MARii ALTAIR HYPERWORKS FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

(FEA) TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME 2024

Altair Linear Analysis (Fundamental)

Training and Certification 2024
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 HyperMesh for Pre-Processing - Agenda
Training Sessions

Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5

Interface Topology Cleanup 2D Mesh and 3D and 1D Model Setup
(Optional) and Midsurfacing editing quality Meshing OptiStruct and
Connectors

Exercises: 1A-1E Exercises: 2A-2G Exercises: 3A-3E Exercises: 4A-4D Exercises: 5A-5D

3h 6h 9h 12h 15h

• Getting Started • Importing, Exporting • 2D Mesh • 3D Mesh • Introduction

• File Management CAD and Topology Generalities and Generalities • Rigids and
• Selection of • Topology Cleanup Setup • Tetra Mesh Connectors
Entities • Geometry • Batch Meshing • Hexa Mesh • Model and Analysis
• Model Exploration Preparation • Interactive Shell • Beam Modeling Setup, Validation
through Browsers • Create, Edit and Mesh • Demos, Q&A and Run
• Move/Measure Review Midsurfaces • Editing Shell • Analyze Results
• Demos, Q&A • Additional tools to Elements • Tune the Bracket
manipulate • MidMeshing • Demos, Q&A
Geometry • Mesh Controls
• Demos, Q&A • Demos, Q&A
 Session 4
3D and 1D Meshing

3D Mesh Tetra Mesh Hexa Mesh Beam Modeling

Generalities

Exercise: 4A Exercises: 4B-4C Exercise: 4D

20m 70m 120m 180m

 3D Meshing
Overview

• Volume meshing or solid

meshing uses 3D elements to
represent fully 3D objects, such
as solid parts or sheets of
material that have enough
thickness and surface variety
that solid meshing makes more
sense than 2D shell meshing.
• Capabilities:
1. Volume Mesh - Multi-threaded
fast volume mesher for structural
and CFD applications.

2. Layered Meshing - Capability to

generate layered meshing.

3. Hexa Mesh - General

Interactive solid hex Meshing.

4. Mesh Controls - Hex dominant

and hex meshing and mesh
control for automation.
 3D Meshing
Strategy Overview

• Whatever the 3D Meshing

method, it follows the steps in
this slide.
3D Mesh
Geometry Geometry
Meshing Quality
Cleanup Preparation
and Editing

• Find and remove • Define washers • Define target • Review

unnecessary mesh element
free edges • Find and remove quality
logos • Run the mesh
• Find and remove • Correct areas
duplicate • Find and remove • Adjust the mesh with low
surfaces unnecessary (for interactive quality
holes and details processes)
• Close • Use morphing
unexpected • Split geometries for for 3D mesh
holes guiding 3D mesh modification.
 Geometry Entities
Solids

• Solid Faces - Selectable as surfaces

1. Bounding Faces: Green, belong to 1 solid

2. Partition Faces: Yellow, shared between connected solids

• Fixed Points - Selectable as points

3. At the ends of edges

• Edges - Selectable as lines

4. Shared Edges: Green, belong to 2 adjacent faces of 1 solid

5. Non-manifold Edges: Yellow, belong to a partition face or 2 solid

faces and 1+ surfaces
 Solid Topology
Definition

• Solid:
• Closed volume of surfaces that can take any shape. 3D entity that
can be used in automatic Tetra and Solid Meshing.

• Bounding Face:
• Surface that defines the outer boundary of a single solid.

• Fin Face:
• Surface that has the same solid on all sides (it acts as a fin inside of
a single solid).

• Full Partition Face:

• Surface that defines a shared boundary between one or more
solids.
Main Concepts - Summary

Bounding faces
(green)
Fin
Full partition faces
faces (yellow) (red)

2 solids
 MORE TO EXPLORE

10
 3D Meshing
Supported 3D Elements

• Tetra Elements
1. Tetra4: Configuration 204 - 3D (1st order) tetrahedra elements with
4 nodes.

2. Tetra10: Configuration 210 - 3D (2nd order) tetrahedra elements

with 10 nodes.

• Penta Elements
3. Penta6: Configuration 206 - 3D (1st order) triangular prism
pentahedral elements with 6 nodes.

4. Penta15: Configuration 215 - 3D (2nd order) triangular prism

pentahedral elements with 15 nodes.

