1. Chapter 2 Mechanical Basics

2. Chapter Overview
In this chapter, the basics of using Mechanical to perform analyses will be covered, which include:
The Mechanical GUI and Operation
Introduction to the Mechanical Application Wizard
Basic Analysis Procedure
The Engineering Data application
Workshop 2-1
The capabilities described in this section are generally applicable to the ANSYS DesignSpace Entra licenses and above, unless noted.

3. A. Launching Mechanical
Recall that there are two ways of running Mechanical:
Configured from within ANSYS Workbench …
… or from a supported CAD system

4. … Mechanical Interface
The components of the user interface are shown below:
Tree Outline
Details View
Graphics Window
Toolbars
Menus
Mechanical Application Wizard
Status Bar
Message Window

5. GUI – Menus
The menus provide much of the functionality present in Mechanical. The more commonly used menu items are covered below:
The title bar lists analysis type, product and active ANSYS license.
“File > Clean” to delete mesh and/or results from database.
“Units” to change units on-the-fly.
“Tools > Options… ” to customize settings and options.
“Help > Mechanical Help” to access documentation.
Analysis Type
Product
License

6. … GUI – Toolbars
There are a number of toolbars to provide users quick access to functionality also found in the menus.
The toolbars can be repositioned anywhere on the top of the Mechanical window.
The “Context” toolbar, as will be illustrated later, updates depending on what branch is active in the “Outline” tree.
Tooltips appear if the cursor is placed over the toolbar button.

7. … GUI – Toolbars The “Standard” toolbar is shown below:
The “Graphics” toolbar is used for selection and graphics manipulation:
The left mouse button can be either in “selection” mode or “graphics manipulation” mode. The above toolbar buttons are grouped as “select entities” and “graphics manipulation” control.
The graphics selection can be done using individual selection or box-selection. This is controlled by the “Select Mode” icon.
Bring up Mechanical Wizard
Annotations
Comments
Capture Snapshot
Solve Model
Slice Planes
Graphics Manipulation
Selection Tools
Select mode
Viewports

8. … GUI – Outline Tree
The Outline Tree provides an easy way of organizing the model, materials, mesh, loads, and results for the analysis
The “Model” branch contains the input data required for the analysis
The “Static Structural” branch contains
the loads and supports relevant to the
analysis discipline
The “Solution” branch contains result
objects and solution information
Other branches (not covered here)
are also available.

9. … GUI – Outline Tree
The Outline Tree shows icons for each branch, along with a status symbol. Examples of the status symbols are below:
Checkmark indicates branch is fully defined/OK
Question mark indicates item has incomplete data (need input)
Lightning bolt indicates solving is required
Exclamation mark means problem exists
“X” means that item is suppressed (will not be solved)
Transparent checkmark means body or part is hidden
Green lightning bolt indicates item is currently being evaluated
Minus sign means that mapped face meshing failed
Check mark with a slash indicates a meshed part/body
Red lightning bolt indicates a failed solution
Becoming familiar with the basic status symbols allows users to debug Mechanical problems quickly.

10. … GUI – Details View
The Details View contains data input and output fields. The contents will change depending on branch selected.
White field: input data
Data in white text field is editable
Gray (or Red) field: information
Data in gray fields cannot be modified.
Yellow field: incomplete input data
Data in yellow fields indicates missing information.

11. … GUI – Graphics Window
The Graphics Window shows the geometry and results. It can also provide worksheet (tabular) listings, the HTML report, and a Print Preview option.
Geometry Tab
Print Preview Tab
Worksheet Tab
Report Preview Tab

12. … GUI – Mechanical Application Wizard
The Mechanical Wizard is an optional component, a useful aid to remind users steps required to complete an analysis
The Mechanical Wizard provides a list of required steps and the status of them
Green checkmark indicates the item is complete
Green “i” shows an informational item
A greyed symbol shows that the step cannot be performed yet
A red question mark means that there is an incomplete item
An “x” means that the item is not performed yet
A lightning bolt means that the item is ready to be solved or updated
The Mechanical Wizard can be toggled on/off by selecting the button on the Standard Toolbar
The options on the Mechanical Wizard menu will change depending on the analysis type chosen

13. B. Mechanical Application Wizard
By selecting an item on the “Required Steps” checklist, a callout appears, illustrating how that function is performed.
In the example below, “Verify Materials” was selected, and the callout shows the user where this item can be changed.

