Using Parts in StressCheck

Parts are more general than Sets in that they may be viewed as independent model sub-domains, whereas Sets are simply groups of objects within the model. Parts are particularly handy when working with complex models where it is helpful to be able to activate and deactivate sub-domains of the model during construction or during post-processing (such as in Multi-Body Contact applications). Parts are also essential to the definition of Solution Configurations, i.e. the definition of multiple model configurations for the purpose of investigating model variations that are topologically different.

To define a Part, select the Parts tab in the Input dialog, set the Object combo-box of the C/A/O/M to the desired object type, and specify a unique Part name in the Part Name: box. Optionally, specify a Part description in the Part Description: box. Then, select the object(s) from the Model View that you wish to incorporate in the Part definition. Finally, click the Accept button to add the Part. The Part will now be accessible in the scrolling list of the Parts tab, and in the Parts toolbar combo-box at the top right of the user interface (Figure 2):

The below animation shows the creation of body Parts “BODY1” and “BODY2”, and how the Parts selector allows the display of one or all Parts:

Note: if Any Body is selected as the Part object type, automeshed objects (nodes/elements) generated after defining the Part will be automatically added to the Part definition.

Selecting Objects for Part Definition

To define a Part, you may select an object or group of objects by object type (such as Any Boundary, Any Element, Any Body, etc.) or use Any Object to select any object independent of object type. An object is selected from the Model View by pointing to it and clicking on the left mouse button.

• A group of objects can be marquee selected by left-clicking and dragging the cursor until the desired group is completely enclosed in a rectangular box.
• Holding the Shift key down while left-clicking will allow selection of multiple objects for assignment.
• If the group includes objects which were not to be selected then individual objects can be removed from the group by holding the Ctrl key down while clicking on them.
• If you wish to cancel the current selection of objects, simply right-click on the Model View.

Adding a Part Definition

Once an object or group of objects are selected, to add the new Part definition record simply click the Accept button. If an existing Part definition record has already been selected from the scrolling list, you first must click Deselect to cancel the current selection of objects. Then, you are able to update the Part name in the Part Name: box and create the new Part definition record as usual.

Visualizing Parts

Once parts have been defined, they may be chosen for selective viewing using the combo box in the Part Toolbar that may be activated from the View menu in the Main menu bar. The Part combo-box lists all available parts in the model, and the option All Objects and All Parts. Selecting a Part name from the Part combo-box will result in only that Part definition being displayed in the Model View. Selecting All Parts will result in all user-defined Part definitions being displayed, while selecting All Objects will display all model objects.

Adding New Objects to a Selected Part

If a specific Part name is selected in the Part combo-box, any new object created via the Geometry and Mesh tabs (e.g. elements, contact zones) will automatically be appended to that Part definition. To add new objects to a different Part definition, simply change the Part combo-box to the desired Part name before creating the new objects.

For an example of how parts are used to simplify multi-body contact analyses, refer to StressCheck Tutorial: Multi-Body Contact with Defined Parts.

Parts and Solution Configurations

As mentioned earlier, Parts are useful for controlling the contents of the Model View during model construction and post-processing. The other use of parts is to define two or more variations of a model that each represent a complete and valid model that may be solved and post-processed by StressCheck.

For example, suppose you have constructed a StressCheck model of a simple attachment lug. You may wish to analyze more than one variation of this basic lug design making different modeling assumptions. The first variation might be a simple lug with a bearing load, the second might the same lug, but with a bushing inserted into the hole. This second variation will require additional elements, and different boundary conditions. Both variations can be incorporated into the same model by using Parts and by creating Solution Configurations which define which boundary conditions should be applied to which model variation.

To create a Solution Configuration for each model variation, simply assign a Solution Configuration name, select the appropriate Part options and activate the solution ID record(s) displayed in the table that are appropriate for this Solution Configuration. After defining the Solution Configurations, you are ready to solve your model variations. You may choose whether to analyze all available Solution Configurations, or to select a particular Solution Configuration for analysis. Since each configuration uses a unique solution ID, you can save solutions for all model variations in the same database if you choose All, and post-process them all without having to solve them separately and post-process them separately. This makes comparison of model variations more convenient.

For more information on parts and solution configurations, refer to What Are Some Tips & Tricks for Using Parts and Solution Configurations?

Replacing/Deleting a Part Definition

If the user wishes to edit the objects in an existing Part definition record, or delete an existing Part definition record, the user first selects the Part definition record from the scrolling listbox directly under the C/A/O/M combo-boxes. Once it is selected, the Accept button will become inactive and the Replace and Delete buttons will be activated.

Replacing a Part Definition Record

Once a Part definition record is selected, the user may update the objects in the Part definition, and then click Replace to update the Part definition record. After clicking Replace, the Accept button will become active and the Replace and Delete buttons will become inactive.

Deleting a Part Definition Record

Once a Part definition record is selected, the user may click Delete to delete the Part definition record. After clicking Delete, the Accept button will become active and the Replace and Delete buttons will become inactive.

Removing All Part Definition Records

To remove all Part definition records, click the Purge button.