MSC Nastran Getting Started Guide
Contents
Preface
How to Use this Guide
Prerequisites
Goals of this Guide
Contents of This Guide
List of MSC Nastran Guides
Using other Manuals
Corrected and Fixed Error List
Typographical Conventions
Accessing MSC Nastran Manuals
Downloading the PDF Documentation Files
Navigating the PDF Files
Printing the PDF Files
Training and Internet Resources
Technical Support
Visit SimCompanion
Help Us Help You
Chapter 1: Overview of MSC Nastran
Introduction to MSC Nastran
History of MD and MSC Nastran
Working With MSC Nastran
Workflow of MSC Nastran with Patran
Pre-processor
Solver
Post-processing
Workflow of MSC Nastran with SimXpert
Capabilities of MSC Nastran
Benefits of using MSC Nastran
Chapter 2: MSC Nastran Capabilities
General Capabilities
Solution Sequence (SOL)
Linear Analysis
Solution Flowchart
The Elemental Stiffness Matrix
The Global Stiffness Matrix
Dynamic Analysis
Normal Modes Analysis
Frequency Response Analysis
Transient Response Analysis
Complex Eigen analysis
Response Spectrum Analysis
Component Mode Synthesis
Random Vibration Analysis
Nonlinear Analysis
Material Nonlinearity
Geometric Nonlinearity
Nonlinear Boundary Conditions
Nonlinear Transient Analysis
Design Sensitivity and Optimization
Application Examples
Aeroelasticity
Static Aeroelastic Response
Aerodynamic Flutter
Dynamic Aeroelastic Response
Aerodynamic Methods
Thermal Analysis
Transient Thermal Analysis
Composite Materials
Fluid-Structure Interaction
Direct Matrix Abstraction Program
Fatigue Analysis
Five Box Trick of Fatigue Analysis
Life Prediction Methods
Finite Element Analysis Methods
When to Use Which Method
High Performance Computing
Hardware Factors Affecting Simulation Performance
Chapter 3: MSC Nastran Files
Types of MSC Nastran Files
MSC Nastran Input Files
Delimiters
Nastran Statement
File Management Section (FMS)
Executive Control Section
Summary of Executive Control Statements
ID Statement
SOL Statement
CEND Statement
Case Control Section
Bulk Data Section
Format of Bulk Data Entries
Summary of Bulk Data Entries
Continuation Entries
Field Formats in Input Files
Input Format Rules
Common Errors in Entry Format
MSC Nastran Output Files
Chapter 4: Modeling Issues
Units
Format of the Input Data
Real, Integer, and Character Input Data
Free, Small, and Large Field Formats
Continuations
Meshes and Mesh Transitions
Designing the Model
Using Test Models
Experiment With Small Test Models
Inability to Predict the Response of your Structure
Chapter 5: Model Geometry
Model Geometry
Grid Points
Coordinate Systems
Chapter 6: Basic Element Library
Introduction
Spring Element (CELAS2)
CELAS2
Line Elements
Rod Element (CONROD)
Rod Element (CROD)
Rod Element Property (PROD)
Simple Beam Element (CBAR)
Surface Elements
Quadrilateral Plate Element (CQUAD4)
Triangular Plate Element (CTRIA3)
Shell Element Property (PSHELL)
Other Surface Elements
Solid Elements
Six-Sided Solid Element (CHEXA)
Five-Sided Solid Element (CPENTA)
Four-Sided Solid Element (CTETRA)
Solid Element Property (PSOLID)
Rigid Bar Element (RBE2)
Chapter 7: Material Properties
Basic Material Property Definitions
Material Definition (MAT1)
Other Material Types
Chapter 8: Applying Constraints
Description
Rigid Body Motion and Mechanisms
Static Equilibrium
Mechanisms
Inertia Relief
Single Point Constraints
Permanent Constraint on the GRID Entry
Single Point Constraint (SPC)
Automatic Identification and Removal of Singularities (AUTOSPC)
Boundary Condition Examples
Example 1: Cantilever Beam
Example 3: Fixed-Hinged Beam
Chapter 9: Applying Static Loads
Overview of Basic Static Loads
Concentrated Loads
Forces (FORCE)
Moments (MOMENT)
Distributed Load on a 1-D Element (PLOAD1)
Pressure Loads
Uniform Normal Pressure Load on Surface (PLOAD)
Uniform Normal Pressure Load on a 2-D Element (PLOAD2)
Normal or Traction Pressure Load on a Face (PLOAD4)
Acceleration Loads (GRAV)
Enforced Displacements
Static Element Deformation (DEFORM)
Enforced Displacement Value (SPCD)
Combining Loads (LOAD)
Using Subcases (SUBCASE, SUBCOM, SUBSEQ, SUBSEQ1)
In SUBCOM 10:
In SUBCOM 20:
Chapter 10: Controlling the Analysis Output
Printing the Input File (ECHO)
Output Titles (TITLE, SUBTITLE, LABEL)
Case Control Sets (SET)
Requesting Analysis Results
Grid Point Output (DISP, SPCF, OLOAD, GPFORCE)
Element Output (STRESS, FORCE, STRAIN, ESE)
Chapter 11: Additional Considerations
MSC Nastran User and System Messages
Message Format
User Messages
System Messages
Epsilon-A Measure of Numerical Behavior
Element Distortion and Accuracy
CQUAD4 Plate Element Distortion
CHEXA Solid Element Distortion
The Current Error List
The Comment ($) Entry
Chapter 12: Performing Analysis
Defining the Problem
Specifying the Type of Analysis
Designing the Model
Creating the Model Geometry
Defining the Finite Elements
Specifying Material Properties
Representing Boundary Conditions
Applying the Loads
Controlling the Analysis Output
Completing the Input File and Running the Model
MSC Nastran Output
Reviewing the Result
Comparing the Results with Theory
Chapter 13: Executing MSC Nastran
Run MSC Nastran
Using nastran Command
Using Pre-processor to Execute MSC Nastran
Checking the Analysis
Interpreting the .f04 File
The .f04 File Information
Memory Map
Day Log
Memory and Disk Usage Statistics
Database Usage Statistics
Chapter 14: Performance Considerations
Introduction
Geometric Reduction Methods
Superelement Analysis
Axisymmetric Analysis
Cyclic Symmetry Analysis
Memory and I/O Performance
Default Memory Settings
I/O Performance
Buffer Pool Usage
Parallel Performance
Chapter 15: Example Problems
Beam with a Distributed Load and a Moment
Problem Statement
The Finite Element Model
MSC Nastran Results
Comparison with Theory
Rectangular Plate with a Uniform Pressure Load
Problem Statement
The Finite Element Model
MSC Nastran Results
Gear Tooth with Solid Elements
MSC Nastran Results
Glossary
Bibliography
Index