal to the Element Size.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Setting Mesh Sizing on Surfaces (continued)

Max Elem on Small Feature and Max Size of Small Feature are used to control the number of elements around the perimeter of an interior boundary. Max Size of Small Feature is the effective diameter of the interior feature calculated y g perimeter length of the interior feature divided by p g y pi. by taking of the p The default value of this option is equal to the value of the Element Size.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Vertex Aspect Ratio

Vertex Aspect Ratio is used to optimize mesh sizing at locations where both long and short curves are joined at common vertices
Initial Mesh Vertex Aspect Ratio Option Disabled Jacobian Mesh Quality Displayed
Initial Mesh Vertex Aspect Ratio = 2.0 Jacobian Mesh Quality Displayed
femap101-g-v10.1.1 Fermap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide 8 - 14
Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Mapped Meshing Refinement and Suppress Short Edges pp g pp g Options

The Mapped Meshing Refinement option attempts to refine the mesh for 3 or 4-sided surfaces. Suppress Short Edges suppresses any edge on the selected solid(s) or surface(s) that has length l h al th less th or equal t th specified percentage of th El than l to the ifi d t f the Element Si t Size. Suppressing short edges on certain solids or surfaces may cause the mesher to fail. While not common, an error stating you have a "hole" in the mesh will inform you of this situation.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Parameter vs. Length Based Mesh Sizing

Femap, by default, uses Parameter mesh sizing. For many cases, there will be no difference between Parameter and Length-based mesh sizing, however, for complex curves and surfaces such as splines, there is a difference:
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Curvature Based Mesh Refinement

The Curvature Based Mesh Refinement option, Refinement Ratio is similar to Max Angle Tolerance except it uses a length ratio instead of angles Refinement Ratio = Chord Height / Chord Length Chord Height = maximum normal distance from the element edge to the curve or surface Chord Length = length of the element edge
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Setting Mesh Sizing on Solids

Use the Mesh, Mesh Control, Size on Solid command. Similar to the Automatic Mesh Sizing dialog box for surfaces except for addition of the selection of either Tet Meshing or Hex Meshing, and the Auto Boundary y g p Small Surf and Assembly / Multi-Solid Sizing options.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Auto Boundary Small Surf

Auto Boundary Small Surf attempts to combine any surface on a solid that has a area less than or equal to the specified percentage of Element Size squared with an adjacent surface that is tangent or nearly tangent to the small surface.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Assembly / Multi-Body Sizing

The Assembly / Multi-Body Sizing options can be used to automatically set mesh approaches on solids with adjacent surfaces when multiple bodies are selected .
Adjacent Surface Matching when surfaces on two adjacent bodies are coincident and have sizes and boundaries, Femap will slave the mesh size and approach of the two surfaces. Use the Remove Previous Slaving option to remove the mesh sizing and slaving on bodies that have had mesh sizes previously applied. Adjust Colors changes the colors of surfaces that have mesh sizes set The set. following lists the colors and their meanings: Dark Transparent Blue free surfaces that have mesh sizes successfully applied. Light Solid Blue surfaces that have been matched to an adjacent surface for the purpose of creating a continuous mesh. Red surfaces on solids that cannot be hex meshed.
Skip Sizing on Slaved Surfaces skip mesh sizing on surfaces that are slaved to another surface.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Surface Mesh Approach: Free Mesh

The Mesh, Mesh Control, Approach on Surface command allows you to set the method for meshing surfaces (including surfaces on solids). If not specified, Femap will use either the Free/Parametric or Mapped Four corner pp geometry and resulting mesh q y g quality. y approach based on g
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Surface Mesh Approach: Mapped Four Corner
Mapped Four Corner Mesh Example 1
Mapped Four Corner Mesh Example 2

femap101-g-v10.1.1 Fermap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide 8 - 22
Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Surface Mesh Approach: Mapped Three Corner
Mapped Three Corner Mesh M d Th C M h
Mapped Three Corner Fan Mesh
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Edge and Feature Suppression

Use the command, Mesh, Mesh Control, Feature Suppression Removing Loops works on surfaces and solids.
Interactive feature suppression is also available in the Meshing Toolbox under the Feature Suppression toolset.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Boundary Surface from Surfaces on Solid

The command, Geometry, Boundary Surface, From Surfaces on Solid Takes the surfaces you select, and uses the enclosing outer curves to form a regular boundary surface. The surfaces must be stitched into a solid solid. This feature works best with surfaces that have small to moderate curvature. Can be used to remove sliver surfaces by selecting surfaces that surround the sliver. This capability is also found in the Meshing Toolbox under the Combined/Boundary Surfaces toolset.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Geometry Meshing
Mesh, Geometry, Point - is the most basic of the automatic meshing commands. Will generate nodes (and elements for 0D element types such as Mass Elements) at the selected points. Allows you to specify the beginning node and element ID ID.
Mesh, Geometry, Curve Creates a mesh of nodes and 1-D elements along a curve
Mesh, Geometry, Surface - creates nodes and planar elements on a selected set of surfaces. Must first define the mesh sizing using one of the various Mesh Control commands There are also basic Mesh Control options on the Automesh form, as well as Mesh Smoothing, and Element Shape options
Mesh, Geometry, Volume - creates nodes and elements in a selected set of volumes. Since this command uses a mapped meshing technique, the number of nodes/elements along opposite faces of a volume must always be equal / f f
Mesh, Geometry, Solid - Produces a 3-D solid tetrahedral mesh in a solid part Mesh, Geometry, Solids From Elements - meshes a plate element mesh that encloses a volume into a solid element mesh
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Automesh Surfaces Dialog Box

The Mesh, Geometry, Surfaces command opens the Automesh Surfaces dialog box. By default only a portion of the available mesh options are visible.
You may specify the following options: Mesher Triangle or Quad Toggle generation of Midside Nodes Toggle Mapped Meshing on or off
To see all of the surface meshing options available, press the More Options button.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview

The expanded Automesh Surfaces dialog box has the following options: Mesher Triangle or Quad Pre-V10 Meshing can be used to have FEMAP mesh using the old meshers and options options. Connect Edge Nodes and a Tolerance can be set to automatically merge nodes on surfaces of stitched bodies.
Toggle generation of Midside Nodes
Toggle Mapped Meshing on or off and set various mapped meshing options.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview

Expanded Automesh Surfaces dialog box (continued):
Select the Smoothing option and settings to reduce mesh distortion. Laplacian moves the node towards the centroid of the surrounding nodes. Centroidal moves a node towards the centroid of the element-weighted centroid of the surrounding elements.
Offset options allow you to offset to the top face, bottom face, or by a specified value as the mesh is created instead of having to do it as a secondary step. If an offset is applied as part of the Mesh, Mesh Control, Attributes on Surface command, that value will be used if no value is set in the Automesh Surfaces dialog box. If a value is entered, it will override the previously set attribute value.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview

Expanded Automesh Surfaces dialog box (continued):
Post-Meshing Cleanup is on by default and detects certain patterns in the mesher to eliminate them Cut Quads with Angle Deviation Above specified degrees Min Elements Between Boundaries forces the mesher to attempt to put the specified number of elements between adjacent boundaries Max Element Aspect Ratio attempts to create elements which are under the specified aspect ratio Quick-Cut boundaries splits boundaries with more then the specified number of nodes into smaller pieces for meshing.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Quad Edge Layer Option for Quad Meshing of Surfaces

Use the Quad Edge Layer option to set the depth of quad elements around features
0 Layers
1 Layer
2 Layers
3 Layers
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Automesh Solids Dialog Box

When applying the command, Mesh, Geometry, Solids, the Automesh Solids dialog box is activated. With this dialog box, you specify the following options: Surface Mesh Only Toggle Midside Nodes Tet Growth Ratio specify a factor to increase the size of the interior elements over the size of the initial surface mesh. Initial Size Ratio used to provide additional control for the size of the mesh. Lower values results in denser meshes. Update Mesh Sizing activates the Automatic Mesh Sizing dialog box for solids.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Manual Meshing Tools

Model, Element command. Creates a single element
Mesh, Between command. Mesh, Region command. Mesh, Revolve, Extrude and Sweep commands. With these commands you can revolve , extrude, or sweep curves or line elements into plane elements, and plane elements into volume elements. You can also select face(s) on volume element(s) to create additional volume elements.
Mesh Copy, Radial Copy, Scale, Rotate and Reflect commands.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Manual Mesh Modification Tools

Mesh, Editing, Interactive command.
Mesh, Editing, Split command.
Mesh, Remesh command set. Mesh, Smooth command.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Semi-Automatic Hex Meshing

Femap can automatically hex mesh solids that are valid mapped meshing solids (solids of extrusion or revolution) Preparing the solid for Hex Meshing Begin by slicing the solid into simple sections that are extrusions using the following commands: Geometry, Solid, Slice Geometry, Solid, Slice Match Geometry, Solid, Slice Along Face Geometry, Solid Geometry Solid, Embed Face
Meshing the Solids Use Mesh Control to set the size and link the adjacent surfaces Then Mesh, Geometry, Hex Mesh Solids
Note:
Solids of revolution must be sliced so that the solid comprises is less then a 360-degree revolution. e.g A straight, pipe section must be split in half.
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Lesson 8
Meshing Overview
Meshing Toolbox
In a later section, you will learn about the Meshing Toolbox. This toolbox allows for interactive modification of geometry and meshes to improve the quality of meshes: Geometry Feature Suppression Geometry Feature Removal Geometry Combined/Composite Curves Geometry Combined/Composite Surfaces Mesh Sizing Toolbox Mesh Locate Toolbox Mesh Quality Toolbox
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Lesson 9
Analysis Set Manager A l i S tM
Purpose This lesson provides an introduction to the setup of analyses using Femaps Analysis Set Manager. Topics

The Analysis Set Manager Analysis Set Manager Dialog Box NX Nastran Supported Solution Sequences NX Nastran Input File Setup Preview/Edit Input Bulk Data Entries Analyze Process NX Nastran Analysis Procedure and Files
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Lesson 9
Analysis Set Manager
The Analysis Set Manager

Femaps Analysis Set Manager manages the options necessary to: Create a ready to run input file. Launch the NX Nastran solver or to launch another locally installed solver. Start Vi Q t St t VisQ to send the input file to a solver on another machine. d th i t fil t l th hi
Analysis Sets are stored along with the Femap model file or can be stored in a Femap library that is available across different model files. To enter the analysis Manager select the Model, Analysis command. Click the New button to create a new Analysis Set. Specify a Title, Analysis Program, and the Analysis Type
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Lesson 9
NX Nastran Supported Solution Sequences

Linear statics Normal modes Buckling Dynamics Modal or direct transient Modal or direct frequency Response Spectrum Random Response
Design optimization Nonlinear Nonlinear statics Nonlinear transient response
Heat Transfer Steady-state heat transfer Transient heat transfer
Advanced Nonlinear Nonlinear Statics (SOL601,106) Nonlinear Transient (SOL601,129) Nonlinear Explicit (SOL701)
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Lesson 9
Analysis Set Manager Dialog Box

The Analysis Set Manager dialog box shows all analysis sets defined in the model Expand the tree view with +,Edit sets by double click on tree item or highlight and select Edit button Export: writes input file t di k E t it i t fil to disk Delete Copy Load and Save to the Analysis Set library
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Lesson 9
NX Nastran Input File Setup

Select Solver and Analysis Type Set Executive, Bulk Data, GEOMCHECK, MODELCHECK options Can add additional NX Nastran cards and/or Include Files with Start/End Text options
Case Control Master Requests and Conditions Subcases Select Master Requests and Conditions then click the New button
Multi set: Select constraint and loads sets and Femap will create a subcase for each combination of selected constraint and load set(s) Not available for all analysis types
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Lesson 9
Analysis Set Nastran Bulk Data Options Dialog Box

When using one of the Nastran solvers, the Nastran Bulk Data Options dialog box has multiple options. Two of the many options are described below. See section 8.7.1.3 of the Femap Commands Manual for more details. y y y p , you p y g group If you want to analyze only a portion of the model, y can specify a single g p to write out only with the Portion of Model to Write option. Some models may have specified the mass properties entry for materials as weight density rather then mass density. In this case, enable the WTMASS option and specify the value of the gravitational constant.
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Lesson 9
NX Nastran Advanced Dynamics Options

NX Nastran Advanced Dynamics has additional options for the selected analysis Type in the Analysis Set
These options can also be defined in a Load Set.
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Lesson 9
NX Nastran Nonlinear Options

When NX Nastran Nonlinear is the analysis Type, Nonlinear options can be set as part of the Master Request and Conditions or as an option when subcases are used. Just like in NX Nastran Advanced Dynamics, these can also be set as options in a load set.
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Lesson 9
Preview/Edit Input
Preview Generates the input deck Check for errors
Edit Preview Modify, add, remove entries Standard field spacing displayed as header Add comments
Analyze or Export
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Lesson 9
Analyze Process
Analyze operation Exports input deck and starts in a NX Nastran job p process as a separate p The Analysis Monitor displays the NX Nastran .log, .f04, or .f06 files Results automatically loaded into Femap ( (Femap Preferences p default).
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Lesson 9
NX Nastran Analysis Procedure and Files

NX Nastran Output files these files are retained : .f06 (Print File) Contains results data, as well as, warning and error messages. Also, XY Plot data, diagnostic information (Geomcheck, Weight Check, Ground ), p , p ( ) Check), Grid point force data, and Failure indices for Composite (Laminate) Elements prior to Femap 8.3 .op2 (Binary Output File) Contains results data in binary format, but results data can be imported into Femap much faster using the .op2 .f04 (Text File) Contains a summary of file and database usage information, memory and disk usage sizes, and module execution and statistical information. .log (Text File) License usage, summary of solution times and other general log usage times, information about the execution of NX Nastran. Results data: Components of displacements at grid points Element Recovery data (stresses, strains, strain energy, and internal forces and moments Grid point data recovery (applied loads, constraint forces, and element forces)
Note:
Several temporary files are generated during an NX Nastran analysis execution. By default, these files are placed in the scratch file location designated during the installation of NX Nastran. These files are automatically deleted after the successful execution of NX Nastran. Femap allows you to override the default scratch file through a preference setting, or you can specify the file location in an Analysis Set option. The scratch file folder should be checked frequently and files deleted as q y needed.
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Lesson 10
Visualizing and D Vi li i d Documenting ti Results
Purpose: This lesson provides an overview of post-processing results in Femap.
Topics:

