Introduction to Creo Simulate 2.

T3911-390-02

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Training Agenda
Day 1
Module 01 ― Introduction to Creo Simulate
Module 02 ― Theoretical Foundations
Module 03 ― Model Preparation
Module 04 ― Analysis Definition Basics
Module 05 ― Introduction to Results Evaluation

Day 2
Module 06 ― Materials and Simulate Geometry Features
Module 07 ― Loads and Constraints
Module 08 ― Interfaces, Assemblies, and Measures

Day 3
Module 09 ― Meshing
Module 10 ― More Analysis Types
Module 11 ― Singularities
Module 12 ― Basic Model Debugging
Module 13 ― Project

Day 4
Module 14 ― Model Types
Module 15 ― Shells
Module 16 ― Idealizations

Day 5
Module 17 ― Advanced Analysis
Module 18 ― Sensitivity and Optimization
Table of Contents

Introduction to Creo Simulate 2.0

Introduction to Creo Simulate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Simulate Analysis Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Simulate Model Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
The Finite Element Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
The Simulate User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
The Simulate User Interface Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
The Diagnostic Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
The Typical Simulation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Theoretical Foundations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
The h- and p-Versions of Finite Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Finite Element Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
The p-Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Structural Mechanics — Stress Definitions and Hooke’s Law . . . . . 2-11
Structural Mechanics — Strain Energy and Failure Theories . . . . . 2-13
Fundamental Equation Systems Solved in Simulate . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Model Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Preparing a CAD Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Managing Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Using Inheritance and Remove Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Analysis Definition Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Convergence Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Error Norms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Fundamentals of a Linear Static Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Defining a Linear Static Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Recommendations for Memory Allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Comparing Convergence Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Selecting a Convergence Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Introduction to Results Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Using the Postprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Reviewing the Results Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Exporting Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
The Simulate Result Directory Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Ensuring Result Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Materials and Simulate Geometry Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Defining Linear Elastic Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Defining Simulate Model Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Loads and Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
 Defining Global Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Defining Forces, Moments, and Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Defining Loads as Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Defining Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Interfaces, Assemblies, and Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Using Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Reviewing Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Using Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Meshing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1
Understanding Mesh Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Using AutoGEM Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
More Analysis Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
Understanding Large Deformation Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Using Modal Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Singularities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Understanding Singularities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2
Treating Singularities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7
Basic Model Debugging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Debugging a Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1
The Journeyman’s Piece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2
Model Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
Understanding 2-D Plane Stress and Strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Understanding Symmetry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-9
Shells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-1
Understanding Shells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-2
Using Shells on Quilts or Volume Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-5
Using Shell Pairs for Midsurface Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-7
Using Connection Tools to Join Shell Midsurface Assemblies . . . . 15-13
Idealizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-1
Defining a Beam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-2
Understanding Beam Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-4
Creating Discrete Masses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-6
Creating Rigid Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-8
Creating Weighted Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-10
Creating Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-16
Advanced Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-1
Understanding Static Analysis with Prestress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-2
Understanding Modal Analysis with Prestress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-10
Understanding Dynamic Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-17
Understanding Linear Buckling Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-19
 Understanding Nonlinear Stability Analysis: Snap-through . . . . . . 17-21
Sensitivity and Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-1
Defining Design Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-2
Understanding Design Study Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-5
Student Preface — Using the Header
In this topic, you learn about the course handbook layout and
the header used to begin each lab in Creo Parametric.

Course Handbook Layout:

• Modules
– Topics
♦ Concept
♦ Theory
♦ Procedure
♦ Exercise (if applicable)
Procedure / Exercise Header:

Course Handbook Layout

The information in this course handbook is organized to help students locate
information after the course is complete. Each course is organized into
modules, each covering a general subject. Each module contains topics,
with each topic focused on a specific portion of the module subject. Each
individual topic in the module is divided into the following sections:
• Concept — This section contains the initial introduction to the topic and
is presented during the class lecture as an overhead slide, typically with
figures and bullets.
• Theory — This section provides detailed information about content
introduced in the Concept, and is discussed in the class lecture but not
shown on the overhead slide. The Theory section contains additional
paragraphs of text, bullets, tables, and/or figures.
• Procedure — This section provides step-by-step instructions about how to
complete the topic within Creo Parametric. Procedures are short, focused,
and cover a specific topic. Procedures are found in the Student Handbook
only. Not every topic has a Procedure, as there are knowledge topics that
contain only Concept and Theory.
• Exercise — Exercises are similar to procedures, except that they are
typically longer, more involved, and use more complicated models.
Exercises also may cover multiple topics, so not every topic will have an
associated exercise. Exercises are found in the separate Exercise Guide
and/or the online exercise HTML files.
The first module for certain courses is known as a “process
module.” Process modules introduce you to the generic high-level
processes that will be taught over the span of the entire course.

Procedure / Exercise Header

To make the exercises and procedures (referred to collectively as “labs”) as
concise as possible, each begins with a “header.” The header lists the name
of the lab, the working directory, and the file you are to open.
The following items are indicated in the figure above, where applicable:
1. Procedure/Exercise Name — This is the name of the lab.
2. Scenario — This briefly describes what will be done in the lab. The
Scenario is only found in Exercises.
3. Close Windows/Erase Not Displayed — A reminder that you should
close any open files and erase them from memory:
• Click Close until the icon is no longer displayed.
• Click Erase Not Displayed and then click OK.
4. Folder Name — This is the working directory for the lab. Lab files are
stored in topic folders within specific functional area folders. The path to
the lab files is:
• PTCU\CreoParametric2\functional_area_folder\topic_folder
In the example, Round is the functional area folder and Variable
is the topic folder, so you would set the Working Directory to
PTCU\CreoParametric2\Round\Variable.
• To set the working directory, right-click the folder in the folder tree or
browser, and select Set Working Directory.
5. Model to Open — This is the file to be opened from the working
directory. In the above example, VARIABLE_RAD.PRT is the model to
open. The model could be a part, drawing, assembly, and so on. If
you are expected to begin the lab without an open model, and instead
create a new model, you will see Create New.
• To open the indicated model, right-click the file in the browser and
select Open.
 6. Task Name — Labs are broken into distinct tasks. There may be one
or more tasks within a lab.
7. Lab Steps — These are the individual steps required to complete
a task.
Two other items to note for labs:
• Saving — Saving your work after completing a lab is optional, unless
otherwise stated.
• Exercises — Exercises follow the same header format as Procedures.
Setting Up Creo Parametric for Use with Training Labs
Before you begin a lab from any training course, it is important that you
configure Creo Parametric to ensure the system is set up to run the lab
exercises properly. Therefore, if you are running the training labs on a
computer outside of a training center, follow these three basic steps:
• Extract the class files zip file to a root level drive such as C: or D:.
– The extracted zip will create the default folder path automatically, such
as C:\PTCU\CreoParametric2\.
• Locate your existing Creo Parametric shortcut.
– Copy and paste the shortcut to your desktop.
– Right-click the newly pasted shortcut and select Properties.
– Select the Shortcut tab and set the Start In location to be the same as
the default folder. For example, C:\PTCU\CreoParametric2\.
• Start Creo Parametric using the newly configured shortcut.
– The default working directory will be set to the CreoParametric2 folder.
You can then navigate easily to the functional area and topic folders.
PROCEDURE - Student Preface — Using the Header
In this exercise, you learn how to use the header to set up the Creo
Parametric working environment for each lab in the course.

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

SampleFunctionalArea\Topic1_Folder EXTRUDE_1.PRT

Step 1: Configure Creo Parametric to ensure the system is set up to run

the lab exercises properly.

Perform this task only if you are running the labs on a computer
outside of a training center, otherwise proceed to Task 2.

1. Extract the zipped class files to a root level drive such as C: or D:.
• The extracted ZIP will create the default folder path automatically,
such as C:\PTCU\CreoParametric2.
2. Locate your existing Creo Parametric shortcut.
• Copy and paste the shortcut to your desktop.
• Right-click the newly pasted shortcut and select Properties.
• Select the Shortcut tab and set the Start In location to be
PTCU\CreoParametric2.
3. Start Creo Parametric using the newly configured shortcut.
• The default working directory is set to the CreoParametric2 folder.
You can then navigate easily to the functional area and topic folders.

Step 2: Close all open windows and erase all objects from memory to
avoid any possible conflicts.

1. If you currently have files open, click Close from the Quick Access
toolbar, until the icon no longer displays.

2. Click Erase Not Displayed from the Data group in the ribbon.
• Click OK if the Erase Not Displayed dialog box appears.
Step 3: Browse to and expand the functional area folder for this procedure
and set the folder indicated in the header as the Creo Parametric
working directory.

1. Notice the SampleFunc-

tionalArea\Topic1_Folder as
indicated in the header above.
2. If necessary, select the Folder
Browser tab from the
navigator.

3. Click Working Directory

to view the current working
directory folder in the browser.
• Double-click
SampleFunctionalArea.
 4. Right-click the Topic1_Folder folder and select Set Working
Directory.
5. Click Working Directory from the Common Folders section to display
the contents of the new working directory in the browser.

Alternatively you can use the cascading folder path in the

browser to navigate to the topic folder, and then right-click and
select Set Working Directory from the browser.

Step 4: Open the file for this procedure.

1. Notice the lab model EXTRUDE_1.PRT is specified in the header

above.
• Double-click extrude_1.prt in the browser to open it.

2. You are now ready to begin the first task in the lab:
• Read the first task.
• Perform the first step, which in most cases will be to set the initial
datum display for the procedure or exercise.
• Perform the remaining steps in the procedure or exercise.

Step 5: Set the initial datum display options.

1. The instruction for setting the datum display indicates which Datum
Display types to enable and disable. For example, “Enable only the
following Datum Display types: .”
2. To set the datum display, first click the Datum Display drop-down
menu from the In Graphics toolbar.
 3. Next, enable and disable the
check boxes as necessary. For
example you could disable the
Select All check box, and then
enable only the desired datum
types.

4. The model should now appear

as shown.

This completes the procedure.

Module 1
Introduction to Creo Simulate
Module Overview
In this module, you learn the Simulate analysis functionality and user interface
and review a typical simulation process.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand the Simulate functionality.
• Understand the Finite Element method.
• Understand a typical simulation process.
• Understand the Simulate user interface and diagnostic tool.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 1

Simulate Analysis Functionality
Creo Simulate is a structural and thermal analysis code working
exclusively with the p-Finite-Element-Method.

The following types of analyses are

supported by Simulate:
• Structural: Static
• Structural: Dynamic
• Simulate Thermal
Figure 1 – Analysis Results

Simulate Analysis Functionality

Creo Simulate is a structural and thermal analysis code working exclusively
with the p-Finite-Element-Method. This ensures that the numerical quality of
the results delivered can be accurately controlled by the user.
Creo Simulate can be operated in two different modes: Embedded and
Standalone modes. In Embedded mode, Creo Simulate is operated as
one module of Creo Parametric. Simulate can be accessed directly from
Parametric, the model analyzed and optimized for selected dimension and
property parameters, and given back to Parametric. In Standalone mode,
Creo Simulate is operated as a standalone app which can perform analyses
on Creo Direct, Parametric, or other CAD system geometry.
In FEM Mode, NASTRAN and ANSYS h-meshes can be prepared for
analysis by those FEA solvers and the results postprocessed.
The following types of analyses are supported by Simulate:
• Structural: Static
– Linear static analysis (SDA – Small Displacement Analysis).
– Linear static analysis with prestress (based on SDA).
– Large Displacement Static analysis (LDA) – In this analysis, external
loads are iteratively applied to the deformed structure, until the final
equilibrium of forces and moments is reached.
– Static contact analysis (based on SDA or LDA).
– Linear Buckling Analysis (stability analysis).
– Nonlinear stability analysis, based on LDA – this is called snap-through
analysis in Simulate.
• Structural: Dynamic
– Modal analysis
– Modal analysis with prestress
– Dynamic frequency analysis
– Dynamic time analysis
– Random response analysis
– Dynamic shock analysis (earthquake analysis)
• Simulate Thermal
– Steady-state thermal analysis

Module 1 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – Transient thermal analysis
Simulate Thermal enables you to analyze temperature fields and heat flows
within the mechanical structure for given thermal boundary conditions and
heat loads. It does not calculate these conditions automatically, since it is
not a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool.
Temperature fields analyzed by Simulate Thermal can be read into the
Simulate Structure to calculate thermal displacements and stresses.
Additional Design Studies enable you to study the influence of design
variables to the model and optimize it to certain goals for all of the analysis
types listed above.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 3

Simulate Model Functionality
Simulate directly works on the CAD Geometry given by Creo
Parametric or Creo Direct.

Simulate offers different:

• Model types
• Idealized element types
• Predefined assembly connections
• Materials

Figure 1 – Models Supported

Simulate Model Functionality

Simulate directly works on the CAD Geometry given by Creo Parametric
or Creo Direct. During preprocessing, Simulate works directly on the CAD
geometry. This makes Simulate very powerful when changes or iterative
design optimizations are performed, since the simulation features are linked
to the CAD geometry. Just before the meshing starts, the CAD geometry is
translated into the simulation geometry on which the Finite Element analysis
is based. Legacy Independent Mode directly works with this simulation
geometry, not with the CAD geometry. Results can be evaluated with the
postprocessor which provides extensive functionality. Simple parts and large
and complex assemblies can be analyzed with Simulate.
Model types supported:
• 3-D volumes – element types: tetrahedrons, wedges, bricks
• 2-D plane stress – element types: triangles, quadrilaterals
• 2-D plane strain – element types: tris, quads, and 2-D shells
• 2-D axial symmetric – element types: tris, quads, and 2-D shells
Idealized element types supported:
• p-shells – element types: tris, quads
• p-beams
• Rigid and Weighted Links
• Discrete Masses and Springs
Predefined assembly connections supported:
• Features to connect shell midsurfaces in assemblies
– Welds – Manually defined shell elements
– Bonding elements – Automatically created orthotropic shells/volumes
– Assembly links – Automatically created multi-point constraints (MPCs)

Module 1 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

• Spot Welds – Beam Fasteners
• Fasteners – Idealized Bolts
• Pretension elements – Prismatic or general volumes for which a pretension
can be defined
Materials Supported:
• Linear Elastic
– Isotropic – Direction-independent properties
– Transversely Isotropic and Orthotropic – Direction-dependent properties
– Composites – Laminates containing different plies, for analysis with
shell elements
• Hyperelastic — Elastomers, rubber
• Plasticity

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 5

The Finite Element Method
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a method that subdivides
complex geometry with unknown structural behavior into a finite
number of simple geometric elements with known structural
behavior.

The Finite Element method includes

the following:
• Identify the geometry and
loadcase.
• Mesh the geometry into a finite
number of elements.
• Calculate the structural behavior
of each single element.
• Relate the behavior of each
element to its neighboring
element.
• Numerically solve the resulting
matrix equation system for the
displacements. Figure 1 – Geometry and Loadcase

Figure 2 – Meshed Geometry (h-type Figure 3 – Simplified Structural

Finite Elements Used) Behavior of a Single Element

The Finite Element Method

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a method that subdivides complex
geometry with unknown structural behavior into a finite number of simple
geometric elements with known structural behavior. At the element
boundaries, the displacements are equated with the neighboring elements
and a matrix equation is developed. The equation is numerically solved and
the results are graphically viewed using a postprocessor.
Classical methods express the problem using a partial differential equation.
This partial differential equation is typically the result of simplifying
assumptions, such as linearly elastic material, or small displacements. These
equations may not yield answers because the geometry and loading are
too complicated. Therefore, a numerical solution is required, and a method
that provides it is the FEM.
The FEM includes the following:
• Identify the geometry and loadcase.

Module 1 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

• Mesh the geometry into a finite number of elements – A mesh is
an arrangement of nodes and elements. Finite elements can have
quadrilateral and/or triangular shapes. The nodes are the locations where
the elements are connected to one another. In general, the finer the mesh,
the more accurate the results.
• Calculate the structural behavior of each single element – In stress analysis
problems, the dependent variable that is used is the displacement from a
reference position, typically the unloaded position. In thermal analysis
problems, the dependent variable used is the temperature.
• Relate the behavior of each element to its neighboring element – In a finite
element, the displacements are computed only at the nodes of the element.
By combining all the elements in the mesh, a set of simultaneous linear
algebraic equations is developed.
• Numerically solve the resulting matrix equation system for the
displacements – After the displacements have been calculated, the
strains, displacement per unit length, can also be calculated by taking the
derivative with respect to position. If stresses are required, they can be
calculated from the strains.
If the interpolating polynomial for the spatial variation of the displacement field
is linear within an element, then the strains and stress within are constant.
Furthermore, the stresses are only continuous (smooth) within an element.
At the border to the neighbor element, stresses may become discontinuous
(jump). This difference is usually smoothed away in the postprocessor by
different averaging techniques. This difference can also be used for error
estimation and convergence improvement during the solution process.
Simulate uses superconverged stresses for this purpose, as described in a
later module.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 7

The Simulate User Interface
Creo Simulate is used as an embedded application in the
Creo Parametric interface, Embedded Mode, or as a separate
application with a similar user interface, Standalone Mode.

When entering Simulate you may

choose Structure Mode (default) or
Thermal Mode. You should also
define:
• Mode
• Model Type
• Default Interface
Figure 1 – The Simulate
User Interface Home Tab –
Integrated Mode

Figure 2 – The Simulate

User Interface Home Tab –
Independent Mode

The Simulate User Interface

Creo Simulate is used as an embedded application in the Creo Parametric
interface, Embedded Mode, or as a separate application with a similar user
interface, Standalone Mode.
Creo Simulate enables you to handle assemblies with different units. Also,
you may select individual units for all quantities you enter. Be careful with
units, as this is a common error source.
The model units system has to be defined in the CAD tool you use. In Creo
Parametric, you can do this by selecting File > Prepare > Model Properties
> Units.
When entering Simulate you may choose Structure Mode (default) or Thermal
Mode. In addition to this selection, in the ribbon, select the Home tab. Click
Model Setup in the Set Up group to define:
• Mode – You can select to use the FEM Mode. This uses the Simulate UI
for creating h-meshes for the classical ANSYS or NASTRAN FEM solvers.
If you use the default, Simulate is run in Native Mode. Native mode uses
unique p-element technology and Simulate’s own equation solver.
• Model Type – Select 3-D, default, or various 2-D idealizations.

Module 1 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

• Default Interface – Select bonded, free, or contact in Structure Mode, or
bonded, adiabatic, or thermal resistance in Thermal Mode. This selection
defines how Simulate treats touching surfaces in assemblies.
For Structure mode you can also select the Capability Mode. The selection
for this mode is Creo Simulate Lite. This activates a very simple Simulate
with a reduced command set for use with a Creo Parametric license.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 9

The Simulate User Interface Functionality
The most common commands for simulation model definition,
analysis, and postprocessing can be accessed by using
commands located on the Simulate tabs.

The following tabs are available:

• File
• Home
• Refine Model
• Inspect
• Tools
• View

Figure 1 – The Simulate Tabs – Embedded Mode

The Simulate User Interface Functionality

The most common commands for simulation model definition, analysis,
and postprocessing can be accessed by using commands located on the
Simulate tabs. The tabs are located on a ribbon at the top of the workspace
and group-related commands.
The following tabs are available:
• File
– Commands to create new (available in embedded mode), open, or
save a file.
– Commands to manage a file or session.
• Home
– Select current coordinate system, and enter Simulation Model Setup.
– Commands for simulation model definition and properties. Create and
review loads, constraints, materials, and measures.
– Enter Simulate analysis definition dialog, and enter the postprocessor.
– Access Diagnostics for model debugging.
• Refine Model
– Commands for simulation model refinement, idealizations, connections,
surface and volumes, regions, datums, and editing.
– Commands to define mesh settings and create mesh (AutoGEM), and
define geometry tolerance for the simulation geometry translation, and
simulation geometry and connectivity review.
• Inspect

Module 1 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

 – Commands to obtain information about the model, geometry (length or
distance), interferences, mass properties, short edges (important for
meshing), or model size.
• Tools
– Reports information about the simulation and CAD model, such as
regeneration tolerances, feature information, or parameters. There also
is a search tool.
• View
– Commands for model display settings like datum planes, points, or
coordinate systems.
– Commands for model orientation such as zoom operations,
appearances, and layer display.
The Quick Access toolbar is located above the main ribbon on the left and
contains frequently used commands. You can customize the Quick Access
toolbar by adding or removing commands. You can also display the Quick
Access toolbar above or below the ribbon.
Help is located above the main ribbon on the right. In addition to the traditional
help files, there is a Command Search utility and Context-Sensitive help.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 11

The Diagnostic Tool
Diagnostics is a tool that returns feedback messages from
process steps performed by simulate.
The diagnostic tool is used to view
all:
• Errors.
• Warnings.
• Information messages that are
generated during meshing or
analysis.

Figure 1 – The Diagnostics

Dialog Box

Figure 2 – Highlighted Features

Related to Message

The Diagnostic Tool

Diagnostics is a tool that returns feedback messages from process steps
performed by Simulate. The Diagnostic Tool collects the most important
messages that are created from AutoGEM during CAD geometry translation
and meshing and from the engine (solver) during a run. Additional details are
provided in the AutoGEM report or the solver report, status, diagnostic log,
and error files. The title of the dialog box that appears indicates the process
in which messages are generated.
The diagnostic tool is used to view all:
• Errors that lead to run termination, marked with a red dot.
• Warnings that should be checked, marked with a yellow dot.
• Information messages that are generated during meshing or analysis,
marked with a blue dot.
Simulate also highlights the elements or geometric entities that cause
problems in the process of meshing or analysis. You can identify problems in

Module 1 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

the meshing and analysis process and take required actions to correct them.
Click an error/warning/information message in the dialog box. The diagnostic
tool pans and zooms into the model and highlights the features/references
which caused the message.
Diagnostics is started automatically with each meshing process. After
meshing is finished or interrupted, the diagnostics window opens and delivers
feedback messages you can further review.
You can also access a diagnostic report by selecting the Home tab. Click
Diagnostics from the Run group. Or select the Refine Model tab. Click
Diagnostics from the AutoGEM group. You access the same diagnostic
report, independently from where you open diagnostics: The latest executed
diagnostic run is always displayed. You can save the Diagnostic report for
documentation purposes as ASCII text file.
The configuration option sim_invoke_diagnostics_on_run enables you to
define the preferred usage of the diagnostic tool when you start an analysis.
Selecting:
• yes enables Simulate to run the interactive diagnostics without any prompt.
• prompt enables Simulate to prompt you to confirm the run of the interactive
diagnostics when you start an analysis.
• no does not have Simulate run the interactive diagnostics. In this case,
model debugging may be more difficult if your analysis fails.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 13

The Typical Simulation Process
A simulation with Creo Simulate always follows a typical
three-step process with an optional fourth.

1. Preprocessing
2. Analysis
3. Postprocessing
4. Design variation and optimization (optional)

Figure 1 – The Typical Simulation Process

The Typical Simulation Process

A simulation with Creo Simulate always follows a typical three-step process
with an optional fourth.
1. Preprocessing – Geometry is prepared using Creo Parametric and the
analysis model is defined in Creo Simulate.
• 1a – Geometry Preparation – Geometry is simplified with Creo
Parametric, or Creo Direct, to optimize mesh quality and minimize
model size and calculation time.
• 1b – Model Preparation – Define the material and assign it. The
following are optional tasks:
– Create shells, beams, springs, interfaces, or other idealizations
and simulation features.
– Define loads and constraints. These are always required, except
in a free-free modal analysis.
– Define Measures.
– Define tolerances for geometry translation.
– Define mesh controls and create mesh.
2. Analysis – The analysis type and settings are defined and the matrix
equation system is solved by the Simulate engine.

Module 1 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

 3. Postprocessing – Evaluate analysis results. Carefully execute a validity
check and document the results.
4. Design variation and optimization (optional) – Defined property and
dimensioning parameters can be modified by using design studies to
optimize the model to certain goals. Vary the parameters to study the
model sensitivity with respect to these parameters. Optimize the model
based on the results.
Typical simulation documentation contains:
• The simulation information – The task, function of product, objective of the
simulation, geometry simplification, and idealizations used.
• A description of the simulation model, including material, loads, constraints,
mesh type, and calculation settings.
• The results – Result graphs, fringe plots of deformation and stress, status
and report files, conclusions, error estimates, software release information,
and a summary.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 15

PROCEDURE - The Typical Simulation Process Exercise
This example shows a simple and complete simulation process for a single
structural component under a quasi-static load. Keep in mind the simulation
workflow as a guideline when approaching this example.
The structural component models a special gearbox housing made of gray
cast iron. The reaction forces of the shafts acting on the gearbox are known
from a separate gear analysis. From that analysis, and combined with the
nature of the geometry, constraints, and materials, we conclude that the
housing can be analyzed using symmetry. Cutting the model along the
symmetry plane provides the same results as analyzing the full model. This
operation (when possible) enables the analysis to complete in a shorter
amount of time than the analysis for the full 3-D model. In this example,
we are interested to find out if the brittle cast housing can withstand these
bearing reaction loads.

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Analysis\TheTypSimProcess
GEARBOX_HOUSING_SIMULATE.PRT
Step 1: Open and investigate the geometry model.

1. For Creo Simulate users,

open GEARBOX_HOUSING_
SIMULATE.PRT. The cosmetic
features have been suppressed
and the symmetry cut has been
made and stored already in the
model.
2. For Creo Parametric users, open
GEARBOX_HOUSING.PRT.
Examine the CAD geometry and
review the suppressed cosmetic
features in the model tree, which
do not affect the maximum stress
or deformation values in the
model:
• Chamfer Id 1645 and 4677
• Cut Id 5450 and Round 2
Also, note that half of the
housing is cut away for symmetry
reasons. The model, prepared
for simulation purposes, should
look like the figure shown.

Module 1 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC

Step 2: Investigate the model properties.

1. Click File > Prepare > Model Properties. The Model Properties
dialog box appears.
2. Review the units used to create the model. It is useful to understand
the overall size of the model, although it may not carry any importance
if the designer has used mass-driven or force-driven units to create
the geometry. In this current model, the designer used force-driven
system of units, mm-N-sec.
For Creo Simulate users, the model uses the system of units with
which the model was originally created.

Step 3: Define the materials.

1. In the Model Properties dialog

box, click change on the Material
row. The Materials dialog box
appears.
2. Click File > New. The Material
Definition dialog box appears.
3. Complete the fields as shown
in the figure and click Save To
Model to close the Material
Definition dialog box and return
to the Materials dialog box.

4. In the Materials dialog box, click OK to return to the Model Properties

dialog box.
5. In the Model Properties dialog box, click Close.
6. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

7. Click Material Assignment from the Materials group.

8. The Material Assignment dialog box appears. Since there is only
one model available, click OK.
The values for the material properties have been compiled
from a list of engineering references. Among other
characteristics of the system, such as constraints and
geometrical dimensions, these material properties are
critical in establishing the stiffness of the structure.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 17

Step 4: Define bearing loads.

1. Enable Csys Display .

2. The first larger diameter hole in
the model carries a bearing load
magnitude of 10000 N along the
positive Y-axis and 5800 N along
the positive Z-axis. To define this
load, in the ribbon, select the
Home tab.

3. Click Bearing from the

Loads group. The Bearing Load
dialog box appears.
4. Select Hole id 843 from the
model tree. On the model, select
any of the periodic surfaces of
the Hole Id 843 feature.
5. Complete the Bearing Load
dialog box as shown.

6. Click Preview to display the

graphical representation of this
load distribution as shown in the
figure.
7. In the Bearing Load dialog box,
click OK.

Module 1 | Page 18 © 2012 PTC

 8. Repeat the above process to assign bearing load components to
the identified holes, as defined:
A. Hole id 818 – Load2
• X=0
• Y=–3600
• Z=–1000
B. Hole id 792 – Load3
• X=0
• Y=5700
• Z=0

Step 5: Define the model constraints.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Displacement from

the Constraints group. The
Constraint dialog box appears.
3. Select the surface shown in the
figure.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 19

 4. Free the x and y translational
degrees of freedom by selecting
Free Translation as shown.
Click OK to complete the
definition of this constraint.

5. To create the mirror cut constraint

for the symmetry/cutting surface,
in the ribbon select the Home
tab.
6. Click the Constraints Group
drop-down menu and select
Symmetry . The Symmetry
Constraint dialog box appears.
7. Select the surface as shown in
the figure as reference for the
symmetry constraint.
8. In the Symmetry Constraint
dialog box, click OK to complete
the definition of this constraint.

9. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

10. Click Pin Constraint from the Constraints group. The Pin
Constraint dialog box appears.

Module 1 | Page 20 © 2012 PTC

 11. Select a surface of one of the tab
holes as shown.
12. In the properties section, select
Free Translation for both the
Angular and Axial constraints.
13. Click OK.

14. Repeat the above process to

assign pin constraints to the
remaining two tab holes as
shown.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 21

Step 6: Create the Finite Element mesh using the AutoGEM tool.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
2. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears. Click
Create. This process takes
several seconds to complete.
You can inspect
the mesh by
spin/pan/zoom and
rotating the model as
you would normally do
in a Creo application.

3. Click Close to close all dialog

boxes and click No to the prompt
to save the mesh.

Step 7: Define and run a Static Analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.
2. Click Analyses and Studies
from the Run group. The
Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The
Static Analysis Definition dialog
box appears.
4. Type in the analysis name and
settings as shown.
5. Click OK.

Module 1 | Page 22 © 2012 PTC

 6. To configure the run settings, click Configure Run Settings in the
Analyses and Design Studies dialog box. The Run Settings dialog
box appears.
7. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. There is no need to change them for this exercise.
Click OK.

8. Click Start Run in the

Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box to start the analysis.
9. Click Yes to run the interactive
diagnostics.

10. Click Display Study Status

to monitor the status of the run.
The time to run the analysis may
vary but it should not take more
than 1 minute to complete.
11. The content shown appears at
the end of the summary report
after the analysis is completed.
Do not close any dialog boxes.

Step 8: Review the summary report.

1. Carefully inspect the information displayed in the summary file. Notice

the resultant load on the model. Also notice the maximum values for
the most sought quantities, stresses, and deformations.
2. Click Close in the Run Status dialog box and the Diagnostics window.
Leave the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box open.

Step 9: Create Results Windows and inspect the results.

1. In the Analyses and Design

Studies dialog box, select the
analysis that just completed.

2. Click Review Results to

start generating the results
window. The Result Window
Definition dialog box appears.
3. To create a fringe plot results
window, complete the dialog box
and the Quantity tab fields as
shown.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 23

 4. Complete the Display Location
fields as shown.

5. Complete the Display Options

fields as shown.

6. Click OK and Show to

display the results. You can
spin/pan/zoom/rotate the model
in the postprocessor as you
would normally do in any Creo
Simulate application.
To stop the animation,
click Stop .

Module 1 | Page 24 © 2012 PTC

 7. To display the Maximum Principal
Stresses developed in the model
due to the bearing loads, click
Copy .
8. Customize the dialog box content
and the Quantity tab as shown.

9. Customize the Display Location

tab as shown.

10. Customize the Display Options

tab as shown.

© 2012 PTC Module 1 | Page 25

 11. Click OK and Show to display
the results.
12. Adjust the legend such that the
value below the maximum is
50 MPa. You can do this by
selecting Edit > Legend Value.
13. Click the value below the
maximum value in the legend.
The Enter data dialog box
appears. Type 50, and click Ok.
14. Click Yes to the prompt. Notice
the stress values in the figure.
Rotate the model to view the
high stress areas.

15. Click File > Exit Results to exit and return to the Creo Simulate
preprocessing interface. Click No when asked to save the current
results window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 1 | Page 26 © 2012 PTC

Module 2
Theoretical Foundations
Module Overview
In this module, you learn the theoretical foundations of Finite Element
Analysis.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand the h- and p-versions of Finite Elements.
• Understand Finite Element Terminology.
• Understand the basics of Structural Mechanics and Failure Theories.

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 1

The h- and p-Versions of Finite Elements
The results of a finite element analysis can be improved by
refining the mesh of the same kind of element, or by increasing
the displacement field accuracy in each element.

