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Upgraded meshing tools -
ALGOR V21 provides enhanced capabilities for generating and refining a finite element mesh including
a new, behind-the-scenes representation of the CAD model (called the "virtual CAD" modeling layer) and new algorithms for better mesh matching of assemblies.
As shown here, the "Use virtual imprinting" option can be activated to calculate intersecting surfaces using the CAD data instead of relying on surface knitting.
This will often lead to better mesh matching.
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Mass transfer - ALGOR V21 provides the capability to calculate mass transfer due to diffusion in 3-D
transient analysis.
"Mass transfer" refers to mass in transit due to gradients in the concentration of species within a mixture, and the transfer is due to random molecular motion.
"Species transport" is an analogous name for this type of mass transfer.
An example of a typical application is chemical species through a membrane.
Shown here is the dialog for defining the mass species for a mass transfer analysis.
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3-D display of 2-D axisymmetric and planar model results -
2-D elements can now be displayed as 3-D in the Results environment, making axisymmetric models look like fully revolved solids
and planar models show the thickness. This new results display
capability allows the user to visualize the full 3-D scale of 2-D
axisymmetric and planar models and
helps create presentations that are more realistic, vivid and intuitive for sharing results with others.
Right-click on the part in the tree view and choose "3-D Visualization".
The 2-D mesh and results will be shown in their 3-D form.
Shown here is a 3-D visualization (in the display window on the left) of a 2-D axisymmetric model (on the right).
The 3-D visualization was generated by revolving the axisymmetric model about the Z axis.
(For more information about 3-D visualization of elements, see
"Realistic Visualization of Elements".)
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Enhanced reporting capabilities - In ALGOR V21, the Report Wizard is replaced by a more flexible, WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) dialog.
You can choose which sections to include in the report, add new sections, customize each section and re-order the sections.
Shown here is the "Configure Report" dialog, which provides many options for customizing reports.
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Scheduling analyses - With ALGOR V21, analyses can be scheduled to start at a later time.
For example, you can create several models during the day and schedule the analyses to run overnight.
This new analysis scheduling capability allows you to optimize use of computing resources and provides support for design studies.
On the analysis dialog, click the "Schedule" button to access the
"Schedule Analysis" dialog. Specify the desired options including:
- the start date and time
- the design scenarios to be analyzed
In the image shown here, options were specified to schedule analyses
to be run just before midnight for five design scenarios, each with a different mesh size. The
goal of this mesh-sensitivity study was to determine the optimal mesh
size.
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Cyclic symmetry constraints in linear static stress analysis -
Cyclic symmetry occurs when the geometry, loads, constraints and results of a partial model can be copied around an axis in order to give the complete model.
A typical example is a fan blade or turbine.
If the loads on the blades and geometry repeat, only one blade needs to be modeled instead of the entire hub of X blades.
The result is a smaller analysis which takes less time to analyze.
For the fan blade model shown on the left, only one quarter of the hub-and-blade assembly was actually modeled and analyzed due to cyclic symmetry.
Compare this to the full-scale geometry that was modeled and analyzed on the right.
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Fracture mechanics -
ALGOR V21 provides capabilities for calculating the J-integral results (the strain energy release rate of nonlinear elastic materials)
and stress intensifications at cracks.
Fracture analysis is a results evaluation function for Mechanical Event
Simulation and nonlinear static stress analysis, meaning that a stress analysis is performed first,
and then the fracture analysis is performed on the existing results in the Results environment.
As shown here, the "Fracture Crack Definition" dialog
can be used to specify parameters for crack analysis in the Results environment.
The window on the left shows stress contours around the crack on the surface of the model.
The window on the right shows vectors of the J-integral results (transparency was activated to show the crack growth inside).
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Phase change -
Phase change effects can be calculated more easily and accurately using the phase change material models in a transient heat transfer analysis for 2-D, brick and tetrahedral elements.
The calculated liquid fraction can be viewed in the Results environment with the "Results: Liquid Fraction" menu.
The phase change material models can include the effects of a phase change from solid to liquid (melting) or from liquid to solid (freezing).
A material model with temperature-independent properties and temperature-dependent properties are available.
In this image, the solidification of a simulated solder joint shows the progression of the liquid-solid interface.
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Duncan-Chang material model for soils -
The Duncan-Chang material model is used to simulate soil for MES and nonlinear static stress analysis.
It assumes a hyperbolic stress-strain relation and was developed based on tri-axial soil tests.
The Duncan-Chang model is designed to be used before failure and may be acceptable
for many practical problems when failure is limited and localized.
As shown here, the "Element Material Specification" screen allows
you to specify options for the Duncan-Chang soil material
model.
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Display of displacements as vectors -
Displacement results can now be shown using a vector plot.
Use "Displacement: Vector Plot".
Any result plot that uses a vector plot (displacement, reaction forces, etc.) will show the vector arrows
at the displaced location of the nodes.
Often, viewing a vector display (as opposed to displays of X, Y and Z
displacement contours) makes it easier to understand the direction of the displacements.
Shown here is a vector plot of displacements.
The arrows indicate direction and magnitude of displacements.
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