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MSC.Patran 2001(r2) Release Guide

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Page 1: Release Guide 2001r2

MSC.Patran 2001(r2)

Release Guide

Page 2: Release Guide 2001r2

CorporateMSC.Software Corporation2 MacArthur PlaceSanta Ana, CA 92707Telephone: (800) 345-2078Fax: (714) 784-4056

EuropeMSC.Software GmbHAm Moosfeld 1381829 MunichGERMANYTelephone: (49) (89) 43 19 87 0Fax: (49) (89) 43 61 71 6

Asia PacificMSC.Software CorporationEntsuji-Gadelius Building2-39, Akasaka 5-chomeMinato-ku, TOKYO 107-0052, JAPANTelephone: (81) (3) 3505 0266Fax: (81) (3) 3505 0914

Worldwide Webwww.mscsoftware.com

Disclaimer

MSC.Software Corporation reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other informationcontained in this document without prior notice.

The concepts, methods, and examples presented in this text are for illustrative and educational purposesonly, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to apply to any particular engineering problem or design.MSC.Software Corporation assumes no liability or responsibility to any person or company for direct orindirect damages resulting from the use of any information contained herein.

User Documentation: Copyright 2001 MSC.Software Corporation. Printed in U.S.A. All RightsReserved.

This notice shall be marked on any reproduction of this documentation, in whole or in part. Anyreproduction or distribution of this document, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent ofMSC.Software Corporation is prohibited.

MSC and MSC. are registered trademarks and service marks of MSC.Software Corporation. NASTRANis a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. MSC.Nastran is anenhanced proprietary version developed and maintained by MSC.Software Corporation. MSC.Patran isa trademark of MSC.Software Corporation.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

P3*V2001r2*Z*Z*Z*DC-903057

Page 3: Release Guide 2001r2

C O N T E N T SMSC.Patran Release Guide

MSC.Patran Release Guide,

Preface ■ List of MSC.Patran Books, viii

■ Technical Support, ix

■ www.mscsoftware.com, xi

■ Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC Documentation, xiii

1MSC.Patran 2001at a Glance

■ Overview of MSC.Patran 2001, 2

■ Supported Platforms, 8❑ Future Support for Compaq Tru64, 9

■ Licensing Considerations, 11

■ Corrected Software Defects, 12

■ Database Compatibility, 13❑ Future Support for InterBase, 13❑ InterBase Software Delivery, 13❑ Period of Support and Operating System Support, 13❑ Long Term Support Issues, 14

■ Documentation and Online Help, 15❑ MSC.Patran Documentation Library, 15

■ Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information, 17

2AnalysisIntegration

■ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements, 20❑ Limitations, 21❑ MSC.Marc Preference Layout, 22❑ Translation Parameters, 23❑ Analysis Load Step Setup, 24❑ Rigid Body Contact, 26❑ Materials, Elements, and LBCs, 28❑ Results Access, 37❑ Miscellaneous, 38

■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements, 39

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❑ Complex Tabular Fields Enhancement, 39❑ The fields created can be visualized in X-Y plot format., 41❑ HyperElastic Materials, 42❑ Nonlinear Normal Modes/Buckling Support, 44❑ Enforced Motion Support for MSC.Nastran, 46❑ Input File Reader Enhancements, 50❑ MSC.Nastran FREQ5 Output Frequency Response

Specification, 52❑ Residual Vector Control, 52

■ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements, 53❑ Loads & Boundary Conditions, 53❑ Rigid Body Object, 56❑ Element Properties, 58❑ Beams, 60❑ Material Properties, 63❑ Analysis, 66❑ Special Features / Spotweld/Stiffener Tool/ Create / Skin:, 72❑ Analyze/Direct Text Input:, 74❑ Results, 75

■ LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements, 77

■ SAMCEF Preference Enhancements, 83

■ ABAQUS Preference Enhancements, 87❑ ABAQUS Rebar Support, 87❑ Abaqus Beam Visualization, 88❑ Abaqus Input File Reader, 89

■ MSC.Patran Advanced FEA, 90

■ PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements, 91

3GeometryModeling and CADAccessEnhancements

■ Geometry Preferences, 100

■ CAE Solid Modeling, 101❑ Summary of Capabilities, 101❑ Solid Creation, 102❑ Solid Editing Capabilities, 104❑ Conversion to Parasolid, 108

■ Strategic Geometry Enhancements, 111

■ CAD Direct Access Support, 112❑ CAD Access support on LINUX for MSC.Patran 2001, 114

Page 5: Release Guide 2001r2

4Finite ElementMeshing andModeling

■ Assembly TetMesh, 116

■ Total Loads and CID Distributed Loads (MSC.Nastran only), 120❑ Total Loads Forms, 121❑ CID Distributed Load, 122❑ MSC.Nastran BDF Generation, 122

■ Miscellaneous FEM, 124❑ IsoMesh of Parasolid Surfaces, 124❑ MPC Renumbering, 124❑ Compress Duplicate Materials and Properties, 125

■ MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001, 126❑ Draping Enhancements, 126❑ Import Ply Enhancements, 127❑ Create Solid Elements Layup, 129❑ Transform Layup Mirror, 130❑ Layup Visualization Enhancements, 131❑ Modify/Delete Layup, 134❑ Show Laminate Enhancements, 135❑ Import/Export Laminates, 135❑ Miscellaneous Form Updates, 137

■ Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only), 140

5Performance andOther StrategicEnhancements

■ Miscellaneous Enhancements, 144❑ Group Create Enhancements, 144❑ Group Transform Enhancements, 145❑ STEP AP203/AP209, 145❑ Spaceball Support, 145❑ MSC.Patran Thermal, 145❑ Settings.pcl, 145

6Pre-ReleaseCapabilities

■ Advanced Mesh Utilities, 148❑ Sheetbody Meshing (Region Meshing), 148❑ Mesh On Mesh, 153❑ Midplane Meshing Component, 157

■ Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran, 159❑ Summary of Interactive Frequency Response

Implementation:, 159

Page 6: Release Guide 2001r2

■ ANSYS and ABAQUS Input File Reader, 162

■ Additional CAD Access Support, 163

INDEX MSC.Patran Release Guide 165

Page 7: Release Guide 2001r2

Preface

■ List of MSC.Patran Books

■ Technical Support

■ www.mscsoftware.com

■ Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC Documentation

Page 8: Release Guide 2001r2

viii

List of MSC.Patran BooksBelow is a list of some of the MSC.Nastran documents. You may order any of thesedocuments from the MSC.Software BooksMart site at www.engineering-e.com.

Installation and Release Guides

❏ Installation and Operations Guide

❏ Release Guide

User’s Guides and Reference Manuals

❏ MSC.Patran User’s Guide

❏ MSC.Patran Reference Manual

❏ MSC.Patran Analysis Manager

❏ MSC.Patran FEA

❏ MSC.Patran Materials

❏ MSC.Patran Thermal

Preference Guides

❏ ABAQUS

❏ ANSYS

❏ LS-DYNA

❏ MSC.Marc

❏ MSC.Dytran

❏ MSC.Nastran

❏ PAMCRASH

❏ SAMCEF

❏ PATRAN 2 Neutral File

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ixPreface

Technical SupportFor help with installing or using an MSC.Software product, contact your localtechnical support services. Our technical support provides the following services:

• Resolution of installation problems• Advice on specific analysis capabilities• Advice on modeling techniques• Resolution of specific analysis problems (e.g., fatal messages)• Verification of code error.

If you have concerns about an analysis, we suggest that you contact us at an earlystage.

You can reach technical support services on the web, by telephone, or e-mail:

Web Go to the MSC Mechanical Solutions website at www.mechsolutions.com, and clickon Support. Here, you can find a wide variety of support resources includingapplication examples, technical application notes, available training courses, anddocumentation updates at the MSC.Software Training, Technical Support, andDocumentation web page.

PhoneandFax

Email Send a detailed description of the problem to the email address below thatcorresponds to the product you are using. You should receive an acknowledgement

United StatesMSC.Patran SupportTelephone: (800) 732-7284Fax: (714) 784-4343

Frimley, CamberleySurrey, United KingdomTelephone: (44) (1276) 67 10 00Fax: (44) (1276) 69 11 11

MSC.Nastran SupportTelephone: (800) 732-7284

Tokyo, JapanTelephone: (81) (3) 3505 02 66Fax: (81) (3) 3505 09 14

Munich, GermanyTelephone: (49) (89) 43 19 87 0Fax: (49) (89) 43 61 71 6

Paris, FranceTelephone: (33) (1) 69 36 69 36Fax: (33) (1) 69 36 45 17

Rome, ItalyTelephone: (390) (6) 5 91 64 50Fax: (390) (6) 5 91 25 05

Gouda, The NetherlandsTelephone: (31) (18) 2543700Fax: (31) (18) 2543707

Moscow, RussiaTelephone: (7) (095) 236 6177Fax: (7) (095) 236 9762

Madrid, SpainTelephone: (34) (91) 5560919Fax: (34) (91) 5567280

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x

that your message was received, followed by an email from one of our TechnicalSupport Engineers.

TrainingThe MSC Institute of Technology provides basic and specialized training in the use ofMSC’s MCAE software products, as well as in general analysis subjects, such asthermal analysis, finite element modeling, and fatigue-life prediction. We offer theworld’s largest selection of engineering analysis and design training courses,comprising more than 50 different courses. More than 5,000 engineers attend classesoffered by the MSC Institute annually.

The MSC Institute of Technology is located at:

2 MacArthur PlaceSanta Ana, CA 92707Phone: (800) 732-7211Fax: (714) 784-4028

The Institute maintains state-of-the-art classroom facilities and individual computergraphics laboratories at training centers throughout the US. All of our coursesemphasize hands-on computer laboratory work to facilitate skills development.

Courses can be taught on-site, and can even be customized to meet your business’specific needs. We also offer video courses, interactive multimedia training, and aspecialized instructor’s program.

Course Information and Registration. For detailed course descriptions, scheduleinformation, and registration call the Training Specialist at (800) 732-7211 or visitwww.mscsoftware.com.

MSC.Patran SupportMSC.Nastran SupportMSC.Nastran for Windows SupportMSC.Dytran SupportMSC.Mvision SupportMSC.Fatigue SupportMSC.SuperForge SupportMSC Institute Course Information

[email protected]@[email protected]@mscsoftware.commscmvision.support@mscsoftware.commscfatigue.support@mscsoftware.commscsuperforge.support@[email protected]

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xiPreface

www.mscsoftware.comThis site is the center for corporate information and the gateway to the various MSCdivision web sites and online communities.

www.mechsolutions.comThe MSC.Mechanical Solutions division provides information on our products andservices, including the MSC.visualNastran product family, Professional Services,online technical support (knowledge base, software updates, online documentation,discussion forums, and training).

www.engineering-e.comOnline marketplace for engineering products, services and information.

www.msclinux.comFind out how the MSC.Linux division can support your Linux development throughapplication porting, tuning and optimization, distributed parallel solutions, andsupport for migration from UNIX to Linux.

www.workingmodel.comThe MSC.Working Knowledge division provides competitively priced products thatleverage MSC.Software's expertise in high-end engineering analysis technology.

www.studentengineer.comAn online community that provides easy access to the tools and skills thatengineering students need, including affordable cutting edge engineering software,an online resume center, and an online project gallery.

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Page 13: Release Guide 2001r2

xiiiPreface

Permission to Copy and Distribute MSC DocumentationIf you wish to make copies of this documentation for distribution to co-workers,complete this form and send it to MSC.Software Corporation. MSC will grant writtenpermission if the following conditions are met:

• All copyright notices must be included on all copies.• Copies may be made only for fellow employees.• No copies of this manual, or excerpts thereof, will be given to anyone who is

not an employee of the requesting company.

Please complete and mail to MSC for app roval:

MSC.Software CorporationAttention: Legal Department2 MacArthur PlaceSanta Ana, CA 92707

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Title: ______________________________________________________________

Company: _________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Telephone:_________________Email: __________________________________

Signature:______________________________ Date:______________________

Please do not write below this line.

APPROVED: MSC.Software Corporation

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Title: ______________________________________________________________

Signature:______________________________ Date:______________________

Page 14: Release Guide 2001r2

xiv

p

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

PlaceStamHere

MSC.Software Corporation

Attention: Legal Department

2 MacArthur Place

Santa Ana, CA 92707

Fold here

Fold here

Page 15: Release Guide 2001r2

MSC.Patran Release Guide

CHAPTER

1 MSC.Patran 2001at a Glance

■ Overview of MSC.Patran 2001

■ Supported Platforms

■ Licensing Considerations

■ Corrected Software Defects

■ Database Compatibility

■ Documentation and Online Help

■ Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information

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2

1.1 Overview of MSC.Patran 2001MSC.Patran 2001 represents MSC.Software’s continued commitment to providing theCAE industry’s leading simulation-modeling environment. Each release ofMSC.Patran contains improvements and enhancements to increase the reliability,performance, and quality. Important enhancements to MSC.Patran 2001 include:

Quality. Approximately 600 quality enhancements were fixed to further enhance thequality of MSC.Patran. See Corrected Software Defects (p. 12).

CAE Solid Modeling . Major new Solid Geometry modeling capabilities significantlyenhance MSC.Patran’s geometry modeling and modification tools. These newsimulation geometry creation and editing tools dramatically speed important andcommonly used CAE modeling techniques. MSC.Patran 2001 is now capable of solidmodeling operations using primitive blocks, cylinders, cones, spheres, and tori. Inaddition, several solid editing operations, including Boolean operators (add, subtractand union), edge blend, imprint, shell, and break are provided. Also, mid-surfaceoperations allow you to extract surfaces from a solid for the purposes of idealizing thesolid into a shell representation. CAD import as Parasolid and native geometryconversion capabilities are provided to allow the use of these creation and editingoperations on all forms of MSC.Patran geometry. This add on module is a separatelypriced option, which requires an additional license feature to activate. With theaddition of these new creation and editing tools, it is now also possible to exportParasolid geometry from MSC.Patran.

Strategic Geometry Enhancements . Several geometry enhancements have beenincorporated in this release of MSC.Patran in response to requests from strategiccustomers.

• Curve and Surface Offset enhancements

• Additional Trimmed Surface Editing tools

• Surface Extension editing enhancements

• Other Show and Create geometry enhancements

CAD Access Updates Unigraphics Access has been updated to support UnigraphicsVersion 17, and ACIS Access has been upgraded level 6.3 support. See CAD DirectAccess Support for a complete summary. In addition a significant enhancement hasbeen implemented in the Pro/Engineer, Catia and Step access products. An option forDirect Parasolid import has been added to the CAD access capabilities of MSC.Patran.

Compaq Tru64 UNIX Support MSC.Patran 2001 will be the last release supportingthe Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly called DEC Ultrix) hardware platform. See FutureSupport for Compaq Tru64 in the Supported Hardware section of this guide.

MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements . MSC.Marc specializes in simulatingnonlinear and manufacturing processes, and handles numerous deformable and rigidcontact bodies. Improvements to the MSC.Marc Preference include:

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3CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

• Translation Parameters Supported - Analysis general translation parametersare now available directly in MSC.Patran to control: the MSC.Marc version,solver and optimization options, contact parameters, direct text input,groups to sets, restart parameters, adaptive meshing, user subroutine files,and input data format.

• Analysis Load Step Setup - It is now possible to setup multiple analysis stepsin a single job.

• Rigid Body Contact - Rigid contact bodies can now be defined purely withgeometric entities, which are written to the MSC.Marc input file as NURBcurves and surfaces.

• Materials, Elements, and LBCs - Access to the MSC.Marc material andelement library has been expanded to support all materials (except power,soil and user defined) plus all structural and thermal element types (exceptrebar). Loads and boundary conditions have been expanded to includesupport for distributed line loads, and motion and load control of rigidbodies.

• Results Access - Results can be directly accessed (Direct Results Access -DRA) from the.t16/.t19 files without importing into the database.

MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements . These enhancements increase theinteroperability with the solver MSC.Nastran. New to this release are:

• Complex Scalar Fields - The capacity to create complex scalar (non-spatial)fields has been added to MSC.Patran for use with the MSC.NastranStructural Preference. Complex scalar fields can be referenced by appliedloads and boundary conditions for frequency domain solutions (direct andmodal frequency response). These fields describe excitation (relative to adatum) and allow you to input frequency dependent magnitude and phaseinformation.

• Hyperelastic Materials - Allows the entry of hyperelastic material propertiesfor use with MSC.Nastran.

• Nonlinear Normal Modes/Buckling - Support has been added forMSC.Patran 2001 to setup MSC.Nastran nonlinear normal modes orbuckling analysis. Examples of this analysis type include normal modeanalysis of a prestressed structure, or buckling analysis of a prestressedstructure.

• Enforced Motion - Time-dependent displacement, velocity, and accelerationboundary conditions have been implemented. Support is provided for directtransient, modal transient, direct frequency response and modal frequencyresponse analysis types.

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4

• LBC Priorities - Load and boundary condition prioritization has beenenabled for resolving the priority for the application of multiple loadconditions. This enables you to specify how load specification conflictsshould be resolved in the event that multiple specifications are applied to thesame degree of freedom. Load specifications are considered to be in conflictonly if they are of related types.

• Input File Reader Enhancements – Support for the importing of model entitydefinitions from a MSC.Nastran input file has been enhanced. Additionalthermal model entities and case control input statements can now beimported.

• Total Load and CID Distributed Load - The support for new generalizeddistributed load input capabilities have been added to speed and simplifythe distribution of a total load on portions of a model. Total load allows fora vector input of the magnitude and direction, where each component of thisvector represents the total load magnitude for the associated direction overthe entire application region. These directional loads will be distributedevenly over the area or length of the application region. Optionally, the totalload vectors can be applied directly to the application region.

MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements . Enhancements to the MSC.DytranPreference include:

• RUPTURE and SPOTWELD options added to BJOIN LBC

• Rigid Body Object added to LBCs

• Spotwelds support (PWELD, PWELD1 and PWELD2) for 1D elementproperties

• Support for Predefined HL Beam (PBEAML)

• Support for Composite Beam (PBCOMP)

• Update Hughes-Liu beams with offset vector and offset of neutral axis

• New materials: Soil (DYMAT25), Tait Cavitation Model (DMAT) and Foamwith Hysteresis (FOAM2)

• Add beam post processing tool to preference

• Automated Stiffener/Spotweld tool creation

• Support for Direct Text Input

• Unwanted automatically created new groups not posted to viewport duringresults reading

• Modify filename assignment while reading contact THS for XY plotting

LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements . These enhancements increase theinteroperability with the LS-DYNA3D solver.

• Support for composite laminate material

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5CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

• Support for *SET keywords

• Support for *DATABASE keywords

• Reject and error file created by the reader

ABAQUS Preference Enhancements . These enhancements increase theinteroperability with the HKS ABAQUS solver.

• Rebar Modeling - Support has been added for modeling 2-D axisymetricstructures with layered reinforcement. The material properties, orientation,area, and spacing of the rebar within the elements can be defined.

• Beam Visualization tool - This new functionality allows for ABAQUS beamshapes to be displayed on a MSC.Patran 3D model.

• Input File Reader - Importation of ABAQUS input files is now more readilyaccessible from within the Analysis application.

PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements . These enhancements increase theinteroperability with the PAMCRASH solver.

• Support for composite laminate material (SHELL TYPE 130 and PLY)

• Support for contact type 33 and 36

• Support for cross section control cards TRAFO and SECFO in OutputRequests

• Setting PAMCRASH IDs

• Reader support for Control cards and Plot Output cards

• Reject file created by the reader containing unsupported PAMCRASHkeywords

SAMCEF Preference Enhancements . These enhancements increase theinteroperability with the SAMCEF solver. Items addressed:

• Additional support for finite element modeling of contact situations.

• Additional support for modeling of crack phenomenon.

• Space - time field creation. A new data field (functional data variation) canbe used use in the specification of loads and boundary conditions. The fieldcapability has been enhanced to allow for simplified definitions, whichcombined spatial and dynamic (time or frequency) variation.

MSC.Patran Advanced FEA . We regret to inform you that as of this release ofMSC.Patran and due to business conditions beyond our control, the MSC.PatranAdvanced FEA product has been discontinued. See further explanation of transitionoptions in MSC.Patran Advanced FEA (Ch. 2). A new product offering calledMSC.AFEA will replace this product. Please contact your local sales representative formore information.

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6

Assembly TetMesh . This functionality is released with a new user interface toautomate the process of creating valid finite element models on solid assemblies.Entire assemblies or portions of assemblies can be automatically meshed, producinga congruent interface mesh across multiple solid parts. Optional user-defined meshtransitions can be enforced between solids. The functionality also enables the meshingof assemblies where parts may have small gap separations or some small interference,which lies within a user-defined proximity tolerance.

Miscellaneous FEM . New meshing capabilities have been added.