Currently, two types of Finite Element

methods are in use:
• h-method
• p-method

Figure 1 – Original Mesh

Figure 2 – h-refinement Figure 3 – p-refinement

The h- and p-Versions of Finite Elements

The results of a finite element analysis can be improved by refining the mesh
of the same kind of element, or by increasing the displacement field accuracy
in each element. A simple rectangle can originally be divided, or meshed,
using a certain number of triangles for analysis.
Currently, two types of Finite Element methods are used to demonstrate
the numerical convergence of the solution. The h- and p-versions of the
finite element method are different ways of adding degrees of freedom (dof)
to the model.
• h-method – The h-method improves results by using a finer mesh of the
same type of element. This method refers to decreasing the characteristic
length (h) of elements, dividing each existing element into two or more
elements without changing the type of elements used.
• p-method – The p-method improves results by using the same mesh but
increasing the displacement field accuracy in each element. This method
refers to increasing the degree of the highest complete polynomial (p)
within an element without changing the number of elements used.
The p-version represents the displacements or temperatures within each
element using high-order polynomials (the maximum order used in Simulate
is 9), as opposed to the linear and sometimes quadratic or cubic functions
used in conventional finite elements (h-method). Only one analysis of a
meshed geometry may be needed to determine if a solution has converged.
With the h-method, a sequence of successively refined meshes must be
created to produce convergence toward correct results. Higher order
elements produce more accurate results in examples where the gradient of
the displacements cannot be approximated by low-order polynomials. In

Module 2 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

general, a finer mesh improves the result quality, but just until numeric noise
downgrades the solution again.

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 3

Finite Element Terminology
There are some technical terms used to describe Finite Element
technology.

• Mapping Functions
• Shape Functions
• Hierarchical Shape Functions
• Isoparametric Mapping
• Subparametric Mapping
• Superparametric Mapping

Finite Element Terminology

There are some technical terms used to describe Finite Element technology.
• Mapping Functions are used to map the elements from physical space with
nodal coordinates into the unit space, where mathematical coordinates
are used, values between –1 and 1.
• Shape Functions are used to approximate the displacements in the unit
space. These are polynomial functions.
• Hierarchical Shape Functions are used in Simulate. Simulate starts with
a linear approximation of the solution, p=1. The solution is improved by
adding new shape functions to the existing ones in such a way that moving
from order p to p+1 does not change the existing shape functions and
degrees of freedom, but adds new ones. After the solution has been
worked out for the undistorted unit-element in the unit space, the element
is mapped back into physical space with the mapping functions. The most
popular approach is to also use these shape functions for the mapping
functions.
• Isoparametric Mapping is when the functions used for displacement and
geometry approximations are of the same order.
• Subparametric Mapping is when the function used for mapping has a lower
order than the displacement approximation.
• Superparametric Mapping is when the function used for mapping has a
higher order than the displacement approximation.
In general, mapping functions can become complex if the elements are big
and may become distorted as in Simulate.

Module 2 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

The p-Method
A basic understanding of the p-method is necessary so you can
define the model and analysis correctly to take full advantage of
the p-method’s benefits.
Example: Simply supported beam
with a concentrated load.

Figure 1 – Load Diagram and

CAD Geometry

Figure 2 – Deflection and Longitudinal Stress Results

The p-Method
A basic understanding of the p-method is necessary so you can define the
model and analysis correctly to take full advantage of the p-method’s benefits.
This very simple example can help you to understand how it works.
We have a simple bending bar with loaded length l=40 mm, width b=4 mm,
and height h=3 mm. The material is steel with E=200 GPa. We apply a force
of 200 N. Using these values and the analytical equations, the maximum
stress is 333.3 MPa, and the maximum deflection is 0.1481 mm. Note that
the analytical equations from the simple beam theory do not take into account
additional deflections from shear stresses.
The CAD geometry, including the load rollers, and the load diagram are
shown in Figure 1. We use half symmetry in the idealized physical model
and cut away the load-free beam end. In Simulate, we use just one p-brick
element to mesh the half beam. One percent (1%) convergence is requested
on measures: displacements, strain energy, maximum and minimum principal
stress, von Mises stress, and longitudinal stress.
When p=5 the maximum stress is 335.23 MPa, and the maximum deflection
is 0.1507 mm. The maximum deflection does not change between p=3 and
p=5, and the maximum stress changes by less than 1%. The deflection and

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 5

stress diagrams are shown in Figure 2 for the different values of p. The
maximum deflection in the displacement plot is scaled to 20% of the model
size, and in the stress plot to 20 times the absolute value. The plotting grid in
the plots was set to 10.
In the exact solution the ratio of position, x, to length, l, (x/l), is raised to
a power of 3. The finite element method uses polynomial functions to
approximate the exact solution. Using the p-method the polynomial functions
can be up to the ninth order. In this example, when Simulate uses a cubic,
p=3, the solution is very accurate. Adding higher order functions with p>3
does not significantly change the solution.
For more information on the p-method see Finite Element Analysis
(Wiley Series in Computational Mechanics) by Szabo and Babuska.

Module 2 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Using the p-Method

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Analysis\PMethod
SIMPLY_SUPPORTED_SIMULATE.PRT

Task 1: Open and investigate the geometry model.

1. For Creo Simulate users,

open SIMPLY_SUPPORTED_
SIMULATE.PRT. The symmetry
cut has been made and stored
already in the model. All the
simulation features should be
already defined.
2. For Creo Parametric users, open
SIMPLY_SUPPORTED.PRT.
Examine the CAD geometry. The
model, prepared for simulation
purposes, should look like the
model shown in the figure.

Task 2: Investigate the Finite Element Control and mesh using the
AutoGEM tool.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
2. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears.
3. Using the default settings, click
Create. The AutoGEM Summary
and the Diagnostics:AutoGEM
Mesh window appear. A single
brick solid element is created as
shown.

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 7

 4. Inspect the mesh. Click Close in all dialog boxes.
5. Click No when prompted to save the mesh.

Task 3: Run the static analysis defined in the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Select Simply_Supported.
4. Click Edit > Analysis/Study. The Static Analysis Definition dialog
box appears.
5. Review the Static Analysis settings. Click OK.

6. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box

appears.
7. Review the Run settings. Click OK.

8. Click Start Run to run the Static analysis. Click Yes to run the
interactive diagnostics. When the run is complete, the Diagnostics
dialog box appears.

9. Click Display Study Status to monitor the status of the run. The
Run Status dialog box appears. Do not close any dialog boxes.

Task 4: Review the Summary Report.

1. Review the summary report

in the Run Status dialog
box. Notice the maximum
displacement (expressed in mm)
and longitudinal stress (MPa)
values. Verify and compare
these values with analytical
solutions.
2. In the Run Status dialog box and
the Diagnostics window, click
Close.

Module 2 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Task 5: Create Results window and interpret the results.

1. In the Analyses and Design

Studies dialog box, select the
analysis that just completed.
Click Review Results . The
Result Window Definition dialog
box appears.
2. Complete the dialog box and
Quantity tab fields as shown.
• In the Name field, type
MAX_DISPL.
• In the Title field, type
Convergence Maximum
Displacement.
• Select Graph from the Display
Type drop-down menu.
• Select the Quantity tab.
• Select Measure from the
Graph Ordinate (Vertical) Axis
drop-down menu.
• Click Measures . The
Measures dialog box appears.
• Select max_disp_mag, and
click OK.

3. Click OK and Show to display

the graph. Close the results
window after review. Do not
save the current results window.

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 9

 4. In the Analyses and Design
Studies dialog box, select the
analysis that just completed.
Click Review Results . The
Result Window Definition dialog
box appears.
5. Complete the dialog box and
Quantity tab fields as shown.
• In the Name field, type
MAX_STRESS.
• In the Title field, type
Convergence Maximum
Longitudinal Stress.
• Select Graph from the Display
type drop-down menu.
• Select the Quantity tab.
• Select Measure from the
Graph Ordinate (Vertical) Axis
drop-down menu.
• Click Measures . The
Measures dialog box appears.
• Select max_stress_zz, and
click OK.

6. Click OK and Show to display

the graph. Close the results
window after review. Do not
save the current results window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 2 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

Structural Mechanics — Stress Definitions and
Hooke’s Law
When using Finite Element Analysis methods, an understanding
of mechanical stress definitions and Hooke’s Law is useful.
All linear analyses provided in
Simulate depend on Hooke's
material law.

Figure 1 – Normal Stresses

Figure 3 – General Triaxial

Stress State

Figure 2 – Shear Stresses

Structural Mechanics – Stress Definitions and Hooke’s Law

When using Finite Element Analysis methods, an understanding of
mechanical stress definitions and Hooke’s Law is useful. By carefully
interpreting displacements, stress and strain in the postprocessor, possible
errors in the model definition or numerical solution can be found.
All linear analyses provided in Simulate depend on Hooke's material law. This
topic explains the essentials you should understand when doing structural
analysis.
• Normal Stresses – Stresses normal, perpendicular, to the cutting plane.
Normal stresses are either tensile or compressive.
• Shear Stresses – Stresses that act parallel to the cutting plane. They act in
pairs, couples, on opposite faces.
• Triaxial Stresses – The nine stress components that could act on an
infinitesimal cube. The stresses shown in Figure 3 are all shown in a
positive direction.
The triaxial stress cube shown in Figure 3 is used to represent the applied
stresses acting on an element. For any combination of applied stresses,
there is a continuous distribution of the stress field at any point analyzed.
Normal and Shear stresses vary with direction in any coordinate system

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 11

used. There will always be planes on which the components of shear stress
will be equal to zero. The normal stresses acting on these planes are called
principal stresses. The planes on which they act are called principal planes.
These stresses are often termed and ordered as σ1 > σ2 > σ3.
Principal stresses and the resulting principal strains ε1, ε2 , ε3 act perpendicular
to each other and lie on the same principal axes, in an isotropic material.
Hooke’s Law provides a relationship between stress and strain. The simple
form of Hooke’s Law for uniaxial tension states that stress is proportional
to strain. The constant of proportionality is the modulus of elasticity of the
material, E. Hooke’s Law is described using the following equations:

For the general case of triaxial stress, the relationship between stress
and strain also depends on Poisson’s ratio. Poisson’s ratio is the ratio
between lateral and longitudinal strain. For most materials, Poisson’s ratio is
approximately 0.3. For materials with no lateral contraction, no influence of
lateral stresses to the strain, Poisson’s ratio is equal to zero. Incompressible
materials, materials that have no volume change under load, have a
Poisson’s ratio of 0.5.
Check principal stresses in a vector plot after an analysis is
performed where you need accurate stress results. If you find
principal stress vectors normal to an unloaded surface, this
indicates an error in the solution, or the load/constraint definition.
For equilibrium conditions, those surfaces cannot have any normal
stresses.

Module 2 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Structural Mechanics — Strain Energy and
Failure Theories
The strain energy of the total model and comparative stresses
may be used as convergence criteria in Simulate.

• Strain Energy
• Comparative Stresses – Failure
Theories

Figure 1 – Strain Energy Density

Figure 2 – Failure Theories

Structural Mechanics – Strain Energy and Failure Theories

The strain energy of the total model and comparative stresses may be used
as convergence criteria in Simulate. Comparative stresses are also important
when analyzing a multiaxial stress loading of the model.

Strain Energy
When loading and unloading a linear elastic material, the work done by the
load results in an increase of energy associated with the deformation of the
material. This energy is called the strain energy density and is depicted by
the area under the stress-strain curve for the load, as shown in Figure 1 for a
uniaxially loaded linear elastic material.

Comparative Stresses – Failure Theories

The two-axial or triaxial stress state in a mechanically loaded part has to be
transformed into a uniaxial comparative stress. This enables a comparison
with the uniaxial yield or ultimate strength determined for the material used in
a pure tensile test. It can then be determined if failure, yielding or rupture,
will occur. Four failure theories are graphically shown in Figure 2. The figure
shown is for a 2-D case where σ2 is assumed to be zero. These failure
theories can be used in Simulate.

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 13

• Distortion Energy Theory – The Distortion Energy theory uses the effective
von Mises stress. This theory predicts that failure occurs when the
distortion energy in a unit volume exceeds the distortion energy in a unit
volume in a tensile test at failure. This value can be output by Simulate and
is a scalar quantity. This failure theory is most used in the case of ductile
materials that have equal strength in tension and compression under a
static load. The von Mises stress is represented by the following equations:

• Maximum Shear Stress Theory – The Maximum Shear Stress theory states
that failure occurs when the maximum shear stress in a part exceeds the
shear stress in a tensile specimen at yield, one half of the tensile yield
strength. It is more conservative than the Distortion Energy theory and
can also be used for ductile materials. The following equation represents
the Maximum Shear Stress Theory:

• Maximum Principal Stress Theory – The Maximum Principal Stress theory,

Maximum Normal Stress theory, states that failure occurs if the maximum
principal stresses exceed the uniaxial tensile strength. This theory is used
for brittle materials. The Maximum Principal Stress theory is a special
case of the modified Mohr’s theory, which takes into account a higher
compression than tensile strength.
You can enter the material allowables to modified Mohr in Simulate as
failure criteria when you define a material. If you want to predict failure
according to the Maximum Principal Stress theory, you enter a uniaxial
compression strength close to the uniaxial tensile strength in the modified
Mohr data form.
Under two-axial tension, which is very common in engineering applications,
the differences between the criteria are small. As the compression increases
and the more triaxial the stress state becomes, the bigger the differences are.
In general, it is your responsibility to judge which criteria are best suitable to
describe the behavior of the material. As a guideline, use Distortion Energy
or Maximum Shear Stress for judging about yielding in ductile materials
(Maximum Shear Stress is just a little bit more conservative for certain
stress states). For rupture in brittle materials, use principal stress. If the
compression strength is much higher than the tensile strength, like for many
brittle engineering ceramics or casts, use Modified Mohr. However, take into
account that ductility or brittleness are not necessarily properties which are
valid in general for a material. It may happen that a ductile material behaves
very brittle under certain stress states, for example, isostatic tension.

Module 2 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

Fundamental Equation Systems Solved in
Simulate
Simulate uses various equation systems to solve the different
types of structural analyses available.

• Basic Differential Equation System

• Linear and Nonlinear Static
Analyses
Figure 1 – Basic Differential
• Modal and Dynamic Analyses Equation

Figure 2 – Linear and Nonlinear Figure 3 – Modal and Dynamic

Static Analyses Analyses: No Damping

Fundamental Equation Systems Solved in Simulate

Simulate uses various equation systems to solve the different types of
structural analyses available. Simulate can solve a basic differential equation
system and several special cases of this system.
• Basic Differential Equation System – In general, Simulate can solve
structural problems that can be described with the equation system shown
in Figure 1 where:
– M is the Mass matrix.
– C is the Damping matrix.
– K is the Stiffness matrix.
– F(t) is the Time-dependent force vector.
– x(t) is the Displacement vector.
• Linear Static analysis – In this analysis, no time dependency exists,
and the stiffness matrix is constant. Note that forces are applied at the
undeformed structure, and displacements must be very small so that the
solution is accurate.
• Nonlinear Static Analysis – In this analysis, |K| is a function of the
displacement and force vector. Different nonlinearities can be solved:
Geometric nonlinearities (contact, large displacements) and material
nonlinearities (hyperelasticity, elasto-plasticity).
The equations for Linear and Nonlinear Static analyses are shown in
Figure 2.
• Modal Analysis – The results from a Modal analysis are the eigenvectors
(mode shapes) and eigenfrequencies (natural frequencies) of a linear
structure (force-independent behavior; M and K are neither functions of x
nor F; see Figure 3).

© 2012 PTC Module 2 | Page 15

• Dynamic Analysis – Simulate uses a modal method for solving the Dynamic
equation, the left side of the basic differential equation. Since the solution
is based on a modal analysis with a constant K and M, only linear dynamic
systems can be computed. If no damping is present, the dynamic equation
shown in Figure 3 is used.
In dynamic analysis, the time dependency of the force vector defines the
dynamic analysis type.
• If the excitation function, force vector, is known, the following analysis
types are available:
– Dynamic Frequency Analysis – At a steady-state we have a periodically
and harmonically excited system, so F is described with a cosine
function. The maximum force magnitude changes only with frequency.
– Dynamic Time Analysis – F changes with time, and the system is
transient. We can input any forcing function F, half sine shock, impulse
function, and so forth.
• If the excitation function, force vector, is unknown the input load can be
described with the following statistical methods:
– Random Response Analysis – The system is periodic, and the input
and output is described with spectral density functions for acceleration,
velocity, or displacements.
– Dynamic Shock Analysis (Earthquake Analysis) – The system is
transient. We analyze the worst-case system response to the transient
short-time excitation by entering a response spectrum.
Linear buckling analysis is another type of modal analysis Simulate supports.
In this analysis, instead of the mass matrix a stress stiffness matrix is used,
and the acceleration vector is replaced by the displacement vector times
the eigenvalue. The eigenvalues are the buckling load factors and the
eigenvectors are the buckling mode shapes. The stress stiffness matrix is
obtained from a previous linear static analysis. This matrix is also used in
the Simulate prestress static and modal analyses.

Module 2 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC

Module 3
Model Preparation
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to prepare a CAD model for analysis in Creo
Simulate.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand how a CAD model should be prepared.
• Manage units.
• Use Inheritance and Remove features.

© 2012 PTC Module 3 | Page 1

Preparing a CAD Model
The CAD model can be prepared for the simulation so that
geometry meshing becomes possible and a minimum number of
elements can be used for a quick, but accurate, analysis.

To prepare an existing CAD model:

• Prepare the model in Creo Parametric.
• De-feature complex models in Creo Parametric.
• Check the model for possible singularities.
• Determine if you want to keep the associativity between the simulation
and CAD model.

Preparing a CAD Model

The CAD model can be too complex to use as direct simulation geometry.
The CAD model can be prepared for the simulation so that geometry meshing
becomes possible and a minimum number of elements can be used for a
quick, but accurate, analysis. To prepare an existing CAD model:
• Prepare the model in Creo Parametric. The basic steps for preparation
include:
– Check and/or set the appropriate units system.
– Validate the part or assembly accuracy and increase if necessary. As a
guideline, use absolute accuracy especially for assemblies. A value of
0.001 to 0.01 mm in the mm-N-s system typically gives best results.
♦ Relative accuracy is the accuracy according to the ratio of the
smallest to the largest distance.
♦ Absolute accuracy is the minimum allowed distance in an actual
length unit. This can be set using a config.pro option: enable absolute
accuracy yes.
– Validate for geometry checks. In the ribbon, select the Tools tab. Use
Geometry Checks from the Investigate group. AutoGEM may have
problems with locations identified, so remove if necessary.
– The meshing of small edges, small surfaces, surfaces with extreme
continuity leaps, and surfaces with negative angles is complex and may
cause problems. In the ribbon, select the Analysis tab for available
functions to identify those regions.
• De-feature complex models in Creo Parametric.
– Analyze the relationships of the features to be suppressed. In the
ribbon, select the Tools tab. Use Reference Viewer or Feature from
the Investigate group. Use Model in the Investigate group to analyze
model history.
Model Player is only available in Creo Parametric.

– Suppress outer rounds.

– Suppress inner rounds if you are not interested in stresses, just stiffness
and displacements, or if they are not in the load path.

Module 3 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – Suppress small chamfers.
– Suppress all other non-simulation relevant details.
– Use symmetries; cut away until the smallest symmetric unit remains.
• Check the model for possible singularities. Singularities appear at loaded
sharp inner corners. If necessary, create rounds there to eliminate.
• Determine if you want to keep the associativity between the simulation and
CAD model. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with
each option. If you select to maintain the associativity:
– Changes in the CAD model are automatically seen by the simulation
model. The model can be reanalyzed without creating a new simulation
model.
– In a product management system, the simulation model is automatically
linked to the CAD model for archival storage.
– Since there are often many changes required for the simulation model,
this may create very complex relations to the CAD model and create
instability in your simulation model.
If you do not select to maintain the associativity:
– You can work on a simple, independent copy of the CAD model just for
the simulation, without taking into account relations.
– Your simulation model behaves stable if a designer changes the original
CAD geometry and deletes references.
– You can’t automatically take into account changes in the original
geometry. A manual maintenance of the simulation model is required.

© 2012 PTC Module 3 | Page 3

Managing Units
Creo Simulate uses the units defined in Creo Parametric for the
model.

Available systems of units:

• Centimeter Gram Second (CGS)
• Foot Pound Second (FPS)
• Inch lbm Second (Creo Parametric
Default)
• Inch Pound Second (IPS)
• Meter Kilogram Second (MKS)
• millimeter Kilogram Sec (mmKs)
• millimeter Newton Second
(mmNS)

Figure 1 – Creo Parametric Units

Manager Dialog Box

Managing Units
Creo Simulate uses the units defined in Creo Parametric for the model. In
addition to predefined systems of units such as mmNs (millimeters, Newton,
seconds) or IPS (Inch, Pound, Second), user-defined systems can be defined
in Creo Parametric. If the system of units is modified, you have to decide
whether the model shall keep the same size and if the dimensional values
have to be converted. The available systems of units are listed in the Units
Manager dialog box in Creo Parametric and are as follows:
• Centimeter Gram Second (CGS)
• Foot Pound Second (FPS)
• Inch lbm Second (Creo Parametric Default)
• Inch Pound Second (IPS)
• Meter Kilogram Second (MKS)
• millimeter Kilogram Sec (mmKs)
• millimeter Newton Second (mmNs)
For the use of the International System of Units (SI), an adapted system can
be defined with the units m, kg, s, K. For models in millimeters, the mmNs
system is preferred because of the consistency of the derived parameters
and quantities.
In Simulate, you can enter all quantities, loads, displacements, or material
properties in any unit supported by the individual drop-down menus offered.
After the analysis is run, the results can be viewed in any combination of units.

Module 3 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Using Inheritance and Remove Features
The Inheritance and Remove features are very powerful features
you may use to prepare your CAD geometry for analysis.

• Inheritance Feature
• Remove Feature

Figure 1 – CAD Geometry

Figure 2 – CAD Import Geometry Figure 3 – Simulation Geometry

Using Inheritance and Remove Features

The Inheritance and Remove features are very powerful features you may
use to prepare your CAD geometry for analysis. The Inheritance Feature
is used if you want to keep the simplified simulation model geometry
independent from the CAD geometry. The Remove Feature enables you to
simplify a non-feature-based import CAD geometry. An example of original
CAD geometry is shown in Figure 1.
A wireframe example of CAD import geometry is shown in Figure 2.
The final, simplified simulation geometry is shown in Figure 3.
The Inheritance Feature is the feature to use if you want to keep the
simulation model independent from the CAD geometry. Simplifying the
geometry for the analysis can be done in a separate simulation part, which
is independent from the design part and therefore recognizes changes in
the original CAD geometry by use of this feature. The design geometry
does not have to be simplified directly and can be further used in the PDM
system. The simplifications performed in the simulation part do not destroy
the original CAD part (unidirectional dependence). The Inheritance Feature
has the following advantages:
• Easy and variable part copying.
• Robust in master model modifications.
• Changes in the Inheritance Feature model tree do not change the original
geometry.
• The feature can be updated for a special request or temporarily made
independent.

© 2012 PTC Module 3 | Page 5

The Remove Feature enables powerful creation of simplified geometry from
non-parametric, non-featurized import data. It can be combined with the
Inheritance Feature to have the advantages listed above.
The Inheritance Feature is just offered by Creo Parametric. The Remove
Feature is available in both Creo Parametric and Direct.

Module 3 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

Module 4
Analysis Definition Basics
Module Overview
In this module, you learn the basics of defining an analysis.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand convergence methods.
• Understand the fundamentals of a linear static analysis.
• Define a linear static analysis.
• Select a convergence method.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 1

Convergence Methods
The Multipass Convergence method (MPA) and the Single-Pass
Convergence method (SPA) are the two convergence methods
used in Simulate.
Convergence Methods:
• Multipass Adaptive (MPA)
• Single-Pass Adaptive (SPA)

Figure 1 – Maximum Displacement

versus the P-Loop Pass for MPA

Convergence Methods
The Multipass Convergence method (MPA) and the Single-Pass Convergence
method (SPA) are the two convergence methods used in Simulate.
The Multipass Adaptive Convergence Method
The Multipass Adaptive convergence method (MPA) is the classical way of
proving convergence in Simulate. It offers the highest accuracy and user
control, but it also consumes the most resources and time. For all measures
in the model, their values can be controlled and graphically displayed versus
the p-loop pass. Maximum displacement versus the p-loop pass is shown
in Figure 1.
In MPA, Simulate uses local and global error norms. Simulate ends the
p-loop when all error norms selected by the user have been met. In a static
analysis, these may be:
• Local displacement, local strain energy and global RMS stress.
• Local displacement and local (element) strain energy.
• Measures to be defined by the user.
The convergence criteria are met if the change in the selected quantity from
pass n to pass n+1 is below a percentage defined by the user. In MPA,
Simulate automatically reports all measure convergences, whether measures
are selected as convergence criteria or not.
If measures are selected for the convergence proof, you should at least
select all displacement measures and strain energy. Never use only one
measure of special interest, since it may not change significantly during two
passes and the p-loop will stop. If you also need accurate stress results,
include stress measures, for example, maximum and minimum principal and
von Mises stress. For very accurate stress results, you may also include the
stress component measures.
If convergence has not been obtained, the user can evaluate the p-level
plot in the postprocessor and identify the regions with high p-levels. If these
locations are not close to stress singularities, a local mesh refinement can
help to achieve convergence in a new engine run.

Module 4 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

The Single-Pass Adaptive Convergence Method
The Single-Pass Adaptive (SPA) convergence algorithm is the newer
convergence method in Simulate. It is a good compromise between result
accuracy, calculation time, and resources. It is recommended for part and
assembly analysis containing materials with similar properties. Be careful
if you have assemblies with high local stiffness differences, for example,
coming from using two materials with extreme E-module differences, partially
a soft orthotropic material, or an elastomer connected to steel. In this case, it
may happen the p-level is only increased there, so check the p-level plot.
SPA uses the results of a single p-pass, with all the edges in the model
initially set at 3. The stresses are smoothed using a global technique. The
smoothed stresses, also called superconverged, are compared with the raw
or directly computed stresses at various points in each element to calculate
an error. If this RMS stress error exceeds a tolerance (internal default 8%),
the size of the error is used to compute an estimate of how many additional
functions are needed in the element. From the number of functions needed
in the element, Simulate determines the increase in polynomial order for
each edge. So for an element with a high error, the p-order of its edges
could jump from 3 to as much as 9.
You can change the internal defaults for the maximum RMS stress error
target in the Analysis Definition dialog box. On the Convergence tab, click
Advanced Control.... The following default values are used:
• Static Analysis – 8%
• Modal Analysis – 16%
• Buckling Analysis – 12%
If the values for the maximum stress error target are too small, the p-levels
may be driven very high at many locations in the model and cost a lot of
resources. Therefore, you can also define reduced local stress errors at just
those regions of the model in which you are interested. Then, the local stress
error target affects only all elements with at least one node on the selected
geometry. The default for the local stress error target is 10%, independent of
the selected analysis type. For any particular location, Simulate always uses
the more stringent convergence criteria.
Like MPA, in SPA Simulate automatically reports all measure values, but
does not report measure convergences. The only error information available
by default is the RMS Stress Error Estimate. If you work with an additional
local stress error target, then also the local stress error estimates are output
in the engine's rpt-file, which are max over model and max over selected
elements, given in %; here, the local stress error estimate is the raw RMS
stress error estimate for that element, normalized by the stress of that
element. Every element has a local stress error estimate. The number in
the max over model column is the value for the element with highest RMS
stress error estimate in the model. The number in the max over selected
elements column is the value for the element with the highest RMS stress
error estimate among the elements that touch the references selected on the
Advanced SPA Convergence Control dialog box.
Independently if you run an SPA or MPA analysis, you can evaluate three
different types of stress error estimates in the postprocessor if you click Local
Stress Errors on the Output tab of the Analysis dialog box. These are:

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 3

• Raw
• Normalized by maximum model stress
• Normalized by maximum element stress

Model Checks
There are different ways to quickly check your model behavior:
• Quick Check (QC) – This is not a convergence method. Simulate sets all
p-levels to 3 and runs one pass. The output information is delivered the
same as SPA.
• Limiting the p-level to 1 in an MPA – You may limit the maximum p-level
to 1 and just run this pass. Even though result quality in this case is so
poor that you should not interpret any number, it is a very fast method
to check your model and its rough displacement/deformation behavior,
constraint/load check.
• For a little bit less rough displacement behavior or a better check for
possible modeling problems, you may also set the minimum and maximum
p-level to 2, while still having a very small analysis time.

Module 4 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Error Norms
To better understand how Simulation convergence methods
work, it is important to understand the quantities used to
calculate convergence.

Error Norms:
• Global RMS Stress Index
• Local Displacement/Energy Index
• RMS Stress Error Estimate
• Superconverged Stresses

Figure 1 – Superconverged
Stresses

Error Norms
To better understand how Simulation convergence methods work, it is
important to understand the quantities used to calculate convergence. The
convergence details are reported in the engine report file. By carefully
interpreting these values, you can judge the numerical quality of the results.
• Global RMS Stress Index – The Global RMS Stress Index is an estimate
of the square root of the error in the total (global) strain energy, which is
the difference between the strain energy at the current pass and the exact
strain energy, divided by the exact strain energy.
To estimate the exact strain energy, the engine extrapolates the total strain
energies of three successive passes. The three successive passes are
referred to as pass one, pass two, and pass three, with pass three being
the most recent. It is assumed that the energy is asymptotic to a value
at high polynomial order (which is called exact energy). Simulate fits an
exponential function through the three points and extrapolates it to estimate
the asymptotic value. The index might detect a significant error if the
difference between pass three and pass two is not small compared to the
difference between pass two and pass one.
For multiple load sets, the value is the maximum over all load sets. If
a value greater than 100% is calculated internally, the output is always
limited to a maximum value of 100%.
Global RMS stress is an energy norm, not a stress norm. It has been
shown that the integral over the model of strain energy is equivalent to
global RMS stress.
• Local Displacement/Energy Index – These are local measures of
convergence. The engine checks the percentage change in total strain
energy of each element, and the percentage change in the displacement or
temperature along each element edge.
– If the displacement along the edge has changed too much since the last
p-pass, the p-order of the edge must be increased.
– If the strain energy in the element has changed too much since the last
p-pass, the p-order of all the edges of the element must be increased.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 5

 After checking all elements and edges, the engine sets the local
convergence index to the maximum value encountered, so the index can
refer to an edge displacement or an element energy, depending on which
error is bigger. For multiple load sets, the value is the maximum over all
load sets.
• RMS Stress Error Estimate – This is a local stress error estimate and
should not be confused with the Global RMS Stress Index, which refers to
global strain energy.
In both SPA and MPA, it is the maximum over all edges in the model of the
RMS stress error along one edge. Stress error is estimated at sample
points along an edge by comparing smoothed (superconverged) and
non-smoothed stresses. The stress error excludes regions of potential
singularities (constraints, reentrant corners). RMS Stress Error estimates
are computed as follows:
– σ is the stress computed from the derivatives of the displacement
polynomials.
– σm is the smoothed, superconverged stress.
– Mean-square Stress Error is the integral over the edge of (σ – σm)2.
– RMS Stress Error is the square root of the Mean-square Stress Error.
The individual RMS stress error estimates can be evaluated in the
postprocessor; the maximum is always printed into the rpt file. If you
click Local Stress Errors on the Output tab of the Analysis dialog box,
you obtain:
♦ Raw – An RMS stress error indicator for each element in stress units.
♦ Normalized by Maximum Model Stress – Raw/maximum stress in
the model (in %).
♦ Normalized by Maximum Element Stress – Raw/maximum stress in
the element (in %).
• Superconverged Stresses – To represent the smoothed stress, Simulate
uses the same polynomial functions as used for the displacements. The
coefficients of the stress polynomials are found by least squares fitting
to stresses calculated at various sample points within each element.
In this way, the typical stress jumps, or discontinuous stresses, of the
raw or directly computed stresses at the element boundaries disappear.
The smoothed stresses calculated this way often converge faster than
non-smoothed stresses.

