Tutorial 4 - Cohesive Functionality

Tutorial 4 demonstrates the use of the cohesive functionality in Helius PFA. View bulk data file requirements for using this cohesive functionality and use Patran to build the input file.

Topics in this section

Introduction
Create the Part
Defining the part geometry is generally the first step in the development of a finite element model.
Define the Element Coordinate System
To orient the plies and the cohesive section, a local coordinate system needs to be defined.
Define the Ply Material
Define the linear elastic material for the ply section.
Apply Boundary Conditions
Create a boundary condition that fixes one end of the beam.
Define the Load
Create two additional boundary conditions that impose a pure mode I loading to the beam.
Create the Property Definitions
We will create a solid property for the ply material and a cohesive property for the Helius PFA cohesive material.
Prepare the Analysis
Define a load step, modify nonlinear solution controls, and add the commands necessary for use with Helius PFA.
Create the Cohesive User Material
Define the complete material response for the Helius PFA cohesive material.
Complete the Bulk Data File
Before the analysis is completed, we must remove some of the unnecessary entries in the bulk data file and modify the SUBCASE.
Submit for Analysis
Use the command shell to submit the bulk data file for analysis.
View and Interpret Results
Examine the state variable outputs from Helius PFA that are stored in the results file.
Summary
This tutorial demonstrated the use of both Patran and a text editor to model a double-cantilever beam using the cohesive functionality in Helius PFA.

Parent topic: Nastran Tutorials