• MPC Renumbering - for renumbering of ID numbers associated with multi-point constraint entities.

• The use of the IsoMesh method on Parasolid surfaces (3-4 sided) has beenadded.

MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001 . Significant enhancements have been made in the areasof user interface, modeling improvements, and performance. General usability hasbeen enhanced so non-expert users can model, visualize, and evaluate complexstructures more effectively.

Performance and Other Strategic Enhancements . Miscellaneous enhancements toMSC.Patran include:

• Group Creation enhancements - This new functionality allows for groups tobe created based on property sets and types, element topologies and shapes,id ranges, lbc sets and types, materials, MPC types, and also based oncombination of groups with boolean functions, such as groups made by theintersections and unions of other groups.

• Enhance distributed loads (pressure) to be in any local coordinate frame

• STEP AP203/AP209 import/export is to be delivered on the CD

• Group Transform performance improvements

• Spaceball support on Windows NT & Windows 2000

• MSC.Patran Thermal is now supported on LINUX

Pre-Release Capabilities (Ch. 6). Several new capabilities are being introduced inMSC.Patran 2001 on a pre-release basis. These are provided to introduce new featuresthat will be migrated to future MSC.Patran releases. In addition, it provides anopportunity for our customers to evaluate and feedback comments on theimplementation and usability of these new features. These features are availableunder the “TOOLS: Pre-Release” pulldown menu or are activated through anenvironment variable definition. See the following individual descriptions for details.

Advanced Mesh Utilities . Several major new finite element mesh utilities areavailable for pre-release evaluation.

Sheetbody Meshing (Region Meshing) . A new meshing capability allowsfor the generation of a finite element mesh on a group of connected surfaces

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7CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

without being constrained to follow the internal surface edges, or smallboundary edges. This automates and speeds the production of a valid finiteelement mesh, without the tedious process of selectively eliminating ill-conditioned geometry regions, which could cause poorly shaped finiteelement models in those areas.

Mesh On Mesh . In addition to the above geometry-based capability, it is nowpossible to create new mesh regions applied to a surface defined by a finiteelement mesh without geometric definition. Using the underlying mesh,another mesh of different type or density can be generated which follows the“surface” defined by the original mesh. This allows for mesh refinement or re-shaping with selective user control of boundary node locations.

Midplane Meshing Component . A new capability has been added forcreation of a mid-plane finite element representation for a thin walled solid.This is a mesh-based method for direct mid-plane mesh creation, without theneed to create any mid-plane geometry entities. It is well suited to solidmodels of thin components, which are formed or stamped.

Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran . MSC.Patran andMSC.Nastran can be used as an integrated tool to perform interactive modalfrequency response analysis and on-the-fly results visualization. A specialMSC.Patran menu structure (wizard) guides the user through MSC.Nastran modaldatabase access, load application, selection of solution frequencies, output requests,restart submittal, and results visualization.

Additional CAD Access Support . MSC.Patran 2001 now supports import of CADgeometry from SDRC I-DEAS and the VDA geometry exchange standard.

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8

1.2 Supported Platforms

MSC.Patran 2001 supports the hardware and software configurations identified in thefollowing table. Refer to the MSC.Patran Installation and Operations Guide for acomplete description of the configurations.

Vendor OS Levels ChipsetSupport HW Support Graphics

Support

HP HP-UX 11.0 PA7200

PA7300

PA8000

PA8200

PA8500

PA8600

HP J200, J210,J280, J282, J2240,J5000, J5600,J6000, J7000,B132L, B160L,B180, B1000,B2000, C100,C110, C160, C180,C200, C240, C360,C3000, C3600,K260, K460

Visualize 8, Visualize 24,Visualize 48, Visualize48XP, Visualize FX2 Pro,Visualize FX4 Pro,Visualize FX5 Pro,Visualize FX6 Pro,Visualize FX10 Pro,Visualize FX-E

SUN Solaris 7, 8 UltraSPARCUltraSPARC IIUltraSPARC IIiUltraSPARC III

Ultra 1, 2, 5, 10,30, 60, 80,SunBlade 1000

TurboGX*, Creator*,Creator 3D, Elite 3D

Intel MicrosoftWindows NT 4.0with Service Pack 5or 6, MicrosoftWindows 2000

Intel Pentium II,Pentium III,Pentium IV

CompaqProfessionalWorkstation5000/5100/6000/8000/AP700

Dell Workstation410, 610, 220, 420,620, 330

HP Vectra XW,Kayak XW,Visualize NT

IBM IntelliStationZ-Pro, M-Pro, E-Pro

Siemens/NixdorfCelsius

3D Labs GMX 2000,GVXI

Diamond Viper 770

Evans & SutherlandAccelEclipse,AccelGalaxy

ELSA GLoriaL/MX,GLoriaXL, Gloria II/IIPro, Synergy Force

FGL Fire GL1, Fire GL2,Fire GL3, Fire GL 4000,

Hewlett-Packard FX2+,FX4+, FX5+, FX6+, FX10+

Intergraph Intense3D,Intense3D Pro, Intense3DPro II, RealiZM, RealiZMII, Wildcat 4000, Wildcat4110

Matrox G400

NVidia GeForce 256,GeForce 2 GTS, Quadro 2Pro

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9CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

Future Support for Compaq Tru64MSC.Patran 2001 is the last release supporting the Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerlyDigital UNIX) hardware platform. Reasons for discontinuing support include lack of3rd party support, and disproportionately large effort and expense relative to thenumber of MSC.Patran users of this operating system.

Intel LINUXRed Hat 6.2, 7.0MSC.Linux 2001

Pentium IIPentium IIIPentium IV

Dell: 220, 420,620, 330 HP:Visualize NTIBM:IntelliStation

HP: FX5+, FX10+Diamond: Viper 770ELSA: Synergy Force

Nvidia: GeForce 256,GeForce 2 GTS, Quadro 2Pro

SGI IRIX 6.5.2 - 6.5.10 R5000

RM5200

R8000

R10000

R12000

Indigo 2,Indy(R5000), O2,Octane, Octane2,Onyx2, Origin

Extreme, Solid IMPACT,High IMPACT, Indy8/24-bit, CRM, SI, MXI,SE, MXE, V6†, V8*

IBM AIX 4.3.2

AIX 4.3.3

POWERPOWER2POWER3PowerPC

RISCPower/System6000 - 2xx, 3xx,5xx, 3AT, 3BT,3CT, 37T, 42T,42W, 43P, 44P

GXT255P‡, GXT500D,GXT550P, GXT800P,GXT800M, GXT1000,GXT1000PCI, GXT2000P,GXT3000P.

Compaq Tru64 UNIX 4.0ETru64 UNIX 4.0F

Alpha 21064Alpha 21164Alpha 21264

DEC 3000 (500,600)AlphaStation(500, 600)PersonalWorkstation(433au, 500au,600au)ProfessionalWorkstationXP1000

Powerstorm 4D40T,4D50T, 4D51T, 4D60T,300

* The TurboGX, TurboGX+, and Creator graphics devices provide 2D hardwareacceleration only. The Creator 3D and Elite 3D graphics devices provide hardwareassisted 3D acceleration.

†IRIX 6.5.10 is required for V6 and V8 series graphics accelerators.‡The GXT255P does not provide hardware assisted 3D graphics.

Vendor OS Levels ChipsetSupport HW Support Graphics

Support

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10

Compaq Corp. is committed to work with MSC.Software to ensure a smoothtransition for MSC.Patran users currently using Compaq’s Alpha-based workstationsunder Tru64 UNIX. They recommend that customers migrate to Compaq Intel-basedworkstations running the Microsoft Windows 2000 or MSC.Patran Linux.

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11CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

1.3 Licensing ConsiderationsMSC.Patran will require new license files beginning with the 2001 release, due to bothsecurity issues and changes in CAD access implementations. Please contact youraccount representative to obtain a new license file before installing MSC.Patran 2001.These license files will be generated in a manner to support both the previous and newversions of MSC.Patran.

In addition to the new license file, it is highly recommended that your license serverbe upgraded to the latest versions of the licensing software. Several problems havebeen addressed with this new release of licensing software. Installation of the FlexLMlicensing software from the MSC.Patran 2001 delivery media, will update both thelicense broker and the license daemon. Please contact customer support for assistancein upgrading your license server.

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12

1.4 Corrected Software DefectsIt is our goal to provide the highest possible quality and functionality in a rapidlychanging environment. We try to correct as many software defects as we can beforedelivery of our products. More than 600 defects were corrected in the MSC.Patran2001 release.

A list of corrected defects and list of known outstanding defects is available from yourcustomer support or account representative.

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13CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

1.5 Database CompatibilityFully automatic conversion utilities for databases created in previous MSC.Patranversions are provided. In most cases, these conversions are fully supported withoutany additional software other that provided on the delivery media. The exception tothat is the conversion of databases created prior to MSC.Patran V8, as detailed below.

Future Support for InterBaseSince the release of MSC.Patran Version 8.0, the InterBase database software is nolonger required to run MSC.Patran. Automated conversion utilities provide an easyupgrade to the new database format for all previous databases. It is important tounderstand, however, that the pre-version 8.0 conversion utilities still requireInterBase, and that the future support for InterBase will be limited. MSC’s supportplans for InterBase (and the conversion of pre-V8.0 databases) are outlined below.

InterBase Software DeliveryInterBase has not been delivered since Version 8.0. Although InterBase was deliveredwith Version 8.0, the installation was optional. (You may want to install InterBase onlyon machines specifically designated for the conversion of databases.) Note that acurrent InterBase installation for Version 7.5 or Version 7.6 will work properly withcurrent MSC.Patran versions, and does not need to be re-installed.

Period of Support and Operating System SupportAll existing MSC.Patran customers who leased or purchased prior to V8 are entitledto InterBase licenses. The original software deliveries contained InterBase licenseswhich are valid through 31 December 2000. After this date, a replacement InterBaselicense can be made available to any qualified client. See below for information onobtaining the license file. Newer MSC.Patran customers, purchasing the product after31 December 1998, cannot receive InterBase libraries or this license extension.

These licenses, the InterBase libraries, and the pre-version 8.0 database conversionutilities will be only supported on the valid MSC.Patran Version 8.0 operating systemlevels shown below.

Tru64 UNIX: 4.0B. 4.0D (Was named Digital UNIX)

HP-UX: 10.20

AIX: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.3.1

IRIX: 6.2, 6.3, 6.4

Solaris: 2.5.1, 2.6

Windows NT: 4.0

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14

Long Term Support IssuesCustomers who have pre-version 8 databases are urged to upgrade their databases assoon as possible. These extended licenses will allow database conversion for anunlimited time, but will require customer maintenance of MSC specified hardwareand software configurations. There will almost certainly be problems in the futureboth in terms of the client's ability to keep these old configurations running, and withthe ability of MSC.Software to provide support. Due to this uncertainty involvingaging hardware and operating systems, it is highly recommended that customersproceed with plans to complete pre-version 8.0 database conversions in a timelymanner. The extended license is provided only for the purpose of handling a possibleemergency situation in the future, providing our customers with a longer grace periodto complete retrieval and conversion of old databases, or for continued operation ofolder MSC.Patran version (i.e., V7.6 or earlier). Due to the above concerns, this shouldNOT be relied upon as a long term conversion strategy plan.

To obtain an extension license file the client should contact their MSC.Softwarerepresentative or support group for instructions.

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15CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

1.6 Documentation and Online Help

MSC.Patran Documentation LibraryThe following documentation is available for MSC.Patran 2001.

Reference Manual. The MSC.Patran Reference Manual, providing detaileddescriptions of the user interface, as well as general analysis information andexamples.

• MSC.Patran Reference Manual, Volumes 1-3

User’s Guides. The MSC.Patran User’s Guides assist you in using the varioussupplemental applications available with MSC.Patran. They provide detaileddescriptions of the user interface, as well as general analysis information andexamples.

• MSC.Patran User’s Guide for Windows

• MSC.Patran User’s Guide for Unix

• MSC.Patran Analysis Manager User’s Guide

• MSC.Patran FEA User’s Guide

• MSC.Laminate Modeler User’s Guide

• MSC.Patran Materials User’s Guide

• MSC.Patran Thermal User’s Guides, Volumes 1-2

PCL Library. The PCL Library combines all PCL documentation into three volumes.

• MSC.Patran PCL Reference Manual

• MSC.Patran PCL and Customization

• MSC.Develop: The MSC.Patran Toolkit

Preference Guides. The MSC.Patran Preference Guides describe in detail all aspectsof the input, output, and modeling guidelines used for specific analysis preferences.We recommend these documents for the analysis products you use most often. Theyinclude:

• MSC.Patran ABAQUS Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran ANSYS Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran LS-DYNA3D Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran MSC.Marc Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran MSC.Dytran Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran MSC.Nastran Preference Guide, Volumes 1-2

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16

• MSC.Patran PAMCRASH Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran SAMCEF Preference Guide

• MSC.Patran PATRAN 2 Neutral File Preference Guide

MSC.Patran Online Help

You can access online help from MSC.Patran two ways:

• Select Help from the MSC.Patran Main form, then select Document Library.A hypertext listing of all available MSC.Patran documents appears.

• Press the F1 key from any MSC.Patran form. The appropriate page for thecurrently active form appears.

You can access online help in UNIX environments without running MSC.Patran:

• Enter phelp in your xterm window.

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17CHAPTER 1MSC.Patran 2001 at a Glance

1.7 Other Sources of MSC.Patran Information

World Wide Web Information. Our World Wide Web home page atwww.mscsoftware.com providesinformation about MSC.Software and our products,support, training, and documentation.

Training Seminars. MSC.Software offers a wide variety of training seminars. Weprovide classes at our facilities throughout the world on a regular basis. We alsoprovide classes at client sites and can tailor them to meet your specific needs.

The following is a sample of MSC.Patran course offerings:

• PAT301, Introduction to MSC.Patran

• PAT302, Advanced MSC.Patran Usage

• PAT303, Transition to MSC.Patran

• PAT304, Introduction to PCL

• PAT312, MSC.Patran Thermal

• PAT318, MSC.Fatigue

• PAT322, MSC.AFEA

• PAT325, MSC.Laminate Modeler

MSC Institute Course Documentation. MSC offers extensive trainingdocumentation that complements our numerous MSC.Patran courses. To ordertraining and course documentation, call (800) 336-4858 or your local salesrepresentative.

MSC Technical Support Knowledge Base. You can find answers to your questionsquickly by using our Knowledge Base on the World Wide Web. The Knowledge Baseincludes technical notes, application examples, MSC Conference papers, customerrequests, and reported software problems.

To search the Knowledge Base:

1. Open the MSC.Software Mechanical Solutions division home page atwww.mechsolutions.com.

2. Select Support.

3. Select Knowledge Base.

4. Select the areas of the Knowledge Base that you are interested in.

5. Enter keywords of interest, or use the advanced search capabilities.

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MSC.Patran Release Guide

CHAPTER

2 Analysis Integration

■ MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements

■ MSC.Nastran Preference Enhancements

■ MSC.Dytran Preference Enhancements

■ LS-DYNA3D Preference Enhancements

■ SAMCEF Preference Enhancements

■ ABAQUS Preference Enhancements

■ MSC.Patran Advanced FEA

■ PAM-CRASH Preference Enhancements

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2.1 MSC.Marc Preference EnhancementsMSC.Marc specializes in simulating nonlinear andmanufacturing processes and has easy-to-use contactalgorithms which handle numerous deformable andrigid contact bodies. A special effort has been put intothis version of MSC.Patran in consideration of improvingthe Preference to more fully take advantage of MSC.Marccapabilities and transitioning MSC.Patran AdvancedFEA users to MSC.Marc and the Marc Preference. Thefollowing improvements have been made:

MSC.Marc Preference Layout (p. 22). The overalllayout of the Analysis application form for theMSC.Marc Preference has changed dramatically. In mostcases only three main buttons appear for selection ofgeneral analysis parameters, creation of analysis loadsteps, and selection of load steps.

Translation Parameters (p. 23). Analysis general translation parameters are nowgrouped under this main button on the Analysis application form. All contain defaultvalues.

Analysis Load Step Setup (p. 24).

Following the methodology of theMSC.Patran Advanced FEA product, it isnow possible to setup multiple analysissteps in a single job.

Rigid Body Contact (p. 26). Rigid contactbodies can now be defined purely withgeometric entities which are written to theMSC.Marc input file as NURB curves andsurfaces.

Materials, Elements, and LBCs (p. 28).

Access to the MSC.Marc material andelement library has been expanded tosupport all materials (except power, soiland user defined) plus all structural andthermal element types (except rebar). Loadsand boundary conditions have beenexpanded to include support for distributedline loads, and motion and load control ofrigid bodies.

Analysis...Global...Graphics...

Mouse...Key Map...Picking...

Report...

Geometry...

Finite Element...

Insight...

Preferences

Analysis Preferences

MSC.Marc

Analysis Code Selection:

Structural

Analysis Type:

.dat

Input File Suffix

.t16

Output File Suffix

Reset

-Apply- Cancel

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21CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Results Access (p. 37). Results can be directly accessed (Direct Results Access -DRA) from the .t16/.t19 files without importing into the database. Fully binary andcross-platform compatibility exists for all results files created by MSC.Marc.

Miscellaneous (p. 38). A number of other miscellaneous enhancements have alsobeen added, not all of which are mentioned in these notes.

The new Preference is accessed under the main MSC.Patran Preferences pulldownmenu by selecting Analysis.

For detailed explanations of the features listed in these release notes, see theMSC.Marc Preference Guide .

LimitationsThe new Preference is called MSC.Marc and supports MSC.Marc K7, 2000 and thenew 2001 release.

• Session File Compatibility. Due to the numerous improvements in thisrelease, especially with respect to materials, element properties, load step,and analysis setup, old session files that access these features are generallyincompatible.

• Database Compatibility. Old databases with MSC.Marc models shouldupdate with no problem. Old databases which contain MSC.PatranAdvanced FEA models will be converted to the new MSC.Marc Preference.As much data as possible will be mapped over. Please check your modelcarefully as some data does not have a one-to-once corresponding object inthe MSC.Marc Preference. Contact bodies defined as master-slave becometwo separate contact bodies in the MSC.Marc Preference. Not all analysissetup parameters will map. Most materials and element properties will bemapped across, but it is recommended to check these carefully beforesubmitting an analysis.

• Direct Results Access. The Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX)platform is no supported for this capability. You must continue to directlyimport your results.

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22

MSC.Marc Preference LayoutThe overall layout of the Analysisapplication form for the MSC.MarcPreference has changed dramatically. Forstandard nonlinear static analyses, it isunnecessary to open any of the subordinateforms unless certain parameters needchanging from their defaults. Thus only theApply button needs to be pressed to submit asuccessful analysis.

Three main buttons appear on the form foranalysis control and setup. The generalprocedure is to change or set global jobparameters that stay constant for theduration of an analysis using the settingsunder Translation Parameters.

Under the Load Step Creation form youdefine analysis load steps. Parameters thatare specific to the analysis and load steppingprocedure are defined here. As many loadsteps as you wish may be defined.

The Load Step Selection form is where youselect and order the analysis load steps forthe particular job of interest. Only thoseanalysis load steps selected are written to theMSC.Marc input file in the order specified.For example, you may wish to do a nonlinearstatic analysis increasing the total load to acertain value at which time you want to do amodal extraction. When the modal extractionis done, the load continues to increase to itsmaximum value at which time you doanother modal extraction. This wouldrequire four (4) Load Steps. The first is anonlinear static step to the first load level.The second is a normal modes extractionstep. The third is a nonlinear static step increasing the load to its maximum. Andfinally the fourth step is another normal modes extraction step.

A Default Static Step is always available with nonlinear statics being the defaultprocedure with adaptive load stepping. Thus, if only a single nonlinear static load stepis required, there is no need to create a load step. The Default Static Step will alsowork for linear statics if only linear elastic properties have been defined.

Analysis

AnalyzeAction:

Entire ModelObject:

Full RunMethod:

Jobname

Translation Parameters...

Code:

Type:

MSC.Marc

Structural

Apply

Available Jobs

Job Name

Job Description

MSC.Marc job

Load Step Creation...

Load Step Selection...

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23CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Translation ParametersThe following general parameters can be setunder this Translation Parameters form:

1. MSC.Marc version: This can be set toK7, 2000 or 2001. This specifies thesolver version to use and dictates whatfeatures are available.

2. Solver Options: Allows you to set theMSC.Marc solver and optimizationsettings.

3. Contact Parameters: Allows you to setgeneral contact parameters such asfriction, separation, and detectionsettings.

4. Direct Text Input: This feature allowsyou to add any text you wish to theParameter and/or Model Definitionsection of the input file. Thus, thisallows you to access features ofMSC.Marc that are not directlysupported through the Preference andsave them with your job setup.