• Hexa Elements
5. Hexa8: Configuration 208 - 3D (1st order) hexahedra elements with
8 nodes.

6. Hexa20: Configuration 220 - 3D (2nd order) hexahedra elements

with 20 nodes.
 Tips & Tricks
Create 3D Elements

• 3D ribbon > Edit group > Edit Elements > Create

• Select nodes to create 3D elements:
1. Tetra

2. Penta

3. Pyramid

4. Hex

• Under Options,
click on Element
Config hyperlink
to open
Preferences >
HyperMesh >
Entity Types tabs.
 Create Solids
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Create group >

Solids
Cylinder Fit to
• Solids are closed volume of
surfaces that can take any shape.
• Solids are three-dimensional entities
that can be used in automatic tetra
and solid meshing.

1. Create solids from bounding

(enclosed) surface volumes.

2. Create Sphere, Box or Cylinder

using one of the methods from the
drop-down menu:
• Free Drawing Create Sphere Create Bounding

• Fit to

• Four Nodes

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Boolean Operation
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Edit group >

Boolean
• Combine solids, subtract one solid
from another, and find the
intersection out of the solids.

1. When you click the Boolean tool,

you will have the option to either
Keep common interface or to
Use Parasolid.
• This option is added to allow you to
use the Parasolid geometric kernel
for performing boolean operations
like combine, subtract, and intersect.

Combine Subtract Intersect

Hint: For more details about some

key differences between using
classic and parasolid geometry, visit
Altair HyperWorks Online Help.
 Detach Solids
Overview
Detach all

• Topology ribbon > Edit group >

Detach
• Detach (separate) a selected solid
from neighboring solids with which
it shares one or more common
faces (drawn in yellow).
• The shared/partition faces between Detach from
the selected solids and the each other
surrounding solids will be duplicated
to become bounding faces of the
separated solids.

• The partitioning faces within the

selection will be maintained after they
are detached from the rest of the
model.

1. In the microdialog, select one of Detach from

the options. not selected

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Mesh Boolean
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Edit group >

Mesh Boolean
• Connect intersecting triangular
and quadrilateral 2D elements.
• Several components\elements can
be connected simultaneously.

• Components defined as Main entities

will be preserved.

• From Boolean Operation dialog,

choose the type of boolean
operation to perform:
1. Union

2. Subtract

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Find and Fill Cavities
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Edit group > Plug

• Find and fill cavities.
• Plug tool can also be used to remove
protrusions, holes, and complex
features.

1. Switch between Bounding Lines,

Loop and Surfaces.

2. On the guide bar, open hamburger

menu to define additional
Options.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Session 4
3D and 1D Meshing

3D Mesh Tetra Mesh Hexa Mesh Beam Modeling

Generalities

Exercise: 4A Exercises: 4B-4C Exercise: 4D

20m 70m 120m 180m

 Tetra Meshing
Methods

• How can HyperMesh create a

Tetra mesh?

1. Using Tet mesh tool.

2. With Mesh Controls.

3. Automatic tetra mesh from

Part Bowser workflow.
 Tetra Meshing
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

> Tet
• Create tetra mesh from closed
volumes of shell elements, from
solid or closed surface geometry.

• Fill an enclosed volume with first

order or second order tetrahedral
elements.
• A region is considered enclosed if it
is entirely bounded by a shell mesh
(tria and/or quad elements).

• Hexahedral, wedge and pyramid

element configurations can also
be generated during tetra
meshing, typically when you need
boundary layer type meshes on
certain areas of the volume
surface.
 Tetra Meshing
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group > Tet > Create

1. Select Components, Solids, Surfaces or Elements from the entity
selector.

2. Optionally, activate Anchors selector on the guide bar and select

anchor nodes.

3. On the guide bar, open hamburger menu to define additional

Options based on the entity type selected (e.g. Components):
a. Layered tetra - Enable layered element generation in close proximity areas.

b. Quality control criteria to be used while creating the tetra mesh (Tetra
collapse, Cell squish, Volume skew).

c. Tetra collapse > - Optimize the tetra elements to have tetra collapse
greater than this value.

d. Use Check 2D Mesh hyperlink to access Boundary Shell Checker dialog.

e. Click Advanced to expand and review tetra meshing advanced options.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

 Tetra Meshing
Proximity and Curvature Options

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

> Tet > Create
• On the guide bar, open hamburger
menu to use Proximity and/or
Curvature options:
• Proximity - It creates smaller
elements next to small features to
make a smooth transition from small
to large.

