Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 1
11. Simulation of dynamics of flexible bodies using UM FEM .......................................... 2
11.1. Basic ideas and methods........................................................................................................... 2
11.1.1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2
11.1.2. Kinematics........................................................................................................................... 2
11.1.3. Calculation of stress and strain............................................................................................ 4
11.2. Installation, preparing data, workflow................................................................................... 6
11.2.1. Creating a finite element model in ANSYS and data exchange.......................................... 6
11.2.1.1. Preparing data in the ANSYS environment .................................................................... 6
11.2.1.2. Creating stress and strain sensors.................................................................................... 9
11.2.1.3. ANSYS-UM data exchange ......................................................................................... 11
11.2.2. Creating of finite element model in MSC.NASTRAN and data exchange....................... 15
11.2.2.1. General information ...................................................................................................... 15
11.2.2.2. Software modules and workflow................................................................................... 15
11.2.2.3. Preparing of data in MSC.PATRAN/NASTRAN environment.................................... 17
11.2.2.4. MSC.NSATRAN-UM data exchange. .......................................................................... 24
11.2.3. Особенности подготовки данных в программе МКЭ ..................错误!未定义
签。
11.2.3.1. Выбор интерфейсных узлов .......................................................错误!未定义书签。
11.2.3.2. Контроль нормалей к поверхностям оболочек и пластин .......错误!未定义书签。
11.3. Wizard of flexible subsystems ............................................................................................... 26
11.3.1. Animation window............................................................................................................ 27
11.3.2. Control form...................................................................................................................... 27
11.3.2.1. General tab .................................................................................................................... 28
11.3.2.2. Solution tab.................................................................................................................... 30
11.3.2.3. Image tab ....................................................................................................................... 33
11.3.2.4. Position tab .................................................................................................................... 34
11.4. Adding the flexible subsystem into a hybrid model............................................................. 35
11.4.1. Adding the flexible subsystem .......................................................................................... 35
11.4.2. Flexible subsystem inspector............................................................................................. 36
11.4.2.1. General tab .................................................................................................................... 36
11.4.2.2. Position tab .................................................................................................................... 36
11.4.2.3. Solution tab.................................................................................................................... 37
11.4.3. Features of adding joints and forces.................................................................................. 38
11.5. Analysis of dynamics of flexible subsystem in model .......................................................... 39
11.5.1. Object simulation inspector............................................................................................... 39
11.5.1.1. Simulation tab................................................................................................................ 39
11.5.1.2. The Image tab................................................................................................................ 41
11.5.2. Variables............................................................................................................................ 42
11.5.2.1. Coordinates.................................................................................................................... 42
11.5.2.2. Linear variables ............................................................................................................. 42
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 2
11. Simulation of dynamics of flexible bodies using UM FEM
11.1. Basic ideas and methods
11.1.1. Introduction
UM FEM module is a set of software tools that are built-in UM Input and UM Simulation programs.
The module gives a user a possibility to introduce flexible bodies under large displacements into a model
of mechanical system. Flexible displacements are supposed to be small in the body-fixed frame of
reference and could be described in terms of linear finite-element analysis (FEA). Introducing flexible
bodies into a model of mechanical system is used for creating the more detailed models and obtaining
more accurate results of simulation.
In some cases modeling the system with the help of rigid bodies only is too rough approximation of a
real system. Then some bodies of the model should be considered as flexible, for example, car body and
chassis of transport machines. Using flexible bodies to obtain more accurate solution (coordinates,
accelerations) and widen its spectrum that might be important in some cases, for example, for analysis of
vibrations and durability of machines.
UM FEM needs that UM Subsystems module is also being installed on your computer. As well as it
is necessary that a FEA preprocessor and solver are available on your computer. The present UM FEM
version supports import from following FEA software:
• ANSYS software version 5.5 and later;
• MSC.NASTRAN 2005 and MSC.NASTRAN 2007.
It supposes that you have at least basic skills in using ANSYS software and have an idea of modal
approach.
In this section some basic information concerning methods of simulation of flexible bodies in UM
FEM is presented.
Mathematical model of a flexible body is based on using the following methods:
• subsystem technique,
• floating frame of reference method,
• finite-element method,
• Craig-Bampton method.
Every flexible body is considered as a separate subsystem that is why assembly of composite1 model
is similar to assembly of multibody model. Before assembly the preliminarily step of preparing the
necessary data of FE-model of flexible bodies should take place. Flexible bodies/subsystems can interact
with any other rigid or flexible bodies with the help of joints and force elements.
11.1.2. Kinematics
Kinematics of flexible bodies is described with the help of so called floating frame of reference CS1.
Kinematical formulas are noted in this floating frame of reference. Position of certain point K of the
flexible body in the global CS0 is defined as follows (Fig. 11.1):
)( 1101
0
01
0
kkk dρArr ++= , (11.1)
where r01 is radius vector of the origin of CS1 in CS0, A01 is transformation matrix, ρk is radius vector of
point K of undistorted flexible body in CS1, vector dk presents elastic displacements of the point,
superscript denotes the coordinate system in which vectors are given.