5. Groups to Sets: Any MSC.Patrangroup containing nodes and/orelements can be converted into an MSC.Marc node or element set andwritten to the input file. If you know the naming convention, you can thenreference these sets using the Direct Text Input feature.

6. Restart Parameters: You may write restart data via this feature or you mayrestart from an existing jobs. When restarting, only the necessary data in theModel Definition section is written to the input file.

7. Adaptive Meshing: This form allows you to set up an MSC.Marc adaptivemeshing analysis using either local refinement or global adaptive meshingtechniques. You simply specify which MSC.Patran groups for localrefinement or deformable bodies for global adaptive meshing you wish to beconsidered for remeshing along with any necessary parameters.

8. User Subroutine File: To run an analysis with a user subroutine, you selectthe subroutine file from this form or if a special MSC.Marc executable hasalready been created, you may also select it here.

9. Other Parameters: Other parameters may be set such as the output fileformat and type, tolerances, and general parameter settings.

Translation Parameters

1e-08Division =

0.0001Numerical =

1e-08Writing =

Tolerances:

6

# of Significant Digits:

Free Field

Input Data Format:

OK Defaults Cancel

User Subroutine File...

Direct Text Input...

Groups to Sets...

Solver Options...

2000MSC.Marc Version:

BinaryResults File Type:

Assumed Strain Constant Dilitation

Element Centroid Method

2000Output File Format:

Restart Parameters...

Adaptive Meshing...

Contact Parameters...

Extended Format

Lumped Mass Matrix

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10. Input Data Format: By default the input file is written in extended, freeformat. This captures the most correct input files and is recommended thatyou leave these settings ON unless you have specific needs with respect tothe format of the input file.

Analysis Load Step SetupAnalyses using the MSC.Marc Preference arestructured such that different analysis load stepscan be executed in the same analysis job. Thisrequires that you set up analysis Load Steps. Bydefault there is a Default Static Step whichshould satisfy most single step linear andnonlinear static analyses.

Each Load Step must contain the followingattributes:

1. Load Step Name/Description: Giveyour Load Step a distinctive name anddescription.

2. Solution Type: Solution proceduresavailable are Statics, Normal Modes,Buckling, Transient Dynamics,Frequency Response, SpectrumResponse, and Creep for structuralsolution types. For thermal solutiontypes, Steady State Heat and TransientHeat Transfer are available.

3. Solution Parameters: For each solution procedure, various solutionparameters can be set if the defaults are not adequate. These include thingslike load and time stepping schemes, contact table definitions, iterationparameters, element activation/deactivation, and modal extractionparameters to name a few. These are all parameters that can change fromLoad Step to Load Step.

4. Load Case: Each Load Step must have associated to it a load case. A loadcase is the standard MSC.Patran load case which is a collection of loads,boundary conditions, and contact definitions. The difference between a LoadStep and a load case is that a load case is simply a subset of a Load Step. TheLoad Step contains not only the load case information but also all the otherparameters and information necessary to set up the analysis includingoutput requests, solution type, solution parameters, etc.

Load Step Create

Available Load Steps:

Apply Delete Cancel

Default Static Step

Load Step Description

Default Static Step

Load Step Name

Job Step Parameters

Solution Type:

Static

Solution Parameters...

Select Load Case...

Output Requests...

Direct Text Input...

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25CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

5. Output Requests: For each analysis Load Step you can specify the outputthat you wish to have returned to you during the analysis. This is somewhatlimited in scope in this release but is set up in this fashion for whenMSC.Marc is able to fully comply with these requests. For now, all requestare returned for each Load Step and only a limited number of items canactually vary from Load Step to Load Step such as the interval frequency ofwriting results.

6. Direct Text Input: Just as with the Parameter and Model Definition, you caninput your own information into the History section of the input file throughthis Direct Text Input form for each Load Step you create. This naturallyrequires that you know the MSC.Marc input file format and options well.

Once the necessary items have been set,press the Apply button to create the LoadStep. You may create as many Load Stepsas you need.

The Load Steps that you create must thenbe selected for any particular job. In theLoad Step Selection form, you select andorder the Load Steps to your specification.In this example, a static load step isfollowed by a modal extraction followedby another static load step with a finalmodal extraction.

Step Select

Existing Job Steps:

CancelDefaultsApply

Default Static Step

Default Static Step

Selected Job Steps

Static Step to Total Load1st Modal Extraction2nd Modal Extraction

1st Modal ExtractionStatic Step to Total Load2nd Modal Extraction

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Rigid Body ContactIn the last release of MSC.Patran, major enhancements to the definition and setup ofdeformable contact bodies was introduced including the contact table to specifywhich bodies come in contact with which deformable bodies. In this release, effortswere put into the definition of rigid contact bodies.

The most notable improvement is that rigid contact bodies can be defined by anyMSC.Patran geometry. The rigid contact body is written to the input deck as a NURBsurface or curve. In previous versions, the rigid contact bodies, if associated toMSC.Patran geometry, had to be meshed. The discretized segments were then writtento the input deck as line segments or patches. If you forgot to mesh the geometry anerror occurred.

No changes to the user interface were necessary to implement this feature. Youcontinue to define rigid contact bodies as previously done. The only difference iswhether you define the application region of the rigid body as Geometry or FEM(finite elements). Both options are still available. If FEM is selected, then the rigid bodyis written as line segments or patches as before. If Geometry is selected, the rigid bodyis written as a NURB surface or curve as long as the geometry is not associated to afinite element mesh. If the geometry is associated to a mesh, then the rigid body iswritten as line segments or patches as before. Only if no mesh is associated with thegeometry is the rigid body written as a NURB surface or curve.

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27CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

This example shows a before and after shot of a sheet metal forming problem wherethe upper and lower dyes are defined by standard MSC.Patran geometry written asNURB surfaces to the input deck.

XY

Z

8.41+01

XY

Z

XY

Z

XY

Z

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28

Materials, Elements, and LBCsThe access to MSC.Marc material property definitions has been dramaticallyincreased. The following constitutive models can now be created along with theirvarious options:

Isotropic/Orthotropic/Anisotropic

ConstitutiveModel 2D Conditions

❏ Elastic ❏ Plane Stress / Thin Shell

❏ Plane Strain / Axisymmetric

❏ Thick Shell

❏ Axisymmetric with Twist

❏ Axisymmetric Shell

❏ None (Isotropic and 3D cases)

ConstitutiveModel Failure Criterion

❏ Failure ❏ Hill

❏ Hoffman

❏ Tsai-Wu

❏ Maximum Strain

❏ Maximum Stress

ConstitutiveModel Model Domain

Type Number of Terms

❏ Hyperelastic(Isotropic Only)

❏ Neo-Hookean

❏ Mooney-Rivlin

❏ Jamus-Green-Simpson

❏ Time

❏ Frequency

❏ 1

❏ Ogden

❏ Foam

❏ Time ❏ 1 - 6

❏ Arruda-Boyce

❏ Gent

❏ Time ❏ 1

Constitutive Model

❏ Viscoelastic (Isotropic and Orthotropic only)

❏ Creep

❏ Damping

❏ Thermal

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29CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

The only material properties still unsupported are soils, powders and those requiringuser subroutines.

ConstitutiveModel Type Hardening

Rule Yield Criteria Strain RateMethod

❏ Plastic ❏ Elastic-Plastic ❏ Isotropic

❏ Kinematic

❏ Combined

❏ von Mises

❏ Linear Mohr-Coulomb

❏ Parabolic Mohr-Coulomb

❏ Buyukozturk Concrete

❏ Oak Ridge National Lab

❏ 2-1/4 Cr-Mo ORNL

❏ Reversed Plasticity ORNL

❏ Full Alpha Reset ORNL

❏ Generalized Plasticity

❏ PiecewiseLinear

❏ Cowper-Symonds

❏ Power Law (Isotropic only)

❏ Rate Power Law (Isotropic only)

❏ Johnson-Cook (Isotropic only)

❏ Kumar (Isotropic only)

❏ PerfectlyPlastic

❏ None ❏ von Mises

❏ Linear Mohr-Coulomb

❏ Parabolic Mohr-Coulomb

❏ Buyukozturk Concrete

❏ Oak Ridge National Lab

❏ 2-1/4 Cr-Mo ORNL

❏ Reversed Plasticity ORNL

❏ Full Alpha Reset ORNL

❏ Generalized Plasticity

❏ PiecewiseLinear

❏ Cowper-Symonds

❏ Rigid-Plastic(Isotropic only)

❏ Power Law

❏ Rate Power Law

❏ Johnson-Cook

❏ Kumar

❏ PiecewiseLinear

❏ None ❏ PiecewiseLinear

❏ Cowper-Symonds

Isotropic/Orthotropic/Anisotropic

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30

All MSC.Marc structural and thermal elements are now supported with the exceptionof Rebar elements. Below is a table of elements, supported and unsupported, and thevalid MSC.Patran topologies.

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

❏ Element 1 Straight Axisymmetric Shell 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 2 Axisymmetric Triangular Ring 2D Tri/3

❏ Element 3 Plane Stress Quadrilateral 2D Tri3/, Quad/4

❏ Element 4 Curved Quadrilateral, Thin Shell Element 2D OBSOLETE

❏ Element 5 Beam Column 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 6 Two-Dimensional Plane Strain Triangle 2D Tri/3

❏ Element 7 Three-Dimensional Arbitrary Distorted Brick 3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

❏ Element 8 Curved Triangular Shell 2D OBSOLETE

❏ Element 9 Three-Dimensional Truss 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 10 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 11 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane-Strain 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 12 Friction and Gap Link Element 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 13 Open Section Thin-Walled Beam 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 14 Thin Walled Beam in Three Dimensions withoutWarping

1D Bar/2

❏ Element 15 Axisymmetric Shell, Isoparametric Formulation 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 16 Curved Beam in Two-dimensions, IsoparametricFormulation

1D Bar/2

❏ Element 17 Constant Bending, Three-node Elbow Element 1D OBSOLETE

❏ Element 18 Four-Node, Isoparametric Membrane 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 19 Generalized Plane Strain Quadrilateral 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 20 Axisymmetric Torsional Quadrilateral 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 21 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick 3D Wedge/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 22 Quadratic Thick-Shell Element 2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 23 Three-dimensional 20-node Rebar Element 3D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 24 Curved Quadrilateral Shell Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 25 Thin Walled Beam in Three Dimensions 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 26 Plane Stress, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8

❏ Element 27 Plane Strain, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8

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31CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

❏ Element 28 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8

❏ Element 29 Generalized Plane Strain, Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 30 Membrane, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral 2D Quad/8

❏ Element 31 Elastic Curved Pipe (Elbow) / Straight Beam 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 32 Plane Strain Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral,Herrmann Formulation

2D Quad/8

❏ Element 33 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateral,Herrmann Formulation

2D Quad/8

❏ Element 34 Generalized Plane Strain Distorted Quadrilateral,Herrmann Formulation

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 35 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick, HerrmannFormulation

3D Wedge/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 36 Three-Dimensional Link (Heat Transfer Element) 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 37 Arbitrary Planar Triangle (Heat Transfer Element) 2D Tri/3

❏ Element 38 Arbitrary Axisymmetric Triangle (Heat TransferElement)

2D Tri/3

❏ Element 39 Planar Bilinear Quadrilateral (Heat TransferElement)

2D Quad/4

❏ Element 40 Axisymmetric Bilinear Quadrilateral Element (HeatTransfer Element)

2D Quad/4

❏ Element 41 Eight-Node Planar Biquadratic Quadrilateral (HeatTransfer Element)

2D Quad/8

❏ Element 42 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Biquadratic Quadrilateral(Heat Transfer Element)

2D Quad/8

❏ Element 43 Three-Dimensional Eight-Node Brick (HeatTransfer Element)

3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

❏ Element 44 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick (Heat TransferElement)

3D Wedge/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 45 Curved Timoshenko Beam in a Plane 1D Bar/3

❏ Element 46 Eight-node Plane Strain Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 47 Generalized Plane Strain Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 48 Eight-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 49 Finite Rotation Linear Thin Shell Element 2D Tri/6

❏ Element 50 Three-Node Linear Heat Transfer Shell Element 2D Tri/3

❏ Element 51 Cable Element 1D Bar/2

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

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32

❏ Element 52 Elastic Beam 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 53 Plane Stress, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 54 Plane Strain, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 55 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 56 Generalized Plane Strain, Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 57 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick with ReducedIntegration

3D Wedge/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 58 Plane Strain Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration Herrmann Formulation

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 59 Axisymmetric, Eight-Node Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration, Herrmann Formulation

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 60 Generalized Plane Strain Distorted Quadrilateralwith Reduced Integration, Herrmann Formulation

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 61 Three-Dimensional, 20-Node Brick with ReducedIntegration - Herrmann Formulation

3D Tet/10, Wedge/15,Hex/20

❏ Element 62 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Quadrilateral forArbitrary Loading (Fourier)

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 63 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Distorted Quadrilateralfor Arbitrary Loading, Herrmann Formulation(Fourier)

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 64 Isoparametric, Three-Node Truss 1D Bar/3

❏ Element 65 Heat Transfer Element, Three-Node Link 1D Bar/3

❏ Element 66 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Herrmann Quadrilateralwith Twist

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 67 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Quadrilateral with Twist 2D Tri/6,Quad/8

❏ Element 68 Elastic, Four-Node Shear Panel 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 69 Eight-Node Planar Biquadratic Quadrilateral w/Reduced Integration (Heat Transfer Element)

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 70 Eight-Node Axisymmetric Biquadrilateral withReduced Integration (Heat Transfer Element)

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 71 Three-Dimensional 20-Node Brick with ReducedIntegration (Heat Transfer Element)

3D Wedge/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 72 Bilinear Constrained Shell Element 2D Quad/8

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

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33CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

❏ Element 73 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Quadrilateral forArbitrary Loading with Reduced Integration(Fourier)

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 74 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Distorted Quadrilateralfor Arbitrary Loading, Herrmann Formulation, withReduced Integration (Fourier)

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 75 Bilinear Thick-Shell Element 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 76 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions withoutWarping

1D Bar/3

❏ Element 77 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions includingWarping

1D Bar/3

❏ Element 78 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions withoutWarping

1D Bar/2

❏ Element 79 Thin-Walled Beam in Three Dimensions includingWarping

1D Bar/2

❏ Element 80 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane Strain, HerrmannFormulation

2D Quad/4/5

❏ Element 81 Generalized Plane Strain Quadrilateral, HerrmannFormulation

2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 82 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring,Herrmann Formulation

2D Quad/4/5

❏ Element 83 Axisymmetric Torsional Quadrilateral, HerrmannFormulation

2D Tri/3, Quad/4/5

❏ Element 84 Three-Dimensional Arbitrary Distorted Brick,Herrmann Formulation

3D Wedge/6/7, Hex/8/9

❏ Element 85 Four-Node Bilinear Shell (Heat Transfer Element) 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 86 Eight-Node Curved Shell (Heat Transfer Element) 2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 87 Three-Node Axisymmetric Shell (Heat TransferElement)

1D Bar/3

❏ Element 88 Two-Node Axisymmetric Shell (Heat TransferElement)

1D Bar/2

❏ Element 89 Thick Curved Axisymmetric Shell 1D Bar/3

❏ Element 90 Thick Curved Axisymmetric Shell – for ArbitraryLoading (Fourier)

1D Bar/3

❏ Element 91 Linear Plane Strain Semi-infinite Element. 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 92 Linear Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Element 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 93 Quadratic Plane Strain Semi-infinite Element 2D Quad/8

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

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34

❏ Element 94 Quadratic Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Element 2D Quad/8

❏ Element 95 Axisymmetric Quadrilateral with Bending. 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 96 Axisymmetric, Eight-node Distorted Quadrilateralwith Bending.

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 97 Special Gap and Friction Link for Bending 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 98 Elastic Beam with Transverse Shear 1D Bar/2

❏ Element 99 Heat Transfer Link Element Compatible with BeamElements

2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 100 Heat Transfer Link Element Compatible with BeamElements

2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 101 Six-node Plane Semi-infinite Heat TransferElement

2D Quad/4

❏ Element 102 Six-node Axisymmetric Semi-infinite Heat TransferElement

2D Quad/4

❏ Element 103 Nine-node Planar Semi-infinite Heat TransferElement

2D Quad/8

❏ Element 104 Nine-node Axisymmetric Semi-infinite HeatTransfer Element

2D Quad/8

❏ Element 105 Twelve-node 3-D Semi-infinite Heat TransferElement.

3D Hex/8

❏ Element 106 Twenty-seven-node 3-D Semi-infinite Heat TransferElement

3D Hex/20

❏ Element 107 Twelve-node 3-D Semi-infinite Stress Element 3D Hex/8

❏ Element 108 Twenty-seven-node 3-D Semi-infinite StressElement

3D Hex/20

❏ Element 109 Eight-node 3-D Magnetostatic Element 3D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 110 Twelve-node 3-D Semi-infinite MagnetostaticElement

3D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 111 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Planar Electromagnetic 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 112 Arbitrary Quadrilateral AxisymmetricElectromagnetic Ring

2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 113 Three-dimensional Electromagnetic Arbitrarily 3D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 114 Plane Stress Quadrilateral, Reduced Integration 2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 115 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane Strain, ReducedIntegration

2D Tri/3, Quad/4

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

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35CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

❏ Element 116 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring,Reduced Integration

2D Tri/3 Quad/4

❏ Element 117 Three-Dimensional Arbitrary Distorted Brick,Reduced Integration

3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

❏ Element 118 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Plane Strain,Incompressible Formulation with ReducedIntegration

2D Quad/4/5

❏ Element 119 Arbitrary Quadrilateral Axisymmetric Ring,Incompressible Formulation with ReducedIntegration

2D Quad/4/5

❏ Element 120 Three-Dimensional Arbitrarily Distorted Brick,Incompressible Reduced Integration

3D Wedge/6/7, Hex/8/9

❏ Element 121 Planar Bilinear Quadrilateral, Reduced Integration(Heat Transfer Element)

2D Tri/6, Quad/4

❏ Element 122 Axisymmetric Bilinear Quadrilateral, ReducedIntegration (Heat Transfer Element)

2D Tri/6, Quad/4

❏ Element 123 Three-Dimensional Eight-Node Brick, ReducedIntegration (Heat Transfer Element)

3D Wedge/6, Hex/8

❏ Element 124 Plane Stress, Six-Node Distorted Triangle 2D Tri/6

❏ Element 125 Plane Strain, Six-Node Distorted Triangle 2D Tri/6

❏ Element 126 Axisymmetric, Six-Node Distorted Triangle 2D Tri/6

❏ Element 127 Three-Dimensional Ten-Node Tetrahedron 3D Tet/10

❏ Element 128 Plane Strain, Six-Node Distorted Triangle,Herrmann Formulation

2D Tri/6

❏ Element 129 Axisymmetric, Six-Node Distorted Triangle,Herrmann Formulation

2D Tri/6

❏ Element 130 Three-Dimensional Ten-Node Tetrahedron,Herrmann Formulation

3D Tet/10

❏ Element 131 Planar, Six-Node Distorted Triangle (Heat TransferElement)

2D Tri/6

❏ Element 132 Axisymmetric, Six-Node Distorted Triangle (HeatTransfer Element)

2D Tri/6

❏ Element 133 Three-Dimensional Ten-Node Tetrahedron (HeatTransfer Element)

3D Tet/10

❏ Element 134 Three-Dimensional Four-Node Tetrahedron 3D Tet/4

❏ Element 135 Three-Dimensional Four-Node Tetrahedron (HeatTransfer Element)

3D Tet/4

❏ Element 136 Six-node Wedge 3D NOT SUPPORTED

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

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The Loads and Boundary Conditions application has been expanded to supportdistributed line loads for applying pressures on 1D elements and to better supportload application to rigid bodies. Only velocity controlled rigid body movement was

❏ Element 137 Six-node Wedge Heat Transfer 3D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 138 Bilinear Thin-triangular Shell Element 2D Tri/3

❏ Element 139 Bilinear Thin-shell Element 2D Quad/4

❏ Element 140 Bilinear Thick-shell Element with ReducedIntegration

2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 141 Heat Transfer Shell 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 142 Eight-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element with Twist 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 143 Four-node Plane Strain Rebar Element 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 144 Four-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element. 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 145 Four-node Axisymmetric Rebar Element with Twist 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 146 Three-dimensional 8-node Rebar Element 3D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 147 Four-node Rebar Membrane 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 148 Eight-node Rebar Membrane 2D NOT SUPPORTED

❏ Element 149 Three-dimensional, Eight-node Composite BrickElement

3D Wed/6, Hex/8

❏ Element 150 Three-dimensional, Twenty-node Composite BrickElement

3D Wed/15, Hex/20

❏ Element 151 Quadrilateral, Plane Strain, Four-node CompositeElement

2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 152 Quadrilateral, Axisymmetric, Four-node CompositeElement

2D Tri/3, Quad/4

❏ Element 153 Quadrilateral, Plane Strain, Eight-node CompositeElement

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 154 Quadrilateral, Axisymmetric, Eight-nodeComposite Element

2D Tri/6, Quad/8

❏ Element 155 Plane Strain, Low-order, Triangular Element,Herrmann Formulations

2D Tri/3/4

❏ Element 156 Axisymmetric, Low-order, Triangular Element,Herrmann Formulations

2D Tri/3/4

❏ Element 157 Three-dimensional, Low-order, Tetrahedron,Herrmann Formulations

3D Tet/4/5

Element # Description Dimension Topologies

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37CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

previously supported in earlier versions. Now rigid body motion control can becontrolled via velocity or position specification or application of forces and/ormoments to the center of rotation.

