Chapter 13

Postprocessing
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
Overview
• There are many ways to review results in the general
postprocessor (POST1), some of which have already been
covered.

• In this chapter, we will explore two additional methods — query

picking and path operations — and also introduce you to the
concepts of results transformation, error estimation, and load
case combination.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
A. Query Picking
• Query picking allows you to “probe” the model for stresses,
displacements, or other results quantities at any picked location.

• You can also quickly locate the maximum and minimum values of
the item being queried.

• Available only through the GUI (no commands):

– General Postproc > Query Results > Nodal or Element or Subgrid Solu
– Choose a results quantity and press OK
PowerGraphics PowerGraphics
ON OFF
 Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Query Picking
– Then pick any point in the model to see the results value at that point.
• Min and Max will show the value at the minimum and maximum
points.
• Use Reset to clear all values and start over.
• Notice that the entity number, its location, and the results value are
also shown in the Picker.

Automatically
generate text
annotation
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Query Picking
• Demo:
– Continue from the last multi-load-step solution of rib.db
– Plot SEQV for load step 1
– Query “Nodal Solu” SEQV at several locations, including MIN & MAX. (Switch to
full graphics if needed.)
– Switch to PowerGraphics and query “Subgrid Solu.”
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
B. Results Coordinate System
• All direction-dependent quantities that you view in POST1, such
as component stresses, displacements, and reaction forces, are
reported in the results coordinate system (RSYS).

• RSYS defaults to 0 (global Cartesian). That is, POST1 transforms

all results to global Cartesian by default, including results at
“rotated” nodes.

• But there are many situations — such as pressure vessels and

spherical structures — where you need to check the results in a
cylindrical, spherical, or other local coordinate system.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Coordinate System
• To change the results CS to a different
system, use:
– General Postproc > Options for Outp…
– or the RSYS command

All subsequent contour plots, listings, query picks, etc. will report
the values in that system.

Default orientation Local cylindrical Global cylindrical

RSYS,0 system RSYS,11 system RSYS,1
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Coordinate System
• RSYS,SOLU
– Sets the results CS to “As calculated.”

– All subsequent contour plots, listings, query picks, etc. will report the
values in the nodal and element coordinate systems.
• DOF results and reaction forces will be in the nodal CS.
• Stresses, strains, etc. will be in the element CS. (The orientation of
the element CS depends on the element type and the ESYS
attribute of the element. Most solid elements, for example, default
to global Cartesian.)
– Not supported by PowerGraphics.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
C. Path Operations
• Another way to review results is via path operations, which allow
you to:
– map results data onto an arbitrary “path” through the model
– perform mathematical operations along the path, including integration
and differentiation
– display a “path plot” — see how a result item varies along the path

• Available only for models containing 2-D or 3-D solid elements or

shell elements.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Path Operations
• Three steps to produce a path plot:
– Define a path
– Map data onto the path
– Plot the data

1. Define a Path
– Requires the following information:
• Points defining the path (2 to 1000). You can use existing nodes or
locations on the working plane.
• Path curvature, determined by the active coordinate system
(CSYS).
• A name for the path.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Path Operations
1. Define a Path (cont’d)
– First activate the desired coordinate system (CSYS).
– General Postproc > Path Operations > Define Path > By Nodes or On
Working Plane
• Pick the nodes or WP locations that form the desired path, and
press OK
• Choose a path name. The nSets and nDiv fields are best left to
default in most cases.

From

To
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Path Operations
2. Map Data onto Path
– General Postproc > Path Operations > Map onto Path (or PDEF
command)
• Choose desired quantity, such as SEQV.
• Enter a label for the quantity, to be used on plots and listings.
– You can now display the path if needed.
• General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Paths
• (or issue /PBC,PATH,1 followed by NPLOT or EPLOT)
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Path Operations
3. Plot the Data
– You can plot path items either on a graph:
• PLPATH or General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path Item >
On Graph
– or along path geometry:
• PLPAGM or General Postproc > Path Operations > Plot Path Item >
On Geometry
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Path Operations
• ANSYS allows you to define multiple paths, each
with a unique name that you assign. Only one
path can be active at a time.

• Besides plots and listings, there are many other

path capabilities, including:
– Stress linearization — used in the pressure vessel
industry to decompose stress along a path into its
membrane and bending components.
– Calculus functions — used in fracture mechanics to
calculate J-integrals and stress concentration
factors. Also useful in thermal analyses to calculate
the heat lost or gained across a path.
– Dot products and cross products — used widely in
electromagnetics analyses to operate on vector
quantities.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Path Operations
• Demo:
– Continue with rib postprocessing…
– Plot nodes, then switch to CSYS,1 if desired
– Define a path using nodes
– Map SX or SEQV or other data onto path
– Plot the path itself
– Plot the path item on graph and on geometry
– Define a second path elsewhere in the model and show how to toggle between
the two.
Chapter 13 – Postprocessing
D. Error Estimation
• The finite element solution calculates stresses on a per-element
basis, i.e, stresses are individually calculated in each element.