Module 4 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

Fundamentals of a Linear Static Analysis
The standard linear static analysis applies loads to an
undeformed structure and analyzes the resulting displacements
and stresses.

The following items need to be

considered before running a Linear
Static analysis:
• Load Sets
• Constraint Sets
• Plotting Grids
• Inertia relief
• Desired result output quantities
• Convergence methods
• Excluded elements

Figure 1 – Static Analysis

Definition Dialog Box

Fundamentals of a Linear Static Analysis

A static analysis is used to analyze deformations, stresses, or strains from
time-independent loads. The standard linear static analysis applies loads
to an undeformed structure and analyzes the resulting displacements and
stresses. Displacements must remain very small compared to the overall
structure dimensions so that this analysis type stays valid.
A load set groups loads (for example, forces, moments, pressure) which
act simultaneously on the structure. In a constraint set, the constraints are
grouped. Constraints define where the structure is fixed relative to the
environment or where an enforced displacement is applied. Usually, at least
one Load and one Constraint set must be selected to perform a Linear Static
analysis, but there are the following exceptions:
• If you have defined a constraint set with at least one enforced displacement,
you do not necessarily need a load set.
• If you select Inertia Relief, you cannot use a constraint set. Inertia
Relief equates the externally applied loads with the resulting quasi-static
translational and/or rotational accelerations of the structure due to these
applied loads.
Only in linear static analysis, it is possible to use the principle of linear
superposition for the load sets. It is assumed here that one loaded state
does not interact with another loaded state. So, if two load sets act at the
same time, the resulting displacements and stresses are simply the sum of
both sets. The user has to decide if this principle is valid for his application

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 7

problem. If it is not valid, the prestress or the large deformation static analysis
might be alternate choices.
The following items need to be considered before running a Linear Static
analysis:
• Load Set – If there is more than one load set, the following options are
available:
– If more than one load set is selected and the check box Sum Load
Sets is not checked, the engine separately solves each load set and
stores the result for each case on the hard disk. Later, each load case
can be separately evaluated or arbitrarily combined and scaled in the
postprocessor using the principle of linear superposition.
– If the check box Sum Load Sets is checked, all selected load sets are
combined and solved as one simultaneous set by the engine. Then the
postprocessor can just access the results of this load combination.
• Constraint Set – The constraint sets can be combined and treated as
one resulting set by the engine. Unlike load sets, just one constraint set
per analysis can be solved; no linear superposition is possible in the
postprocessor.
In assemblies, constraint and load sets from subassemblies and parts can
be accessed for analysis definition.
• Plotting Grid – Simulate subdivides each element into a finer plotting
grid for postprocessing. At the crossings of the plotting grid, the nodes
are located where the results are evaluated, displacements, stress, and
strain. The displacements are evaluated at the nodes of the plotting grid
by interpolating in the element. For a p-element, the displacements are
polynomial functions for which Simulate knows the coefficients after the
problem has been solved, and the polynomials are used for interpolating.
The plotting grid does not define the analysis accuracy, just the result
display accuracy. In general, there should be a balance between element
size (or number of elements in the model), element type (shell and
especially beam result display benefits from a higher plotting grid), required
analysis accuracy, desired result display quality, and the requested plotting
grid.
The plotting grid can be adjusted between 2 and 10 in the Static Analysis
Definition dialog box. A high plotting grid significantly increases calculation
time and hard disc resource usage. Some recommendations are:
– Plotting Grid set equal to 4 (default): Model with volume elements in a
static analysis with interest in stresses and standard accuracy demands.
– Plotting Grid set equal to 6: For shells/beams in a static analysis with
interest in stresses.
– Plotting Grid set equal to 2: For a modal analysis with volumes, if just
the global modal shapes and no modal stresses are of interest. This
setting saves resources.
• Inertia relief – Use this option to analyze an unconstrained model. You can
use this option only for a linear static analysis. Using this option, Simulate
analyzes your model as if it were floating freely in space, without any
constraints, but with the loads applied.

Module 4 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

• Desired result output quantities – Even if no result output quantities are
requested, Simulate always analyzes displacements and writes them on
the hard disk. Optionally, you can request:
– Stresses – Stresses and strains are analyzed in addition to the
displacements.
– Rotations – Rotations are output, too. This option has no influence to
volume elements, since these do not support rotations, but it affects
idealized finite elements, for example, shells, beams, and springs.
– Reactions – If this check box is selected, Simulate prints out the resulting
force sum of all applied loads in the rpt-file. This is an important option
to check which loads have been really applied and should therefore be
used for quality assurance of your analysis. A moment balance is not
reported, just the force balance.
– Local stress errors – This outputs different RMS stress errors in the
result directory, as described in module error norms.
• Convergence methods – You can select one of the following convergence
methods for Simulate to use when it runs your model:
– Single-Pass Adaptive
– Multi-Pass Adaptive
– Quick Check (No Convergence)
• Excluded elements – You can exclude elements in your model from
convergence and measure calculations during an analysis.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 9

Defining a Linear Static Analysis
A static analysis is used to analyze deformations, stresses, or
strains from time-independent loads.

The following steps are required to

define a Linear Static Analysis:
• Select the type of analysis and
assign a name.
• Select a constraint and load set.
• Select a convergence method.
• Define the output.
• Check and adjust run settings if
required.
Figure 1 – Analysis and Design
• Run the analysis. Studies Dialog Box

Figure 2 – Statics Analysis

Definition Dialog Box Figure 3 – Run Settings Dialog Box

Defining a Linear Static Analysis

A static analysis is used to analyze deformations, stresses, or strains from
time-independent loads. The standard linear static analysis applies external
loads on the undeformed structure and analyzes the resulting displacements.
Therefore, displacements must remain very small compared to the overall
structure dimensions so that this analysis type stays valid.
The following steps are required to define a Linear Static Analysis:
• Select the type of analysis and assign a name – Access the Analysis and
Design Studies dialog box and select the type of analysis as shown in
Figure 1. In the Static Analysis Definition dialog box, Figure 2, assign a
meaningful name to the analysis. For better reference, enter a description.
This description is printed into the Simulate engine's rpt-file.
• Select a constraint and load set – In the Static Analysis Definition dialog
box, Figure 2, select a constraint set and load set from the list, and combine
constraint sets or sum load sets if desired.

Module 4 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

• Select a convergence method – When using MPA, enter convergence in %,
define minimum and maximum polynomial degree, and select convergence
criteria in the Static Analysis Definition dialog box, Figure 2.
• Define the output – Displacements are always calculated and
stored. Stresses, rotations (not for volume elements), and reactions
(forces/moments at constraints and resultant load on model) can be
analyzed on demand. You can also select Local Stress Errors to obtain
local RMS stress error information for each element in the postprocessor.
Define a reasonable plotting grid. This is defined on the Output tab in the
Static Analysis Definition dialog box.
• Check and adjust run settings, if required, in the Run Setting dialog box
as shown in Figure 3.

– For both output and temporary directories, you should always

use local hard disk drives. Never use a network drive since
the amount of data to be transferred may become large.
– You can override the default elements settings.
– Enter a suitable memory allocation; in most cases, 512 MB
is adequate.

• Run the analysis.

For an efficient use of computer resources and time, multiple analyses can
be defined in Simulate, even from different models, and then processed in
a batch run. In this case, Simulate, by default, writes a batch file named
mecbatch.bat in the working directory. This batch file is then started at
system level (for example, DOS-shell or C-shell). This has an additional
advantage in that the Simulate graphical user interface is not running, freeing
up memory for the solver. Also, analyses are run sequentially, using one
engine license at a time, making optimal use of RAM. Even if an analysis
fails, the next is started automatically.
In addition to running analyses directly using the Simulate interface, or
running at a later time, a new enhancement in Simulate enables you to also
run simulation analyses using the Creo Pro Distributed Batch application.
This application enables you to perform a variety of batch operations, not
only on your local computer, but also on a number of network computers.
Since Simulate analyses are executed independently of user interaction and
are computationally intensive, they make a great candidate for this type of
application.
Some of the advantages of using the Creo Pro Distributed Batch application
for Simulate jobs include: scheduling tasks to be run off-peak hours, using
the processing of idle computers, and processing tasks in the background.
This functionality requires you have Creo Distributed Batch installed and
licensed to use it. Also, Creo Distributed Services Manager needs to be
installed to distribute tasks among network nodes.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 11

Recommendations for Memory Allocation
The biggest influences on performance are the amount of RAM
in your machine and how that RAM is used by Simulate.

The following are some suggestions and guidelines you can use to improve
performance:
• Exit other applications, if possible, so that Simulate can use as much
RAM as possible.
• Set the engine memory allocation (solram) wisely.
– Set solram low enough so that the total memory used by Simulate is
less than your total amount of RAM.
– If possible, set solram high enough so that the global stiffness matrix
fits in solram.
• If you use a 32-bit Window operating system, the maximum amount of
memory that any one application can use is 3.2 GB.
• Solram is currently limited to a maximum of 16 GB.

Recommendations for Memory Allocation

The biggest influences on performance are the amount of RAM in your
machine and how that RAM is used by Simulate. The amount of memory
that is used during an analysis depends on several factors, including the
complexity of the model, the desired accuracy of the solution, and the type
of analysis or design study you are running. You can see how much total
memory an analysis takes by looking at the bottom of the Summary tab of the
Run Status dialog box and viewing the maximum memory usage (kilobytes).
If the maximum memory usage of Simulate plus the memory used by the
operating system exceed the amount of RAM in your machine, then the
operating system swaps data between RAM and the hard disk (which
seriously degrades the performance of your applications). To achieve
maximum performance, you want to make sure that the maximum memory
usage is less than the amount of RAM in your machine.
For very large models, the global stiffness matrix requires the most memory
during an analysis. You can see how big the global stiffness matrix is by
looking on the Checkpoints tab of the Run Status dialog box (also in the .pas
file in the study directory), and viewing the size of global matrix profile (mb).
Simulate enables you to limit the amount of memory the global stiffness
matrix consumes by setting the Memory Allocation field in the Solver Settings
area of the Run Settings dialog box. This Memory Allocation setting is called
solram. With this setting, you allocate a fixed amount of memory in which
to hold slices of the global stiffness matrix that the linear equation solver
works with at any one time. If the global stiffness matrix is too big to fit in
solram, Simulate swaps part of the matrix back and forth between disk and
RAM using a specialized swapping algorithm that is more efficient than the
general swapping algorithm used by the operating system. You need enough
swap space, to fit the entire job, and disk space, for results and temporary
files. The log file, .stt, monitors usage.

Module 4 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

The following are some suggestions and guidelines you can use to improve
performance:
• Exit other applications, if possible, so that Simulate can use as much RAM
as possible.
– You can also exit Simulate. The analysis keeps running in the
background. The progress can be monitored by viewing the .rpt file.
• Set the engine memory allocation (solram) wisely.
– Set solram low enough so that the total memory used by Simulate is
less than your total amount of RAM. The ideal amount to set for solram
is between 25 to 50 percent of RAM. If nothing else is running on your
system, set solram to 50 percent of the available RAM.
– If possible, set solram high enough so that the global stiffness matrix
fits in solram.
• If you use a 32-bit Window operating system, the maximum amount of
memory that any one application can use is 3.2 GB.
• Solram is currently limited to a maximum of 16 GB.
The other major factor that influences performance is disk usage. During an
analysis, Simulate writes all of its results to disk. Also, Simulate temporarily
stores on disk intermediate data that is required during the analysis. The
following guidelines should help improve performance:
• Make sure you are not using any drives that are mounted across the
network.
• Use drives that have a generous amount of empty space on them.
• Occasionally defragment your disks so that data can be written and read
in large contiguous blocks.
• Use fast hard drives.
• Use disk striping with a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) to
increase IO performance.
• Use a RAM disk instead of a hard disk.
• Use a solid-state drive instead of a hard disk drive.
• You can use multiple disks for temporary files by using a batch command.
• Simulate will use all available processors, multi-threading, by default. It is
possible to limit this if other applications are running.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 13

Comparing Convergence Methods
Each time you define an analysis, a convergence method must
be selected.

Figure 1 – Multipass Convergence Figure 2 – Single-Pass

Method Convergence Method

Figure 3 – Quick Check Figure 4 – P1

Comparing Convergence Methods

Each time you define an analysis, a convergence method must be selected.
Simulate is a very powerful tool which enables you to obtain the ideal balance
between the required result accuracy, and necessary time and hardware
resources.
When selecting a convergence method, there are five questions that should
be answered:
1. What is the purpose of the analysis?
2. What accuracy do I need regarding displacements?
3. What accuracy do I need regarding stresses?
4. Do I need a convergence proof?
5. How much time Simulate needs?
The figures shown represent the results obtained with the four different types
of convergence and the resulting displacements and stresses.
• Figure 1: Multipass Adaptive – Maximum Displacement is 0.175 mm and
maximum stress is 6.33 N/mm2.
• Figure 2: Single-pass Adaptive – Maximum Displacement is 0.174 mm
and maximum stress is 6.02 N/mm2.
• Figure 3: Quick Check – Maximum Displacement is 0.173 mm and
maximum stress is 5.32 N/mm2.

Module 4 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

• Figure 4: P1 – Maximum Displacement is 0.014 mm and maximum stress
is 1.82 N/mm2. This represents a multipass run with the maximum p-level
limited to one.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 15

Selecting a Convergence Method
There are some guidelines you can follow when selecting a
convergence method.

To select and test a convergence method:

• Select a convergence method.
• Review the resulting analysis.

Figure 1 – Convergence Method Decision Matrix

Selecting a Convergence Method

There are some guidelines you can follow when selecting a convergence
method. The table shown in Figure 1 gives details about what convergence
method you should select to test and run your model. Treat it only as a
guideline. If you have doubts that in special cases the solution might not
be accurate enough for your requirements, use MPA convergence to prove
the result quality.
To select and test a convergence method:
• Select a convergence method using the decision matrix shown in Figure 1.
• Review the resulting analysis. After the analysis run is finished, review and
interpret the engine report file (*.rpt). You can access the engine report file
using one of the following methods:
– The Analysis dialog box, in Creo Parametric and Simulate.
– A text editor from the operating system.
In case an analysis did not converge, or you observed a high RMS stress
error, open the result window and look for the p-level distribution in the model.
If you observe non-singular regions with very high p-levels, you may refine
the mesh there and rerun the analysis, since these are locations where
convergence might not have been obtained.
Do not refine the mesh at singular locations (sharp corners, point or
edge loads, and constraints) without using the exclude elements
functionality. This increases the stress without reaching any
boundary value.

Module 4 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Selecting a Convergence Method
Study the characteristics of the different convergence methods provided
in Simulate.

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Convergence
CAD_GEOM_PLASTIC_CLIP_SIMULATE.PR

Creo Parametric users open CAD_GEOM_PLASTIC_CLIP.PRT.

Task 1: Open Simulate and add constraints to model.

1. Start the Simulate application.

2. The Simulate application opens.
The material for the part is
already assigned. To view the
material assignment, expand
Material Assignments in the
model tree.
3. Right-click Material Assign1
and select Edit Definition. The
Material Assignment dialog box
appears.
4. Review the material information
and click OK when finished.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 17

 5. The base surface is glued to a
wall so it must be constrained
in all degrees of freedom. To
constrain the base, select the
base of the part.
6. In the ribbon, select the Home
tab. Click Displacement
from the Constraints group.
7. The Constraint dialog box
appears. Complete the fields as
shown and click OK.

Task 2: Apply a total clip force of 1 newton to the model.

1. On the model, select the surface

shown.

Module 4 | Page 18 © 2012 PTC

 2. In the ribbon, select the Home
tab. Click Force/Moment Load
from the Loads group.
3. The Force/Moment Load dialog
box appears. In the Properties
section, click Advanced to
expand the section.
4. Complete the fields as shown
and click OK.

Task 3: Define a Multipass Adaptive analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab. Click Analyses and
Studies from the Run group.
2. The Analyses and Design
Studies dialog box appears.
Select File > New Static.
3. The Static Analysis Definition
dialog box appears. Complete
the fields as shown and click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 19

Task 4: Define a Single-Pass Adaptive analysis.

1. In the Analyses and Design

Studies dialog box, select File >
New Static.
2. The Static Analysis Definition
dialog box appears. Complete
the fields as shown and click OK.

Task 5: Define a Quick Check analysis.

1. In the Analyses and Design

Studies dialog box, select File >
New Static.
2. The Static Analysis Definition
dialog box appears. Complete
the fields as shown and click OK.

Module 4 | Page 20 © 2012 PTC

Task 6: Define a P1 analysis.

1. In the Analyses and Design

Studies dialog box, select File >
New Static.
2. The Static Analysis Definition
dialog box appears. Complete
the fields as shown and click OK.

3. The analyses are all listed in the

Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box as shown.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 21

Task 7: Create a batch file containing all the analyses and execute it from
the operating system.

1. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select MPA.

2. Click Run > Batch.
3. The Batch dialog box appears. Select where you will save the file. In
the File Name field, type mecbatch. Click Save.
4. A Question dialog box appears asking “Do you want error detection?”.
Click Yes.
5. Repeat for the remaining three analyses. Use the same file name,
mecbatch, for each file. An additional Question dialog box appears
for each analysis asking “The specified batch file “mecbatch.bat”
already exists. Do you want to append this design study to the file?”
Click Yes for each design study.
6. Go to the file mecbatch.bat where it is stored. Double click the file
name.
7. A cmd.exe window opens indicating the file is running. When the
window closes, the run is complete.

8. Return to the Creo Simulate

window. The green check marks
in the Analyses and Design
Studies dialog box beside the
analyses names indicate the
runs are complete as shown.

Module 4 | Page 22 © 2012 PTC

Task 8: Review the analyses results.

1. In the Analyses and Design

Studies dialog box, select MPA.
Click Display Study Status .
2. The Run Status dialog box
appears displaying the analysis
results, as shown.
3. Review the results:
• Convergence error norm
message.
• Force balance.
• Measure results.
• Resource consumption.
When complete, click Close.
4. Repeat for each of the remaining
three analyses.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 23

Module 4 | Page 24 © 2012 PTC
Module 5
Introduction to Results Evaluation
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to use the postprocessor and review and
evaluate analysis results.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Use the postprocessor.
• Use the results window.
• Export results.
• Ensure result quality.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 1

Using the Postprocessor
The Simulate postprocessor offers many options to effectively
evaluate result data.

The standard procedure for creating

a results window in the postprocessor
is as follows:
• Start the postprocessor and select
a study to be evaluated.
• Define the display type.
• Define the result quantity.
• Define the display location.
• Define the display options. Figure 1 – Result Window
Definition – Quantity Tab

Figure 2 – Result Window Definition Figure 3 – Result Window

– Display Location Tab Definition – Display Options Tab

Using the Postprocessor

Finite Element analysis creates a large amount of result data, and big
assemblies may need several GB of disk space. The best way to manage
this data is graphically using the postprocessor. The Simulate postprocessor
offers many options to effectively evaluate result data. Linear Static analyses
containing more than one load set can be scaled and superimposed in
the postprocessor. Also mode shapes can be combined. For animation
of extremely large models, the postprocessor is also available in a 64-bit
compilation.
The standard procedure for creating a results window in the postprocessor
is as follows:
• Start the postprocessor and select a study to be evaluated – The
postprocessor can be started directly from the current Analyses and Design
Studies dialog box.
– In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select a design study
to be evaluated.
– Select Results > Define Result Window....

Module 5 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – The Result Window Definition dialog box appears. In the Study Selection
section, you can select a different design study to be evaluated if
required.
• Define the display type – These selections identify how you want to view
the results. In the Result Window Definition dialog box:
– Type a name in the Name field or keep the default.
– Select a display type from the drop-down list, Fringe, Vectors, Graph, or
Model.
The selections available on each tab vary depending on which
display type is selected.

• Define the result quantity – These selections identify what you want to
review. In the Result Window Definition dialog box, select the Quantity tab.
– Select the quantity, that is, Stress, Displacement, Strain, and so forth,
from the drop-down list.
– Select the units from the drop-down list.
– Select the component from the drop-down list.
To show convergence graphs of MPA analyses, select Graph as
the display type, and select Measures as the quantity.

• Define the display location – These selections identify where on the model
you want to review the results. In the Result Window Definition dialog
box, select the Display Location tab.
– From the drop-down list, select All, Curves, Surfaces, Volumes,
Components/Layers.
• Define the display options – These selections identify which way you would
like to review the results. In the Result Window Definition dialog box, many
display-type dependent options are available to influence appearance and
to do animations.
If you want to see the stress or deformation as a color plot
animation, you can control the speed of the animation using
the speed sliding control in the result window or via the option
Frames. The more frames, the slower and smoother the
animation.
By default, the highest deformation value is scaled to 10% of the
model size for better visibility.

In the Result Window Definition dialog box, click:

• OK and Show to directly look at the result window just defined.
• OK to define more result windows without watching the one just defined.
The postprocessor can be started by selecting Results > Select Result
Windows Template from the current Analyses and Design Studies dialog
box. You then select a default template. This template shows the analysis
results in the following three ways:
• An animated, deformed fringe plot of the von Mises stress.
• An undeformed fringe plot of the displacement magnitude.
• An undeformed principal stress vector plot.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 3

Reviewing the Results Window
There are many tasks that can be performed by using the results
window.

Some common tasks

are:
• Exporting result data.
• Accessing templates.
• Formatting the
legend.
• Manipulating the
model position and
orientation.
• Creating cross-
sections through
the model.
• Querying results.
• Displaying measure
graphs.
• Displaying minimum
or maximum values. Figure 1 – Formatting the Results Window
• Formatting the
results window.
• Printing results.

Figure 2 – Results Window Toolbar

Reviewing the Results Window

There are many tasks that can be performed by using the Results Window
menu items and icons. Some common tasks are:
• Exporting result data.
• Accessing templates – Templates can be defined and used to create
similar result windows.
• Formatting the legend – A single color of the legend or the entire legend
can be modified. The legends of different results windows can also be
linked and reset.
• Manipulating the model position and orientation – The position and
orientation of the model can be manipulated in all active windows.
• Creating cross-sections through the model – Cross-sections can be
created through the model. Capping surfaces may also be created by an
ISO-surface. When using this, only regions above or below a certain level
are shown. This can be useful for documentation purposes.

Module 5 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

• Querying results – Results can be queried from selected locations.
• Displaying measure graphs – Certain result measures can be shown
versus the p-pass or versus another measure.
• Displaying minimum or maximum values.
• Formatting the results window – The appearance of the active results
window can be controlled. In the Results window select Format > Result
Window.... The Visibilities dialog box appears. The background color and
visibilities can be selected.
• Printing Results – Results can be printed in different file formats.
Pressing SHIFT enables the multi selection of result windows to do common
operations. Active windows have a green margin, inactive a red. The default
results window background color can be changed with the config.pro-option:
sim_pp_background_color. Options are proe, blue, black, and white. Use
white for printed reports.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 5

Exporting Results
Result data can be exported in several formats and used for
different purposes.

Result export options:

• Image
• Creo View Format
• Direct VRML
• HTML Report
• Graph report
• MS Excel
• Movie
• NASTRAN mesh Figure 1 – Direct VRML File

Figure 2 – MS Excel Graph:

von Mises Stress versus Curve
Arc Length Figure 3 – Movie File

Exporting Results
Result data can be shown in the postprocessor as fringe, vector, model, or
graph plot. It can also be exported in several formats and used for different
purposes.
Result export options:
• Image – Results can be printed to a file or sent to a printer.
• Creo View Format – Enables you to export the model with fringe or vector
results for examination in Creo View.
• Direct VRML – This option creates a facetted surfaces geometry from the
deformed shape, with colors for displacements, stresses, or strains. This
part can be imported into a Pro/E part or assembly, which enables you to
check for an interference with other assembly parts. The VRML file can
also be opened by anyone having a VRML viewer.
• HTML Report – This is a predefined report format with variable information
content. This can be opened by anyone with an HTML Browser.
• Graph report – This is a tabular text file (ASCII) containing the x- and
y-values from a postprocessor graph plot, quantities along a curve, or a
measure convergence plot.
• MS Excel – This is similar to a graph report but in MS EXCEL format. This
enables display of more than one quantity in a graph plot.

Module 5 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

• Movie – This option writes out a result animation movie as MPEG or AVI file.
• NASTRAN mesh – This option enables you to create a NASTRAN file
format (*.nas) of the mesh topology of the surface of the model in the
deformed or undeformed state (bulk data with grid points, shell elements).
A displacement quantity must be displayed for this.
The result export options are helpful for documentation and for cooperation
with people having no access to Simulate. The VRML export geometry is
ideal to study in Creo Parametric to determine if the deformed structure leads
to a collision with the surrounding assembly.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 7

The Simulate Result Directory Structure
When an analysis is performed, the Simulate results are saved
in a separate directory.

The result directory contains:

• A subdirectory with all result data.
• A complete copy of the Creo
Parametric or Direct model.
• The engine run report file.
• The engine status log file.
• A diagnostic log file.
• A Simulate Database.
• A file providing more detailed
engine runtime error information.
• A file with the measure results in Figure 1 – The Engine Run
ASCII format. Report File

Figure 2 – The Engine Status Log File Figure 3 – The Diagnostic Log File

The Simulate Result Directory Structure

The Simulate simulation model information is saved within the Creo
Parametric .prt or .asm-files. When an analysis is performed, the results are
saved in a separate directory. Simulate creates a directory with the name of
the analysis for every analysis or design study. The default storage location
setting is the active working directory. Remember to define unique analysis
names; otherwise, results from previous, similar-named engine runs are
overwritten if you ignore the warning.
The result directory contains:
• A subdirectory with all result data, such as displacements, strains, stress,
p-levels, element strain energy information, and measure convergences.
• A complete copy of the Creo Parametric or Direct model, part, or parts and
assemblies (in the state when the study was started or saved for a later
batch analysis).
• The engine run report file (.rpt) with p-loop, error norm, measure and
convergence information, if MPA analysis. It can be opened with a text
editor or accessed from within the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box

Module 5 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

 by selecting Info > Status. The Run Status dialog box appears. Select
the Summary tab.
• The engine status log file (.stt) with additional engine run time information.
It can be accessed from within the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box
by selecting Info > Status. The Run Status dialog box appears. Select
the Log tab.
• A diagnostic log file (.pas). This contains convergence loop information for
nonlinear analysis, large displacement, and contact. It can be accessed
from within the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box by selecting Info >
Status. The Run Status dialog box appears. Select the Checkpoints tab.
• A Simulate Database (.mdb for parts or .mda for assemblies) containing all
simulation information, simulation geometry, mesh, loads, and constraints.
This file is needed by the postprocessor for results display. This file can
also be opened in Simulate Independent Mode for a detailed review. It has
to be unlinked from the Creo Parametric model and copied under a new
name, to be changed for further use in independent mode.
• A file providing more detailed engine runtime error information (.err).
• A file with the measure results in ASCII format (.csv).
For documentation and archiving, the complete result directory should be
stored. Since it also contains a copy of the Creo Parametric Data set, the
Creo Parametric files that were used to start the analysis do not need to be
stored in addition. For reduction of data amount, the subdirectory containing
the detailed result data may be deleted. In this case, the analysis can
be restarted with the Creo Parametric files in the main directory at a later
time. The new results can then be compared with the old rpt-file results for
verification.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 9

Ensuring Result Quality
The result evaluation and model quality check follows a set of
typical process steps.

Result Evaluation and Model Quality

Check process steps:
• Check the model definitions in the
preprocessor.
• Monitor the engine run.
• Evaluate results in the
postprocessor.
• Review results convergence.
• Verify the analysis results with an
analytical approximation. Figure 1 – Analytical Solution

Ensuring Result Quality

The result evaluation and model quality check follows a set of typical process
steps. If all steps are checked, the risk of obtaining erroneous results is
significantly minimized.
Result Evaluation and Model Quality Check process steps:
• Check the model definitions in the preprocessor.
– Check that the simulation geometry is actual and reasonably simplified
for the analysis goal: stiffness or strength.
– Check units and unit consistency.
– Check material definitions. For example, is the Modulus of Elasticity,
E, correctly entered?
– Check loads; review total load.
– Check constraint degrees of freedom and references.
• Monitor the engine run. Carefully read the engine messages before you
open any result window.
– Check the analysis definition to make sure correct load and constraint
sets are selected.
– Use the diagnostic tool for obtaining the most important messages
summarized.
– Check the engine report file and review:
♦ Units system, number and type of elements.
♦ Convergence loop log, the error norms.
♦ Total model mass, especially if volume loads are applied or
idealizations are used.
♦ Resultant loads.
♦ Measures and convergence info.
– For nonlinear analyses: Check the iteration log in the *.pas engine file.
• Evaluate results in the postprocessor.

Module 5 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

 – Set the Display Type to Model and start with an animation of the
deformed shape (10% scale). Check if this is in accordance with the
constraints and applied loads.
– Check a fringe plot of the displacements without magnification factor
(scale=1:1). Determine if linear theory is still valid.
– Define stress fringe plots and check if the levels and locations are
reasonable.
– Check that principal stress vectors at unloaded surfaces are never
out-of-plane.
– Check the p-level, especially in SPA, and/or if the report file indicates
poor error norms and convergences. Create a convergence plot for
measures (MPA).
• Review results convergence. The convergence gives you an idea of how
accurate your results are.
• Verify the analysis results with an analytical approximation. Compare the
numerical result with a given analytical solution for validation.
Never trust the first colorful plot you create. Be aware of the long list of
simplifications and possible user-defined error sources inherent to structural
analysis.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 11

Module 5 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC
Module 6
Materials and Simulate Geometry Features
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to define materials and Simulate geometry
features.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Define a linear elastic material.
• Define Simulate model geometry.

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 1

Defining Linear Elastic Materials
Simulate enables you to define various material types.

To define a linear elastic material:

• Select a material from the library,
or create a new one.
• Describe material properties as
a function of temperature or a
parameter.
• Apply material to parts or volumes. Figure 1 – Material Selection

Figure 2 – Material Definition Figure 3 – Material Orientation

Defining Linear Elastic Materials

Simulate enables you to define various material types.
• Isotropic
– Linear
– Hyperelastic
– Elastoplastic
• Orthotropic
• Transversely Isotropic
In this course, we treat only linear elastic and isotropic materials. Simulate
can use the materials defined in Creo Parametric. There, all material data
necessary for the calculation can be entered. Additionally, in Simulate, further
materials can be defined and stored in the same library or in the model itself
(part or assembly). Materials defined and assigned in Simulate override the
part material defined in Creo Parametric.
To define a linear isotropic material:
• Select a material from the library, or create a new one.
• Describe material properties as a function of temperature or a parameter.

Module 6 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – Poisson’s Ratio, Modulus of Elasticity, E, and Coefficient of Thermal
Expansion, CTE, and Thermal Conductivity can be defined as functions
of temperature.
– All material properties can be defined as parameters. Later they can
then be varied and optimized by a design study. To create a design
parameter, select a specific material value and connect it to a previously
defined Creo Parametric parameter, or create a new parameter.
• Apply material to parts or volume regions. In the case of idealizations,
directly reference the materials from those (for example, beams, shells).
Creo Parametric, Direct, and Simulate store materials in a *.mat file in the
location defined with the config.pro option pro_material_dir. Check materials
for their system of units when switching to Legacy Independent mode (only
possible from Simulate Embedded Mode).

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 3

Defining Simulate Model Geometry
Simulate enables you to create datums and model geometry that
only appear in the model tree when Simulate is used.

The following datums and model

geometry can be created:
• Points
• Datum curves or planes
• Coordinate systems
• Surface regions
• Volume regions Figure 1 – Datum Point Tool

Figure 2 – Datum Plane Tool Figure 3 – Coordinate System Tool

Defining Simulate Model Geometry

Simulate enables you to create datums and model geometry that only appear
in the model tree when Simulate is used. Most important are user-defined
Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems, and surface or
volume regions. The subdivision of surfaces into surface regions or volumes
into volume regions are effective tools to create references for loads and
constraints, or a refined mesh. They are also useful as references for
measures, shells, and rigid or weighted links.
The following datums and model geometry can be created:
• Points – Create points as in Creo Parametric. They can be moved into the
Creo Parametric model tree, if not dependent from other simulation datums.
• Datum curves or planes – Create datum curves and planes. Curves, spline
or sketched, can be taken into account by AutoGEM.
• Coordinate systems – Coordinate Systems in Simulate differ from Creo
Parametric. Not only Cartesian but also Cylindrical and Spherical are
allowed. These can be referenced for loads, constraints, functions,
measures, material orientations, and in the postprocessor. When defining
measures, loads, and so forth, by default they refer to the active coordinate
system.

