FEM tutorial

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Revision as of 19:59, 5 September 2015 by Drei (talk | contribs) (→‎Running the Solver: Changed Title, added icons and workflow)
Tutorial
Topic
{{{Topic}}}
Level
Beginner
Time to complete
Authors
Drei
FreeCAD version
0.16
Example files
See also
None

Introduction

This tutorial is meant to introduce the reader to the basic workflow of the FEM Workbench, as well as most of the tools that are available to perform a static analysis.

Requirements

  • FreeCAD version 0.16 or above
  • Netgen and/or GMSH is installed on the system
  • In the case of GMSH, installing psicofil's macro is recommended
  • Calculix is installed on the system
  • The reader has the basic knowledge to use the Part and PartDesign Workbenches

Procedure

Modeling

In this example a Cube is used as the study object, but models created in the Part or PartDesign Workbenches can used instead.

  1. Create a new document
  2. Activate the Part Workbench
  3. Create a Box

Now we have a model with which to work with.

Meshing the model

  1. Switch to the FEM Workbench
Netgen
GMSH

The usage of psicofil's macro is recommended, and is used for this example.

  1. Activate the macro
  2. Select the object you wish to use, in this case our Box
  3. Check the box to Create a New Analysis from Mesh
  4. Click OK

We have now meshed our object and are ready to add constraints and forces.

Constraints and Forces

  1. Hide the mesh from the Tree View.
  2. Show the original model
  3. Select Create FEM fixed constraint
  4. Select the bottom face of the Box and click OK
  5. Select Create FEM force constraint
  6. Select the top face of the Box and set the value to 20 000
  7. Click OK

We now have established the restrictions and forces for our static study.

Final preparations and Running the Solver

  1. Select File:Fem Material.svg Mechanical material... and choose Steel-generic as the material
  2. Select File:Fem NewAnalysis.svg Start calculation from the menu
  3. Select Write Calculix Input File
  4. Select Run Calculix
  5. Click Close

Analyzing Results