FEM tutorial: Difference between revisions

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{{TutorialInfo
{{TutorialInfo
Topic= Finite Element Analysis
|Topic= Finite Element Analysis
|Level= Beginner
|Level= Beginner
|Time= 10 minutes + Solver time
|Time= 10 minutes + Solver time
|Author=[http://freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=User:Drei Drei]
|Author=[http://freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=User:Drei Drei]
|FCVersion=0.16 or above
|FCVersion=0.16.6700 or above
|Files=
|Files=
}}
}}


=== Introduction === <!--T:8-->
== Introduction == <!--T:8-->
This tutorial is meant to introduce the reader to the basic workflow of the FEM Workbench, as well as most of the tools that are available to perform a static analysis.
This tutorial is meant to introduce the reader to the basic workflow of the FEM Workbench, as well as most of the tools that are available to perform a static analysis.


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[[Image:FEM_tutorial_result.png|480px]]
[[Image:FEM_tutorial_result.png|600px]]


=== Requirements === <!--T:10-->
== Requirements == <!--T:10-->
* FreeCAD version 0.16 or above
* FreeCAD version 0.16.6700 or above
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/netgen-mesher/ Netgen] and/or [http://geuz.org/gmsh/ GMSH] is installed on the system
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/netgen-mesher/ Netgen] and/or [http://geuz.org/gmsh/ GMSH] is installed on the system
* In the case of GMSH, installation of [https://github.com/psicofil/Macros_FreeCAD psicofil's macro] is recommended
* In the case of GMSH, install [[Macro GMSH]] from the [[AddonManager]], developed by [https://github.com/psicofil/Macros_FreeCAD psicofil]
* [http://www.calculix.de/ Calculix] is installed on the system
* [http://www.calculix.de/ Calculix] is installed on the system
* The reader has the basic knowledge to use the Part and PartDesign Workbenches
* The reader has the basic knowledge to use the [[Part Workbench|Part]] and [[PartDesign Workbench|PartDesign Workbenches]]


=== Procedure === <!--T:2-->
== Procedure == <!--T:2-->


==== Modeling ==== <!--T:11-->
=== Modeling === <!--T:11-->
In this example a Cube is used as the study object, but models created in the Part or PartDesign Workbenches can be used instead.
In this example a Cube is used as the study object, but models created in the Part or PartDesign Workbenches can be used instead.


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Now we have a model with which to work with.
Now we have a model with which to work with.


==== Creating the Analysis ====
=== Creating the Analysis === <!--T:15-->
===== Netgen ===== <!--T:15-->
==== Netgen ====
# Select the model
# Select the model
# Click [[Image:FEM_Analysis.png|16px]] [[FEM Analysis|New mechanical analysis]] from the menu to create an analysis from the object that was selected
# Select [[Image:Fem_FemMesh.svg|32px]] [[FEM Create|Create FEM mesh]]
# Click '''Ok'''
# In the meshing dialog, click '''OK'''
# Select the Mesh from the Tree View
# Click [[Image:Fem_Analysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM Analysis|New mechanical analysis]] from the menu to create an analysis from the mesh that was created


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<!--T:16-->
You can also drag and drop a mesh to a Mechanical Analysis that does not have a mesh within the Tree View.
You can also drag and drop a mesh to a Mechanical Analysis that does not have a mesh within the Tree View.


===== GMSH ===== <!--T:17-->
==== GMSH ==== <!--T:17-->
The usage of psicofil's macro is recommended, and is used for this example.
The usage of psicofil's macro is recommended, and is used for this example.
# Activate the macro
# Activate the macro
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We have now meshed our object and are ready to add constraints and forces.
We have now meshed our object and are ready to add constraints and forces.


==== Constraints and Forces ==== <!--T:19-->
=== Constraints and Forces === <!--T:19-->
# Hide the mesh from the Tree View.
# Hide the mesh from the Tree View.
# Show the original model
# Show the original model
# Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintFixed.svg|32px]] [[FEM FixedConstraint|Create FEM fixed constraint]]
# Select [[Image:FEM_FixedConstraint.png|16px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFixed|Create FEM fixed constraint]]
# Select the back face of the Cube (face on the '''YZ''' axis) and click OK
# Select the back face of the Cube (face on the '''YZ''' axis) and click OK
# Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintForce.svg|32px]] [[FEM ForceConstraint|Create FEM force constraint]]
# Select [[Image:FEM_ForceConstraint.png|16px]] [[FEM_ConstraintForce|Create FEM force constraint]]
# Select the front face of the Cube (the face parallel to the back face) and set the '''Area load''' value to 9000000.00
# Select the front face of the Cube (the face parallel to the back face) and set the '''Area load''' value to 9000000.00
# Set the '''Direction''' to '''-Z''' by selecting one of the face edges parallel to that direction.
# Set the '''Direction''' to '''-Z''' by selecting one of the face edges parallel to that direction.
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We now have established the restrictions and forces for our static study.
We now have established the restrictions and forces for our static study.


