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Epsilon - Mesh - Error in ANSYS

The document discusses mesh discretization error in finite element analysis. It presents two case studies analyzing the effects of mesh density and element type on stress and deflection results. It also introduces some error assessment techniques like percentage error in the energy norm (PRERR) and stress variation at nodes (SMXB) to quantify discretization error from the finite element solution.

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193 views27 pages

Epsilon - Mesh - Error in ANSYS

The document discusses mesh discretization error in finite element analysis. It presents two case studies analyzing the effects of mesh density and element type on stress and deflection results. It also introduces some error assessment techniques like percentage error in the energy norm (PRERR) and stress variation at nodes (SMXB) to quantify discretization error from the finite element solution.

Uploaded by

aruatscribd
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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within Epsilon

Twin Cities ANSYS User Meeting


November 2011

Mesh Discretization Error

within Epsilon

within Epsilon

Mesh Discretization Error

1. Mesh Discretization: The One-sided Error Source 2. Tet Pregidous 3. Case Study A: Shape-Functions Effect
With and without mid-side nodes Stresses & Deflection Node vs. Element (Averaged vs Unaveraged) PRERR (SEPC/SMXB)

4. Case Study B: Mesh Convergence

ANSYS User Meeting

Mesh Discretization Error


Often small compared to load/material property error/scatter Ownership of error lands on analyst
Often linked to credibility of whole analysis

within Epsilon

True Error analysis would likely show Mesh Discretization is minor issue
And yet... Scrutiny continues And rules and criteria abound (while other scatter goes unmentioned)

It can be measured? Well lets fixate on it!


ANSYS User Meeting 4

Mesh Discretization Error A one-sided error source*

within Epsilon

Predictions are usually lower than actual (not higher)


Excepting Singularities

Nagging feeling because of non-conservative nature


Stress is usually underpredicted*

Upper bound not determinable


Without employing knowledge of materials/loads/element shape functions discussed later

*Powergraphics results (classic) isnt so one-sided discussed later

ANSYS User Meeting

Tet-Pregidious
within Epsilon

Bias Against Tetrahedrons (Tets)


Source of grievance?
Low order Tets (a.k.a T4, a.k.a non-midside noded Tet)
Too Stiff in bending / large error with 1 element through thickness

1st Tets (Berkely 1960s) were high order Youd have to work at it to get ANSYS to create T4s (structural)

Tets (10 noded) are Less efficient per DOF


Longer solve times Shorter meshing times Added control allows refinement at location of interest
More efficient than Mapped meshing!

Less pleasing to the eye (esp. higher aspect ratios) Stigmatism is receding over last decade
ANSYS User Meeting 6

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Thick to thin rings with inner pressfit (radial expansion)


Stress gradient related to radius2

Case Study A, Expansion of Thick/Thin Ring


Actually used 5 wedge

ANSYS User Meeting

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Case Study A
Peak Stresses have similar convergence patterns/rate
Low Order Elements
45000 1/thick 40000 35000
Peak Stress

High Order Elements


50000 45000 40000
Peak Stress

4/Thick 5/Thick

1/Thick 2/Thick 5/Thick

35000 30000 25000 20000 15000

30000 25000 20000 15000 1.5 2 Ring ID 2.5 3

1.5

2 Ring ID

2.5

ANSYS User Meeting

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Case Study A
Peak Stresses have similar convergence patterns/rate
High & Low Order Elements
50000 Low 1/Thick 45000 40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 Inner Radius 2.5 2.7 2.9 Low 2/Thick Low 5/Thick High 1/Thick High 2/Thick High 5/Thick

Stress

ANSYS User Meeting

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Case Study A
OD Deflections
High & Low Order Elements
0.0021 0.002 0.0019 0.0018
Deflections

0.0017 0.0016 0.0015 0.0014 0.0013 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 Inner Radius ANSYS User Meeting 10 2.5 2.7 2.9

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Case Study A
OD Deflections
High & Low Order Elements
0.025

0.020

0.015
Deflection

0.010

0.005

0.000 1.5 -0.005 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.9

Inner Radius

ANSYS User Meeting

11

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Case Study A
Deflections Along Path
2.05E-03

1.95E-03

1.85E-03

Low 1/Thick Low 2/Thick Low 5/Thick High 1/Thick High 5/Thick

1.75E-03

1.65E-03

1.55E-03

1.45E-03

1.35E-03 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6

ANSYS User Meeting

12

Case Study A
within Epsilon

Case Study A Conclusions


Element Stress Gradient
Linear for high or low order elements

Element Displacement Gradient


Linear for low order element 2nd order polynomial for high order element

Thin Rings are well approximated with single element through the thickness
This extends to beams as well

ANSYS User Meeting

13

Mesh Discretization Error


within Epsilon

Case Study B
Stress along path Node vs. Element (Averaged vs Unaveraged) PRERR (SEPC/SMXB)

ANSYS User Meeting

14

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Stress along path


Background stress of 180 KT =2.0

ANSYS User Meeting

15

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Stress along path


Varying Mesh densities

ANSYS User Meeting

16

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Peak Stress
Varying Mesh densities
WB s adaptive mesh refinement automates this task refining only regions of interest (thanks, paul)
Mesh Convergence
375 370 365
Stress

360 355 350 345 0 20 40 60 Mesh Density 17 80 100 120

ANSYS User Meeting

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Stress along path


360 340 320 300 280 260 240 220 200 180 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 Path Length 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2

Very Fine Fine Medium Coarse

Stress

ANSYS User Meeting

18

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Stress along path: zoom


360 340

320

Very Fine Fine Medium Coarse

Stress

300

280

260

240 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 Path Length 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045 0.05

ANSYS User Meeting

19

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Stress along path: Unaveraged Results


360 340

Very Fine Fine Medium Coarse

320

300
Stress

280

260

240

220 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 Path Length 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07

ANSYS User Meeting

20

Case Study B
within Epsilon

Case Study B Conclusion:


Discontinuity of stress element-to-element relates to degree of mesh discretization error

ANSYS User Meeting

21

Error Assessment
within Epsilon

Discontinuity at element boundaries is key


Difference at boundary

ANSYS User Meeting

22

Error Assessment
within Epsilon

Discontinuity at element boundaries is key


Energy difference per element Considers volume/stiffness

ANSYS User Meeting

23

Error Assessment
within Epsilon

Discontinuity at element boundaries is key


Sum it over the model (selected region)

Normalize it to the whole model energy


(includes load magnitude)

Yields a single number!


(PRERR, or Percentage error in the energy norm)

ANSYS User Meeting

24

Error Assessment
within Epsilon

Percentage error in the energy norm (PRERR)


Coarse Medium

1.59

0.797

8.95
ANSYS User Meeting

4.0
25

Error Assessment
within Epsilon

Percentage error in the energy norm (PRERR)


Fine Very Fine

0.56

0.32

1.13
ANSYS User Meeting

0.06

26

Error Assessment
within Epsilon

SMXB
Checks all nodes (doesnt necessarily correspond to the MX location!) Only mentioned once in Help Manual! Training Classes refer to it as a confidence band

Root Mean Square of: (avg. value element value) for each element sharing node

Average stress from contributing elements (whats plotted)

/EOF
ANSYS User Meeting 27

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