• Curvature - It will place more

elements along curved surfaces
based on user specified settings.

• Examples:
1. No Options

2. Use Proximity

3. Use Surface Curvature

4. Use Surface Curvature

and Proximity
 Tetra Meshing
Element Quality Legend

1.Tetra mesh is created, and

elements are colored according
to how well they adhere to the
pre-set quality requirements.

2.Use the Element Quality

Legend (Criteria) to assist you
in evaluating element quality.

3.Explore the legend right-click

context menu.

4.Visualization toolbar >

Element Quality.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help
Review Element Quality
 Tetra Meshing
Remesh

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

> Tet > Remesh
• Regenerate the mesh for a single
volume of tetrahedral elements.

1. Optionally, activate Baffles and

Anchors selector on the guide bar
to select baffle shells and anchor
nodes.

2. On the guide bar, open hamburger

menu to define additional
Options.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Mesh Controls
Overview

• Topology ribbon > Setup group > Mesh Controls

• Mesh controls are used to automate and streamline the meshing process.

• They can be created for batch meshing, surface meshing, adaptive wrap meshing, volume
meshing and refinement zones.

• Open Mesh Controls Browser.

1. Mesh Controls - Types:

• Adaptive Wrap - Model, local, proximity and leak detection mesh controls for adaptive wrap meshing.

• BatchMesher - Model and local mesh control.

• Edge Layers - Model, with edge layer and without edge layer, controls to generate layers from selected
lines during surface meshing.

• Refinement Zone - Refine mesh with a defined size.

• Surface Mesh - Model, local, refinement and feature mesh control.

• Volume Mesh - Model, local and volume selector mesh control.

• Regions - Store information used to facilitate and automate modeling practices and processes.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

 Mesh Controls
How to setup Mesh Controls

1.Create and edit Mesh Controls:

• Right-click > Select Create from the context menu.

• In the Entity Editor, define mesh control parameters.

2.Enable Mesh Controls:

• Multiple instances of model Mesh Controls can be defined, but only
one can be enabled.

• An unlimited number of Local Mesh Controls and Refinement

Zones can be defined and enabled.

3.Import/Export Mesh Controls:

• Right-click > Import/Export

4.Create Mesh:
• Right-click on a Mesh Control type > Mesh
 Mesh Controls
For Volume Meshing

1.Right-click on Volume Mesh >

Create
a. Model - Define boundary layer
and/or tetrameshing parameters.

b. Local - Define regions where

boundary layers are desired or are
not desired.

c. Volume Selector - Define which

volumes should be meshed and
how mesh should be generated.
Only one instance of a volume
selector mesh control is allowed.
• Parameters defined for Volume
Selector are applicable to both BL +
Tetra and Tetra model mesh controls.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Mesh Controls
For Volume Meshing

• Define meshing parameters

through Entity Editor: Grow Rate

a. Entity Selection

b. Core Mesher - How the core

domain should be meshed:
• Tetra Mesh, Hex Dominant Core Octree
or Octree Dominant. Element

c. Tetra Mesh

d. Advanced
Height Factor = 1
Height Factor = 0.5

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Mesh Controls
For Volume Meshing - Refinement Zone

1.Right-click on Refinement
Zone > Create
• Refinement zones are used to
refine mesh with a defined
Element Size.
• Create refinement zones for surface
meshing (surface deviation only),
adaptive wrap meshing and volume
meshing (BL+ Tetra and Tetra).

2. Entity Editor > Refinement >

Shape > Choose the desired shape.
• Refinement Shape options are
particularly suitable for CFD
applications.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Mesh Controls
For Volume Meshing - Refinement Zone

• Part and Wake Refinement

• Capture flow structure behind and
around the body.

• Supported entities:
• CAD entities or FE(Nodes).

1. Parameter for Part:

• Refinement element size.

• Limiting distance.

2. Parameter for Wake:

• Limiting distance, Draft Angle and
Direction.

• No Refinement zones needed.

Main Concepts - Summary
 MORE TO EXPLORE

32
 BatchMesher
Access to Part Browser and Representation Control Manager

1.Assembly ribbon > Build group

> Parts
• With Part Browser we can go
further in streamlining the
batchmeshing process:
• By detecting instances (finding
common parts with the same shape).