Module 6 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

• Surface regions – These are used to subdivide existing surfaces, also
surfaces within the volume from volume regions, so that loads or constraints
can be precisely placed or a special local mesh can be enforced.
• Volume regions – These subdivide part volumes and create surfaces that
can be referenced. Volume regions can have different materials and all
their boundaries are taken into account by AutoGEM.
Use the Mesh Surface command to check the defined regions. This creates a
set of grid lines on the selected surfaces.
The sketch of a surface region must not necessarily lie on the
surface to be subdivided; it can also be projected on the surface.
Use volume or surface regions to create loads or constraints
on partial areas of a cylindrical surface. Otherwise, the whole
circumference area is selected by default.

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 5

Module 6 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC
Module 7
Loads and Constraints
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to define loads and constraints for a model.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Define global loads.
• Define forces, moments, and pressures.
• Define constraints.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 1

Defining Global Loads
Global loads are loads that act on the whole analysis model,
not only on a region of it.

The following global loads are

available:
• Gravitational
• Centrifugal
• Temperature

Figure 1 – Gravitational Load

Figure 2 – Centrifugal Load Figure 3 – Temperature Load

Defining Global Loads

Simulate provides a large number of options to apply global loads to a model.
Global loads are gravitational, centrifugal, and temperature loads which
always impact the entire model. Loads can be edited in the model tree.
Information can be obtained in this way, and they can be hidden. Loads can
be assigned to load sets. Then, each load set can be solved separately in
a linear static analysis run.
The following global loads are available:
• Gravitational – When defining gravitational loads, enter components of
earth acceleration in one of the offered units systems.
• Centrifugal – Define vector of rotation axis and angular speed in one of the
three offered units (rad/sec, deg/sec, RPM) by selecting the corresponding
option and enter the corresponding values. You can also define a rotational
acceleration (in rad/sec2 or deg/sec2).
• Temperature – Define the actual and reference temperature. The actual
temperature may be constant for the complete model, a function of
coordinates (to be defined by a symbolic or tabular function), or imported
from a file containing the externally calculated temperature field (*.fnf

Module 7 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – FEM Neutral Format). The reference temperature is the temperature
before the load is applied.
A MEC/T temperature load can also be applied. Structural calculations with
MEC/T loads are based on the results from Simulate Thermal.
The loads are defined by default in the currently active coordinate system.
Other coordinate systems may be selected if required. Only for constraints
defined in the World Coordinate System can reaction load measures be
calculated.
For global structural loads in structural and in transient thermal analyses, the
density has to be specified correctly; otherwise, volumetric forces and the
heat capacity are calculated wrong.
Since global loads are not taken into account when using the
Review Total Load command, the only way to check the effect of
global loads is to review the *.rpt-file (for example, the resulting
force of a gravity load). In this case, reactions must be requested in
the Structural Analysis Definition dialog box as an output quantity.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 3

Defining Forces, Moments, and Pressure
Simulate provides a number of options to apply a
geometry-related load to a model.

Loads that can be applied are:

• Forces
• Moments
• Pressures
• Bearing Load

Figure 1 – Applied Moment

Figure 2 – Applied Pressure Figure 3 – Applied Bearing Load

Defining Forces, Moments, and Pressure

Simulate provides a number of options to apply a geometry-related load to a
model. Loads can be applied on points, curves, edges, and surfaces. The
load resultant at a specific point (force, moment) with respect to an arbitrary
Cartesian coordinate system can be determined directly in the Simulate UI
using the Review Total Load command without starting the Simulate solver.
Loads that can be applied are:
• Forces and Moments – When defining a force or moment, you can select
the distribution as:
– Total Load – If this is selected when the surface geometry is changed,
the total load remains unchanged.
– Force Per Unit Area – If this is selected, the total load changes
depending on the surface area.
– Total Load at Point – In addition to the surface on which the load acts, a
point is selected where the total load is applied. This functionality has
different purposes:
♦ Apply a moment load to volumes – Since volume elements do not
support rotations, moments are converted to surface forces that

Module 7 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

 create an equivalent moment. Never apply a moment directly to a
point of a volume without using the Total Load at Point option, or this
moment is ignored. The point position is not important if values are
entered only in the moment data fields.
♦ Automatically create a resulting moment (with the help of surface
forces) out of the applied force if the point referenced in the Total
Load at Point has a certain distance to the loaded surface (lever arm).
– Total Bearing Load at Point – This is a load distribution option to
automatically define resulting surface forces which a cylindrically shaped
part (for example, a pin) creates in the corresponding hole or vice versa.
It is especially useful if a bearing cutting load is imported from MDO.
• Pressures – The load vector is always oriented perpendicular to the
selected surfaces. This is to be noted especially in large deformation
analysis, when surfaces may tilt significantly. If the load is applied as
pressure, the direction moves with the surface. If it is applied as force
per unit area, the direction is always the same. A tilting surface has no
influence on the load direction then.
• Bearing Load – A bearing load approximates the contact pressure of an
axis in a hole by applying the load with a parable-shaped distribution. To
define a bearing load, select a cylindrical surface or edge. Define the force
by selecting the corresponding option for magnitude and direction.
All loads support object-action and action-object. If you select the geometry
first and then the load definition icon, the geometry is already pre-selected.
Loads are defined using the following steps:
1. Define the reference geometry.
2. Define the coordinate system. You can modify the related coordinate
system later in the definition window of the geometry-related load.
3. Define the spacial distribution.
4. Define the X, Y, and Z load components, or direction vector and load
magnitude.
Loads can be grouped in one load set by selecting a load set in the Member
of set section in the Load dialog boxes. New load sets can be defined in
these dialog boxes. A new load set can also be defined by selecting the
Home tab. Click the Loads group drop-down menu and select Load Sets.
In a single linear static analysis, multiple load sets can be taken into account.
You can combine and scale load sets with the postprocessor. Avoid loads on
points and curves since they may lead to singularities in shell and volume
models. Instead, create a small region, volume or surface, to apply the force
as a surface load with the Total Load at Point selection.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 5

PROCEDURE - Defining Forces, Moments, and Pressure

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\DefineForce
TRACTION_SHEAVE_SHAFT_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open TRACTION_SHEAVE_SHAFT.PRT

Task 1: Define the constraints in the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.

2. Click Weighted Link from

the Connections group. The
Weighted Link Definition dialog
box appears.
3. Select Surfaces from the
Independent Side drop-down
list. Select the cylindrical surface
Surf:F30 on the model as
shown.

4. Enable Point Display . In

the Weighted Link Definition
dialog box, Dependent Side
section, click in the Point field.
Select PNT8 on the model as
shown.
5. Click OK.
6. Repeat this procedure to create
a second weighted link on the
other end of the shaft. Select
PNT9 as the Dependent Side
point.

7. Click Spring from the Idealizations group. The Spring Definition

dialog box appears.
8. Complete the following:
• Select To Ground from the Type drop-down list.
• Select Single in the References section.
• Select PNT8 on the model.
9. In the Properties section, click More. The Spring Properties dialog
box appears.

Module 7 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 10. Click New. The Spring Property
Definition dialog box appears.
11. Complete the Spring Property
Definition dialog box as shown.

12. In the Spring Property Definition dialog box, click OK.

13. In the Spring Properties dialog box, click OK.
14. In the Spring Definition dialog box, click OK.

15. Define a second spring element

To Ground for PNT9 at the
opposite end of the shaft.
Complete the Spring Property
Definition dialog box as shown
and click OK to return to the
Spring Properties dialog box.
16. Click OK to close the Spring
Properties and Spring Definition
dialog boxes and complete the
spring definition.

Task 2: Define the model loads.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Force/Moment Load

from the Loads group. The
Force/Moment Load dialog box
appears.
3. In the Member of Set section,
click New. The Load Set
Definition dialog box appears.
4. Type Belt_Preload in the Name
field. Click OK.
5. Select the curved surface on the
model as shown. One surface
should be displayed in the
selection bin.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 7

 6. In the Force/Moment Load dialog box, select Selected in the
Properties section.
7. In the model tree, expand Simulation Features and select CS1.
8. Select Force Per Unit Area from the Distribution drop-down list.
9. In the Force section, type –23.8095 in the R field.
10. Click Preview to review the load.
11. Click OK.

12. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

13. Click Force/Moment Load

from the Loads group. The
Force/Moment Load dialog box
appears.
14. In the Member of Set section,
click New. The Load Set
Definition dialog box appears.
15. Type Torque in the Name field.
Click OK.
16. Select the curved surface on the
model as shown. Two surfaces
should be displayed in the
selection bin.

17. In the Force/Moment Load dialog box, select Advanced in the

Properties section.
18. Select Total Load at Point from the Distribution drop-down list. In
the model, select PNT2.
19. In the Moment section, type –50000 in the Z field.
20. Click Preview to review the load.
21. Click OK.

Module 7 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

 22. In the ribbon, select the Home
tab.

23. Click Force/Moment Load

from the Loads group. The
Force/Moment Load dialog box
appears.
24. In the Member of Set section,
select Torque from the
drop-down list.
25. Select the curved surface on the
model as shown. One surface
should be displayed in the
selection bin.

26. In the Force/Moment Load dialog box, select Selected in the

Properties section.
27. In the model tree, select CS1.
28. Select Force Per Unit Area from the Distribution drop-down list.
29. In the Force section, type 8.6614935 in the Theta field.
30. Click Preview to review the load.
31. Click OK.

32. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

33. Click Force/Moment Load

from the Loads group. The
Force/Moment Load dialog box
appears.
34. In the Member of Set section,
click New. The Load Set
Definition dialog box appears.
35. Type Belt_addition_p_from_T
in the Name field. Click OK.
36. Select the curved surface on the
model as shown. One surface
should be displayed in the
selection bin.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 9

 37. In the Force/Moment Load dialog box, select Selected in the
Properties section.
38. In the model tree, select CS1.
39. Select Force Per Unit Area from the Distribution drop-down list.
40. Select Interpolated Over Entity from the Spatial Variation drop-down
list.
41. Press CTRL and select PNT3 and PNT4 from the model.
42. In the Value column, type 0 in the first field, and type 27.2109 in the
second field.
43. In the Force section, type –1 in the R field.
44. Click Preview to review the load.
45. Click OK.

Task 3: Define and run the static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.
4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Shaft.
• Select only the following load sets in the Load Set/Component
section.
– Belt_Preload
– Torque
– Belt_addition_p_from_T
• Keep all other defaults.
5. Click OK.

6. Click Start Run . Click Yes to run interactive diagnostics.

7. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.

This completes the procedure.

Module 7 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

Defining Loads as Functions
A load can be defined as spatial function by tables, formulas,
or interpolated over entity relative to the selected coordinate
system.

To define a load as a function:

• Select spatial distribution.
• Define the function.
• Reference the coordinate system
used to describe the spatial
distribution. Figure 1 – Defined Load

Figure 2 – Function Definition Figure 3 – Symbolic Options

Dialog Box Dialog Box

Defining Loads as Functions

In case of edge or curve, surface, and pressure loads, it is possible to vary
the loads by selecting Interpolated Over Entity or Function Of Coordinates
in the Spatial Variation section of the Load dialog box. By interpolation, the
load values at the selected support points are linked by a linear (select two
points), squared (select three points), or cubic (select four points) function. A
load can be defined as spatial function by tables or formulas, relative to the
selected coordinate system. For pressure, scalar data can be imported via
the PTC *.fnf-file (FEM neutral format).
To define a load as a function:
• Select spatial distribution – In the Load dialog box, Spatial Variation
section, select Interpolated Over Entity or Function Of Coordinates. Define
up to four support points with scaling factor on an edge.
• Define the function – In the Function Definition dialog box:
– Select the coordinate system referenced by the function.
– In the Type section, define the function as a formula, Symbolic, or table.
– If the function is a formula, click Available function components.... The
Symbolic Options dialog box appears. Create the function by selecting
the applicable variables, operators, constants, and functions. When
complete, click Close. The function appears in the Symbolic Expression
section of the Function Definition dialog box. If you already know the
command syntax, you can directly enter your function without using
the Symbolic Options dialog box.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 11

 – To preview the function as a graph, click Review in the Function
Definition dialog box.
– To preview the vectorial load distribution over the loaded references,
click Preview in the Load Definition dialog box after the function
definition is completed.
• Reference the coordinate system used to describe the spatial distribution.
Simulate Structure can calculate multiple load sets in one analysis run which
can then be superposed in the postprocessor. The assignment of loads to
load sets can be verified in the model tree. Check the resulting total force
on the model, especially in case of force-balanced simulations, by selecting
Review Total Load and compare it with the resulting total force in the *.rpt file.

Module 7 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Defining Constraints
Applying constraints in Simulate restricts degrees of freedom
in the model.

The following constraints can be defined:

• Standard constraints in any Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinate
system.
• Symmetry constraints.
• Planar, Pin, or Ball constraints.

Figure 2 – Symmetry Constraint

Figure 1 – Constraint Dialog Box Dialog Box

Defining Constraints
Applying constraints in Simulate restricts degrees of freedom in the model.
Every point in space has 6 degrees of freedom: 3 in translation and 3 in
rotation. The option Fixed locks the corresponding degree of freedom. An
enforced displacement can be assigned as well. All geometries in the model
which are not restricted by a constraint can move freely in space.
Points in solids do not support rotations; rotational constraints have
no effect. This is different than shells or beams, which support
rotations. But be aware that in shells, the rotation normal to the
shell face just has an infinitesimal, rotational stiffness, unlike the
other two rotational directions. Take care when constraining this
degree of freedom rotational. It does not offer a real existing,
physical stiffness.

The following constraints can be defined:

• Standard constraints in any Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinate
system – These are defined using the Constraint dialog box. In this dialog
box, define the following:

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 13

 – Select the type of reference to be constrained, surface, edge, or point.
– The coordinate system – The constraints are defined in the currently
active coordinate system, but you can also select any other system if
required. The dialog box selections and degrees of freedom change
depending on the coordinate system type, Cartesian, cylindrical, or
spherical. The effect of all other constraint types available in Simulate
can be obtained with an equivalently defined standard constraint, with
the only exception of cyclic constraints.
– The constraints placed on the translational and rotational degrees of
freedom, free, fixed, or prescribed. A prescribed displacement enforces
reactions in the model.
• Symmetry constraints – Symmetry constraints are defined in the Symmetry
Constraint dialog box. There are two types of symmetry that can be used
in Simulate:
– Cyclic Symmetry – This enables you to calculate “pieces of pie” as long
as deformations and stress on both similar-shaped cross-sections are
equal. It must be defined before AutoGEM starts.
– Mirror Symmetry – This constraint fixes the translational direction normal
to the selected surface and its two in-plane rotational directions.
• Planar, Pin, or Ball constraints.
– Planar – This constraint feature fixes the translational direction normal
to the selected planar surface.
– Pin – This constraint enables you to fix the normal direction of a
cylindrical surface (radial). Optionally, you can also fix its translation
along and rotation around the cylinder axis. Internally, a constraint
defined in cylindrical coordinates is created. Use Legacy Independent
Mode to study which rotational degrees of freedom are constrained.
This is important for shell elements.
– Ball – This constraint constrains the normal direction of a spherical
surface, the radial direction expressed in a spherical coordinate system
at the ball center.
When setting constraints, the model has to be statically determinate; no
remaining rigid body movement is allowed in static analysis. It may be
over-constrained and redundant. Alternatively, a model can be calculated with
Inertia Relief without any constraints. This equates quasi-static accelerations
with the external forces. The constraints are valid for all possible points on
the selected geometry.
For constraints defined in a cylindrical or spherical coordinate
system, or constraints defined in a Cartesian system not orthogonal
to the World Coordinate System, no reaction load measures can be
calculated. As a work around, you may use the Resultant measures
for the constrained surfaces.

If you use standard constraints as symmetry conditions, equivalent to a mirror

constraint, the following general rule is valid: The degree of freedom for
translation normal to the symmetry plane and the two other rotational degrees
of freedom have to be fixed. The constraint type mirror symmetry can only
be used with planar references being parallel or perpendicular; otherwise,
use a standard constraint with a local coordinate system. Unlike load sets,

Module 7 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

only one constraint set at once can be used for calculation, or several can be
combined to one resulting set.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 15

PROCEDURE - Defining Constraints

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Constraints TILT_LEVER_SIMULATE.PRT
Creo Parametric users open TILT_LEVER.PRT

Task 1: Investigate model properties.

1. To review the model settings, click File > Prepare > Model
Properties. The Model Properties dialog box appears.
2. Review the units used in the model and click Close.

3. In the ribbon, select the Inspect

tab.

4. Click Diameter from the

Measure group. The Diameter
dialog box appears.
5. Select any half of the hole as
shown in the figure. The value
of the diameter is reported in the
Diameter dialog box. Repeat for
the remaining holes.
6. Close the Diameter dialog box.

7. In the model tree, expand Materials.

8. Right-click AL2014 and select Edit Definition. The Material Definition
dialog box appears.
9. Review the values for Young’s Modulus, Poisson’s Ratio, and the
units specified. Click OK.

Module 7 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC

Task 2: Define a cylindrical coordinate system.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.

2. Click Coordinate System

from the Datum group. The
Coordinate System dialog box
appears.
3. Select Cylindrical from the Type
drop-down list.
4. In the References section, click
Select items.
5. Enable Plane Display and
Axis Display . Press CTRL
and select the axis Hole_B and
the datum plane Front on the
model.
6. In the Coordinate System dialog
box, select the Orientation tab.
7. Click in the first Use field. Select
the axis Hole_B in the model.
8. Select Z from the To Determine
drop-down list.
9. Click in the second Use field.
Select the datum plane Right in
the model.
10. Select T=90 from the Project
drop-down list. The coordinate
system is displayed as shown.
11. In the Coordinate System dialog
box, click OK.

12. Define a second coordinate system for hole C using the same method.
Use the following references:
• axis Hole_C
• datum plane Front
• datum plane for orientation Right

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 17

Task 3: Define the constraints.

The type of constraint that

is defined here simulates a
steel rod placed in the hole.
This enables the lever to
rotate and translate along
the hole axis, but does not
enable radial deformation.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Displacement from

the Constraints group. The
Constraint dialog box appears.
3. In the model, select any of
the half surfaces of hole B.
The remaining half of the hole
is automatically selected and
two surfaces are listed in the
References section as shown.

4. In the Coordinate System section, select Selected.

By default, Creo Simulate defines the constraints using
WCS (World Coordinate System), a Cartesian coordinate
system. Notice that the Translation degrees of freedom
is currently displaying X, Y, and Z as directions for the
constraints.

5. In the model tree expand Simulation Features and select the Hole_B
cylindrical coordinate system, CS1.
Note that the Translation section displays R, Theta, and Z.

6. Click Free Translation for Theta and Z.

7. Click OK.
8. Apply the same constraint conditions to Hole C, using the cylindrical
coordinate system created for Hole C, CS2.

Module 7 | Page 18 © 2012 PTC

 9. In the ribbon, select the Home
tab.

10. Click Displacement from

the Constraints group. The
Constraint dialog box appears.

11. Enable Point Display . In

the References section, select
Points from the drop-down list.
12. Select the datum point PNT0 as
shown.

13. Use the WCS and complete the

Translation section as shown.
14. Click OK.
All these constraints are part
of the same constraint set
and, therefore, act on the
system at the same time.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 7 | Page 19

Module 7 | Page 20 © 2012 PTC
Module 8
Interfaces, Assemblies, and Measures
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to use interfaces in assemblies, and measures.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand and use interfaces in assemblies.
• Understand and use measures.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 1

Using Interfaces
Interfaces are used to connect or disconnect components or
surfaces in a model, especially in assemblies.

The following interfaces can be used

in Simulate Structure:
• Bonded
• Free
• Contact
The following interfaces are used in
Simulate Thermal:
• Bonded
• Adiabatic Figure 1 – Default Interface:
• Thermal Resistance Bonded or Free

Figure 2 – Creating an Individual Figure 3 – Default Interface:

Interface Contact

Using Interfaces
Interfaces are used to connect or disconnect components or surfaces in a
model, especially in assemblies. When you create an interface, you specify
how Simulate treats a particular pair of mated, nearly touching, or overlapping
surfaces during meshing and analysis. For Bonded or Free Interfaces, a linear
analysis is sufficient since the system still behaves linear. A Contact interface
needs a nonlinear static analysis including contacts for solution, which may
need a lot of calculation resources. If you deactivate including contacts in the
Static Analysis Definition dialog box, it is treated as a free interface.
The following interfaces can be used in Simulate Structure:
• Bonded – In this interface, mating surfaces and element faces are merged.
• Free – In this interface, mating surfaces can move free or interfere.
• Contact – Mating surfaces can lift off, but not interfere. Using contact as a
default interface is usually not recommended, since no control, measures,
exists for all the contacts to check nonlinear analysis accuracy.
The interfaces can be defined in the Creo Simulate Model Setup dialog box.
The following interfaces are used in Simulate Thermal:

Module 8 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

• Bonded
• Adiabatic
• Thermal Resistance
You can create an individual interface using the Interface Definition dialog
box. An individually created interface overrides the model default interface.
Do not check Split Surfaces for free or contact interfaces if this creates small
sliver surfaces in case of mating surfaces with unequal size or geometry.
Otherwise, AutoGEM creates many elements there or fails. This is very
helpful for milled casted parts with rounds and bevels, since there the mating
surfaces usually never have exactly the same geometry and size. If both
default or individual interfaces have to be defined in a model, take the default
interface type that has the most prevailing number of mating surfaces.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 3

Reviewing Interfaces
This topic illustrates how the different interface types influence
the assembly analysis result in a structural and a thermal
analysis.

Illustrated here are:

• Interfaces in Simulate Structure
• Interfaces in Simulate Thermal

Figure 1 – Two Plates with a Figure 2 – Two Blocks with

Surface Load Different Temperatures

Reviewing Interfaces
This topic illustrates how the different interface types influence the assembly
analysis result in a structural and a thermal analysis.
Illustrated here are:
• Interfaces in Simulate Structure – Shown in the top set of images in Figure
1 are two plates under a surface load. The second, third, and fourth sets of
images show bonded, free, and contact surfaces, respectively.
• Interfaces in Simulate Thermal – Shown in Figure 2 are two blocks with
different prescribed temperatures. The top image illustrates a thermal
resistance interface, and the bottom image illustrates an adiabatic interface
with no heat flow.

Module 8 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Reviewing Interfaces

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Interfaces WELDED_JOINT_SIMULATE.ASM

Creo Parametric users open WELDED_JOINT.ASM

Task 1: Review the temperature load in the model.

1. In the model tree, expand Loads/Constraints and Load Set

LoadSet1.
2. Right-click Load1 and select Edit Definition. The Structural
Temperature Load dialog box appears.
3. Review the load information and click OK.

Task 2: Define the resultant force measure.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Measures from the

Run group. The Measures dialog
box appears.
3. Click New. The Measure
Definition dialog box appears.
4. Complete the Measure Definition
dialog box as shown. After
selecting Surfaces in the
Spatial Evaluation section, click
Select Reference and select
Surf:F8(REVOLVE_1):STAMP
in the model.
5. Click OK to return to the
Measures dialog box.
6. Click Close.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 5

Task 3: Define the free interface connection.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.

2. Click Interface from the

Connections group. The
Interface Definition dialog box
appears.
3. Complete the dialog box as
shown. For the two surface
references, in any order, select
the top surface of PLATE.PRT
and the bottom surface of
STAMP.PRT.
4. Click OK.

Task 4: Mesh the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
2. Select Maximum Element
Size from the Control
Types drop-down menu in the
AutoGEM group. The Maximum
Element Size Control dialog box
appears.
3. In the References section,
select Components from the
drop-down menu.
4. In the model tree, press CTRL
and select PLATE.PRT and
STAMP.PRT.
5. Type 15 in the Element Size field.
6. Click OK.
7. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears.
8. Click Create. The mesh is
created as shown.

Module 8 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 9. Inspect the mesh and note that no common nodes are created where
surfaces of the parts involved are sharing a free interface connection.
There are common nodes everywhere else.
10. Click Close in all dialog boxes to return to the AutoGEM dialog box.
11. In the AutoGEM dialog box, click Close.
12. Click No when prompted to save the mesh.

Task 5: Define and run a static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.
4. Type Welded_Joint_Free in the Name field. Keep all other default
settings.
5. Click OK.

6. Select the Analysis just defined and click Start Run .

7. Click Yes to run interactive diagnostics.

8. Click Display Study Status to monitor the progress of the

analysis.
9. Inspect the information displayed in the Run Status dialog box.
Identify the maximum displacement magnitude. Also, in the summary
file, identify the resultant measure defined, Reaction_Y.
10. In the Run Status dialog box, click Close.
11. In the Diagnostics dialog box, click Close.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 7

Task 6: Create the result window and inspect results.

1. Click Results > Define Result

Window. The Result Window
Definition dialog box appears.
2. Complete the dialog box as
shown.
3. Click OK and Show.

4. Review the plot. Examine the

deformation and notice that the
plates are held together by the
weld.

5. Click File > Exit Results.

6. Click No when prompted to save the current results window.
7. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, click Close.
8. Click File > Manage Session > Erase Current.
9. Click OK in response to the Erase Confirm prompt.

This completes the procedure.

Module 8 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Using Measures
Measures enable you to evaluate certain results, or result
quantities, as discrete numbers in the engine report file or as a
graph plot using the postprocessor.

To define a measure:
• Type the name of the measure.
• Specify the quantity to be
measured.
• Select a component or sub-option
and a referenced user coordinate
system.
• Select the spatial evaluation.
• Enter further options if necessary. Figure 1 – Measure Definition

Figure 2 – User-Defined Measures Figure 3 – Predefined Measures

Using Measures
Measures enable you to evaluate certain results, or result quantities, as
discrete numbers in the engine report file or as a graph plot using the
postprocessor. The postprocessor also enables you to plot a measure
versus another measure. Measures can be used as a convergence norm
in a multipass adaptive analysis. In static, modal, and buckling analyses,
Simulate provides several system predefined measures. In addition, for these
and other analyses, the user can create measures for specific requirements
in the postprocessor.
To define a measure, use the Measure Definition dialog box and complete
the following:
• Type the name of the measure – Type a meaningful name. If required,
enter a description.
• Specify the quantity to be measured – The available quantities are shown
in Figure 2.
• Select a component or sub-option and a referenced user coordinate
system – Select sub-options for each quantity. The types of sub-options
depend on the quantity selected.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 9

• Select the spatial evaluation – Options may be point, minimum, or
maximum (near point, over model, over selected idealizations, and so
forth). Select the geometry linked with the measurement.
• Enter further options if necessary.
Predefined measures are also available, as shown in Figure 3.
When working with measures on defined points, you must ensure that these
points move or stay as required in the sensitivity study during geometry
update. The convergence plot can be checked for every measure when
running the study in MPA. Computed measures enable you to further process
existing measure results in analytical expressions. These can then be output
in the report file.

Module 8 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Using Measures

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Measures MEASURE_CLIP_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open MEASURE_CLIP.PRT

Task 1: Prepare the model for measure specification.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
2. Click Point from the Datum
group. The Datum Point dialog
box appears.
3. Select the surface shown in the
model.
The point you create
in the model does not
have to be a hard point
(a finite element node),
but it must reside on
the geometry. You can
also place measures
inside the geometry,
but those must be
created on references
such as edges of
Volume Regions.

4. Enable Plane Display .

5. In the Datum Point dialog box,
click in the Offset references
field.
6. Press CTRL and select the
Front_XY datum plane and the
edge, as shown.

7. In the Datum Point dialog box, in the Offset references section,

type 0.0 for the Front offset reference, and 1.50 for the edge offset
reference.
8. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 11

Task 2: Create a displacement measure.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Measures from the

Run group. The Measures dialog
box appears.
3. Click New. The Measure
Definition dialog box appears.
4. Complete the fields as shown.
5. Click OK.

Task 3: Create a computed measure.

1. In the Measures dialog box, click

New. The Measure Definition
dialog box appears.
2. Complete the dialog box as
shown.
3. Click OK.
4. In the Measures dialog box, click
Close.

Module 8 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Task 4: Investigate the measures as output from a static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.

3. Select the study that is already defined and click Start Run .
4. Click Yes to run the interactive diagnostics.

5. Click Display Study Status to monitor the run.

6. In the Run Status dialog box, identify the list of default measures
reported by Creo Simulate (minimum or maximum quantities) and
the list of your defined measures. Since the load does not vary with
time or frequency, only single values are reported for the measures
you have created.
Measures can also be used as quantities on which the
solution can converge. In any Multi-Pass Adaptive Analyses
dialog box, select the Measures radio button and select any
default or user-defined measures.

7. In the Run Status dialog box, click Close.

8. In the Diagnostics window, click Close.
9. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, click Close.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 13

Module 8 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC
Module 9
Meshing
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to define mesh settings and mesh a part.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand the mesh options.
• Use AutoGEM settings.
• Mesh a part.

© 2012 PTC Module 9 | Page 1

Understanding Mesh Options
In Simulate, the meshing of geometry can be carried out
automatically during the calculation run or prior to the analysis
in the user interface.

Options available to influence the

mesh:
• Different angles and the maximum
aspect ratio, longest/shortest
edge, can be set separately for
creation and modification.
• Create surface and/or volume
regions.
• Use AutoGEM control settings.
• Create points or point patterns in
Creo Parametric and make them
Hard Points for meshing.
• Create curves on a part surface
and activate them for meshing
by referencing them with the
AutoGEM control Hard Curve. Figure 1 – Default Mesh

Figure 2 – Recommended Shell Figure 3 – Using Mesh Control

Mesh Settings Edge Length by Curvature

Understanding Mesh Options

In Simulate, the meshing of geometry can be carried out automatically
during the calculation run or prior to the analysis in the user interface. All
commands for meshing are available using AutoGEM. In Creo Simulate
Embedded and Standalone modes, wedge and brick meshes can be created
semi-automatically by the use of special new AutoGEM controls, Prismatic
Elements, Thin Solid, and Mapped Mesh. These enable you to create meshes
especially for thin-walled structures with just a few brick and wedge elements,
giving very accurate results and low analysis times, also in nonlinear analysis.
Also mapped meshes can be created for regular-shaped geometry to deliver
exact results. In Simulate Legacy Independent Mode, single elements can
also be created manually by picking single points. By using the adaptive
p-method, the meshing in Simulate in general needs less attention compared
to h-meshing. Nevertheless, in some cases, the mesh needs to be optimized.
Options available to influence the mesh:

Module 9 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

• Different angles, maximum and minimum between element edges
and faces, and allowable edge turn, and the maximum aspect ratio,
longest/shortest edge, can be set separately for creation and modification.
It is helpful to refine the settings for shell models, especially to limit the
maximum edge turn. The default AutoGEM settings, which are fine for
volume elements, can be too coarse for shells.
• Create surface and/or volume regions. Geometry created by these
features, edges, surfaces, surfaces within the part volume, is taken into
account by AutoGEM.
• Use AutoGEM control settings.
– Maximum Element Size – The maximum allowed element size on
components, volumes, surfaces, or edges can be defined. If an element
touches a surface with an element size control even with just one point,
the size is valid for all edges of this element.
– Edge Length by Curvature – Automatically creates finer meshes in
curved regions of the model, since this is typically where higher stress
gradients appear.
– Minimum Edge Length – Defines the minimum length of geometry edges
that is taken into account for meshing. It is often better to suppress
unwanted details in Creo Parametric instead of using this control.
– Isolate for Exclusion – Possible singularities in the model are meshed
with smaller elements; these elements can then be excluded from the
convergence loop.
Be careful when using this AutoGEM control. This may prevent you from
finding unknown “hot spots” in the model. Use it to obtain convergence
plots for the non-singular model locations just if you know where your
critical areas are.
– Edge Distribution – Set points on edges that become mesh points.
– Prismatic Elements – With this control, line and surface references
can be selected that define the creation direction for brick and wedge
elements.
– Thin Solid – Like for shell elements, a pair of similar-shaped surfaces
can be defined, but instead of tri and quad shells, wedge and brick
solids are created.
– Mapped Mesh – You can define regions with regular region shapes
(brick, wedge, quad, tri), so the referenced surfaces must be four-sided
or three-sided. Then, you can define the number of subdivisions per
side.
• Hard Points create points or point patterns in Creo Parametric – Hard
Points on a surface are taken into account for meshing. Hard points within
a volume are not, if not located on an interior surface of a volume region.
Note that you have to make these points and point patterns Hard Points
with this AutoGEM control; otherwise, they are ignored during meshing.
• Hard Curves create curves on a part surface and activate them for meshing
by the Hard Curve AutoGEM control – This is helpful to obtain an element
edge path for evaluating a graph in the postprocessor.
Highly curved shell elements or a contact region in a contact analysis
may require a locally refined mesh to improve the results quality. For
2-D idealizations, a very fine mesh for results of highest accuracy can be

© 2012 PTC Module 9 | Page 3

requested since these idealizations do not require a lot of resources for the
analysis.

