Contents The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Contents
Feature Articles
● Using ANSYS for Creep Analysis
● “Running Start”: Combining Engineering and
Mentoring
● Get EE Data into ANSYS with Electronic
Layout File Reader

On the Web
● Grupo SSC E-zine (en Español)

Resources
● PADT Support: How can we help?
● Upcoming Training at PADT
● About The Focus
❍ The Focus Library
❍ Contributor Information
❍ Subscribe / Unsubscribe
❍ Legal Disclaimer

© 2002, by Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Using ANSYS for Creep Analysis The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Using ANSYS for Creep

Analysis
by Carlos Shultz of PADT

Creep is a rate dependent material nonlinearity in which the material continues to

deform under a constant load. The three stages of creep are shown in the figure
below. ANSYS has the capability of modeling the first two stages (primary and
secondary). The tertiary stage is usually not analyzed since it implies impending
failure (gross element distortion).

Creep strain due to constant applied stress

ANSYS analyzes creep using two time integration methods. Both are applicable
to static or transient analyses.
● Implicit creep method is robust, fast, accurate, and recommended for
general use.
❍ Handles temperature dependent creep constants, as well as
simultaneous coupling with isotropic hardening plasticity models.
● Explicit creep method is useful for cases where very small time steps are
required.
❍ Creep constants cannot be dependent on temperature.

❍ Coupling with other plastic models is available by superposition

only.

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Using ANSYS for Creep Analysis The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Implicit Creep
Implicit creep refers to the use of backward Euler integration for creep strains.
This method is numerically unconditionally stable, which means that it does not
require as small a time-step as the explicit creep method, so it is much faster
overall.
For implicit creep plus rate-independent plasticity, the plasticity correction and
creep correction are done at the same time, not independently. Consequently,
implicit creep is generally more accurate than explicit creep, but it is still
dependent on the time-step size. A small enough time-step must be used to
capture the path-dependent behavior accurately.
The following example input shows the use of the implicit creep method.
TBOPT=2 specifies that the primary creep equation for model 2 will be used.
Temperature dependency is specified using the TBTEMP command, and the four
constants associated with this equation are specified as arguments with the
TBDATA command.
TB,CREEP,1,1,4,2
TBTEMP,T1
TBDATA,1,C1,C2,C3,C4
You can simultaneously model implicit creep and BISO, MISO, NLISO, BKIN,
and HILL plasticity.
RATE command can be used to turn implicit creep on and off. Useful for setting
up initial conditions prior to a creep analysis (plasticity is often active during the
ramp up phase of a creep analysis).
/SOLU
RATE,OFF !Creep calculations turned off
TIME,1.0E-8 !Time period set to a very small value
SOLVE !First load step
RATE,ON !Creep analysis turned on
TIME,T1 !Time period set to desired value
SOLVE !Second load step
Enforce a creep limit ratio using the creep ratio control option in commands
CRPLIM or CUTCONTROL, CRPLIMIT. A recommended value for a creep
limit ratio ranges from 1 to 10.

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Using ANSYS for Creep Analysis The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Explicit Creep
Explicit creep means that the forward Euler method is used for the calculation of
creep strain evolution. The creep strain rate used at each time step corresponds to
the rate at the beginning of the time step and is assumed to be constant throughout
that time step, ”t. Because of this, very small time steps are required to minimize
error.

For explicit creep with plasticity, plasticity correction is performed first followed
by creep correction. These two corrections occur at different stress values;
therefore, it may be less accurate.
Explicit creep is no longer recommended for creep analysis. If you are learning to
use creep in ANSYS, learn to use the implicit creep method.

Life Calculations for Creeping

Components
Currently there is not a standard criterion for estimating the life of components
subjected to various amounts of stress and temperature. Several different methods
have been proposed; here are a few of them:
1. Time-hardening rule, total accumulated creep strain is the sum of creep
strains at each level of exposure, the state of the component moves along
constant time from curve to curve, failure occurs when the part reaches the
end of a curve
2. Strain-hardening rule, differs from time-hardening in that the state moves
along constant strain from curve to curve, failure occurs when the part
reaches the end of a curve
3. Life-fraction rule, differs from time-hardening in that the state moves
from curve to curve by determining the ratio of exposure time to total life
which has been used up to that time and then moving to the next curve at
that same ratio, failure occurs when the part reaches the end of a curve
The life-fraction rule is considered intermediate to the time- and strain-hardening
rules; these bound real life behavior. These rules are sometimes implied by the
choice of creep law. If you use a time-hardening creep equation, you are assuming

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Using ANSYS for Creep Analysis The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

that the component follows a time-hardening rule. More complex relationships

can be implemented through the use of user defined creep routines (please contact
us for additional information regarding user creep routines).

General Recommendations
1. Prevent fictitious stresses from causing convergence issues
a. Use broad boundary conditions to hold components, fictitious
stresses often occur when fixed displacements are applied
b. Use pressures and accelerations to load components, fictitious
stresses often occur when fixed forces are applied
c. If fictitious stresses are unavoidable, create a layer of linear elements
(without the creep material model active) between the high stresses
and the rest of the model
2. Test your creep model on a simple test case
a. 3D bars with constant stress applied is my preferred test case
b. Correlate by checking deflections vs time to verify that your model is
correct
c. Be aware that creep data is often constant load data that is presented
as constant stress data, adjusting for this is not a simply task
3. Solution Controls, turn SOLCON,on and use NSUBST,4,1e6,4
a. Keep it simple, only adjust solution parameters if the defaults fail
you
4. Deflection limited analyses much easier than analysis of rupture
a. Element distortion will cause convergence issues when trying to
model failure
b. Biasing the mesh, by making the elements thinner in the anticipated
primary direction of stress, can delay mesh distortion since the
loading will be deforming the elements into a better shape

