Section 1: Introducing Autodesk Inventor Nastran

Autodesk Inventor Nastran software is a general purpose finite element analysis (FEA) tool embedded in Autodesk Inventor. It is powered by the Autodesk Nastran solver, and offers simulation capabilities that span across multiple analysis types, such as linear and nonlinear stress, dynamics, and heat transfer.

Inventor Nastran is available as a network license and serves multiple CAD platforms, to provide a consistent user experience and eliminate the need for multiple single-platform simulation technologies. It delivers high-end simulation technology in a CAD-embedded workflow so you can make great products.

In this topic, we present a brief overview of the Basic and Advanced analysis types available in Inventor Nastran.

Basic Analysis Capabilities

Analysis Type	Example	Description
Linear Statics		Linear statics is one of the most common types of analysis. Determine stress, strain, and deformation resulting from applied static loads and imposed constraints. Linear stress, strain, deflection Inertial relief Thermal stress and deflection Prestress Mass properties Multiaxial fatigue Linear statics is the easiest and most common class of FEA. It provides the capability to simulate static loads and slowly applied loads.
Buckling		Use buckling to assess the stability of a device under loads. Buckling examines structures for sudden failure modes caused by compressive forces. Critical loads and mode shapes Linear and nonlinear initial stress Linear buckling is computed with the Euler buckling formula. Use nonlinear buckling to simulate large deformations, contact and nonlinear material behavior in calculation of buckling load.
Prestress Static and Normal Modes		Use prestress static and normal modes to analyze structures subjected to initial stress, and model the effect of the initial stress state on the structures' displacements, stresses, and modes.
Normal Modes		Use normal modes to determine the undamped natural mode shapes and frequencies of structures. This allows designer engineers to explore and resolve problems with noise and vibration. Natural frequencies and mode shapes Flexible and rigid body motion Modal participation factors, effective mass/weight, and reaction forces Linear and nonlinear prestress (stiffening) Virtual fluid mass
Linear Steady State Heat Transfer		Analyze heat transfer to determine the temperature distribution using the principles of conduction and convection heat transfer. Compute steady state and time-dependent heat loading using: Conduction Convection Radiation You can transfer temperature results to structural analyses as thermal loads.
Composites		Simulate the performance of complex ply data. Analysis based on latest failure indices, including Puck and LaRC02. Linear and nonlinear 2D and 3D laminated elements Especially suited for fiber reinforced materials Special failure techniques for sandwich composites Cohesive zone models for delamination failures Failure index and factor of safety calculations Many possible theories
Assembly Modeling with Contact		Go beyond analyzing individual parts. Real world simulation of assemblies is possible with sophisticated modeling of different kinds of contact interactions including sliding, friction and welded contact types.
Thermal Stress		Analyze structures subjected to thermal loads.

Advanced Analysis Capabilities

Analysis Type	Example	Description
Nonlinear Statics		Nonlinear statics provides the ability to add more realistic simulation with contacting parts, nonlinear elastic and plastic materials, and large deformations. Computes advanced nonlinear solutions such as large displacements/rotation, large strain, plasticity, hyperelasticity, and creep.
Nonlinear Transient Heat Transfer		Simulate heat transfer with nonlinear linear thermal boundary conditions that vary through time. An example is transient heat generation caused by power fluctuations. Conduction Convection Radiation
Nonlinear Steady State Heat Transfer		Simulate heat transfer with nonlinear thermal boundary conditions such as temperature-dependent thermal properties.
Random Response		Analyze structural behavior in response to random dynamic loads.
Frequency Response		Dynamic solutions add the ability to include time and mass in the solution. Capabilities include: Enforced harmonic motion - frequency response Time dependent motion and loads - transient response Random excitation Shock loading Use frequency response to determine the structural harmonic response based upon frequency-dependent loads.
Linear and Nonlinear Transient Response		Simulate the time-dependent response of a structure under the influence of constant or time-dependent loads. An example is impulse loading.
Advanced Nonlinear and Hyperelastic Materials		Simulate complex nonlinear phenomena such as plasticity, hyperelasticity, and shape-memory effect. This enables the analysis of a wide range of materials, from metals and shape-memory alloys to rubbers and soft tissue.
Automated Impact Analysis (AIA) and Drop Test		Simulate drop tests and other impact type loadings easily and automatically. Define impacting parts, path, and velocity. Define initial conditions and loads, and run as a nonlinear transient analysis. Sophisticated treatment provides realistic and meaningful impact and drop test simulations. The only inputs required are projectile velocity and acceleration.

In addition to these listed analysis types, you can use Inventor Nastran to conduct Fatigue, Vibration Fatigue, and Response Spectrum analyses.

This video tells the Inventor Nastran Story.

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