Defining Mass Scaling

You can apply mass scaling to scale the mass of the entire model or to scale the masses of individual elements in explicit dynamic steps without modifying the underlying material definitions. When used appropriately, mass scaling can often improve computational efficiency while retaining the necessary degree of accuracy required for quasi-static analyses and in some dynamic analyses that contain a few very small elements that control the stable time increment.

The scaled element masses at the end of one step and any variable mass scaling methods specified in that step are carried forward automatically to the subsequent step. You can reset the element masses to their original values or recompute the element masses by using a new fixed mass scaling method at the beginning of the subsequent step.

Mass scaling is a step-dependent action; it is available only for explicit dynamic steps.

See Also
In Other Guides
About Step-dependent Actions
Creating Simulation Features
Support Selection
  1. From the Procedures section of the action bar, click Mass Scaling .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. Select the geometry supports in the model.

    A mass scaling definition can be applied to one or more bodies. If no support is selected, the scaling is applied to the entire model.

  4. Enter the Mass Scaling Options.
  5. Click OK.