Training for Solidworks Simulation & what FEA analysis tool is best for large displacement study

[Bflo]

Hey all,
Has anyone taken either of the courses offered recently for Solidworks Simulation from Goengineer or Hawkridge (maybe there's more?). Hawkridge has always been good but I noticed that the training is set up differently at Goengineer and wondering if it's more in depth.

Is ANSYS, ABACUS, or some other FEA tool better suited for large displacement analysis? When I say that I've used SW Simulation for plastic deformation under snap fits (relatively small displacement) and want to do testing with a laser cut tube that deflects several inches.

Thanks.

 

[GregLocock]

LS DYNA or NASTRAN are what the automotive world tends to use for crash sims.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[SWComposites]

Greg - what Nastran solution? 400?

For highly nonlinear analysis Abaqus and LS-Dyna are widely used. I don’t have much experience with Ansys.

 

[geesaman.d]

LS DYNA or NASTRAN are what the automotive world tends to use for crash sims.

Did you mean to say "LS DYNA or DYTRAN"?

 

[GregLocock]

No, I meant NASTRAN, but I think I may have misinterpreted what I heard. LS DYNA anyway.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[Bflo]

Thanks. I should've been more specific as I need to work in about a 3-5" range rather than feet, but I appreciate the feedback.

 

[swimfar]

Side Note:
FEA codes generally don't know/care what your units are. Whether your model is 5 millimeters, or 5 meters makes no difference. What is important is relative movement.
1. Is your material going to behave differently at 5" of deflection compared to 1" of deflection? (i.e., are you getting into material non-linearities?)
2. Is the deformation going to significantly change the shape of your object? (i.e., are there geometric non-linearities?)

I haven't used SolidWorks for simulation much, but it sounds like it can handle non-linear analyses. If you already have access to it, that's probably your best option unless you feel like you're running into limitations.

https://www.engineersrule.com/nonlinear-analysis-in-solidworks-simulation/