Chapter 6
DesignXplorer and APDL
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Chapter 6 Contents
•
•
•
•
Training Manual
Introduction
APDL Basics
Parameter Initialization
DesignXplorer APDL Example
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Introduction
Training Manual
• DesignXplorer can be used to run ANSYS input files which are
setup using ANSYS APDL (ANSYS Parametric Design Language).
• ANSYS input files are first read into a filter which scans the input
for parametric information.
• The user can specify input and response parameters from the filter
screen and run the input from the project page.
• When a solution is complete, postprocessing is done using the
same DesignXplorer tools described earlier.
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APDL Basics
Training Manual
• ANSYS APDL provides several methods to define parameters. For
example:
–
–
–
–
ABC = 10
*SET,ABC(1,2,3), 12.3,10.3, i
*GET,MAX_STRESS,NODE,STR_POINT,S,EQV
*VGET,MAX_STRESS(1,2,3),NODE,1,S,X
• DX uses an input file parser to expose parameter information.
• Several limitations exist:
– Where an input file calls a macro which contains parameter data.
– Where APDL Parameters are used as part of the parameter assignment.
For example: ABC(1,I,J)=10.345 (here I and J are scalar parameters).
– Where the APDL parameter is a character value or a character array.
For example: ABC='ANSYS‘.
• Users can directly enter parameters not found by the parser.
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Parameter Initialization
Training Manual
• The parser will attempt to determine an initial value for the Input
Parameters placed in the list.
• Initial values cannot be determined when:
– a parameter is defined by an APDL function.
– A parameter is defined by using another parameter on the right hand
side of the equal sign.
• If an initial value cannot be determined a value of 1.0 will be used.
• If changes are made to an input file it can be “refreshed” from the
parser screen.
• An example follows . . . .
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DX APDL Example
Training Manual
Input parameters
Example:
The input file (ansys_dx.inp)
shown here contains parametric
entries used to construct, solve
and postprocess a simple model.
Response parameter
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DX APDL Example
Training Manual
• Chose Mechanical APDL
from Toolbox
• RMB On Analysis > Add
Input File to read APDL
Input file
• Update Project
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DX APDL Example
Training Manual
• When the parser screen opens we
can see each defined parameter
from the input is shown.
Note: Dock the
property window
before you check
Input/Output box
• Although the parameters are
listed they are not yet identified
as input or response. By checking
the box in the Input and Output
column we define which
parameter is Input and which one
is Output.
• Note the parameter “theta” is
used internal to the file and not in
the optimization. In this case:
Theta = atan(2*(ho-t)/(dout-din))
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DX APDL Example
Training Manual
• Once the Parameter set
is defined you can
proceed with the DX
procedure as it was
explained in previous
chapters.
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DX APDL Example
Training Manual
Preview Design Points
Update Design Points
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DX APDL Example
Training Manual
Update Response Surface
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