Ansys nCode DesignLife Training

Ansys nCode DesignLife Training

Ansys nCode DesignLife

Two-Day Course

The objective of this course is for attendees to develop a strong expertise in the use of Ansys nCode DesignLife for durability and fatigue analysis. The course also demonstrates several examples of setting up and solving DesignLife simulation within the native Mechanical GUI using the “Mechanical Embedded DesignLife” ACT extension. The course covers a broad array of topics focusing on stress life for high cycle fatigue to strain life for low cycle fatigue studies, duty cycle vibration fatigue to simulate virtual shaker table test, as well as seam weld fatigue on thin plate weldments meshed with shell finite elements to solid welds on thicker tubular structures.

The 2-day course includes training materials from Ansys, Inc. that delivers nine instructor-led lectures and ten workshops, as well as DRD Supplementary workshops that demonstrates additionally eight practical examples of fatigue covering different applications.

Prerequisites for this course are DRD’s Introduction to Ansys Mechanical course, and/or some level of proficiency with the Ansys Mechanical user interface.

Lecture 1: Introduction to CAE Fatigue

The goal of this workshop is to examine how Ansys nCode DesignLife interacts with Ansys Mechanical on the Workbench platform.

08092021_nCode_1.png

Lecture 2: HBM nCode (Standalone) Interface

Workshop 2.1: Constant Amplitude SN Fatigue Analysis Using HBM nCode Interface08092021_nCode_1.png

The goal of this workshop is to examine how Ansys nCode DesignLife interacts with Ansys Mechanical on the Workbench platform.

        

Lecture 3: Workbench Integrated Interface

Workshop 3.1: Constant Amplitude SN Fatigue Analysis Using Workbench Integrated System08092021_nCode_2b.png08092021_nCode_2a.png

 

 

 

Workshop 3.2: Time Series SN Fatigue Analysis Using Workbench Integrated System

Lecture 4: Stress Life Fatigue Analysis Using Ansys nCode DesignLife

Workshop 4.1: Time Step SN Fatigue Analysis08092021_nCode_3.png

The goal of this workshop is to import FE model into Ansys nCode DesignLife, review the FE results and selectively choose subsets of the full model to run fatigue calculations.

Workshop 4.2: Stress Life Fatigue Analysis Using Add-On

Lecture 5: Strain Life Fatigue Analysis Using Ansys nCode DesignLife

Workshop5.1: Constant Amplitude EN Analysis with Mean Stress Correction08092021_nCode_4.png

The goal of this workshop is to learn how to modify material mapping.

Workshop 5.2: Fatigue Evaluation of Wind Turbine Using Ansys nCode DesignLife

Workshop 5.3: Strain Life Fatigue Analysis Using Add-On

DRD Supplementary Workshops

Workshop 1: Fatigue Analysis of a Simple Shaft under Combined Bending and Torsion Loads08172021_DRD 1_nCode_2.png

The goal of this workshop is to calculate the fatigue life of the drive shaft using Ansys nCode DesignLife time series loading. The stresses from unit bending and torsion load cases in Mechanical are paired with corresponding measured load histories to generate stress history that allows DesignLife to perform fatigue calculations using Rainflow Cycle Counting and damage assessment using Miner’s Rule.

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Workshop 2: Fatigue Life Prediction for a Telecommunication Rack Subjected to El Centro Earthquake Seismic Loads208172021_DRD 2_nCode_1.png

The goal of this workshop is to perform a full transient dynamic analysis within Ansys Mechanical and use the time history results to determine life of cabinet from this transient excitation in Ansys nCode DesignLife.

Workshop 3: Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) using Nonlinear Stresses and Strains08162021_nCode_DRD_03_02.PNG

The goal of this workshop is to evaluate strain life fatigue using nonlinear stresses and strains from Ansys Mechanical. The nonlinear material characteristic is defined using the Multilinear Kinematic Hardening plasticity.

 

 

 

Workshop 4: Fatigue Analysis of a Trailer Spindle Subjected to Multiple Time Series Load Histories08162021_nCode_DRD_04_03.PNG

The goal of this workshop is to evaluate fatigue life of a trailer spindle subjected to duty cycle loading within Ansys Mechanical using Mechanical Embedded DesignLife ACT extension.