• When you plot nodal stress contours in POST1, however, you will
see smooth contours because the stresses are averaged at the
nodes.

If you plot the element solution, you will see unaveraged data,
which shows the discontinuity between elements.

• The difference between averaged and avg = 1100

unaveraged stresses gives an indication

of how “good” or how “bad” the mesh is.  = 1000  = 1200
This is the basis for error estimation. Elem 1 Elem 2
 = 1100  = 1300

avg = 1200
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
• Error estimation is available only in POST1 and is valid only for:
– linear static structural and linear steady-state thermal analyses
– solid elements (2-D and 3-D) and shell elements
– Full Graphics (not PowerGraphics)

If these conditions are not met, ANSYS automatically turns off

error estimation calculations.

• To manually activate or deactivate error estimation, use

– ERNORM,ON/OFF
– or General Postproc > Options for Outp
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
• POST1 calculates the following error measures.
– Stress analysis:
• percentage error in energy norm (SEPC)
• element stress deviations (SDSG)
• element energy error (SERR)
• maximum and minimum stress bounds (SMXB, SMNB)
– Thermal analysis:
• percentage error in energy norm (TEPC)
• element thermal gradient deviations (TDSG)
• element energy error (TERR)
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
Percentage error in energy norm (SEPC)

• SEPC is a rough estimate of the stress error (or displacement,

temperature, or thermal flux) over the entire set of selected
elements.

• Can be used to compare similar models of similar structures

subjected to similar loadings.

• SEPC is shown in the legend column of deformed shape displays.

You can list it manually using PRERR or General Postproc > List
Results > Percent Error.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
• As a general rule of thumb,
look for SEPC to be 10% or
SEPC = 35.149
less. If it is higher, then:
– Check for point loads or
other stress singularities and
unselect elements in the
vicinity.
– If it is still higher, plot the
element energy error. The
elements with high values of
energy error are candidates
for mesh refinement. SEPC = 3.484
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
Element stress deviations (SDSG)

• SDSG is a measure of the amount by

which an element’s stress disagrees with
the stress averages at its nodes.

• You can plot SDSG contours using

PLESOL,SDSG or General Postproc > Plot
Results > Contour Plot > Element Solu...

• A high value of SDSG is not necessarily

bad, especially if it is a small percentage
of the nominal stresses in the structure.

For example, this plate-with-a-hole model SDSG at location of interest

shows only a 1.5% stress deviation in the = ~450 psi, which is ~1.5% of
region of interest. ~30,000 psi nominal stress
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
Element energy error (SERR)

• SERR is the energy associated with the stress mismatches at the

nodes of the element. This is the basic error measure from which
the other error quantities are derived. SERR has units of energy.

• To plot SERR contours, issue PLESOL,SERR or General Postproc >

Plot Results > Contour Plot > Element Solu

• Generally, the elements with the highest SERR are candidates for
mesh refinement. However, since SERR will always be highest at
stress singularities, be sure to unselect those elements first.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
Stress bounds (SMXB and SMNB)

• The stress bounds can help you determine the potential effect of
mesh discretization error on the maximum stress.

• They are displayed on stress contour plots in the legend column

as SMXB (upper bound) and SMNB (lower bound).

• The bounds are not estimates of the actual maximum and

minimum, but they do define a “confidence band.” Without other
supporting verification, you have no basis for believing that the
true maximum stress is below SMXB.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Error Estimation
• Caution: If you don’t unselect elements near stress singularities,
the stress bounds are meaningless, as shown below.

SMXB = 15,750 SMXB = 6,401

Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
E. Load Case Combinations
• Whenever you solve multiple load steps, the results of each load
step are stored as separate sets on the results file (identified by load
step number).

• A load case combination is an operation between two sets of

results, which are called load cases.
– The operation occurs between one load case in the database and the
second load case on the results file.
– The result of the operation — the combined load case — is stored back
in the database.

Load case in database Load case Combined load case in database

(computer memory) on results file overwrites previous contents
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Load Case Combinations
Typical procedure:

1. Create the load cases

2. Read one load case into the database

3. Perform the desired operation

Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Load Case Combinations
Create Load Cases

• A load case simply acts as a pointer to a set

of results. It requires two pieces of
information:
– a unique ID number
– the results set it represents (load step and
substep number)

• Use the LCDEF command or General

Postproc > Load Case > Create Load Case
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Load Case Combinations
Read One Load Case into the Database (memory)

• Simply identify the results set by its load case

number using LCASE or General Postproc > Load
Case > Read Load Case.

• Or use one of the standard “Read Results” choices

in the postprocessor (SET command).
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Load Case Combinations
Perform the Desired Operation

• Many operations are available as shown in

the menu here.

