Defining and displaying shell thickness

Estimated time to complete: 5–15 minutes

In this tutorial, you will learn how to define corner node thickness on selected elements and display the thickness.

1: Setup

  1. On your desktop or the appropriate network drive, create a folder named strut.

  2. Click the link below:

    Download the part

  3. Extract the file to your strut folder.

  4. Start Simcenter 3D or NX.

  5. Open strut_fem1.fem.

  6. Load the idealized part file.

      strut_fem1_i.prt

      Load

2: Reset dialog box memory

The options you select in dialog boxes are preserved for the next time you open the same dialog box within a given session. Restore the default settings to ensure that the dialog boxes are in the expected initial state for each step of the activity.

File

Preferences→User Interface

  • Options

  •   Reset Dialog Memory

  • OK

     
3: Define varying thickness values

By default, 2D element thickness is defined by the physical property table. The original part has variable thickness, but the physical property table only allows for consistent thickness values for the entire mesh.

To include the varying element thickness values, set the mesh's Thickness Source to Midsurface. Later, you will define new thickness values for the elements adjacent to the airfoil.

  Simulation Navigator

  •   2D Collectors→ThinShell(1)

  •   2d_mesh(1)

  •   Edit Mesh Associated Data

  • Thickness Source

    Midsurface

  • OK

     

  • Repeat the preceding steps to set the Thickness Source to Midsurface for 2d_mesh(2).

4: Define thickness for corner nodes

Modify the thickness for corner nodes of selected elements.

Nodes and Elements

 Associated Data (Elements group→More list)

  • Type

    Shell / Plane Stress / Chocking

  • Method (Top Border bar)

    Related Elements

  • Type Filter (Top Border bar)

    Polygon Edge

  •   the polygon edges that define the airfoil shape, as shown below

  • Most of the elements that are adjacent to the polygon edges are selected. However, you still need to select the element at the tip of the airfoil, and some of the elements next to the rib.

  • Method (Top Border bar)

    No method

  • Type Filter (Top Border bar)

    Element

  •   Select the other elements around the edge and tip of the airfoil.

    Tip:

    If necessary, use Quick Pick to select the correct element.

  • Rotate the FEM and select any missing elements on both sides of the airfoil edge.

  •  

     

  •   No Change

  •   Set

  • Thickness

    0.25

  •  

     

  •   Node (Select Node)

  • Method (Top Border bar)

    Related Nodes

  • Type Filter (Top Border bar)

    Polygon Edge

  • Select the same polygon edges (edges of the airfoil) that you selected previously. If necessary, set Method to No method and select the nodes next to the rib.

  • OK

     

     

5: Display element thickness

  Simulation Navigator

  •   2d_mesh(1)

  •   Edit Display

  •   Element Thickness and Offset

  • OK

     

  • Repeat the preceding steps to display the element thickness for 2d_mesh(2).

    Examine the thickness display.

  •  

      2D_mesh(1)

  •   Edit Display

  •   Element Thickness and Offset

  • OK

     

  • Repeat the preceding steps to turn off the element thickness display for 2d_mesh(2).

  Save

For a continuation of these steps, see Copying and translating elements.

File

  • Close→All Parts