Webinar Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis

4/03/2015
Meshing : how to set
Professional

parameters and how to

avoid running into issues
Artur Kosakowski
Rafał Gaweda

© 2013
Autodesk
 Welcome to Autodesk Help Webinar Series!

Where do we announce?
 www.autodesk.com/help-webinars
 Autodesk CFD Forum
 Direct Emails
 Twitter - @ADSKSimulation
 Facebook - AutodeskSimulation
 LinkedIn - Computational Fluid
Dynamics

© 2013
Autodesk
 November CFD Support Knowledge
Articles
knowledge.autodesk.com
 Articles for covered topic:

 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/article/ROBOT-it-is-impossible-to-mesh-a-panel
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/article/ROBOT-panels-do-not-look-normal-do-not-have-standard-meshing-options
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/article/ROBOT-MODEL-GENERATION-how-to-avoid-automatic-change-of-previously-corrected-meshes
 http://knowledge.autodesk.com/article/Object-meshing-error-recommended-meshing-options

Troubleshooting Articles – this is a new page focused around your most 
common troubleshooting problems
http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/robot‐structural‐analysis‐
products/troubleshooting#?sort=score

© 2013
Autodesk
 Summary:
1. What are « Webinars » and how they are intended to work

2. What will we talk about in this first Webinar and what is the agenda for the
next one

3. Meshing in Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional

1. Meshing options
2. Recommended meshing settings for defined model geometry
3. Influence of a way you create a model on meshing generation

4. How to define geometry of a model to avoid meshing problems

1. Walls with several openings

2. Simplify (unnecessary complicated) geometry

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 What are « Webinars » and how they are
intended to work
 What: Focusing on one or several topics in order to give solutions for
problems frequently submitted to support team

 How : Future sessions invitations will be posted on Robot forum in

the section dedicated to Webinars:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Robot-Structural-Analysis/bd-p/2053

This webinars are not supposed to be extended training 
sessions.

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Autodesk
 Topics covered in this “Webinar” and what we
plan for the next one:

 This Webinar : Meshing – how to set

parameters and how to avoid running into
issues

 Quick summary of available meshing options.

 How to avoid running into issues – recommended
modelling techniques

 Next Webinar : Troubleshooting meshing

issues: reasons for problems with mesh
generation and how to solve them
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 Quick summary of available meshing
options
How to access meshing options:  Generation of calculation model

 Definition of panel calculation model

 Setting meshing options for all or currently

selected panels

 Freezing already generated meshes

 Unfreezing already generated meshes

Or with the scroll-down menu :  Mesh generation for currently selected

”Analysis” / “Meshing” panels

 Erasing mesh from currently selected

panels

 Definition of emitters

 Mesh consolidation

 Mesh refinement

 Mesh quality verification

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Autodesk
 Recommended meshing options for
defined model geometry
 Two types of meshing algorithms available
 Coons (less flexible but can be used no
3D shape surfaces)
 Delaunay (highly adaptable but limited to
flat surfaces)

 Three options for setting sizes of

generated surface elements:
 Automatic
 User defined
 Element size (recommended)

 Finite (surface) element types:

 4-node quadrilaterals
 3-node triangles (recommended for
very irregular surfaces)

 Delaunay method parameters

 Regular mesh (recommended for situation
when bar elements are defined close and
paraller to panel’s edges but sensitive to
model geometry accuracy)
 Delaunay
 Delaunay + Kang (for local mesh
refinement around defined emiters)
 Kang (based on emitters defined in
nodes)

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Autodesk
 Recommended meshing options for
defined model geometry
Suggested settings of meshing parameters in Job 
Preferences:

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Autodesk
 Recommended meshing options for
defined model geometry
„Controlled” use of kinematic constrains

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Autodesk
 Recommended meshing options for
defined model geometry
For « mashroom slabs » : 

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Autodesk
 Recommended meshing options for
defined model geometry
Difference in results with the reduction 
over supports switched off and on

Sans réduction

Avec réduction

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Autodesk
 Recommended meshing options for
defined model geometry
Models with panels of very different sizes

Example: long slab supported by narrow walls: 

Element size: automatic
Maillage automatique

Options de maillage
Element (edge) size defined in units 
adaptées
of length

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Autodesk
 Influence of a way you create a model on
meshing generation
Snap points :
Each object defined inside or at edges of a panel is treated as characteristic 
(snap) point during mesh generation
Examples: Characteristic points of a panel contur defined very close to each other or bar 
origin close to the perpendicular panel edge

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Autodesk
nfluence of a way you create a model on
meshing generation
nap points :
Each object defined inside or at edges of a panel is treated as characteristic 
(snap) point during mesh generation
w to define geometry of a model to avoid
meshing problems
mple : Wall with several openings
Pros (bottom model):

 Reduce possible meshing errors 
(interactions with other parts of a
model).

 Easier to define geometry

 Reduced size of a model (less nodes)

 Ability to see bending moments as 
well as axial and shear forces for a 
beam and columns

 Possibility to transfer bar elements to 
RC Design modules

 Easier to obtain good quality mesh for 
a wall
w to define geometry of a model to avoid
meshing problems
plify geometry

Not each architectural „detail” has to be represented in the 
structural model of a structure

 Replace short walls or very narrow overhanging slabs 
with corresponding loads

 Avoid  defining bar elements with very small offsets 
from edges or planes of slabs and walls (define them at 
edges or in planes of panels instead)

 Elete isolated nodes when no longer needed (e.g. nodes 
used to create model geometry which may inflence 
meshing)
Autres ressources:

 Articles techniques sur le Forum Français:

ttp://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot‐structural‐analysis/article‐
maillage‐incoherent‐sur‐les‐bords/td‐p/4922466

ttp://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot‐structural‐analysis/article‐la‐
eference‐cyclique‐dans‐la‐definition‐des‐liaisons/td‐p/4922528

ttp://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot‐structural‐analysis/article‐
reation‐d‐un‐maillage‐a‐partir‐de‐noeuds‐emetteurs/td‐p/4961028
Questions ?
 Next webinar session on 23/02/2015 for topic : 
MESHING – what the reasons of problems such as lack of mesh 
generation and incoherent meshes on edges are and how to solve 
them