Results AccessIt is now possible to read both text (.t19 ) andbinary (.t16 ) MSC.Marc Post files in K7, 2000and 2001 style formats. This corresponds toPost Code revisions 7, 9, and 10 respectively.You may import the results directly into thedatabase as before or the Post file can beattached as in a Direct Results Access (DRA)attachment. This is now the default.

When a results file is attached, only the meta-data (descriptive data of the results that exist inthe Post file) are imported into the database.The actual data remain in the Post file and areaccessed when needed to postprocess. This hasthe obvious benefit of not duplicating data andkeeping the database size to a minimum.

As with importing results directly into thedatabase, you have the same option ofaccessing only results entities, only model data, or both. If you select Model Data orBoth as the Objects, then the finite element mesh and any rigid body geometrydefined as NURB surfaces will be imported into the database.

The attachment can be removed by setting the Action to Delete and the Object toResults Attachment.

Caution: You must detach the attachment before you can run a job with the samejobname, or MSC.Marc will not run properly because it thinks the file isin use. Either detach it or quit MSC.Patran before submitting the job asecond time.

Note: DRA does not support the Compaq Tru64 UNIX (formerly Digital UNIX)hardware platform. You must use the Results | Import options instead.

Analysis

Read ResultsAction:

Result EntitiesObject:

Code:

Type:

MSC.Marc

Structural

Available Jobs

Study:

AttachMethod:

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MiscellaneousIt is now possible to submit an analysis toMSC.Marc if the input deck already exists. Touse this functionality, set the Object to ExistingDeck in the Analysis application. The jobnamemust be the name of the existing deck and itmust exist in the local directory. A button hasbeen added to allow you to edit the deck also ifnecessary using an editor.

A very simple monitoring ability has beenimplemented also. Set the Action to Monitorand you will be able to view status, log, andoutput files in your local directory. You mayperiodically view these files as the jobprogresses or when the job has finished. Theeditor of choice is “vi” on UNIX and “notepad”on Windows, but can be changed by setting theenvironment variable P3_EDITOR to theexecutable name of choice; it must reside inyour path. This also works for editing anexisting deck as described above.

Analysis

AnalyzeAction:

Existing DeckObject:

Code:

Type:

MSC.Marc

Structural

Available Jobs

Study:

Full AnalysisMethod:

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2.2 MSC.Nastran Preference EnhancementsAs part of a continuing effort to provide an efficient and full function modeling andanalysis simulation environment, the interoperability between MSC.Patran and theMSC.Nastran solver has been enhanced in several areas, detailed below.

Complex Tabular Fields Enhancement

Overview

The capacity to create complex scalar (non-spatial) fields has been added toMSC.PATRAN for use with the MSC.Patran - MSC.Nastran Structural AnalysisPreference. Complex scalar fields may be referenced by applied loads and boundaryconditions for frequency domain solutions (direct and modal frequency response).These fields describe excitation (relative to a datum) and allows you to inputfrequency dependent magnitude and phase information.

Benefits

MSC.Patran support for complex scalar fields enables the use of MSC.NastranRLOAD1 and RLOAD2 (bdf statement) forms of frequency dependent loading. Thefields can be specified in several formats: Magnitude/Phase or Real/Imaginary. Phase(phase angle) can be specified in degrees or radians and magnitude can be specifiedon a linear or log scale. This form of excitation description may be of particular valuefor engineers interested in test data correlation and experimental data recovery andreduction.

Access

This feature is available as follows:

• Select the MSC.Nastran - Structural Preference

• Activate the Fields application

• Select Non-Spatial

• Select Complex Scalar

• Select desired format and input the data

Using The Feature

The Fields created will have their titles available in the LBC list box when a transientsolution has been requested from within Analysis / Solution Type. They may then bereferenced by enforced motion, applied force, and applied pressure LBCs.

Important: MSC.Patran does not distinguish between non-spatial field types (timedomain vs. frequency domain). Therefore, you have the potential to

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40

incorrectly apply a time dependent field to a load in a frequencydomain solution or a frequency dependent field to a load in a timedomain solution. There is no error message for this condition, therefore,it is in your best interest to use appropriately descriptive namingconventions when creating the fields.

An example of the field creation forms is shown below.

XY

Z 8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

8.0008.000

XY

Z

Non Spatial Complex Scalar Table Data

Complex Data Format

Real-ImaginaryMagnitude-Phase (degrees)

Magnitude-Phase (radians)

Input Complex Data

Map Function to Table...

OK

Freq(f) Imaginary ValueReal Value

4

6

5

3

2

1

1.00000E+000

0.00000E+000

2.00000E+000

3.00000E+000

4.00000E+000

5.00000E+000

2.00000E+000

0.00000E+000

4.00000E+000

6.00000E+000

8.00000E+000

10.00000E+000

2.05490E+000

0.00000E+000

4.08980E+000

6.10460E+000

8.13951E+000

1.01743E+001

◆ ◆◆◆◆

Fields

Action: Create

Object: Non Spatial

Method: Tabular Input

Existing Fields

Field Name

Table Definition

Active Independent Variables

(Limit = 3)

Time (t)

Frequency (f)

Temperature (T)

Displacement (u)

Velocity (v)

User-Defined (UD)

Input Data ...

[Options...]

Scalar Field Type

Real Complex

-Apply-

◆ ◆◆

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41CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

The fields created can be visualized in X-Y plot format.

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HyperElastic MaterialsMSC.Patran 2001 now allows the entry of hyperelastic material properties for use withMSC.Nastran. This new capability supports the following MSC.Nastran input filedefinitions: MATHP, PLPLANE and PLSOLID. A new Constitutive Material Model isnow available. Options are provided for:

• Compressibility

• Data Type

• Strain Energy Potential

• Polynomial Order

Property Data is input in Field or Scalar format as required.

This example shows the Input Options form having specified Test Data as the InputType for a Mooney Rivlin material model.

To Create a New Constitutive Model with Hyperelastic Properties

■ Access the Materials Application form from the Main menu.

■ Set Action>>Create, Object>>Isotropic, and Method>>Manual Input.

■ Select the Input Properties button.

This brings up the Input Properties subform shown below.

■ From the Constitutive Model pulldown menu, select Hyperelastic.

Input Options

Constitutive Model: Hyperelastic

Compressibility: Nearly Incompressible

Data Type: Test Data

Strain Energy Potential: Mooney Rivlin

Order of Polynomial: 1

Property Name Value

Tension/Compression TAB1 =

Equibiaxial Tension TAB2 =

Simple Shear Data TAB3 =

Pure Shear Data TAB4 =

Pure Vol. Compression TABD =

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43CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Alternatively, this example shows the Input Options form having specifiedCoefficient as the Data Type for a Mooney Rivlin material model.

Constitutive Model: Hyperelastic

Compressibility: Nearly Incompressible

Data Type: Coefficients

Strain Energy Potential: Mooney Rivlin

Order of Polynomial: 1

Property Name Value

Distortional Def. Coef. A10 =

Distortional Def. Coef. A01 =

Vol. Deformation Coef. D1 =

Density RHO =

Vol. Thermal Exp. Coef. AV =

Reference Temp. TREF =

Structural Damp. Coeff GE =

Current Constitutive Models:

OK Clear Cancel

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Nonlinear Normal Modes/Buckling SupportSupport has been added for MSC.Patran 2001 to setup MSC.Nastran nonlinear normalmodes or buckling analysis. Examples of this analysis type include normal modeanalysis of a prestressed structure, or buckling analysis of a prestressed structure.Examples are shown below.

Pre-Stiffened Normal Modes

The requirement to have a structure pre-stiffened by static loads when evaluatingnormal modes is very common. Thin walled pressure vessels and truss structureswith significant dead loading are typical examples. MSC.Nastran now permitssolution in one subcase using SOL 106.

• MSC.Patran V2001 provides input Data Support• NLPARM and NMLOOP set automatically• Requires a Pre-Load to be setup in the Load Case definition

To Setup a MSC.Nastran Nonlinear Normal Modes or Buckling Analysis

■ Access the Analysis Application from by pressing the Analysis button on the Main menu.

■ Select the Subcases button.

This brings up the Subcase Parameters input form shown in the followingexamples.

Subcase Parameters

Static Nonlinear Iterations

Number of Load Increments = 10

Matrix Update Method: Automatic

Number of Iterations per Update = 5

Allowable Iterations per Increment = 25

Convergence Criteria

Displacement Error

Displacement Tolerance =

Load Error

Load Tolerance =

Work Error

Work Tolerance =

Arc-Length Method ...

Normal Modes Buckling

Normal Modes Buckling

OK Cancel

Subcase Parameters

REAL EIGENVALUE EXTRACTION

Extraction Method: Lanczos

Frequency Range of Interest

Lower =

Upper =

Estimated Number of Roots = 100

Number of Desired Roots = 10

Diagnostic Output Level: 0

Results Normalization

Normalization Method: Mass

Normalization Point =

Normalization Component: 1

Number of Modes in Error Analysis =

10

Dynamic Reduction...

OK Cancel

ActivatefromSubcaseParameters

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45CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Nonlinear Buckling

For many structures it is required to investigate the full nonlinear buckling response,beyond the linear buckling solution. MSC.Nastran now permits nonlinear bucklingsolution in one subcase using SOL 106.

• MSC.Patran V2001 provides Input Data Support

• NLPARM and NMLOOP set automatically

• PARAM,BUCKLE,2 set automatically

• User Selection of

• Arc Length Method

• Stiffness Update Method

• Convergence Criteria

Large Displacement and Follower Force options are set via Solution Parameters.

Solution Type

MSC.Nastran

Solution Type

Solution Type:

LINEAR STATIC

NONLINEAR STATIC

NORMAL MODES

BUCKLING

COMPLEX EIGENVALUE

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

TRANSIENT RESPONSE

NONLINEAR TRANSIENT

Solution Parameters...

Solution Sequence: 106

OK Cancel

Solution Parameters

Nonlinear Static Solution Parameters

Automatic Constraints

Large Displacements

Follower Forces

Mass Calculation: Lumped

Data Deck Echo: None

Plate Rz Stiffness Factor = 100.0

Maximum Printed Lines = 999999999

Maximum Run Time = 600

Wt.-Mass Conversion = 1.0

Node i.d. for Wt. Gener. =

OK Defaults Cancel

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Enforced Motion Support for MSC.Nastran

Overview

Coinciding with a new implementation of enforced motion in MSC.Nastran,MSC.Patran is providing, in Release 2001, support for both the generation of enforcedmotion input to MSC.Nastran and the reading of Nastran input files that containenforced motion specifications. This feature allows for individual degrees of freedomor for entire regions of a structural model to be externally excited according to aprescribed distribution of displacement, velocity, or acceleration histories orfrequency spectra. Enforced motion loading can be used in combination with othertypes of external loading for direct or modal transient analyses, direct or modalfrequency response analyses, or static analyses. In the case of static analysis, onlyenforced displacements are admissible.

Benefits

The primary benefit of this new feature is to extend the range of admissible loadingsthat can be applied to a structural model using MSC.Nastran as the solver. In the past,while MSC.Nastran provided a means of applying enforced motion called the largemass method, this was a difficult method to apply, it contained limitations, and it wasnot supported by MSC.Patran.

As an additional benefit, enforced motions were implemented in MSC.Patran in sucha way that, while a particular component of enforced motion could be prescribed withrespect to any coordinate system, the existing analysis coordinate system of the nodeto which the enforced motion is applied is not to be changed merely because amismatch of coordinate system ID may exist. Instead, the reference coordinate systemof the enforced motion is transformed into alignment with the analysis coordinatesystem of the node, and applied in that coordinate system. If alignment of the twocoordinate systems is not possible, the analysis coordinate system of the node is stillnot changed. Instead, the enforced motion is not applied, an error flag is set, and thenode is placed in an MSC.Patran group that contains all nodes for which amisalignment error has been detected. At the end of the translation, you are askedwhether MSC.Patran should modify the analysis coordinate systems of all of thenodes in the group to match the coordinate systems of their respective enforcedmotions. You can decline this service, and manually provide another solution whilepreserving the existing analysis coordinate systems if you so choose.

Still another benefit is realized by the simultaneous implementation of “LBCPriorities” in conjunction with the introduction of enforced motion into theMSC.Nastran analysis preference. “LBC Priorities” is a feature of MSC.Patran that hasexisted for a number of releases with respect to analysis preferences other thanMSC.Nastran, but had not been implemented within the MSC.Nastran preferenceprior to release 2001. This is a feature that enables you to specify how loadspecification conflicts should be resolved in the event that multiple specifications areapplied to the same degree of freedom. The choices available in the MSC.Nastran

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47CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

preference in release 2001 include “Add”, “Average”, and “Priority”. Loadspecifications are considered to be in conflict only if they are of related types. Forexample, if a particular node were to be assigned an enforced displacement history forits x-component, and also a prescribed temperature history, this would not beregarded as a conflict. It is admissible to specify both the temperature for a particularnode and a set of displacement components for one or more of its degrees of freedom.However, if two displacement histories were to be prescribed, then a conflict has beenidentified, and you must resolve the conflict. If you have specified that the conflictshould be settled according to a numerical priority value, the displacement with thelowest numerical value of priority is selected, and all others are rejected. If the “Add”option is in force, then all specifications are added together, and if “Average” isspecified, after adding them together they are divided by the number of specifications.The implementation of the “Add” and “Average” options in such a way that they canbe applied to dynamic analyses presented an additional challenge in that thespecifications are most likely to be in the form of dissimilar time histories or frequencyspectra. In addition, the frequency spectra may be real or complex, and if complex,may be specified in terms of real and imaginary parts or as combinations ofmagnitude and phase. These dissimilar time histories or response spectra must beadded together, often resulting in a new time history or response spectrum containingthe combined set of all time or frequency values contained in the entire set ofcontributing histories or spectra. Furthermore, displacement histories and velocityhistories are considered similar for the purpose of identifying boundary conditionconflicts. It is not permissible to specify both a prescribed displacement history and aprescribed velocity history to the same degree of freedom. If such a conflict isencountered, and if the specified means of conflict resolution is specified as “Add” or“Average”, then all enforced motions applied to the given degree of freedom areintegrated down to the lowest common differential order before being combined.Thus if a displacement history and an acceleration history are found to be in conflict,the acceleration history is numerically integrated twice to become an equivalentdisplacement history, and then combined with the other displacement history.

Finally, some additional data checking was implemented to search for instanceswhere degrees of freedom to which enforced motions have been assigned may havealso been specified as dependent members of multipoint constraints (MPCs). It is notlegal to assign a prescribed displacement history to a degree of freedom that is adependent member of an MPC relationship. When such a conflict is found, theenforced motion is not applied, and the node is placed in a group that contains all ofthe nodes for which a conflict between a boundary constraint and an MPCrelationship has been found. At the end of the translation, you are informed that suchconflicts have been found, and that the constraints for those cases have not beenapplied. You are then asked whether the job should be submitted to MSC.Nastran foranalysis. If you respond that it should, and if there are no errors of any other type thathave been detected, then the job will proceed.

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Accessing the New Feature

Enforced motions are applied under the “Loads/BCs” menu in the MSC.Patrangraphical user interface. Options have been added to the MSC.Nastran preference toallow the specification of velocity or acceleration histories or spectra, and thedisplacement option has always been present. Data entry consists of specifying avector, which may be a vector field, representing the magnitude of the translationalpart of the enforced motion specification and a corresponding field representing thetime history or the response spectrum. If this field represents a response spectrum, itmay be complex. One can also enter another vector or vector field representing therotational components of the enforced motion, and a time or frequency fieldrepresenting the variation of the rotational components. While MSC.Patran allows thespecification of different time or frequency fields for the translational and rotationalspecifications, this practice has not been fully tested, and is not recommended.Instead, two different LBC specifications should be entered, one for the translationalcomponents and the other for the rotational components. It is far more likely that allof the components of the specified enforced motion will have distinct time histories orfrequency spectra, and in this event the user has no choice but to enter eachcomponent as an individual LBC. In addition to specifying the magnitude andvariation of each enforced motion, you may specify a reference coordinate system forthe vector components, and he must specify an application region, which may be inthe form of a list of nodes or a portion of model geometry.

To Specify Enforced Motions and Related Time History or Response Spectrum

■ Access the Loads/BCs Application form by pressing the Loads/BCs button on the Mainmenu.

■ Select the Input Data button.

This brings up the Input Data form shown below.

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The LBC priorities are accessed from the “Load Case” menu, and the priorities may bedifferent for different load cases within the same job. To set the priorities for anexisting load case, select the load case from the list of existing load cases, and the“Assign/Prioritize LoadsBCs” form pops into view. If the load sets for this load casehave not been prioritized previously, they will all be set to the default value of “Add”.If you click on the priority cell for one of the load set entries in the load case table, if itis a load set for which LBC Priorities have been implemented, three buttons, labeled“Avg.”, “Add”, and “Value” appear. Hitting the buttons labeled “Avg.” or “Add” setsthe priority to the corresponding value for that load set. Hitting the “Value” buttonsets the priority to a value representing a number one higher than the highest numberfor all load sets in its category. The value can be changed to any currently unusedvalue in its category by editing the value in the “Input Priority” listbox. If the LBC typeis one for which LBC Priorities have not been implemented, then the featuresdescribed above will not take place. In general, LBC Priorities have been implementedfor boundary conditions that are typically assigned to nodes, and not implemented forboundary conditions typically assigned to element faces. This distinction was made

Specify a vectorrepresenting themagnitude

Assign a correspondingfield representing thetime history or responsespectrum

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because it is much less likely to encounter unintended boundary condition conflictson element faces. For nodes, on the other hand, which can exist on multiple geometricentities in the model, such as the junction of two surfaces, conflicts are commonplace.An exception to this rule exists for discrete forces, which are typically applied tonodes. LBC Priorities were not implemented for discrete forces, also with theassumption that anytime a force is intentionally applied to a node it is intended thatit should be added to whatever other forces are also applied to that node. Since “Add”is the default conflict resolution option, it was deemed less important that LBCPriorities should be enabled for multiple specifications of discrete loads.

The behavior of session files, created in previous MSC.Patran versions, can be affectedby changes made to LBC implementation in the MSC.Nastran analysis integrationpreference described above. The issue can arise when there is a conflict between theanalysis coordinate id (CID) assigned to a node, and the reference CID of an LBC tobe apply to that node. In the past, it was assumed that the LBC reference frame wasthe intended reference, and MSC.Patran would change the node analysis CID to be thesame as the LBC reference CID. Starting with MSC.Patran 2001, the LBC (for example,a displacement vector) will be transformed into the node analysis CID withoutchanging the analysis CID definition of the node.

Input File Reader EnhancementsSupport for the reading of new model setup definitions within MSC.Nastran has beenenhanced. Additional model entities, parameters and case control input statementscan be imported from the MSC.Nastran input file.

The following new model definitions are now supported:

BCONP

BFRIC

BLSEG

BOUTPUT

BWIDTH

CQUADX

CTRIAX

DLOAD

DOPTPRM

DYNRED

EIGB

EIGC

EIGR

EIGRL

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51CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

FREQ

FREQ1

FREQ2

FREQ3

FREQ4

FREQ5

LSEQ

MATHP

MPCADD

NLPARM

NLPCI

PARAM

PLPLANE

PLSOLID

RLOAD1

RLOAD2

SESET

TEMPD

TIC

TLOAD1

TLOAD2

TSTEP

TSTEPNL

The following new setup parameters are now supported:

AUTOSPC

ALTRED

COUPMASS

G

GRDPNT

INREL

K6ROT

LGDISP

NASPRT

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NOCOMPS

POST

PRTMAXIM

WTMASS

W3

W4

PRGPST

SIGMA

TABS

DDRMM

CHECKOUT

MSC.Nastran FREQ5 Output Frequency ResponseSpecificationThe forward translator now supports MSC.Nastran FREQ5. This is to say that you cannow input FREQ5 specifications into the solution parameters forms of the MSC.Patrananalysis menu, and translate these specifications into entries in the bulk data file. Youcan not read FREQ5 commands into the bdf reader.

