AWS90 Ch08 Results

Chapter Eight
Results Postprocessing
Chapter Overview
In this chapter, aspects of reviewing results will be covered:

Viewing Results
Scoping Results
Exporting Results
Coordinate Systems & Directional Results
Solution Combinations
Stress Singularities
Error Estimation
Convergence
The capabilities described in this section are applicable to

all ANSYS licenses, except when noted otherwise
ANSYS Workbench Simulation
Training Manual
March
A. Viewing Results
When selecting a results branch, the Context toolbar
displays ways of viewing results:
Displacement Scaling
Min/Max
Probe Tool
Display Method
Contour Settings
Animation Controls
Export AVI
Outline Display
Convergence
Slice Planes
Alerts
All of these options except for Convergence will be

discussed next. Convergence is covered in Section C.
Training Manual
March
Displacement Scaling
For structural analyses (static, modal, buckling),
the deformed shape can be changed
By default, the scaling is automatically exaggerated
to visualize the structural response more clearly
The user can change to undeformed or actual deformation
No Displacement Scaling
Model shown is from a sample Pro/ENGINEER assembly.
Training Manual
Automatic Displacement Scaling
March
Display Method
The Geometry button controls the contour
display method. Four choices are possible:
Exterior
IsoSurfaces
Exterior is the default

display option and is
most commonly used.
IsoSurfaces is useful
to display regions with
the same contour value.
Capped IsoSurfaces
Slice Planes
Capped IsoSurfaces
will remove regions of
the model where the
contour values are
above (or below) a
specified value.
Slice Planes allow a
user to cut through the
model visually. A
capped slice plane is
also available, as shown
on the left.
Model shown is from a sample Inventor assembly.
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Contour Settings
The Contours button controls the way in
which contours are shown on the model
Smooth Contours
Isolines
Contour Bands
Solid Fill
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Outline Display
The Edges button allows the user show the
undeformed geometry or mesh
No Wireframe
Show Undeformed Model
Show Undeformed Wireframe
Show Elements
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Slice Planes
When in Slice Plane viewing mode, slice planes
can be added and edited
To add a slice plane, simply select the Draw Slice Plane

icon, then click-drag with the left mouse across the Graphics
window. The path created will define the slice plane.
To edit a slice plane, select the Edit Planes icon. The
defined planes will have a handle in the Graphics window.
Drag the handle to move the slice plane
Click on one side of the bar to show capped slice display
Select the handle, then hit the Delete key to remove plane
Handles of 3 defined slice planes
Move a slice plane by dragging handle
Click on one side of bar to cap view
Training Manual
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Min/Max and Probe Tool

The min/max symbols can be removed by selecting
the Maximum and Minimum buttons
Results can be queried on the model by selecting the

Probe button
Left-mouse click to add an annotation of the value being
queried on the model.
Use the Label button
annotations
to select and delete unwanted
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Animation Controls
The animation toolbar allows user to play,
pause, and stop animations
The slider bar allows users to go through frame-by-frame
The Export Animation File enables saving animation as AVI

Animations will generally range from min to max value in a
linear fashion. On the other hand, for free vibration and
harmonic analysis, the full range will be correctly animated (+/max value).
Animation speed can be
controlled via View >
Animation Speed
Training Manual
March
Alerts
Alerts are simple ways of check to see if a scalar
result quantity satisfies a criterion
Alerts can be used on most contour results except for vector

results, Contact Tool results, and Shape Finder
Simply select that result branch and add an Alert
In the Details view, specify the criterion
A minimum or maximum value of that result branch can be used
Input the value which is used for the threshold
In the Outline tree, a green checkmark indicates

that the criterion is satisfied. A red exclamation
mark indicates that the criterion was not satisfied.
Training Manual
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Manipulating the Legend
For exterior contour plots, the legend can be manipulated

to show result distributions more clearly.
Select the legend with the left mouse
Drag white bars to change overall min/max values
Out-of-range values are purple (high) and brown (low)
Drag yellow bars to rescale legend

Drag grey bars to change intermediate ranges
Original Contour Legend
Modified Contour Legend
Training Manual
March

