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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

INSPIRE FOR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION - V2020

CH3 - ANALYSIS

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Chapter 3 - Analysis

• Introduction to Analysis • Exercise 3: Running an Analysis

• What Inputs are Required? • Tips & Tricks

• Decreased Run Time • Questions & Answers

• Run Analysis

• Run History and Run Status

• Analysis Results

• Results Overview

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Introduction to Analysis
What is FEA?

• FEA is a numerical method that allows the designer to calculate the responses of a structure to combinations of
applied loads and supports. With this information the designer can determine if the proposed design meets the
design requirements.

• Analyze

• The Analyze button is used to access the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capabilities of Inspire.

• The primary applications are to:

• evaluate performance of existing designs

to help in target setting

• evaluate new concepts developed from

the Inspire results

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Introduction to Analysis
Inspire Optimization Workflow

Sketch or Assign Check Defeature Set Design Generate Confirm Rebuild

Import a Materials Baseline the Part Space and Ideal Shape Performance with
Part / and Loads Performance Manufacturing PolyNURBS
Assembly Constraints

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

What Inputs Are Required?

Materials

• Defined by using the Parts and Materials Browser, the Property Editor,
or by on a part.

Loads
• Forces, torques and pressures

Supports
• Fixed, sliding and pinned connections

Load Cases
• Combinations of loads and supports
to represent specific operating
conditions
Note: In addition to Materials, you may also apply Concentrated Masses
to your assembly for analysis

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Decreased Run Time

File > Preferences… > Run Options that allows you to select a solver method

(OptiStruct solver method), that is more efficient for large models, when using Multiple CPU Cores.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Run Analysis
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1. Run Optistruct Analysis – Launches the run submission dialog 2
where details of the run can be defined.
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2. Element Size – The element size required to achieve accurate results
is calculated internally. This can be overridden if required. 4
Typically this would be to:

a) do a convergence study by running at different element sizes

b) force a larger element size to reduce run time.

3. Normal Modes – A Normal mode analysis can also be requested.

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4. Buckling Modes – A linear buckling analysis can also be requested.

5. Speed/Accuracy – The Faster setting is sufficient to obtain good

conceptual designs. The More Accurate setting is really only
necessary when a great degree of accuracy is required for frequency
constraints.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Run Analysis
6. Contacts – Sliding only option allows you to run the model
faster, but the results will not be as accurate. If you select the
Sliding with separation option, the model will run slower, but
will better represent the actual physics.
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7. Gravity can be added in a given direction for all load cases.

8. Load Cases – If multiple load cases exist, active load cases for 7
a run can be selected. This is also where you can control Inertia
relief to analyze unsupported structures.
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9. Restore – Recalls existing values from previous analysis runs.

10.Export – Exports a .fem file of the current analysis setup.

11.Run - Launches the analysis.

9 10 11

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Run History and Run Status

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1. Show Analysis Results – Used to show previously 1
loaded analysis results. 3

2. Run History – Contains a history of analysis and

optimization results which you can recall at any time.

3. Run Status - When Inspire is calculating the results,

the run status dialog will appear.

• On completion, a green checkmark will show

as will a green flag on the analysis icon.

• To load results you can:

• the run name.

• Select the run and select View Now.

• Click the green flag

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Analysis Results
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1. Run – The most recent analysis run is shown in the modeling window
by default. 2

• To view the results from a different analysis, click on the appropriate

item in the list of runs at the top of the Analysis Explorer.

• To delete a run from the Analysis Explorer, the run name to

select Delete Run.

2. Load Case – Each load case selected in the Run Analysis window
returns a separate result. Click on an item in the list to view the results
for that load case.

• If you included Normal Modes in your analysis, this will be listed as

a separate load case. Buckling Modes have the (Buckling)
appended to the Load Case name.

• The Result Envelope is created when you have two or more static
load cases. It shows the maximum value for each result type across
all load cases.
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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Analysis Results
3. Result Types – Determines the results to be displayed.

4. Restore – After making changes to the legend parameters, this

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restores the legend default values.
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5. Result Options Menu – Allows the legend color maps and the 6
basis for the maximum legend values to be selected. 7
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6. Global Maximum Legend Value – Displays the
overall maximum value in your assembly, including hidden parts.

7. Maximum Legend Value – Can be directly edited to aid in 8

results viewing, based on parts shown in the modeling window.

8. Minimum Legend Value – Can be directly edited to aid in

results viewing, based on parts shown in the modeling window.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Analysis Results
9. Contour Threshold Slider – Hides result values below a
threshold to aid result viewing.

10.Global Minimum Legend Value – Displays the

overall minimum value in your assembly, including hidden parts. 9

11.Animation Control – Allows

start/stop/speed/scaling of animation to be controlled.

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12.Show Display Control – Turns entities off 11

and on in results mode.
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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Analysis Results
13.Contour Control – Toggles blended/discrete contours and
interpolation
during animation.

14.Callouts – Show analysis results at a point of

interest in the model. A list of callouts and min/max callouts can be
displayed.

15.Compare results – Compare different

analysis results in a table.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Callouts

• Using the Callouts tools, user can add some note to obtain results
information at some particular area of interest, in addition to location of
most critical areas, giving maximum and minimum value for the criterion.

• Using the Table button, all callouts values can be listed in a table for a
more advanced post-processing.

• Callouts values are automatically updated when changing model

or load case.

• The complete table can be copy/pasted in Excel for report generation.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Displacement

Displacement result type shows how much your model displaces or deflects when loads and
supports are applied.

Displacement results are created for both linear static and normal mode analyses. It is
important to check displacements for general analysis and also when understanding baseline
design pre concept generation with Inspire.