Residual Vector Control

Param Resvec

A toggle has been added to activate Param Resvec in the appropriate solution controlforms.

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53CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2.3 MSC.Dytran Preference EnhancementsMSC.Patran Version 2001 contains enhancements to the MSC.Dytran analysispreference. More complete documentation is available in the MSC.PatranMSC.Dytran Preference Guide.

A brief overview is provided below:

• RUPTURE and SPOTWELD options added to BJOIN LBC

• Rigid Body Object added to LBCs

• Spotwelds support (PWELD, PWELD1 and PWELD2) for 1D elementproperties

• Support for Predefined HL Beam (PBEAML)

• Support for Composite Beam (PBCOMP)

• Update Hughes-Liu beams with offset vector and offset of neutral axis

• New materials: Soil (DYMAT25), Tait Cavitation Model (DMAT) and Foamwith Hysteresis (FOAM2)

• Add beam post processing tool to preference

• Automated Stiffener/Spotweld tool creation

• Support for Direct Text Input

• Unwanted automatically created new groups not posted to viewport duringresults reading

• Modify filename assignment while reading contact THS for XY plotting

Loads & Boundary Conditions

Bjoin

In the loads and boundary conditions, the already existing BJOIN was extended withnew options PWELD (Spotweld) and PWELD1 (Rupture).

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Spotweld:

Input DataType of Failure criterion:

Spotweld

Equivalence at time 0

Default

Multiple Breakable Joins

Default

Tolerance

OK Reset

Bjoin option: Spotweld

Options:Default (write blank)YesNo

Options:Default (write blank)YesNo

Tension Failure

Compression Failure

Shear Failure

Torque FailureAdditional databoxes:- Bending Failure- Total Force Failure- Total Moment Failure- Time of Failure

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55CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Rupture:

Input Data

Type of Failure criterion:

Rupture

Equivalence at time 0

Default

Multiple Breakable Joins

Default

Beam Position

Default

Tolerance

Tension Failure/Length

Compression Failure/Length

Shear Failure/Length

Torque Failure/Length

OK Reset

Bjoin Option:Rupture

Options:Default (write blank)YesNo

Options:Default (write blank)YesNo

Options:

Default (write blank)UpperMidLower

Additional databoxes:- Bending Failure/Length- Total Force Failure/Length- Total Moment Failure/Length- Time of Failure

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Rigid Body ObjectUnder the MSC.Dytran preference, you can now either constrain a rigid body or applyforce at the center of gravity (C.G.) of the rigid body object. This new LBC additionwill allow you to 1.) constrain the rigid body, 2.) give a predefined velocity field, or 3.)put force and moment at the C.G. of the rigid body object.

Input Data

Load/BC Set Scale Factor

1.0

Filter Specification

*

Filter

Select a Rigid Material

Rigid Body Constraint

UX RX

UY RY

UZ RZ

Time Dependent Fields

Enforced Transl. Vel. Vector

<,,>

* Time Dependence

Enforced Rot. Vel. Vector

<,,>

* Time Dependence

Force Vector

<,,>

* Time Dependence

Moment Vector

<,,>

* Time Dependence

OK Reset

List of existing MATRIG materials

List of existing non-spatial fields

Toggles for constraining the rigidbody on its cog. When toggling onone direction, it will put a zero onthe appropriate place in the velocityvector field. Any existing value willbe overwritten. When toggling offthe value will be overwritten by ablank.

User can select only one Materialname

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57CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Application Region:

Application Region

Geometry Filter

Geometry FEM

Rigid Reference Point

OK

Only a single Point IDor Node ID is allowed. Allother input/selections areautomatically omitted.

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Element Properties

Spotwelds

A new 1D element, Spotwelds, has been added to the MSC.Dytran preference underthe Element Properties Application form/Create>>1D Spotweld. Three elementformulations are available:

1. PWELD: regular spotwelds

2. PWELD1: spotwelds on a stiffener

3. PWELD2: spotwelds for modeling delamination and peeling

The following examples show the actual Input Property forms for these three elementformulations.

PWELD: Regular Spotwelds.

Input Properties

Spotweld Prop (CROD)

Property Name Value Value Type

[Fail. Tension] Real Scalar

[Fail. Compression] Real Scalar

[Fail. Shear] Real Scalar

[Fail. Torque] Real Scalar

[Fail. Bending] Real Scalar

[Fail. Tot. Force] Real Scalar

[Fail. Tot. Moment] Real Scalar

[Failure Time] Real Scalar

OK

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59CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

PWELD1: Spotwelds on a Stiffener

Input Properties

Rupture Spotweld Prop (CROD)

Property Name Value Value Type

[Fail. Tension/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Compression/Leng] Real Scalar

[Fail. Shear/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Torque/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Bending/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Tot. Force/Lengt] Real Scalar

[Fail. Tot. Moment/Leng] Real Scalar

[Failure Time] Real Scalar

[Beam Position] String

OK

UpperMidLower

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PWELD2: Spotwelds to Model Delamination and Peeling:

BeamsNew types of beams have been added to the preference:

Input Properties

Delamination/Peeling (CROD)

Property Name Value Value Type

[Fail. Tension/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Compression/Leng] Real Scalar

[Fail. Shear/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Torque/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Bending/Length] Real Scalar

[Fail. Tot. Force/Lengt] Real Scalar

[Fail. Tot. Moment/Leng] Real Scalar

[Failure Time] Real Scalar

OK

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61CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

1. Predefined HL Beam (PBEAML):

Predefined HL Beam (CBEAM/PBEAM

Property Name Value Value Type

Material Name Mat Prop Name

Section Name na:

[Offset Definition]

Vector

Vector

Properties

Bar Orientation Vector

String

[Offset @ Node 1]

[Offset @ Node 2]

-none-

Associate Beam Section

OK

Name from Beam Library

NodeVectorOptions

Options: GlobalLocal

Click here to accessStandard BeamLibrary Tool menu

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2. Composite Beam (PBCOMP)

In addition to the above two new beam types, the input properties form of theHughes-Liu Beam (PBEM1) has been updated to support offset vector and offset ofneutral axis.

Input Properties

Lumped Section (CBEAM/PBCOMP)

Property Name Value Value Type

Material Name Mat Prop Name

Cross Section Area Real Scalar

[Offset Definition]

Vector

Vector

Symmetry Option

Ys of Lumped Areas Real List

Zs of Lumped Areas

Bar OrientationVector

String

[Offset @ Node 1]

[Offset @ Node 2]

String

Real List

Area Factors Real List

OK

NodeVectorOptions

GlobalLocalOptions

Options:No SymmetryYZ SymmetryY SymmetryZ SymmetryY=Z Symmetry

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63CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Material Properties1. Soil DYMAT25:

Current Constitutive Models:

Input Options

Constitutive Model: Soil (DYMAT25)

Valid For: Lagrangian Solid

Vectorization Flag: Fully Iterative

Property Name Value

OK Clear Cancel

Density =

Shear Modulus =

Bulk Modulus =

Failure Parameter ALPHA =

Failure Lin. Coef. THETA =

Failure Exp. Coef. GAMMA =

Failure Exponent BETA =

Cap, Surface Axis Ratio R =

Hardening Law Exp. D =

Hardening Law Coef. W =

Hardening Law Exp. X0 =

Kin. Hardening Coef. CBAR =

Kin. Hardening Coef. N =

Tension Cutoff Stress =

Quadratic Visc. Coeff. =

Linear Visc. Coeff. =

Only LagrangianElements

Vector Options:

Full IterationVectorized

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2. Tait Cavitation Model:

Input Options

Constitutive Model: Tait Cavitation Model (DMAT)

Valid For: Eulerian Solid (Hydro)

Viscosity: Off

Property Name Value

Density =

Constant A0 =

Constant A1 =

Constant Gamma =

Critical Density =

Current Constitutive Models:

OK Clear Cancel

Eulerian Solid (hydro)only

Viscosity Options: On Off

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65CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

3. Foam with Hysteresis Damping (FOAM2):

Constitutive Model: Foam with Hysteresis (FOAM2)

Valid For: Lagrangian Solid

Pressure Variation: Pressure vs Crush Factor

Cut-Off Stress: Minimum Stress

Unloading Option: Quadratic Unloading

Include Strain Rates Effects: Yes

Property Name Value

Density =

Shear Modulus =

Bulk Modulus =

Pressure vs Crush Factor =

Cut-off Stress =

Energy Dissipation Factor =

Stress vs Strain Rate Factor =

Quadratic Visc. Coeff. =

Linear Visc. Coeff. =

Current Constitutive Models:

OK Clear Cancel

Lagrangian Solid Only

Pressure Variation Options: Pressure vs Crush Pressure vs Vol Strain

Cut-off Stress Option Minimum Stress Stress for Tensile Failure

Unloading Options: Quadratic Linear Exponential

Stress Strain Effects Yes/No

Only appears whenStress strain effects isset to Yes

Name of this fieldequals the value ofoption Pressure Variation

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Analysis1. Special Features/Beam Postprocessing:

Beam Post Process

Result Selection

Result Cases

Results #1, Cycle 0, Time 0.0000Results #1, Cycle 100, Time 0.0024Results #1, Cycle 200, Time 0.0049Results #1, Cycle 300, Time 0.0074

Available Results

TXX

Display Options

Display in "Beam" Viewport

Display in Current Viewport

Auto Tile Viewport(s)

Auto Execute

Select Beam(s)

Show Min/Max Label

Show Fringe Label

Reset Graphics

Apply Cancel

List of Result CasesUser can select only one result case

List of qualified variablesOnly certain variables can bepostprocessed. See Dytran UsersManual under Sublayer Variables.

Fringe can be plotted in currentViewport or a new viewport will beopened

In case a Beam Viewport was selecteduser has option to automatically Tile allopened viewports

Select beams to be postprocessed

Press this button to get rid off of allchanges from this postprocessingtool

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67CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2. Special Features / Spotweld/Stiffener Tool / Create / Stiffener.

Automated Stiffener/Spotweld creation:

Once you hit the Apply button, beams will be created along the shell edges as definedby the application region. Additionally, you will notice the following:

1. A new simple beam with default values will be created when a new BeamProperty Name is provided. Otherwise, all newly created beams will begrouped under the existing beam property name.

Spotweld/Stiffener Tool

Action: Create

Object: Stiffener

Stiffener Definition

Existing Beam Props

Property Name

Spotweld Definition

Simple (PWELD)

Existing PWELD Props

Property Name

Application Region...

Apply Cancel

List of existing beam propertydefinitions

Selected name from beam propertylist or name of new beam property

Options:Simple spotweld (PWELD)Stiffener spotweld (PWELD2)

List of existing spotweld propertydefinitions

Select either a name from the spotweldproperty list or enter a new spotweldproperty name

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2. All newly created beams will be connected to the shell edges with zerolength spotwelds (CROD’s). Just like simple beams, a new spotweld withzero value will be created when a new Spotweld Property name is provided.Otherwise, all newly created spotwelds will be grouped under the existingspotweld property name.

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69CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Application Region Type 1: 2 End Points

The 2 End Points option allows you to select shell element edges by specifying thestarting and ending nodes. All shell element edges that lie between the Starting Nodeand the Ending Node will be automatically selected. The shortest distance betweenthe shell edges will also be calculated.

Select Beam Path

Longitudinal Info.

Option: 2 End Points

Select End Nodes

Starting Node

Ending Node

Add Remove

Selected Element Edges

Clear

OK

List of shell edges

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Application Region Type 2: Element Edges

The Element Edges option allows you to discretely select all desired shell elementedges.

Select Beam Path

Longitudinal Info.

Option: Element Edges

Select Edges

Element Edge

Add Remove

Selected Element Edges

Clear

OK

List of shell edges

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Application Region Type 3: Node List

The Node List option allows you to select shell element edges by specifying the nodelist. All shell element edges that lie between the nodes will be automatically selected.

Select Beam Path

Longitudinal Info.

Option: Node List

Select Nodes

Node List

Add Remove

Selected Element Edges

Clear

OK

List of shell edges

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Special Features / Spotweld/Stiffener Tool/ Create / Skin:

Once you hit the Apply button, quads will be created along the solid faces as definedby the application region. Additionally, you will notice the following:

1. A new Default Pshell with default values will be created when a newProperty Name is provided. Otherwise, all newly created quads will begrouped under the existing quad property name.

Spotweld/Stiffener Tool

Action: Create

Object: Skin

Skin Definition

Existing Quad Props

Property Name

Spotweld Definition

Delamination (PWELD2)

Existing PWELD2 Props

Property Name

Application Region...

Apply Cancel

List of existing quad propertydefinitions

Selected name from quad property

Option:Delamination spotweld (PWELD2)

List of existing spotweld propertydefinitions

Selected name from spotweldproperty list or new spotweldproperty

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73CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2. All newly created quads will be connected with the solid faces with zerolength spotwelds (CROD’s). Just like Default Pshell, a new spotweld withzero value will be created when a new Spotweld Property name is provided.Otherwise, all newly created spotwelds will be grouped under the existingspotweld property name.

Application Region Skin tool:

Select Application Region

Skin Location

Select Element Faces

Face List

Add Remove

Selected Element Faces

Reset Region

OK

Faces of solid elementscan be selected

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Analyze/Direct Text Input:

This form allows you to enter text which will be written directly into one of thefollowing sections of the input file after pressing the Apply button.

• File Management Section

• Executive Control Section

• Case Control Section

• Bulk Data Section

Direct Text Input

Bulk Data Section

File Management SectionExecutive Control SectionCase Control SectionBulk Data Section

FMS Write To Input Deck

EXEC Write To Input Deck

CASE Write To Input Deck

BULK Write To Input Deck

OK Clear Reset Cancel

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75CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Results

Group Creation/Posting Enhancement

In the previous release of the MSC.Dytran preference, one or more new groups will becreated and posted to the current viewport during the reverse translation process(either reading in model or result data). For v2001, the new groups will beautomatically posted to the viewport only when model data are imported. The newgroups are still being created and populated during the results import process, butjust not posted to the current viewport. However, you still have the option to postthese new groups manually under Group/Post menu.

Modify Filename Assignment While Reading Contact THS for XYPlotting.

Change the file naming convention when importing THS files into MSC.Patran in thefollowing way:

Old Curve Name: th_DMIN_co_1.curve1

where:

Because of the arbitrarily assigned integers in the above generated names, it was verydifficult to correlate an output curve with the input data that it represents. The userhad no control over the assignment of these arbitrary numbers.

New Curve Name: DMIN_CONTACT_5_CONT_DIS_3PLATE.curve1

where:

"th_" = a constant and always present

"DMIN" = the variable being plotted

"co" = an abbreviation for "Contact"

"1" = a monotonically increasing integer assigned in the order in which thecontacts are encountered

"curve1" = an arbitrary string assigned when the curves are read from the ".ths" file.The curve number is a monotonically increasing integer assigned in theorder in which the curves are encountered.

"DMIN" = the variable being plotted

"CONTACT" = a master contact curve. Other possibilities here include "COSLAVE"for a slave contact, or "COTOTAL" for the sum of the master andslave contacts.

“5” = the contact number from the input deck that the user has assignedto this contact.

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The new curve naming convention enables you to find the results for the curves theyare interested in quickly and without having to guess or refer back to the originalinput deck.

“CONT_DIS” = the user assigned case name.

“3PLATE” = the name job name of this run. Note that only that part of the jobname up to the first underscore character will be used here. Anyadditional characters in the job name will be ignored.

“curve1” = an arbitrary identifier assigned by MSC.Patran in the order inwhich the curves are read from the archive file. This number willmake the curve names unique if the same archive file is read inmore than once.

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77CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2.4 LS-DYNA3D Preference EnhancementsMSC.Patran Version 2001 contains enhancements to the LS-DYNA analysispreference. More complete documentation is available in the MSC.Patran LS-DYNAPreference Guide.

A brief overview is provided below:

Support for composite laminate material

Support for *SET keywords

Support for *DATABASE keywords

Reject and error file created by the reader

Support for composite materials

The following cards required for LS-DYNA to run composite analysis, are supportedfor both the reader and the writer of the preference.

*MAT_ENHANCED_COMPOSITE_DAMAGE

*INTEGRATED_SHELL

*SECTION_SHELL

*PART

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This subordinate form appears when Composite is the object on the Material form,and Laminate is the selected method.

Support for *SET Keywords

Users are able to create groups of nodes and elements from the corresponding *SETkeywords. The following *SET entries are supported for both reader and writer of theLS-DYNA preference.

*SET_NODE

*SET_BEAM

*SET_SHELL

*SET_TSHELL

Laminated CompositeStacking Sequence Convention

Total

Offset

Stacking Sequence Definition: Select an Existing Material.

Insert Material Names

Load Text Into Spreadsheet

Text Entry Mode

Insert

Material NamesThicknessesOrientations

Delete Selected Rows

Show Laminate Properties... Clear Text and Data Boxes

Material Name Thickness Orientation

◆◆◆◆

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79CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

*SET_SOLID

*SET_DISCRETE

In the MSC.Patran LS-Dyna Preference Analysis form, the button “Group for SETcards” appears when you select Action>>Analysis, and Object >>Entire Model. Thisbutton brings up the following form enabling you to pick the required groups fromthe list of groups available in the database.

When you set Object >>Select Group on the Analysis form and you select the OutputGroup button, a separate listbox of selected groups for SET cards is provided. Thegroups you select are stored in the database as PARAM SET entries.

Select Group

Available Groups

default_group

OK Cancel

Selected Group

group_agroup_b

group_b

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When you set Action>>Read Input File on the Analysis form, the Set Card ReadOption button appears. This button brings up the following form that allows you tospecify which set of cards of the LS-DYNA input file to translate.

Set Card Read Options

Options for Group creation From SET Cards

Overwrite Nodes Group YES

Overwrite Beams Group YES

Overwrite Shells Group YES

Overwrite Discrete Group YES

Overwrite Solids Group YES

Overwrite TShell Group YES

Threshold no. of Entities For Groups

Threshold Number Nodes 5

Threshold Number Beams 5

Threshold number Discrete 5

Threshold Number Shell 5

Threshold Number Solid 5

Threshold Number TShell 5

OK Defaults Cancel

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81CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Support for *DATABASE Keywords

The following ASCII *DATABASE entries are supported for both reader and writer ofthe LS-DYNA preference.

*DATABASE_SECFORCE

*DATABASE_CROSS_SECTION_SET

*DATABASE_RWFORCE

*DATABASE_DEFORC

*DATABASE_MATSUM

*DATABASE_NCFORC

*DATABASE_RCFORC

*DATABASE_DEFGEO

*DATABASE_SPCFORC

*DATABASE_SWFORC

*DATABASE_ABSTAT

*DATABASE_BNDOUT

*DATABASE_RBDOUT

*DATABASE_GCEOUT

*DATABASE_SLEOUT

*DATABASE_JNTFORC

*DATABASE_SBTOUT

*DATABASE_AVSFLT

*DATABASE_MOVIE

*DATABASE_MPGS

*DATABASE_TRHIST

*DATABASE_TRACER

*DATABASE_TPRINT

These entries are defined in the forms that appear when the “Input Data” button isselected in the “Output Request” form for each “Result Type” option selected.

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Reject and Error File Created by the Reader

The input file reader places all unsupported LsDyna keywords in a reject file whichhas the extension .rej. Also keywords that cannot be read due to incorrect data areplaced in an error file with a line describing the error. The error file has the extension.err

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83CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2.5 SAMCEF Preference Enhancements

New Contacts Capabilities

This new feature expands simulation modeling capabilities for contact conditionswithin the Samcef/Preference. The new feature follows MSC.Ptran standard LBCscreation procedure. Specific rules apply as far as computation in SAMCEF isconcerned: refer to SAMCEF documentation for more details.

To Access the New Contact LBCs Form

1 Access the Loads/BCs Application form by pressing the Loads/BCs icon on the Mainmenu.

2 Select Action>>Create, Object>>Node->Surf Contact, and Type>>Element Uniform.

This brings up the Surf Contact subform shown below.

Load/Boundary Conditions

Action: Create

Analysis Type: Structural

Type: Element Uniform

Object: Node->Surf Contact

Option: Stick

Current Load Case:

Default...

Type: Static

Existing Sets

New Set Name

StickTigh_SrotTigh_LrotCont_SrotCont_SdisCont_MdisCont_Ldis

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Crack Simulation Modeling

Enhanced crack modeling capabilities have been added in the MSC.Patran V2001SAMCEF preference. Please refer to your SAMCEF documentation for any specificmodeling guidelines and technical explanations.

In general, two major enhancements, Cracks Creation and Cracks Definition, havebeen implemented in this release.

Examples of the Options for Chaining form and the Cracks definition form are shownon the following two pages.

To Use the Crack Modeling Capabilities:

1 Click on the Analysis Application icon located on the Main menu.

This brings up the Analysis Application form.