Module 9 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Using AutoGEM Settings
The default AutoGEM settings are optimized to result in a
superior mesh in most cases.
The following AutoGEM settings can
be used if your model cannot be
meshed using the defaults:
• Isolation for Shells and 2-D Solids
• Insert Points
• Modify or Delete existing
Points/Elements
• Ignore Unpaired Surfaces
• Remove Unopposed Surfaces
• Create Links
• Create Bonding Elements
• Detailed Fillet Modeling
• Display AutoGEM Prompts Figure 1 – Geometry Tolerance
• Element Types Settings Dialog Box

Figure 2 – AutoGEM Settings

Dialog Box Figure 3 – AutoGEM Dialog Box

Using AutoGEM Settings

The default AutoGEM settings are optimized to result in a superior mesh in
most cases. The meshing of the simulation geometry can be influenced by
various settings.
Tolerance for geometry translation can be set by selecting Geometry
Tolerance. It is helpful to set this tolerance to the regeneration tolerance used
in Creo Parametric. The default settings for the geometry transfer are shown
in Figure 1. Often, absolute values adjusted to your model size and unit
system lead to better results. Use absolute values for assemblies containing
both very small and very big parts and/or copy geometry. For the mm-N-s

© 2012 PTC Module 9 | Page 5

system and typical mechanical engineering applications, absolute values
between 0.01 and 0.001 mm are fine.
The following AutoGEM settings can be used if your model cannot be
meshed using the defaults:
• Isolation for Shells and 2-D Solids – Handling of singularities for 2-D
models, not applicable for 3-D solids.
• Insert Points – Enable AutoGEM to create additional points for the mesh.
• Modify or Delete existing Points/Elements – If a partial mesh is already
existing, this enables you to change it or leave it untouched. It is
also useful for point measures in an optimization study with activated
remeshing/element smoothing.
• Ignore Unpaired Surfaces – If you did not create shell pairs for all geometry
of the model, this option enables you to mesh the model just with shells.
Pairs are already defined for test reasons, ignoring the remaining volumes.
• Remove Unopposed Surfaces – In midsurface models, surfaces without
an opposed surface are ignored during meshing.
• Create Links – This forces AutoGEM to automatically create links at
shell-solid connections to prevent hinges or at solid element faces with
non-fitting geometry (three-sided or four-sided) to prevent cracks.
• Create Bonding Elements – For connection of shell midsurfaces in
assemblies, special orthotropic solids or shells are used. Otherwise,
assembly links (default models created before WF4) are created. For the
latter, set env var sim_accurate_asm_links to yes for translation-rotation
coupling. This increases accuracy, but is more time-consuming.
• Detailed Fillet Modeling – Finer Mesh for shell and 2-D model fillets.
• Display AutoGEM Prompts – Toggles AutoGEM prompts. This is important
if you want to use bricks and wedges, since otherwise all AutoGEM
prompts are answered automatically with yes and you lose control.
• Element Types – Change default for solids from tetrahedrons to wedges
and bricks for thin and simple shaped models. In this case, often additional
mesh controls or volume regions should be defined for successful meshing.
Also, config.pro-option sim_agem_model_thickness can be set.
In the AutoGEM dialog box, the selection All with Properties indicates that
everything that has properties is meshed, volumes with material, midsurfaces
with shell, and curves and edges with beam properties. The selection
Solid/Midsurface directs Simulate to use midsurfaces for shell creation where
existent.
The mesh can be saved as *.mmp file (for single parts) or as *.mma file (for
assemblies) and recopied for further use in other simulations. Information
about the mesh and the AutoGEM log file can be obtained by selecting the
Info menu in the AutoGEM dialog box.
The elements and element types are shown in different colors.
Solids are shown in blue, tets in light blue, bricks in dark blue, and
wedges in between. Similar is valid for shells in green.

Module 9 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Using AutoGEM Settings

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Meshing

Task 1: Open and investigate the geometry model.

1. Click File > Open. The File Open dialog box appears.
2. Select STEP (.stp, .step) from the Type drop-down list.
3. Select meshing.stp and click Open. The Import New Model dialog
box appears.
4. Keep all the default settings and click OK. The geometry is displayed
in the window.

5. In the ribbon, select the Inspect

tab.
6. Select Volume from the
Measure Type’s drop-down
menu in the Measure group.
The Measure:Volume dialog box
appears.
7. In the Measure:Volume dialog
box, click the drop-down arrow
to expand the Results Layout.
The model volume is reported in
the Measure:Volume dialog box
as shown.
If Solid Geometry is
selected and only
surfaces are available
in the model, no
volume is reported.

8. Close the Measure:Volume

dialog box.

© 2012 PTC Module 9 | Page 7

Task 2: Assign material properties to the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Materials from the Materials group. The Materials dialog
box appears.
3. Select brass.mtl from the materials list and click Add Material .
4. Click OK.

5. Click Material Assignment from the Materials group. The

Material Assignment dialog box appears.
6. Verify that Part:MESHING is listed in the References section, and
BRASS is listed as the material in the Properties section.
7. Click OK.

Task 3: Add a mesh to the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
2. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears.
3. Keep all the default settings
and click Create. The model is
meshed as shown.
4. In the AutoGEM Summary dialog
box, click Close.
5. In the Diagnostics:AutoGEM
Mesh dialog box, click Close.
6. In the AutoGEM dialog box, click
Close. Click No when prompted
to save the mesh.

Module 9 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Task 4: Create a volume region for mesh refinement.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.

2. Click Extrude from the

Volume Region drop-down menu
in the Regions group. The
Extrude dashboard appears.
3. Select the Placement tab.
4. Click Define. The Sketch dialog
box appears.
5. Select the surface shown in the
model.
6. Click Sketch.

7. In the ribbon, select the Sketch

tab.

8. Click Sketch View from the

Setup group to orient the sketch
plane.

9. Click References from the

Setup group. The References
dialog box appears.
10. Select the edge of the hole as a
reference for the geometry that
will be sketched.
11. Click Close.
12. Sketch a circle with a 5.0 mm
diameter centered on the hole as
shown.
13. Click OK to return to the
Extrude dashboard.
14. Click Through All .
15. Click Apply-Save Changes .

© 2012 PTC Module 9 | Page 9

 16. In the ribbon, select the Refine
Model tab.
17. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears.
18. Keep all the default settings
and click Create. The model
is meshed as shown. Note
the distribution of the elements
around the hole.

The virtual boundary of the volume region is now part of the

model and therefore nodes are forced to be created using this
boundary. Also, notice that the back of the model (where the
other boundary of the volume region is) is meshed, too.

19. In the AutoGEM Summary dialog box, click Close.

20. In the Diagnostics:AutoGEM Mesh dialog box, click Close.
21. In the AutoGEM dialog box, click Close. Click No when prompted
to save the mesh.

Task 5: Create a surface region for mesh refinement.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.

2. Click Surface Region from

the Regions group. The Surface
Region dashboard appears.
3. Select the References tab.
4. In the Sketch section, click
Define. The Sketch dialog box
appears.
5. Select the surface shown in the
model.
6. Click Sketch.

Module 9 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

 7. In the ribbon, select the Sketch
tab.

8. Click Sketch View from the

Setup group to orient the sketch
plane.

9. Click References from the

Setup group. The References
dialog box appears.
10. Select the edge of the hole as a
reference for the geometry that
will be sketched.
11. Click Close.
12. Sketch a circle with a 7.5 mm
diameter centered on the hole as
shown.
13. Click OK to return to the
Surface Region dashboard.

14. Select the surface shown in the

model.
15. Click Apply-Save Changes .

16. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
17. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears.
18. Keep all the default settings
and click Create. The model
is meshed as shown. Note
the distribution of the elements
around the hole.

© 2012 PTC Module 9 | Page 11

 The virtual boundary of the surface region is now part of the
model and therefore nodes are forced to be created using this
boundary. Note, the back of the model is not meshed.

19. In the AutoGEM Summary dialog box, click Close.

20. In the Diagnostics:AutoGEM Mesh dialog box, click Close.
21. In the AutoGEM dialog box, click Close. Click No when prompted
to save the mesh.

This completes the procedure.

Module 9 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Module 10
More Analysis Types
Module Overview
In this module, you learn about Large Deformation Analysis (LDA) and Modal
Analysis.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand and create a Large Deformation Analysis (LDA).
• Understand and create a Modal Analysis.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 1

Understanding Large Deformation Analysis
In large deformation analysis (LDA), an iterative procedure is
used where the loads are iteratively applied on the deformed
structure until an equilibrium is reached.

Figure 1 – Undeformed to Figure 2 – Pressurized

Deformed Structure Segment Model

Figure 3 – Large Deformation Figure 4 – Small Deformation

Analysis Analysis

Understanding Large Deformation Analysis

In linear static analysis, Simulate applies the load on the undeformed
structure and analyzes the resulting displacements and stresses. In large
deformation analysis, LDA, an iterative procedure is used where the loads
are iteratively applied on the deformed structure until an equilibrium is
reached. When determining when to use this analysis the magnitude of the
deformations is of a lesser importance. It is more important to determine if the
direction of the applied forces and the stress state change significantly with
the load magnitude. In Figure 1, note that the resulting force from pressure
loads p changes with the surface position and angle, since pressure always
acts perpendicular to the surface. The attach points of surface forces F also
move with the surface, but opposed to pressure, the direction stays fixed with
the coordinate system used for definition.

Module 10 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

If you are unsure whether you have to choose linear static analysis, SDA, or
large deformation static analysis, LDA, to solve your analysis task, try both
and look for the difference in the results.
In LDA, Simulate outputs true stresses and logarithmic strains.
Note in SDA, just nominal engineering values for stress and strain
are used.

To activate LDA, select Nonlinear/Use Load Histories in the Static Analysis

Definition dialog box. In the Nonlinear Options section, select Calculate
Large Deformations.
Review the example shown. Shown in Figure 2 is the pressurized segment
model for a thin-walled structure under high pressure loads, pressure vessel.
Figure 3 displays the von Mises stress results using LDA. The displacements
are smaller in scale due to stiffening under load. Figure 4 displays the results
using linear static analysis, SDA. There is no stiffening. The neutral fiber
stays in the wall middle. Note that the resistance of the structure against the
loading must be strictly monotonically increasing, otherwise instability of the
solution appears, if you do not activate Include Snap-through in the Analysis
Definition dialog box.
LDA supports the following:
• Model Types – 3-D volumes and all 2-D idealizations: plane stress, plane
strain, and axial symmetric.
• Element Types – Tets, wedges, bricks in 3-D (no support of beams, shells,
and point masses), tris and quads in 2-D, simple springs, weighted links,
and rigid links.
• Convergence Methods – Single-Pass Adaptive and Quick Check, no
support of MPA.

Obtaining Convergence Using the Newton-Raphson Method

Simulate solves a nonlinear matrix equation for LDA. Before convergence,
Simulate calculates the residual error corresponding to the latest solution of
the displacement vector x. The residual vector r has the dimensions of force
(must be zero for system convergence). The Newton-Raphson solution then
solves for Kdx=r to determine the change in x in the next iteration.
The residual norm is the dot product r·dx. It can be thought of physically
as a residual energy, which should be zero when convergence is obtained.
Simulate normalizes the residual norm with the dot product of the total
displacement and the total force vector, so the normalized residual norm
becomes: (r·dx)/(x·f). This residual norm must be smaller than the default
value of 1.0E-12, the Residual Norm Tolerance, to achieve convergence
in Simulate.
Simulate uses a modified Newton-Raphson procedure. To increase speed,
the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno method (BFGS) is used so that the
stiffness matrix does not have to be computed and decomposed as often. A
line search technique controls step size.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 3

PROCEDURE - Understanding Large Deformation
Analysis

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Analysis\UnderstandLDA VESSEL_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open VESSEL.PRT

Task 1: Assign material properties to the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Materials from the Materials group. The Materials dialog
box appears.
3. Select pvc.mtl from the materials list and click Add Material .
4. Click OK.

5. Click Material Assignment from the Materials group. The

Material Assignment dialog box appears.
6. Verify that Part:VESSEL is listed in the References section, and PVC
is listed as the material in the Properties section.
7. Click OK.

Task 2: Investigate the loads and constraints defined in the model.

1. In the model tree, expand Loads/Constraints.

2. Expand Constraint Set ConstraintSet1. Note there are two
constraints in this set.
3. Select each constraint and note the feature highlighting in the model.
In this case, we cut the geometry for symmetry purposes. Constraint3
is simulating the missing geometry. Constraint5, located at the top of
the vessel, simulates the actual real-life constraints.
4. In the model tree, expand Load Set LoadSet1.
5. Right-click Load1 and select Edit Definition. The Pressure Load
dialog box appears.
6. Note the value of 1.0 MPa assigned to the surfaces displayed in
green in the model.
7. Click OK.

Module 10 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Task 3: Define AutoGEM controls for mesh refinement.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Maximum Element Size from the Control types drop-down

menu in the AutoGEM group and click Thin Solid > Detect Thin
Solids. The Auto Detect Thin Solids dialog box appears.
3. Verify that Use Geometry Analysis is selected.
4. Type 3.0 in the Characteristic Thickness field.
5. Click Start.
6. In the model tree, expand AutoGEM Controls. Verify that ten
controls are listed.
7. From the AutoGEM drop-down menu in the AutoGEM group,
click Settings. The AutoGEM Settings dialog box appears.
8. Select the Settings tab.
9. In the Element Types section, select Brick, Wedge, Tetra from the
Solids drop-down list.
10. Click OK.

11. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
12. Click AutoGEM from the
AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM
dialog box appears.
13. Keep all the default settings
and click Create. The model is
meshed as shown.
14. In the AutoGEM Summary dialog
box, click Close.
15. In the Diagnostics:AutoGEM
Mesh dialog box, click Close.
16. In the AutoGEM dialog box, click
Close. Click No when prompted
to save the mesh.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 5

Task 4: Define and run the static analysis for the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.
4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Vessel_SDA.
• Select the constraint and load set displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Select the Convergence tab. Keep the default Single-Pass
Adaptive method selected.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Select Vessel_SDA and click Copy . A new analysis is listed titled

Copy_of_Vessel_SDA.
7. Select the copied analysis and click Edit > Analysis/Study. The
Static Analysis Definition dialog box appears.

8. Complete the following:

• In the Name field, type
Vessel_LDA.
• Check Nonlinear/Use Load
Histories.
• In the Nonlinear Options
section, check Calculate
Large Deformations.
• Select the Output tab. In the
Plotting Grid field, type 8.
• Select User-defined Output
Steps from the Output Steps
drop-down list.
• In the Number of Master Steps
field, type 8.
• Click User-defined Steps and
complete the fields as shown.
Manually space the intervals
at 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6,
0.8, and 1.0.
9. Click OK to return to the
Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box.

Module 10 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 10. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box
appears.
11. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.

12. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select Vessel_SDA
and click Start Run . Click Yes to run interactive diagnostics.

13. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
In the summary report, investigate the maximum
deformation and von Mises stress. Make a record of these
values.

14. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box.

15. Select Vessel_LDA and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

16. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
In the study summary report, investigate the maximum
deformation and von Mises stress. Make a record of these
values. Compare the values with the SDA study.
• Notice that the magnitudes for each of these quantities
are not the same.
• Note that Creo Simulate evaluated a different load
resultant in the case of Vessel_LDA study.

17. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 7

Using Modal Analysis
A modal analysis is used to calculate the natural frequencies
(eigenfrequencies) and the associated mode shapes
(eigenvectors) of an elastic structure.

The following variables are used in

the equations shown in Figures 1, 2,
and 3:
• |M| = Mass Matrix
• |K| = Stiffness Matrix
• x(t) = Displacement Vector
• |C| = Damping Matrix
• F(t) = Forcing Function Figure 1 – Modal Analysis

Figure 2 – Mass Normalization Figure 3 – Dynamic Analysis

Using Modal Analysis

Natural frequency is the rate at which a system naturally vibrates once
it has been set into motion. A modal analysis is used to calculate the
natural frequencies (eigenfrequencies) and the associated mode shapes
(eigenvectors) of an elastic structure. You can then compare the natural
frequencies of the structure with possible excitation frequencies, enabling you
to avoid structural damage by resonance. The mode shapes show the nodal
points, the points where the amplitude is at a minimum, and antinodes, the
points where the amplitude is at a maximum. This information can then be
used for design improvement.
In a modal analysis, Simulate solves the equation shown in Figure 1. This
equation assumes free vibrations and ignores damping. The results of
the solution process are the mode shapes and the corresponding natural
frequencies. The mass and stiffness matrix must be constant and not depend
on an excitation force, so the modal analysis is linear by default. Simulate
does not support a complex modal analysis where damping is also taken into
account. Simulate modal analysis can:
• Calculate a certain number of modes starting from a lower bound.
• Calculate all modes within a lower and upper frequency bound.
• Calculate modes of the constrained or unconstrained structure, and
optionally do a rigid mode search for the constrained structure. Rigid body
modes occur when a body is not adequately supported. It can translate or
rotate as a whole without deformation. A body without any restraints has
six rigid body modes, 3 translations and 3 rotations. Rigid modes are free
body movements with a frequency of zero.
• Converge on the following in an MPA:
– Frequency

Module 10 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

 – Frequency, Local Displacement, and Local Strain Energy
– Frequency, Local Displacement, Local Strain Energy, and RMS Stress
Whenever possible use the SPA method. It is the most robust
and efficient way to obtain reliable results.

• Compute displacements for each mode. The corresponding

eigenfrequencies are written into the rpt-file. Rotations (for example, for
beams/shells) and modal stresses can be optionally output.
In Simulate, by default, mode shapes are output unit-normalized. This means
each mass-normalized mode shape is scaled by a factor so that its maximum
displacement magnitude equals 1.
After the eigenfrequencies and eigenvectors are found, by using the
command line option (massnorm), each mode shape can be directly
output mass-normalized according to the equation shown in Figure 2. If
modal stresses have been requested as output, these stresses are always
computed using the mass-normalized mode shape, independently of this
command line option. Note that modal stresses indicate the relative loading
of the structure belonging to the magnitude of the actual mass-normalized
mode shape. Since in modal analyses no excitation force is applied, they do
not reflect a real physical loading.
After the modal analysis, you may run four different types of dynamic
analyses in Simulate. Here, Simulate applies different forcing functions
F(t), depending on the type of dynamic analysis, and solves the governing
differential equation used, shown in Figure 3, on the basis of a modal
formulation. Even if you request stresses in a subsequent dynamic analysis,
you do not have to request stresses in the modal analysis, since Simulate
just uses the displacement coefficients in the dynamic analysis.
Use a modal analysis with rigid mode search to find out why your static
analysis fails with the error message insufficiently constrained. If you are not
interested in stresses, just masses and stiffness must be modeled accurately.
Small features like holes, rounds, and chamfers can be suppressed. Modal
analyses need significantly higher computer resources than static analyses.
You may reduce the plotting grid to two since this is usually enough to show
the global mode shapes in volume models. In general, you should reserve
enough disk space for temporary and output files.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 9

PROCEDURE - Using Modal Analysis

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Analysis\ModalAnalysis
FOLDING_TABLE_SIMULATE.ASM

Creo Parametric users open FOLDING_TABLE.ASM.

Task 1: Define a free interface between all components in the assembly.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Model Setup from the Set Up group. The Model Setup
dialog box appears.
3. Select Free from the Default Interface drop-down list.
4. Click OK.

Task 2: Define the materials for the components in the assembly.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Materials from the Materials group. The Materials dialog
box appears.
3. Select ss.mtl from the Materials list and click Add Material .
4. Select pvc.mtl from the Materials list and click Add Material .
5. Click OK.
It is always a good practice to know the properties of the
materials you are using independent of their source (default
or customized library). You can do this by right-clicking in a
material in the Materials list and selecting Properties.

Module 10 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

 6. Click Material Assignment from the Materials group. The
Material Assignment dialog box appears.
7. Press CTRL and from the model tree select JOINT_AXIS.PRT and
CLAMPING_YOKE.PRT.
8. In the Properties section, select SS from the Material drop-down list,
and verify that (None) is selected in the Material Orientation field.
9. Click OK.

10. Click Material Assignment from the Materials group. The

Material Assignment dialog box appears.
11. Press CTRL and from the model tree select DESK_PLATE.PRT and
both BRACKET.PRT components.
12. In the Properties section, select PVC from the Material drop-down list,
and verify that (None) is selected in the Material Orientation field.
13. Click OK.

Task 3: Define and run the modal analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Modal. The Modal Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.
4. Complete the dialog box as follows:
• In the Name field, type desk_modal.
• Verify that With rigid mode search is not selected.
• Select the Modes tab. Type 6 in the Number of Modes field.
• Select the Output tab. Deselect all boxes in the Calculate section.
• Type 2 in the Plotting Grid field.
If you have an interest just in the mode shapes and their
frequencies, you can turn off any extra computations
and lower the default setting for the Plotting Grid. This
eliminates the use of extra disk space or RAM resources,
and the simulation run is faster.

• Select the Convergence tab. Select Single-Pass Adaptive in

the Method field.
5. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 11

 6. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select desk_modal
and click Start Run . Click Yes to run interactive diagnostics.

7. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.
Note that the Modal Analysis has failed. In the summary
report, Creo Simulate specifies the reason for the failure.
The reason is that the folding tray has a rigid body mode.
In other words, it can freely move without deformations.
That is true considering the connections defined between
the components.

8. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box.

9. Right-click desk_modal and select Edit. The Modal Analysis

Definition dialog box appears.
10. Complete the dialog box as follows:
• Select With rigid mode search.
• Keep all other settings the same.
11. Click OK.

12. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select desk_modal
and click Start Run . Click Yes to run interactive diagnostics and
to remove existing files, if required.

13. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
Notice in the summary report the frequency values for each
of the modes. Notice the frequency of the rigid mode (Mode
1). This is reported since you have turned on the option
to search for the rigid mode.

14. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box.

Module 10 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Task 4: Create result window and investigate results.

1. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select desk_modal.

2. Click Review Results . The Result Window Definition dialog box

appears.
3. Complete the following:
• Type Mode_2 in the Name field.
• Type Deformed Shape at Mode 2 in the Title field.
• Select Mode2 from the list of modes. Deselect any other mode.
• Select the Quantity tab. Verify that Displacement and Magnitude
are selected.
• Select the Display Options tab.
• Select Deformed and Overlay Undeformed.
• Type 25 in the Scaling field.

4. Click OK and Show.

5. Click File > Exit Results to return to the Creo Simulate window. Click
No to the prompt to save the results window.
6. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, click Close.
7. Click File > Manage Session > Erase Current.
8. Click OK in the erase confirm prompt.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 10 | Page 13

Module 10 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC
Module 11
Singularities
Module Overview

In this module, you learn how to treat singularities in a model.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand singularities.
• Treat singularities in a model.

© 2012 PTC Module 11 | Page 1

Understanding Singularities
A solution that results in a theoretically infinite value of stress or
deflection is called a singularity.

Figure 1 – Stress and Displacement Singularity Near a Point Load

Figure 2 – Classification of Singularities for Different El-

ement and Load Types

Understanding Singularities
A solution that results in a theoretically infinite value of stress or deflection
is called a singularity. At singular locations, certain physical quantities
cannot be determined accurately. In the case of a structural finite element
model, there are locations where the stresses cannot be calculated properly.
There may also be locations with inaccurate displacements. In thermal
analysis, there are locations where the heat flow becomes infinity. Usually,
this problem appears because in the assumptions performed to analyze the
structure, idealizing simplifications have to be done, like ideal linear-elastic
material or infinite small loaded areas. For example, a load on an edge.
In structural analysis, a very simple example is an ideal point load applied on
the surface of a solid structure. The normal stress is the force divided by the
area. Since the area of a point is Zero, the normal stress becomes infinity
regardless of the magnitude of the applied force. The theoretically infinite
stress then becomes an arbitrarily large number depending on the element
size and p-level of the elements touching the singular location. Figure 1
shows this problem.
There are many different situations in which an inaccurate solution may
appear in a finite element analysis. The most important are:
• Point loads and constraints.
• Curve loads and constraints.

Module 11 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

• Sharp or reentrant corners of the structure.
These locations can be automatically detected by the Isolate for Exclusion
mesh control in Creo Simulate, but there may be other situations for
singularities. Also, the element type used has an influence, as shown in
Figure 2.
Other locations or situations with singularities may include:
• An applied bearing constraint or rigid connection that prevents lateral
contraction of the structure due to Hooke’s law and Poisson’s effects,
similar to a 90° reentrant corner.
• Stiffness jumps, for example, a soft glue with a low E-modulus merged to a
metal part with a high one, or a local surface constraint.
• Curvature jumps in contacts, even if you have tangential transitions.
• Beam-volume connections – they act like a point load.
• Shell-volume connections – they act like a curve load.
If possible, try to set up your model without the listed singularities. Some
strategies for this are:
• Replace point or curve loads by loads applied to a small surface.
• Replace a point constraint by a weighted link with the independent
side connected to a small circular area around the initial point, and the
dependent node connected to a ground spring with an appropriate stiffness
tensor.
• Apply a radius at a reentrant corner with a radius size like the manufacturing
tooling radius size. Note that with a radius at such a location, stress may
also increase compared to the sharp corner results since the stress in the
latter case is arbitrary and just influenced by element size and p-level.
• Use elasto-plastic instead of linear-elastic material when evaluating von
Mises stress.
There may be situations in finite element analysis where it is impossible to
prevent singularities, or you are not interested in the solution at the singular
location (you already know that the location is not critical). In these cases, you
may want to exclude these locations from the convergence loop. Singularities
cause edges in a model to require a high p-level for convergence, resulting
in a longer solution time. You can have a convergence proof for all the
remaining non-singular locations of the structure, and have a more accurate
analysis by preventing errors from unrealistic soft point or edge constraints.

© 2012 PTC Module 11 | Page 3

PROCEDURE - Understanding Singularities

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Singularities
FRICTION_GEAR_SHAFT_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open FRICTION_GEAR_SHAFT.PRT.

Task 1: Define Creo Simulate measures.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Measures from the

Run group. The Measures dialog
box appears.
3. Click New. The Measure
Definition dialog box appears.
4. Complete the fields as shown.
To select PNT1, click Select
Reference and select PNT1
datum feature in the model.
5. Click OK.
Displacement
measures have
been defined in the
Z-direction for PNT2,
PNT3, and PNT4 in
the model for a total
of four displacement
measures.

Module 11 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

 6. In the Measures dialog box, click
New. The Measure Definition
dialog box appears.
7. Complete the fields as shown.
To select the constraint, click
Select Reference . In the
model tree, select Constraint2.
8. Click OK.
A reaction measure
along the Z-axis
has been previously
defined in the model at
Constraint2.

9. In the Measures dialog box, click

Close.

Task 2: Define and run the static analyses for the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.
4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type friction_gear_SPA.
• Select the constraint and load set displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Select the Convergence tab. Keep the default Single-Pass
Adaptive method selected.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Select friction_gear_SPA and click Copy . A new analysis is

listed titled Copy_of_friction_gear_SPA.
7. Select the copied analysis and click Edit > Analysis/Study. The
Static Analysis Definition dialog box appears.

© 2012 PTC Module 11 | Page 5

 8. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type friction_gear_MPA.
• Select the Convergence tab and select Multi-Pass Adaptive from
the Method drop-down menu.
• In the Percent Convergence field, type 8.
• In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
• Verify that Local Displacement, Local Strain Energy and Global
RMS Stress is selected.
9. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

10. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box
appears.
11. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.

12. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select

friction_gear_SPA and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

13. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
In the summary report, investigate the stress and
deformation values.

14. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box.

15. Select friction_gear_MPA and click Start Run . Click Yes to

run interactive diagnostics.

16. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
17. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 11 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

Treating Singularities
The best tool to define the elements that shall be excluded from
the convergence loop is the Isolate for Exclusion AutoGEM
Control (IEAC).

Figure 1 – AutoGEM Isolate for

Exclusion Control Figure 2 – AutoGEM Settings

Figure 3 – Visualizing Isolated Figure 4 – Static Analysis Definition

Elements Dialog Box: Excluded Elements Tab

Treating Singularities
The best tool to define the elements that shall be excluded from the
convergence loop is the Isolate for Exclusion AutoGEM Control (IEAC) as
shown in Figure 1. An alternative solution is the AutoGEM settings Isolation
for Shells and 2-D Solids shown in Figure 2, but the AutoGEM control is
usually the better choice since it offers you more control over the process and
can be used for 3-D solids. Note the following:
• An element size defined in an IEAC has precedence over the standard
element size if the AutoGEM setting Isolation for Shells and 2-D Solids
is activated.
• IEACs defined in parts are also valid on an assembly level.
The Isolate Elements AutoGEM control enables you to manually or
automatically select the references to which the elements to be excluded
are attached. You can also influence the element size near the singularity.

© 2012 PTC Module 11 | Page 7

This is not possible with the standard AutoGEM settings. Note that you can
highlight the excluded elements in the UI during mesh display by selecting
Info > Isolating Elements from the AutoGEM dialog box as shown in Figure 3.
You also have to define what to do with these elements during the analysis.
This is done in the Static Analysis Definition dialog box, as shown in Figure 4.
You can ignore only stresses or stresses and displacements, and you can
limit the maximum p-level of the elements at the locations excluded by the
AutoGEM control. Limiting the p-level, for example to p=1, will also enforce
an SPA analysis that in pass one the p-level at these elements will not be
p=3, but p=1, and remain the same in pass two.
The selected elements are also excluded for stress and optional displacement
measure reporting. If you want to prove convergence for different stress or
displacement measures versus p-pass, you can check if the non-excluded
locations in your structure converge.
Defining a suitable element size at the singular locations and a maximum
p-level limit requires experience. You can first test different settings when
using these functionalities. For example, for including elements of an IEAC
in the convergence loop again, you may clear the Exclude check box in the
IEAC as shown in Figure 1. The mesh is still the same, but the small elements
around the reference are taken into account during the convergence loop.
Always be aware that excluding elements from the convergence
loop may prevent you from finding critically loaded locations in
the model, especially at reentrant corners. Limiting the p-level of
elements at the singular locations may also have the risk that your
model becomes unrealistically stiff if the element size is too big and
the p-level limit too low. Use engineering judgment if you exclude
elements from convergence. This may eliminate the ability of the
p-method to automatically detect locations of high-stress loadings.
It is usually better to prevent singular locations in the model than
trying to repair their symptoms.

Module 11 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Module 12
Basic Model Debugging
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to debug a model.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Debug a model.

© 2012 PTC Module 12 | Page 1

Debugging a Model
Model debugging, especially of big assemblies, can become a
challenging task.