For Capped IsoSurface plots, the legend has additional
features to manipulate the display
The middle long grey bar controls where the cutoff
value is for capped plots
The striped areas show what values will not be
displayed. To toggle, simple click on the colored
areas on either side of the long grey bar
Default Capped IsoSurface
Modified Capped IsoSurface
Training Manual
March
The legend may also be changed by selecting the values

and directly inputting a numerical value
Select the contour value, type in a new value, and [Enter]
To rescale internal bands, select white bars and move them.
Internal bands automatically get rescaled evenly
For example, when comparing two results, one may want to
change the legend to be the same for both
Same legend values used for both results make comparison easier
Training Manual
March
Vector Plots
Vector plots involve any vector result quantity with

direction, such as deformation, principal stresses/strains,
and heat flux
Activate vectors for appropriate quantities using the vector
graphics icon
Once the vectors are visible their appearance can be modified
using the vector display controls (see next slide for examples)
Vector Length Control
Proportional Vectors
Equal Length Vectors
Grid Aligned
Vector Length Control
Element Aligned
Line Form
Training Manual
Solid Form
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Vector Plots
Examples
Solid Form, Grid Aligned
Proportional Length
Line Form, Grid Aligned
Training Manual
Equal Length
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Multiple Viewports
Using multiple viewports is especially useful for
postprocessing, where more than one result
can be viewed at the same time
Useful to compare multiple results, such as results from
different environments or multiple mode shapes
Training Manual
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Default Settings
Under Tools > Options > Simulation: Graphics, the
default graphics settings can be changed.
This way, each user can make all results for new simulations
be displayed to his/her preference
Training Manual
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B. Scoping Results
Sometimes, limiting the display of results is useful when

postprocessing
Although one can rescale the legend to get a better idea of the
result distribution on a certain part or surface, results scoping
automatically scales the legend and only shows the applicable
surface(s) or part(s), making result viewing easier.
Scoping results on edges produces a path plot, allowing users
to see detailed results along selected edges
Results scoping is very useful for convergence controls
(discussed later in this chapter)
When using Contact Tool, Simulation automatically scopes
contact results to contact regions.
Results scoping can be performed on any result item in the

Solution branch for any type of geometric quantity.
Training Manual
March
Scoping Surface/Part Results
To scope contour results, simply do either of the following:

Select part(s) or surface(s), then request the result of interest
Select the result item, then click on Geometry in the Details
view. Select the part(s) or surface(s), then click on Apply
When this is performed, the Details view of the result item

will indicate that results will be shown only for the selected
items.
The displayed values will show non-selected surfaces/parts as
translucent.
Training Manual
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Scoping Surface/Part Results

Some examples of scoping results on surfaces/parts:
Stress results on selected surfaces
Scoping results on a single part
Vector Principal Stresses on single part
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Scoping Edge & Vertex Results

Results can be scoped to a single edge
Select a single edge for results scoping
A path plot of the result mapped on the edge will be displayed
In a similar manner, results can also be scoped to a single

vertex. No contour results will be displayed since only a
vertex is present, but the value will reported in the Details
view for the selected vertex
Training Manual
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Renaming Scoped Results

For scoped results, it is often useful to automatically
rename the result branch
Right-click on the result branch and select Rename Based on

Definition. The name will become more descriptive.
The result branch name is now more
descriptive, indicating it is a scoped
result on a given edge.
Renaming result branches is also
useful for directional results, as it will
change the name to the direction of the
stress or deformation or heat flux.
Training Manual
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C. Exporting Results
Training Manual
Tabular data from Simulation can be exported to Excel for

further data manipulation
To export Worksheet tab information, do the following:

Select the branch and click on the Worksheet tab
Right-click the same branch and select Export
This can be used for Geometry, Contact, Environment,
Frequency Finder, Buckling, and Harmonic Worksheets
To export Contour Results

