Ansys Mechanical offers a rich library of simulation capabilities to address a broad range of physical problems across industries. Whether you’re solving basic structural problems or simulating complex multiphysics systems, Ansys provides pre-configured analysis systems to streamline setup and ensure solver compatibility.
Below is an overview of the major analysis types available in Ansys Mechanical, categorized by their simulation domain:
1. Adaptivity Analyses
Adaptivity refers to automated mesh refinement based on solution results. For example, Ansys Mechanical can refine the mesh in regions with high stress gradients, allowing you to achieve more accurate results without manually remeshing.
2. Coupled-Field Analysis Types
These analyses solve problems involving interacting physical fields:
- Thermo-Structural: Temperature fields affecting mechanical response.
- Piezoelectric: Electrical-mechanical coupling, useful in sensors and actuators.
- Thermal-Electric: Heat generation due to electric current.
Coupled-field analyses enable multiphysics simulations in one environment.
3. Electric Analysis
Electric analyses solve for electric potential and current flow, particularly in low-frequency domains. These are useful for resistive heating studies and circuit board simulations.
4. Explicit Dynamics Analysis
Explicit dynamics is ideal for high-speed, highly nonlinear events such as:
- Drop tests
- Metal forming
- Explosions
- Impacts
It uses an explicit time integration scheme to handle severe contacts, plasticity, and element distortion.
5. Fracture Analysis
This analysis includes tools like:
- Crack modeling and propagation (e.g., via SMART or VCCT)
- Fracture mechanics parameters (SIFs, J-integrals)
It’s essential in fatigue life estimation and failure prediction.
6. Linear Dynamics Analysis Types
These include:
- Modal: Find natural frequencies and mode shapes
- Harmonic Response: Steady-state response to sinusoidal loading
- Random Vibration: Response to broad-spectrum or PSD loads
- Response Spectrum: Seismic loading simulation
- Transient Dynamics: Time-varying load response
These help in vibration control, noise prediction, and structural reliability assessments.
7. Magnetostatic Analysis
Solves for magnetic fields in steady-state (non-time-varying) conditions. It’s commonly used for electromagnets, transformers, or shielding simulations.
8. Rigid Dynamics Analysis
Used to simulate assemblies where components behave as rigid bodies, letting you analyze:
- Mechanism motion
- Joint reactions
- Contact forces
It greatly reduces computational cost by ignoring deformation while capturing motion and loading.
9. Static Structural Analysis
Solves for equilibrium under applied loads:
- Linear static (small deformations, elastic)
- Nonlinear static (includes large deformation, contact, plasticity)
This is the foundational analysis used in most engineering applications.
10. Steady-State Thermal Analysis
Solves for temperature distribution under constant loading conditions. Outputs can include:
- Thermal gradients
- Heat flux
- Conduction through solids
These results can be used directly in thermo-mechanical coupling.
11. Thermal-Electric Analysis
Solves electro-thermal interactions, such as:
- Joule heating from electric currents
- Thermoelectric effects
It’s essential for PCB, electronics cooling, and material conductivity problems.
12. Transient Structural Analysis
Captures time-dependent mechanical behavior. Includes:
- Dynamic impact
- Shock response
- Load ramps
You can include inertia, damping, and nonlinearities.
13. Transient Structural Analysis Using Linked Modal System
This is a modal superposition-based method for solving transient dynamics efficiently. First, a modal analysis is done, then used to solve the time-domain behavior. This method is suitable for linear dynamic problems where modal contribution dominates.
14. Transient Thermal Analysis
Calculates temperature evolution over time under varying heat loads and boundary conditions. This is key for:
- Thermal cycling studies
- Cooling rates
- Thermal shock
15. Special Analysis Topics
This includes advanced topics like:
- Submodeling
- Command snippets and APDL extensions
- Mass Participation Factors
- Thermal contact resistance modeling
These enable customized or high-fidelity simulations beyond default setups.
Final Notes
- Solver Dependency: Some features vary based on whether you use the Mechanical APDL, ANSYS Mechanical, or LS-DYNA solver.
- Flexibility: You don’t need to define geometry or mesh before launching Ansys Mechanical—these can be defined inside the environment.
Summary Table
| Category | Example Use Case |
|---|---|
| Static Structural | Stress/deformation under static load |
| Transient Structural | Drop test, shock, or moving load |
| Modal | Resonance frequencies of a beam |
| Harmonic Response | Machine vibration from rotating loads |
| Thermal (Steady/Transient) | Electronics cooling, furnace design |
| Coupled-Field | Heat-induced stress in electronics |
| Rigid Dynamics | Mechanism simulation with joints |
| Fracture | Crack growth under fatigue |
| Explicit Dynamics | Crash or explosion modeling |