A successful flexible multibody simulation involves proper element selection, appropriate material behavior, and proper application of load and boundary conditions. To troubleshoot problems, debugging must occur at all levels of the analysis. Typical questions requiring answers include:
Is the choice of elements appropriate for this analysis? (For more information, see Element Choices for Flexible Bodies, Defining a Rigid Body, and Connecting Multibody Components with Joint Elements.)
Does the chosen material model correctly represent the actual material behavior?
Are the loading and boundary conditions appropriately modeled?
Are overconstraint conditions causing convergence problems?
Do the problem's physics indicate global or local buckling issues that must be addressed?
Although other topics in this document provide guidelines for element selection, modeling, and solver options while setting up your multibody analysis, the following troubleshooting topics are available to help you achieve a successful multibody simulation: