5.

4 Model pre-processing

5.4.1

73

Shell mesh generation in ANSA

First step
After running the software ANSA, the CAD file 2N15_A04545_ AC_A28.igs which contains the geometry of all components of the cross car beam is loaded. The geometry of the
structure will be available on the main screen as it can be seen in Figure 5.3. As a model
for the PAM-CRASH solver is being created the default NASTRAN module must change to
PAM-CRASH module. To finish this first step, now in the correct module, two mesh files must
be loaded, one in the mesh parameters window named 7MM.ansa_mpar and the other in the
quality criteria window named fIAT_PARAMETERS.ansa_qual. These files were provided
by SODECIA in the framework of the CCB360 QREN resulting project from a partnership
between FEUP and SODECIA, as already mentioned in previous chapters.

Figure 5.3: First step.

Second step
After loading the mesh parameters file in the mesh parameters window it is convenient
to examine the parameters and features defined on the five tabs available. Later, during mesh
generation of each component of the structure it may be needed to alter the value of some
parameters and enable/disable some features in order to get the best mesh.
The same applies in the quality criteria window where PAM-CRASH calculation should
be chosen where available, crash time step should be defined and maximum element length
value should be at least two times the minimum length value. Figure 5.4 illustrates all fields
of this window as they should be defined.