Procedure for debugging:

• Start the analysis with interactive
diagnostics.
• Read the warning and error
messages.
• If the messages are related to
meshing, locate the error by
picking on the entities.
• If the error is an engine runtime
error appearing after successful
meshing, search and read the
additional messages in the *.rpt
and *.err-file of the study directory.
Then, locate the problem in your
model.
Figure 1 – Diagnostics Dialog Box

Debugging a Model
Model debugging, especially of big assemblies, can become a challenging
task. If you obtain a fatal engine error message in your analysis, first read
the *.rpt-file messages carefully. Very often, this gives sufficient aid to know
which problem exists (for example, “The model is insufficiently constrained
for the analysis…”). Meshing and geometry problems also can be identified
with the Diagnostic tool before the engine run.
In general, we can differentiate between meshing problems (usually caused
by improper geometry) and engine runtime problems after successful
meshing.
Procedure for debugging:
• Start the analysis with interactive diagnostics.
• Read the warning and error messages.
• If the messages are related to meshing, locate the error by picking on the
entities listed in the simulation diagnostics window.
• If the error is an engine runtime error appearing after successful meshing,
search and read the additional messages in the *.rpt and *.err-file of the
study directory. Then, locate the problem in your model.

Debugging Meshing Problems

If you have a geometry or meshing problem, refer to the following list:
• No interferences in assemblies are allowed, unless you have specified a
contact or free interface there. Use the Global Interference option to check.
• Check Creo parametric regeneration accuracy, geometry checks, short
edges, and enter adequate AutoGEM geometry tolerances.

Module 12 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

• Check if a volume region touches another surface tangent. Use the
Diagnostic tool to determine this.
• Check if a hole surface touches the part surface tangent, so that there
is a line with Zero thickness in the volume. Use the Diagnostic tool to
determine this.

Resource Problems
If you have a resource problem, refer to the following list:
• Make sure you have enough RAM. If there is only 2 or 3 GB (with 3 GB
switch activated) in 32-bit Windows available, decrease model size or use
64-bit system and compilation.
• Make sure there is enough swap-space.
• Make sure there is enough disc-space for result and temporary engine files.
• If you observe this error message, I/O error: “The engine is unable to open
file…”, start the analysis from a higher directory level (less than 32 digits
in the directory path).

Error Message: Insufficiently Constrained

If you get a message that your model is insufficiently constrained, it does not
necessarily mean that you forgot to constrain a certain direction and the
model is statically indeterminate, meaning the constraints do not avoid rigid
body motion. This is the most common error message in a FEM analysis.
You may be getting this message because of one of the following:
• You have a hinge somewhere in your model, for example, shell-solid
connection without a link or a free rotating beam with beam releases.
• In a big assembly, a part is not joined to other parts of the assembly,
erroneously free instead of bonded interface defined or a gap.
• Constraints could be erroneously assigned to surfaces instead of edges
in shell models.
• You assigned a material, but the material has a modulus of elasticity of
Zero, you forgot to enter input, or the material library may not be well-kept.
• You defined a discrete spring with a stiffness that is too high.
• A simple spring has a free end point not joined to the structure.
• You fixed a beam between two solids just directly with the end points and,
for example, did not use additional weighted links and surface regions
for rotation coupling.
Often, it may help to run a modal analysis with rigid body mode search to
locate the problem. Animating the rigid body modes in the postprocessor
may show you what is wrong.

Addition Debugging Information

In addition to debugging your model from engine runtime errors using the
Diagnostic tool or studying the *.rpt-file, you can also use the *.pas file called
checkpoints, and the *.err-file to give you helpful information. In the *.pas-file,
you find information regarding progress and state of nonlinear iteration loops.
In the *.err-file, which can be accessed from the operating system level, not
from the UI, additional and more detailed error messages are given.

© 2012 PTC Module 12 | Page 3

Module 12 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC
Module 13
Project
Module Overview
Using Simulate and the skills learned up to this point in this course, complete
the listed project design tasks.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Constrain the part.
• Apply a load.
• Define a material.
• Define and run an SPA analysis.
• Look for critical areas.

© 2012 PTC Module 13 | Page 1

The Journeyman’s Piece
In this project, you complete a Journeyman’s piece in strength
analysis.

Follow the following basic exercise

steps:
1. Constrain the part.
2. Apply the load of 15 kN as a
bearing load under an attack
angle of 13°.
3. Define a material, steel or
aluminum.
4. Define and run an SPA
analysis.
5. Look for critical areas.

Figure 1 – Envelope Dimensions of

the Installation Space for the Lever

Figure 2 – Given Load and

Constraint

Project Scenario
It is your task to optimize the shape of a lever to minimize its mass while still
ensuring its strength. The maximum envelope and the loading conditions are
shown in Figure 1. Within this given envelope, you are fully free to design the
part. The surface and location where you have to constrain the part and the
position where the force is applied are fixed. At this position, a very stiff bolt
is mounted to transfer the force. The maximum dimensions of the surface to
be constrained may be minimized, but not enlarged over the envelope given,
same for the axis hole. You have to ensure the strength of the part and have
two alternative material options for choice, Aluminum or Steel.
• Steel Properties:
– Modulus of Elasticity: 200000 MPa
– Poisson’s Ratio: 0.3

Module 13 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – Density: 7.8 g/cm3
– Yield Strength: 400 N/mm2
• Aluminum Properties:
– Modulus of Elasticity: 70000 MPa
– Poisson’s Ratio: 0.3
– Density: 2.8 g/cm3
– Yield Strength: 130 N/mm2
The failure criterion for both materials is Distortion Energy (von Mises stress).
No safety factor is required in this exercise.

Minimal Instructions
All tasks in this project are based on topics that you have learned up to this
point in the course; therefore, instructions for each project step are minimal.
There are no step-by-step “picks and clicks” given, enabling you to test your
knowledge of the materials as you proceed through the project.
Follow the following basic exercise steps:
1. Constrain the part as shown in Figure 2 on the left surface (dimension
40x80 mm).
2. Apply the load of 15 kN as a bearing load using an attack angle of 13°
as shown in Figure 2.
3. Define a material, steel or aluminum.
4. Define and run an SPA analysis.
5. Look for critical areas. As an additional task you can modify the design
in the CAD tool you use and rerun the model iteratively, until you are
satisfied with the design and the failure index is ≤1.
Try to solve the task by designing the part in a way to reach a high utilization
of the material strength. Think about what type of loading (for example,
tension, compression, bending, torque) leads to an optimum regarding this.
Try to free yourself from pre-conceptions of how a lever usually looks, so that
you have a good conceptual start design of your part. A bad initial design
limits the success of the subsequent mass minimization.

© 2012 PTC Module 13 | Page 3

Module 13 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC
Module 14
Model Types
Module Overview
In this module, you learn the different model types used in Simulate.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand 2-D plane stress and strain.
• Understand 2-D axial symmetry.

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 1

Understanding 2-D Plane Stress and Strain
2-D plane stress and 2-D plane strain are approximations of real
loading states valid under certain conditions.
General Procedure for 2-D plane
stress or strain model definition:
• In Creo Parametric, create a
material cut in the model to
obtain the cross-section of the
geometry which shall be analyzed,
if necessary.
• Enter Simulate and select the
desired type of idealization.
• Select a Cartesian coordinate
system to define the WCS (world
coordinate system), valid for the
2-D cross-section to be analyzed.
• Select all surfaces (optional curves
and edges for plane strain) of the Figure 1 – Hooke’s Law: 2-D
geometry. Plane Stress

Figure 2 – Hooke’s Law: 2-D

Plane Strain

Understanding 2-D Plane Stress and Strain

2-D plane stress and 2-D plane strain are approximations of real loading
states valid under certain conditions. They should be selected when stresses
or strains normal to the surface or cross-section of interest are Zero, or very
small compared to the in-plane stresses or strains. Nonlinear problems like
contact, large displacement analysis, or hyperelastic material significantly
benefit from the 2-D idealizations. While maintaining or significantly
increasing analysis accuracy, the model size and analysis time can be
reduced to just fractions of the time an adequate 3-D model would need.
Use the 2-D plane stress model type if stresses in the analysis Z-direction
(normal to the surface of interest) can be ignored: σz=0. This is the case for
flat, thin plates which are only loaded in the XY plane. In this case, for every
point Hooke’s law is then expressed as shown in Figure 1.
Usually we have εz≠0 in the model, which means a 2-D stress state creates a
3-D deformation state. Just at points where σx= – σy, we have no resulting
z strain.

Module 14 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

In 2-D plane stress analysis:
• The thickness has to be entered manually when defining shell properties
for the surface(s) to be analyzed, so different thicknesses within the model
are possible.
• Material, like the thickness, has to be assigned to the shell property, not to
the analyzed surface.
• Loads can be entered as usual, but they must be in-plane.
Use the 2-D plane strain model type if strains in the analysis Z-direction
(normal to the cutting surface of interest) can be ignored, εz=0. This is the
case for the cross-sections within infinitely long structures, where the z strain
is suppressed by the constraint condition. Hooke’s law is then expressed
as shown in Figure 2.

In 2-D plane strain analysis:

• The analysis is performed on a cross-section slice of the infinitely long
structure having unit thickness.
• Loads have to be entered accordingly, for example, N per mm thickness.
• No shell properties have to be defined for the surface(s). Material has to be
directly assigned to the surface(s) of the analyzed cross-section.
• If you have selected edges or curves as references in 2-D plain strain, you
have to define 2-D shell properties for them, thickness and material, and
take into account rotations around z when constraining. These elements
work analogous to 3-D shells.
Hertzian contact problems like a cylinder-cylinder contact also have
to be analyzed with plane strain, not plane stress.

General Procedure for 2-D plane stress or strain model definition:

• In Creo Parametric, create a material cut in the model to obtain the
cross-section of the geometry which shall be analyzed, if necessary.
• Enter Simulate and select the desired type of idealization using the Model
Setup dialog box, Advanced section.
• Select a Cartesian coordinate system to define the WCS (world coordinate
system), valid for the 2-D cross-section to be analyzed.
• Select all surfaces (optional curves and edges for plane strain) of the
geometry.
The analyzed geometry must be in the referenced WCS XY plane. Also
all user coordinate systems must have their XY plane in this plane. Define
the model type at the beginning of the work in Simulate, since changing the
model type deletes all previously defined simulation features.

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 3

PROCEDURE - Understanding 2-D Plane Stress

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Stress
PLATE_2DPLANE_STRESS_SIMULATE.PRT
Creo Parametric users open PLATE_2DPLANE_STRESS.PRT

Task 1: Define the 2D plane stress model type.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Model Setup from the Set Up group. The Model Setup
dialog box appears.
3. Click Advanced.
4. In the Type section, select 2D Plane Stress (Thin Plate).
5. Click in the Coordinate System field and select PRT_CSYS_DEF
from the model tree.

6. Click in the Surfaces field. On

the model, select the surfaces
shown. There are three surfaces
listed in the dialog box.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Confirm when prompted.
There is a visual
display when you
change from the
default 3D to any
2D model types. This
is the magenta colored
contour of the surface
selected.

Task 2: Define the materials for the 2D axisymmetric model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Materials from the Materials group. The Materials dialog
box appears.
3. Select nylon.mtl from the materials list and click Add Material .
4. Click OK.

Module 14 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Task 3: Define the shell idealization.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Shell from the Idealizations group. The Shell Definition

dialog box appears.
3. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Shell1.
• Select Simple from the Type drop-down list.
• In the References section, select the three surfaces previously
selected.
• In the Properties section, type 1 in the Thickness field.
• Select NYLON from the Material drop-down list.
4. Click OK.

Task 4: Define the loads for the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Force/Moment Load

from the Loads group. The
Force/Moment Load dialog box
appears.
3. In the References section,
select Edges/Curvesfrom the
drop-down list. On the model,
select the edge as shown.

4. In the Force section, type –5 in the Y field. Select N/mm from the
drop-down list.
The option to define the Load is limited to forces only, no
moments. That is because Creo Simulate identified the fact
that you’re working in a 2D Plane Stress model type.

5. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 5

Task 5: Define the constraints for the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

2. Click Displacement from

the Constraints group. The
Constraint dialog box appears.
3. On the model, select the edge
as shown.

4. Click Fixed for the X and Y translation.

5. Click OK.

Task 6: Define AutoGEM controls.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine

Model tab.
2. Click Edge Distribution

from the AutoGEM Control

drop-down menu in the AutoGEM
group. The Edge Distribution
Control dialog box appears.
3. Press CTRL and select the
boundaries of the volume region
in the model as shown.

4. In the Number of Nodes field, type 5.

5. Click OK.
Additional Edge Distribution controls have been added for
the edges of the hole and the horizontal edges.

Task 7: Define and run a static analysis for the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

Module 14 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type plate_2D_plane_stress.
• Select the constraint and load set displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Click the Convergence tab, and click Multi-Pass Adaptive from
the Method drop-down menu.
• In the Percent Convergence field, type 5.
• In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
• In the Converge on section, select Measures.
• Select List Measures . The Measures dialog box appears.
• Press CTRL and select the following measures:
– max_disp_mag
– max_disp_x
– max_disp_y
– max_disp_z
– max_prin_mag
– max_stress_prin
– max_stress_vm
– max_stress_xx
– max_stress_xy
– max_stress_xz
– max_stress_yy
– max_stress_yz
– max_stress_zz
– min_stress_prin
– strain_energy
• In the Measures dialog box, click OK.
• Click the Output tab.
• In the Plot section, type 4 in the Plotting Grid field.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box

appears.
7. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 7

 8. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select
plate_2D_plane_stress and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

9. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.
10. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 14 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Understanding Symmetry
Under certain conditions, the loading state in a 3-D structure
can be described very accurately with a 2-D axial symmetric
element formulation.

General procedure for 2-D axial

symmetric model definition:
• In Creo Parametric, create a
material cut in the model to
obtain the cross-section of the
geometry which shall be analyzed,
if necessary.
• Enter Simulate and select 2-D
axial symmetry.
• Select a Cartesian analysis WCS
(world coordinate system) that
defines the rotation axis, Y-axis.
• Select all surfaces, optional curves
and edges, of the planar geometry Figure 1 – Hooke’s Law: 2-D Axial
of interest. Symmetric Model Type

Figure 3 – Segment Model

of a Hub-Shaft Connection
Figure 2 – Coordinate Systems in under Torque Analyzed with
2-D Axial Symmetric Analysis Cyclic Symmetry

2-D Axial Symmetry

Under certain conditions, the loading state in a 3-D structure can be
described very accurately with a 2-D axial symmetric element formulation.
It is used where the geometry as well as the loading is axial symmetric and
the cross-section of interest stays planar. This leads to a decrease of model
size, and the analysis accuracy can be significantly increased through finer
meshing and higher convergence requests.
The 2-D axial symmetric model type should be selected if the geometry and
the loads are rotational symmetric. Note that the cross-section of interest
must stay planar (that is, circumferential displacement xθ=0). That is why
torque-loaded shafts cannot be analyzed with this model type, but cylindrical
vessels under internal pressure or a shaft under pure centrifugal speed
(not acceleration) can be analyzed. In the element formulation, the axial
symmetry condition is taken into account automatically. That means the
circumferential strain εθ and the radial displacement xr are linked by the
relation εθ=xr/r. Hooke’s law in cylindrical coordinates is then expressed with

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 9

x, y, and z of the 2-D analysis world coordinate system (WCS) (σx=σr, σy=σz,
and σz=σθ) as shown in Figure 1.
In 2-D axial symmetry:
• The analysis is performed on a cross-sectional area of the 360° structure
in the positive radial (x-) direction.
• Defining the radial (x-) constraints is not necessary because the rotation
axis is fixed automatically in this direction.
• Material has to be assigned to the surface(s) of the analyzed cross-section.
• No shell properties have to be defined for the selected surface(s); 2-D
volume elements are created there automatically like in 2-D plane strain.
General procedure for 2-D axial symmetric model definition:
• In Creo Parametric, create a material cut in the model to obtain the
cross-section of the geometry which shall be analyzed, if necessary, as
shown in Figure 2.
• Enter Simulate and select 2D Axisymmetric in the Model Setup dialog
box, Advanced section.
• Select a Cartesian analysis WCS. Note that the Y-axis of this system is the
rotation axis and the geometry to be analyzed must be completely within
the positive x-domain of its xy-plane.
• Select all surfaces, optional curves and edges, of the planar geometry of
interest.
2-D axial symmetry in Simulate supports contact, LDA, and hyperelastic
material.

Cyclic Symmetry for 3-D Models

For rotational symmetric structures where the circumferential displacement xθ
is unequal to zero, like a shaft under torque as shown in Figure 3, use a small
3-D segment model and cyclic symmetry. This couples the displacements
of the two similar-shaped cross-sections of the segment model. In order not
to obtain an insufficiently constrained model, additional directions must be
constrained, like a torque-loaded shaft segment end.

2-D Volumes and 2-D Shells

Like in 2-D plane strain, the cross-section to be analyzed must not necessarily
be a surface, it can just consist of curves or edges. In this case, no 2-D
volumes, but 2-D shells, have to be defined for the selected line references,
and rotations around the WCS-Z direction have to be taken into account for
constraining. These shell elements are the 2-D equivalent of 3-D shells.

Interfaces in 2-D Models

Note that the interface functionality known from 3-D models,
free-bonded-contact, is not available for 2-D models in the same way. In all
2-D models, the only interface type you can define is a contact interface. If
geometry touches and you did not define a contact interface, the edges are
automatically merged, bonded. For interfering geometry, use contacts and
specify in the Analysis Definition dialog box the interpenetration value for
which press fits are ignored. This results in a free, not merged, geometry.

Module 14 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Understanding Symmetry — Cyclic
Symmetry

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Symmetry
FLYWHEEL_3DSEGMENT_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open FLYWHEEL_3DSEGMENT.PRT

Task 1: Define the materials for the 2-D axisymmetric model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Materials from the Materials group. The Materials dialog
box appears.
3. Select steel.mtl from the materials list and click Add Material .
4. Click OK.

5. Click Material Assignment from the Materials group. The

Material Assignment dialog box appears.
6. Verify that Part:FLYWHEEL_3DSEGMENT is listed in the References
section, and STEEL is listed as the material in the Properties section.
7. Click OK.

Task 2: Define the cyclic symmetry and displacement constraints.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.
2. Click the Constraints Group
drop-down menu and select
Symmetry . The Symmetry
Constraint dialog box appears.
3. Select Cyclic from the Type
drop-down menu.
4. Click in the first References field
and select the surface shown on
the model.

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 11

 5. Click in the second References
field and select the surface
shown on the model.
6. Click OK.

7. In the ribbon, select the Home

tab.

8. Click Displacement from

the Constraints group. The
Constraint dialog box appears.
9. In the model, select the surface
shown.

10. In the Coordinate System section, select Selected.

11. In the model tree, expand Simulation Features and click CS0.
12. In the Constraint dialog box in the R Translation field, click Free
Translation .
13. In the Theta and Z Translation fields, click Fixed .
These constraints enable the top surface to radially expand
but not twist or deform along the Z-axis of the CSO
reference.

14. Click OK.

Module 14 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Task 3: Define a load set for the 2-D axisymmetric model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Centrifugal from the Loads group. The Centrifugal Load

dialog box appears.
3. Click New. The Load Set Definition dialog box appears.
4. In the Name field, type RPM20000.
5. Click OK to return to the Centrifugal Load dialog box.
6. In the Angular Velocity section, type 20000 in the Y field.
7. Select RPM from the Angular Velocity Section drop-down menu.
8. Click OK.
A second load set has been defined for an angular
acceleration of 10,000 rad/sec2.

Task 4: Define an AutoGEM control.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Maximum Element Size from the AutoGEM Control

drop-down menu in the AutoGEM group. The Maximum Element
Size Control dialog box appears.
3. In the References section, select Components from the drop-down
menu.
4. In the Element Size field, type 30.
5. Click OK.
Another AutoGEM control has been defined for some of the
curved surfaces in the critical areas.

Task 5: Define and run a static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

© 2012 PTC Module 14 | Page 13

 4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type flywheel_3Dsegment.
• Select the constraint and load sets displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Click the Convergence tab and click Single-Pass Adaptive from
the Method drop-down menu.
• Click Advanced Control. The Advanced SPA Convergence
Control dialog box appears. Complete the following:
– Select Use Advanced Controls.
– In the Maximum Stress Error Target field, type 1.
– In the Local Stress Error Target field, type 10.
– Do not select any references for the Local Stress Error field.
• In the Advanced SPA Convergence Control dialog box, click OK to
return to the Static Analysis Definition dialog box.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box

appears.
7. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.

8. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select

flywheel_3Dsegment and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

9. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.
10. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 14 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

Module 15
Shells
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to use shells, and predefined shell assembly
connections in Simulate.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand shells.
• Use shells on quilts or volume surfaces.
• Use shell pairs for midsurface models.

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 1

Understanding Shells
Shell elements or shells are used for structures which are
thin-walled; their thickness, t, is small compared to the other
dimensions.

When using shell elements, it is

important to understand the:
• Theory
• Characteristics
• Limitations Figure 1 – Shell Element

Figure 3 – Bending Stress

Figure 2 – Stress Concentrations Concentration at Small Bending
Around Holes in Shells Radii of Shells

Understanding Shells
Shell elements or shells are used for structures which are thin-walled; their
thickness, t, is small compared to the other dimensions. This saves resources
regarding meshing, model size, and calculation time at the expense of model
preparation effort and result accuracy. The 3-D structure is represented by
planar or curved shell surfaces without visible thickness t of the initial wall.
The real wall thickness is taken into account internally in the shell element
formulation.
When using shell elements, it is important to understand the:
• Theory – Shells neglect stresses in the thickness direction, the direction
normal to their surface. In the example shown in Figure 1, this means σz=0.
Unlike volumes, shells also need rotations (around x and y) to describe
their deformed state correctly, since the thickness dimension t is just taken
into account internally. As a consequence, rotational stiffness around x and
y is necessary to describe the bending stiffness of a shell.
It is important to note that the rotation around z, the shell surface normal
direction, has a very small artificial stiffness Tzz which does not represent
a real physical value. This has to be taken into account if you connect
other elements (for example, beams, discrete springs) to shells at one
point only. A torque to be transferred in the normal direction would create
an unrealistic big rotation.
• Characteristics – The following items must be considered when working
with shells:
– When defining constraints and loads, the rotations must be taken into
account, especially for mirror symmetry. The degree of freedom for
translation normal to the symmetry plane and the two other rotational
degrees of freedom have to be fixed.

Module 15 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 – In midsurface models, never apply constraints or loads to the Creo
Parametric model surfaces which disappear during midsurface creation.
Apply them to one of the two edges which are collapsed to the
midsurface edge.
– If shell edges and volume element edges or faces touch in a mixed
model, links must be created there; otherwise, you obtain a hinge.
– A finer mesh is recommended for shells compared to the default
AutoGEM settings for volumes. You may consider using the following
limits when creating shell elements for pure shell models:
♦ Edge and Face Maximum = 165
♦ Edge Face Minimum = 15
♦ Maximum Aspect Ratio = 5
♦ Maximum Edge Turn = 45 to 85
For mixed models, it is often more efficient to apply an element size
control just there where shells have to be created.
– Check force balances especially in complex, pressurized shell
midsurface models, since this is often a source of error. The reason is
that in midsurface models, loaded surfaces may disappear or shift due
to the midsurface compression process.
– Postprocessing shell stress results is different compared to evaluating
volume stress results. There are different options in the postprocessor
to review shell stresses:
♦ Top of shell – Displays stress on top side only.
♦ Bottom of shell – Displays stress on bottom side only.
♦ Maximum of shell top/bottom – Maximum stress value is displayed,
independently on which shell surface side it is located (default
setting).
♦ Minimum of shell top/bottom – Minimum stress value is displayed,
independently on which shell surface side it is located.
♦ Top and Bottom of shell – Stress on that side of the shell that points
towards you on the screen (most comfortable result option).
When evaluating shell stress results in the postprocessor, you can select
the stress components created from different loading types: Membrane
– stress from pure tension/compression load on the cross-section,
Bending – stress from bending moment, or Transverse shear. This
enables you to better understand how the structure is stressed by the
external loads and may support you for design optimization. To review
the shell normal defined on a quilt, edit the shell, a yellow arrow then
appears indicating the normal direction.
The direction of the midsurface normal is from the blue
(bottom) side to the green (top) side. The top of a surface
or shell is always in the normal direction. Usually it is not
necessary to remember which was the top and the bottom
side of the shell, since the Top and Bottom of shell option
automatically shows you the results of the side you are looking
at.

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 3

 – The rotational (in-plane) stiffness around the X- or Y-direction of a shell is
a true stiffness. But, the rotational stiffness around the Z-direction (shell
surface normal) is not a true stiffness. Never directly apply a beam at a
shell surface point to transfer a torque in this direction. Use a weighted
link with a small surface area representing the beam cross-section.
• Limitations – The following limitations should be noted when using shell
elements:
– Stress concentrations at holes in the shell can be captured very
accurately as shown in Figure 2. Stress concentrations at very small
radii in the magnitude of the shell thickness cannot be captured
accurately with the shell theory, as shown in Figure 3. If this is required,
locally use volumes.
– Contacts can just be defined between volume elements. However,
a model with contact definitions between volumes may also contain
shells, if you just use small displacement analysis (SDA) and not large
displacement analysis (LDA) contact.
– LDA is not supported.
– Hyperelasticity and Elasto-Plasticity are not supported.
– No offset shells in native mode. This is supported only in FEM mode.
– In thermal analysis, no heat flow in shell wall thickness direction is
possible. If you need this in your analysis, use a volume model instead.
For thin-walled structures, a regular mesh with wedges and bricks
instead of many tets may be defined to significantly reduce calculation
time. You may use the Thin Solid mesh control for this purpose.
Simulate shells support laminates, so you can define carbon fiber structures
with the ply editor. The stress in shell surface normal direction can only
be ignored for very thin-walled structures, so if you are unsure if the shell
idealization is accurate enough for your application, try out a small local
volume model of the critical location to look for the aberration between shell
theory and the non-idealized 3-D volume model. If you want to measure
rotations in your volume model, you may place a very thin shell on the
surface of interest and define a rotation measure there, since volumes do
not support rotations.
There are two options to create shell elements in the model:
1. Use the Shell command and define shell properties, material, thickness,
and so forth, for a surface quilt or a surface on a volume boundary.
2. Use the Shell Pairs command to create midsurface models from CAD
models having thin walls.

Module 15 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Using Shells on Quilts or Volume Surfaces
Instead of or in addition to using shell midsurface models, shells
can also be defined on any surface reference, quilts, or surfaces
of volumes.
Shells types can be:
• Simple
• Advanced

Figure 1 – Simple Shell Definition

Figure 2 – Advanced Shell Definition Figure 3 – Shell Property Definition

Using Shells on Quilts or Volume Surfaces

The analysis of thin-walled structures can be performed faster by shell
idealizations. Instead of or in addition to using shell midsurface models,
shells can also be defined on any surface reference, quilts, or surfaces of
volumes. This functionality can be used to create shell models from Creo
Parametric quilt models not containing volumes or to create additional thin
shells on a solid volume surface to measure its rotation.
To create shells on any type of surface, use the Shells command. This
command overwrites possible existing midsurface shell pair definitions. Shell
properties can also be defined and edited by using the Shell Properties
command.
Shell types can be:
• Simple – Simple shells are always homogeneous, have a constant
thickness, and can reference linear elastic, isotropic material. They are
defined using the Shell Definition dialog box shown in Figure 1.
• Advanced – Advanced shells are defined using the Shell Definition dialog
box shown in Figure 2. Like simple shells, advanced shells have a constant
wall thickness, but they may not only be Homogeneous. Optionally,

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 5

 you can define their shell property as a Laminate, or Layup, referring to
orthotropic or transversely isotropic materials; see Figure 3. In this case, a
material orientation must also be defined. Laminate Stiffness is the third
option for advanced shells; in this case, you have to enter their A, B, and
D stiffness matrices.
To define pressure loads on shells for shells defined with help of Creo
Parametric quilts, change the pressure sign if the pressure does not act in
the direction you want it to have. For pressure applied on volume surfaces,
positive pressure always acts into the volume.
If quilts cross, so that they do not end on a common edge, the shell elements
do not join there. Only where quilts have common edges will the shell
elements connect. This must be taken into account when creating Creo
Parametric quilt models for pure shell analysis in Simulate.

Module 15 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

Using Shell Pairs for Midsurface Models
Existing 3-D CAD models containing volumes can be transferred
entirely or partially into shell midsurface models, in which the
thin-walled volumes are replaced by shells.

To manually create shell pairs, use

the command Shell Pair.
Shells with constant thickness can
also automatically be detected by
selecting Detect Shell Pairs.

Figure 1 – Shell Pair Definition

Dialog Box

Using Shell Pairs for Midsurface Models

The analysis of thin-walled structures can be performed faster by using
shell idealizations. Existing 3-D CAD models containing volumes can be
transferred entirely or partially into shell midsurface models, in which the
thin-walled volumes are replaced by shells. These underlying volumes are
then omitted from the structural analysis. Under certain conditions, this
volume-shell conversion can be carried out automatically by the system.
All commands necessary for creating shell pairs are located by selecting
the Refine Model tab and clicking the appropriate command from the
Idealizations group. The following options are available:
• Shell Pair – Enables you to create shell pairs manually. This is always
required for shells based on geometry having a variable wall thickness,
since such geometry cannot be paired automatically. Using the Shell Pair
Definition dialog box, you can:
– Define the thickness type, constant, or variable.
– Define the midsurface position on the real midsurface, on the top or
bottom side, or on a surface reference to be selected.

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 7

 – Reverse the top (green) and bottom (blue) of the shell. This button
appears only when an existing shell pair is edited.
– Define a material other than the part material for the shell pair.
– Define a material orientation.
• Detect shell pairs – Enables you to automatically detect and create shell
pairs. There are two shell pair detection methods available:
– Use Geometry Analysis: Activated (Default) – Simulates searches for
geometry having the same or a smaller characteristic constant wall
thickness than entered in the dialog box, then creates shell pairs there
automatically. The created shell pairs are listed in the model tree and
you can edit them if required.
– Use Geometry Analysis: Not Activated – Only the following Creo
Parametric features are detected automatically by Auto Detect for shell
pairing:
♦ All features created with the thin option.
♦ All features of type Shell.
♦ All features of type Rib.
♦ All sheetmetal parts from the Sheetmetal application.
♦ Thickened surfaces.
Using these features in Creo Parametric may be useful for mixed models that
contain shells and volumes of similar thickness. You can use these features
only for geometry in which you want instant automatic shell pairing without
selecting Use Geometry Analysis. The other thin-walled geometry is then
analyzed with volume elements, if this is required for any reason.
To check the resulting geometry of the shell pair creation, use Review
Geometry in the AutoGEM group. This shows you not only the assembly
connectivity but also the resulting midsurface geometry. Possible geometry
problems are then listed in the Simulation Diagnostics dialog box. By
selecting the error messages, you can locate the problem and fix the related
issues.
When analyzing a model with shell pairs, the option Solid/Midsurface or
Midsurface must be activated under AutoGEM. If this option is set to Solid
only, the model is calculated as a volume model with solid elements, without
the pair definitions. Creating midsurface models in big assemblies may be
a challenging task. If you know you want to analyze your model with shell
pairs, take this into account when modeling it in Creo Parametric to minimize
your simulation model preparation work.

Module 15 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

PROCEDURE - Using Shell Pairs for Midsurface Models

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\ShellPairsA
THICK_THIN_SHELLS_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open THICK_THIN_SHELLS.PRT

Task 1: Define the shell pair idealization.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Shell Pair from the Idealizations group. The Shell Pair
Definition dialog box appears.

3. In the model, select the surface

shown.
4. Click Accept Changes .

5. In the model tree, expand Idealizations and Shell Pairs. Note that
there are two shell pairs created.
6. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

7. Click Review Geometry from the AutoGEM group. The

Simulation Geometry dialog box appears.

8. Select the Original Geometry

check box. Click Apply. Note
the display of the shell idealized
plates as shown.
9. In the Simulation Geometry
dialog box, click Close.

