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Table of Contents
Advanced Scenario
The Advanced Scenario tab can be accessed by clicking “Advanced” on the main “Simulation Setup” menu. For this case, the user has full freedom to apply loads and restraints to any face.
- Click [Add restraints]
- Select the faces you wish to restrain on the model (they will become highlighted in orange)
Note: Restrained faces cannot move in any direction (ie. fully restrained)
- Click [Restrain selected faces]
This will bring you back to the main screen.
- Click [Add loads]
- Select the faces on the model to apply the load to
- Select a force type from the pull down menu and adjust settings to desired levels using the sliders. (See below for descriptions of the different force types)
Note: The up/down arrows on the sliders can be used to get a more exact value.
- Click [Done] which will return you to the “advanced scenario tab”
Note: A preview of the load you just added should be visible
- Add additional loads or press [Simulate] to run the simulation
Description of Force Types
Vector
This option places a vector force on the faces you select. The force is distributed among all the selected faces.
To change the magnitude of this force, move the slider. You can also click the up/down arrows for a more exact reading.
To change the direction of this force, move the “polar angle” and “azimuthal angle” sliders and/or the up/down arrows. Refer to the following definitions of these angles:
- Polar Angle: angle measured from the z-axis in the xz plane
- Azimuthal Angle: angle measured from the x-axis in the xy plane
Note: These definitions do not change–regardless of what you chose to be the “up direction.”
For a visualization of the vector you just created, look at the coordinate system in the box at the lower right of the screen.
Pressure
This option applies a pressure load to the selected faces. Note that positive pressures push into the selected faces while negative pressures pull. Use one of the sliders to adjust the magnitude. Notice that the “Pressure Magnitude” slider and “Resultant Force” slider move together. This is because the two values are inherently coupled by definition: the resultant force equals the pressure times the area of application.
Torque
This option applies a torque to the selected faces.
Use the six sliders to specify the torque. See below for descriptions of what each slider does.
- Use this slider to change the torque magnitude. A positive torque signifies counter-clockwise rotation while a negative torque is clockwise.
Sliders 2-6 are for specifying the torque axis location and direction. - Polar angle–angle measured from the z-axis in the xz plane
- Azimuthal Angle–angle measured from the x axis in the xy plane
Note: the angle changes are shown on both the vector in the model and the vector in the coordinate system box. - Change position of torque axis origin along x axis
- Change position of torque axis origin along y axis
- Change position of torque axis origin along z axis
Note: changes in the torque axis origin position appear on the model vector but not the coordinate system vector.
Gravity
The final advanced load option is gravity. Considering the mass of the model, the force due to gravity will be computed and applied to the model. No special options are available for this load case. Simply click [Add Gravity].