Generating the model for validation run

The model for validation run combines the geometry produced by SOLID_MESH (or, in case of a shell element model, by RECONSTRUCT) with the loads, boundary conditions, materials etc. from the initial model.

Context:

Note: The node-related information is only conserved for the nodes that are common to the original model and the surface generated by Tosca Structure.smooth. E.g., since the intermediate nodes of quadratic elements are not taken into account by Tosca Structure.smooth, any loads assigned to them are lost. The only exception to this rule is that the new nodes placed between two SPC nodes by Tosca Structure.smooth get SPC status as well.

For 3D models, Tosca Structure.smooth replaces the solid elements with the isosurface but leaves the loaded elements unchanged. Therefore, the only element-related information that remains in the model for validation run is restricted to the loaded elements. The loaded nodes (but not SPC nodes) are automatically marked as remaining by Tosca Structure.smooth, so that they are necessarily present in the isosurface, unless they belong to a small isolated part that gets removed (see the description of COMPONENT_LIMITING_SIZE parameter of Tosca Structure.smooth).

  1. The model for validation run is written in the same solver format as the original model selecting SMOOTH > SMOOTH_INSTANCE > VALIDATE > VALIDATION_OUTPUT as shown in the following figure:

  2. Choose VALIDATE > New > VALIDATION_OUTPUT.

    A file saving dialog is opened.

  3. Choose the file.

    The name is used as the name of the VALIDATION_OUTPUT item.

  4. To change the file name, apply Edit on this item. Further solver specific settings may be available.

  5. Select Update to generate the model.

    Important: For the models with solid elements, save the model after applying SOLID_MESH, since otherwise only the surface (plus the loaded elements) will be saved.

  6. For models with shell elements, these elements get a default property created by Tosca ANSA® environment, because Tosca Structure.smooth does not preserve the information about element properties. To see the properties, select Windows > Properties.

  7. Apply Edit to a property in the opened window.

    Initially, the default properties have DEFINED = NO. Because of that, these properties are not saved in the model for validation run, and thus it contains elements with undefined properties and the solver run fails.

  8. A solution to this problem is to set DEFINED = YES manually to the automatically defined property (usually called PSHELL 1).

  9. To save the model in any available solver format, use File > Output.

    Note: However, this method is not recommended since only the model geometry and the groups are expected to be saved, and, also, the shell elements should be removed manually if the result of SOLID_MESH alone is to be saved.

  10. For the automatic generation of validation models in Tosca ANSA® environment only one material can be supported in the design area.

  11. The model for validation run is written in the same solver format as the original model selecting SMOOTH > SMOOTH_INSTANCE > VALIDATE > MODIFICATION_FILES as shown in the following figure:

  12. In the appeared Save dialog, specify the name of the verification model in the optimization neutral .onf format. However after choosing MODIFICATION_FILES > Update the verification model will be created in the solver format of the design space model.

    Important: After creating a verification file using the MODIFICATION_FILE option, the execution of the solver job from TAe is not possible. Please use your solver specific environment for starting and postprocessing the verification job.