How to Perform Structural Analysis in ANSYS Workbench: A Comprehensive Guide

Structural analysis using ANSYS Workbench is a vital process in engineering and design for ensuring the integrity and strength of various components. This detailed guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up, solve, and interpret structural analysis within ANSYS Workbench. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced engineer, understanding the workflow will enhance your proficiency in finite element analysis (FEA).

General Workflow

The structural analysis in ANSYS Workbench involves several key steps. Here is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Starting ANSYS Workbench

The first step is to launch ANSYS Workbench. Typically, you can do this by double-clicking the ANSYS Workbench icon on your desktop or through your application launcher. Once the software is open, proceed to create a new project by clicking the New Project button.

2. Adding a Structural Analysis System

Next, you need to add a Structural Analysis System to your project. You can find this under the Toolbox on the left-hand side. Drag the Static Structural system onto your project schematic. This system is fundamental for setting up the static structural analysis.

3. Geometry Creation

The geometry is the foundation of your analysis. You have two main options for creating geometry:

Import Geometry: If you already have a CAD model, right-click on the Geometry cell and select Import Geometry. Many CAD software formats are supported by ANSYS. Create Geometry: Alternatively, you can use ANSYS's built-in design tools to create a simple geometry. Use the Create Geometry option from the Toolbox.

Maintain the best practices for creating accurate and detailed models to ensure the reliability of your analysis.

4. Defining Material Properties

Material properties play a crucial role in the accuracy of your analysis. To define these properties, right-click on the Engineering Data cell and select Edit. Here, you can add materials from the ANSYS library or define custom materials based on specific properties like Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, yield strength, etc.

5. Meshing the Geometry

Meshing is the process of dividing the geometry into small elements that will be analyzed. To mesh the geometry, right-click on the Model cell and select Edit. This will open the ANSYS Mechanical interface. In the Mesh branch, adjust the mesh settings, including element size and refinement, and generate the mesh.

6. Applying Boundary Conditions

Boundary conditions are essential for simulating real-world scenarios. In the Model tree, right-click on the Static Structural branch to apply the necessary boundary conditions:

Supports: Apply fixed, pinned, or roller supports as needed. Loads: Apply forces, pressures, or moments to the appropriate faces or edges.

It is crucial to accurately represent the conditions under which the structure will operate to achieve reliable results.

7. Setting Up Analysis Settings

Adjust the analysis settings as needed, such as solver options or solution methods. These settings can significantly impact the accuracy and efficiency of your analysis.

8. Solving the Model

Once you have configured all the necessary settings, click the Solve button in the toolbar to run the analysis. Monitor the solution progress to ensure that the analysis completes successfully.

9. Reviewing Results

After the solution is complete, explore the results to understand the behavior of the structure under the defined conditions:

Deformation: View the total deformation of the structure. Stress and Strain: Analyze stress distribution, von Mises stress, principal stresses, and strain results. Factor of Safety: If applicable, calculate and visualize the factor of safety.

These results provide critical information for assessing the structural integrity and performance.

10. Post-Processing

Post-processing tools in ANSYS Workbench allow you to create contour plots, path plots, or animations to visualize the results effectively. Utilize these tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of the structural behavior.

11. Reporting

Generate reports or export the results for documentation purposes. This step is crucial for compliance and further analysis.

Tips for Performing Structural Analysis

Validate Your Model: Always validate your model with known solutions or benchmarks to ensure accuracy. Use Help Documentation: The help documentation within ANSYS is a valuable resource for specific features or troubleshooting.

This workflow provides a basic structure for performing structural analysis in ANSYS Workbench, which can be adapted based on the complexity of the model and specific requirements of your analysis.