Hypermesh is a powerful software tool used for pre-processing finite element models. It is widely employed in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing for its versatile capabilities in meshing and model setup. In this article, we will focus on a specific area of Hypermesh functionality known as model inspection.

What is Model Inspection?

Model inspection is a crucial step in the finite element analysis (FEA) process. It involves carefully scrutinizing the mesh and the overall model setup to identify any potential issues or errors that may affect the accuracy of simulation results. Model inspection ensures the reliability and validity of FEA predictions.

Common Errors and Fixes

During model inspection, several common errors can be encountered. Here are some of them and their possible fixes:

1. Element Quality Issues

Element quality is a key factor that influences the accuracy of an FEA model. Poorly shaped or distorted elements can cause numerical instability and inaccurate results. Hypermesh provides various tools and functions to check and improve element quality, such as the Mesh Quality Index (MQI) and the Element Quality Index (EQI). It is important to address element quality issues by refining or re-meshing problematic regions.

2. Boundary Conditions

Applying incorrect or incomplete boundary conditions can lead to unrealistic results. Model inspection helps in verifying that all required boundary conditions, such as loads and constraints, are correctly defined. Hypermesh allows users to visualize and review the boundary conditions to ensure they are accurately represented in the model before analysis.

3. Element Connectivity

Incorrect element connectivity can cause discontinuities, gaps, or overlapping elements, leading to inaccurate stress distribution and deformation patterns. Model inspection in Hypermesh allows users to identify and resolve element connectivity errors to ensure a proper representation of the physical model.

4. Material Orientation

Assigning incorrect material orientations to elements can result in erroneous calculation of material properties, leading to inaccurate simulation results. Hypermesh provides visualization and editing tools to review and correct material orientations during model inspection.

5. Mesh Quality and Size

Model inspection involves checking for inconsistent mesh densities, excessive skewness, and properly capturing geometric details. Hypermesh offers various mesh quality assessment tools, such as the Mesh Skewness Index (MSI) and the Mesh Density Check, to help in identifying and resolving mesh quality and size issues.

Conclusion

Model inspection is a critical process in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of finite element models. Hypermesh provides extensive functionalities and tools to support model inspection procedures. By addressing common errors and issues during model inspection, analysts can confidently proceed with accurate simulations, making informed decisions based on reliable results.

Remember, thorough model inspection and resolution of identified issues is essential for obtaining dependable and trustworthy predictions from finite element analysis.

Request AI consultation