• Use the LCOPER command or General

Postproc > Load Case > Add, Subtract, etc.

• Remember that the results of the operation

are stored in the database (memory). The
combined load case is identified on plots
and listings as number 9999.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Load Case Combinations
• There are two useful options to
save the combined load case:
– Write a load case file
– Append the load case to the results
file
• Writing a load case file (LCWRITE
or General Postproc > Write Results)
creates a file that is similar to, but
much smaller than the results file.
• The Append option (RAPPND or
General Postproc > Load Case >
Write Load Case) allows you to add
the combined load case to the
results file and identify it with a
given load step number and time
value.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
F. Workshops
• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions:
W13A. Connecting Rod
W13B. Spherical Shell
W13C. Axisymmetric Fin with Multiple Load Steps
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
G. Results Viewer
• The Results Viewer is a specialized postprocessing menu and graphic
system.
– Fast graphics for large models or models that have many time steps
– Easy to use menu system for quick results viewing
 Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer
• Can be created two different ways …
– Use the POUTRES command before solving
to write a jobname.pgr file during solution.
– Main Menu > Solution > Load Step Opts >
Output Ctrls > PGR File

Hold CTRL key for

multiple selection
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer
– Use the PGWRITE command after solution
to write a jobname.pgr file.
– General Postproc > Write PGR File
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer
• Open the Results Viewer from the General Post Processor.
 Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer
Nodal/element/vector/trace Time History Report Report
results plots Variable Viewer Image Animation
Capture Capture
Animate using
PNG files Report
Element Plot Listing
Capture

Report
Table
Capture

Raise
Hidden

Results Set
Locator Time Substep

Query Results Load Step

Report Generation Image Capture

List Mode
Results
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer
• The graphics window becomes “Context Sensitive”.

Context-sensitive graphics window

Right Click on Model

Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer

Context-sensitive graphics window

Right Click on Contour Legend

Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Results Viewer

Context-sensitive graphics window

Right Click on Contour Bar

Chapter 13 – Postprocessing
H. Variable Viewer
• The Variable Viewer is a specialized tool allowing one to postprocess results
with respect to time.

• The Variable Viewer can be started by:

– Simply opening the Time History Postprocessor, or
– Main Menu > TimeHist Postproc > Variable Viewer
 Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Variable Viewer
1 Add variable button
2 Delete variable button

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 Graph variable button

4 List variable button
5 Properties button
6 Import data button
12
7 Export data button
8 Export data type
13 14 9 Clear Time History Data
10 Refresh Time History Data
15 16
11 Real/Imaginary Components

12 Variable list
13 Variable name input area
17
14 Expression input area
15 Defined APDL variables
16 Defined Post26 variables
17 Calculator
 Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Variable Viewer

k = 36kN/m

100kg
x

k = 36kN/m

25kg
y
F

4000 N , t  0
F 
0, t  0
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
I. Report Generator
• A time consuming part of any
analysis is documenting the
model and results. This
procedure has been partially
automated through the
implementation of the ANSYS
Report Generator.

• The Report Generator allows

the user to quickly capture
pictures, listings, tables, and
other pertinent information.

• It also facilitates the creation of

an HTML formatted file ready to
be distributed to colleagues or
posted to a web site.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
• Launching the Report Generator will
shrink the graphics window and set the
background to white.

• The “Capture Tool” will be opened

allowing the user to grab plots, listings,
and tables.
– Utility Menu> File> Report Generator…
or
– ~eui,’euidl::report::toolbar::create’
or
– Select on the Icon Toolbar.

Capture Tool
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
• Capture Tool
Table
Animation Capture Capture
(multiple PNG files)

Image Capture
(single PNG file)
Settings

The
TheLog
LogFile
Filerecords
records HTML Report
all Assembler
allcaptures!
captures!
Listing
Capture
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
HTML Assembler . . .

• A tool that allows quick

organization of ANSYS graphics,
tables, listings .

• Log file can be used as an HTML

template.
– utilize parameter substitution

• The generated HTML file can be

used with Netscape Composer,
Microsoft FrontPage, or any other
HTML editor to finalize the report.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
• Insert TEXT

• Insert any HTML FILE

– possibly created outside ANSYS

• Insert an IMAGE
– possibly one from an external
source like a digital photo

• Insert DYNAMIC DATA

– information specific to your current
ANSYS run like version, run time,
etc.

• Insert a Report Heading

– Including your name, analysis title,
date, and company name
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
• Insert information grabbed using
the Capture Tool

• Report Images
– Contour plots, element plots,
volume plots, graphs

• Report Tables
– Material properties, reaction forces,
etc.

• Report Lists
– Stress along a path, constraints,
etc.
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
• Preview the report

• Delete sections of the report

• Move sections of the report up or

down
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
…Report Generator
Chapter 13 - Postprocessing
J. Workshops
• Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions:
W13D. Results Viewer
W13E. Report Generator