View Select Command Deformed and Contour Data Contour Options Nodal vs. Centroidal Stresses Output Transformations Animation Commands and Options XY Plots Freebody Display Vector Plots Detailed Post Processing Options Post Processing Toolbar
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Lesson 10
Visualizing and Documenting Results
View Select Command

The View Select dialog box:
Specify the Deformed style Deformed A i ti Animation Vector Trace
Specify the Contour style Contour Criteria Beam Diagram IsoSurface Section Cut Vector
Select Deformed and Contour Data to select data, e.g., von Mises Stress g
Review Femap User Guide Chapter 5.9.1 Working with View Select and View Options
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Lesson 10
Deformed and Contour Data

To select the results data to display, activate the Select PostProcessing Data dialog box with the View, Select command or by right-clicking in the graphics window and selecting the Post Data command. Must h M t have results available i F lt il bl in Femap Key items to specify Output Set Deformation Output Vectors Contour Output Vectors Contour Options
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Lesson 10
Contour Options
The contour algorithm in Femap will use either nodal or elemental data to perform the contouring.
Depending on the selected options and the available data, Femap will use several pp different approaches to calculate the contours Contour Group allows the display of results of the Active or Selected group without activating the group. Data Conversion options

Average, Use Corner Data (default) Average, without Corner Data Maximum Value with or w/o Corner Data Minimum Value with or w/o Corner Data Provides the capability to Smart Average results. results Thus accounting for discontinuities in material or geometry and providing a more accurate representation of the results. Option to display Double-sided Planar Contours on planar elements
Element options
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Lesson 10
Nodal vs. Centroidal Stresses

Output data from analysis programs varies in the position that it is calculated Nodes or the centroid of the element
If you select nodal data, e.g., translations, Femap uses it directly For results with element centroid data but no corner data, you can either: Average the Centroidal values for the all the elements connected to each node (default); or Use the Maximum of the Centroidal values of the connected elements.
For results with element centroid data and element corner data you can either: Average the values at each node (element corner data) to determine the data (default), Use the maximum of the values at each node (element corner data) Average the Centroidal values for the all the elements connected to each node (ignores the corner data you have); or Use the Maximum of the Centroidal values of the connected elements.
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Lesson 10
Example Nodal Data Conversion

Example: Four elements sharing node N, with corner data Stress at node N can be calculated Average with and without C A ith d ith t Corner D t Data with: without: with: without: with: without: N = (W+ X+ Y+ Z)/4 N = (A+ B+ C+ D)/4 max (W, X, Y, Z) max (A, B, C, D) min (W, X, Y, Z) min (A, B, C, D) Node N
Maximum Value with and without Corner Data
Minimum Value with and without Corner Data
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Lesson 10
Example Nodal Data Conversion
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Lesson 10
Output Transformations
By default, Femap displays NX Nastran results in the global or basic rectangular coordinate system. The Select PostProcessing Data dialog box has options to transform output vectors to user-selected directions.
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Lesson 10
Output Transformations (continued)

In this example, we want to display the radial stress and deformations around the large hole. A radial coordinate system is centered at the large hole.
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Lesson 10
Animation Commands
Create the animation in the View Select dialog box and select Animate as the Deformed Style This will create an animation of the active Deformation Output Vector in the Deformed and Contour Data Dialog Box By selecting the View, Advanced Post, Animation command, you can control the speed of the animation.
Once the plot is Animating it can be saved as an AVI file or Animated Gif file (*.GIF) using the File, Picture, Save command and selecting the Video for Windows (*. AVI)or Animated GIF (*.GIF) format.
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Lesson 10
XY Plots
Use View, Select (F5) command to generate XY plots also accessible from the Graphics Windows context-sensitive menu. XY vs ID - plots XY data as a function of ID XY vs Set - plots XY data versus the output set number for an Output Vector across several Output Sets XY vs Set Value - similar to vs Set, except uses Output Set value for X XY vs Position - plots XY data vs the position of nodes or element in an axis direction for an output Vector in on Output Set XY vs Function - (not a post-processing option) plots XY data for a function
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Lesson 10
XY Plots of Functions
Functions can be displayed quickly by selecting the function to be displayed in the Model Info window and selecting Show from the context-sensitive menu. Opens a new graphics view titled XY Show
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Lesson 10
Freebody Display
In the View Select dialog box, choose Deformed and Contour Data, Freebody Display Plots the Freebody information of the entire body or a select group of elements. Must have recovered Grid Point Force Balance data from analysis, if not only Applied and reaction forces will be available. Total Summed Loads allows you to check the model for equilibrium. Choose the types of entities to be viewed
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Lesson 10
Loads from a Free body Diagram

Generate a Freebody diagram Select the Model, Loads, Loads from Freebody command Creates nodal loads from the free body diagram as displayed on the screen in the Active Load Set.
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Lesson 10
Vector Plots
Multiple types of Vector plots can be generated using results data. Select Vector as the Contour Style in the View Select dialog box, then the Deformed and Contour button.
Once an Output Set is selected, click the Contour Vectors button to specify the options for the plot. This opens the Contour Options dialog box.
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Lesson 10
Contour Vector Options

With the Contour Vector Options dialog box, you can set the: Vector Type Standard Vectors tensors such as Total Displacement, Principal Stresses and Strains Single Value, 2D and 3D Components specify any of the output vectors 2D Tensor Plot (new in v10.1)
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Lesson 10
2D Tensor Plot Example

Beginning with v10.1, you can generate a Crows Foot plot by setting the Vector Type to 2D Tensor Plot in the Contour Vector Options dialog box. Example : Display Laminate Ply 1 X and Y normal stresses and the Laminate Play y ( p g p g ) Failure Index of Ply 1 (see next page for View Options settings) :
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Lesson 10
2D Tensor Plot Preferences and View Options

You can automatically set the View Options settings for a 2D Tensor Plot in Femaps Preferences dialog box under the View tab by clicking the option for 2D Tensor Plot View Options Override.
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Lesson 10
Detailed Post Processing Options

Accessed via the View, Options command (F6 and Ctrl+O hotkeys) Located in the Category, PostProcessing
Long list of options, key ones include Post Titles On/off, Location Deformed Style Scale, Automatic scaling options Contour/Criteria Style Contour Levels Contour Legend
Note:
Post Processing options are saved along with the View Style in the View Library.
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Lesson 10
Post Toolbar
Allows quick display of Deformed and Contour plots Detailed Postprocessing settings accessible from the Post Options pull down icon
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Lesson 11
The M hi T lb Th Meshing Toolbox
Purpose: The Meshing Toolbox is used for accessing FEMAPs interactive geometry cleanup and idealization tools and interactive mesh editing tools. This lesson is an overview of the tools available in the Meshing Toolbox. Topics:

Entity Locator Feature Suppression Feature Removal Combined / Composite Curves Combined Boundary S f C bi d / B d Surfaces Mesh Sizing Toolbox Mesh Locate Toolbox Mesh Quality Toolbox
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Meshing Toolbox - Controls

Similar to other FEMAP Panes, the Meshing Toolbox can be turned on and off from the Tools menu. The Meshing Toolbox has several controls for: Toolbox Visibility toggle Meshing Toolbox controls Toggle Entity Locator toggle the feature Locator controls Mesh Quality Toggle toggle display of mesh quality Automesh / Remesh Control select either automatic remeshing or manual meshing after making an update in one of the Meshing Toolbox control controls Select / Dialog Select icons select a single entity or multiple entities using a Select dialog box
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Entity Locator for Curves

The Locator makes it possible to quickly search for features in a model that could result in poor mesh quality. Locator controls are activated by toggling the Toggle Entity Locator icon. The Locator has an option to Search for: Curves Surfaces
When Curves are selected the Search Method can be set to search for: Short Edges Based On Global Mesh Size Curve Length Shortest Curves
You can also select whether to locate the curve in the: Entire Model Only in Group(s)
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Entity Locator for Surfaces

When Surfaces are selected the Search Method can be set to search for: Small Surfaces Fit in Radius Sliver Tolerance Spike Width Area Less Than Slivers Spikes By Area You can also select whether to locate surfaces in the: Entire Model Only in Group(s) Not in Group(s)
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Entity Locator - Toggle Entity Locator Menu

The Toggle Entity Locator icon is used to cycle through objects located through the Locator control. Remove deletes the current entity from the list of located entities Do Not Locate deletes the current entity from the list of located entities and keeps the entity from being located again during the current model editing session.
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Feature Suppression
Feature Suppression controls allow you to interactively suppress or remove suppression of: Loops select one edge on an feature to automatically suppress the entire set of curves and surfaces comprising the feature Curves select curve(s) to be suppressed. Should not be used on solids. Surfaces select surface(s) to be suppressed. suppressed Should not be used on surfaces.
Limit Size prevents selection of entities that have their length less than the specified Smaller Than value. The Action Action menu toggles the action to :

Toggle Suppression if a entity is unsuppressed, suppress it. If it is suppressed, restore it. Suppress or Restore
Update Colors set options to toggle and colors for suppressed entities entities. Show Suppressed allows you to highlight suppressed Curves or Surfaces Restore All features in either selected solid(s) (In Solids button) or in the entire Model
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Feature Removal
Feature Removal differs from Feature Suppression in that the underlying solid or surface geometry is modified. Loops includes an option to set the Limit Size for selecting loops. Curves includes an option to set the Limit Size for selecting loops Also includes loops. an option for Aggressive Removal Surfaces - when a single surface on a solid is selected, Femap will attempt to clean up the solid to result in a clean solid. In some cases, no operation will be performed and in others, other adjacent surfaces will be removed. There is also an option for Aggressive Removal.
Note:
There is no option to restore removed features beyond what is supported with the Undo command.
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Combined / Composite Curves

Combined / Composite Curves combines two or contiguous curves into a single curve for meshing. The can be created by: Add By Point create the th composite curve b it by selecting a common point on the two curves Add Curves Split At splits a composite curve at the selected point l t d i t Remove converts the composite curve at the selected position back to its the original curve definition. The remainder of the composite curve is retained. Delete converts all curves on the composite curve back to their original curve definitions
The Combine Surfaces option creates Combined Surfaces for surfaces using the curves that are combined.
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Combined / Boundary Surfaces

Combined / Boundary Surfaces combines two or contiguous surfaces into a single surface for meshing. The can be created by: Add By Curve create the composite surface by selecting a common edge on the g two original surfaces Add Surfaces converts the selected surface to a composite surface. If multiple surfaces are selected using the Dialog Select tool, the selected surfaces are combined into a single surface provided they are connected by a common edge. Split Along splits a composite surface by the selected curve(s) Remove converts the selected composite surface(s) their original surface definitions Delete converts the selected composite surface(s) to their original surface definitions
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Mesh Sizing Toolbox

Mesh Sizing controls provides interactive modification of mesh sizes on curves. Set the mesh size on selected curve(s) with the Size Curves option. Add add the Number of Nodes to the current mesh size Subtract subtract the Number of Nodes from the current mesh size Set To in this case, the number of elements on the curve will equal the Number of Nodes. Specify the Spacing as either: Equal Biased when this option is enable, you ti i bl specify the Bias Factor
Enable Length Based Sizing
When the Sizing Option is set to Match Curves, the curve(s) selected will match the mesh sizing settings of the Master Curve Enabling the Show Free Edges option highlights the nodes on the meshs free edges
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Mesh Locate Toolbox

With the Mesh Locate controls, you can interactively move nodes to improve the quality of a mesh. Specify the attached mesh with the Select Mesh to Edit option: Attached To Surface Attached To Solid
Standalone Mesh ignore attached geometry and modify the node locations freely Locate Multiple - select multiple nodes and move them simultaneously The Locate Method specifies whether to move the node: Dynamic drag the position of the selected node(s) using the cursor , p y ( ) Manual, Vector specify the direction and distance to move the selected node(s) Smooth will move the adjust the other nodes of the attached elements to smooth the mesh quality Enabling the Project option constrains the nodes movement so that it remains attached to its surface Constrain to Curve constrains the nodes movement to remain attached to its curve Once a node or nodes have been moved, you have the option to Save or Discard the edit(s)
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Lesson 11
The Meshing Toolbox
Meshing Toolbox g Mesh Quality

Mesh Quality specifies the setting of the display when the Quality tool is enabled. Q Quality Type specifies y yp p whether to display the mesh quality by: Aspect Ratio Taper Alternate Taper Internal Angles I t lA l Warping Nastran Warping Jacobian Combined Quality
Set the Number of Distortion Levels to: 2 or 4
Toggle Smooth Contours Minimum Distortion displays the minimum element distortion value in the Meshing Toolbox pane Max Distortion displays the maximum element distortion value in the Meshing Toolbox pane
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing Mid f i
Purpose: Midsurfacing is a technique that is used to build idealized models of thin bodies. This lesson is an overview of the tools available Femap to create midsurface models.
Topics: Midsurfacing The Midsurface Commands
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing
Midsurfacing
Midsurfacing is the process of extracting the midplane between parallel surfaces in order to reduce the complexity and increase the accuracy of the Finite Element Model. For the part shown: Solids: 113,512 nodes and 63,875 elements. ( > 3 minutes solve time) 113 512 63 875 elements time). Shells: 1725 nodes and 1576 elements. (< 10 seconds solve time).
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing
The Geometry, Midsurface Commands

Geometry, Midsurface, Single in Solid Creates a single trimmed midsurface between two surfaces of a solid.
Geometry, Midsurface, Single Creates a single sheet surface between two surfaces that extends beyond the extent of both b th surfaces. f
Geometry, Midsurface, Trim to Solid Trims a surface with a solid and deletes any part(s) of the surface which lie outside the volume of the solid.
Geometry, Midsurface, Trim with Curve Trims or breaks a surface with a curve
Geometry, Midsurface, Extend Extends a surface by using one of a surface's edge curves and "extending the surface using a specified "Extend Shape method .
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing
Geometry, Midsurface, Automatic Command

Automatically generates the midplanes between the selected surfaces, trims them to the solid, and cleans up any surfaces that are determined not to be part of the model. Midsurfaces are extracted from parallel faces. Automatically creates a group called Midsurface Midsurface Use where the part has multiple wall thicknesses or has features that are branching or non-tangent.
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing
Geometry, Midsurface, Offset Tangent Surfaces Command

The Geometry, Midsurface, Offset Tangent Surfaces command is used to generate a Sheet solid from a constant thickness solid where the topology consists of continuous tangent surfaces. p y p Specify a surface on one of the surfaces to be midsurfaced. Femap will automatically select the chain of connected tangent surfaces. Specify a Offset Distance. This is by default one-half of the solids thickness. You have the option to delete the original solid automatically.
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing
Geometry, Midsurface Commands (continued)

The following three commands are the steps in order that the Geometry, Midsurface, Automatic command follows. Geometry, Midsurface, Generate Creates midsurfaces Splits the selected surfaces at their intersections Automatically determines which surfaces that can be deleted as a result of the Midsurface, Cleanup command. Does NOT delete the surfaces, but places them on a separate layer for inspection and user controlled deletion. Geometry, Midsurface, Intersect Geometry, Midsurface, Cleanup
Geometry, Midsurface, Assign Meshing Attributes Prompts you for the material for the selected surface(s) and then automatically creates the properties with the wall thickness(es)of the original solid.
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Lesson 12
Midsurfacing
Using NonManifold Add for Midsurface Models

Using Geometry, Surface, NonManifold Add on a midsurface model that is ready for meshing is often a great way to assure mesh continuity in the model, especially if TJunctions exist.
Original Solid Geometry
Midsurfaced Geometry 2 Sheet Solids and 2 curves at T-junction between Sheet Solids, both of which needs to be sized the same for mesh continuity
After NonManifold Add 1 General Body and 1 shared curve at T-junction allows for easier mesh sizing and assures mesh continuity h ti it
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Lesson 13
FEA Assembly Modeling A bl M d li
Purpose: In the context of FEA, modeling assemblies may use multiple techniques to connect the components of a FEA assembly. This lesson is an overview of the tools available in the Femap to model FEA assemblies. Topics:

Finite Element Model Connection Types Mesh, Connect Menu Connecting FEA Components with Connectors Bolted Connections with Bolt Regions Fluid d Rotor Regions Fl id and R t R i
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The Lesson 12
FEA Assembly Modeling
Finite Element Model Connection Types

Coincident Node Rigid Element Connections Welded Connections Mesh Connections and Properties Fluid and Rotor Regions
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The Lesson 12
Coincident Nodes
Connecting Similar Element Types can be accomplished with Coincident Nodes Depending on how the model was set up before meshing (e.g. use of Slice Match, etc.), some meshes will be generated automatically with coincident nodes.
Use the Tools, Check, Coincident Nodes command. For large models, or models where you anticipate there a large number of coincident nodes, uncheck the List Coincident Entities option. The Preview Coincident option is used to display coincident nodes before merging.
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The Lesson 12
Rigid Element Connections

With most solvers, including NX Nastran, Shell and Beam Elements have 6 D.O.F. per node, while Solids Elements have 3 D.O.F. per node. Solid/Shell and Beam/Solid connections cannot be satisfied with use of coincident y nodes only. If Solid/Shell, Solid/Beam, and Beam/Shell connections are not defined correctly, you will get a FATAL MESSAGE 9137 SEKKRS (under-constrained model).
Rigid Elements can be used to transmit rotations between Solids and Shells and Solids and Beams by transferring the translation on the nodes on the plate elements to the nodes on the solid elements. Use a minimum of two dependent nodes on the solid for every independent node on the shell or beam.
Note:
Do not use mid-side nodes on parabolic elements as either Independent or Dependent nodes. nodes
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The Lesson 12
Rigid Elements
Beginning with Femap v10.1.1, you can automatically generate the Independent node by selecting the option for New Node at Center. This option generates a new node by placing the node at the centroid of the Dependent nodes.
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The Lesson 12
RBE3 Rigid Elements

Use the RBE3 Rigid Element to transmit masses, loads, and rigid body motion (velocity, acceleration). To create a RBE3, enable the Interpolation Factor in the Define RIGID ELEMENT g , g dialog box, then select the Nodes to Average.
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The Lesson 12
RBE3 Rigid Elements (continued)

Resulting Rigid Element after selecting Nodes to Average.
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The Lesson 12
RBE3 Rigid Elements (continued)

You can adjust the Interpolation factor for RBE3 elements using the following steps;
1) In the Define RIGID Element dialog box, select the node(s) for which you are
modifying the interpolation factor

2) Click the Update button 3) Modify the Factor in the Update Interpolation Element dialog box.
You can either change the value of the Factor, or you can select the Distance Weighting option that causes Femap to calculate a weighted interpolation factor based on that nodes distance from the Reference Node relative to all the other nodes selected in Step 1)
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The Lesson 12
Converting Rigid Element Types

Once a RBE2 or RBE3 Rigid Element is created, you can Convert the element from a RBE2 to a RBE3 and vice versa.
Note how after selecting the Convert option, the interpolation factor for the nodes has been removed.
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The Lesson 12
Welded Connections
Femap supports Weld Properties and Elements Creates CWELD elements for NX Nastran and MSC.Nastran only Spot Weld uses an effective length calculation based on the thickness of the two shell elements connected connected. Fastener allows direct input of stiffness matrix for weld properties Multiple options for generating Weld Elements Orientation of Weld is defined by either Projection method or Axis method and may be limited by the type of Weld selected
Note:
Welded elements can only be created between plate elements.
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The Lesson 12
Mesh, Connect Menu

Allows rapid generation of MPCs, Rigid, and Line Element connections between meshes
Also allows unzipping of coincident nodes with option to automatically create connection types: None leave nodes unzipped Rigid Elements DOF Spring Elements Spring Elements (including CBUSH) Gap Elements
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The Lesson 12
Connect Menu
Connect, Automatic command finds the closest matching surfaces between solids and automatically generates Connectors (also known as Contact Elements) between adjacent Connection Regions p y yp Specify search tolerance and type of contact Model Info window has a Connections object tree
Note:
For assemblies with existing slaved meshes or one that will be meshed with slaved meshes, placing a connection between the two parts at the location of the slaved mesh may result in a fatal NX Nastran error.
Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide 13 - 12
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The Lesson 12
Connection (Contact) Properties