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Running Start: Combining Engineering and Mentoring The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Running Start Combining

Engineering and Mentoring
by Jeff Strain of PADT
Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will eat for
a lifetime.
Chinese Proverb
In order to remain at the forefront of
technology, it is important for engineers to
constantly learn new skills and build upon
their current expertise. This typically
requires a significant amount of time and
effort. Unfortunately, with frequent
deadlines, project budgets, and overhead
expense concerns, many engineers find that
they are unable to do so.
To address this concern, PADT offers
Running Start, a combination of our
engineering, mentoring, and training services. The foundation of this is our
engineering service, where we perform a real world analysis to address a
concern that is typical of the problems you solve on a regular basis. The
deliverables from our engineering services would include pertinent ANSYS files,
such as the database and results files, and an analysis report.
However, with Running Start we dont stop there.
In addition, we would educate you on the
analysis procedure so that you not only would be
able to repeat it on your own, but build new skills
upon what you have learned. Depending on your
desires, this would include ANSYS script files
(well organized and heavily commented), a
step-by-step presentation, and a discussion with
you or your group about the procedure. You may
also opt for customized training and follow-up
support.

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Running Start: Combining Engineering and Mentoring The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Whether you are new to ANSYS and want to learn analysis procedures for real
world problems, or a veteran ANSYS user embarking on a new application,
Running Start could be just the thing to get you going. Not only would you have
to devote fewer manhours to figuring out specific problems, you would also be
provided with ANSYS scripts that could be reused or altered based on your needs.
The lessons you learn from Running Start can also
be applied to future analysis challenges you may
encounter. Any customized training you request
would be targeted toward specific applications and
therefore more relevant to your daily tasks.
If you are interested in the Running Start package,
please call us at (480) 813-4884 or
(800) 293-PADT, or contact us through email at info@padtinc.com.

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Get EE Data into ANSYS with Electronic Layout File Reader The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

Get EE Data into ANSYS with

Electronic Layout File Reader
by Eric Miller of PADT

The Cool Add-ons for ANSYS Series

The other day a user mentioned a specific feature that ANSYS did not contain. In looking for a
solution, I noticed that there are a lot of cool little programs out there that people are selling that
dont seem to get a lot of press. So, since Rod is always e-mailing me about new articles, it
seemed The Focus would be a good place to highlight a few. This issue will highlight a great
little tool for reading the alphabet soup of electronic system layout formats into ANSYS.

LinkCAD"/ANSYS
It may seem like that Electrical Engineer a few cubicles over is always throwing you a new file
format that you have to struggle to read. With the release of LinkCAD/ANSYS, Bay
Technologies in Aptos, California (Duuude!) has delivered a tool that can truly remove a lot of
pain for many users. Based on their proven LinkCAD translator, this tool adds the ability to
output EE layout geometry directly into ANSYS. Thats right...no IGES, no importing into a 2D
CAD system to clean it up, no custom readers! The table below shows all of the input and output
formats supported in this first release.

Supported LinkCAD/ANSYS formats.

See What Youre Working On!

Its an idea whose time has come. LinkCAD VIEW lets you see the file youre (supposed) to be
working on, both big picture and layer by layer. Is that really the file you asked for? Click on the
light bulbs to turn individual layers on and off. Zoom and cruise the CAD drawing. Since
LinkCAD automatically finds broken polylines before exporting, you can actually see them
before you request they be repaired.

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Get EE Data into ANSYS with Electronic Layout File Reader The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

In some early testing, PADT has had a lot of success with this tool, and it is proving to be a
much easier way to get geometry for PCBs, chip packages, and MEMS devices. The program
has a simple wizard-like interface with lots of useful options and a very nice layer oriented
viewing window. You can download a 15-day demo copy and try it for yourself, or see the full
list of features and screen shots of the interface. At just $3,500, it can save you a lot of heartache
and cut down on the cursing of EE guys.

You can purchase LinkCAD/ANSYS direct from Bay Technology or from most of the ANSYS
ASDs in North America.

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About The Focus The Focus - Issue 17

A Publication for ANSYS Users

About The Focus

The Focus is a periodic electronic publication published by PADT, aimed at the
general ANSYS user. The goal of the feature articles is to inform users of the
capabilities ANSYS offers and to provide useful tips and hints on using these
products more effectively. The Focus may be freely redistributed in its entirety.
For administrative questions, please contact Rod Scholl at PADT.

The Focus Library

All past issues of The Focus are maintained in an online library, which can be
searched in a variety of different ways.

Contributor Information
Please dont hesitate to send in a contribution! Articles and information helpful to
ANSYS users are very much welcomed and appreciated. We encourage you to
send your contributions via e-mail to Rod Scholl.

Subscribe / Unsubscribe
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from The Focus, please visit the PADT
e-Publication subscriptions management page.

Legal Disclaimer
Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies (PADT) makes no representations
about the suitability of the information contained in these documents and related
graphics for any purpose. All such document and related graphics are provided as
is without warranty of any kind and are subject to change without notice. The
entire risk arising out of their use remains with the recipient. In no event,
including inaccurate information, shall PADT be liable for any direct,
consequential, incidental, special, punitive or other damages whatsoever
(including without limitation, damages for loss of business information), even if
PADT has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
The views expressed in The Focus are solely those of PADT and are not
necessarily those of ANSYS, Inc.
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