Mechanical APDL finite element analysis software enables engineers to perform the following tasks:
Build computer models or transfer CAD models of structures, products, components, or systems.
Apply operating loads or other design performance conditions.
Study physical responses, such as stress levels, temperature distributions, or electromagnetic fields.
Optimize a design early in the development process to reduce production costs.
Do prototype testing in environments where it otherwise would be undesirable or impossible (for example, biomedical applications).
The Mechanical APDL program has a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling interactive access to common functions, commands, documentation, and reference material. An intuitive menu system helps users navigate through the Mechanical APDL program.
This guide provides basic instructions for operating the Mechanical APDL program: starting and stopping the product, using and customizing its GUI, using the online help system, etc. For further information, see the following documents:
General instructions for performing finite element analyses for any engineering discipline: Basic Analysis Guide, the Modeling and Meshing Guide, and the Advanced Analysis Guide.
Performing an analysis involving a specific engineering discipline (structural, thermal, acoustic, rotordynamics, fracture, multibody, etc.): See the corresponding Analysis Guide.
Example analyses: Mechanical APDL Verification Manual and tutorial material located on the Ansys customer site. Many practical examples also appear throughout the documentation set. Experienced users are invited to examine the more comprehensive examples in the Technology Showcase: Example Problems.
Commands, elements, material models, and theory: Command Reference, Element Reference, Material Reference, and Mechanical APDL Theory Reference, respectively.