Elastic properties of the flexible bodies relatively to the CS1 are described with the help of finite-
element method. The present UM FEM version supports import of data about flexible bodies from
ANSYS software version 5.5 and later and MSC.NASTRAN 2005.
1 Composite or hybrid model includes both rigid and flexible bodies
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 3
z1
y1
z0
1
r01
rk
ρk dkuk
K’
K
x0
x1
0
y0
Figure 11.1. Floating frame of reference
Small elastic displacements are presented as a sum H of possible modes/shapes of flexible body:
Hwhx ==∑
=
H
j
jj w
1
, (11.2)
where x is nodal degrees of freedom of the flexible body, is the possible mode, wj is the modal
coordinate that describes flexible displacements correspond to mode j. The matrix H is called modal
matrix.
jh
According to the Craig-Bampton method the modal matrix is formed as a combination of eigenmodes
and static modes. The method consists of four steps.
1) Choice of interface (boundary) nodes of a finite-element scheme.
2) Successive calculation of static modes. Static modes are static shapes obtained by given each
boundary d.o.f. a unit displacement while holding all other boundary d.o.f. fixed.
3) Calculation of eigenmodes while holding all interface nodes fixed;
4) Calculation of the mass matrix and the stiffness matrix, orthonormalization of the eigenmodes and
static modes.
The short description of the each step is given below.
Choice of interface nodes. Flexible body/subsystem interacts with other bodies of the model via
joints and force elements. It is recommended that every attachment point should be situated in the node of
finite-element mesh. Very these nodes, where joints and force elements are attached to, should be chosen
as interface nodes. Such an approach helps to create joint constrains correctly and quite accurate describe
flexible displacements that determine force in force element.
It is necessary to choose interface nodes so as during calculation of each static mode the immobility
of the subsystem was guaranteed.
Calculation of static modes. The number of static modes is equal to number of d.o.f. in interface
nodes. During this procedure interface nodes are held fixed and static modes are obtained by given each
interface d.o.f. a unit displacement/rotation.
Calculation of eigenmodes. Eigenmodes of flexible body are obtained from the solving the
generalized eigenproblem:
0)( =− yMС λ , (11.3)
where С is the stiffness matrix, M is the mass matrix, λ is the eigenvalue, y is the eigenmode. If these
matrices are of a full rank the equation (11.3) has N solutions, where N is the number of rows that
correspond to nodal d.o.f. The mass matrix of the flexible subsystem may be formed based on shape
functions of finite elements or may have a diagonal form as a result of using lumped model. A user
determines number and shapes of used eigenmodes. As a rule a set of eigenmodes includes lower
eigenmodes.
Calculation of generalized matrices, orthonormalization of modes. Generalized mass and stiffness
matrices are calculated using the modal matrix H:
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 4
MHHM T= , CHHC T=
where M is the generalized mass matrix, C is the generalized stiffness matrix.
The final step of the preparing set of modes is the orthonormalization of columns of the modal matrix
based on eigenvalue problem solution with generalized mass and stiffness matrix:
0)( =− yMC λ (11.4)
Transformed set of modes is formed based on the equation:
YHH = (11.5)
Diagonal form of transformed generalized matrices leads to minimal CPU efforts during the
integration of equations of motion. It is the basic advantage of such an approach. Another aim of such
transformations is exclusion modes that correspond to movement of the flexible subsystem as a rigid body.
It is necessary since movement the flexible subsystem as rigid one is defined by floating frame of
reference CS1. Zero eigenvalues correspond to rigid body modes of flexible subsystem (11.4).
11.1.3. Calculation of stress and strain
Let’s consider the discrete expressions of elasticity theory used in the finite elements method:
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i uxBε )(= ,
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i uBDεDσ == ,
(11.6)
where , , is matrix-columns of nodal degrees of freedom of strains and stresses of i-th finite
element, is matrix expressing strain field of the finite element with the nodal displacement, is
elasticity matrix of the finite element which is generated according to Hooke's law, is matrix-column
of coordinates of finite elements nodes. Sizes of the matrices depend on finite element type.
e
iu
e
iε
e
iB
e
iσ
e
iD
e
ix
If nodal displacements are represented as the sum (11.2), strains and stresses of a finite element can be
represented by following expressions:
wHhhxBwHxBε εε ei
H
j
j
e
ji
H
j
j
e
ji
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i ww ∑∑
==
====
11
)()( ,
wHhhxBDwHxBD σσσ ei
H
j
j
e
ji
H
j
j
e
ji
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i
e
i ww ∑∑
==
====
11
)()( ,
(11.7)
where is the part of j-th mode which corresponds to nodal degrees of freedom of i-th finite element.
Matrices-columns and represent stresses and strains from nodal displacements of the finite
element which are correspond to the mode when value of the modal coordinate wj=1. These matrices-
columns are called element solutions.
e
jih
εe
jih
σe
jih
e
jih
So far as are constant matrix, they are not used for simulation after calculation of and
. Therefore, stresses and/or strains can be calculated during integration of equations of motion of
flexible body if stresses and/or strains modal matrices are calculated correspond to the expressions (11.7).