 

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Workshop 5: Virtual Random Vibration Shaker Table Test of a Marine Alternator Bracket08182021_DRD 5_nCode_2.png 08182021_DRD 5_nCode_1.png

The goal of this workshop is to perform a vibration fatigue analysis using sequential multi-axis (3 axis) excitation of a marine alternator bracket to mimic a virtual shaker table test (VSTT) by using duty cycle loading in Ansys nCode DesignLife.

 

 

 

Workshop 6: Seam Weld Fatigue Analysis on a T-Joint Welded Assembly Meshed with Shell Finite Elements08182021_DRD 6_nCode_2.png08182021_DRD 6_nCode_1.png

The goal of this workshop is to perform a seam weld fatigue analysis in Ansys nCode DesignLife using the shell weld finite element model results from Ansys Mechanical.

Workshop 7: Seam Weld Fatigue Analysis on a T-Joint Welded Assembly Meshed with Shell Finite Elements using the Mechanical Embedded
DesignLife ACT Extension

The goal of this workshop is to perform a seam weld fatigue analysis within Mechanical using the “MechanicalEmbeddedDesignLife” ACT extension.

Workshop 8: Seam Weld Fatigue Analysis on a T-Joint Welded Assembly Meshed with Solid Finite Elements08182021_DRD 8_nCode_1.png

The goal of this workshop is to perform a seam weld fatigue analysis in Ansys nCode DesignLife using the solid weld finite element model results from Ansys Mechanical.

Course Enrollment and Schedule

Ansys nCode DesignLife Training

Ansys Mechanical Fatigue Life Prediction

Ansys Mechanical Fatigue Life Prediction

Ansys Mechanical Fatigue Life Prediction

half-day course

This course covers the use of the Ansys Mechanical Fatigue module available with Ansys Mechanical Pro, Ansys Mechanical Premium, and Ansys Mechanical Enterprise licenses. Fatigue tools enabled by nCode design life are not covered in this course.

The course offers a high level introduction to fatigue theory including stress life and strain life approaches. Mean stress corrections are discussed including Goodman, Soderberg, and Gerber methods for stress life calculations and Smith Watson Topper and Morrow methods for strain life calculations. Stress life workshops include simple non-proportional loading using solution combination and non-uniform load history utilizing the Rainflow counting method. The strain life workshop emphasizes proper use of mean stress correction techniques when calculating equivalent stress values for tensile vs compressive cases.

The course also includes two appendix workshops from DRD’s Ansys Mechanical Structural Dynamics course covering life predictions for random vibration and harmonic response analysis.

Prerequisites for this course are DRD’s Introduction to Mechanical course and some practical experience using Ansys Mechanical.

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Fatigue Theory and the ANSYS Mechanical Fatigue Module
Workshop 1 - Stress Based Fatigue Life Prediction for a Shaft with Axial and Shear Loading using the ANSYS Fatigue Module

08062021_Mechanical Fatigue_1.png

In this workshop we introduce the Mechanical Fatigue module to predict life on a stepped shaft using a stress based approach. Axial and bending load cases are calculated independently followed by solution combination for the simple non-proportional load case of fully reversed bending under constant axial tension. Goodman mean stress correction is implemented. Workbench parameterization is implemented to obtain fatigue life for various step radii values.

Workshop 2 - Fatigue Life Prediction for a Motorcycle Fender Bracket Using the Strain Life Method

08062021_Mechanical Fatigue_2.png

In this workshop, users implement a strain based approach within the Mechanical Fatigue Module for fully reversed loading near or exceeding the material yield strength. Morrow mean stress correction is implemented with emphasis on using the correct stress output for compressive mean stress adjustment.

Workshop 3 -Fatigue Analysis of a Trailer Spindle Subjected to Time Series Load History

08062021_Mechanical Fatigue_3.png

In this workshop, users learn how to import unidirectional time history load data from a test track into the Mechanical Fatigue Module. Stress life calculations are performed using Rainflow methodologies for various amplitude vs mean stress bin values with Goodman mean stress correction. Emphasis on the tradeoff between accuracy and solver time with respect to binning is given.

Dynamics Workshop 2 - Random Vibration Analysis of a PWB Assembly

08062021_Mechanical Fatigue_4.png

In this workshop, students define a random vibration PSD spectrum and learn how to calculate 1 sigma, 2 sigma, and 3 sigma stresses. Fatigue life is calculated using the Steinberg Method. Students learn how to create a user defined result to calculate zero crossing frequency and validate the Mechanical Fatigue Module results using hand calculations.