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 9

Task 2: Define the constraints.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click the Constraints Group drop-down menu and select Symmetry
. The Symmetry Constraint dialog box appears.

3. In the model, select the edge as

shown.
4. Click OK.
Two additional
symmetry constraints
have been defined
on the other two
edges of the shell
pair idealization.

Task 3: Define AutoGEM controls.

1. In the model tree, expand

AutoGEM Controls.
2. Right-click AutoGEMControl3
and select Edit Definition. The
Maximum Element Size Control
dialog box appears.
3. Press CTRL and select the
surfaces shown on the model.
This AutoGEM control
specifies a maximum
element size for the
selected surfaces of
500 mm.

4. In the Maximum Element Size

Control dialog box, click OK.

5. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

6. Click the Control drop-down menu from the AutoGEM group and
select Thin Solid > Thin Solid. The Thin Solid Control dialog box
appears.
7. Verify that Auto Select Opposing Surfaces is selected.

Module 15 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

 8. Select the curved surface in the
model as shown.
9. Click OK.

10. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

11. Click AutoGEM from the AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM dialog
box appears.
12. Click Create. Solids and Shell elements are created. Notice the
improvement in the mesh quality due to the mesh controls.
13. Click Close in all dialog boxes and No when prompted to save the
mesh.

Task 4: Define and run the static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

4. Complete the following:

• In the Name field, type shell_theory_demo.
• Select the constraint and load sets displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Select the Convergence tab and click Single-Pass Adaptive from
the Method drop-down menu.
• Click Advanced Control. The Advanced SPA Convergence
Control dialog box appears. Complete the following:
– Select Use Advanced Controls.
– In the Maximum Stress Error Target field, type 1.
– In the Local Stress Error Target field, type 10.
– Do not select any references for the Local Stress Error field.
• In the Advanced SPA Convergence Control dialog box, click OK to
return to the Static Analysis Definition dialog box.
• Select the Output tab.
• In the Plotting Grid field, type 6.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 11

 6. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box
appears.
7. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.

8. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select

shell_theory_demo and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

9. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.
10. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 15 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Using Connection Tools to Join Shell Midsurface
Assemblies
To analyze shell assemblies, connection tools are used to join
the shell midsurfaces.

The following connection tools can

be used:
• Welds
• Bonding Elements

Figure 2 – Interface Definition

Figure 1 – Weld Definition Dialog Box Dialog Box

Using Connection Tools to Join Shell Midsurface Assemblies

To analyze shell assemblies, connection tools are used to join the shell
midsurfaces. If shell assemblies shall be analyzed, the problem that the
midsurfaces of their single parts often do not touch has to be solved;
otherwise, the assembly consists of many parts not being joined together.
Therefore, Welds are available which have to be defined manually (Perimeter,
Spot and End Welds, or Weld Feature). As an alternative, automatic
connections may be used. These are Bonding Elements or the Auto
Assembly functionality using Assembly Links. Bonding elements or assembly
links are automatically created where parts exactly touch, if the default
interface of an assembly is set to bonded and no other welds are defined
between. These are effective tools to prepare your shell assembly very fast
for an analysis. You have to ensure that they do not link parts that are not
linked in the real design, so create free interfaces where necessary. Where
no connection is intended, free interfaces can be used. If the model default
interface is free, then in general no bonding elements are created until you
define an individual bonded interface.
The following connection tools can be used:
• Welds – Welds are defined using the Weld Definition dialog box shown
in Figure 1. The following welds are available to manually join shell
midsurfaces:

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 13

 – End Welds – This weld is intended for a wall end that touches or nearly
touches a plate perpendicular or in a certain angle unequal to 0°. It
elongates the shell midsurface of the wall until it touches the midsurface
of the mating plate.
For end welds, then the two surfaces have to be referenced in the Weld
Definition dialog box.
– Perimeter Weld – This weld is intended for plates that are parallel to
each other; like end welds they do not have to touch exactly, a gap is
allowed. It creates shell elements normal between the plates at the
referenced edges.
In the Weld Definition dialog box for perimeter welds, first that surface
has to be referenced from whose edges the shell shall be extruded to
touch the other plate. The thickness of this shell also has to be defined.
If no edges are referenced, the default is that all possible edges of the
first referenced plate are used for the shell weld creation.
– Spot Weld – This is another option to join exactly parallel plates. This
may idealize spot welding, rivets, or screws as real-world connections.
Circular beam elements are created between the plates at the
referenced points; therefore, in Legacy Independent mode they are
called beam fastener.
To buffer the singularity of the resulting point load introduction, additional
links are used. Note that shell stresses close to the spot welds should
be interpreted with great care.
In the Weld Definition dialog box for spot welds, the surface references,
point(s), and spot weld (beam) diameter has to be defined. Note that the
points do not necessarily have to be located on one of the referenced
surfaces; normal projection is performed.
– Weld feature – This option enables you to use Creo Parametric Weld
features as reference for shell weld creation in Simulate.
• Bonding Elements – Create Bonding Elements must be selected in the
AutoGEM Settings dialog box and a bonding interface must be defined
(default or individual), so that this type of connection element is created
between exactly touching surfaces. Internally, shells or solids with
orthotropic material are created.
If Create Bonding Elements is not selected, Assembly Links are created
instead. These couple certain DOFs with help of MPCs (multi-point
constraints). Note that this is less accurate compared to bonding elements,
especially for relatively thick shells. To increase accuracy, therefore, set the
environment variable sim_accurate_asm_links to yes for translation-rotation
coupling. This increases accuracy at the expense of analysis time.
If your default interface is free and you just want bonding elements at
a certain location, you can define Bonding Elements using the Interface
Definition dialog box shown in Figure 2.
Only the spot weld can also be used for joining volume elements; all other
tools are reserved for shells or shell-volume connections only. Bonding
Elements should be preferred instead of the Auto Assembly functionality. If

Module 15 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

welds are defined between two surfaces, the creation of bonding elements or
assembly links is suppressed there.
If two touching plates joined with a perimeter weld are compressed
together, it is more realistic to use bonding elements or assembly
links instead, since with a perimeter weld they can interfere under
load. Under tension, it is more realistic to use the perimeter weld,
since away from the weld the plates deform and lift off.

How Do Bonding Elements Work?

If the plates to be joined are made of linear elastic, isotropic material with
a modulus of elasticity of E and Poisson's ratio ν, a transversely isotropic
material is generated automatically for shell and volume bonding elements.
This ensures that the material is compression/tension stiff only in 1-direction
and shear stiff only in the 1–2 and 1–3 directions. The material orientations
are defined in a way that in the case of bonding solids the 1-direction is
perpendicular to the two parallel touching plates, analogous for bonding
shells. Here, the 1-direction is the extension direction of the shell midsurface
that touches another shell in an angle unequal to Zero, like an end weld. The
additional mass of the bonding elements can be ignored, since their density
is reduced by six magnitudes compared to the material to be joined.
If you want to examine bonding elements in more detail, you may transfer the
simulation model into Legacy Independent Mode and look for their properties
and material orientations. Note this transfer is only possible in Creo Simulate
Embedded mode.

© 2012 PTC Module 15 | Page 15

Module 15 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC
Module 16
Idealizations
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to use idealizations in Simulate.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Define a beam.
• Understand beam results.
• Create discrete masses.
• Create rigid links.
• Create weighted links.
• Create springs.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 1

Defining a Beam
Beams are one-dimensional elements that are used if the real
structure consists of one or many slim struts or beams.
To define a beam, you need to define
the beam’s:
• References
• Material
• Y-direction
• Section

Figure 1 – Beam Section Definition Figure 2 – Beam Definition

Dialog Box Dialog Box

Defining a Beam
Beams are one-dimensional elements that are used if the real structure
consists of one or many slim struts or beams. Slim means that the
cross-section dimensions are small compared to the beam length (for
example, <1:10). The beam deflections and stresses are analyzed according
to the classical Timoshenko beam theory. Simulate beams may be straight
or curved (for example, may reference a spline). Beams can be very helpful
idealizations for analyzing big assemblies, even if there are no frameworks,
for example, as an idealization of axes in pin joints or a strut fixed to a piston.
Beams are defined using the Beam Definition dialog box. To define a beam,
you need to define the beam’s:
• References
• Material

Module 16 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

• Y-direction – This defines the beam’s section orientation.
• Section – This defines the beam’s cross-section in the Beam Section
Definition dialog box. If possible, select a section from the section library,
since these sections support all loading types correctly. If this is not
possible, select the type General. This enables you to define a section
by entering its properties according to beam theory. Sketched beam
sections (solid or thin) can have certain limitations. Check the warning
messages when accessing them. For sketched beams, stress recovery
points have to be defined in the sketcher. For thin sketches, the thickness
must be entered for individual lines or the whole sketch. Note that the
beam elements in Simulate take into account additional deflections from
transverse shear, Timoshenko beam formulation, but you cannot evaluate
transverse shear stresses in the postprocessor. Simulate beams currently
do not support any nonlinear behavior.
The following are optional beam selections:
• Beam Orientation/Offset – In addition to the required Y-direction definition,
a beam orientation enables you to define an optional rotation around the
beam’s X-axis and an offset of the cross-section relative to the beam’s
X-axis. With the offset functionality, you can define the correct location of
stringers riveted on a sheet metal panel.
• Beam Releases – These are defined for start and end point of beams
and have to be defined in the local beam action coordinate system. The
local beam action coordinate system X-axis is in the beam direction, for
example, from point 1 to point 2, or tangent along a curve. The Y-axis
has to be specified and the Z-axis is defined according to the right-hand
rule. Beam releases enable you to create joints. They define if a force or
moment is not transferred in the corresponding direction. By default, all
forces and moments are transferred where beams are connected.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 3

Understanding Beam Results
Postprocessing beam results, like evaluating shell results, offers
more functionality compared to volume results.

Beam Stresses:
• Bending
• Tensile
• Shear from Torque
• von Mises
• Maximum Shear Stress

Figure 1 – Bending, Tensile,

and Shear Stress

Figure 2 – von Mises Stress Figure 3 – Maximum Shear Stress

Understanding Beam Results

Postprocessing beam results, like evaluating shell results, offers more
functionality compared to volume results.
Beam Stresses:
• Bending – Maximum beam bending.
• Tensile – Maximum beam tensile.
• Shear from Torque – Maximum beam torsion.
The bending, tensile, and shear stress equations are shown in Figure 1.
• von Mises – The resulting comparative beam stress can be derived by
using the Distortion Energy Theory, von Mises stress, shown in Figure 2.
• Maximum Shear Stress – Shown in Figure 3.
When you measure maximum beam total stress, it does not
contain shear stress components from torque, only from tension
and bending. Also note that transverse shear stresses cannot be
evaluated in the postprocessor, only shear stresses from torque.

Module 16 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Certain quantities may also be evaluated at recovery points. Their locations
can be found when reviewing beam properties in the Beam Section Definition
dialog box.

Postprocessor Functionality
In addition to the standard functionality known from evaluating volumes, for
beams the postprocessor also offers options to evaluate resultant loadings,
tensile force, lateral force, moment, and torque along the beam length as a
graph or fringe plot. Legacy Independent mode postprocessor also offers the
option to view a fringe plot of the stress distributions within cross-sections
from the beam library.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 5

Creating Discrete Masses
A discrete mass is a Zero-dimensional finite element which just
has mass properties.

To create a discrete mass:

• In the Mass Definition dialog box,
select a mass type.
– Simple
– Advanced
– Component at Point (Assembly
mode only)
• Complete the dialog box based on
the mass type selected.

Figure 1 – Mass Definition Dialog

Box: Simple Mass

Figure 2 – Mass Properties Dialog Figure 3 – Mass Properties Dialog

Box: Advanced Mass Box: Component at Point

Creating Discrete Masses

A discrete mass is a Zero-dimensional finite element which just has mass
properties. This can be an ideal point mass, without inertia tensor, or a
mass with an additional rotational inertia. This element has six degrees of
freedom, three in translation and three in rotation. A mass element is typically
used to represent substructures or components which influence the system
behavior because of their inertia, not because of other structural properties
like stiffness. This saves significant meshing and computation time. They are
used in static analysis with gravity or centrifugal loads or in dynamic analyses.
A discrete mass is defined using the Mass Definition dialog box. To create
a discrete mass:
• In the Mass Definition dialog box, select a mass type.

Module 16 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 – Simple – If Simple is selected, define referenced point(s), distribution
(Total Mass or Per Point), and mass value. A simple mass requires you
to define references and mass. It has no inertia tensor.
– Advanced – If Advanced is selected, you have to select and/or define a
complete inertia tensor and a coordinate system. An advanced mass
refers to a mass property and a coordinate system to orient the inertia
tensor.
The inertia tensor only has to be specified if the mass is
rotationally accelerated in your analysis. For pure translational
acceleration, just the mass value needs to be defined. Use a
suitable coordinate system so that you don’t have to enter
the off-diagonal terms.

– Component at Point – This functionality is available in assembly mode

only. It can be used to take into account the mass properties of a
subpart or subassembly which is excluded from the current model
representation; otherwise, the mass is taken into account twice. A
simplified representation must be active, and you have to select an
excluded component from it. As reference point for the mass in your
simulation model, use a point located at the center of gravity of the
excluded component. This ensures that the excluded component's
mass properties represent the component exactly where it is located in
the master representation. Taking a different point shifts the excluded
component to a new center of mass position.
• Complete the dialog box based on the mass type selected.
Use the Mass Properties dialog box to obtain the mass and inertia of the
Creo Parametric assembly you want to replace by a mass element in the
Simulate analysis.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 7

Creating Rigid Links
Simulate offers two types of rigid links: Simple and Advanced.
To create a rigid link:
• In the Rigid Link Definition dialog
box, select a rigid link type.
– Simple
– Advanced
• Complete the dialog box based on
the rigid link type selected.
Figure 1 – Simple Rigid Link
Definition Dialog Box

Figure 2 – Advanced Rigid Link

Definition Dialog Box

Creating Rigid Links

Simulate offers two types of rigid links: Simple and advanced. They behave
differently, so they are treated separately.
Simple rigid links are used to rigidly connect the following types of references
simultaneously: points, edges, curves, and surfaces. All regions of simulation
elements touching these references, solids, shells, beams, point masses,
and springs, become one rigid body. This body can move freely in space
as long as no additional constraints are set to a reference of the link, but
not deform any more.
Advanced rigid links offer more functionality. They consist of one single
independent point and a dependent side. This side can consist of points,
curves and edges, or surfaces. The dependent side has to follow the
movements of the independent point and is therefore rigidly linked to this
point. In addition, opposite to simple rigid links, one or more of all six possible
joined degrees of freedom of the dependent side can be unlinked from the
independent point if required. Any coordinate system may be referenced
for this purpose.

Module 16 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Rigid links can be used for:
• Connecting a discrete mass to the main structure, if the mass properties of
the component have an influence in the structural behavior, a computer
housing mounted to a thin rocket shell.
• Replacing a component in an assembly to reduce model size, for example,
a relative stiff fitting with a ball joint at the strut end.
• Creating a hinge between two solids.
To create a rigid link:
• In the Rigid Link Definition dialog box, select a rigid link type.
– Simple – The simple Rigid Link dialog box is shown in Figure 1.
– Advanced – The advanced Rigid Link dialog box is shown in Figure 2.
• Complete the dialog box based on the rigid link type selected.
Rigid links create artificial stiffness in your model that does not exist in reality,
so be careful when selecting their references: they must be small. Since a
rigid connection is infinitely stiff, it may transfer all loads if it is connected
parallel to a flexible structure, so you don’t see any stress in this structure.
Therefore, a weighted link may be an alternative choice since it does not
add stiffness.
If you connect a rigid link to a point or an edge of a solid, you obtain
a ball joint or a hinge there since the solid doesn’t support rotations.
You also create a stress singularity there.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 9

Creating Weighted Links
Weighted Links enable the transfer of the average displacements
of independent references, points, edges/curves, or surfaces,
to one dependent point.

To create a weighted link:

• Select the independent side
reference type.
• Select the independent references.
• Select the dependent point.
• Enter the degrees of freedom.

Figure 1 – Weighted Link

Definition Dialog Box

Figure 3 – Simply Supported

Figure 2 – Simply Supported Shaft Shaft Results

Creating Weighted Links

Weighted Links enable the transfer of the average displacements of
independent references, points, edges/curves, or surfaces, to one dependent
point. A special technique is used to weight, average, and transfer them to
the dependent point. The dependent point may also rotate if the independent
references enforce a rotation by their displacements. However, a pure local
rotation of an independent reference (for example, of a shell or beam) is not
taken into account for the dependent point rotation. Opposite to rigid links,
the selected references do not become a rigid body; they stay flexible.
Use the Weighted Link Definition dialog box as shown in Figure 1 to define a
weighted link. To create a weighted link:
• Select the independent side reference type.
• Select the independent references.
• Select the dependent point.
The dependent point of a weighted link must not be constrained.
Use a ground spring instead and enter tensor stiffness on the
principal axis accordingly.

Module 16 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

• Enter the degrees of freedom expressed in a selected reference coordinate
system to be taken into account for displacement coupling.
Weighted links can be used as follows:
• Instead of creating singular point constraints, attach a weighted link
dependent point to a ground spring and fix the independent side to a
small surface, like shown at the simply supported shaft under bending and
torque in Figures 2 and 3.
• With a similar approach, you can create moment-free enforced
displacements.
• You can fix substitute point masses to surfaces or a couple of points of a
beam framework without stiffening the surface or the framework itself.
• Inbuilt cylindrical joints replace the pin of the joint with a beam, create a
beam release for rotation around the pin axis, and attach weighted link
dependent points at the beam ends. The independent surfaces are the
surface holes where the pin is mounted.
It is not easy to understand how weighted links work. Initially try them out on
a simple model. Real structures, which are idealized with the help of rigid or
weighted links, often behave in between. They are neither infinitely stiff nor
do they add any stiffness. A big advantage of weighted links compared to
rigid links is that there are no stiffness jumps at the edges of their referenced
surfaces, and the surfaces can still deform.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 11

PROCEDURE - Creating Weighted Links

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\WeightedLinks
RIGID_AND_WEIGHTED_LINKS.PRT

Creo Parametric users open RIGID_AND_WEIGHTED_LINKS.PRT

Task 1: Define the weighted links.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Weighted Link from the Connections group. The Weighted

Link Definition dialog box appears.
3. Press CTRL and select points PNT1, PNT2, PNT3, and PNT4 on
the model. These are listed in the Independent Side section in the
dialog box.
4. Click in the Dependent side section, Point field. On the model, select
PNT0.
5. In the Degrees of Freedom section, select Tx, Ty, and Tz.
6. Click OK.
Weighted Links have already been defined at the A2 and
A3 locations.

7. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

8. Click Weighted Link from the Connections group. The Weighted

Link Definition dialog box appears.
9. Press CTRL and select points PNT16, PNT17, PNT18, and PNT19
on the model. These are listed in the Independent Side section in
the dialog box.
10. Click in the Dependent side section, Point field. On the model, select
PNT15.
11. In the Degrees of Freedom section, select Tx, Ty, and de-select Tz.
12. Click OK.

Module 16 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Task 2: Define the rigid links.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Rigid Link from the Connections group. The Rigid Link
Definition dialog box appears.
3. Press CTRL and select points PNT20, PNT21, PNT22, PNT23, and
PNT24 on the model. These are listed in the References section in
the dialog box.
4. Click OK.

5. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

6. Click Rigid Link from the Connections group. The Rigid Link
Definition dialog box appears.
7. Select Advanced from the Type drop-down menu.
8. Select point PNT25 on the model. This is listed in the Independent
section in the dialog box.
9. Click in the Dependent side section, Points reference field. Press
CTRL and select points PNT26, PNT27, PNT28, and PNT29 on the
model.
10. Verify that all options are selected in the Degrees of Freedom section.
11. Click OK.

12. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

13. Click Rigid Link from the Connections group. The Rigid Link
Definition dialog box appears.
14. Select Advanced from the Type drop-down menu.
15. Select point PNT30 on the model. This is listed in the Independent
section in the dialog box.
16. Click in the Dependent side section, Points reference field. Press
CTRL and select points PNT31, PNT32, PNT33, and PNT34 on the
model.
17. Deselect Rx, Ry, and Rz in the Degrees of Freedom section.
18. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 13

Task 3: Define the constraints.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Displacement from the Constraints group. The Constraint

dialog box appears.
3. Select Points from the References Section drop-down menu.
4. Press CTRL and select points PNT1 and PNT4 on the model.
5. In the Translation section, click Prescribed Translation for the Y
translation. Type 3 in the Y Translation field.
6. In the Rotation section, click Fixed Rotation for the X, Y, and
Z rotations.
7. Click OK.

8. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

9. Click Displacement from the Constraints group. The Constraint

dialog box appears.
10. Select Points from the References Section drop-down menu.
11. Press CTRL and select points PNT20, PNT25, PNT30, and PNT35
on the model.
12. In the Translation section, click Prescribed Translation for the X,
Y, and Z translations. Type 1 in the X, Y, and Z translation fields.
13. In the Rotation section, click Prescribed Rotation for the X, Y,
and Z rotations. Type 10 in the X, Y, and Z rotation fields.
14. Click OK. Click OK in the Warning dialog box.

Task 4: Define and run a static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

Module 16 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

 4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type link_demo.
• Select the constraint sets displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component section.
• Select the Convergence tab and click Quick Check from the
Method drop-down menu.
• Select the Output tab.
• In the Plotting Grid field, type 2.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box

appears.
7. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.

8. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select link_demo and
click Start Run . Click Yes to run interactive diagnostics.

9. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.
10. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 15

Creating Springs
Discrete springs can be used to connect two points in your
simulation model or a point to the ground with a linear stiffness
tensor, or an extensional nonlinear stiffness

To create a spring:
• Select the type of spring.
– Simple
– Advanced
– To Ground
• Select references.
• Define spring properties.

Figure 1 – Simple Spring

Definition Dialog Box

Figure 2 – Advanced Spring Figure 3 – Spring Property

Definition Dialog Box Definition Dialog Box

Creating Springs
Discrete springs can be used to connect two points in your simulation model
or a point to the ground with a linear stiffness tensor. The extensional stiffness
between two points can also be defined as nonlinear. The application of
this functionality offers a lot of benefit. You can not only idealize real-world
springs, you can use it to define constraints or joints in an assembly by
suitable adjusting of the diagonal tensor terms to zero or a high value.
Therefore, you may combine it with rigid or weighted links.
You should not enter values for the spring stiffness that approximate
infinity, for example, for a constraint. In this case, the analysis
may fail with an insufficiently constraint error message, since the
stiffness matrix becomes ill-conditioned. Numbers should not be
greater than approximately 1013.

To create a spring:
• Select the type of spring.

Module 16 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC

 – Simple – Simple Springs enable you to quickly define an extensional
stiffness Kxx and a torsional stiffness Txx between two points without
defining orientation options. Simple springs also support LDA. In this
case, their extensional stiffness can also be defined as a nonlinear
function. Nonlinear springs must have a strictly monotonically increasing
characteristic curve. The curve can be defined by a tabular function, or
an analytic expression. Use measures to obtain spring forces, since
spring forces cannot be evaluated in the postprocessor. Check the
signs with a known loading to know if it’s in compression or tension. The
simple Spring Definition dialog box is shown in Figure 1.
– Advanced – When defining advanced springs, usually you select
Compute Coupling Automatically and just enter the diagonal terms.
This ensures that reactions from the lever arm between the spring end
points are taken into account correctly. The two points should never be
exactly on the same location in space. The advanced Spring Definition
dialog box is shown in Figure 2.
– To Ground – To Ground springs can be used for the suspension of a
machine base and a discrete spring mass system.
• Select references.
• Define spring properties – Spring properties can be defined using the
Spring Property Definition dialog box shown in Figure 3.
The local spring coordinate system X-axis is in direction from point
1 to point 2. The Y-axis has to be specified and the Z-axis is defined
by the right-hand rule.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 17

PROCEDURE - Creating Springs

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Modeling\Springs PISTON-SPRING_SIMULATE.PRT
Creo Parametric users open PISTON-SPRING.PRT.

Task 1: Define the spring idealizations.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Spring from the Idealizations group. The Spring Definition

dialog box appears.

3. In the model, select PNT0 as

the first reference and select
PNT1 as the second reference,
as shown.

4. Type 2800 in the Extensional Stiffness field.

5. Type 1e10 in the Torsional Stiffness field.
6. Click OK.

7. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

8. Click Spring from the Idealizations group. The Spring Definition

dialog box appears.

9. In the model, select PNT2 as

the first reference and select
PNT3 as the second reference,
as shown.

Module 16 | Page 18 © 2012 PTC

 10. In the Properties section, select Force-Deflection Curve from the
Extensional Force-Deflection Variation drop-down menu.
11. Click f(x). The Functions dialog box appears.
12. Click New. The Function Definition dialog box appears.
13. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type quadratic_relation.
• In the Symbolic Expression field, type deflection^2.
14. Click OK to return to the Functions dialog box.
15. Click OK in the Warning dialog box.
16. Click No in the Question dialog box.
17. Click OK to return to the Spring Definition dialog box.
18. Type 11.09188 in the Force Factor field.
19. Type 1e10 in the Torsional Stiffness field.
20. Click OK.

Task 2: Define the weighted link connections.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Weighted Link from the Connections group. The Weighted

Link Definition dialog box appears.
3. Select Surfaces from the Independent Side drop-down menu.

4. In the model, select the surface

shown.

5. Click in the Point field in the Dependent Side section. In the model,
select PNT1.
6. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 19

Task 3: Define measures to monitor the spring behavior.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Measures from the Run group. The Measures dialog box
appears.
3. Click New. The Measure Definition dialog box appears.
4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Force_linear_spring.
• Select Force from the Quantity drop-down menu.
• Select Spring from the second Quantity drop-down menu.
• Select Z from the Component drop-down menu.
• In the Spatial Evaluation section, click Select Reference . In the
model tree, expand Idealizations and Springs and select Spring1.
5. Click OK to return to the Measures dialog box.
6. Click Close.

7. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

8. Click Measures from the Run group. The Measures dialog box
appears.
9. Click New. The Measure Definition dialog box appears.
10. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type disp_linear_spring.
• Select Displacement from the Quantity drop-down menu.
• Select Z from the Component drop-down menu.
• In the Spatial Evaluation section, select At Point from the
drop-down menu and click Select Reference . In the model,
select PNT1.
11. Click OK to return to the Measures dialog box.
12. Click Close.

Module 16 | Page 20 © 2012 PTC

 13. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

14. Click Measures from the Run group. The Measures dialog box
appears.
15. Click New. The Measure Definition dialog box appears.
16. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Energy_linear_spring.
• Select Computed Measure from the Quantity drop-down menu.
• Type 0.5*Force_linear_spring*disp_linear_spring in the
Expression section.
17. Click OK to return to the Measures dialog box.
18. Click Close.

19. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

20. Click Measures from the Run group. The Measures dialog box
appears.
21. Click New. The Measure Definition dialog box appears.
22. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type total_spring_energy_stored.
• Select Computed Measure from the Quantity drop-down menu.
• Type (0.5*Force_linear_spring*disp_linear_spring)+(1/3*11.
09188*disp_nonlinear_spring^3) in the Expression section.
23. Click OK to return to the Measures dialog box.
24. Click Close.

Task 4: Define and run a nonlinear static analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

© 2012 PTC Module 16 | Page 21

 4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type pressure_storage.
• Select Nonlinear/Use Load Histories.
• In the Nonlinear Options section, select Nonlinear Springs.
• Select the constraint and load sets displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Select the Convergence tab and click Quick Check from the
Method drop-down menu.
• Select the Output tab.
• Complete the following:
– In the Calculate section, de-select Stresses and Rotations.
– Type 2 in the Plotting Grid field.
– Select User-defined Output Steps from the Output Steps
drop-down menu.
– Type 21 in the Number of Master Steps field.
– Click User-defined Steps.
– Click Space Equally.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.
6. Click Confirm in the Confirmation dialog box.

7. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box

appears.
8. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.
9. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select
pressure_storage and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

10. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
Note that the total stored spring energy in both pressure
reservoirs reflects the total strain energy, which happens to
be a default measure, in the model.

11. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 16 | Page 22 © 2012 PTC

Module 17
Advanced Analysis
Module Overview
In this module, you learn about the advanced static, dynamic, and buckling
analysis features in Creo Simulate.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Understand static analysis with prestress.
• Understand modal analysis.
• Understand dynamic analysis.
• Understand linear buckling analysis.
• Understand nonlinear stability analysis.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 1

Understanding Static Analysis with Prestress
Static analysis with prestress takes into account the stress
stiffening of the structure due to tension prestress or softening
due to compression prestress.

Variables used:
• |K| = Elastic Stiffness Matrix
• |Kσ| = Stress Stiffness Matrix
• x = Displacement Vector
• F = Applied Force Vector Figure 1 – Static Prestress
• Fp = Preload Force Vector Analysis Linear Equation

Figure 2 – Prestress Static Analysis

Definition Dialog Box

Understanding Static Analysis with Prestress

Static analysis with prestress takes into account the stress stiffening of the
structure due to tension prestress, or softening due to compression prestress.
This analysis requires two subsequent analyses. One that defines the
prestressed state, and one that defines the operational load. Unlike in large
deformation analysis (LDA), both analyses are linear analyses. The loads are
always applied on the undeformed structure, and no iteration procedure is
carried out.
In a prestress static analysis, Simulate solves the linear equation shown in
Figure 1. The variables used are as follows:
• |K| = Elastic Stiffness Matrix resulting from the unloaded geometry and
material used.
• |Kσ| = Stress Stiffness Matrix linearly related to the stress created by the
applied load vector Fp of the previous linear static analysis. The stiffness
calculation is done for each integration point in each element from the
stress state of the previous static analysis. Stresses don’t have to be

Module 17 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 requested in the previous linear static analysis, since they are recomputed
from the previous solution.
• x = Displacement Vector.
• F = Force Vector defining the operational load on the structure which is
prestressed by force vector Fp.
Use this analysis when linear superposition of loads in a linear static analysis
is not valid any more. This is the case when the structure is slim or thin-walled
and highly tension or compression prestressed. Tensile prestress increases
and compressive prestress reduces the resulting stiffness.
The following are limitations to consider when using static prestress analysis:
• The stress stiffness Kσ is computed in the same way as Linear Buckling
Analysis. No large deformation stiffness KL is taken into account; we have
a linear analysis with small displacements.
• Prestress static analysis is available only for 3-D models in Simulate, and
no SPA is supported.
• The resultant measures computed in a prestress static analysis do not
include the contribution from the previous static analysis.
Definition Options
The Prestress Static Analysis Definition dialog box shown in Figure 2 is
used to define a prestress static analysis. The following are some important
options when defining a prestress static analysis:
• The Use static analysis results from previous design study option enables
you to read in previous static results instead of newly executing. You may
examine the prestress influence without having to rerun the previous static
analysis for different load levels.
• In the Load Scale Factor field, you can type a load magnification factor
which multiplies the previous static analysis solution for stress and stress
stiffness computation. You don’t have to redefine the load magnitude in the
previous static analysis if it changes.
• If selected, the Combine Results with Results from Previous Static
Analysis option enables displacements and stresses from the previous
static analysis to be added to the actual prestress analysis results. If not
selected, you can separately examine them.
Stress Output in a Prestress Static Analysis
Unlike in other analyses, in prestress static analysis no superconverged
stresses are output, just the raw stresses. So, you may need slightly
higher p-levels and a better mesh quality to reach the same accuracy. You
can select between averaged and non-averaged raw stress results in the
postprocessor, unlike other analyses.
Prestress analysis may be used to demonstrate the nonlinear relationship
between the initial, or prestressing, loads and the final resulting displacements
and stresses. However, for a given prestress level, there still remains a linear
relationship between operational loads applied and resulting deformations
and stresses. Note that the prestress static analysis may fail with an
error message stating insufficiently constrained, if the prestress load is
compressive and above the critical buckling load. This means the buckling
load factor is ≤1.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 3

PROCEDURE - Understanding Static Analysis with
Prestress

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Analysis\Prestress
SHEETMETAL_PRESTRESSED_ SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open SHEETMETAL_PRESTRESSED_

LEVER.PRT.

