💥💥💥 How to prepare model for structural analysis in Ansys Workbench ?

Ansys Workbench is a software platform that enables you to perform finite element analysis (FEA) for various engineering problems. You can use Ansys Workbench to create, import, or edit geometry, apply materials and boundary conditions, generate and refine mesh, solve the problem, and post-process the results.

To prepare a model for structural analysis in Ansys Workbench, you need to follow these basic steps:

• Launch Ansys Workbench and create a new project. You can choose from different analysis systems, such as Static Structural, Modal, Transient Structural, etc.
• Double-click on the Geometry cell to open Ansys DesignModeler or Ansys SpaceClaim. You can create your own geometry using sketching and modeling tools, or import an existing CAD file from other software.
• Save and close the geometry editor. The geometry will be automatically transferred to the project schematic.
• Double-click on the Model cell to open Ansys Mechanical. Here you can define the material properties, element types, contacts, loads, supports, and other settings for your structural analysis.
• Right-click on the Mesh branch and select Generate Mesh. You can use different meshing methods and controls to create a suitable mesh for your model. You can also check the mesh quality and statistics.
• Right-click on the Solution branch and select Solve. You can monitor the solution progress and convergence in the Solution Information window.
• Right-click on the Solution branch and select Insert to add different result items, such as stress, strain, displacement, reaction force, etc. You can view and plot the results in the graphics window or in the Worksheet.

You can also watch some video tutorials on how to perform structural analysis in Ansys Workbench from these links:

• ANSYS Workbench Tutorial | Structural Analysis of One dimensional Framed Structure | ANSYS Tutorial
• ANSYS 2020 Workbench Tutorial | Introduction to Static Structural | 2020 R2
• How to use Ansys Workbench? | Static structural analysis | Comparison of results

How to import a CAD file into Ansys Workbench ?

To import a CAD file into Ansys Workbench, you can follow these steps:

• Save your CAD file in a compatible format, such as IGES, STEP, or Parasolid. You can use the File > Save As option in your CAD software to do this.
• Launch Ansys Workbench and create a new project. You can choose from different analysis systems, such as Static Structural, Modal, Transient Structural, etc.
• Double-click on the Geometry cell to open Ansys DesignModeler or Ansys SpaceClaim. You can use the File > Import External Geometry File option to select your CAD file and import it into the geometry editor.
• Save and close the geometry editor. The geometry will be automatically transferred to the project schematic.
• Double-click on the Model cell to open Ansys Mechanical. Here you can define the material properties, element types, contacts, loads, supports, and other settings for your structural analysis.

You can also watch some video tutorials on how to import CAD files into Ansys Workbench from these links:

• How to import CAD files directly to Ansys Workbench?
• HOW TO IMPORT CAD FILES INTO ANSYS SOFTWARE || ANSYS || SOLIDWORKS || CREO || CATIA
• import external geometry file in ansys workbench from auto cad

How to export a mesh from Ansys Workbench?

To export a mesh from Ansys Workbench, you have several options depending on the format and the destination of the mesh file. Here are some common methods:

• To export a mesh in ANSYS Mechanical APDL format (.cdb), you can select any object in the loads and boundary condition section, then choose Tools > Write Input File. You can save the file with a .dat extension, then rename it to .cdb after writing¹².
• To export a mesh in STL format (.stl), you can right-click on the Mesh branch in the outline tree, then choose Export > STL File. You can specify a location and name for the STL file³.
• To export a mesh in other formats, such as CGNS, NASTRAN, or ABAQUS, you can use the External Model component system in ANSYS Workbench. You can drag and drop the External Model component system from the Toolbox to the Project Schematic, then connect it to the Solution cell of your analysis system. Then you can double-click on the Setup cell of the External Model component system to open ANSYS Mechanical APDL. Here you can use the commands /PREP7 and CDWRITE to write the mesh file in various formats. You can find more information about these commands in the ANSYS Mechanical APDL Help⁴.

You can also watch some video tutorials on how to export meshes from Ansys Workbench from these links:

• Generating Mesh in ANSYS Workbench | Part-1
• Efficient Meshing Tutorial with Ansys Workbench
• How to check the MESH Quality in Ansys Workbench | Mesh Metrics | Skewness | Orthogonal Quality

I hope this helps you with your project. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me. 😊