Objective: To import a finite element model into HyperX for optimization and analysis.
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Import your FEM to Analyze and Size each FEM Property Zone. Leverage preprocessor specific data to set up Structure Entities. See more on where this step fits in the overall FEM Interface here.
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The finite element model belongs to the Project, rather than the Database. Therefore, a Project must be created before the option to import a FEM is exposed.
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The user is prompted to create a Project when a new Database is created. If working in an existing Database, a new Project can be created from the 'Database' tab of the Ribbon.
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Understand the implications of FEM modeling types, solutions, output requests, and their import into HyperX for each supported solver by referencing:
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See Shell Orientations and Beam Orientations to ensure that the respective element orientations prescribed in the FEM align with the HyperX convention.
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Navigate to the 'Model' tab of the Ribbon.
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Select the 'FEM Import' button. The following form is shown:
The next step is to point HyperX to the desired FEM for import. The FEM should contain two components: (1) the input file, and (2) the results file. The input file is where HyperX obtains the elements, properties, materials, etc. that define the model. The output file contains the loads resulting from finite element analysis, which are necessary for Sizing/Analysis.
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Click 'Add,' located under the right-hand side of the long dialog box.
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Use the resulting file browser to navigate to the location of the FEM input file(s).
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Select all input files desired to import into HyperX. Click 'Open' to add them to the FEM import dashboard. You can use traditional file browser controls (CTRL and SHIFT) to select multiple input files at once.
Note
Elements, nodes, properties, and materials are only read from the Primary Run Deck. Subsequent Run Decks are only used for importing additional subcases/steps. The first file selected will automatically be considered the Primary Run Deck. However, this can be adjusted by right-clicking any of the other Run Decks and selecting 'Make Primary'.
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Check that the correct results files have also been selected by navigating to the FEA Results tab.
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The results files do not need to be included in order for the model to be imported initially, but they must exist in the Project in order to Size or Analyze. See Supported Results Formats for more information.
The 'Select Import' box is used to select which FEM entities to import into HyperX. Notice that '1D Beams' and '2D Shells' are selected by default - these are the most common FEM entities HyperX works with.
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Using the check-box list, select/de-select the entities desired for import. See the following pages for more information on each entity - including supported element types, element and material orientations, how HyperX handles prescribed offsets, etc.
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The 'FEM Counts' table updates accordingly as each entity is selected/de-selected.
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(Optional) Select 'Filter File' to navigate to a desired filter file - which can be used to 'filter out' FEM entities that are not desired in the Project. See FEM Filter Files to further understand the implications of this option.
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(Optional) If the FEM contains INCLUDE files, the 'Include Files' icon can be selected. This results in a check-box list of all INCLUDE files in the FEM - which can individually be selected or de-selected for import. Notice that the 'FEM Count' table updates accordingly as each is toggled/un-toggled.
Using the button in the 'Select Units' box, select both the FEM units as well as the units HyperX will display. There are three options: (1) most common English units, (2) most common SI units, or (3) custom units chosen by the user.
Important
After Structures are created, FEM units cannot be changed.
To officially import the selected model according to the selected settings and units, click 'Apply' on the bottom right-hand side of the form. A few notes about what actually occurs during this FEM import process:
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All imported FEM entities will be organized into the FEM Tree according to entity type or include file membership.
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Upon import, all entities are considered 'Unused FEM,' meaning they have not been organized into HyperX-specific Entities for use in a Sizing or Analysis process.
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Unused FEM entities are visually indicated by the pink mesh lines. Once an element or property is placed into a Structure, the mesh lines will become black, to indicate its use.
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The buckling span of each property, which is based on FEM-defined element size, is automatically calculated upon placing that property into a Structure. See Buckling Span Calculations for more information.
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The resulting buckling span can be visually verified by plotting them in the Viewport - On the View tab of the Ribbon, select Indicators > Buckling Spans.
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These spans can be numerically verified or manually edited in the Buckling section of the Panel Settings form once that property is assigned to a Structure.
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During import, all element forces and moments are transformed to be oriented about the material axis, as opposed to the element normal axis - the matrices for which are defined by angle theta in the example image below, taken for CQUAD elements.
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Also, note that the FEA results will be automatically imported only for elements added to Structures. The same is true of temperature loads and pressure loads, which are defined in the input file rather than the output.
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It is recommended to check various model characteristics upon import - namely element normals, material direction, and offsets. Check model - element normals, material normals, and buckling spans. The majority of these can be visually verified using the Indicators found on the View tab of the Ribbon.
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The next step in setting up an analysis or sizing is organizing FEM entities of interest into Structures. See Create Structure for a step-by-step guide.