Stress and Strain

Tutorial for Solid

Mechanics with MSC
Apex
 Nodes, Elements, Node
A single point that represents a

Meshes coordinate on a body at which

loads and constraints are applied

Element
Node Element
A discrete volume that represents
a portion of the body. Defined by
connected nodes

Mesh
The combination of all elements
that make up a specific body

Mesh

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Outline

Tutorial steps
1. Check Settings
2. Create Block
3. Run the Analysis
4. Post Process
5. Modify Block, Re-Run the Analysis
and Post Processing

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1. Check Settings

Drag these sliders

so that the highlighted icons are shown

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1. Check Settings

1. In the top menu bar, go to Options > Custom Tools

2. Check the Education box
3. (optional) If needed, you can uncheck boxes for
other custom tools

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1. Check Settings
1. In the top menu bar, go to Options > Application Settings > Units & Parameters
2. Under Units tab, set Unit Systems to m-kg-s-N-K-deg (not m-kg-s-N-K; degrees are needed)
3. Under Parameters tab, set Decimal Places to 4

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1. Check Settings

1. In the top menu bar, go to Options > Custom Tools

2. Check the Education box
3. (optional) If needed, you can uncheck boxes for
other custom tools so that these icons are shown.

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2. Create Block

1. Click the icon for Education

2. Click Block
3. (optional) Click Workflow Instructions
4. Click Apply and Exit

A block will appear

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 Force also shown as 4 small cones
How the model works
1. Click Model
2. Click Expand All Containers
3. Click Geometry Render Styles:
Wireframe and FEM Render Styles:
Wireframe
4. Hover your mouse over Force 1 to
highlight the force on the block.
5. When you are done, click Geometry
Render Styles: Shaded with Edges
and FEM Render Styles: Shaded
with Edges

This shows that the block

• Has a force pulling up on it
• Is anchored to the xz-plane
• Is kept from sliding by constraints on
the x and z axes
• Is modelled as a connected set of
block elements

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3. Run the Analysis

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Click the Yellow Runner
(Run the Analysis Immediately)
 4. Post Process
Post processing will give you data to 1. Click the icon for Education
enter into this table 2. Click Block
3. Click Make Post

The Post Processing view will open

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 4. Post Process

1. Click FEM Render Style

2. Click Shaded with Edges

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 4. Post Process
1. This icon for Fringe enables and
disables the fringe plot. Fringe should
already be enabled.
2. Hover your mouse over the color bar
3. Click the icon for Expand
4. Select Y-Component
5. Also collect data using Derivations for
XY-Component, Von Mises, and
Maximum Shear Stress.

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 4. Post Process
1. Quantity: Displacements Translational
2. Units: mm
3. Note maximum values for Derivations:
X-Component and Y-Component
4. Close the Fringe panel

5. Click Probe
6. Click Fringe
7. Click a node on the top-right corner of
the block and note the displacement
8. Exit the Probe panel
Node ID
9. Exit Post Processing
Displacement

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 How to use the Block tool
Instructions
Inputs
1. Enter input information to define
• Material
your model state
• Width (x), Height (y), Depth (z):
Dimensions of the block in m
2. Click the green checkmark to
create or update your model
• Force: Force applied to the block in
N. Force is applied at the top of the 3. Click the yellow running
block. person icon (Run the Analysis
• Type of stress: can be normal (pulling Immediately)
straight up) or shear (pulling to the 4. After your first run, click Make
right) Post. After later runs, click Post
Processing.
Buttons
1. Make Post: Sets up post-
processing. Only possible after first
run. Only needed once per model
file.
2. Reset Model: Deletes everything in
the model (i.e., part, load,
constraints) and regenerates model
from scratch.
3.15 Orient: Rotates viewport so x points
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right and y points up. Zooms to fit.
 5. Modify Block, Re-Run the Analysis and Post Processing
1. Click Block and click Shear
2. Click Apply and Exit
3. Click the Yellow Runner
(Run the Analysis Immediately)
4. Click icon for Post Process
(the Make Post button is only
needed the first time that Post
Processing is opened)

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 5. Modify Block, Re-Run the Analysis and Post Processing
1. Repeat the post-processing as
before
2. Here is one sample view for
Derivations: XY-Component
3. Note the shape of the block under
shear

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 5. Modify Block, Re-Run the Analysis and Post Processing
1. Open the Fringe panel
2. Units: mm
3. Quantity: Displacements Translational
4. Derivations: X-Component
5. Close the Fringe panel

6. Click Probe
7. Click Fringe
8. Click a node on the top edge of the
block
9. Exit the Probe panel
Node ID
Displacement

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