• Creating one or multiple

representations at the same time that
allows you to access, from a single
HyperMesh file, different mesh for a
single part.

• Load different representations.

2.Assembly ribbon > Build group

> Controls
• Create your own user defined
representations using controls.
Representation controls remain
available across HyperMesh
sessions.
 BatchMesher
Create Mesh Representation

• Create Tetra mesh representation by using the Part

Browser.
• Manage (or customize) them with Representation Control
Manager.

• You can create an automatic mesh representation by using

Part Browser.
1. Part Browser > Right-click on part assemblies or parts and select
Representations > Create

2. In the Change Representation dialog, Create tab, choose one or

multiple mesh representation at the same time.

3. Click OK to run the BatchMesher.

4. All representations are sent to the BatchMesher for processing in

parallel.
 Tips & Tricks
3D Element Quality Checks

1.Tetra Collapse → The height of the tetra element is

measured from each of the four nodes to its opposite face,
and then divided by the square root of the face’s area.
The minimum of the four resulting values (one per node) is
then normalized by dividing it by 1.24.
As the tetra collapses, the value approaches 0.0, while a
perfect tetra has a value of 1.0.

2.Vol. Aspect Ratio → Tetrahedral elements are evaluated by

finding the longest edge length and dividing it by the shortest
height (measured from a node to its opposing face).

3.Volume Skew → It is defined as 1-shape factor, so a skew

of 0 is perfect and a skew of 1 is the worst possible value.
The shape factor for a tetrahedral element is determined by
dividing the element’s volume by the volume of an ideal
(equilateral) tetrahedron of the same circumradius.
 Tetra Meshing
Solid Mesh Optimization

• 3D ribbon > Edit group >

Solid Mesh Optimization
• This tool can be used to improve
the quality of a Tetra, Hexas and
second order meshes with respect
to several element criteria.
1. Double-click on Elements to open
the input selection dialog.

2. Change the value in the table or click

Edit Criteria to open the Criteria
Editor.

3. Use Check, Show Failed, Fix or

Reject buttons to improve the Solid
Mesh.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Exercise 4A - Tetra Meshing

File Name and Location:

..\04-3D-1D-Mesh\4A\VOLUME-TETRA-MESH.hm

Hint: ..\04-3D-1D-Mesh\4A\VOLUME-TETRA-MESH.mp4 *
(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Open the model file and attempt to tetra mesh the part
2. Fix the topology
3. Create Tetra Mesh
4. Create Tetra Mesh using Proximity and Curvature
5. Perform defeaturing operations to improve Tetra Mesh
6. Recreate Tetra Mesh after defeaturing
7. Create Tetra Mesh from Shell Mesh as input
8. Create Tetra Mesh using Mesh Controls
9. Detect Features for Mesh Controls
 Session 4
3D and 1D Meshing

3D Mesh Tetra Mesh Hexa Mesh Beam Modeling

Generalities

Exercise: 4A Exercises: 4B-4C Exercise: 4D

20m 70m 120m 180m

 Hex Meshing
Methods

• How can HyperMesh create a

Hexa mesh?

1. Thin Solids for sheet parts.

2. Shrink Wrap for optimization.

purpose

3. Acoustic Cavity mesh.

4. Interactive Hex meshing and solid

Map.

5. Mesh Controls.

6. Automatic Hexa from

Part Bowser workflow.
 Thin Solid for Sheet Parts
Create Thin Solid Mesh

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group > Thin Solids

• Create 3D mesh on thin solids. The mesh is created by first
generating a 2D mesh on a selected set of source faces and then
extruding this mesh to generate solid hexa or wedge elements.

1. Solid geometry criteria to create or Find a thin solid mesh:

• The solid entity should be a sheet metal solid.

• The thickness should be less than other the two dimensions

(Length and Width).

a. You should be able to identify manually both Source and Target faces,
or use Auto detect option.

• Source and Target faces must be connected by side (along) faces which
are almost 90 degrees to them.

2. On the guide bar, open hamburger menu to define additional

Options:
• Source mesh type: Batchmesh or General 2D Mesh

• Click on the hyperlinks to access Parameter and Criteria Editor.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

 Solid Mesh
Hex Meshing and Map Tools

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

1. Map tool can automatically create

3D mesh directly on solids as long
as the solids you select are
already mappable.