2 Select the Chaining Options unfold button.

3 To initiate the desired Crack process, click on the Crack Creation button.

All cracks defined through this form will be properly interpreted and analyzedby the SAMCEF computation modules.

4 To specify relevant Crack definitions, choose the Cracks Definition unfold button.

You can choose to Create, Delete or List Crack definition. To specify the crackdefinition, you will need to input a Crack name, as well as selecting desiredelements. The elements input list can be specified through typical screen picking,or by entering the name of the appropriate group previous created. Front nodeindicates where the crack initiates (compulsory data). Aperture node indicatesthe side of the semi area containing the crack tips with respect to the crack front.

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Options for Chaining

SAMCEF

LINEAR STATIC (ASEF)

Options For Chaining :

Pre-Stressed Part

Dynamic Stresses Calculation

Cyclic Symmetry Geometry

Existing File Reading :

Read Stresses from File (IFPR)

Read Temperature from File (IUN)

Restart a Non Linear Calculation

Special Runs :

Run BACON Only

Superelement Control

Creation Definition...

Assembly Definition...

Recovery Definition......

Cracks Control

Creation Definition...

Special Chainings :

Chaining without Cyclic Symmetry

Chaining with Cyclic Symmetry

Chaining MECANO and DYNAM

Chaining MECANO and STABI

OK Cancel

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Cracks

Action Create

Existing Cracks

Crack Name

Elements Selection

Elements

Group Name

Nodes Selection

Apply Cancel Quit

Front Node

Aperature Node

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87CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2.6 ABAQUS Preference Enhancements

ABAQUS Rebar SupportYou can now create and visualize rebar definitions within MSC.Patran. Access theRebar Definitions form from the Tools pulldown menu.

Rebar Definitions

Action: Create

Object: Layer

Type: 2D Solid

Existing Rebar...

Rebar Name and Color

Curve List

Material...

Area...

Spacing...

Orientation...

Clear

Apply Done

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Abaqus Beam VisualizationThis new functionality allows for Abaqus beam shapes to be displayed on aMSC.Patran 3D model.

To Display Beam Shapes on a 3D Model.

1 Set the Analysis Preference to Abaqus.

2 Access the Properties Application form by selecting the Properties icon on the Mainmenu.

3 Set Action>>Create, Object>>1D, and Type>>Beam and proceed to create different shapedbeams.

Available shapes include: box, circle, hexagon, i-section, pipe, rectangular andtrapezoid.

4 From the Display pulldown menu located on the Main menu, select Load/BC/Elem. Props.

5 Set the Beam Display option to 1D/2D/3D to view the beam in all dimensions.

The beam display is shown on beam elements not on geometry.

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89CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Abaqus Input File ReaderIt is possible to read an existing ABAQUS input file (jobname.inp) into MSC.Patran.This is not a fully supported feature and must be invoked by setting a specialparameter. This is done by editing the settings.pcl file and adding the followingline:

pref_env_set_logical( "shareware_input_file", TRUE )

If this setting is set to TRUE, then an additionalAction item appears under the Analysis formcalled Read Input File. This file can exist in theinstallation, local or home directories.

Simply select the file from the file browser thatappears when you pick the Select Input Filebutton on the Analysis Form.

The translator will import nodes, elements,coordinate frames, and basic materials,element properties, and loads. See theABAQUS Preference User’s Guide forsupported KEYWORDS.

Analysis

Read Input FileAction:

Code:

Model DataObject:

Jobname

Apply

ABAQUS

Type: Structural

Available Jobs

Job Description

Select Inpt File...

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2.7 MSC.Patran Advanced FEAWe regret to inform you that as of this release of MSC.Patran due to businessconditions beyond our control, the MSC.Patran Advanced FEA product has beendiscontinued. MSC customers that have purchased a paid-up license of MSC.PatranAdvanced FEA, may continue to use the product indefinitely with previous versionsof MSC.Patran. Customers with annual licenses may continue to use MSC.PatranAdvanced FEA with the previous version of MSC.Patran until their license agreementexpires at which time they may transition over to the new MSC.Patran MarcPreference. Paid-up customers may also transition over to the MSC.Patran MarcPreference at any time. Please contact your local sales representative for details.

MSC.Patran Advanced FEA customers wishing to use MSC.Patran 2001 right awayhave a number of options:

1. Start using the MSC.Patran Marc Preference and the MSC.Marc analyzer byrunning MSC.Patran 2001 with a new database.

2. Start using MSC.Patran Marc Preference and the MSC.Marc analyzer byrunning MSC.Patran 2001 with an old database containing an AFEA model.MSC.Patran 2001 detects that an MSC.Patran Advanced FEA model existsand converts as much data as possible to the MSC.Patran Marc Preferenceincluding materials, properties, MPCs, LBCs, contact information andanalysis job setup. It is advised that you check the model thoroughly beforesubmitting an analysis as all data may not convert completely.

3. Before opening an old MSC.Patran Advanced FEA database in MSC.Patran2001, open it in a previous version and switch the Analysis Preference toABAQUS. The entire model definition will be preserved except for theanalysis setup information. Then you may open the database in MSC.Patran2001 and the model will be preserved as an ABAQUS analysis. Some analysissetup will be required to run through ABAQUS properly.

The MSC.Patran Marc Preference and the MSC.Marc solver are the replacementsolution for the MSC.Patran Advanced FEA product. MSC.Marc is a general purposefinite element solver with special nonlinear and contact capabilities and has been anindustry leader since the 1970s. MSC has made a special effort to enhance theMSC.Patran Marc Preference in consideration of the discontinuation of theMSC.Patran Advanced FEA product. Most of the same capabilities exist in MSC.Marcand more. Please see MSC.Marc Preference Enhancements (p. 20) for details.

A special product offering called MSC.AFEA is available. This is an interlockedversion of MSC.Patran, the Marc Preference and MSC.Marc for a single workstation,delivering equivalent and enhanced functionality over the discontinued MSC.PatranAdvanced FEA product at a similar price point. Please contact your local salesrepresentative for more information about this new product package.

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91CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

2.8 PAM-CRASH Preference EnhancementsMSC.Patran Version 2001 contains enhancements to the PAM-CRASH analysispreference. More complete documentation is available in the MSC.Patran PAM-CRASH Preference Guide. A brief overview is provided below:

• Support for composite laminate material (SHELL TYPE 130 and PLY)

• Support for contact type 33 and 36

• Support for cross section control cards TRAFO and SECFO in OutputRequests

• Setting PAM-CRASH IDs

• Reader support for Control cards and Plot Output cards

• Reject file created by the reader containing unsupported PAM-CRASHkeywords

• Support for composite materials

The following cards required for PAM-CRASH to run composite analysis, aresupported for both the reader and the writer of the preference.

PLY___/_

MAT___/_ 130

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The subordinate form shown below appears when you select Object>>Composite andMethod>>Laminate on the Material form. Only PLY Model 0 (Unidirectionalcomposite bi-phase ply model) is supported and only the element local coordinatesystem is supported for specifying ply orientation.

Laminated CompositeStacking Sequence Convention

Total

Offset

Stacking Sequence Definition: Select an Existing Material.

Insert Material Names

Load Text Into Spreadsheet

Text Entry Mode

Insert

Material NamesThicknessesOrientations

Delete Selected Rows

Show Laminate Properties... Clear Text and Data Boxes

Material Name Thickness Orientation

◆◆◆◆

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93CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

Support for Contact Type 33 and 36

Contact type 33 is a segment-to-segment contact with edge treatment.

The following sliding interface control card is supported for both the reader and thewriter of the PAM-CRASH preference.

SLINT2_/_

Support for Cross Section Cards

PAM-CRASH allows you to define cross sections within the model and to requestoutput of the total force or moment transmitted across the section. The transmittedforce may be requested in either the global or a local coordinate system. You must beable to define such cross sections within MSC.Patran and subsequently request forceand/or moment output for one or more cross sections in either the global or a localcoordinate system.

Within PAM-CRASH, you can define cross sections in one of two ways. Method 1allows you to select the nodes that lie on the cross section and those elements that areassociated with the nodes whose contribution to the transmission force are required.Method 2 allows you to define a cutting place in 3D space and an associated set ofelements that may be intersected by the plane to define the cross section.

To Define Contact Type 33 or 36

1 Access the Loads/BCs Application form by selecting the Loads/BCs icon on the Mainmenu.

2 Set Action>>Create, Object>>Contact, and Type>>Element Uniform.

3 Select Master-Slave surface from the Option pulldown menu for Contact type 33.

orSelect Self-Contact from the Option pulldown menu for Contact type 36.

4 Press the Input Data button to bring up the Input Data subform.

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The following cross section cards are supported for both reader and writer of thePAM-CRASH preference.

SECFO_/_

TRACFO_/_

You can use either option from within MSC.Patran Analysis/Output Request form todefine a cross section.

Output Requests

CancelDefaultsOK

Select Results Type

Output Requests

Delete

Create

Nodal

Solid ElementShell/Membrane ElementBeam/Bar/Spring ElementInternal Energy/MaterialTrans Kinetic Energy/MaterialHourglass Energy/Material

Select Group(s)/Set

default_group

ALL FEM

Nodal Results Options

Local CID

Correct for Prescribed accelerations

Internal Energy Densities

Use File PrefixOutput File Prefix

Choose Output Cross section

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95CHAPTER 2Analysis Integration

The following form appears when you select the “Choose Output Cross Section”button on the Output Request form. The Output Cross-section form defines data to bewritten to the TRACFO_/_ and SECFO_/_ entries.

Output Cross-section

Action : Create

Existing sections

Title

Use Local Coordinate Frame

Selection Type Node

Add Remove

Selected Nodes

Add Remove

Selected Elements

Coordinate Frame

Elements

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Setting PAM-CRASH IDs

Normally the PAM-CRASH keyword ID is set using the corresponding MSC.Patranentity ID. However the user can set IDs by naming the MSC.Patran entities NAME.###where ### is the required ID.

For the PAM-CRASH writer, only the MSC.Patran property set ID is used in the deck.The material ID used in the deck comes from the property set. Therefore, if yourequire a material of ID 505, the property set that references the material can be named’Pset.505’.

Reader Support for Control Cards and Plot Output Cards

Reader support for the following Control Section and Plot Output cards for which thewriter support exists already are:

LIST

PRINT

DATACHECK

SHELLCHECK

MNTR

TIMESTEP

CTRL

THLNO_/_

THLSO_/_

THLSH_/_

THLBM_/_

Note: For multiple Psets, you must assign each Pset a unique .### for the suffix (not zero),otherwise the code that sets IDs from name will not be called.

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Reject File Created by the Reader Containing Unsupported PAM-CRASH Keywords

The input file reader places all unsupported PAM-CRASH keywords in a reject filewhich has the extension .rej.

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MSC.Patran Release Guide

CHAPTER

3 Geometry Modeling and CAD AccessEnhancements

■ CAE Solid Modeling

■ Strategic Geometry Enhancements

■ CAD Direct Access Support

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3.1 Geometry PreferencesThe Geometry Preferences form allows you to choose how the geometry created orimported is represented within the system.

The NURBS Accelerator toggle being ON bydefault causes the NURBS curves and surfacegeometry to be converted into a PiecewisePolynomial format without introducing anyapproximations.

Defines the Hpat origin location based on eitherMSC/PATRAN or PATRAN 2.5 convention.

Geometry Preferences

Geometry Representation

Exportable to Neutral File

Solid Origin Location

P3/PATRAN Convention

PATRAN 2 Convention

NURBS Accelerator

Auto Update Solid Mesh/LBC

Geometry Scale Factor

39.37 (Inches)

Reset

Apply Cancel

In earlier versions of MSC.Patran (PATRAN 2), thegeometric representation for curves, surfaces, and solidswas parametric cubics, bicubics and tricubics. By settingthis toggle to ON, the geometry application forms will, bydefault, create cubic geometry. Most geometry formsallow local setting of this value prior to creating geometry.

This toggle, by default is on to allow for automatic updates ofan existing mesh and LBC on a parasolid solid after the solidhas been edited by a boolean, edge blend, imprint, or shellinoperation. If the Geometry Preference value is turned off, thea button on each of these edit operation forms will be enableand the label will be, “Update Solid Mesh/LBC” to allow updaof the mesh and LBC on the solid after the solid has beenedited, if the mesh exists.

MSC.Patran is unitless and Parasolid is being used as the Geometric Modeling Kernel. Parasolid uses Metersas its modeling units. Therefore, there needs to be a scaling factor value introduced when creating Parasolidgeometry. This is necessary so that the MSC.Patran dimensions being input to define geometry will convert intothe equivalent parasolid dimensions which are in meters. The default geometry scale factor is 39.37, whichmeans that when you create a 1 unit square primitive block, for example, the resulting size of the block inparasolid will be 0.0254 meters.The possible scale factor settings are:

39.37 (Inches)

1.0 (Meters)

1000.0 (Millimeters)

Customize:

During a file import using Unigraphics part files , the scale factor in the Parasolid transmit file (.xmt_txt) willoverride the current Geometry Scale Factor value and a warning message will be written to notify the user.

During a file import using Parasolid transmit files (.xmt_txt) the following rules apply:

1. If the default scale factor for transmit file import is used which is “None”, meaning no model unit override,then

if 1) there is a scale factor defined in the transmit file, then the scale factor in the transmit file will override thecurrent Geometry Scale Factor Preference value, and a warning message will be written to notify the user.

2) there is not a scale factor defined in the transmit file, then the scale factor is set to 1.0 which is the scalefactor for the units of meters. This scale factor will override the current Geometry Scale Factor Preference valueand a warning message will be written to notify the user.

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3.2 CAE Solid ModelingSolid geometry modeling capabilities have been significantly enhanced. MSC.Patran2001 is now capable of solid modeling operations using the primitives block, cylinder,cone, sphere, and torus. Also, mid-surface operations allow you to extract surfacesfrom a solid for the purposes of idealizing the solid into a shell representation. Inaddition, geometry editing capability and reliability has been enhanced to providepowerful operators including shell, blend, boolean, imprint, and break. New CADimport options and native geometry conversion capabilities are provided to allow theuse of these creation and editing operations on all forms of MSC.Patran geometry.

This new modeling module significantly speeds common geometry modeling andediting tasks required in CAE simulation modeling. MSC is providing this newmodule in response to one of the most requested enhancements by our usercommunity. It is easy to see why, when in many cases, geometry creation time can bereduced by several orders of magnitude. Below is a brief description of this powerfulnew set of features.

Summary of CapabilitiesPrimitive Creation

• Block, cylinder, cone, sphere, torus

• Optional on-the-fly (automatic) Boolean operation

Solid Creation Operations

• Extrude

• Revolve

Solid Editing Operations

• Boolean operations: add, subtract, intersect

• Edge blend: constant radius, chamfer

• Shell: create thin-wall solids

• Imprint: solid on solid

• Break: plane and surface

• Refit to Parasolid

• Auto update of CAE data after a solid editing operation

Transform including group transform

Midsurface creation and trimming

File export to Parasolid transmit file

Conversion of MSC.Patran native geometry to Parasolid

Some representative examples are presented on the following pages:

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Solid CreationThe solid primitive operations can be found by selecting the Geometry applicationfrom the Main menu and setting Action>>Create, Object>>Solid, andMethod>>Primitive. Note, it is possible to apply the boolean operations(add/subtract/and intersect) at the time of object creation. Below is an example of theforms and primitive shapes.

Choose Primitive typeand give characteristicdimensions

Optionally define booleanoperators at the time ofsolid creation

Geometry

Action: Create

Object: Solid

Method: Primitive

Solid ID List

1

Block Parameters

X Length List

1.0

Y Length List

1.0

Z Length List

1.0

Modify Solid

Boolean Operation...

Refer. Coordinate Frame

Coord 0

Auto Execute

Base Origin Point List

[0 0 0]

-Apply-

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Revolve and Extrude Operations

In addition, sweep and extrude operations can be accessed from the Geometryapplication by setting Action>>Create, Object>>Solid, and Method>>Revolve orExtrude. An example of the Revolve operation is shown below.

Geometry

Action: Create

Object: Solid

Method: Revolve

Solid Type

Solid ID List

1

Refer. Coordinate Frame

Coord 0

Axis

Coord 0.3

Sweep Parameters

Total Angle

90.0

Offset Angle

0.0

Auto Execute

Surface List

-Apply-

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Solid Editing CapabilitiesSeveral new solid editing enhancements have been made to complement the SolidCreation Operations described in the previous section. Boolean operations are used tocreate new complex solids from a combination of other bodies and primitives usingthe operations of Addition, Subtraction and Intersect. These functions can be accessedfrom the Geometry application by setting Action>>Edit, Object>>Solid, andMethod>>Boolean. Several examples are shown on the following pages.

.

To Setup a Boolean Subtraction

■ On the Geometry Application form set Action>>Edit, Object>>Solid, andMethod>>Boolean.

■ Under the Preferences menu, select Geometry and click ON the Auto Update SolidMesh/LBC checkbox.

or, if you would like to control the updating of the mesh and LBCs you can...Click on the Update Solid Mesh.LBC button on the Geometry Application form.

Update of associated CAE data (LBC ormesh) can be controlled individually or leftas default in the Geometry Preferencesform

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105CHAPTER 3Geometry Modeling and CAD Access Enhancements

An Example of a Series of Boolean Operations

A complex solid of a casing formed through a series of boolean operations.

In addition to the boolean operators, many new editing commands have been added,such as blends, shells, etc. Some representative examples follow:

An Example of a Shell Operation

The main bodyof this solid canbe made byintersecting athin walledcylinder with asimple block.

The holes for thekeyboard are madeusing multiplesolids for thesubtraction

The tabs on the top of thispart can be added using aBoolean Add

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An Example of Using Solid Blend Operations:

XY

ZX

Y

Z

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107CHAPTER 3Geometry Modeling and CAD Access Enhancements

Mid-Surface Extraction

The new Mid-surface tool extracts mid-surfaces from solids. You have the choice ofusing the single-click automatic extraction or manual extraction. Access Midsurfacecreation from the Geometry Application form by setting Action>>Create,Object>>Surface, and Method>>Midsurface.

Automatic - Selectsolid and maxthickness

Manual- Selectcorresponding faces

Resulting Mid-Plane Geometry

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Conversion to ParasolidFor the added robustness in solid modeling and editing capabilities, you can convertyour CAD geometry and/or MSC.Patran SGM geometry into Parasolid. Thisconversion can be done either during CAD import or through manual refit operation.

CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER and STEP AP203 files will be automatically converted toParasolid during the File:Import process if the "Import to Parasolid" toggle is selected(as shown in the following example). Construction entities such as coordinate frames,points, curves, surfaces, solids and planes are supported. Listed below are some keypoints of the conversion feature:

• Import CATIA models without accessing CATIA

• Pro/ENGINEER access is still needed

• Support up to CATIA v4.2.3 releases

• Support up to Pro/ENGINEER 2000i2 releases

• Pro/ENGINEER part file only. No assembly is supported in this release

• Import CATIA models onto NT platform

Using the Import to Parasolid Option

■ From the MSC.Patran Main menu, select File/Import.

■ On the File Import form, click on the Import to Parasolid checkbox.

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109CHAPTER 3Geometry Modeling and CAD Access Enhancements

Another method of Parasolid conversion is through manual refitting of theMSC.Patran SGM geometry. This Parasolid conversion operation will also beperformed automatically behind the scenes when you attempt to use any SolidModeling editing features such as Boolean, Edge Blend, Shell or Imprint.

In general, the SGM-to-Parasolid translation has been well tested. However, in a fewisolated cases where the SGM geometries originated from the CAD systems, the SGM-to-Parasolid translator may encounter difficulties during the translation process. Youmay try the direct "Import to Parasolid" approach listed above to get your geometriesinto Parasolid.

To Convert SGM Geometry to Parasolid Geometry

■ Select the Geometry Application icon on the MSC.Patran Main menu.

■ On the Geometry Application form, set Action>>Edit, Object>>Solid, and Method>>Refit.

■ Select “To Parasolid” on the Option listbox.

MSC.Patran will covert tounits that you specify here.The possible scale factorsettings are:

39.37 (Inches)

1.0 (Meters)

1000.0 (Millimeters)

Customize

The “Auto Update Mesh on Solid” toggle,reapplies mesh parameters and re-meshes aftergeometry modification (such as a Booleanoperation).

Geometry

Action: Edit

Object: Solid

Method: Refit

Solid ID List

1

Option: To Parasolid

Refit Parameters

Refit Tolerance

0.005

Delete Original Solids

Auto Execute

Solid List

-Apply-

Geometry Preferences

Geometry Representation

Exportable to Neutral File

Solid Origin Location

MSC.Patran Convention

PATRAN 2 Convention

NURBS Accelerator

Auto Update Solid Mesh/LBC

Geometry Scale Factor

39.37 (Inches)

Reset

Apply Cancel

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SGM-to-Parasolid Example

The following is an example of CAD surface model being converted into a Parasolidentity for subsequent editing operations.