For static analysis it is important to check the following for each load case being considered:

• Correct Order of Magnitude: Are the displacements of the correct size? If a component 100
mm long has a displacement of 1000 mm this will indicate incorrect load magnitudes or
inappropriate supports. It can also indicate incorrect material properties.

• Shape of Deformation: By animating the model for each load it is possible to ensure the
structure is deflecting in a logical way. Unusual behaviour is usually found to be the result of
incorrectly applied loads and/or supports.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Factor of Safety

The Factor of Safety result type shows which areas of a model are in danger of yielding due to
stress. The factor of safety is calculated as follows:

Factor of Safety = Yield Stress / von Mises Stress

• F.S. < 1.0 (or near 1.0) will show as RED indicating likely regions of failure.

• The larger the F.S. the less likely a part is to fail.

• An accurate F.S. depends on accurate loadings and accurate material and analysis models.

• There is no definitive factor of safety that is suitable for all applications.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Percent of Yield

The Percent of Yield result type shows which areas of a model are in danger of yielding due to
stress. It is essentially the inverse of factor of safety and is expressed as a percentage. The
percent of yield for each part's material is taken into account when calculating the overall percent
of yield for the model and is calculated as follows:

Percent of Yield = (von Mises Stress / material Yield Stress) x 100

• The yield is obtained from the material properties.

• % Yield > 100% (or near 100%) will show as RED indicating likely regions of failure.

• The lower the % Yield the less likely a part is to fail.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Tension and Compression

Tension and Compression show the user which areas of the model are in
tension, and which areas are in compression.

• These results are derived from the von Mises Stress results.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Max Shear Stress

The Max Shear Stress results can be used in various failure theories to predict
part performance and durability.

• By default, areas shown in RED have exceeded the peak stress, which is the highest
displayed stress for the selected load case.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Von Mises Stress

The von Mises failure criterion is typically used to assess the structural performance of ductile
materials.

• A material is said to start yielding – which in many instances is considered failure – when the
von Mises stress reaches the yield stress.

1 2 2 2 2 2 2
𝜎𝜎𝑣𝑣 = 𝜎𝜎 − 𝜎𝜎22 + 𝜎𝜎22 − 𝜎𝜎33 + 𝜎𝜎33 − 𝜎𝜎11 + 6 𝜎𝜎12 + 𝜎𝜎23 + 𝜎𝜎31
2 11

• The equation can be represented in the 2D case by the ellipse shown below.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Principal Stress and Principal Strain

The Major\Minor Principal Stress - These stress results can be used in various failure
theories to predict part performance and durability.
• By default, areas shown in RED have exceeded the peak stress, which is the highest
displayed stress for the selected load case. To change the top number in the legend to
the yield stress for a material in the model, click the icon next to the results slider in
the Analysis Explorer. You can also click on the top number and define a custom value.

• Principal Strain: Maximum and minimum normal strain possible for a specific point on a
structural element. Shear strain is 0 at the orientation where principal strain occurs.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Strain Energy Density

The strain energy density result type shows the areas in your model that are under the
greatest strain when vibrating.

• These RED areas indicate where you should modify the part to reduce the strain.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Contact

The contact result type allows you to view contact gap, status and pressure to
ensure that the contact is behaving appropriately.

• A typical use case would be reviewing the contact pressure over the gasket area in a
pipe flange to ensure that the gasket doesn't leak.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Normal Modes

For Modal Analysis it is important to check if the natural frequencies are reasonable.
The natural frequencies for each normal mode is displayed under result type.

• For a free vibration analysis (no supports) all parts of the model will be in motion
and coherent – no parts will move independently of other parts.

• If supports are used then those areas should move as per their constraints (fixed,
slide, etc.)

• Available Displacement results and Strain Energy Density results

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
Buckling Modes

The displacement for the selected mode is displayed on the modeling window.
If the value for that mode is displayed in the modeling window. If the value for
that mode is between 1 and 0, the part is predicted to buckle.

• If the value is between 0 and -1, it will buckle in the opposite direction.

• Buckling modes are only available when running an OptiStruct analysis.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Results Overview
• The Analysis Explorer allows you to filter the results so
that areas on the model with results greater than a specified
value are masked.

• You can mask areas with results less than the specified
value by clicking the icon and selecting Flip Mask.

• Select the arrow on the results slider to enter a specific

value.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Exercise 3 - Running an Analysis

File Name and Location

..\STUDENT-EXERCISE\Ch3\Exercise_3.stmod

Exercise Goals
1. Open the model
2. Run the Analysis
3. Explore results

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Exercise 3 - Running an Analysis

Step 1: Open the model

a) File > Open..\STUDENT-EXERCISE\Ch3\Exercise_3.stmod

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Exercise 3 - Running an Analysis

Step 2: Run the Analysis

a) Structure ribbon > Run group > Run OptiStruct Analysis

b) on the run name to show results when appears

the green mark

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Exercise 3 - Running an Analysis

Step 3: Explore results

a) Structure ribbon > Run group > Show Analysis Results
b) Take note of minimum Safety Factor for both Load Cases.

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Tips & Tricks - Analysis Setup Settings

Midsurface tool  Why create the Midsurface?
• Creating a midsurface representation of stamped parts can drastically help to
decrease the CPU time.
(Refer to Chapter 6, Geometry > Midsurface)

Mesh controls  Why change Element Size?

• Get initial results fast and get accurate results when loading kinematics look correct.
(Refer to Chapter 3, Analysis > Run Analysis > Element Size)

Connections  Why create Fasteners/Joints?

• Creating FE simple representation, not solid mesh of connections can drastically help to
decrease the CPU time.
(Refer to Chapter 4, Connections > Fasteners/Joints)

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Inspire for Structural Analysis and Optimization, v2020

Questions & Answers

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