Creating Functional Structure Finite Element Models

You can create a finite element model (FEM) for large functional structures using mesh defaults different from those for smaller models. Functional structure models are not fully associated with the FEM. If the structure changes, you must repeat the process to create a new FEM.

Before you begin: The following items are required:
  • An appropriate role for functional structures
  • A system containing structural objects
  • A 3D shape representation or an abstraction shape
  • A FEM representation
See Also
About Functional Structures
  1. From the Automated FEM section of the action bar, click Automated FEM , and select Functional Structure.
    The Functional Structure FEM dialog box appears.
  2. Select the 3D shape representation or the abstraction shape to use as the Proxy.

    You must already have a proxy created by using the Contributing Shapes Manager to select the 3D shape representation or the abstraction shape to include in the FEM representation. For more information about the manager, see .

    From the tree, the proxy must exist below the product instantiating the FEM representation.

  3. Select the structural objects to use as the Source for the mesh.

    You can select the structural system product, geometric set, or any structural objects (for example, panels, parametric panels, or beams).

    From the tree, the mesh source must exist below the product instantiating the FEM representation.

    Note: The proxy and the mesh source are not associative. If the structure changes, you must also update the proxy to create a new mesh.

  4. Optional: Edit the 1D and 2D mesh size and the minimum opening hole size.

    The defaults are based on large structures, where these sizes are typically on the order of one meter. You can adjust the values if required, but you cannot leave the entries blank.

  5. Optional: Select Constraint Condensation Threshold, and enter a value.
    Multiple mesh constraints within the threshold distance are treated as a single constraint, reducing the potential for small or narrow elements in the region between such constraints.
  6. Optional: In the Mesh Rule frame, click to browse and select a catalog containing a saved mesh rule.

    You can create and save a meshing rule that contains all the mesh parameters for use with your model. For more information, see .

  7. Optional: Use Clear data before computation to remove an existing proxy representation and FEM before creating the new one.

    Clearing the data deletes all existing mesh parts before generating new ones. Otherwise, all the mesh parts are kept.

  8. Optional: Activate Show progress bar to display the current progress.

    Displaying progress might slow processing slightly by refreshing throughout the process instead of only at completion.

  9. Click OK.

The app creates the mesh for the selected structural objects. The following items appear in the tree:

  • Related mesh parts are created in the FEM representation, under the Nodes and Elements node.
  • Shell and beam sections are created under the Properties node.
  • Standard sections are created under the Behaviors node.
  • A Proxy FEM Geometry and an External References node are created under the 3D shape that you used as the proxy.