SS-T: 4120: SN Sequential - Import Sequences

Import sequences for SN Sequential fatigue analysis from a .csv file.

Prerequisites
Some features used in this tutorial are only available in SimSolid Advanced version. Please switch to Advanced to complete this tutorial.
Purpose
SimSolid performs meshless structural analysis that works on full featured parts and assemblies, is tolerant of geometric imperfections, and runs in seconds to minutes. In this tutorial, you will do the following:
  • Create SN Sequential fatigue loadcase.
  • Import sequences using a .csv file.
Model Description
The following model files are needed for this tutorial:
  • SNImportSequences.ssp
  • ImportSequences.csv


Figure 1.
The project (.ssp) file has the following specifications:
  • Material is set to Steel for all parts.
  • Multi-loadcase workbench is included. Learn more about creating multi-loadcases here.
  • Imported remote forces are included.

Open Project

  1. Start a new SimSolid session.
  2. Click the (Open Project) icon.


    Figure 2.
  3. In the Open project file dialog, choose SNImportSequences.ssp
  4. Click OK.

Review Model

  1. In the Project Tree, expand the Multi-loadcases 1 Analysis Workbench.
  2. Review the loads.


    Figure 3.
  3. Click (Results plot) and choose the desired plot to review the stresses for each loadcase.

Add Fatigue Material Properties

If an SN curve has already been assigned, skip this step. Check the assigned material properties by right-clicking Assembly in the Project Tree and selecting Show > Materials.

  1. In the main menu, click Settings > Material database.


    Figure 4.
  2. In the dialog, click Edit current.


    Figure 5.
  3. In the Generic Materials group, right-click Steel and select Copy from the context menu.
  4. Edit the copied material.
    1. Select Steel1 - Copy_0.
    2. Click Edit material.
  5. Add fatigue curves.
    1. In the editing field of the dialog, expand the Fatigue properties branch and click Add stress-life (SN) curve....
    2. Verify the Curve definition method is set to Estimate from UTS.
  6. Click Apply.
  7. Click Save.

Create SN Sequential Fatigue Loadcase

  1. On the main window toolbar, click (Fatigue analysis).
  2. In the drop-down menu, select SN Sequential.


    Figure 6.
    The new analysis appears in the Project Tree. The SN Sequential Workbench items are listed.
    Figure 7.

Import Sequences

  1. In the Project Tree, open the Fatigue SN/EN Time Workbench.
  2. On the workbench toolbar, click (Import Sequences).
  3. Click Import from CSV and select ImportSequences.csv.
  4. Click OK.

Imported Sequences File Format

CSV file format for importing sequences.

CSV file format fields

Figure 8.
The fields in the .csv file are the same as those in the dialog.
  • Sequence name – Alpha-numeric values. Name of the Sequence.
  • Repeats – Numeric values. Defines the number of repeats for each event.
  • Loadcases – Defines the order of loadcases for each sequence.

Review Sequences

  1. In the Project Tree, double-click on a sequence.
    Sequence repeats and the loadcases are listed in the order specified in the .csv file. You can edit the Sequence by adding or deleting loadcases, or changing the loadscale and sequence repeats.


    Figure 9.
  2. Select the Start from zero load check box to start the sequence from origin.
  3. Click Cancel to close the window.

Run Analysis

  1. In the Project Tree, open the Analysis Workbench.
  2. Click (Solve).

Review Results

  1. On the Analysis Workbench, select > Fatigue damage.
    The Legend window opens and displays the contour plot. The Sequences window opens and lists all sequences. You can plot damage for each sequence or plot cumulative damage.


    Figure 10.
  2. Pick info.
    1. On the Results Workbench toolbar, click (Pick info).
    2. In the modeling window, select points of interest.
    3. In the Pick info dialog, for Sequence, select Total from the drop-down menu to view cumulative damage, or select the individual sequence of interest.


      Figure 11.