Dynamics Workshop 8a -Harmonic Response Analysis of an Engine Alternator Bracket

08062021_WS8aAnimation.gif

In this workshop, students learn how to calculate maximum stresses and deflections on a motor bracket subject to harmonic loading. Students utilize the Mechanical Fatigue Module to calculate the expected time to failure of the bracket when the harmonic load frequency corresponds to the first natural frequency.

Course Enrollment and Schedule

Ansys Mechanical Fatigue Life Prediction

Advanced Meshing for Ansys Mechanical

Advanced Meshing for Ansys Mechanical

Advanced Meshing for Ansys Mechanical

One-day course

The objective of this course is for attendees to develop expertise in using the various meshing options in Ansys Mechanical. Attendees will explore the options available to control the meshing with one primary goal in mind: to create efficient meshes for simulation.

An efficient mesh means that the simulation will solve as quickly as possible, while still retaining accuracy. In FEA, this is typically equated to having an all hexahedral mesh. However, the method to generate an all-hexahedral mesh is not always obvious with complex geometry.

In this course, we cover efficient meshing with hexahedra for solid modeling, as well as shell elements for surface modeling. Attendees will also use Ansys Discovery to aid in defeaturing and cleaning up geometry in preparation for meshing.

This course is different from DRD’s typical course layout. There is little lecture material and the workshops do not have step-by-step instructions for students to follow. Rather, each workshop is open-ended with a specific goal for the student to strive towards.

This course requires proficiency with Ansys Mechanical and with Ansys Discovery.

Course Requirements: 

Ansys Version used to create course content: 2023 R2
Ansys Version DRD instructor will use for the course: 2023 R2
Ansys Version(s) students may use for the course: 2023R2

Registration for all classes will close 5 business days in advance of the class date. 

Learn more: Agenda + Course Description

Introduction

Meshing_WS1.png

Workshop 1 – Tetrahedral Meshing a Motor Hub

This workshop aids in developing basic skills in SpaceClaim for defeaturing geometry, as well as options in Ansys Mechanical to generate an efficient mesh, in the absence of hex meshing. Students learn to use Virtual Topology and discover how to modify the global mesh controls to generate a tetrahedral mesh.

Workshop 2A-2D - Hex Meshing with Multizone, Virtual Topology and SpaceClaim

Workshop 2A-2D – Hex Meshing with Multizone, Virtual Topology and SpaceClaimMeshing_WS2.png

The objective of this set of workshops is to provide the student with several skills for generating a hexahedral mesh. This includes meshing with Multizone, slicing in SpaceClaim (and creating a multibody part for a conformal mesh), and inflation meshing.

Workshops 3 - Inflation Meshing with Multizone

Workshops 3 – Inflation Meshing with MultizoneMeshing_WS3.png

In this workshop, students learn how to combine Multizone meshing with the Inflation mesh control. Certain scenarios, like Hertzian contact where the high stress is typically not at the surface of the structure, require a very fine mesh from the surface of the part into the volume. Inflation meshing allows this level mesh refinement. Coupled with hex meshing via Multizone, this makes a useful combination of mesh controls.

Workshops 4 & 5 - Thin Model Sweep Meshing

Workshops 4 & 5 – Thin Model Sweep MeshingMessing_WS4_5.png

The objective of this workshop is to provide a skillset that allows complete hex meshing of thing structural components, like C-channels, weldments, and plates. These types of components can be tricky to hex mesh and retain good element quality. Students will learn Thin Sweep meshing, and how to use this feature in combination with Virtual Topology and Edge Biasing, to generate an all-hex mesh.

Workshops 6 & 7 - Practical Meshing Applications

Workshops 6 & 7 – Practical Meshing ApplicationsMeshing_WS7_8.png

These two workshops are open-ended workshops that have complex assemblies and specific requirements on the mesh size. A combination of SpaceClaim and meshing skills learned in the previous workshops will be required to generate an all-hex mesh for these assemblies.

Workshop 8 - Meshing with Shell Elements and Mesh Connections: Basic Bracketry

Workshop 8 – Meshing with Shell Elements and Mesh Connections: Basic BracketryMesshing_WS8_9.png

Students learn how to create shell finite elements in this workshop and how to create coincident nodes at the interfaces where multiple components touch. This former requires simplification of thin solid geometry to surface geometry using SpaceClaim, which is then automatically meshed with shell elements using the Ansys mesher. The latter simplifies the welded connection between the components; rather than modeling the weld geometry or using bonded contact, a set of coincident nodes are generated via Mesh Connections.