Right-click on the result branch of interest and select Export
This can be used for any result item of interest
Node numbers and result quantities will be exported
Exporting large amounts of data can take some CPU time
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Exporting Results
Training Manual
Usually, for result items, the internal ANSYS node number

and result quantity will be output as shown below.
To include node locations, change this option under Tools

menu > Options > Simulation: Export
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Exporting Results
For principal stresses and strains, additional information of

the orientation needs to be included when export to .XLS:
The generated Excel file will have 6 fields:
The first three correspond to the maximum, middle and minimum
principal quantities (stresses or strains).
The last three correspond to the ANSYS Euler angle sequence
(CLOCAL command in ANSYS) required to produce a coordinate
system whose X, Y and Z-axis are the directions of maximum,
middle and minimum principal quantities, respectively. This Euler
angle sequence is ThetaXY, ThetaYZ and ThetaZX and orients the
principal coordinate system relative to the global system.
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D. Coordinate Systems
If coordinate systems are defined, a new item will be
displayed in the Details view of directional results:
As shown below, one can select from defined coordinate

systems. The selected coordinate system will define x-, y-,
and z-axes
Direction Deformation, Normal/Shear Stress/Strain, and
Directional Heat Flux can use coordinate systems
Principal stress/strain have their own angles associated with them
Other result items are scalars, so there are no directions
associated with it.
Vector plots show the direction, so they cannot use coordinate
systems.
Training Manual
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Coordinate Systems
For the model shown below, one local
cylindrical coordinate system is defined
Note that displaying Deformation in the xdirection in the global and local coordinate
systems will show different results.
If the user wants to see what is the radial

displacement at the larger hole, a local cylindrical coordinate
system allows to visualize this type of displacement.
Deformation in Global X-Direction
Deformation in Local Cylindrical X-Direction
Training Manual
March
E. Solution Combinations
For ANSYS Professional licenses and above, the Solution

Combination branch can be added to the Model branch to
provide combinations of existing Environment branches
Solution combinations are only valid for linear static structural
analyses.
Linear combinations are only valid if the analyses are linear
(Chapter 4). Nonlinear results should not be added together in a
linear fashion, although Contact Tool results can be added.
Thermal-stress and other types of analyses are not supported
The supports must be the same between Environments for the
results to be valid. Only the loading can change to allow for
solution combinations.
Solution combination calculations are very quick and does not
require a re-solve.
ANSYS License
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DesignSpace
Professional
Structural
Mechanical/Multiphysics
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To perform solution combinations, do the following:
Add a Solution Combination branch. The Worksheet view will

appear
In the Worksheet view, add Environments and a coefficient
(multiplier). The solution combination will be the sum of the
multiples of the various Environments selected.
Request results from the
Context toolbar. These
results will reflect the sum
of the products of the
selected Environments
ANSYS License
DesignSpace Entra
DesignSpace
Professional
Structural
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For example, consider the case below of a sample model

with two environments
Environment
Environment 3
Solution Combination Results
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DesignSpace Entra
DesignSpace
Professional
Structural
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Training Manual
Use of solution combinations allows the user to solve

different environments, thereby considering the effect of
different loads separately.
By using the Solution Combination branch, a linear

combination of solutions can be solved for very quickly
without having to perform another separate solution.
Multiple Solution Combination branches may be added, as

needed.
ANSYS License
DesignSpace Entra
DesignSpace
Professional
Structural
Availability
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x
x
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F. Stress Singularities
In any finite-element analysis, one seeks to balance

accuracy and computational cost. As the mesh is refined,
one expects to get mathematically more precise results.
Quantities directly solved for (degrees of freedom) such as
displacements and temperatures, converge without problems
Derived quantities, such as stresses, strains, and heat flux,
should also converge as the mesh is refined, but not as fast or
smooth as DOF since these are derived from the DOF solution
In some cases, however, derived quantities such as stresses
and heat flux will not converge as the mesh is refined. These
are situations where these values are artificially high. This
section will discuss situations where derived solution
quantities are artificially high.
In thermal analyses, since temperature is the main quantity of
interest, the discussion in this section will focus on stresses
instead, not heat flux.
Training Manual
March
In a linear static structural analysis, there are several
sources which may cause artificially high stresses, two
common ones which are listed below:
Stress singularities
Geometry discontinuities, such as reentrant
corners (shown on right)
Point/edge loads and constraints
Overconstraints
Fixed supports and other constraints which prevent Poissons
effect
Fixed supports and other constraints which prevent thermal
expansion
In the above situations, refining the mesh at the artificially

