University of Alberta - ANSYS Tutorials
ANSYS is a general purpose finite element modeling package for numerically solving a wide variety of mechanical
problems. These problems include: static/dynamic structural analysis (both linear and non-linear), heat transfer and
fluid problems, as well as acoustic and electromagnetic problems. Most of these tutorials have been created using
ANSYS 7.0, therefore, make note of small changes in the menu structure if you are using an older or newer version.
This web site has been organized into the following six sections.
n ANSYS Utilities
An introduction to using ANSYS. This includes a quick explanation of the stages of analysis, how to start
ANSYS, the use of the windows in ANSYS, convergence testing, saving/restoring jobs, and working with
Pro/E.
n Basic Tutorials
Detailed tutorials outlining basic structural analysis using ANSYS. It is recommended that you complete
these tutorials in order as each tutorial builds upon skills taught in previous examples.
n Intermediate Tutorials
Complex skills such as dynamic analysis and nonlinearities are explored in this section. It is recommended
that you have completed the Basic Tutorials prior to attempting these tutorials.
n Advanced Tutorials
Advanced skills such as substructuring and optimization are explored in this section. It is recommended that
you have completed the Basic Tutorials prior to attempting these tutorials.
n Postprocessing Tutorials
Postprocessing tools available in ANSYS such as X-sectional views of the geometry are shown in this
section. It is recommended that you have completed the Basic Tutorials prior to attempting these tutorials.
n Command Line Files
Example problems solved using command line coding only, in addition to several files to help you to
generate your own command line files.
ANSYS Utilities
An introduction to using ANSYS, including a quick explanation of the stages of analysis, how to start ANSYS, and
the use of the windows in ANSYS, and using Pro/ENGINEER with ANSYS.
l Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
A brief introduction of the 3 stages involved in finite element analysis.
l Starting up ANSYS
How to start ANSYS using windows NT and Unix X-Windows.
l ANSYS Environment
An introduction to the windows used in ANSYS
l ANSYS Interface
An explanation of the Graphic User Interface (GUI) in comparison to the command file approach.
l Convergence Testing
This file can help you to determine how small your meshing elements need to be before you can trust the
solution.
l Saving/Restoring Jobs
Description of how to save your work in ANSYS and how to resume a previously saved job.
l ANSYS Files
Definitions of the different files created by ANSYS.
l Printing Results
Saving data and figures generated in ANSYS.
l Working with Pro Engineer
A description of how to export geometry from Pro/E into ANSYS.
Basic Tutorials
The following documents will lead you through several example problems using ANSYS. ANSYS 7.0 was used to
create some of these tutorials while ANSYS 5.7.1 was used to create others, therefore, if you are using a different
version of ANSYS make note of changes in the menu structure. Complete these tutorials in order as each tutorial will
build on skills taught in the previous example.
l Two Dimensional Truss
Basic functions will be shown in detail to provide you with a general knowledge of how to use ANSYS. This
tutorial should take approximately an hour and a half to complete.
l Bicycle Space Frame
Intermediate ANSYS functions will be shown in detail to provide you with a more general understanding of
how to use ANSYS. This tutorial should take approximately an hour and a half to complete.
l Plane Stress Bracket
Boolean operations, plane stress and uniform pressure loading will be introduced in the creation and analysis of
this 2-Dimensional object.
l Solid Modeling
This tutorial will introduce techniques such as filleting, extrusion, copying and working plane orienation to
create 3-Dimensional objects.
Intermediate Tutorials
The majority of these examples are simple verification problems to show you how to use the intermediate techniques
in ANSYS. You may be using a different version of ANSYS than what was used to create these tutorials, therefore,
make note of small changes in the menu structure. These tutorials can be completed in any order, however, it is
expected that you have completed the Basic Tutorials before attempting these.
l Effect of Self Weight
Incorporating the weight of an object into the finite element analysis is shown in this simple cantilever beam
example.
l Distributed Loading
The application of distributed loads and the use of element tables to extract data is expalined in this tutorial.
l NonLinear Analysis
A large moment is applied to the end of a cantilever beam to explore Geometric Nonlinear behaviour (large
deformations). There is also an associated tutorial for an explanation of the Graphical Solution Tracking
(GST) plot.
l Buckling
In this tutorial both the Eigenvalue and Nonlinear methods are used to solve a simple buckling problem.
l NonLinear Materials
The purpose of the tutorial is to describe how to include material nonlinearities in an ANSYS model.
l Dynamic Analysis
These tutorial explore the dynamic analyis capabilities of ANSYS. Modal, Harmonic, and Transient
Analyses are shown in detail.
l Thermal Examples
Analysis of a pure conduction, a mixed convection/conduction/insulated boundary condition example, and a
transient heat conduction analysis.
