Chapter 2 – Overview of ANSYS Structure and Visual Capabilities

Publisher Summary ANSYS is a general-purpose, finite-element modeling package for numerically solving a wide variety of mechanical problems. These problems include static/dynamic, structural analysis, heat transfer, and fluid problems, as well as acoustic and electromagnetic problems. There are two methods to use ANSYS. One method is to use the graphical user interface (GUI). This method follows the conventions of popular Windows and X-Windows-based programs. Another method is to use command files. The command-file approach has a steeper learning curve for many, but it has the advantage that the entire analysis can be described in a small text file, typically in less than 50 lines of commands. This approach enables easy model modifications and minimal file-space requirements. The ANSYS environment contains two windows: the main window and an output window. A large number of files are created when ANSYS is run. If ANSYS is started without specifying a job name, the name of all files created will be “file.*,” where the “*” represents various extensions. Once the ANSYS program has started and the job name has been specified, only the resume command has to be activated to proceed from where the model was last left off. If, however, ANSYS command files are planned to be used, only the command file and/or the log file have to be stored.