User's Guide

In-depth program help documentation for Autodesk® Simulation Mechanical.

The Simulation Mechanical User's Guide provides you with background information on finite element analysis as well as documentation on using the software. The guide outlines all of the different types of analyses available in the software and how to go about setting up a model.

Important: The term Autodesk Simulation is used occasionally throughout the Help. Within the context of this user's guide, all references are to the Simulation Mechanical product unless otherwise indicated. Other simulation packages (such as Autodesk CFD and Autodesk Moldflow) have different capabilities. If you cannot find a particular feature or capability (such as fluid flow analysis), please contact Autodesk or your reseller about upgrading or obtaining additional Autodesk simulation software.

Supported Analysis Types:

Linear:

Static Stress with Linear Material Models
Natural Frequency (Modal)
Natural Frequency (Modal) with Load Stiffening
Response Spectrum
Random Vibration
Frequency Response
Transient Stress (Direct Integration)
Transient Stress (Modal Superposition)
Critical Buckling
Dynamic Design Analysis Method (DDAM)

Nonlinear:

MES with Nonlinear Material Models
Static Stress with Nonlinear Material Models
Natural Frequency (Modal) with Nonlinear Material Models
MES Riks Analysis

Thermal:

Steady-State Heat Transfer
Transient Heat Transfer

Electrostatic:

Electrostatic Current and Voltage
Electrostatic Field Strength and Voltage

Tutorials

To perform the online Simulation Mechanical tutorials, click Start & Learn Learn Tutorials within the program. The tutorials are divided into two sets:

Meshing and Modeling Tutorials
Analyzing and Evaluating Results Tutorials

There are also a couple of Quick Start Tutorials within the New User Quick Start section of the help. These tutorials provide additional guidance and are specifically designed for the new user. However, they are applicable to more experienced users as well.

You can download the tutorial model files from our online Data & Downloads page.

If you prefer to access tutorials and other help content locally, rather than online, you can download the optional User Guide Installer from our online Documentation page. This feature is useful for customers that lack an Internet connection at their simulation workstations or have poor Internet connection performance.