Modelling Using Axisymmetry
Utilizing axisymmetry to model a 3-D structure in 2-D to reduce computational time.
Advanced Tutorials
The majority of these examples are simple verification problems to show you how to use the more advanced
techniques in ANSYS. You may be using a different version of ANSYS than what was used to create these tutorials,
therefore, make note of small changes in the menu structure. These tutorials can be completed in any order, however,
it is expected that you have completed the Basic Tutorials.
l Springs and Joints
The creation of models with multiple elements types will be explored in this tutorial. Additionally, elements
COMBIN7 and COMBIN14 will be explained as well as the use of parameters to store data.
l Design Optimization
The use of Design Optimization in ANSYS is used to solve for unknown parameters of a beam.
l Substructuring
The use of Substructuring in ANSYS is used to solve a simple problem.
l Coupled Structural/Thermal Analysis
The use of ANSYS physics environments to solve a simple structural/thermal problem.
l Using P-Elements
The stress distribution of a model is solved using p-elements and compared to h-elements.
l Melting Using Element Death
Using element death to model a volume melting.
l Contact Elements
Model of two beams coming into contact with each other.
l ANSYS Parametric Design Language
Design a truss using parametric variables.
Postprocessing Tutorials
These tutorials were created to show some of the tools available in ANSYS for postprocessing. You may be using a
different version of ANSYS than what was used to create these tutorials, therefore, make note of small changes in the
menu structure. These tutorials can be completed in any order, however, it is expected that you have completed the
Basic Tutorials.
l Viewing Cross Sectional Results
The method to view cross sectional results for a volume are shown in this tutorial.
l Advanced X-Sectional Results: Using Paths to Post Process Results
The purpose of this tutorial is to create and use 'paths' to provide extra detail during post processing.
l Data Plotting: Using Tables to Post Process Results
The purpose of this tutorial is to outline the steps required to plot results using tables, a special type of array.
l Changing Graphical Properties
This tutorial outlines some of the basic graphical changes that can be made to the main screen and model.
Command Line Files
The following files should help you to generate your own command line files.
l Creating Command Files
Directions on generating and running command files.
l ANSYS Command File Programming Features
This file shows some of the commonly used programming features in the ANSYS command file language
known as ADPL (ANSYS Parametric Design Language). Prompting the user for parameters, performing
calculations with paramaters and control structures are illustrated.
The following files include some example problems that have been created using command line coding.
Basic Tutorials This set of command line codes are from the Basic Tutorial section.
Intermediate Tutorials This set of command line codes are from the Intermediate Tutorial section.
Advanced Tutorials This set of command line codes are from the Advanced Tutorial section.
PostProc Tutorials This set of command line codes are from the PostProc Tutorial section.
Radiation Analysis A simple radiation heat transfer between concentric cylinders.
Introduction
ANSYS is a general purpose finite element modeling package for numerically solving a wide variety of mechanical problems. These
problems include: static/dynamic structural analysis (both linear and non-linear), heat transfer and fluid problems, as well as acoustic and
electro-magnetic problems.
In general, a finite element solution may be broken into the following three stages. This is a general guideline that can be used for setting
up any finite element analysis.
1. Preprocessing: defining the problem; the major steps in preprocessing are given below:
m Define keypoints/lines/areas/volumes
m Define element type and material/geometric properties
m Mesh lines/areas/volumes as required
The amount of detail required will depend on the dimensionality of the analysis (i.e. 1D, 2D, axi-symmetric, 3D).
2. Solution: assigning loads, constraints and solving; here we specify the loads (point or pressure), contraints (translational and
rotational) and finally solve the resulting set of equations.
3. Postprocessing: further processing and viewing of the results; in this stage one may wish to see:
m Lists of nodal displacements
m Element forces and moments
m Deflection plots
m Stress contour diagrams
Starting up ANSYS
Large File Sizes
ANSYS can create rather large files when running and saving; be sure that your local drive has space for it.
Getting the Program Started
In the Mec E 3-3 lab, there are two ways that you can start up ANSYS:
1. Windows NT application
2. Unix X-Windows application
Windows NT Start Up
Starting up ANSYS in Windows NT is simple:
l Start Menu
l Programs
l ANSYS 5.7
l Run Interactive Now
Unix X-Windows Start Up
Starting the Unix version of ANSYS involves a few more steps:
l in the task bar at the bottom of the screen, you should see something labeled ...
Mechanical_Design