The following is a quick tutorial explaining how to use the BasicFEA user profile.                          

Import a geometry file by clicking Open from the right-click context menu in the BasicFEA browser. This can be any CAD or HyperMesh database file.

Check the dimensions and choose your units by clicking the icon in the BasicFEA toolbar.  

BasicFEA will read the units system from the CAD metadata, but it is generally good practice to measure the part.

Switching units in BasicFEA will update the entire model, so use the Scale model only option in the right-click context menu to match your model to the working units listed at the top of the BasicFEA browser.    

BasicFEA operates under the assumption that every geometric solid is one part and every organized surface is one part. This also includes midsurfaced solids. Each part gets its own material (steel by default). Right-click any part’s material to choose from the material database or add your own user materials to the database by clicking the icon. Mesh size is already calculated during import, but mesh settings can be changed in the right-click context menu for each part or globally from Parts.

There are five loadstep types: Linear Static, Normal Modes, Buckling, Fatigue and Non-Linear Quasi-Static. Each relevant loadstep can have its own constraints, enforced displacement, distributed loads, forces, moments or gravities (right-click to view the available entities). If there is more than one loadstep, a Common Loads folder is created for which any loads placed in it will apply to each loadstep.  

BasicFEA supports multiple rigid body types: Rigid Body, Sliding Pin and Load Distribution, which can be applied to both lines and surfaces.

Rigid Body and Load Distribution Body have an option for adding trim masses at COG locations based on XYZ coordinates.

You can use the auto-contact search algorithm. It will create tied contacts between all parts within a tolerance. Or, pick two parts that are in contact from the list. If you do not know the part names, you can choose from the screen.

Launch the solver by first saving the model and then click the icon. The Run analysis option is also available from the BasicFEA browser. Before the model is run it will be meshed automatically. If you want to see the mesh you can switch from Geometry mode to Mesh mode in the BasicFEA browser.

Once the solver has completed the simulation, you will be prompted to view a contour of displacements, stresses and many other useful outputs. Advanced pre-processing and post-processing is available by launching HyperWorks Desktop by clicking the icon.    

 

See Also:

BasicFEA browser