14. … Mechanical Application Wizard
The Mechanical Wizard is handy for users who do not use Mechanical every day
Besides basic functionality, callouts for more advanced items are also available as shown on right

15. C. Basic Procedure
The purpose of analysis is usually to determine the response of a system based on some type of excitation or loading.
It is crucial to remember that a mathematical model is used:
CAD geometry is an idealization of the physical model
The mesh is a mathematical representation of the CAD model
The accuracy of answers is determined by various factors:
How well the physical model is represented depends on the assumptions
Numerical accuracy is determined by the mesh density
CAD Model
Finite Element Mesh

16. … Basic Procedure Every analysis involves four main steps:
Preliminary Decisions
What type of analysis: Static, modal, etc.?
What to model: Part or Assembly?
Which elements: Surface or Solid Bodies?
Preprocessing
Attach the model geometry
Define and assign material properties to parts
Mesh the geometry
Apply loads and supports
Request results
Solve the Model
Postprocessing
Review results
Check the validity of the solution
Preprocessing
Solution
Postprocessing
Preliminary
Decisions

17. … Basic Procedure
The Wizards in Mechanical aid the user in following the basic analysis template discussed previously:
Attach/import geometry
Assign material properties
(Mesh geometry)
A default mesh will be supplied by Mechanical if this step is not performed manually by the user
Apply loads and supports
Request results
Solve model
Review results/postprocessing
Several examples of using the Mechanical Wizard follow

18. … Wizard Example: Assign/Verify Material Properties
“Verify Materials” is selected, and the callout shows how to verify/change material properties in the pull-down menu (engineering data is described later in this chapter).
After “Verify Materials” is selected, all of the parts from the “Geometry” branch are highlighted, and the Details view shows how to change the material.

19. … Wizard Example: Assign Material Properties
The call out message indicates the user should return to the Workbench interface to access Engineering Data
The default material property is “Structural Steel” but can be changed
As a material is added to the project it will appear in the material assignment detail field
Material properties supplied with Mechanical are for demonstration purposes. Users should use their own material property values in production use.

20. Wizard Example: insert Loads & Supports
After verifying and assigning materials, “Insert Structural Loads” is selected from the Stress Wizard
Loads are applied from the pull-down icons in the Context toolbar.
After “Insert Loads” is selected, notice that the “Environment” branch is highlighted.
By highlighting the “Environment” branch, the Context toolbar and Details view change.

21. Applying Loads & Supports
Loads and supports are applied on geometric entities in two different ways:
Pre-select geometry entity in Graphics Window, then select load or support from Context Toolbar
Or, select load or support from Context Toolbar then select geometry entities in Graphics Window, then click on “Apply” in Details View.

22. … Applying Loads & Supports
After assigning the load the user can enter additional data in the Details view, if necessary.
Notice that in the Outline Tree the associated load’s branch symbol status will also change to ‘completed’ (checkmark).

23. … Applying Loads & Supports
For some structural loads direction is needed:
If “Components” is chosen, enter X, Y, or Z Components of loading
If “Vector” is chosen, select geometry and enter magnitude of loading
Defaults can be set in “Tools > Options … > Mechanical: Miscellaneous > Load Orientation Type”
The Global Coordinate System or user defined local coordinate systems can be referenced
User-Defined Coordinate Systems will be discussed later

