Mechanical APDL is a large-scale multipurpose finite element program that solves several classes of engineering analyses. Analysis capabilities include the ability to solve static and dynamic structural analyses, steady-state and transient heat transfer problems, mode-frequency and buckling eigenvalue problems, static or time-varying magnetic analyses, and various types of field and coupled-field applications. The program contains many special features which allow nonlinearities or secondary effects to be included in the solution, such as plasticity, large strain, hyperelasticity, creep, swelling, large deflections, contact, stress stiffening, temperature dependency, material anisotropy, and radiation. As Mechanical APDL has been developed, other special capabilities, such as substructuring, submodeling, random vibration, kinetostatics, kinetodynamics, free convection fluid analysis, acoustics, magnetics, piezoelectrics, and coupled-field analysis have been added to the program. These capabilities contribute further to making Mechanical APDL a multipurpose analysis tool for varied engineering disciplines.

Mechanical APDL (formerly Ansys) has been in commercial use since 1970, and has been used extensively in the aerospace, automotive, construction, electronic, energy services, manufacturing, nuclear, plastics, oil, and steel industries. In addition, many consulting firms and hundreds of universities use Mechanical APDL for analysis, research, and educational use. Mechanical APDL is recognized worldwide as one of the most widely used and capable programs of its type.

The primary purpose of this document is to demonstrate a wide range of Mechanical APDL elements and capabilities in straightforward problems which have "classical" or readily-obtainable theoretical solutions. Furthermore, the close agreement of the Mechanical APDL solutions to the theoretical results in this document is intended to provide user confidence in the Mechanical APDL solutions. Most element types and major solution capabilities of Mechanical APDL are included in this set of test cases. The problems can serve as the basis for additional validation and qualification of Mechanical APDL capabilities for specific applications of interest.