In the Define Connection Property dialog box, first select the tab for the solver used to solve a contact problem. For NX (Nastran) Linear Contact, the Contact Type pull down selects Linear or Glued contact. Glued contact can be used in ALL NX Nastran solutions. Linear contact can be used only in NX Nastran Linear Statics solutions. Always click the Defaults button when switching Contact Type or manually creating a new Connection Property.
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The Lesson 12
NX Linear Glued Contact Property Options

Glued Contact has the following property options. In most cases, selecting the Defaults button will result in the proper settings.
Glue Type specifies the glue formulation. formulation 1..Spring when this is selected, you can change the Normal Factor and Tangential (Penalty) Factors 2..Weld (default) should be used for most cases as this prevents the introduction of artificial rotational energy into the connection. When selected, you can change the Glue Factor, but this is not recommended. d d
Eval Order - determines the number of "Linear Contact or Glue Points" for a single element on the source region. Refine Source - determines if the source region is refined for the "Linear" or "Glued" Contact solution. Penalty Factor Units - specifies how contact element stiffness is calculated. Search Distance if the two contact segments lie within this distance, NX Nastran activates glued contact between the pairs.
Note:
For more details on Glued Contact, see the NX Nastran Users Guide, Section 9.7.
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The Lesson 12
NX Linear Linear Contact Property Options

Linear Contact multiple. In most cases, selecting the Defaults button will result in the proper settings.
Friction specifies the static coefficient of friction. Min(imum) and Max(imum) Contact Search Distance if the element faces of the contact segments are within these values, NX Nastran activates the linear contact algorithm for these contact faces.
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The Lesson 12
NX Linear Linear Contact Property Options (continued)

Initial (Penetration) - Controls how NX Nastran handles initial gap or penetration of the generated contact elements.
0..Calculated (default) - Use the initial position of the nodes in the contact pairs. In the case of penetrations, a model may experience "press fit" behavior when using this option. 2..Calculated/Zero P 2 C l l t d/Z Penetration - S t ti Same as 0 C l l t d b t if penetration i 0..Calculated, but t ti is detected, set the initial contact force to zero (0). 3..Zero Gap/Penetration - Sets the penetration/gap to zero for all contact elements. Very useful when the contact surfaces are physically in contact, but due to mesh irregularities, penetration occurs.
Shell Offset use the default (0..Include shell thickness) unless the contact segments are defined at th t of th shell mesh, not th mid plane of th shells. t d fi d t the top f the h ll h t the id l f the h ll
Note:
For more details on Linear Contact, see the Femap Commands manual, Section 4.4.3.1. You can also refer to the NX Nastran Users Guide, Chapter 19 for additional details on gluded and linear contact.
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The Lesson 12
Selection of Master and Slave Contact Segments

When using either NX Nastran (Linear) Contact for NX Nastran Advanced Nonlinear Contact, the correct specification of which of the two contact segments used as the Source is important with respect to both the accuracy of the results and solution time. It is also critical when contact between two segments is unconstrained in shear contact except for friction. Femap uses the terms: Master to refer to the Target element face(s) Slave to refer to the Source element face(s)
NX Nastran checks for contact between element faces from the Slaves element faces Slave s to the Masters element faces and internally builds contact element pairs between the two element faces. Therefore, as a rule, you should model with the following in mind:
Slave Mesh Density Master Mesh Density
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The Lesson 12
Modeling Bolted Connections with g Bolt Regions

Model bolted connections with: Bar and/or Beam elements that comprise a Bolt Region Bolt Preload an axial force load applied to the bar or beam elements or Bolt Region Two elements that connect the ends of the bolt to the rest of the mesh usually Rigid elements
API script automates generation of bolt mesh Custom Tools, Meshing, Hole to Hole Fastener Does NOT create the Bolt Region or the Bolt Preload
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The Lesson 12
Bolted Connection Example

Two Aluminum Lugs with a Stainless Steel Pin Contact between lugs is modeled with Linear Contact Pin is modeled as a two Beams with a 10 lb Preload connected to lugs at ends with Rigid Element
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The Lesson 12
Fluid Connection Regions

The Connect, Fluid Region command creates segments representing incompressible fluid volume regions used for the purpose of generating a virtual mass matrix (MFLUID entry in Nastran input files).
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The Lesson 12
Rotor Connection Regions

Used to model Rotors for Rotor Dynamic analysis Use when more than one Rotor exists in a model and/or A R t axis of revolution is not coincident with the Global-Z axis Rotors i f l ti i t i id t ith th Gl b l Z i
Valid only for SOL110 Complex Modal Analysis (Normal Modes with Rotor Dynamics option) and SOL111 (Modal Frequency Analysis with Rotordynamics option)
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Lesson 14
Finite Modeling Debugging
Purpose: This lesson is an overview of methods to check and debug Finite Element Models. Topics:

Finite Element Modeling Mesh Sizing Results Checking Model Debugging Common Errors Recommended Model Checks
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Lesson 14
FEA Modeling Debugging
Finite Element Mesh Sizing

Depending on the desired accuracy of the model, a course mesh (low number of larger elements) or a fine mesh (high number of smaller elements) must be created. For instance, a more complicated structure requires a finer mesh in order to produce accurate answers.
Pros
Cons
Lower number of Elements Coarse Model Less Degrees of Freedom Reduced Solve Time
Less accuracy for complicated geometry t Distorted elements can be too stiff and misrepresent response
Fine Model
Accuracy for complicated geometry is improved Less distorted elements improves results
Higher number of Elements More Degrees of Freedom Increased Solve Time
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Lesson 14
Checking Results
It is always a good idea to do a reality check with the results of any Finite Element Analysis. Using engineering knowledge and common sense will allow a user to determine if the results make sense for the applied boundary conditions. For instance, an under-constrained or unconnected (nodes not merged where they should be) model may exhibit much larger displacements than expected a displacement in the opposite direction of the applied load during a linear cantilever beam analysis. Some Good Practices: Always visually plot the models elements if possible for verification Make sure responses correspond with applied boundary conditions Check input loads with reaction forces: F = 0 Hand calculations are always a great idea whenever possible
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Lesson 14
Model Debugging
Recommended minimum checks on input Stiffness matrix checks At the G-size After Aft MPC P Processing i After All Processing
Mass Checks Grid point weight generator output Rigid-body mass checks Assembly mass checks
Loading checks
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Lesson 14
Model Debugging (continued)

Structural plots are useful primarily to visually verify model geometry. Other tools must be used to assess the numerical accuracy of a finite element model. These tools include many automatic error checks performed by NX Nastran and user-supplied diagnostic requests in the form of DIAG, PARAM, DMAP Alters, and Case Control requests. NX Nastran performs many error checks during an analysis to ensure that all input data is in the proper format and usable. If an error is detected during data processing, an error message is generated. If the error is fatal, the analysis terminates. Many times NX Nastran errors have a number and a short description of the error which shows up in the .f06 file. Many times the same error number can represent a variety of different issues. In cases where the error is not obvious, consult the Help->Analysis menu and choose the error message segment where the Error Message number appears. Go to the error number for a broader description.
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Lesson 14
Model Debugging (continued)