2. Hex meshing depends on an

existing 2D mesh, which is then
extrapolated into a 3D mesh
based on the parameters you
input.
• Two opposing faces are called Target Face
Guide
Source and Target faces.
Faces
• One or more faces that directly
connect and enclose the volume
between the source and target are
called Guide faces.

• The drag direction is the vector from Source

Face Drag
the source face to the destination
Direction
face.
 Hex Meshing
Create

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

> Hex
• Create a mesh of solid elements.
1. Select Surfaces, Elements or Faces
entities as Source/Target.

2. Pick Lines, Nodes, Surfaces,

Elements or Faces entities as
Guides.

3. On the guide bar, open hamburger

menu to define additional Options.

4. Equivalence all of the elements in

the solidmap component and create
the faces (^faces component) for
No biasing Exponential
that component.

• This function is optional and does not

directly impact the solidmap
functionality. It allows you to perform
faster and easier solid modeling.
 Hex Meshing
Create

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

> Hex
• Create hex mesh in one of the
following ways:
1. Along vector

• In the microdialog, set a density value

or an element size if not already
defined in the options menu.

• Enter a thickness value or drag the

manipulator to create hex mesh along
the element normal.

2. With Guides/Targets (Optional)

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Tips & Tricks
Hex Tool and 2D Mesh

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group > Hex

• Using the Hex on 1D mesh, it is possible to create a 2D mesh.

• Make sure to set Rebuild or Remesh under Preferences.

1. File > Preferences > HyperMesh > Meshing > Advanced >
FE topology revision
 Solid Mesh
Mappable Shapes

• In solid meshing, the ability to be meshed is referred to as

mappability.
1.Map tool requires solid geometry of mappable shapes.
• Only relatively simple solids can be meshed; complex objects must
first be partitioned into simpler sections so that the sections can be
meshed individually.

• Ensure that solids have been partitioned so that they are either one
directional or three directional mappable.

• Furthermore, even if all solids are mappable, they may not all be
meshable at once; you may still need to mesh each mappable solid
individually, or only a few at a time.

2.View Controls toolbar > Face Color > Mappable

• A solid that has not been edited at all, and therefore is not evaluated
for mappability (blue)

• Not mappable (orange)

• Mappable in one direction (yellow)

• Mappable in all 3 directions (green)

 Solid Map
Create and Edit

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group

> Map
• Create 3D mesh on mappable
solids.
1. Click Find to automatically check for
and select all mappable solids or
manually select each mappable solid.

2. Uncheck the Auto detect source

and target option to manually define
any source and target surfaces.

3. Adjust the mesh size in the

microdialog if needed then click
Mesh.

4. Under Options, if Meshing mode

option is set to Interactive, additional
tools become available for editing.

5. Use Density, Biasing, Face Edit.

6. Output solid mesh with Hex-Penta.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
Main Concepts - Summary
 MORE TO EXPLORE

48
 Tips & Tricks
3D Mappable Shapes

1.Source and destination faces: Not Mappable Mappable

• Source face can be made of multiple surfaces.

• Destination face must be a single surface.

2.Edges and fixed points on along faces:

• Hexa mesh will follow shared edges parallel to the drag direction. Both sides have multiple Only one side has multiple
surfaces surface
• Shared edges perpendicular to the drag direction cause not
mappable solid. Suppress these edges.
Not Mappable Mappable
• Hexa meshes will ‘ignore’ fixed points along drag direction.

Drag
Direction

Edges perpendicular Suppressed edges:

to drag direction Mappable
 Tips & Tricks
3D Mappable Shapes

1.Fillet control:
• If needed, split the fillet surface along its length.

• Suppress the original fillet edges.

• Create the solid mesh

2.Splitting solid geometry:

• Try to divide the part into the fewest regions possible.
• Less divisions = less work = less time

• Less divisions = larger regions

• More control over mesh size

• Not forced to use smaller mesh size due to small regions

 Shrink Wrap for Optimization Purpose
Overview

1.2D ribbon > Surface Mesh group > Shrink Wrap

or

2.Design Space > Package Management group > Wrap

• Generate an enclosed volume or solid mesh and is typically used to
approximate and simplify an existing model.

