Mechanical 14.

5 Training

Submodeling
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Submodeling
Submodeling is a technique where a coarsely meshed
model can be solved followed by a subsequent solution
using only a portion of the coarse model with a more
refined mesh. Submodeling is available for structural and
thermal analysis types with solid geometry.
As shown in the example below, and explained shortly, one
of the key concepts in submodeling is the designation of
the cut boundaries defining the submodel.

Cut
Boundaries

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. . . Submodeling
As the figures below show, the displacements from the
coarse model are mapped to the cut boundary locations on
the submodel from the corresponding locations on the full
model.
Note, if the cut boundaries are too close to the stress concentrations
the accuracy of the submodel can be degraded. A results comparison
can be used to verify the cut boundary location (detailed in an upcoming
example).

Full (coarse) Model

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Submodel

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. . . Submodeling
Submodeling Example:

Model shown below is initially solved using a coarse

mesh.

As expected we see stress concentrations in regions

containing detailed geometry along with a coarse mesh

Based on these results we choose to create a submodel to

explore the region circled in more detail

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. . . Submodeling
Although there are numerous geometry modeling
techniques that can be used to create the submodel, we
have chosen to slice a body from the full model using the
DesignModeler application. This new body is our
submodel and a more refined mesh is created in the
Mechanical application.

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. . . Submodeling
The submodel schematic is set up as
shown here:

Original Full
Model
Since the full model and
submodel are comprised of
different geometry well have to
create a new Static Structural
system with a unique geometry
cell. One way to do that is to
duplicate the existing system. To
achieve the submodel cut
boundary
conditions
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. . . Submodeling
After opening the new
(submodel) system open in
Mechanical we can see a
new Submodeling
branch has automatically
been inserted in the tree.
If we RMB we can choose
the type of result to import
(displacement in this
example).
In the details of the
imported load we choose
scope to which the loads
are applied. The scope
here is the cut boundaries
of the submodel.
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Note,
are
numerous
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. . . Submodeling
RMB to import the load from
the full model. When
completed, the import can
be reviewed graphically.

Add any additional boundary

conditions to the submodel
to match those on the full
model and solve.

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. . . Submodeling
To insure that the cut boundary is
far enough from the high stress
region a check should be
performed to compare full and
submodel results near the cut
boundary.
Full Model

Here an number of probes is used

but path plots, surface plots, etc.
are options as well. We simply
want to verify that the results
near the cut boundary are not
drastically different between the
full and sub models. If they are,
it is usually an indication that the
boundary
to be moved
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Submodel
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Submodeling Exercise
Housing model
Goal:
Solve a full model (coarse mesh) and then setup and solve a
submodel representing a portion of the full model (fine mesh)

Full Model
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Submodel
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Approach
Submodeling requires the use of 2 geometry models. One
model to represent the full geometry and another
representing a portion of the full model. For this exercise
we used the ANSYS DesignModeler application to slice a
piece from the full model.

Full Model
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Submodel
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Project Schematic
Begin a new Workbench session and, from
the Project page, choose Restore Archive
. . . and browse to the file
Submodeling_WS_APPXB.wbpz and
Open (location provided by instructor).
When prompted, Save using the default
name and the same location.

From the Units menu verify:

Project units are set to Metric (kg, mm, s,

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C, mA, N, mV)
Display Values in Project Units is checked
(on)
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. . . Project Schematic
When the archive is opened note the
static structural existing static
structural system has been renamed
Full Model

1.

1. From the Static Structural system

double click (or RMB > Edit) the
Model cell

2.
2. When Mechanical opens, verify the
units are set to Metric (mm, kg, s,
mV,
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Preprocessing
3. Highlight the mesh branch, RMB >
Generate Mesh

3.

4. Apply a pressure load:

a. Highlight one of the interior surfaces of

the housing and choose Extend to
Limits (should result in 13 faces)
b. RMB > Insert > Pressure
c. Enter Magnitude 1000 Mpa in the
details

4b.
4a.
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4c.
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. . . Preprocessing
5. Add a force to the housing:
a.Select the cylindrical face of the center
hole in the housing
b.RMB > Insert > Force
c.Define by components and enter 200 N X
component

5a.

6. Add a compression only support:

a.Select the planar surface on the back of
the housing
b.RMB > Insert > Compression Only
Support
6a.