Workshop 9 - Meshing with Shell Elements and Mesh Connections: Complex Loader Arm

Workshop 9 – Meshing with Shell Elements and Mesh Connections: Complex Loader Arm

This workshop takes what is learned in the previous workshop and applies it to a more complex CAD assembly. Students will work on a large, welded structure of a terrain loader arm. The skills learned in the previous workshop to generate a surface CAD assembly and use Mesh Connections, as well as those skills in prior workshops to create an all-hex mesh on solid CAD that cannot be modeled with surfaces, are combined in this single workshop.

Course Enrollment and Schedule

Advanced Meshing for Ansys Mechanical

Ansys Workbench LS-DYNA

Ansys Workbench LS-DYNA

Ansys Workbench LS-DYNA

Two-day course

The objective of this course is for attendees to develop expertise in the use of Ansys Mechanical for explicit dynamic analysis using Ansys LS-DYNA. Ansys LS-DYNA has a wide variety of applications in many industries such full car crash testing in the automotive industry, windshield bird strike simulation in the aerospace industry, cell phone drop test simulation in consumer electronics, and deep drawing, hydroforming, and superplastic forming simulation in advanced manufacturing.

This 2-day course includes ten workshops and nine instructor-led lectures to cover basic explicit dynamics theory and applications.

Prerequisites for this course are DRD’s Introduction to Ansys Mechanical course and/or proficiency with the Ansys Mechanical user interface. This is a challenging course for proficient users.

Course Requirements:

Ansys Version used to create course content: 2021 R1
Ansys Version DRD instructor will use for the course: 2023 R1
Ansys Version(s) students may use for the course: 2023 R1

Registration for all classes will close 5 business days in advance of the class date. 

Learn more: Agenda + Course Description

Module 1 - Explicit Theory and Workbench LS-DYNA

LS-DYNA 1.gifWorkshop 1.1 – Taylor Impact

The goal of this workshop is for students to become familiar with the Ansys LS-DYNA workflow and learn how to perform an impact test simulation. In this Taylor impact test, a cylinder made of elastic-plastic steel hits a rigid wall with an initial velocity and the goal is to determine the contact interaction forces and energy exchange from this impact simulation.

Module 2 - Solution Setup, Boundary Conditions, Rigid Bodies

Workshop 2.1 – Rotary Draw Bending
LS-DYNA 3_1a.png

This workshop involves bending a “Profile” by 70 degrees using a rigid tool. In this example, the rigid “Rotating Die” and “Clamp Die” will rotate about the Y axis dragging the “Profile” along as it slides along the stationary Mandrel. The “Pressure Die” translates axially along the Z axis while it maintains pressure against the “Profile” as it’s formed over the circular trajectory of the “Rotating Die”.

Workshop 2.2 – Drop Test WizardWhatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

This workshop demonstrates the use of the Drop Test Wizard built into Ansys Mechanical to set up and simulate dropping a circuit board from a height of 1 meter.

Module 3 - LS-DYNA Results and Postprocessing

Workshop 3.1 – Postprocessing with LS-PrePostLS-DYNA 2.2.png

This workshop navigates into the LS-PrePost environment to review some of the postprocessing capabilities with LS-PrePost interface, which is included with Ansys LS-DYNA.

Module 4 - Connections

Workshop 4.1 – Impact on Tubes   LS-DYNA 3_1.gif

In this workshop two nested (concentric tubes) are struck by an impactor approaching at an initial velocity of 30 meters per second. The tubes are connected at outer ends through caps and supported by rotatable cylinder.

 

Module 5 - Quasi-static Analysis and Result Verification

Workshop 5.1 – Quasi-staticLS-DYNA4_1b.pngLS-DYNA4_1a.png

This workshop utilizes the tube impact test example that involves dropping a tool to hit the tubes. In this workshop; however, we conduct a Quasi-static analysis to study the load from a hydraulic cylinder. The speed of the cylinder is based on the hydraulic pump and the controls system and can take a few seconds to run. It would take a long time to run this in the physical time frame, but the concept of Quasi-static simulation can help accelerate it.