Perform independent hand checks to verify the accuracy of the results Other potential pitfalls for new users include: First time use of a new capability. It is always a great idea to make a small test model in order to see how NX Nastran functionality works as it will take less time to debug and give insight into the usage of the feature Reference the Femap Examples document as this has examples of nearly all types of analyses that can be performed with Femap and NX Nastran. Refer to NX Nastran documentation as these document details on many advanced solutions . Some of the documents included with Femap are: Basic Dynamic Analysis Users Guide Advanced Dynamic Analysis Users Guide Design Sensitivity and Optimization Users Guide Basic Nonlinear Analysis Users Guide Advanced Nonlinear Theory and Modeling Guide Thermal Analysis Users Guide
Use of consistent units is of utmost importance!!! Always use unique IDs NX Nastran sometimes allows for duplicate element IDs, but not always. Duplicates can and do lead to problems, especially during data recovery
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Lesson 14
Common Types of Errors

Mistakes in engineering judgment Approximations to physical behavior Engineering Theory Finite Element Theory Finite Element Implementation Modeling Bolted connection Welded connection Corners Transitions Connections Beam to Plate Beam to solid Plate to solid
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Lesson 14
Common Types of Errors (continued)

Beam Orientation Beam Releases Loading (Make sure that the model is loaded accurately) Finite Element Error Round-off Error (Can cause serious, serious problems) Computers use binary arithmetic (user enters 0.1, internally it may be 0.099999999998) A list of known errors is maintained and distributed
Program Bugs (Please Report them to UGS Solutions via GTAC) Plates not lining up (zipper effect)
Any connections depending on in-plane rotational stiffness of plates, or any rotational stiffness on solids Instabilities example: releasing both ends of a beam in torsion Offsets of elements in wrong coordinate system (should be in the output coordinate systems of the grid points for Bars and Beams) Member Properties wrong (Beam orientation) or in plates Membrane only (left out bending) Beam end releases local or global (in beam coordinates)? Element force output is normally in element coordinate system
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Lesson 14
Minimum Recommended Model Checks

Pre-Analysis Understand the structure and the elements Make Small Models in order to understand the problem Make pilot models in areas of uncertainty If unfamiliar with an element type that needs to be used, make simple models and compare the answers to theory
Model checks before analysis Geometry Undeformed plots Look at connections between different element types Based on knowledge of elements Based on Loads Look at corners (QUAD plates) Shrink plots
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Lesson 14
Recommended Model Checks - Elements

Beam and bar Check that both ends of the beam have correct orientation (I1 and I2) Check end releases (in element coordinates) ( p y ) Offsets (in output coordinate system of GRIDs) Plates and Shells Check aspect ratios, taper, and warpage Check orientation (element normals), surfaces consistent Check attachments (in-plane rotational stiffness, corners, etc) Offsets (in element coordinate system) Material need E (or G) and E, G), Property entry be sure to get the correct properties (One of the most common errors is not specifying MID2 for bending plates) Solids Check aspect ratios Check taper Check attachments (Any attachments depending on rotational stiffness require a stiffness, special modeling effort) Material need E, (or G), and
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Lesson 14
Recommended Model Checks

Mass properties Check on MATx entries Check NSM on property entries Bars, b B beams = mass/unit l / it length th Plates = mass/unit area Submit with PARAM, GRDPNT,xxxx where xxxx = ID of GRID point to calculate mass properties about Check center of gravity and total weight (mass) versus known values
Loads L d Verify they are correct (OLOAD RESULTANT) Run the Femap command, Tools, Check, Sum Forces
Constraints Verify that they exist (often forgotten and overlooked) Verify they are correct (location and orientation in output coordinate system of the GRID points) Verify they are applied (SPC CASE CONTROL command)
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Lesson 14
Recommended Model Checks - Continued

Static Checks Apply 1-G in X,Y, and Z directions independently Check load paths (GPFORCE) Check R Ch k Reactions (SPCFORCE) ti Does total = applied load? Are the reactions at the correct locations and do they have the correct orientation?
Equilibrium check verify model is not over-constrained Run free-free normal modes analysis. Remove known constraints and check for unconstrained motion under applied loads or imposed displacements
Thermal equilibrium check (if Thermal loads are being considered) Check on MATx entries Check for unconstrained set of constraints Apply a determinate set of constraints Use the same for all materials Apply a uniform T to the structure. It should expand freely, meaning that it will create no reactions, element forces, or stresses
Statics Check EPSILON and MAXRATIO EPSILON > 10-9 may indicate trouble MAXRATIO > 105 may indicate trouble y Do they equal the applied loads?
Check reactions Check load paths use grid point force balance to trace loads Check stress contours for consistency Sharp corners indicate bad modeling Use different options (i.e., topological and geometric) and compare results
Compare values to hand calc or small model results
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Lesson 14
Recommended Model Checks - Dynamics

Dynamics normal modes Check frequencies. Are they in the expected range? If free-free, are there six rigid-body (f = 0.0) modes? Are there any mechanisms (f = 0 0)? A th h i 0.0)? More than six rigid-body modes in free-free? Any rigid-body modes in constrained modes? Check Mode Shapes. Identify Modes. Plots
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Appendix A p Femap Preferences
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences
Preferences are used to configure Femap for optimum performance and the way you prefer to work Preferences are stored in the femap.ini file under the main Femap installation folder If you specify a different Start In location for your Femap startup shortcut Femap shortcut, will first look in that location for a femap.ini file and use the preferences set in that file. In addition, any changes to preferences will automatically be stored in the femap.ini file in that folder. Messages set font and fonts sizes Views Render User Interface Database set performance options Geometry/Model Interfaces select default Analysis Interface Library/Startup Color Spaceball
Set preferences with the File, Preferences command
Many Femap preferences will take effect immediately after they have been y set, but in some cases you will need to close and re-open Femap for the changes to take effect. Examples are: Advanced/Debug Options for Render graphics Database Fonts changed in the Messages Window, etc.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Messages and Views

The Messages tab (see previous page for snapshot of dialog box) sets the fonts and colors displayed in the Messages window. The Views tab allows you to: Specify a Startup View (from the View Library) used when creating a new Femap model. Specify the Background Bitmap or Logo for Render Views. Set Picture Copy and Picture Save Defaults Set view options such as turning the Workplane automatically off in new views Alternate Contour Palette sets Blue as the lowest color for the lowest color in post postprocessing displays vs. the normal Magenta. Specify View and Dynamic Rotation options. Try changing the Dynamic Speed option if flickering is encountered during dynamic rotation.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Render