1. Import the Pro/ENGINEER surfaces.

2. Create a SGM B-rep solids.

3. Using the Edit/Solid/Refit form shown on (p. 109) manually convert thesolid to a Parasolid entity.

4. Once the solid is refitted, you can now perform various solid modelingediting operations, such as Edge Blend, Boolean, Imprint or Shell.

X

YZ

X

YZ

Resulting B-rep solid model.

X

YZ

X

YZ

Edge blend (fillet) added tomodel.

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111CHAPTER 3Geometry Modeling and CAD Access Enhancements

3.3 Strategic Geometry EnhancementsSeveral geometry enhancements have been incorporated in this release of MSC.Patranin response to requests from our strategic customers.

Curve and Surface Offset - This new functionality in MSC.Patran allows you to offseta curve or the surface creation in the direction of the curve or defined a guidingsurface which the application uses to define the offset direction for all surfacesselected.

• Create/Curve/Offset

• Create/Surface/Offset

Additional Trimmed Surface Editing

• Edit/Surface/Add Fillet

• Edit/Surface/Add Hole

• Edit/Surface/Add Vertex

• Edit/Surface/Remove Edge

• Edit/Surface/Remove Hole

• Edit/Surface/Remove Vertex

• Edit/Surface/Fillet

• Edit/Surface/Remove Edge

Surface Extension Editing Enhancements - These new tools complements the newmid-surface tool. This new set of tools offers multiple options to modify a surface.

Options include extending a surface:

• to another surface edge

• to an intersecting point, curve, surface or plane

• to a fixed distance

• by a particular percentage

Other Strategic Geometry Enhancements

• Show/Point/Distance: Point to Vector

• Create/Plane/ 2 Vectors

• Create/Point/Intersect: 2 Vectors

• Create/Point/Extract from Surfaces or Faces

• Single points

• Multiple arrays of points defined by Diagonal or Parametric Bounds.

• Finite Element/Show/Node/Distance (with multiple Select Menu options)

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3.4 CAD Direct Access SupportMSC.Patran 2001 supports access to the following versions of CAD software.

* Import only. CATXPRES runs from within interactive CATIA and creates a file onall CATIA supported platforms. This file can be used on all MSC.Patran machines forimport.

Important: CATXPRES is no longer available for new sales due to licensing issuesand can be replaced with CATDirect. The CATXPRES support levels areshown for existing installations.

† ACIS is no longer available on Compaq Tru64 Unix operating system.

** The p3_ProE and p3_ProENGINEER executables are built using Pro/ENGINEERversion 2000i and therefore will not work with earlier versions of Pro/ENGINEER.

We recommend upgrading your Pro/ENGINEER installation to 2000i or 2000i2. If thisis not possible, we have provided a temporary work around, by providing the oldversion executables and associated scripts. To run the old versions, it is necessary foryour system installation manager to rename some of the delivered files afterMSC.Patran has been installed.

HP SGI Sun IBM RS/6000 Tru64 NT2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001

CADDS 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1

CATIA(CATXPRES) 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3*

CATDirectAccess 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3* 4.2.3*

EUCLID 3 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2 3.1.2

Pro/ENGINEER ** 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i* 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i2 2000i 2000i2

Unigraphics 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0 16.0 17.0

Parasolid 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1 11.1 12.1

ACIS 5.3 5.3 5.3 6.3 5.3 6.3 5.3 6.3 5.3 None† 5.3 6.3

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113CHAPTER 3Geometry Modeling and CAD Access Enhancements

Set your default directory to your software installation directory, typically linked to$(P3_HOME)/bin/exe, and rename the files as shown below:

For NT:

• open a MS-DOS prompt window

• cd \msc\patran2001\bin\exe (a typical installation example - set to your

site installation)

• copy p3_proengineer.pm p3_proengineer.pm.new

• copy p3_proe.pm p3_proe.pm.new

• copy p3_proengineer_pre2k.pm p3_proengineer.pm

• copy p3_proe_pre2k.pm p3_proe.pm

For UNIX:

• cd /msc/patran2001/bin/exe (example typical install location- set to

your site installation)

• cp p3_proengineer p3_proengineer.new

• cp p3_proe p3_proe.new

• cp p3_proengineer_pre2k p3_proengineer

• cp p3_proe_pre2k p3_proe

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CAD Access support on LINUX for MSC.Patran 2001The following lists the supported CAD system release levels on LINUX platforms.

CAD Support on Linux

Parasolid 12.1

UNIGRAPHICS 17.0 *

Pro/ENGINEER** 2000i2

CATIA(CATXPRES)

4.2.3 ***

CATDirect none

ACIS none

CADDS none

EUCLID 3 none

Note: *** Only Parasolid (transmit file) import is supported in this release. Parasolid transmitfiles generated on other OS platforms can be imported on LINUX.

** Pro/ENGINEER Access allows reading of "*.geo" geometry transfer files generatedfrom other OS installs of Pro/ENGINEER Access.

*** CATIA Access allows reading of "*.cat" geometry transfer files generated from otherOS installs of CATXPRES for existing CATXPRES customers.

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MSC.Patran Release Guide

CHAPTER

4 Finite Element Meshing and Modeling

■ Assembly TetMesh

■ Total Loads and CID Distributed Loads (MSC.Nastran only)

■ Miscellaneous FEM

■ MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001

■ Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only)

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4.1 Assembly TetMeshUnlike MSC.Patran 2000 (r2) with downloadable libraries, MSC.Patran 2001 has a newGUI which incorporates the Assembly TetMesh functionality in the FEM menuscheme. The present support for parasolid geometry is accessed from the FiniteElements application form by setting Action>>Create, Object>>Mesh, andMehtod>>Solid, and selecting the Match Parasolid Faces button. You may choose tomesh the entire assembly at once, singly, or in groups using pre-meshed solids andneighboring solids. The functionality enables you to mesh assemblies with small gapseparations or some small interference which lie within proximity tolerances that youprovide under TetMesh Parameters.... on the Finite Elements form. Congruentinterface meshes across assemblies should be generated except when the interfaces areoutside the gap/interference tolerances. The viability of the assembly mesh withregards to proper interface congruency can be checked by using the “skinning”technique.

Checking Mesh Viability Using Skinning Technique

■ On the Finite Elements Application form, set Action>>Create, Object>>Element, andMethod>>Edit.

■ Choose Shape>>Tri, Topology>>Tria6 (for Tet10 cases), and Pattern>>Elem Face.

■ On the associated Picking and Selecting menu, select the “Free Face of Element” filter.

■ In the Face listbox, extract the surface trias and click on Apply.

With proper congruency, there will be no internal Tria’s generated

■ To ascertain the mesh viability, erase the Tets from the assembly mesh and then use theViewing/Clipping function to chop off the ends of the assembly mesh leaving the centerexposed.

No internal Trias should be visible.

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117CHAPTER 4Finite Element Meshing and Modeling

Assembly Meshing --V2001 User Interface Changes

Activate Assembly Meshing Feature . On the Finite Elements Application form,toggle ON the “Match Parasolid Faces” option.

Congruent Meshes. The Previous release of the assembly meshing componentprovides congruent meshes across multiple solid faces of Parasolid solid assemblies(UG, SolidWorks, ACIS).

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TetMesh Transitions. A new assembly meshing component allows you to define themesh transition between solids. This enables you to create different mesh densitieswithin a Parasolid assembly.

The duplicate nodes toggle will create an extra set of nodes on geometry that is sharedbetween more than one solid, for example on a face that is shared between two solids.

This toggle also applies to assembly meshing, i.e. using Match Parasolid Faces, wherea duplicate set of nodes will be created on entities that are found to be shared betweensolids. The only situation in assembly meshing where duplicate nodes will be createdwith the toggle off is where an existing mesh is being transferred from a neighboringsolid.

Finite Elements

Action: Create

Object: Mesh

Type: Solid

Output ID List

Node 1

Element 1

Elem Shape Tet

Mesher TetMesh

Topology Tet4

Input List

Global Edge Length

Automatic Calculation

Value 0.1

Match Parasolid Faces

-Apply-

Node Coordinate Frames...

TetMesh Parameters...

Create Duplicate Nodes

Finite Elements

Action: Create

Object: Mesh

Type: Solid

Output ID List

Node 1

Element 1

Elem Shape Tet

Mesher TetMesh

Topology Tet4

Input List

Global Edge Length

Automatic Calculation

Value 0.1

-Apply-

Node Coordinate Frames...

TetMesh Parameters...

Create Duplicate Nodes

Match Parasolid Faces

Neighbor Solid List

Preview Interface Mesh

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Assembly mesh example with different edge length for each neighboring solid.

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4.2 Total Loads and CID Distributed Loads(MSC.Nastran only)Two new loads have been introduced in MSC.Patran 2001r1 for the MSC.Nastranpreference. These loads are designated “Total Load” and “CID Distributed Load” andare effectively generalized distributed loads.

Typically, the designer/analyst will need to model a distributed load acting upon anobject. This distributed load is often idealized as a resultant of the distribution. Tomodel the distribution accurately, the designer/analyst has to divide the resultantload by the area or length of the application region to obtain the distribution valuebefore generating the pressure or line load. At worst, determining the area or lengthof the application region was difficult with complex geometry. At best, it was yet anadditional step that needed to be done.

The availability of the “Total Load” in MSC.Patran now simplifies this task. This loadis specified as a vector to allow for a load magnitude and direction. The vector may beconstant or a field. Total load is only implemented as element not element variable.Therefore, if a field is used, the total load on a given element is constant, though it mayvary across the application region. Each component of this vector represents the totalload magnitude for the associated direction over the entire application region.MSC.Patran will distribute these directional loads evenly over the area or length of theapplication region. Note that in MSC.Patran the total load magnitude is displayed inLoads/BCs marker or contour plots for ease of verification. The application regionarea or length is accounted for during analysis code translation.

The inputs are as follows:

Target Element Type = 1D (Curves/Edges) Resultant Load Vector References Coordinate Frame (Optional, Default = Global)

Target Element Type = 2D (Surface/Surface Edges) Resultant Surface Load Resultant Surface Edge Load References Coordinate Frame (Optional, Default = Global)

Note: Surface and surface edges are mutually exclusive when defining this type ofload, i.e., you can only select one or the other when specifying the loading andapplication region. This is necessary because surface loads and edge loadsrequire different application region types.

Target Element Type = 3D (Solid Face) Resultant Load Vector References Coordinate Frame (Optional, Default = Global)

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121CHAPTER 4Finite Element Meshing and Modeling

Total Loads Forms

Load/Boundary Conditions

Action: Create

Type: Element Uniform

Target Element Type: 3D

Object: Total Load

Current Load Case:

Default...

Type: Static

Existing Sets

New Set Name

Input Data...

Select Application Region...

-Apply-

Input Data

Load/BC Set Scale Factor

1.

Load <F1 F2 F3>

< >

Spatial Fields

FEM Dependent Data...

Analysis Coordinate Frame

Coord 0

OK Reset

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CID Distributed LoadThis load is a generalized distributed load whereby directionality is specified by theuser in the form a vector where each component of this vector represents thedistributed load magnitude for the associated direction. The vector may be constantor a field. This load type is identical to the “Total Load” except the vector componentsare used as is (i.e., not divided by the area or length of the application region) and thatelement variable is implemented so that the load can vary across an element.

MSC.Nastran BDF GenerationMSC.Patran generates different bulk data entries to represent these two new loads,depending on whether or not the associated element is an h-element or a p-element.

...h-Elements & CID Distributed Load:1D: PLOAD1 with TYPE relative to the basic coordinate system2D: PLOAD4 with direction definition2D Edge: Simulated using nodal forces3D Face: PLOAD4 with direction definition

...h-Elements & Total Load:1D: PLOAD1 with TYPE relative to the element coordinate system2D: PLOAD4 with direction definition2D Edge: Simulated using nodal FORCES cards

XY

Z

141.4141.4141.4141.4 141.4141.4 141.4141.4

141.4141.4141.4

141.4

141.4

141.4141.4 141.4141.4141.4141.4 141.4141.4

141.4

141.4

141.4141.4141.4

141.4141.4 141.4

141.4

141.4141.4

141.4

141.4

141.4141.4

141.4141.4141.4

141.4

XY

Z

Applied Load:

100 lbs in X100 lbs in Y

EquivalentPressure:141.42/[3.14159*(20**2-5**2)]=0.1200

$ Pressures of Total Load Set: load_1

IR=5

OR=20

PLOAD4 1 1 .120042 THRU 512

.707107 .707107 0.

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123CHAPTER 4Finite Element Meshing and Modeling

3D Face: PLOAD4 with direction definition

...p-Elements & CID Distributed Load:1D: GMLOAD2D: PLOAD4 with direction definition2D Edge: GMLOAD3D Face: PLOAD4 with direction definition

...p-Elements & Total Load:1D: GMLOAD2D: PLOAD4 with direction definition2D Edge: GMLOAD3D Face: PLOAD4 with direction definition

NOTE:Existing "Pressure" loads in Patran generate PLOAD4 cardswithout the direction definition.

Note: These new loads are not yet supported during BDF Import.

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4.3 Miscellaneous FEM

IsoMesh of Parasolid SurfacesMSC.Patran can now IsoMesh general parasolid surfaces which have 3 or 4 edges(these surfaces have a default display color of magenta.) Shown below is an exampleof a parasolid surface geometry model and the resulting FEM model that you cangenerate using the IsoMesh mesher.

MPC RenumberingYou can now renumber the MPCs in your model. You can provide a starting IDnumber or provide an offset number for the renumbering scheme. To renumberMPCs, click on the MPC renumber button located on the Finite Element applicationform.

Access with Finite Elements:Renumber:MPCStarting ID(s) numbering optionOffset ID(s) numbering option

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Compress Duplicate Materials and PropertiesA new functionality has been added to the Materials>>Delete and Properties>>Deleteforms to control the number of significant digits used to compare similar material orproperty records.

Element Properties

DeleteAction:

Existing Property Sets

tank_shell

Selected Property Sets

tank _shell

tank_flange

-Apply-

Property Set Name

tank_shell

Enable screen-picking

Compress Duplicate Data

3

Significant Digits

133

Materials

DeleteAction:

IsotropicObject:

Filter*

2024_T6_Alum

Existing Materials

1018_CR_Steel

Selected Materials

Time: 14:25:28

Description

-Apply- Reset

Date: 29-Apr-92

Compress Duplicate Data

3

Significant Digits

133

The Significant Digits value can be changed based on theprecision desired (Default = 3).

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4.4 MSC.Laminate Modeler 2001Significant enhancements to the MSC.Laminate Modeler have been made incollaboration with key customers. Better layup visualization and performanceimprovements have been forced by the large model sizes now used by the automotivemarket in particular. New solid element creation features have been added to modelcomplex Resin Transfer Molded (RTM) components. General usability has beenenhanced so non-expert users can model complex structures more effectively.

Draping EnhancementsThe draping simulation has been enhanced to provide more stable draping in extremesituations. Often, users will attempt to drape fabric over areas with excessivecurvature. Previously, the draping would fail due to excessive material shear. Now,shear limits can be increased during the initial draping simulation withoutcompromising stability and the resulting draped pattern used as a guide fordeveloping strategies for reducing shear and improving manufacturability.

Application

Reference

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Import Ply EnhancementsUsually, a new Layup file is created once a mesh has been finalized in the MSC.Patrandatabase. If you subsequently change the mesh, the elements in the database andthose in the Layup file no longer correspond. This can lead to errors because theelements selected in the viewport may not have the same IDs as those used for internaloperations. For this reason, a warning is issued if the database mesh does notcorrespond to the Layup file mesh when opening a new Layup file.

In addition, it may be desirable to import plies from another Layup file, which mayhave a different element definition. For example, a draping simulation tool embeddedin a CAD package could generate a Layup file without knowledge of the analysismesh.

The Import Ply capability has been developed to allow you to remesh as required andalso import data from other draping systems. In order to do this, it is necessary togenerate a mapping between the current mesh and the imported mesh. This mappingis calculated by element matching or piercing.

The MSC.Laminate Modeler first tries to find a direct match between current andimported elements by identifying elements with the same nodal coordinates. Wheresuch a match is identified, the layup on the imported element can be transferreddirectly to the current element as necessary. The matching process is relatively fast.

Where a current element has no direct match, mapping is determined throughpiercing. Here, a normal vector is calculated at the centroid of each current elementand any intersections with imported elements are calculated. If there are multipleintersections, that closest to the centroid is chosen. The distance between the centroidand intersection point is calculated, as is the angle between the current normal and thenormal of the intersected imported element. If both the calculated distance and angleare less than the distance and angular tolerances respectively, the layup on theintersected element is mapped onto the current element. This piercing process isrelatively slow due to the multiple calculations required.

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For this release, previewing imported plies has been improved. Import speed has beenimproved an average of five times compared with MSC.Laminate Modeler V2000r2and twenty five times compared with MSC.Laminate Modeler V9. Finally, a check hasbeen added to ensure that the mapped elements have a consistent definition ofapplication direction on element sides. This increases robustness when importingLayup files from CAD-based draping systems with poor mesh generation capabilities.

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Create Solid Elements LayupThe MSC.Laminate Modeler defines a ply layup on a 2D shell mesh. The majority ofanalyses can be conducted using shell elements, as through-thickness effects arerelatively insignificant. However, if the laminate is thick, and especially if the surfaceis curved, it may be necessary to use solid elements to model structural or processingbehavior adequately.

For these situations, the MSC.Laminate Modeler now includes the capability toextrude shell elements through a distance equal to the laminate thickness.Furthermore, laminate materials and element properties can be created automaticallyto allow accurate analysis. If the analysis code does not support laminated solidelements, the laminate materials are converted to equivalent anisotropic materials forsubsequent analysis.

Creation of the analysis model is currently limited to the MSC.Nastran preference.

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Transform Layup MirrorMany composite structures like the monocoques of racing cars or the hulls of yachtsare essentially symmetrical. These structures are often modeled using only half of thestructure for preliminary analysis. A typical half model contains 50000 elements with300 ply shapes and 1000 ply instances. For detailed analysis, the structure needs to bemodeled in its entirety. Mirroring the layup manually is extremely time-consumingdue to the large number of plies.

The MSC.Laminate Modeler can now mirror the mesh and layup automatically. Themesh is mirrored using MSC.Patran capabilities and the ply layup is mirrored aboutthe mirror plane. Thereafter, you can create or modify non-symmetric plies andgenerate an analysis model in the usual way.

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Layup Visualization EnhancementsNew and improved methods for viewing the layup have been added.

Show Layup Element

You can obtain detailed information on the layup on selected elements. This featureallows users to audit models carefully and identify usage problems like applying plieson the incorrect side of surfaces. It is also easier to identify the composition oflaminates produced by the MSC.Laminate Modeler in conjunction with the ShowLaminate feature, which generated similar markers based on the laminate definition.

LAMINATE MODELER

Action: Show

Object: LM_Layup

Method: Element

Auto Execute

Select Element

Plot Markers

Element Normal

Orientation

Thickness

Thickness Scale

10.00.0

Thickness Shrinkage

1.000.00

Layup Report

Reset Graphics

-Apply- Close

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Show Layup Cross Section

You can now interrogate the cross section of the layup using slices through the model.This feature improves auditing of the model, especially the application of offsets. Thetop and bottom of each ply are plotted, with ply shrinkage as required.

LAMINATE MODELER

Action: Show

Object: LM_Layup

Method: Cross Section

Define Section Plane Normal

Coord 0.3

Offset Parameters

Offset

0.0

Thickness Scale

10.00.0

Thickness Shrinkage

1.000.00

Reset Graphics

-Apply- Close

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133CHAPTER 4Finite Element Meshing and Modeling

Show Layup Exploded Enhancements

The existing capability to show the exploded layup has been improved by allowingyou to modify the offset distance multiplier and customize the display of labels in theviewport. The ability to set labels in the same way has also been added to Create PlyBook and Create Results Ply Sort functions.

Create Layup Visualization Enhancements

In previous versions, the ply angles on the surface of each element were displayed tohelp you visualize the layup once it is created. Now, the top and bottom surfaces ofeach element are also displayed.

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Modify/Delete LayupModify Layup and Delete Layup forms have been added to improve usability andconform more closely to the MSC.Patran conventions for manipulating entities.

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Show Laminate EnhancementsThe model plot of thickness now supports shrinkage of plies to improve clarity. Vectorplots or orientation allow the selection of multiple layers at the same time, as well asshowing the offset of the ply from the middle plane of the element. When drawingmarkers, a color based on the material ID is used so that constituent materials can beidentified clearly. Markers can also be superimposed so that different attributes canbe visualized concurrently.