==== Final preparations ==== <!--T:21-->
=== Final preparations === <!--T:21-->
# Select [[Image:Fem_Material.svg|32px]] [[FEM Material|Mechanical material...]] and choose Calculix as the material
# Select [[Image:FEM_Material.png|16px]] [[FEM_MaterialSolid|Mechanical material...]] and choose Calculix as the material
# Click '''OK'''
# Click '''OK'''


==== Running the Solver ==== <!--T:22-->
=== Running the Solver === <!--T:22-->
===== Standard Procedure =====
==== Standard Procedure ====
# Select the solver object [[Image:Fem_Solver.svg|32px]] contained in the '''Mechanical Analysis'''
# Select the solver object [[Image:FEM_Solver.png|16px]] contained in the '''Mechanical Analysis'''
# Select [[Image:Fem_NewAnalysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM Calculation|Start calculation]] from the menu
# Select [[Image:FEM_Calculation.png|16px]] [[FEM_SolverControl|Start calculation]] from the menu
# Select '''Write Calculix Input File'''
# Select '''Write Calculix Input File'''
# Select '''Run Calculix'''
# Select '''Run Calculix'''
# Click '''Close'''
# Click '''Close'''


===== Quick Procedure =====
==== Quick Procedure ==== <!--T:25-->
# Click on [[Image:Fem_QuickAnalysis.svg|32px]] [[FEM_RunCalculiXccx|Quick Analysis]].
# Select the solver object [[Image:FEM_Solver.png|16px]] contained in the '''Mechanical Analysis'''
# Click on [[Image:FEM_RunCalculiXccx.png|16px]] [[FEM_SolverRun|Quick Analysis]].


==== Analyzing Results ==== <!--T:23-->
=== Analyzing Results === <!--T:23-->
# From the '''Object Tree''', select the '''Results''' object
# From the '''Object Tree''', select the '''Results''' object
# Select [[Image:Fem_Result.svg|32px]] [[FEM ShowResult|Show result]]
# Select [[Image:FEM_ShowResult.png|16px]] [[FEM_ResultShow|Show result]]
# Choose among the different Result types to view the results
# Choose among the different Result types to view the results
# The slider at the bottom can be used to alter the mesh visualization. This allows us to visualize the deformation experienced by the object, keep in mind that this is an approximation.
# The slider at the bottom can be used to alter the mesh visualization. This allows us to visualize the deformation experienced by the object, keep in mind that this is an approximation.
# To remove the results select [[Image:Fem_PurgeResults.png|32px]] [[FEM PurgeResults|Purge results]]
# To remove the results select [[Image:FEM_PurgeResults.png|16px]] [[FEM_ResultsPurge|Purge results]]


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{{Note|Comparison to previous example file|If you select the '''Z diplacement''' result type, you can see that the obtained value is almos identical to the test example provided by FreeCAD. Differences may occur due to the quality of the mesh and the number of nodes it possesses.}}}
{{Note|Comparison to previous example file|If you select the '''Z displacement''' result type, you can see that the obtained value is almost identical to the test example provided by FreeCAD. Differences may occur due to the quality of the mesh and the number of nodes it possesses.}}


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<!--T:7-->
We are now finished with the basic workflow for the [[FEM Module]].
We are now finished with the basic workflow for the [[FEM Module]].


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{{FEM Tools navi}}
[[Category:User Documentation]]
{{Userdocnavi}}
[[Category:Tutorials]]

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Revision as of 04:56, 8 April 2019

Tutorial
Topic
Finite Element Analysis
Level
Beginner
Time to complete
10 minutes + Solver time
Authors
Drei
FreeCAD version
0.16.6700 or above
Example files
See also
None

Introduction

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

Requirements

Procedure

Modeling

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

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

Now we have a model with which to work with.

Creating the Analysis

Netgen

  1. Select the model
  2. Click New mechanical analysis from the menu to create an analysis from the object that was selected
  3. In the meshing dialog, click OK

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

GMSH

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

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

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

Constraints and Forces

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

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

Final preparations

  1. Select Mechanical material... and choose Calculix as the material
  2. Click OK

Running the Solver

Standard Procedure

  1. Select the solver object contained in the Mechanical Analysis
  2. Select Start calculation from the menu
  3. Select Write Calculix Input File
  4. Select Run Calculix
  5. Click Close

Quick Procedure

  1. Select the solver object contained in the Mechanical Analysis
  2. Click on Quick Analysis.

Analyzing Results

  1. From the Object Tree, select the Results object
  2. Select Show result
  3. Choose among the different Result types to view the results
  4. The slider at the bottom can be used to alter the mesh visualization. This allows us to visualize the deformation experienced by the object, keep in mind that this is an approximation.
  5. To remove the results select Purge results
Comparison to previous example file

If you select the Z displacement result type, you can see that the obtained value is almost identical to the test example provided by FreeCAD. Differences may occur due to the quality of the mesh and the number of nodes it possesses.


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