This document describes how to build and mesh a 2D bracket model in ANSYS using parameters. It involves defining geometric parameters, creating areas to represent the bracket geometry, subtracting holes, applying mesh controls and material properties, and finally meshing the model with quadrilateral elements. The model is then saved with a filename containing the parameters for reuse and easy modification by changing the parameter values.

1. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
Workshop 10
APDL Basics
2-D Bracket
using Parameters

2. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-2
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
Description
• Build and mesh the 2-D bracket shown below using parameters.

3. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-3
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
d1
(6 in)
d2
(4 in)
width
(2 in)
width
(2 in)
width/2
(1 in)
rad1
(0.4 in)
rad1
(0.4 in)
r_fillet
(0.4 in)
thick
(0.5 in)

4. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-4
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
1. Enter ANSYS in the working directory specified by your instructor using “bracket2d”
as the jobname.
2. Define the parameters:
– Utility Menu > Parameters > Scalar Parameters ...
• d1 = 6
• d2 = 4
• d3 = 2
• e_size = 0.25
• e_type=82
• ex1 = 30e6
• nu = 0.27
• r_fillet = 0.4
• rad1 = 0.4
• thick = 0.5
• [Close]

5. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-5
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
3. Enter the preprocessor and create two rectangular areas:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Create > -Areas- Rectangle > By Centr & Cornr +
• WP X = d1/2
• WP Y = 0
• Width = d1
• Height = d3
• [Apply]
• WP X = d1-d3/2
• WP Y = -d2/2+d3/2
• Width = d3
• Height = d2
• [OK]
– Or issue:
/PREP7
BLC5, d1/2, 0, d1, d3
BLC5, d1-d3/2, -d2/2+d3/2, d3, d2

6. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-6
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
4. Create two circular areas:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Create > -Areas- Circle > Solid Circle +
• WP X = 0
• WP Y = 0
• Radius = d3/2
• [Apply]
• WP X = d1-d3/2
• WP Y = -d2+d3/2
• Radius = d3/2
• [OK]
– Or issue:
CYL4, , ,d3/2
CYL4, d1-d3/2, -d2+d3/2, d3/2
5. Add all of the areas together to form a single area:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Operate > -Booleans- Add > Areas +
• [Pick All]
– Or issue:
AADD,ALL

7. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-7
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
6. Turn line numbering on and plot lines:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering ...
• Set Line numbers on, then [OK]
– Utility Menu > Plot > Lines
– Or issue:
/PNUM,LINE,1
LPLOT
7. Create a line fillet at the intersection of lines 18 and 24:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Create > -Lines- Line Fillet +
• Pick lines 18 and 24, then [OK]
• RAD = r_fillet
• [OK]
– Or issue:
LFILLT, 18, 24, r_fillet

8. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-8
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
8. Plot lines and then create an area bounded by lines 1, 3, and 4:
– Utility Menu > Plot > Lines
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Create > -Areas- Arbitrary > By Lines +
• Pick lines 1, 3, and 4, then [OK]
– Or issue:
LPLOT
AL, 1, 3, 4
9. Add all of the areas together to form a single area:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Operate > -Booleans- Add > Areas +
• [Pick All]
– Or issue:
AADD,ALL

9. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-9
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
10. Create the two circular areas for the bracket holes:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Create > -Areas- Circle > Solid Circle +
• WP X = 0
• WP Y = 0
• Radius = rad1
• [Apply]
• WP X = d1-d3/2
• WP Y = -d2+d3/2
• Radius = rad1
• [OK]
– Or issue:
CYL4, , ,rad1
CYL4, d1-d3/2, -d2+d3/2, rad1
11. Subtract the two circular areas from the bracket area:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > -Modeling- Operate > -Booleans- Subtract > Areas +
• Pick the bracket (base) area, then [OK]
• Pick the two circular areas, then [OK]
– Or issue:
ASBA, 2, ALL

10. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-10
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
12. Define element type 1 as PLANE82 and set keyopt(3)=3:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete ...
• [Add ...]
• Select “Structural Solid” and “Quad 8node 82”, then [OK]
• [Options …]
• K3 = Plane strs w/thk
• [OK]
• [Close]
– Or issue:
ET, 1, e_type (or ET, 1, PLANE82)
KEYOPT, 1, 3, 3
13. Define the bracket thickness:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Real Constants > Add/Edit/Delete …
• [Add ...]
• [OK]
• THK = thick
• [OK]
• [Close]
– Or issue:
R, 1, thick

11. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-11
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
14. Define material properties:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > Material Props > -Constant- Isotropic ...
• [OK]
• EX = ex1
• NUXY = nu
• [OK]
– Or issue:
MP, EX, 1, ex1
MP, NUXY, 1, nu

12. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-12
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
15. Set element size and free mesh the model with quad elements:
– Main Menu > Preprocessor > MeshTool …
• Activate smart sizing and set its level to 4
• Pick [Set] under Size Controls: Global
• SIZE = e_size
• [OK]
• Select “Free” and “Quad” under Shape:
• [Mesh]
• [Pick All]
– Or issue:
SMRTSIZE,4
ESIZE,e_size
MSHAPE,0,2D
MSHKEY,0
AMESH,ALL

13. INTRODUCTION
TO
ANSYS
5.6
-
Part
1
Workshop Supplement
001289
30 Nov 1999
W10-13
10. APDL Basics
2-D Bracket using Parameters
16. Save the meshed model and exit ANSYS:
– Utility Menu > File > Save as …
• Enter “bracket2d-mesh.db” as the database name, then [OK]
– Pick the “QUIT” button in the Toolbar
• Select “Quit - No Save!”
• [OK]
– Or issue:
SAVE,bracket2d-mesh,db
FINISH
/EXIT,NOSAVE