Import/Export LaminatesThe MSC.Laminate Modeler generates laminate materials based on a ply layup.However, under certain circumstances, it is desirable to export or import laminatematerials to or from specialized tools used for laminate analysis. The MSC.LaminateModeler now includes an interface to the popular LAP laminate analysis programdeveloped by Anaglyph Ltd. (www.anaglyph.co.uk).

During preliminary design, you can define a baseline laminate material within LAPand save this data in a text file. This information can be imported into MSC.Patran andreferenced by element properties in the normal way. This basic laminate can beoptimized for loading and manufacturing criteria using the tools within theMSC.Laminate Modeler.

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Following analysis, you can export laminate material and load information to LAP inorder to examine and report stresses. For example, you can visualize through-thickness stresses in the laminate, or create detailed reports for certificationprocedures.

User Defined Failure Criteria Enhancements

The ability to define custom failure criteria using PCL functions is now supported onall platforms.

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Miscellaneous Form Updates

Show Ply

The Show Ply form now contains more ply data and visualization options. In addition,you can specify the “Auto Execute” mode. This is useful when reviewing hundreds ofplies.

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Define Layup

The layup definition spreadsheet displays the material, nominal thickness andreference angle of plies in the spreadsheet as an aid to the user.

Create Results

The result case and subcase listboxes have been merged to make the forms conform tothe appearance of the current results application.

Performance Enhancements

Numerous performance improvements have been implemented to improve usability,particularly with large models. Operations showing particular improvement include:

• Reading large Layup files

• Defining offsets and tolerances

• Modifying any Material/Ply/Layup

• Importing plies

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Internal Improvements

Many internal improvements have been implemented to allow future enhancementsand easier maintenance, combined with more consistent usage:

• All materials data are now stored in the Layup file.

• All communication with the layup module is via an API.

• Support for writing and reading compressed text files has been added.

• Versioning of code and data has been implemented.

• Surface topology identification has been improved.

• Support for MSC.Robust Design has been added.

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4.5 Space/Time Fields (SAMCEF Only)This form is used to create a discrete FEM Field (formerly known as an LBC Field).

Fields

CreateAction:

Non SpatialObject:

Discrete FEMMethod:

field_3field_2field_1

Existing Fields

Field Name

Node Element

Entity Type

Time (t) Frequency (f)

Active Dynamic Variable

-Apply-

Warning : The field is not created until Apply isselected. Wait for the new field name to appear inthe Existing Fields databox after selecting Apply.

Select Create as the action.

Existing fields are displayed here. Select one if the newfield is to be a modification of an existing field. The fieldname will appear in the box below.

Alternatively, enter a unique field name here.

Select the dynamic variable.

Select Node for nodal entities or Element for elemententities (for element select menu options, see FEMFields Select Menu (p. 49) in the MSC.PatranReference Manual, Part 1: Introduction toMSC.Patran).

Select Non Spatial as the object.

The new field will be a Discrete FEM field.

This button displays the Input Data form asshown on next page.

The Options Menu allows you to change the treatmentof points that lie outside the dynamic variable range.

Input Data ...

[Options...]

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141CHAPTER 4Finite Element Meshing and Modeling

Non-Spatial Discrete FEM Field Tabular Input (SAMCEF Only)

This form is used to input Discrete FEM Tabular data. The default table length is 30.This can be changed by adding and deleting rows. The default number of layers is 10.This can be changed by adding and deleting layers. The Input Data Box changesdepending on whether entities or values are selected and what is selected on the mainform.

Discrete Space/Time Field Table Data

Select Entities (Nodes)

Delete selected row(s)Clear Selected Cells

Number to Insert (from selected)

OK

3

5

4

2

1

7

9

8

6

Entity Values

Clear selected cells, delete selectedrows or delete layers here.

Select the layer and set the timeor frequency value here.

First select a cell. If an Entity cell is chosen a selectdatabox will appear and if a Value cell is chosen adatabox will appear.

The select databoxes allow you to pickeither nodes or elements off the viewport orenter them manually. The main formdetermines whether you are using Nodes orElements and they cannot be mixed. Theentities will be highlighted in the viewport.

If more than one entity is in the selectdatabox, the spreadsheet will be filled outstarting at the first selected cell.

The databox allows you to enter Scalarvalues.

Inserts or appends rows or layers to thespreadsheet after the cell or layerselected.

Notes:

1. Pushing the Return key causes theinput data to be put in the selected cellsand moves the selection box downwardto the next level. (The tab key does notmove it horizontally.)

2. If more than one Entity cell is selectedthe corresponding entities are put intothe select databox and highlighted inthe viewport.

3. Clicking on the upper left-hand cornerof the spreadsheet will cause all thecells to be selected.

Define the number of rows or layers tobe inserted or appended. Defaults to1.

Cancel

Sort Layers in Time Ascending

Insert Insert

InsertAction 1

Number of Layers to Delete (from current) 1 Delet

Laye 10 Time Moves up or down through layers.

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MSC.Patran Release Guide

CHAPTER

5 Performance and Other StrategicEnhancements

■ Miscellaneous Enhancements

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5.1 Miscellaneous EnhancementsMSC.Patran Version 2001 incorporates the following performance improvements andmiscellaneous enhancements and additions.

Group Create EnhancementsThis new functionality allows for groups to be created based on property sets andtypes, element topologies and shapes, ID ranges, LBC sets and types, materials, MPCtypes, and also based on combination of groups with boolean functions, such asgroups made by the intersections and unions of other groups.

To use this functionality, select Group/Create from the MSC.Patran Main menu. Thisfeature represents a migration of shareware utility (Utilities/Group/Create MultipleGroups) into core MSC.Patran.

Multiple Group color assignment and posting toggles have been added for automaticgroup posting and group coloring within the multiple create group form.

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Group Transform EnhancementsMSC.Patran model manipulating speed (Group Functionality) has been historicallyslow. In v2001, the transform performance has been greatly improved. Moving agroup is now being done with a true transformation of the entities' coordinates,instead of "copy-move" operation. As the result, major performance improvement canbe seen in the following areas:

• 2.6 times faster in translating 260,000 elements/nodes

• 26 times faster in rotating 1500 elements w/ 1500 properties

• (single_blade model)

• 84.6 times faster in translating Parasolid surface model

Other benefits of this enhanced capability include:

• True transformation of Parasolid geometry

• Retain Original Formulation

• Reduced memory requirement

• Multiple Groups” transform function

You can access this functionality under Group/Transform.

STEP AP203/AP209STEP AP203/AP209 import/export is delivered on the CD.

Spaceball SupportSpaceball is now supported on Windows NT & Windows 2000.

MSC.Patran ThermalMSC.Patran Thermal is now supported on LINUX.

Settings.pclControl Default settings in Results through the settings.pcl file.

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MSC/PATRAN Release Guide(

CHAPTER

6 Pre-Release Capabilities

■ Advanced Mesh Utilities

■ Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.Nastran

■ ANSYS and ABAQUS Input File Reader

■ Additional CAD Access Support

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6.1 Advanced Mesh UtilitiesPresently, these capabilities are considered pre-release because testing has not beencompleted. It is being presented for your feedback on usability and suggestions on theimplementation, which will help migrate this to full release status in subsequentMSC.Patran releases. The interface to these tools is accessed from the TOOLS/Pre-release menu.

Sheetbody Meshing (Region Meshing)A new meshing capability allows for the generation of a finite element mesh on agroup of connected surfaces without being constrained to follow the internal surfaceedges, or small boundary edges. This collection of topologically congruent surfaces iscommonly known as a sheetbody. You can mesh an entire model of constituentsurfaces, or can selectively mesh groupings of composited surfaces. You can thusavoid areas with thin sliver surfaces, etc., and avoid poor elements, resulting inquality meshes for models that contain slivers and skewed surfaces. This speeds themodeling process by avoiding the time consuming effort involved with modifyingthese congruent, yet complex, geometries normally required in order to recoversatisfactory meshes.

Summary of Key Features in this New Mesh Tool:

1. Region meshing. This mesher allows you to mesh a collection of congruentsurfaces as a region. The elements on the output mesh may cross surfaceboundary. This feature is very useful to mesh a model with some small,sliver surfaces.

2. Feature Recognition and Preserve. You can define a feature curve or a pointby selecting it or by turning ON the Feature Recognition toggle. The featurecurves and points in the interior of a region will be preserved on outputmesh.

3. IsoMesh on Multiple Surfaces. You can Isomesh a 4-sided region which is acollection of several surfaces.

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To Access the Sheetbody Meshing Feature

■ Bring down the Tools menu on the MSC.Patran Main menu.

■ Select PreRelease and then click on Sheetbody Mesh.

IsoMesh - Creates an iso mesh on a 4-sided region. Select 4 corner nodes indatabox. Select Feature Vertices.

Feature Recognition -Automaticallydefines the feature curves and pointson the region based on the featureedge angle and the feature vertexangle, and preserves them on outputmesh.

Seed, Uniform --- Creates boundarynodes based on input element size. Thevertices on the boundary of the regionmay be ignored.

Seed, Using Existing Vertices ---Preserves all boundary vertices on theregion.

Select Feature Curves --- Select featurecurves on the interior of the region youwant to preserve.

Select Feature Vertices --- Select featurepoints on the boundary or the interior ofthe region you want to preserve.

Select surfaces --- Select surfaces to bemeshed. The surfaces will be groupedinto regions based on free or non-congruent surface boundary curves.

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An Example Using Sheetbody Meshing

The figure below shows an example of congruent geometry with potential problemareas. This type of geometry can be handled using the Sheetbody Meshing feature.

cSliver Surface

Internal edgeseffect mesh quality

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151CHAPTER 6Pre-Release Capabilities

The figure below shows a standard mesh that would be generated following surfaceboundaries. This mesh produces collapsed elements and large differences in meshsize.

This next figure shows a simplified and improved mesh generated with the newSheetbody Mesh option

Collapsed elements

Mesh size beingdetermined bygeometry topology

Uniform mesh withcontrolled meshsize

Approximatesshape. User cancontrol the degreeto which the originalgeometry is followed

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This method can also be very helpful in controlling the minimum element size, as canbe seen in the above example. When forced to follow geometry topology, the elementsize can often be forced to small sizes when not necessary. This is particularlyimportant for explicit solutions where run time is directly proportional to elementsize. Modeling for vehicle crash simulation is a good example of one which can benefitfrom this new capability in MSC.Patran 2001.

Important shape or topology areas on the original geometry can be preservedselectively, as shown in the following example of mesh generated on the same partwith addition feature control.

Utilizing hard curves and feature detection to more closely capture shape

Selected edges of the original geometryforces mesh to preserve nodes along thoseedges

Toggle to auto detect geometry features byrelative angle changes

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Mesh On MeshIn addition to the above geometry-based capability, it is now possible to create newmesh regions applied to a surface defined by a finite element mesh without geometricdefinition. Using the underlying mesh, another mesh of different type or density canbe generated which follows the “surface” defined by the original mesh. This allows formesh refinement or re-shaping with selective user control of boundary node locations.The following is a summary of capabilities:

• Re-meshes an existing mesh.

• Based on existing mesh, not geometry.

• Many features for controlling the mesh.

• Re-mesh with QUAD4 or TRI3 elements.

• Feature recognition - The feature points and lines on input model can bepreserved by turning on Feature Recognition or by selecting Hard Nodes,Hard Bars or Soft bars.

• Hard node, hard bar, soft bar. A hard node preserves the location of nodeson the original mesh. A soft bar is treated as an internal edge. A hard barallows only nodes to be created at two ends of the bar.

• Mesh refinement of a region.

• Isomesh a region.

• This mesher can be used to create a quad/tria mesh over a congruent shellmesh.

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To Access the Mesh On Mesh Feature

■ Bring down the Tools menu on the MSC.Patran Main menu.

■ Select PreRelease and then click on Mesh on Mesh.

Delete Elements --- Deletes the input mesh.

IsoMesh --- Creates an Isomesh on a 4-sided region. Select 4corner nodes in databox Select Boundary Seeds.

Feature Recognition --- Automatically defines feature lines onthe input mesh based on feature edge angle and feature vertexangle, and preserves them on output mesh.

Feature Angle, Edge ---Defines an edge on theinput mesh as feature angleand preserves input meshedge angles that are greaterthan feature edge angle.

Feature Angle, Vertex ---Defines a node on a featureline as vertex and preservesthe nodes if the vertex angleis less than feature vertexangle.

Seed, Uniform --- Creates new boundarynodes based on input element size.

Seed, Using Existing Boundary ---Preserves all boundary edges on inputmesh.

Select Boundary Seeds --- Selectboundary nodes you want to preserve.

Select Hard Nodes --- Select hard nodesyou want to preserve.

Select Hard Bars --- Select hard bars (endnodes are included) to preserve on theoutput mesh.

Select Soft Bars --- A soft bar is a part of afeature line. The feature line will bepreserved on the output mesh, but itsnodes may be deleted or moved along thefeature line.

Select 2D Elements --- input tria/quadmesh.

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Examples Using Mesh On Mesh

The following example illustrates two capabilities of the new Mesh On Meshcomponent. The first is an example of a quick conversion of a triangular surface meshto a Quad element surface mesh. Similar controls as those available in the Sheetbodymesh tool, above, are available to control the degree to which the original shape isfollowed. The second example shows the selective refinement of a mesh region.

Example of Mesh Conversion

Before -- Existing Triangular mesh defines shape

After -- Uniform Quad mesh generated with Mesh On Mesh

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Example of Mesh Refinement

Before -- Select a region to refine mesh

After -- Resulting congruent refined mesh region

Mesh on Mesh

Show Description...

Node List

1

Element List

1

Delete Elements

Iso Mesh

Feature Recognition

Feature Angle

Edge

45.0

Vertex

150.0

ElType Quad4

Seed Uniform

Element Size

0.1

Select Vertex Nodes

Select Boundary Seeds

Choose “UseExistingBoundary” toforce meshcongruency

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Midplane Meshing ComponentA new capability is being introduced for creation of a mid-plane finite elementrepresentation for a thin walled solid. This tool is a mesh-based method for direct mid-plane mesh creation, without the need to create any mid-plane geometry entities. It iswell suited to solid models of thin components, which are stamped. Most automotiveparts that are made from stamping sheet metals can be meshed using this technology.

This mesh tool can complement the newly introduced geometry based mid-surfaceextraction utility. This finite element based function is sometimes able to create a mid-plane mesh from the solid parts where geometry based methods fail, or producegeometry needing interactive cleanup.

This technology is limited to solids that do not have T-sections. Solids that have T-sections can be broken into pieces that do not have T-sections which can then bemidplane-meshed.

The only required user input is the global mesh size, which can be directly entered orcan be calculated automatically as a fraction of the overall model size.

To Access the Mid-Plane Meshing Feature

■ Bring down the Tools menu on the MSC.Patran Main menu.

■ Select PreRelease and then click on Midplane Mesh.

Starting element andnode IDs

Solid list to beMidplane meshed.

Input global elementsize or enable autocalculation.

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Comparison Between Mid-Plane Meshing and Mid-SurfaceExtraction

• Mid-plane meshing is a single-step process. It can be faster than the two-stepmid-surface extraction and meshing process.

• Mid-plane meshing produces a mesh that is not associated with anygeometry. This means that element properties, loads, and boundaryconditions must be applied directly to elements, not geometry.

• Mid-plane meshing does not work for parts with T junctions.

The solids shown below represent the types of solids well suited for the new midplanemesh generator.

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159CHAPTER 6Pre-Release Capabilities

6.2 Interactive Frequency Response with MSC.NastranPresently, this capabilities is considered pre-release. It is being presented for yourfeedback on usability and suggestions on the implementation, which will helpmigrate this to full release status in subsequent MSC.Patran releases. The interface tothis tool is enabled through a defined environment variable.

This new functionality in MSC.Patran decreases the time and effort involved withrunning MSC.Nastran based Frequency Response analyses from within MSC.Patran.Through the use of MSC.Nastran Alters and MSC.Patran GUI enhancements iterativeFR analyses can be run from within MSC.Patran in near real time.

Important: To activate Interactive MSC.Nastran capabilities, you must set anenvironment variable in the OS environment prior to startingMSC.Patran. Set the logical: INTERACTIVE_NASTRAN TRUE, andthe interactive option for Normal Modes is then enabled.

This is a significant new capability which demonstrates the level of integrationpossible between the simulation modeling environment of MSC.Patran and thesimulation solver environment of MSC.Nastran.

Summary of Interactive Frequency ResponseImplementation:When using the Modal Frequency Response Method (Sol 111), the frequency responsecalculation is essentially a postprocessing operation on the modal data.

Interactive frequency response takes advantage of this by allowing a singleMSC.Patran session to:

• Run a Normal Modes Analysis (Sol103)

• Save the MSC.Nastran database (DBALL) from this run

• Set up the frequency response definition

• Use the modal results in the DBALL to calculate the frequency response

• Set up new frequency response definitions as required

The following flow chart helps to further explain the process.

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Interactive Dynamics Paradigm

NormalModes

Display

“Wizards”

Results

“Smart”Restarts

ScratchDatabase

Read OnlyDatabase

Patran(Client)

Nastran(Server)

Sol III+

AlterUser

Nastran

Nastran

“Wizards”- By definition only limited load application andlimited output requests

X-Y Plotter

NAST

FREQ RESPONSE

FREQ

A(W)

W

API

NAST

API

MSC.Confidential

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161CHAPTER 6Pre-Release Capabilities

To Access the Interactive Frequency Response Feature

■ Set the logical: INTERACTIVE_NASTRAN TRUE in the OS environment.

■ On the Solution Type form, click on the Interactive Modal Analysis checkbox.

■ On the Analysis application form, select Action>>Analyze, Object>>Interactive.

The Object>>Interactive option becomes available once the Normal Modes run iscomplete and the DBALL file containing the modal data is available.

Set INTERACTIVE_NASTRAN TRUE

The interactive option for Normal ModesAnalysis (SOL 103) is then enabled

Select InteractiveAnalysis mode once theNormal Modes run iscomplete and the DBALLfile with the modal data isavailable

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162

6.3 ANSYS and ABAQUS Input File ReaderIn MSC.Patran v2001, the executables for ANSYS 5 and ABAQUS input file readers arenow in core. These input file readers will be installed automatically when ANSYS 5and ABAQUS preferences are loaded.

These shareware readers can be activated by inserting the following line in yoursettings.pcl file.

pref_env_set_logical( "shareware_input_file", TRUE )

This will cause the "Read Input File" option to appear in the Analysis form for theANSYS 5 and ABAQUS preferences.

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163CHAPTER 6Pre-Release Capabilities

6.4 Additional CAD Access SupportPresently, these capabilities are considered pre-release. It is being presented for yourfeedback on usability and suggestions on the implementation, which will helpmigrate this to full release status in subsequent MSC.Patran releases. The interface tothese CAD import tools are enabled through a defined environment variables. Theseimport options can be activated through the Tools/Pre Release menu for the currentMSC.Patran session or can be activated for all MSC.Patran through an environmentvariable in the settings.pcl file or through the operating system environment settings.

• Support for I-DEAS has been added for this release.

Set the environment variable MSCPATRAN_IMPORT_IDEAS to TRUE.

• Support for VDA has been added for this release.

Set the environment variable MSCPATRAN_IMPORT_VDAto TRUE.

Note: Currently I-DEAS and VDA import are only available for MSC.Patran running onWindows NT with Service pack 6 and Windows 2000. Executables for other supportedUnix operating systems will be available on the MSC.Software Web Site in the nearfuture.

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Page 179: Release Guide 2001r2

I N D E XMSC.Patran Release Guide

I N D E XMSC.PatranRelease Guide

A

AIXsupported OS levels, 9

CCAD systems

access, 112supported, 112

CADDS, 112CATIA, 112CATXPRES, 112Client Service Requests (CSR)

corrected, 12Compaq

supported OS levels, 9course docmumentation, 17

Ddefects

corrected, 12direct access

CAD systems, 112documentation

MSC.Patran, 15training, 17

EEUCLID 3, 112

Hhardware

supported OS levels, 8, 112help, 15HP

supported OS levels, 8

IIBM

supported OS levels, 9Intel

supported OS levels, 8IRIX

supported OS levels, 9

Mmaterials

compositeisotropic, 28

isotropicelastic, 28failure, 28hyperelastic, 28plastic, 29viscoelastic, 28

MSC, 17training seminars, 17

MSC.Dytran Preference enhancements, 53MSC.Software Corporate Web URL, 17

Page 180: Release Guide 2001r2

INDEX166

Oonline help, 15operating systems, 8, 9

HP, 8supported, 8, 112

Pplatforms

supported, 8, 112preference guides, 15Pro/ENGINEER, 112

Sseminars, 17SGI

supported OS levels, 9software defects

corrected, 12SUN

supported OS levels, 8supported platforms, 8, 112

Ttraining documentation, 17training seminars, 17Tru64 Unix

supported OS levels, 9

UUnigraphics, 112URL

MSC.Software, 17

Wworld wide web URL, 17