)(, ei
e
i
e
i xBD
εe
jih
σe
jih
Matrices-columns and corresponded to the mode of a flexible body are calculated by
FEA software. Before using in UM software, they are transformed similarly to the matrices-columns
based on the expressions (11.4, 11.5).
εe
jih
σe
jih jh
jh
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 5
j k
im l
Figure.11.2. To example of calculation of nodal stresses
Nodal stresses or strains are calculated by FEA programs based on values which are calculated for
elements including the concerned node. The simple averaging of values is often used. For example, if the
node with index i is belonged to the four finite elements with the indices j,k,l,m (Fig.11.2), then nodal
stress are calculated as
i
Mb
e
bi
e
mi
e
li
e
ki
e
ji
n
i N
i
∑
∈=+++=
σ
σσσσσ 4/)( ,
where is nodal stress, is the stress components in the node i of the finite element with the index j,
Mi is the set of indices of the finite elements including the node i, Ni is count of finite elements including
the node i.
n
iσ ejiσ
UM 5.0 imports solutions for elements. The nodal solutions are calculated as average values in the
elements containing the node.
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 6
11.2. Installation, preparing data, workflow
UM FEM installation package includes the following items:
• software for data import from ANSYS:
o macro file um.mac for ANSYS, which is written in APDL (ANSYS Parametric Design
Language);
o stand alone program for data transformation ansys_um.exe;
• software for data import from MSC.NASTRAN:
o file umfum.alt with procedures which are written in DMAP language (Direct Matrix
Abstraction Program);
o stand alone program for data transformation nastran_um.exe;
• wizard of flexible subsystems built in uminput.exe program;
• software procedures for handling and simulation of dynamics of flexible bodies that are built in
uminput.exe and umsimul.exe.
Simulation of dynamics of flexible bodies supposes the following steps to be done.
1) Creating the FEA model of the flexible body to analyze in the external FEA software.
2) Choosing the interface nodes, calculation of the eigenmodes and static modes according to
Craig-Bampton method.
3) Exporting data from external FEA software and its transformation to UM format.
4) Including the flexible subsystem into hybrid model with the help of UM Input program.
5) Simulation of dynamics of the hybrid model with the help of UM Simulation program.
Every step is considered in the next items. Data preparing in ANSYS is described in 11.2.1 item,
11.3.1 is devoted to work in MSC.NASTRAN.
11.2.1. Creating a finite element model in ANSYS and data exchange
11.2.1.1. Preparing data in the ANSYS environment
The whole workflow of the preparing input data for models that include flexible bodies is shown in
Fig. 11.3. Let us consider basic steps of this procedure.
The first step is executed under ANSYS environment. According to instructions to ANSYS software
the work directory and JobName are chosen. JobName is a name of all the files for certain FEA model.
After creating the FEA model and choosing interface nodes the macros um.mac is executed. This
macros has commands for calculation of eigenmodes and static modes, as well as calculation and
exporting mass and stiffness matrices. As a result of um.mac execution several files are created: standard
ANSYS result file JobName.rst, JobName.full that contains matrices of a flexible body corresponded to
fixed interface nodes, JobName.free that contains matrices of a free body, and JobName.mlmp with a
diagonal mass matrix of a free body. In dependence of arguments of the um.mac the JobName.mlmp file
may not be created. For example, if Beam is the task name then files Beam.rst, Beam.full and Beam.free
will be created in the working directory after calculations.
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 7
ANSYS
• Creating a FEA model of a flexible body
• Choosing interface nodes
• Running um.mac macros under ANSYS environment
JobName.rst
JobName.full
JobName.free
JobName.mlmp
UM.MAC macros
• Calculating eigenmodes and static modes
• Calculating mass matrix of a free body
ANSYS_UM.EXE
• Conver ting file formats
• Calculating generalized mass and stiffness matrix
• Orthonormalization of the modes; excluding rigid body modes
Wizard of flexible subsystems (UMINPUT.EXE)
• Visual control of modes and other results
• Excluding shapes from the final set if necessary
• Orthonormalization of modes; excluding rigid body
modes
UMINPUT.EXE
• Loading input data, description of a hybrid model
• Generation of equations of motion
• Compilation of equation of motion
UMSIMUL.EXE
• Simulation of dynamics and linear analysis
input.fum
input.fss
input.dat
UMTask.dll
input.fss
Figure 11.3. Data preparing workflow
Universal Mechanism 5.0 Part 11. UM FEM module: flexible bodies 8
After installation the um.mac file is situated in the {um_root}\bin directory. Copy the um.mac file to
the directory that is selected as a default directory for the macro files in ANSYS. It is usually .\docu
directory from the ANSYS root directory. Otherwise you should indicate the path to the um.mac file
using PSEARCH command:
/PSEARCH, path_to_um.mac.
The second step of the data preparing is fulfilled in the ansys_um.exe program, w