Render mode is a high-speed graphics mode that uses the OpenGL graphics language. The Render dialog box lets you control the level of functionality that you have while in Render mode. Hardware Acceleration can be toggled off if the graphics card, or it's drivers, are causing instability in Femap.\ Including less entities with the Include In Dynamic Rotation option will speed up dynamic rotation of large models. Advanced/Debug messages can be turned on to help the Development team diagnose complex geometry issues if they arise. Setting the BitBlt Delay can be used to help with performance on consumer or game-oriented graphics cards.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Graphics Card Performance Considerations

Desktop area resolution should be taken into consideration when using Femap. Having a very fine screen resolution can increase the time animations need to generate and the time individual windows need to refresh. If Femap appears to be having graphics errors it could be the driver for your graphics errors, card. Update the drivers for your graphics card often!
Drivers from the manufacturers of the graphics card chipset tend to be more stable then the drivers from the maker of the graphics card. (e.g. use an ATI or nVidia driver vs. an ASUS driver)
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences User Interface

Menus and Dialog Boxes sets preferences for Alternate Color Schemes, Autorepeat Create Commands, and the number of Recently Used Files Remember Dialog Positions tells Femap to remember where a user has placed a specific dialog box on the screen (during the current F ifi di l b th (d i th t Femap session). i ) Graphical Selection options can be used to set the Tooltip Delay and Tooltip Duration Times for Tooltips Dockable Panes can be set to animate the fly-out from the docked and tabbed positions or simply pop-up. Show Entities Defaults settings are used to set default options for using the Show When Selected in the Model Info pane, Data Table, or the Preview button in an Entity Selection dialog box. Set Toolbars options to save and load layouts of toolbars and dockable pane(s)
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Database

Defines various performance settings Preserve Next ID during Rebuild will cause Femap to not backfill empty entity IDs with new entities after using the File, Rebuild command. Set Blocks/Page and Max Cached Label for improved RAM management and performance. Sets the amount of memory used for Femap Short vertical line in color bar indicates memory used in the current model. Installed RAM (Mb) 64 128 256 Blocks/Page 1 2 3
Open/Save Method
512 5 This option should only be used f you are experiencing VERY 1000 11 slow opening/saving FEMAP| model files. On certain hardware, switching to option 2..64K widows I/O may make a dramatic difference in the time a model takes to open/save.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Database (continued)

Specify Scratch Directory for the location of the temp, scratch, and recovery files Femap writes out. Without a TEMP variable, the location of the Femap scratch files defaults to your g g p y , Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Temp folder. In many cases, this is a location on the network other than your local PC.
Note: Setting the Femap Scratch folder or setting the TEMP variable to a network file location may seriously degrade Femaps performance and dramatically increase file save times. In addition, if your network fails for any reason, any opened files in a Femap session have the p p p potential to be corrupted. p
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Geometry/Model

Select between the Parasolid or Standard geometry engines to start with. The Parasolid engine is recommended. Femap stores geometry in meters. The Solid Geometry Scale Factor is used to internally store your geometry units as meters in P i t ll t t it t i Parasolid. lid For example, if you select Inches, the Scale Factor is 39.37 (inches/meter). Femap uses the inverse of this number to store the geometry in its model database (1 inch = .0254 meters). This scaling will allow you to import and model parts that are outside of the Parasolid modeling limits ( +/-500 x 500 x 500). Note: If you import geometry with a different scale other than the files original scale, new or modified geometry will be out of scale with the imported geometry. FEMAP can be set to Delete Construction Geometry, Move it to the NoPick Layer, or simply do nothing when used. Element Quality checks can be turned on or off permanently and default values set for each quality check via the Element Distortion button. Default output orientations for various element shapes can be permanently set for use when transforming results from the Output Orientation button. The Alternate Section Property Calculator can be turned on in this dialog box. By choosing this option, values generated by the Femap beam section property calculator option will be attained using an alternate method which in certain cases will be more accurate than the standard method. Pre-V10 Tet Meshing and Surface Meshing can be set as the defaults. This will allow FEMAP 10 to use the older meshers instead of the new meshers, should any issues arise.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Geometry/Model (continued)

Load Expansion on Midside Nodes sets the defaults for modification of the distribution of Geometry-based loads (such as Forces on Surfaces and Moments on Curves) when these loads are expanded to the nodes on Parabolic elements at the time of analysis. To obtain an even distribution of force across a parabolic element, most programs require a larger portion of the force be assigned to the midside nodes. You can set the factors Along Edges, On Tri-Face, or On Quad-Face to represent the amount of the total load on the element which will be applied to the midside node.
You will typically want to use the default values as shown above, as well as use the Midside Node Adjustment Default. If you have further questions on the distribution required for your solver program, please consult the reference documentation for your analysis program.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences Interfaces

Interfaces sets the default analysis interface. The defaults can be defined for each interface (e.g. NASTRAN, ABAQUS, etc.) The Enable Old Analysis Interfaces option allows the import of models and results , pp from older, unsupported solvers.
Setting the File Reference Options allows FEMAP to check if imported Geometry, Analysis Input decks, and/or Analysis Results have been modified when a FEMAP model is opened. Use the File, References command to check references during a FEMAP session. Increase the value of Max Lines to Monitor from the default value of 5000 if you like to view the .f06 file during analysis execution.
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Appendix A
Femap Preferences
Femap Preferences p Library/Startup, and Colors

The Library preferences allow you to specify default FEMAP library files. Objects saved such as Materials, Functions, etc. are saved into the preferred library.
The Colors preferences allow you to select the default colors for entities. The Spaceball preferences allow you to specify certain parameters to improve the performance and overall behavior of Spaceball devices with regard to FEMAP.
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FEMAP Student Guide

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What is the Femap 101 training agenda?

What is the Femap 101 training agenda?

What topics are covered in Lesson 1?

What topics are covered in Lesson 1?

SIEMENS

Femap 101 Student Guide

Siemens PLM Software

Proprietary and restricted rights notice

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

Training Class Agenda

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

Midsurfacing Assembly Modeling Finite Element Modeling Debugging Student Topics

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

Lesson 1 Th FEA M d li L The Modeling P Process

Fermp 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

What is Finite Element Analysis?

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

What comprises a FEA model?

Material attributes Boundary conditions (loads and constraints)

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Femap Objects and Workflow for Generating a FEA Model

Boundary Conditions Constraints Loads

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Geometry, Geometry commands

Parasolid, ACIS, IGES, STEP, STL

Midplane surface extraction and editing

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Materials and Properties

Line elements Plane elements Volume elements Other elements

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Femap Model Objects and Commands Meshing

Model, Node command

Model, Element command

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The FEA Modeling Process Using Femap

Femap Model Objects and Commands - Analysis

Report List, Output, commands Data Table operations

Model, Analysis command

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The Th FEMAP User Interface U I t f Part 1

Fermp 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide

The Femap User Interface Part 1

Femap Main Window Layout

Femap Graphics Window Named Tabs for Graphics Windows

Tabs for Stacked Stacked dockable panes

Floating dockable pane

Current Model Status (FEMAP Menu Help when in command)

FEMAP Status and Tray bar

Femap 101 Introduction to Femap with NX Nastran Student Guide