high stress area will keep increasing the stresses
Model shown is from a sample Mechanical Desktop assembly.
Training Manual
March
Training Manual
If the area of artificially high stresses is not an area of interest, one

can usually scope results only on part(s) or surface(s) of interest
instead
If the area of artificially high stresses is of interest, there are several

ways to obtain more accurate stress results:
Stress singularities
Model geometry with fillets or other details which do not cause geometric
discontinuities since some form of these (albeit small) would exist in the
actual system
Point loads and constraints should only be used on line bodies. For solid
bodies, every load/constraint has a finite area on which it is applied, so these
should be applied on areas rather than vertices
Overconstraints
A Fixed Support is an idealization, and modeling the constraint properly may
be required (possibly including the geometry on which the part is connected)
Although the above are some suggestions, these usually involve

additional effort or more nodes/elements, so it is up to the user to review
the results and understand if and why stresses may be artificially high.
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G. Error Estimation
Training Manual
You can insert an Error result based on stresses (structural),

or heat flux (thermal) to help identify regions of high error
(see example next page).
These regions show where the model would benefit from a

more refined mesh in order to get a more accurate answer.
Regions of high error also indicate where refinement will

take place if convergence is used.
More information on error

estimation is available in section
19.7 of the ANSYS Theory
Reference.
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. . . Error Estimation
Training Manual
Error plot shows region where element mesh refinement

may be necessary.
Error is plotted in terms of energy.
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H. Convergence
Training Manual
As noted earlier, as the mesh is refined, the mathematical

model becomes more accurate. However, there is
computational cost associated with a finer mesh.
Obtaining an optimal mesh requires the following:

Having criteria to determine if a mesh is adequate
Investing more elements only where needed
Performing these tasks manually is cumbersome and

inexact
The user would have to manually refine the mesh, resolve, and
compare results with previous solutions.
Simulation has convergence controls to automate adaptive

mesh refinement to a user-specified level of accuracy
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Convergence
Training Manual
A Convergence branch will appear below the result branch

In the Details view of the Convergence branch, select whether
the max or min value will be converged upon and input the
allowable change (as a percentage)
For Type, Minimum is available since some result
quantities (e.g., directional deformation or minimum
principal stress) may have negative values
For allowable change, default is 20%. However, 5% for
displacement and temperatures and 10% for other
quantities is a good starting point.
In the Details view of the Solution branch, input the

max number of refinement loops per solve
To use this feature, simply select a result branch

and select the Convergence button on the
Context toolbar
Input a reasonable value, such as 1 to 4, so that

Simulation will not try to refine the mesh indefinitely.
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Convergence
After this is completed, when solving, Simulation will
automatically refine the mesh and resolve
At least two iterations are required (initial solution and first

refinement loop)
The Max Refinement Loops in the Solution branch details allows
the user to set the max number of loops per solve to prevent
Simulation from excessive refinement. Usually, 2 to 4 max loops
should be more than enough. Default is 1 loop per solve.
The mesh will automatically be refined only in areas deemed

necessary, based on error approximation techniques
The convergence results will be stored for review in
the Convergence branch
If not converged within the specified percentage, a red
exclamation mark will appear.
Training Manual
If converged within the limits, a green checkmark will be shown
The result branches will display only the last solution
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Convergence
After the solution is complete, one can view the results and
the last mesh
Note that the mesh is refined only where needed, as shown in
the example below
The Convergence branch shows the trend for each refinement
loop as well as the values and number of nodes and elements
in the mesh
Training Manual
March
Convergence & Stress Singularities
As noted in the previous chapter, there are some causes for

artificially high stresses
Stress singularities are theoretically infinite stress, so
Simulations adaptive mesh refinement will indicate this
By specifying a reasonable value for the Max Refinement
Loops, this will allow the user to know quickly whether a
stress singularity or other type of artificially high stress
source is present
In this case, it is clear that the stresses

will increase without bound.
By examining the model, it was clear
that a stress singularity existed, which
explains why the stresses do not
converge as it normally would.
Training Manual
March
Convergence & Scoping
Besides adding details to get rid of stress singularities, one

can also converge on scoped results.
If the artificially high stress region is not of interest, one can
scope results on selected part(s) or surface(s) and add
convergence controls to those results only.
This provides the user with control on where to perform mesh
refinement
This also allows the user to ignore areas of artificially high
stresses which are not of interest
Training Manual
March
Convergence & Scoping Example

