The analysis solution involves the following steps:
A static structural analysis with large-deflection effects (NLGEOM,ON) is performed in five load steps. The analysis involves two complete loading/unloading cycles of the pressure and end-cap loads. In the fifth load step, the final values of the pressure and end-cap loads are applied.
The 3D model is extruded from the 2D model:
| Step 2 | Description | Command | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Initiate the 2D to 3D analysis. | MAP2DTO3D,START,5,4 | Begins the analysis by rebuilding the 2D analysis database at the last converged substep (the fourth in this case) of the fifth load step. |
| 2.2 | Extrude the 3D mesh from the 2D deformed mesh. | EEXTRUDE,AXIS,40,,,,,,1 |
Revolves the 2D deformed geometry about the global Y axis with 40 elements in the hoop direction. Important: Ensure an adequate number of elements in the hoop direction to reproduce correct contact results during mapping. After extrusion, you can modify some contact settings (if necessary to resolve convergence issues during rebalancing). Limited preprocessing is possible. You can create a new contact pair, modify material properties for later use in the 3D analysis, and change KEYOPT settings. (Use caution when changing KEYOPTs, however, as an inappropriate modification can lead to different 3D model results after rebalancing.) |
| 2.3 | Map boundary conditions and loads. | MAP2DTO3D,FINISH | Transfers boundary conditions, pressure loads, applied nodal forces, applied nodal displacements, and applied nodal temperatures from the 2D mesh to the corresponding entities in the extruded 3D model. |
| 2.4 | Map solution variables. | MAP2DTO3D,SOLVE | Transfers nodal and element solutions from the 2D model to the 3D model and initiates rebalancing. |
The analysis continues on the 3D model (via a multiframe restart) with the applied bending load:
| Step 3 | Description | Command | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Restart the analysis. | ANTYPE,,RESTART,5,5 | Performs a multiframe restart at the last converged substep after MAP2DTO3D,SOLVE. (In this case, it is the fifth substep of the fifth load step.) |
| 3.2 | Apply the bending load. |
D,Pilotnode,ROTZ,-0.00698 | Applies the bending load on the pilot node of the rigid-to-flexible contact pair (on the top face of the 3D model). A bending load of 0.4 degrees is applied on the pilot node. |
| 3.3 | Solve and review results. | SOLVE | Solves the 3D analysis and enables results viewing via standard output commands (PLNSOL and *GET) in POST1. |