UofA ANSYS Tutorials - Data Plotting: Using Tables to Post Process Results Page 1 of 8
This tutorial was created using ANSYS 7.0 The purpose of this tutorial is to outline the steps required to
plot Vertical Deflection vs. Length of the following beam using tables, a special type of array. By
plotting this data on a curve, rather than using a contour plot, finer resolution can be achieved.
This tutorial will use a steel beam 400 mm long, with a 40 mm X 60 mm cross section as shown above.
It will be rigidly constrained at one end and a -2500 N load will be applied to the other.
1. Give the example a Title
Utility Menu > File > Change Title ...
/title, Use of Tables for Data Plots
2. Open preprocessor menu
ANSYS Main Menu > Preprocessor
/PREP7
3. Define Keypoints
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints > In Active CS...
K,#,x,y,z
We are going to define 2 keypoints for this beam as given in the following table:
Keypoint Coordinates (x,y,z)
1 (0,0)
2 (400,0)
4. Create Lines
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Lines > Lines > In Active Coord
L,1,2
Create a line joining Keypoints 1 and 2
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5. Define the Type of Element
Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete...
For this problem we will use the BEAM3 (Beam 2D elastic) element. This element has 3
degrees of freedom (translation along the X and Y axes, and rotation about the Z axis).
6. Define Real Constants
Preprocessor > Real Constants... > Add...
In the 'Real Constants for BEAM3' window, enter the following geometric properties:
i. Cross-sectional area AREA: 2400
ii. Area moment of inertia IZZ: 320e3
iii. Total beam height: 40
This defines a beam with a height of 40 mm and a width of 60 mm.
7. Define Element Material Properties
Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > Structural > Linear > Elastic > Isotropic
In the window that appears, enter the following geometric properties for steel:
i. Young's modulus EX: 200000
ii. Poisson's Ratio PRXY: 0.3
8. Define Mesh Size
Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Lines > All Lines...
For this example we will use an element edge length of 20mm.
9. Mesh the frame
Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh > Lines > click 'Pick All'
1. Define Analysis Type
Solution > Analysis Type > New Analysis > Static
ANTYPE,0
2. Apply Constraints
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Displacement > On Keypoints
Fix keypoint 1 (ie all DOF constrained)
3. Apply Loads
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Force/Moment > On Keypoints
Apply a load of -2500N on keypoint 2.
The model should now look like the figure below.
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UofA ANSYS Tutorials - Data Plotting: Using Tables to Post Process Results Page 3 of 8
4. Solve the System
Solution > Solve > Current LS
SOLVE
It is at this point the tables come into play. