Use Frame Analysis to understand the structural integrity of a given frame with respect to deformations and stresses, when subjected to various loading and constraints. Once you define the criteria, you can run the simulation and view the behavior relative to the conditions you defined. Simulations help you identify performance issues and find better design alternatives.
Beam elements are linear. Frame analysis does not support curved beams. So the curved beams must be split into small linear pieces.
Each beam element has six degrees of freedom at the beam start and beam end (three rotational and three degrees of freedom of displacement). Nodes on beams define somehow important points on the structure. They can be used to define forces, for example. In modal analysis, nodes can concentrate masses.
The following key functionality is available in Frame Analysis:
- Structural static and modal analysis of one or more simulation studies.
- Automatic adaptive features for controlling accuracy of results.
- Large selection of boundary conditions (loads and constraints).
- Extensive post-processing functionality for 3D viewing of the results, and publishing Web reports.
Frame Analysis environment
The Frame Analysis interface is divided into two main areas: the Frame Analysis browser, and the graphics region. These areas display content associated with the active simulation. Inactive simulations have a gray background.
Frame Analysis browser
Displays the simulations with assembly and simulation parameters in a hierarchical view with nested levels of feature and attribute information. You can:
- Copy whole simulations.
- Right-click a node for context menu options.
- Expand the folders, select the nodes, and see the selection cross-highlight in the graphics region.
Graphics Region
Displays the model geometry and simulation results.
- Updates to show status of the simulation.
- Includes view manipulation tools.
Access the Frame Analysis
You can access the Frame Analysis commands using two panels on ribbon:
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Frame Analysis workflow
From a high-level perspective, a typical frame analysis workflow looks like the following:
- Set expectations: Estimate physical behavior using a conceptual model.
- Pre-processing: Enter physics into the model and define analyses to perform.
- Solving: Solve the mathematical model.
- Post-processing: Display and evaluate the results.
- Review expectations: Compare the results with the initial expectations.
- Conclusion (Improve Inputs): Do the results match the expectations?
- If the answer is NO, you review and modify the inputs to improve the results. The modifications could include, but are not limited to: suppressing unwanted beams, changing the loads or constraints, changing the analysis type, and so on. There are many avenues you can explore to refine the analysis results to bring them in line with expectations. The point is, the refinement is a highly iterative process.
- If the answer is YES, your analysis work is concluded. A likely result is that your design is refined and improved.
Inventor Frame Analysis workflow
When you start Frame Analysis, the Frame Generator assembly model is automatically converted to beams and nodes. The information that is read from the source model include:
- Beam section data
- Beam materials
- References of boundary condition are validated
- Start and end points of beams are joined within specified degree of tolerance
- Report displays the insufficient materials, or improper cross-sections properties
The following is an example of a typical workflow for analyzing a frame structure using Inventor Frame Analysis. The steps are not exhaustive, and they do not represent the only steps you can use in your analysis.
In this numbered list, the following applies:
- Steps 1 through 9 are pre-processing.
- Step 10 is the solving step.
- Step 11 is the post-processing step.
- Steps 12 through 15 are steps for improving inputs.
- Open an assembly which contains frame components created using Frame Generator tools.
- Enter the Frame Analysis environment.
- Click Create Simulation.
- Specify the simulation properties. The beam model is automatically converted into idealized nodes and beams to conduct structural analysis. The graphics window displays beams, nodes, and the gravity glyph. The Status folder in the browser displays the insufficient beam materials and cross-sections.
- Exclude beams and boundary conditions you do not want in the simulation.
- Specify material and physical properties for beams participating in the analysis.
- Specify and apply the constraints.
- Specify location and magnitude for loads.
- Evaluate the connections and specify, as needed.
- Run the simulation.
- View the Results.
- Make necessary changes to refine the assembly. Changes can include adding nodes, loads, and constraints or suppressing problematic ones.
- Rerun the simulation to update the results.
- Repeat the process until you optimize the component.
- When ready, create reports based on the results.
Frame Analysis settings
The Frame Analysis settings are applicable on a per document basis. These settings define the defaults for all simulations. If you change the settings while working in a simulation, the simulation is affected immediately.
Specify values in Frame Analysis
When you define loads and constraints in Frame Analysis, you can use Heads Up Display (HUD) and grips to define the inputs. Or, you can set values in the appropriate dialog boxes.
When you select Use HUD in Application option in the General tab of the Frame Analysis Settings dialog box, Heads Up Display is used as default method during edit. You can still display dialog boxes, however. Select the appropriate command in the ribbon, right-click in the graphics window and select More Options.
Warning messages
Warning messages are listed in the Status folder in the Frame Analysis browser. When you create a simulation and assembly frame model is automatically converted to beams and nodes, the messages about insufficient beam materials and cross-sections display. When you run a simulation, all messages about simulation display. Sometimes the data are critical and simulation fails when you run the Simulation. Then, the separate dialog box displays as well. Warning messages display with 
icon. Error messages display with 
icon.
Error message indicates that the simulation cannot proceed without modification. For example, the simulation can fail if you have an insufficient material assigned to a beam.
This error message prevents the simulation from continuing without modification. In this case, change beam material. Click the Material command on the Beams panel and select the material in the Beam Material dialog box. Or, change the material in the source model directly, and click the Update command in the Beams panel to recompute the beam model.
Right-click and select How To… to open a Help page with a list of warnings and errors that can occur when you run simulations, and suggestions on resolving them.