Integrated Nastran and Femap Training

This is the perfect class for newcomers to FE analysis. A very practical approach is taken from the outset. Students will be shown demonstrations of how to set up, analyze and investigate typical structures. Intensive workshop periods then follow to put this new knowledge into practice. The important features of the Femap GUI are introduced in a logical and informative manner. At the same time the essentials of Nastran are explored so that students can learn the basics of the Nastran analysis and file structure. Emphasis during the class is on the construction of proper analysis models, and the effective use of the various solution types. Additional troubleshooting techniques are discussed, as well as the various types of common error messages generated by NEi Nastran. The objective of this class is to give a solid grounding in FEA basics and good practice to enable the student to carry out real world linear static analysis. Classes generally run from 8:30AM until 4:30PM.

Prerequisites: None
Class Length: 4 Days
Class Schedule

Software used during the training:
Pre and post-processor: Femap
Solver: NEi Nastran

Day 1

Introductions
Overview – Analysis Process. Geometry > LBCs > Mesh > Analysis > Results
Overview – Femap. All the different ways to do things. Messages list. Tree view.
Overview – Customizing Femap. All the changes you can make in the preferences. How to set the colors. How to save your view and load every time.
Quick Modeler Demo (Guided) – Import a solid model and analyze

Introduction to entity picking menu
Introduction to Quick View (CTRL-Q)
Introduction to NEi Nastran

How the Engine works
Introduction to NEi Nastran. Editor
Introduction to NEi Nastran. file structure

Introduction to View Select (F5)

Morning Recess
Workshop – Importing and meshing a solid model
Overview – Using the New Features (tree) to setup your model
Introduction to the bulk data file

Bulk Data Structure
Case Control
Bulk Data

Lunch Recess
Overview – Three ways to handle assemblies

Geometry > Solid > Add
Geometry > Solid > Intersect
Surface to Surface Contact Weld
Introduction to Groups and Layers
Introduction to Advanced Contouring

Afternoon Recess
Overview – NEi Software Website

Animations
White Papers
Tutorials

Day 2

Overview - Differences between parasolid surfaces and regular surfaces.
Introduction to Plates

Top vs. Bottom (Normal Vector and Output)
Cross-Section Visualization
Material Angle
Plates in Nastran

Morning Recess
Overview - Meshing Tricks

Control on Curve
Custom on Curve
Interactive Splitting
Move by Node
Transitioning

Workshop – Custom meshing a plate
Lunch Recess
Workshop – Importing Bad Geometry
Workshop – Hex Meshing vs. Tet Meshing

How to Hex Mesh PSOL2

Afternoon Recess
Overview – Feature Suppression

Geometry modification for FEA
Split curves, slicing, workplane
Symmetry
Subcases

Day 3

Workshop – Midsurfacing

Shell, tet and hex meshing

Morning Recess
Introduction to Rods

Element Creation
Element Output
Rods in Nastran

Workshop – Truss structure using rods

Gravity Loads
Combining Loads
Subcases

Lunch Recess
Intro to Beams

Element Creation
Element Output
Beams in Nastran

Workshop – Beam/Plate meshing
Workshop – Bearing Loading

Variable loading
Variable thickness

Afternoon Recess
Introduction to Composites

Day 4

Introduction to Rigid Elements

Uses

Workshop – RBE2 vs. RBE3

Data table

Applying rotations to solids (RBE)
Morning Recess
Transitioning bending elements to solids (RBE)
Lunch Recess
Introduction to Normal Modes Analysis

Saving Animations
Mesh size in Normal Modes

Introduction to Springs

Axial Spring
CBUSH Element

Introduction to Mass Elements
Afternoon Recess
Afternoon Workshop (Working on Custom Models)

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