Task 1: Define the constraints.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Displacement from the Constraints group. The Constraint

dialog box appears.
3. Select Edges/Curves from the References drop-down menu.

4. In the model, select the edge

shown.

5. In the Translation section, click Free Translation for the X and

Z translations.
6. Click OK.
7. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.
8. Click the Constraints Group drop-down menu and select Symmetry
. The Symmetry Constraint dialog box appears.

9. In the model, select the surface

shown.
10. Click OK.

Module 17 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

 11. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.
12. Click the Constraints Group drop-down menu and select Symmetry
. The Symmetry Constraint dialog box appears.

13. In the model, select the surface

shown.
14. Click OK.
All these constraints
are part of the same
constraint set and,
therefore, act on the
system in the same
time.

Task 2: Define the pressure load.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Pressure Load from the Loads group. The Pressure Load
dialog box appears.
3. Click New. The Load Set Definition dialog box appears.
4. Type Operational_Pressure in the Name field.
5. Click OK to return to the Pressure Load dialog box.
6. In the model, select the top surface of the plate.
7. Type 0.01 in the Value field.

8. Click Preview and review the

graphical distribution of the load.
9. Click OK.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 5

Task 3: Define the longitudinal prestress load.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Force/Moment Load from the Loads group. The

Force/Moment Load dialog box appears.
3. Click New. The Load Set Definition dialog box appears.
4. Type Prestress in the Name field.
5. Click OK to return to the Force/Moment Load dialog box.

6. In the model, select the flat

surface of the plate shown.

7. In the Force section, type –80000

in the Z field.
8. Click Preview and review the
graphical distribution of the load.
9. Click OK.

Task 4: Define AutoGEM controls and mesh the model.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. In the AutoGEM group, click the Controls Group drop-down menu
and click Mapped Mesh . The Mapped Mesh Control dialog box
appears.

3. Press CTRL and in the model

select the four vertices
shown. These are listed in
the References for the First Face
section.

Module 17 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 4. Press CTRL and in the model
select the four vertices on the
face opposite the previous face
used. These are listed in the
References for the Second Face
section.
5. Verify BRICK1 is selected, and
in the Subdivisions section, type
10 in the Default field. Note the
graphical representation of the
element divisions in the model.
6. Click OK.

7. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

8. Click AutoGEM from the AutoGEM group. The AutoGEM dialog
box appears.
9. Click Create and inspect the resulting mesh.
10. Click Close to close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate
window. Click No to the prompt to save the mesh.

Task 5: Define and run the static and prestress analyses.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

4. Complete the following:

• In the Name field, type sheetmetal_lin_super.
• In the Constraint Set/Component section, select ConstraintSet1.
• In the Load Set/Component section, select Operational_Pressure
and Prestress. Deselect any other load sets selected.
• Click the Convergence tab and click Multi-Pass Adaptive from
the Method drop-down menu.
• In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
• In the Limits section, type 5 in the Percent Convergence section.
• Verify Local Displacement, Local Strain Energy and Global
RMS Stress is selected.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 7

 6. Click File > New Prestress > Static. The Prestress Static Analysis
Definition dialog box appears.
7. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type sheetmetal_prestressed_non_comb.
• Select the ConstraintSet1 and Operational_Pressure load set.
Deselect any other load sets.
• Click the Previous Analysis tab and select Use static analysis
results from previous design study.
• Select only the Prestress load set.
• Select the Convergence tab.
• Select Multi-Pass Adaptive from the Method drop-down menu.
• In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
• In the Limits section, type 1 in the Percent Convergence section.
• Verify Local Displacement, Local Strain Energy and Global
RMS Stress is selected.
8. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

9. Select sheetmetal_prestressed_non_comb. Click Edit > Copy. A

copy of the study is listed.
10. Right-click in the copied study and select Edit. A Prestress Static
Analysis Definition dialog box appears.
11. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type sheetmetal_prestressed_combined.
• Click the Previous Analysis tab. Deselect Use static analysis
results from previous design study.
• In the Load Set section, select Prestress.
• Select Combine Results with Results from Previous Static
Analysis.
12. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

Module 17 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

 13. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box
appears.
14. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.
15. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select
sheetmetal_lin_super and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

16. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
17. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Analyses and Design Studies
dialog box.

18. Run the remaining two analyses and view the results.
19. Carefully inspect the information displayed in the summary files.
Notice the maximum values for maximum displacement magnitude
and von Mises. Notice that the effect of linearly combining (Static)
versus applying loads on deformed models (Prestress) is not the
same.
20. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 9

Understanding Modal Analysis with Prestress
Modal analysis with prestress takes into account the stress
stiffening of the structure due to tension prestress, or softening
due to compression prestress, which results in a change of the
natural frequencies of the structure.

Variables used:
• |K| = Elastic Stiffness Matrix
• |Kσ| = Stress Stiffness Matrix
• |M| = Mass Matrix
• x(t) = Displacement Vector Figure 1 – Modal Prestress
• Fp = Preload Force Vector Analysis Linear Equation

Figure 2 – Prestress Modal

Analysis Definition Dialog Box

Understanding Modal Analysis with Prestress

Modal analysis with prestress takes into account the stress stiffening of the
structure due to tension prestress, or softening due to compression prestress,
which results in a change of the natural frequencies of the structure. This
analysis requires two subsequent analyses. One linear static that defines the
prestressed state, and the prestress modal analysis itself.
In a prestress modal analysis, Simulate solves the linear equation shown in
Figure 1. The variables used are as follows:
• |K| = Elastic Stiffness Matrix resulting from the unloaded geometry and
material used.
• |Kσ| = Stress Stiffness Matrix linearly related to the stress created by the
applied load vector Fp of the previous linear static analysis. The stiffness
calculation is done for each integration point in each element from the
stress state of the previous static analysis.
• |M| = Mass Matrix
• x(t) = Displacement Vector

Module 17 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

Use this analysis if you expect stiffening and resulting fundamental frequency
increase from large pretensions, like spinning turbine blades under centrifugal
loads, or slim structures like ropes under prestress.
For the spinning turbine blade example, at high rotational velocities, there
exists an effect called spin softening which counteracts the prestress
stiffening to some extent. The vibration of a spinning body causes relative
circumferential motions, which changes the direction of the centrifugal
load; this, in turn, tends to destabilize the structure. The small deflection
analysis cannot directly account for changes in geometry; the effect could be
accounted for by an adjustment of the stiffness matrix, called spin softening,
but this is currently not supported in Simulate.
The following are limitations to consider when using prestress modal analysis:
• The stress stiffness Kσ is computed in the same way as Linear Buckling
Analysis. No large deformation stiffness KL is taken into account; it is a
linear analysis with small displacements.
• Prestress modal analysis is available only for 3-D models.
• Unlike prestress static analysis, displacements and stresses from the
previous static analysis cannot be added to the prestress modal analysis
results.
• The results of a prestress modal analysis may be used for a subsequent
dynamic analysis, but be aware that the displacements and stresses from
the previous static analysis are not added into the results from the dynamic
analysis.
Note that the prestress modal analysis may fail with an error message
insufficiently constrained, if the prestress load is compressive and above the
critical buckling load. This means the buckling load factor is ≤1. Compressive
stresses reduce the natural frequencies of a structure.

Definition Options
The Prestress Modal Analysis Definition dialog box shown in Figure 2 is
used to define a prestress modal analysis. The following are some important
options when defining a prestress static analysis:
• The Use static analysis results from previous design study option enables
you to read in previous static results instead of newly executing. You may
examine the prestress influence without having to rerun the previous static
analysis for different load levels.
• In the Load Set field, you can type a load magnification factor which
multiplies the previous static analysis solution for stress stiffness
computation. You don’t have to redefine the load magnitude in the previous
static analysis if it changes.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 11

PROCEDURE - Understanding Modal Analysis with
Prestress

Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Simulate_Analysis\AdvModalAnalysis
VIOLIN_A_STRING_SIMULATE.PRT

Creo Parametric users open VIOLIN_A_STRING.PRT

Task 1: Define the beam idealizations.

1. In the ribbon, select the Refine Model tab.

2. Click Beam from the Idealizations group. The Beam Definition

dialog box appears.
3. Select Point-Point from the References drop-down menu.
4. In the model, select P_STRING_AT_BRIDGE as the first reference
point.
5. In the model, select PNT0 as the second reference point.
6. In the Material section, click More. The Materials dialog box appears.
7. Select NYLON and click OK.
8. In the Orientation section, type 1 in the Y field.
9. Select the Start tab. In the Beam Section section, click More. The
Beam Sections dialog box appears.
10. Click New. The Beam Section Definition dialog box appears.
11. Type B_String in the Name field.
12. Select the Section tab.
13. Select Solid Circle from the Type drop-down menu.
14. Type 0.35 in the R field.
15. Click OK to return to the Beam Sections dialog box.
16. Click OK to return to the Beam Definition dialog box.
17. Click OK.
Three additional beam elements have been predefined.

Module 17 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Task 2: Define the constraints.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Displacement from the Constraints group. The Constraint

dialog box appears.
3. Select Points from the References drop-down menu.
4. In the model, select P_STRING_AT_BRIDGE.
5. In the Rotation section, click Fixed Rotation for the X, Y, and
Z rotations.
6. Click OK.

7. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

8. Click Displacement from the Constraints group. The Constraint

dialog box appears.
9. Select Points from the References drop-down menu.
10. In the model, select P_STRING_AT_Fingerboard.
11. In the Translation section, click Free Translation for the X
translation.
12. In the Rotation section, click Fixed Rotation for the X, Y, and
Z rotations.
13. Click OK.
All these constraints are part of the same constraint set and,
therefore, act on the system in the same time.

Task 3: Define and run a modal analysis.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Modal. The Modal Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 13

 4. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Violin_A_String_modal.
• Select the Modes tab. Type 6 in the Number of Modes field.
• Select the Output tab. Type 10 in the Plotting Grid field.
• Select the Convergence tab.
– Select Multi-Pass Adaptive from the Method drop-down menu.
– In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box

appears.
7. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.
8. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select
Violin_A_String_modal and click Start Run . Click Yes to run
interactive diagnostics.

9. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after

the analysis is complete.
Carefully inspect the information displayed in the summary
file. Notice at the bottom of the summary report that the six
eigenmodes have been reported. All the frequency values
are reported in Hz.
Also, note that there are two modes at the same frequency.
You need to create result windows to identify how the
Beams are actually oscillating at those frequencies.

10. Close all dialog boxes.

Task 4: Define the prestress load.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Force/Moment Load from the Loads group. The

Force/Moment Load dialog box appears.
3. Select Points from the References drop-down menu.
4. In the model, select P_STRING_AT_FINGERBOARD.
5. In the Force section, type 38.5 in the X field.
6. Click OK.

Module 17 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

Task 5: Define and run the static and prestress analyses.

1. In the ribbon, select the Home tab.

2. Click Analyses and Studies from the Run group. The Analyses
and Design Studies dialog box appears.
3. Click File > New Static. The Static Analysis Definition dialog box
appears.

4. Complete the following:

• In the Name field, type Violin_A_String_prestress_case.
• Select the constraint and load sets displayed in the Constraint
Set/Component and Load Set/Component sections.
• Click the Convergence tab and click Multi-Pass Adaptive from
the Method drop-down menu.
• In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
• In the Limits section, type 5 in the Percent Convergence section.
• In the Converge on section, verify Local Displacement, Local
Strain Energy and Global RMS Stress is selected.
5. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

6. Click File > New Prestress > Modal. The Prestress Modal Analysis
Definition dialog box appears.
7. Complete the following:
• In the Name field, type Violin_A_String_modal_prestress.
• Select ConstraintSet1.
• Type 6 in the Number of Modes field.
• Click the Previous Analysis tab and verify that
Violin_A_String_prestress_case is selected.
• Select the Output tab. Type 10 in the Plotting Grid field. Deselect
all options in the Calculate section.
• Select the Convergence tab.
• Select Multi-Pass Adaptive from the Method drop-down menu.
• In the Polynomial Order section, type 1 in the Minimum field, and
type 9 in the Maximum field.
• In the Limits section, type 5 in the Percent Convergence section.
• In the Converge on section, select Frequency, Local
Displacement and Local Strain Energy.
8. Click OK to return to the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 15

 9. Click Configure Run Settings . The Run Settings dialog box
appears.
10. The results and temporary output directories are set by default in the
working directory. Both analyses are stored in this location. Click OK.
11. In the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box, select
Violin_A_String_modal_prestress and click Start Run . Click
Yes to run interactive diagnostics.
Since you did not run the Static Analysis referenced
in the Prestress Modal analysis, when you run the
Violin_A_String_modal_prestress analysis, Creo Simulate
first runs the Static Analysis and then the Prestress Modal.
The results, report and fringe plots, are made available by
Creo Simulate for both analyses.

12. Click Display Study Status to view the summary report after
the analysis is complete.
Note that the first frequency value reported is the value 440
Hz.

13. Close all dialog boxes and return to the Creo Simulate window.

This completes the procedure.

Module 17 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC

Understanding Dynamic Analysis
If loads cannot be considered as quasi-static, Simulate can solve
certain dynamic problems on the basis of a modal superposition
method where the damping is ignored first and later applied as
modal damping.

Types of dynamic analyses:

• Dynamic Frequency Analysis
• Dynamic Time Analysis
• Random Response Analysis Figure 1 – Dynamic System
• Dynamic Shock Analysis Equation

Figure 2 – Non-Complex
Dynamic Model Figure 3 – Modal Damping

Understanding Dynamic Analysis

If loads cannot be considered as quasi-static, Simulate can solve certain
dynamic problems on the basis of a modal superposition method where the
damping is ignored first and later applied as modal damping. This saves
significant resources compared to a direct time solution of the full problem.
A dynamic system is typically described using the equation shown in Figure
1. A non-complex modal analysis first ignores the Damping matrix, C, and
solves the eigenvalue equation shown in Figure 2 by using a limited number
of N modes. For this, the original system is transformed from physical space
into modal space. The resulting N by N system is much smaller and can be
solved rapidly in the time or frequency domain. If [C] is 0, this system is
uncoupled. For small [C], it is a good approximation to ignore [C], form the
uncoupled system, and then apply modal damping to that system, where β
equals the percent of critical damping, using the equation shown in Figure 3.
After the solution is worked out, it is transformed into physical space again for
postprocessing. This solution process leads to the following characteristics:
• A dynamic analysis must always refer to a previous modal analysis, so the
dynamic system must be linear; no contact or friction damping problems
can be solved.
• The same modal analysis can be used for different subsequent dynamic
analyses and different damping coefficients.
• The constraints are not allowed to change during the analysis; they are
defined by the modal analysis.
• Damping must be small, β much less than 1, so that the approach is
accurate enough.
Selecting a Dynamic Analysis
Before selecting a dynamic analysis, two questions must be answered:

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 17

• Is the input function for the test identical for two time slots? If the answer to
this question is:
– Yes, this means that you have an exact, deterministic system.
– No, this means that you have a stochastic system.
• Is there any repetition in the timely sequence of the load? If the answer to
this question is:
– Yes, this means that you have a periodic, steady-state system.
– No, this means that you have a transient system.
Based on the answers to the above questions, select one of the following
dynamic analyses:
• Dynamic Frequency Analysis – A steady-state, periodically and
harmonically excited system, F versus time is described with a cosine
function. The maximum force magnitude changes only with frequency, F(f).
• Dynamic Time Analysis – F changes with time, the system is transient. You
can input any forcing function F(t), half sine shock, impulse function. You
can also analyze the transient effect under harmonic excitation.
• Random Response Analysis – The system is periodic. The input and output
is described with spectral density functions, for acceleration, velocity, or
displacements.
• Dynamic Shock Analysis – The system is transient. We analyze the
worst-case system response to the transient short-time excitation by
entering a response spectrum. This approach is typically done in civil
engineering for earthquake analysis.
Typical modal damping values are between 1% and 5%. Damping can be
a defined constant, depending on the frequency, or entered individually
for single modes. Simulate does not support complex modal analyses, in
which damping is taken into account. The accuracy of the dynamic response
analysis depends on the number of eigenmodes taken into account. The total
mass participation should be > 80%. Use a dynamic shock analysis first to
rapidly estimate the mass participation.

Module 17 | Page 18 © 2012 PTC

Understanding Linear Buckling Analysis
Linear or eigenvalue buckling analysis predicts the critical load,
above which the structure is unstable.

Variable Definitions:
• |K| = Elastic Stiffness Matrix
• |Kσ| = Stress Stiffness Matrix
• λ = Eigenvalue
• x = Corresponding Eigenvector Figure 1 – Linear Buckling Equation

Figure 2 – Buckling Mode Shapes of a Thin Tube

Understanding Linear Buckling Analysis

Linear or eigenvalue buckling analysis predicts the critical load, above which
the structure is unstable. This analysis refers to a previously defined linear
static analysis that calculates the stress state from the static load applied.
The result is a load magnification or buckling load factor (BLF) and the
corresponding buckling mode shape. If the applied static load is multiplied
with this factor, the structure may collapse with this mode shape. A negative
BLF indicates that this stability failure occurs only if the load is reversed.
In a linear buckling analysis, Simulate formulates the eigenvalue solution to
the equation shown in Figure 1. The variable definitions are as follows:
• |K| = Elastic Stiffness Matrix resulting from the unloaded geometry and
material used.
• |Kσ| = Stress Stiffness Matrix linearly related to the stress created by the
applied load vector Fp of the previous linear static analysis.
• λ = Eigenvalue obtained from solving the eigenvalue problem, also called
BLF.
• x = Corresponding Eigenvector
In the linear buckling analysis, Simulate estimates how much the load Fp can
be increased until the elastic stiffness K and stress stiffness Kσ cancel each
other out. The eigenvalue buckling analysis is similar to a dynamic modal
analysis, but instead of a mass matrix, Simulate creates a stress stiffness
matrix. A stiffness calculation is done for each integration point in each
element from the stress state of the previous linear static analysis.
The following are limitations that must be considered:
• In linear buckling analysis, it is assumed that the geometry does not change
significantly as the initial load increases. Linear buckling analysis is not a
large deflection analysis, so it does not enable predictions of post-buckling
behavior. Kσ does not include the large displacement stiffness KL. For

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 19

 nonlinear buckling problems, the tangential stiffness KT must be computed
(KT = K + Kσ+ KL) and used in place of the elastic stiffness in an iterative
procedure.
• In general, the results of this analysis may be non-conservative. That
means buckling in real life may appear earlier than predicted. The main
reasons are geometrical imperfections and non-idealized boundary
conditions of the real structure. Even a safety factor of 2 sometimes may
not be enough to cover this.
• The theory further becomes invalid if the stress from the static analysis,
multiplied by the BLF, is above the material elasticity limit.
In general, linear buckling analysis is more accurate for slim and thin-walled
structures with materials having a high modulus of elasticity and a high
elastic stress limit. It becomes less accurate as fewer of these conditions are
fulfilled. A large displacement analysis including snap-through, nonlinear
buckling analysis, may be the better choice.

Stability and Critical Loading

The critical load is the load Fp where a structure is neutrally stable, so here
we have λ=1. Neutrally stable means that a small disturbance leads to a
deflection response growing linear with time, but not exponentially and not
returning to zero. If the actual load meets or exceeds this critical loading, the
structure may totally collapse or at least snap-through until a new stable,
post-buckling position is reached.
The first positive BLF is usually that of practical importance. That is why
Creo Simulate enables you to filter negative BLFs. Higher modes can be
requested, but just show how the structure would buckle if it is restrained
from buckling at a lower BLF.

Module 17 | Page 20 © 2012 PTC

Understanding Nonlinear Stability Analysis:
Snap-through
Nonlinear stability analysis is a special case of large deformation
analysis (LDA), but it uses an additional algorithm, arc length
method, to solve regions where the load-deflection curve of the
structure has a partially negative slope resulting in instability.

In Standard LDA, load-deflection curves must be strictly monotonically

increasing.

Figure 1 – Strictly Monotonically

Increasing Load-Deflection Curve Figure 2 – Load-Deflection Curve
for Standard LDA to Be Solved with Snap-through

Understanding Nonlinear Stability Analysis: Snap-through

Nonlinear stability analysis is a special case of large deformation analysis
(LDA), but it uses an additional algorithm, arc length method, to solve regions
where the load-deflection curve of the structure has a partially negative slope
resulting in instability.
In standard LDA, the load-deflection curve of the structure must be strictly
monotonically increasing, as shown in Figure 1.
Now consider a load-deflection curve as shown in Figure 2. A cup spring or a
snap disc may have such a behavior. In the moment point A is reached, an
instability occurs and the snap disc snaps through on the other side to point
B. Theoretically you could do buckling analysis without snap-through, using
LDA. If the tangent to the load-deflection curve is approaching horizontal, it
would indicate buckling. But if you ask for a load interval whose load is above
the buckling load, the results would be unpredictable. The solution might
jump across the snap-through as shown in the red, dashed line in Figure 2,
or it might fail with a poorly constrained model message. The standard LDA
algorithm is not able to track the curve between A and B properly. If the
solution did jump across, you would get valid results, and would be able to
plot results at A and B. But a plot of measures versus load increment would
be wrong because it would miss the snap-through behavior between A and B.
If you turn on snap-through the load-deflection curve would be traced
properly, and it would prevent the poorly constrained model failure. If you
ask for postprocessing results at A and B, they will be available. In a

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 21

snap-through, the stiffness matrix ends up having one negative pivot. The
snap-through algorithm watches for this and does not treat it as a fatal error.
You can also trace instability without snap-through activated in an
LDA, but then you have to apply the load by enforced displacements
to ensure a displacement control in the unstable region. You should
also use enough load steps to properly track those regions.

Linear Versus Nonlinear Buckling Analysis

In comparison to linear buckling analysis, nonlinear buckling analysis is able
to predict the post-buckling behavior, since the tangential stiffness matrix KT
(which also contains the large displacement stiffness KL: K T = K + Kσ + KL)
is computed and used in an iterative procedure in place of just the elastic
and stress stiffness matrix, K and Kσ, in linear buckling analysis. Therefore,
problems can also be solved where large deformations appear under load.
In linear buckling analysis, it is assumed that the deflection of the loaded
structure is negligible.
It may happen that a structure does not reach a stable state again after
buckling appears, like a strut that totally collapses under compression. In this
case, the snap-through analysis does not find a stable solution.
Load Stepping
As in standard LDA, you have the option to request full result output for one
step or additional intermediate steps. But, in an LDA snap-through analysis,
even if you requested just one load step, measure output is reported for
automatically generated intermediate steps, enabling you to judge how the
load-deflection curve of the structure looks. Without snap-through activated,
just the measure results for the final step are available.
Reporting During Snap-through Analysis
In a snap-through analysis, Simulate reports in the rpt-file (summary) if a start
and an end of a snap-through behavior is detected or not as follows:
• Possible Start of Snap-through Detected
• End of Snap-through Detected
In the pas-file (checkpoints), you can find additional information for which
load factors the snap-through calculation has been performed. This may
look as follows:
• Snap-through calculation. Load Factor reset to: 0.335246
You may have requested output at load factors 0.3 and 0.4. Possible onset
of snap-through was detected when trying to do the 0.4 solution, and the
snap-through algorithm took over and reset the load factor to a value it needed
to properly trace the load-deflection curve. It keeps repeating this message
whenever it resets the load factor to a value lower than requested. Referring
to Figure 2, it might need multiple intermediate solutions to trace across the
snap-through region of the curve. Then, the following messages may appear:
• Negative work increment
• Negative pivot
Often it prints both of these together. Either one indicates the algorithm has
sensed that it has passed the point in the load-deflection curve where the

Module 17 | Page 22 © 2012 PTC

tangent is exactly 0. It keeps repeating this message until it gets passed the
bottom of the snap-through, point C in Figure 2. When the algorithm senses it
has passed the bottom of the snap-through, and the load-deflection curve is
bending upwards again, it prints the following message:
• Stiffening region. Arc length method turned off.
The nonlinear solution then proceeds until all the load intervals have been
calculated.

© 2012 PTC Module 17 | Page 23

Module 17 | Page 24 © 2012 PTC
Module 18
Sensitivity and Optimization
Module Overview
In this module, you learn how to define a design study.

Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
• Define a design study.
• Understand design study options.

© 2012 PTC Module 18 | Page 1

Defining Design Studies
Design studies determine the effect of design variables, such
as certain dimensions or Creo Parametric parameters, on your
model's behavior.

Design Studies:
• Standard Design Study
• Sensitivity Design Study
• Optimization or Feasibility Design
Study

Figure 1 – Standard Design Study

Definition Dialog Box

Figure 2 – Sensitivity Design Study Figure 3 – Optimization Design

Definition Dialog Box Study Definition Dialog Box

Defining Design Studies

Design studies determine the effect of design variables, such as certain
dimensions or Creo Parametric parameters, on your model's behavior. A
design study always references one or more of any analysis type Simulate
can support. To study the influence of a design variable, you can use a Local
or Global Sensitivity Study, a “what if” study. Global and Local Sensitivity
Design Studies are powerful tools to pre-examine your design before you run
an Optimization Study. With these studies, you can limit the design range or
determine a good starting point for the optimization. By comparing the rates
of change caused by several variables, you can determine which variables
affect the results the most.
If your design has to comply with specific requirements, you can enter these
as design limits, for example, von Mises stress < 150 MPa, and define a
goal such as minimize the model mass, then run an Optimization Study. An
Optimization study without a certain goal is called a Feasibility Study. The
Optimization/Feasibility Design Study is the most powerful design study.
Only this invokes the optimizer. Note the Simulate optimizer is a parameter
optimizer that usually optimizes Creo Parametric model dimensions to reach
certain goals and fulfill certain design limits. Even though the Simulate

Module 18 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

Optimizer is a parameter and not a shape optimizer, by clever use of Creo
Parametric dimensions and sketching elements you can optimize the shape
of the part. For example, sketch an elliptical instead of a circular notch and
select both dimensions as design variables.
To create a design study:
• Define one or more Simulate analyses the design study references, for
example, a static or a modal analysis. These analyses define the loading
conditions for which you want to examine or optimize the design of the part.
• Define the Design Study itself.
You have to newly select design variables for each design study you create.
Simulate then varies these variables within a defined domain; that’s why the
Simulate optimizer is called a Parameter Optimizer. It is important to select
suitable design variables; otherwise, no significant improvement of the design
is found. A good idea is to use dimensions that influence the shape of the part.
The following Design Studies are available:
• Standard Design Study – In this study, you can set the defined design
variables to one certain value and run the model with full result output.
The initial value of the variable is not changed in the original model. For
the analysis, Creo Parametric regenerates the study model with the new
dimensions entered.
• Sensitivity Design Study – There are two types of sensitivity studies, Global
and Local.
– Global Sensitivity Study – This study enables you to define design
variables and study their influence on a certain variable domain in steps,
or intervals, for one or more different referenced analyses. For each
variable value, the model is newly regenerated in Creo Parametric,
optionally remeshed and analyzed. Only measure output is provided.
As a consequence, you have to use the postprocessor to study the
measure versus parameter change. Perform additional standard design
studies to obtain full output for parameter values of special interest.
Always vary only one parameter in the domain of interest to be able to
understand its influence. If you select more than one variable, Simulate
changes these variables simultaneously, so you don’t know which
change causes which influence.
Under Sensitivity Study Options, see Figure 2, you can
perform a shape animation of the model caused by the design
variables you selected. You should do this to check if the
model can be regenerated within your variable domain.
– Local Sensitivity Study – Opposite to the global sensitivity study, here
Simulate determines the slope of result quantities at fixed design
variable settings to be entered. This is done by first performing a base
analysis followed by a perturbation analysis for each design variable.
A base analysis is the same as a standard analysis. In a perturbation
analysis, Simulate changes the design variable by an incremental
amount, ±1% of its setting value, and then performs a new analysis.
Simulate uses the results of the perturbation analysis and base analysis
to compute a slope. This value is the same as the slope of the global
sensitivity curve at a given value of the variables. The sensitivity slopes
are also reported in the run summary file.

© 2012 PTC Module 18 | Page 3

 In a local sensitivity study, you can vary more than one parameter: For
each of them you get its influence (slope) around the design variable
value(s) set. Like in a global sensitivity study, in a local sensitivity study,
Simulate just reports measures.
• Optimization or Feasibility Design Study – This study enables you to define
design variables, limit their range, and set suitable start values. Then, the
optimizer drives the variables in a way that these design limits are met, a
Feasibility Study. An additional goal, for example, minimize total mass,
makes this an Optimization Study.
The optimization history, values of the design variables for each step, is
stored in the result directory and can be automatically read into Creo
Parametric. You can then save the optimized geometry back to Creo
Parametric. This is possible in the Analysis Definition dialog box by
selecting the already run optimization study, and selecting Info > Optimize
History.

Module 18 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Understanding Design Study Options
There are different Design Study options used in Simulate.

Design Study options:

• Optimization Algorithm
• Convergence
• Maximum Iterations
• Repeat P-Loop Convergence
• Remesh after each shape update

Figure 1 – Design Study Options

Dialog Box

Understanding Design Study Options

There are different Design Study options used in Simulate. Using the dialog
box shown in Figure 1 you can set the following design study options:
• Optimization Algorithm – Use Optimization Algorithm in the Design Study
Options dialog box to specify an algorithm to the Simulate engine other
than the default algorithm for an optimization design study. When making
this decision, you should understand the advantages and disadvantages of
each algorithm.
– Automatic – If you select the Automatic option, Simulate begins the run
using the default SQP algorithm. However, if Simulate encounters an
invalid model during an optimization and fails to recover the model, it
attempts to resolve the problem by automatically switching from SQP to
GDP for the remainder of the run.
– Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) – Use this option to find the
optimum design faster than GDP does. The disadvantage of SQP is that
it does not guarantee that your design satisfies your limits at the end of
each iteration. It only guarantees that the optimum design satisfies your
limits. This means that if SQP ever fails to find an optimum design,
there may be no intermediate designs available that are improvements
over the initial design.
– Gradient Projection (GDP) – Use this option only if the speed is not an
issue and you want to ensure the availability of interim designs. GDP
tends to produce a series of intermediate designs that satisfy your limits
while getting closer to the goal.
You can also use other (external) optimizers in addition to the built-in SQP
and GDP. For this, you have to start Simulate with the command line option
– extopt (refer to the online help for more details).
• Convergence – This improves optimization speed at the expense of
accuracy. For example, if you specified a design limit such that the von
Mises stress should be less than 100 MPa and set the convergence to

© 2012 PTC Module 18 | Page 5

 5%, Simulate will regard an obtained stress of 105 MPa as fulfilling the
requirement. The tolerance is loosened.
• Maximum Iterations – If this number of optimization iterations is reached,
Simulate will stop the analysis regardless if any improvement is found or
not. The default is 20 iterations, which is usually sufficient.
• Repeat P-Loop Convergence – This option enforces MPA analysis to do
the full P-Loop again after a parameter update. It has no influence on SPA
analyses. Here, both passes are always performed. Use this option for
high accuracy at the expense of analysis time.
• Remesh after each shape update – This option enforces remeshing instead
of only element smoothing or fixing of invalid elements. Activate this if
significant design shape changes appear during parameter update.
When the msengine (the solver) requests a design variable change
during a design study, the geometry is updated in a separate, background
Creo Parametric session in no graphics mode. During this update, the
msengine shows no activity, just the called Creo Parametric process (named
xtop) needs CPU time. When the geometry is regenerated with the new
dimensions, the msengine starts again with this new geometry. The no
graphics Creo Parametric process remains running until the optimization is
completed. During the optimization study, on Windows machines you will
observe a cmd named rundpi. Do not delete this process. Deleting it will
cause your optimization study to be terminated.

Module 18 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

Copyright

Introduction to Creo Simulate 2.0

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PRINTING HISTORY
Document No. Date Description
T3911-390-02 06/04/2012 Initial Printing of:
Introduction to Creo Simulate 2.0
Order Number DT-T3911-390-02
Printed in the U.S.A