• To determine how closely the resulting mesh adheres to the details

of the underlying model and are best suited to different use cases
which will vary for any given use, Shrink wrap can be generated
using two algorithms:
a. Loose Shrink Wrap - Generate a loose-fitting shrink wrap mesh that
generally conforms to the model. For example, a loose wrap results in less
fine detail, particularly around the pulleys and exhaust pipes.

b. Tight Shrink Wrap - Generate a tight-fitting mesh that adheres closely to

the underlying model, capturing as many features as possible.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

 Cavity Acoustic Mesh
Overview

• 3D ribbon > Solid Mesh group > Acoustic Cavity

• The tool generates a fluid volume mesh used to calculate the
acoustic modes (or standing waves) inside the air spaces of a
vehicle or similarly enclosed structural model.

• Acoustic cavity meshing is primarily used by Noise, Vibration and

Handling (NVH) engineers to design quieter interiors.
• Hole and gap patching is a critical part of defining cavities enclosed in the
structure model.

• The ability to model the acoustic cavity and predict acoustic response inside
it is a critical part of NVH Analysis, as noise level and quality become key
product quality differentiators in the marketplace.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair HyperWorks Online Help.

 Exercise 4B - Create a Mappable Solid

File Name and Location:

..\04-3D-1D-Mesh\4B\STAND-SOLID-MAP.hm

Hint:..\04-3D-1D-Mesh\4B\STAND-SOLID-MAP.mp4 *

(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Open the model and defeature the solid

2. Split the solid with plane
3. Split the solid with another plane
4. Split the solid with lines
5. Create solid meshing using the Solid Map
 Exercise 4C - Hexa Meshing

File Name and Location:

..\04-3D-1D-Mesh\4C\arm_bracket.hm

Hint:..\04-3D-1D-Mesh\4C\arm_bracket.mp4 *

(*) May differ from the steps described here

Exercise Steps:

1. Open the model and set the proper view

2. Create a quick mesh on the shared surfaces and adjust the density
3. Create Hexa mesh on the arm sections
4. Create Hexa mesh on the boss
5. Create Hexa mesh on the base
6. Equivalence nodes and faces
 Session 4
3D and 1D Meshing

3D Mesh Tetra Mesh Hexa Mesh Beam Modeling

Generalities

Exercise: 4A Exercises: 4B-4C Exercise: 4D

20m 70m 120m 180m

 1D Meshing
Overview

1.1D Meshing allows accurate

testing of connectors, such as
bolts and similar rod-like or bar-
like objects that can be modeled
as a simple line for FEA
purposes.
2.0D Elements are essentially
mesh nodes with an additional
value attached to them.
3.Create and edit Beam Sections
of different configurations.
• Beam Sections entities store 1D
beam cross-section data.

• Efficient beam generation

workflow.

• 3D beam visualization, alignment

and offset manipulators.

• Contour plots to review cross-

sectional values.
 Change Display Settings
Elements and Handles

1.View Controls toolbar > Elements and Handles

Visualization

a. Display 1D beams as 3D elements.

b. Display 2D shells as 3D elements.

c. Display plies as independent layers.

d. Shrink elements.

e. Display fixed points.

f. Display element handles.

g. Display load handles.

Hint: Click on the small triangle to open other visualization options.

 Beam Modeling
Applications

Automotive (Concept) Ship Building Aircraft Civil Engineering

• Joints & Members (pillars) • Panels (Hull & decks) • Panels (skin & floors) • Panels (slab/ floor/ foundation)

• Panels • Stiffeners (scantling) • Stiffeners (Spars/ Stringers/ • Members (Stiffeners & Columns)
• Columns Frames) • Joints (nodes)
 Beam Modeling
Create Beam Sections

• Beam Sections can be

created:
1. With Beam Sections tool.

2. In the Model Browser from right-

click context menu and modified in
the Entity Editor.

3.Create Standard, Generic,

Elastic, Solid or Shell sections
changing the configuration type
in the drop-down menu.
• The default section type and
attribute values assigned to beam
section vary based on Solver
Interface.

• Each supported Solver Interface

has a library of supported solver
cross-sections.
 Beam Modeling
Create Standard Section

• 1D ribbon > Setup group >

Beam Sections
• Standard sections are predefined
shapes with dimensions, like
Channel, Hat, I or L sections.
• Most of them are directly available in
solver. Section properties are
evaluated using closed form solution.

