Workshop 3

Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis

14.5 Release

ANSYS LS-DYNA
in Mechanical APDL
© 2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 1 Release 14.5
 Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis
• This workshop concerns creating and using Parts in an explicit dynamic analysis.
An initial velocity is applied to Part 2 (SOLID164 block), which then impacts Part
1 (SHELL163 cantilever beam). Part numbers are then used to set up the contact
between both entities. The required input file is useparts.inp

• Step-by-step instructions are shown on the following slides. Your instructor will
give those details particular to your site.

• useparts.inp is fully commented. A /EOF command stops the input stream

after the geometry, mesh, and boundary conditions are created, allowing you to
complete the exercise yourself. The GUI generated commands appear after the
/EOF command, so you can compare them to your .LOG file, if you experience
any problems.

© 2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 2 Release 14.5

 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis
• Start ANSYS/Multiphysics/LS-DYNA in the GUI mode

• Read in the input file “ useparts.inp ”

Utility Menu > File > Read input from … > useparts.inp > OK
OR issue:
/input, useparts.inp

• Cantilever beam is
completely fixed
along left edge.

• Model is meshed,
but Part list has not
yet been created.

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis
• Create and list the parts.
Preprocessor > LS-DYNA Options > Parts Options > Create parts > OK
OR issue:
/prep7
edpart, create

• The following list will be displayed. Part 1 consists of the beam comprised of shell
elements, and Part 2 consists of the solid block.

• How can you tell which elements

belong to which Part ID? The
“USED” column does give an
indication by the number of
elements specified, but even
that is not always conclusive.

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis

• The /PNUM,PART,1 command identifies the Part ID (and corresponding color)

associated with each element when used in conjunction with the EPLOT command:
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering …
> [/PNUM] Plot Numbering Controls > Elem / Attrib numbering > Part numbers > [/NUM]
Numbering shown with > Colors & numbers > OK
OR issue:
/pnum,part,1
/num,0
eplot

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis

• There is also a PART option on the ESEL command:

Utility Menu > Select > Entities ... > Elements
> By Attributes > LS-DYNA Part ID > 1 > OK
Utility Menu > Plot > Elements

OR issue:
esel, s, part, , 1
eplot

• All of the elements belonging to Part # 1 were selected.

Select all of the elements again before continuing on:
Utility Menu > Select > Everything
OR issue:
allsel,all

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis

• Now apply an initial velocity to Part 2 (SOLID164 block):

Preprocessor > LS-DYNA Options … > Initial Velocity >
- On Parts – w/Axial Rotate … > 2 > 0 > 0 > -750 > OK
OR issue:
edpvel, vgen, 2, 0, 0, -750

• Accept the remaining defaults

• An initial velocity of 750 in/sec in the negative Z direction has now been applied to
Part 2. No other loads need to be applied. Inertia will carry the block into the
cantilever beam. However, without defining contact, the block will pass right
through the beam. Therefore, …

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis
• ANSYS LS-DYNA contact will be discussed in detail in a later chapter. For now, just
do the following:
Preprocessor > LS-DYNA Options … > Contact > Define Contact … >
Nodes to Surface > General (NTS) > OK > 2 > 1 > OK

• Accept the remaining defaults

to get the next menu …

OR issue:
edcgen, nts, 2, 1

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis
• The model is now complete. Save the database and solve it:
ANSYS Toolbar > SAVE_DB
Solution > Solve > OK

OR issue:
save
/solu
solve
• After the run finishes, close any message boxes blocking your view.
• Now postprocess the results:
General Postproc > Read Results > Last Set
General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot > Nodal Solu >
Stress > von Mises SEQV > OK (or whatever else you wish to animate)
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Animate > Over Results … > Stress >
von Mises SEQV > OK

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 … Utilizing Parts in a Contact Analysis

OR issue:
/post1
set, last
plnsol, s, eqv
andata, 0.5, , , , , 1, , 1

When done viewing the animation, exit ANSYS:

ANSYS Toolbar > Quit > OK
OR issue:
/eof

© 2012 ANSYS, Inc. February 5, 2013 10 Release 14.5