Module 6 - Engineering Data and Material Models
Module 7 - Meshing

Workshop 7.1 – MeshingWhatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

This workshop gives users experience with generating a uniform mesh for both solids and shells with a specific number of element divisions on curved geometry.

 

Module 8 - Element Formulations

Workshop 8.1 – Drop Test05122021_Drop Test 2.png

In this workshop we perform a drop test simulation in which we drop a mobile phone from a height of 1.5 meters.

 

 

Workshop 8.2 – Bird StrikeLS-DYNA Bird Strike.gif

In this workshop an impact simulation is performed in order to study the effect of a bird strike on an aircraft wing section. The bird is modeled using Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH).

Module 9 - LS-DYNA Keywords

Workshop 9.1 – Crimping ProcessLS-DYNA 8_1.gif

In this workshop, a “Crimper” moves a prescribed velocity and deforms the “Crimp” to create a shaped connection between the bundled wires and “Crimp”.

 

Course Enrollment and Schedule

Ansys Workbench LS-DYNA

Ansys Composite PrepPost

Ansys Composite PrepPost

Ansys Composite PrepPost

one-day course

This course is geared toward engineers who are designing and analyzing layered composites. The training will cover the correct and efficient use of this technology for the purpose of overcoming some of the inherent challenges in composite modeling such as capturing fiber orientation, model inspection, failure analysis, and parameterization. This training will teach attendees how to make high fidelity layered shell and layered solid models, save time at the post-processing stage, and more.

Prerequisites for this course are DRD’s Introduction to Ansys Mechanical course or equivalent practical experience using Ansys Mechanical. This is a challenging course for proficient users. Please do not register for this course if you do not have the prerequisites. Please contact DRD if you have questions or would like to discuss this with us at support@drd.com.

Course Requirements: 

Ansys Version used to create course content: 2020 R1
Ansys Version DRD instructor will use for the course: 2022 R1
Ansys Version(s) students may use for the course: 2021 R1, 2021 R2, 2022 R1

Registration for all classes will close 5 business days in advance of the class date. 

Learn more: Agenda + Course Description

Workshop 1 - Basic Sandwich Panel

05072021_ACP1.pngIn this workshop the user will learn how to define new composite materials for analysis and start ACP from within Workbench. The user will then learn how to define fabrics, rosettes, oriented selection sets, and modeling plies to create a simple composite sandwich panel.

Workshop 2 - T-Joint

05072021_ACP2.png

This workshop gives the user some experience with using multiple rosettes, multiple oriented selection sets, and tapering of core materials to define complex composite layups.

Workshop 3 - Class 40 - Selection Rules

05072021_ACP3.png

In this workshop users will learn how to use selection rules to modify the composite layup of a class 40 boat in order to increase its reserve against failure.

Workshop 4 - Advanced Sandwich Panel

05072021_ACP4.png

This workshop continues Workshop 1 – Basic Sandwich Panel. The layup is modified and reinforced in order to increase the panel’s strength, and the mesh is refined in order to obtain more accurate results. Selection rules and tapers are employed in order to create a desired layup. 

Workshop 5.1 - Solid Modeling

05072021_ACP5_1.png

In this workshop, users will generate and evaluate a composite model of a doubly-curved tensile test specimen. This model will use solid elements instead of shell elements in order to accurately capture stress distributions in thick geometry where plane stress assumptions do not apply.

Workshop 5.2 - Solid Modeling with Cut-Off Rule

05072021_ACP5_2.png

This workshop demonstrates the use of cut-off rules for ply tapering. It also goes through the procedure of applying a resin material to wedge elements that represent the tapered section where a ply starts or ends in a solid composite model.

 

Workshop 6.1 – Kiteboard

05072021_ACP6_1.png

This workshop will take users through the complete process of modeling, solving, and post-processing a composite model. Solid geometry will be used to generate a variable core thickness in a complex pattern.

Workshop 6.2 – Post-Processing

05072021_ACP6_2.png

The boat model from Workshop 3 will be used to practice with a variety of post-processing tools, including sampling points to obtain through-thickness results.

Workshop 7 – Parameters in ACP

05072021_ACP7.png

This workshop will use Workbench parameters to modify the laminate of a composite part. Multiple designs will be evaluated in order to identify which design has the best performance in terms of several composite failure modes.

Course Enrollment and Schedule

Ansys Composite PrepPost