24. … Applying Loads & Supports
Existing geometry can be referenced to control direction:
In the “Details” view, select “Define By: Vector”
Three types of existing geometry can be used
Normal to planar face or along axis of cylindrical face
Along straight edge or normal to cylindrical edge
Two vertices defining vector
Click on “Direction” and select geometry used for vector orientation. Use the arrows in the Graphics window to toggle the direction.
Click on “Apply” when finished.
Enter magnitude for loading in “Magnitude.”
Toggle arrow buttons to reverse load direction

25. … Mouse Controls
The left mouse button is used to select geometric entities OR to manipulate the graphics display
User can select items (vertex, edge, surface, body) or manipulate the view (rotate, pan, zoom in/out, box zoom)
Select mode can be single-select or box-select
In single-select mode, click-drag with left mouse button to “paint select” multiple items
Use Ctrl-Left mouse button in single-select mode to select or unselect multiple entities
In box-select mode, click-drag from left to right selects entities fully enclosed in bounding box
In box-select mode, click-drag from right to left selects any entity partially enclosed in bounding box

26. … Mouse Controls (shortcuts)
In select mode the middle mouse provides several short cuts for graphics manipulation
Click + drag middle mouse button = dynamic rotate
CTRL+ Middle mouse button = dynamic pan
Shift + Middle mouse button = dynamic zoom
If present, the wheel can be used to zoom in/out
RMB + drag = box zoom
Click right mouse button once and select “Fit” to fit model in view or access contex menu options

27. … Selection Planes
Selection planes allow for users to easily select surfaces which are hidden from view by other surfaces.
User selects a plane; if more planes lie directly underneath the cursor, selection planes appear. Selection planes are color-coded with the same color as its parent part and are ordered by depth from the cursor.

28. D. Engineering Data
The Engineering Data application provides overall control for material properties.
Engineering data is a part of every project.
Engineering data can be opened “stand alone” (as a precursor to starting a project for example).
To open the Engineering Data standalone, add from the component systems in the toolbox (drag/drop or double click), then RMB > Edit or double click.
To edit the Engineering Data in an existing project RMB > Edit or double click

29. . . . Engineering Data
The Engineering Data application is displayed below. Individual controls and components are described next.
Toolbox
Property Chart
Properties for material selected below
Properties of material selected above
Outline of “Filtered” Materials
Outline Filter

30. . . . Engineering Data
The window interaction provides cascading data presentation.
To view or modify materials one generally follows a work flow shown here:
data source > material > individual property
Choose Data Source (Library)
Choose Material
Choose Property
Display Property in tabular and graphical format

31. . . . Engineering Data Outline Filter
The Engineering Data field represents the list of materials which have been imported for use in the current project
Check box allows library to be unlocked for editing.
A list of available material libraries is displayed. These may be ANSYS supplied or user defined.
Browse for existing libraries or choose new library location.
Favorites are materials which will be available in every project without the need to import from a library.

32. . . . Engineering Data
The toolbox provides numerous material property definitions that can be added to existing or new materials.
To modify materials in existing libraries the library must be unlocked, (note this permanently modifies the material stored in that library).
Materials in the current project’s engineering data can be modified without affecting the material library.
The Toolbox Customization settings allows filtering of the properties displayed in the toolbox.

33. . . . Engineering Data
To add a material from an existing library to the current project click the plus sign (+) next to that material.
Any material defined in the current project will be marked as show at right.
Once “added” each material becomes available for use in the current project (it becomes part of the current “Engineering Data”).
Note, to add a material to the “Favorites” list, RMB the material and add.

34. . . . Engineering Data
To create a new material first select the library where you want the definition to be stored (or Engineering Data for the current project).
Enter a name, and description if desired, for the new material.
From the Toolbox double click or drag and drop the desired properties.
Finally enter values for the properties.

35. “Project Units” are taken from the current Units menu selection.
. . . Engineering Data
Units menu in Engineering Data:
You may choose to display “Values as Defined” or “Values in Project Units”.
“As Defined” units are controlled individually.
“Project Units” are taken from the current Units menu selection.

36. E. Workshop 2-1 – Mechanical Basics
Goal:
Using the Stress Wizard, set up and solve a structural model for stress, deflection and safety factor.