For example, consider the simple part below.
The part below has some geometric discontinuities, where
smoothers were not modeled to reduce model complexity
For a given set of loading conditions, if the user knew that the
bottom of the part was failing, this may be a region of interest
the user would focus on.
Possible stress singularity
Training Manual
Region of interest
Model shown is from a sample Mechanical Desktop assembly.
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Convergence & Scoping Example
The solution becomes

very costly by including
the stress singularity.
On the other hand,

convergence controls
on scoped results
allows for adaptive
refinement only in userspecified locations,
providing the user with
more control over the
mesh and the adaptive
solution.
In this way, the user can
get accurate stresses
on the bottom surface
of the part.
If convergence controls
were simply added to
the entire model, the
geometric discontinuity
would cause a stress
singularity which
increases without
bounds.
Training Manual
March
Results Not Used with Convergence

Convergence cannot be used on the following result
quantities:
Any type of vector result
Contact Tool results
Frequency Finder stress/strain results
Buckling stress/strain results
Harmonic analysis results
Shape Finder results
Fatigue Tool graph results
Training Manual
March
Convergence Summary
Training Manual
Note that the percent change is related to the previous

solution. This is not percent error since Simulation does not
know beforehand what the actual answer is.
Convergence controls provides a way to get an accurate answer
based on the mathematical model. It does not compensate for
inaccurate assumptions, however! Hence, if loads, supports,
material properties, etc. are wrong, the solution will still be
inaccurate.
Because use of convergence controls results in adaptive mesh
refinement, each new iteration will take longer than the previous
solution
Although adaptive meshing will put more nodes and elements only
where needed, the mesh density will still increase
Using convergence controls helps to achieve a given level of

accuracy.
Scoping results helps to minimize mesh density by explicitly

indicating to Simulation the areas of interest
March
I. Workshop 8
Workshop 8 Advanced Results Processing
Goal:
Analyze the high pressure vent assembly shown below and
then use some of the advanced postprocessing features to
review the stress and deflection results.
Training Manual
March

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Chapter Eight

In this chapter, aspects of reviewing results will be covered:

The capabilities described in this section are applicable to

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

All of these options except for Convergence will be

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Automatic Displacement Scaling

Exterior is the default

Model shown is from a sample Inventor assembly.

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Show Undeformed Model

Show Undeformed Wireframe

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

To add a slice plane, simply select the Draw Slice Plane

Handles of 3 defined slice planes

Move a slice plane by dragging handle

Click on one side of bar to cap view

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Min/Max and Probe Tool

Results can be queried on the model by selecting the

to select and delete unwanted

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

The Export Animation File enables saving animation as AVI

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Alerts can be used on most contour results except for vector

In the Outline tree, a green checkmark indicates

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Manipulating the Legend

For exterior contour plots, the legend can be manipulated

Drag yellow bars to rescale legend

Original Contour Legend

Modified Contour Legend

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Manipulating the Legend

Default Capped IsoSurface

Modified Capped IsoSurface

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Manipulating the Legend

The legend may also be changed by selecting the values

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Vector plots involve any vector result quantity with

Vector Length Control

Equal Length Vectors

Vector Length Control

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Solid Form, Grid Aligned

Line Form, Grid Aligned

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Sometimes, limiting the display of results is useful when

Results scoping can be performed on any result item in the

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Scoping Surface/Part Results

To scope contour results, simply do either of the following:

When this is performed, the Details view of the result item

ANSYS Workbench Simulation

Scoping Surface/Part Results

Stress results on selected surfaces

Scoping results on a single part

Vector Principal Stresses on single part

ANSYS Workbench Simulation