1. Set the Config to Standard.

2. Change the Section Type to the

desired shape.

3. Define the beam section

Parameters.
a. Listed dimensions are based on the
selected shape.

Hover your mouse over an option to

view a diagram.
 Beam Modeling
Create Generic Section

• 1D ribbon > Setup group > Beam Sections

1. Generic sections define sections without defining actual
cross-section geometry.

• Enter desired geometric properties such as Area or Iyy/Izz.

• For Warping Properties, provide:

• Shear Center Location Ys/Zs
• Torsional Constant J
• Warping Constant

• The Y axis (resp Z) values define values in the beam elemental

system.

• The origin of the local system can be defined anywhere; in this

case, enter the coordinates of the section’s Centroid Yc/Zc.

• The values mapped to the property are the components of the

Centroid from Shear Center, independent of the local origin used
in the beam section.
 Tips & Tricks
Edit Default Thickness

• File > Preferences > HyperMesh > Meshing > Advanced

• Edit default Thickness with:

• Beamsection default thickness

• Automatic sets the default thickness as 1/10th of Default size

(global mesh size).

T = Mesh_size/10.0

• Manual lets you set your own default thickness (used for Shell parts).
 Beam Modeling
Create Solid Section

• 1D ribbon > Setup group >

Beam Sections
1. Solid beam sections are meshed
sections without considering
material distribution.
Solid section
• Also, sections are made of a single from sketch
part since there is no provision for
weld/contact in the engine used to
evaluate the section’s properties.

2. Like Shell sections, Solid beam

sections can be linked to a
Sketch Entity.
• A sketch assigned to a Solid config is
valid only if at least a surface can be
generated from it.

• If a sketch describes closed loops

and extra lines not forming a loop, the
later are ignored.

• If no surface can be generated from

the sketch, it is rejected.
 Absorb Sketches
For Shell and Solid Sections

• Legacy beam sections of shell

and solid configurations can be
absorbed. A sketch entity is
created from raw data of the
beam section.
• Select one or more beam sections
in the Beam Sections Browser.
• Right-click > Absorb Sketch.

• Only orphan beam sections are

absorbed.

• Limitations:
• The parts are regenerated from the
created sketch lines.

• Smooth splines are created from

original vertices. The shape may
deviate from the original lines.

• Original vertices are control points.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Beam Modeling
Beam Section Browser

• 1D ribbon > Setup group >

Beam Sections Browser
1. Beam sections are listed in the
Beam Sections Browser.
• It presents a hierarchical view of all of
the beam sections and beam section
collectors in your database.

2. From Beam Sections Browser

right-click context menu you can:
• Create, delete, change configuration
(from Entity Editor or drop-down
menu), duplicate beam sections,
etc...

• Show, hide, isolate, review beam

sections and other operations.

3. From the Entity Editor:

• Review or change the section
properties and definitions.

• Assign Sketch.
 Beam Modeling
HyperBeam

• Right-click on a beam section in

the browser and select Edit in
HyperBeam from the context
menu.
• HyperBeam interface opens.

• It is a tool where you can create

and control beam section data
with a different interface.

• Exit HyperBeam and return to

HyperMesh, clicking on X.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Beam Modeling
Line Mesh

• 1D ribbon > Beam Mesh group

> Line Mesh
• Create a chain of one-dimensional
elements, such as beams, along a
line
1. Select Lines to mesh.

2. Click on Edit Element Category to

open the Line Mesh dialog.

a. Change Category, Type, Orientation,

assign or create Property.

3. In the microdialog, set Biasing,

Element size and Density Value.

4. On the guide bar, open hamburger

menu to define additional Options.

Hint: For more details, visit Altair

HyperWorks Online Help.
 Tips & Tricks
3D Visualization of 1D Elements

• Provide verification of engineering data associated with 1D

elements by visualizing 1D elements as their true 3D
representation (Cross-Section Dimensions, Orientation and
Offset).

• Creating 1D Elements which can be viewed in 3D:

1. Create a Beam Section

2. Create 1D Properties
• Assign Section

• Assign an Offset

3. Create 1D Elements

4. Assign Property to component of 1D Elements

5. View Control toolbar > Element and Handle Visualization >

Display 1D beam as 3D element
Main Concepts - Summary
CHANGING TOMORROW,
TOGETHER.
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