5b.

5c.

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6b.

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. . . Preprocessing
7. Create a named selection containing the
countersink faces:

a. Highlight one countersink face, RMB >

Create Named Selection

b. In the dialog box enter Countersinks and
Apply geometry items of same: size and
OK
Resulting NS should contain 8 faces as
shown

7a.

7b.

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. . . Preprocessing
8. Add frictionless supports to
countersink faces:
a. Highlight the Static Structural
branch
b. RMB > Insert > Frictionless
Support
c. In the details change scoping
method to Named Selections
d. Select the Countersinks
named selection
8c.

8a.

8d.
8b.
10.Solve
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Full Model Solution

9.

When the solution completes:

a. Insert an Equivalent Stress object, RMB

> Evaluate All Results

9a.

As the plot shows the potential problem areas are around the
countersink holes in the housing. An efficient approach to
investigate these areas in more detail is to create a submodel of this
part of the geometry. In this example we have used ANSYS
DesignModeler geometry application to slice out a portion of the
model which we will use next.
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Submodeling Schematic
10.Set up the Submodel in the project:
a. Duplicate the existing Static Structural
system in the project and name the
new system Submodel
b. Edit the geometry cell in the new
system to open DesignModeler and
unsuppress the extrude object in the
outline and select generate in the
toolbar
c. Suppress the part name MainHousing
d. In the Project Schematic drag and drop
10a.the full model
the Solution cell from
onto the Setup cell in the submodel

10b.

10c.

10d.

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. . . Preprocessing
11.When Mechanical opens, mesh the
submodel:
a. Highlight the Mesh branch and, in the
Sizing section of the details enter
Element Size = 2 mm
b. From the mesh branch RMB >
Generate Mesh

11a.

Note that in the

interest of time we are
taking a basic
approach to mesh
refinement.

11b.
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Importing Displacements
In the new Mechanical session you will see a
Submodeling branch
12.Import displacements from the full model:
a. Delete the existing Pressure and Force objects
b. Set the location for the Compression Only Support object to
the face in the Z side
c. Highlight Submodeling RMB > Insert > Displacement

12c.

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. . . Importing Displacements
13. Map displacements from the full model
13a.
onto the submodel:

a. Select the 3 faces on the model

representing the cut boundaries

b. In the details of the imported
displacement Apply the selected
geometry
c. Highlight Imported Displacement RMB
> Import Load

13b.

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Since the solution of the full model

was static, the default import is from
the End Time. If the full model had
been a multi-step or transient analysis
we could have chosen any solution
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Adding Boundary Conditions

Add boundary conditions to match the
full model.
14.Check all loads and supports

14.

Recall that the full model contained both a

pressure load and a force. Since no part of
the submodel contains regions where these
loads were applied we do not add them.
Their effect is seen in the displacements
mapped to the cut boundaries.
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Solving the Submodel

15.Solve

15.

If we add equivalent stress to the submodel and compare it

to the full model, a significant change can be seen (~14%).
A part of any submodeling solution should include some
form of verification regarding the location of the cut
boundaries. The goal is to evaluate the results of both
models on or near the cut boundary to make sure they are
in reasonable agreement. If they do not agree it indicates
the cut boundaries are too close to the stress
concentration.

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Cut Boundary Verification

One technique might be to simply query the model using
probes to get a feel for how well the 2 results agree. While
this is quick and easy, a drawback is it relies on an
eyeball location for the probes. Another technique is to
compare path plots (see next page).

Although not part of the workshop, if time permits,

you may complete the verification techniques shown
on the remainder of the pages.
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. . . Cut Boundary Verification

In the submodel we choose vertices to define a path. With
beta features turned on (Tools>Options) copy the path
object from one model and paste it into the other after
adding a Construction Geometry folder. Then create an
equivalent stress result for the path in each model.

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. . . Cut Boundary Verification

Comparing the 2 path plots we can judge if we have
acceptable agreement between the models near the cut
boundaries.

Submodel
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Full Model
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Extra: Nodal Selection Based

Result
Cylindrical
coordinate
system for radius criteria
based nodal named selection
Stress result location
using the nodal
named selection

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Extra: T-Junction Submodeling

Full Model

Sub Model

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