FEM tutorial: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
m (Restored Original Tutorial)
m (Minor updates to current workflow)
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<!--T:1-->
<!--T:1-->
{{TutorialInfo
{{TutorialInfo
|Class= Finite Element Analysis
Topic= Finite Element Analysis
|Level= Beginner
|Level= Beginner
|Time= 10 minutes + Solver time
|Time= 10 minutes + Solver time
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# Activate the Part Workbench
# Activate the Part Workbench
# Create a Cube
# Create a Cube
# Change its '''Dimensions''' to the following:
## Height: 1.000 mm
## Length: 8.000 mm
## Width: 1.000 mm


<!--T:13-->
<!--T:13-->
Now we have a model with which to work with.
Now we have a model with which to work with.


==== Meshing the model ==== <!--T:14-->
==== Creating the Analysis ====
# Switch to the FEM Workbench

===== Netgen ===== <!--T:15-->
===== Netgen ===== <!--T:15-->
# Select the model
# Select the model
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# Click '''Ok'''
# Click '''Ok'''
# Select the Mesh from the Tree View
# Select the Mesh from the Tree View
# Click [[Image:Fem_Analysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM Analysis|New mechanical analysis]] from the menu to create an analysis from the mesh that was created.
# Click [[Image:Fem_Analysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM Analysis|New mechanical analysis]] from the menu to create an analysis from the mesh that was created


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# Show the original model
# Show the original model
# Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintFixed.svg|32px]] [[FEM FixedConstraint|Create FEM fixed constraint]]
# Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintFixed.svg|32px]] [[FEM FixedConstraint|Create FEM fixed constraint]]
# Select the bottom face of the Box and click OK
# Select the back face of the Cube (face on the '''YZ''' axis) and click OK
# Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintForce.svg|32px]] [[FEM ForceConstraint|Create FEM force constraint]]
# Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintForce.svg|32px]] [[FEM ForceConstraint|Create FEM force constraint]]
# Select the top face of the Box and set the '''Area load''' value to 20 000
# Select the front face of the Cube (the face parallel to the back face) and set the '''Area load''' value to 9000000.00
# Click OK
# Click OK


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==== Final preparations ==== <!--T:21-->
==== Final preparations ==== <!--T:21-->
# Select [[Image:Fem_Material.svg|32px]] [[FEM Material|Mechanical material...]] and choose Steel-generic as the material
# Select [[Image:Fem_Material.svg|32px]] [[FEM Material|Mechanical material...]] and choose Calculix as the material
# Click '''OK'''
# Click '''OK'''


==== Running the Solver ==== <!--T:22-->
==== Running the Solver ==== <!--T:22-->
===== Standard Procedure =====
# Select the solver object [[Image:Fem_Solver.svg|32px]] contained in the '''Mechanical Analysis'''
# Select [[Image:Fem_NewAnalysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM Calculation|Start calculation]] from the menu
# Select [[Image:Fem_NewAnalysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM Calculation|Start calculation]] from the menu
# Select '''Write Calculix Input File'''
# Select '''Write Calculix Input File'''
# Select '''Run Calculix'''
# Select '''Run Calculix'''
# Click '''Close'''

===== Quick Procedure =====
# Click on [[Image:Fem_QuickAnalysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM_RunCalculiXccx|Quick Analysis]].
# Click '''Close'''
# Click '''Close'''



Revision as of 06:17, 6 March 2016

{{TutorialInfo Topic= Finite Element Analysis |Level= Beginner |Time= 10 minutes + Solver time |Author=Drei |FCVersion=0.16 or above |Files= }}

Introduction

This tutorial is meant to introduce the reader to the basic workflow of the FEM Workbench, as well as most of the tools that are available to perform a static analysis.

Requirements

  • FreeCAD version 0.16 or above
  • Netgen and/or GMSH is installed on the system
  • In the case of GMSH, installation of psicofil's macro is recommended
  • Calculix is installed on the system
  • The reader has the basic knowledge to use the Part and PartDesign Workbenches

Procedure

Modeling

In this example a Cube is used as the study object, but models created in the Part or PartDesign Workbenches can be used instead.

  1. Create a new document
  2. Activate the Part Workbench
  3. Create a Cube
  4. Change its Dimensions to the following:
    1. Height: 1.000 mm
    2. Length: 8.000 mm
    3. Width: 1.000 mm

Now we have a model with which to work with.

Creating the Analysis

Netgen
  1. Select the model
  2. Select File:Fem FemMesh.svg Create FEM mesh
  3. Click Ok
  4. Select the Mesh from the Tree View
  5. Click New mechanical analysis from the menu to create an analysis from the mesh that was created

You can also drag and drop a mesh to a Mechanical Analysis that does not have a mesh within the Tree View.

GMSH

The usage of psicofil's macro is recommended, and is used for this example.

  1. Activate the macro
  2. Select the object you wish to use, in this case our Cube
  3. Check the box Create Mechanical Analysis from mesh
  4. Click OK

We have now meshed our object and are ready to add constraints and forces.

Constraints and Forces

  1. Hide the mesh from the Tree View.
  2. Show the original model
  3. Select Create FEM fixed constraint
  4. Select the back face of the Cube (face on the YZ axis) and click OK
  5. Select Create FEM force constraint
  6. Select the front face of the Cube (the face parallel to the back face) and set the Area load value to 9000000.00
  7. Click OK

We now have established the restrictions and forces for our static study.

Final preparations

  1. Select File:Fem Material.svg Mechanical material... and choose Calculix as the material
  2. Click OK

Running the Solver

Standard Procedure
  1. Select the solver object contained in the Mechanical Analysis
  2. Select File:Fem NewAnalysis.svg Start calculation from the menu
  3. Select Write Calculix Input File
  4. Select Run Calculix
  5. Click Close
Quick Procedure
  1. Click on File:Fem QuickAnalysis.svg Quick Analysis.
  2. Click Close

Analyzing Results

  1. Select File:Fem Result.svg Show result
  2. Choose among the different Result types to view the results
  3. The slider at the bottom can be used to alter the mesh to view the deformation in a simplified manner
  4. To remove the results select File:Fem PurgeResults.png Purge results

We are now finished with the basic workflow for the FEM Module.