Structural Simulation Results

The results of a structural simulation initially display the von Mises stresses on the deformed shape of your model after the loads have been applied to it. You can then select other options from the Plot list.

Click the Compass Play button to animate the deformation of the part.

The results available depend on your selections in the model for materials, connections, restraints, and loads. You can create plots for the results described below.

Result Plot Description
Deformation Displays the deformed part without any contour plot.
Displacement Contours the distance each point has moved from its original location.
Displacement Vector Measures the distance each point has moved from its original location.
Von Mises Stress Measures the resistive stress forces in your part created by the deformation.
Compression - Tension Highlights which regions in your model are under tension and which are under compression. This plot has only two contour colors, with red for tension and blue for compression.
Principal Stress Directions Displays principal stress directions and values.
Plastic Strain Measures the permanent deformation in your part. Regions with zero plastic strain will return to their original configuration when the load is removed; regions with nonzero plastic strain (measured as a percentage of displacement past the permanent deformation threshold) will retain some deformation when the load is removed.
Reaction Force Vector Display the vector components of the reaction force.
Reaction Force Displays all reaction force components.
Contact Shear in Direction 1 Measures the tangential shear stress at contacting surfaces in the 1-direction. Shear stresses arise only when friction between the surfaces has been specified.
Contact Shear in Direction 2 Measures the tangential shear stress at contacting surfaces in the 2-direction. Shear stresses arise only when friction between the surfaces has been specified.
Contact Pressure Measures the pressure at contacting surfaces (the contact force normal to the contacting surfaces per unit area).
Actively Yielding Highlights regions in your model where the material is currently yielding (in other words, where the plastic strain is changing).
Simulation Accuracy (%)

Provides a measure of simulation accuracy throughout your model by calculating the ratio of errors in element energy density to overall element energy density. The contour plot of simulation accuracy is displayed with colors in reverse order: areas of higher simulation accuracy are colored blue, while areas of lower simulation accuracy are colored red. The plot specifically shows (as a percentage) the ratio of errors in element energy density to the maximum overall element energy density.

When you see red (lower accuracy) in areas of interest, you should consider rerunning the simulation with a finer mesh density to increase the accuracy.

Factor of Safety A measure of how close the material is to yielding. The factor of safety is calculated from the material yield strength divided by the Von Mises stress in your model.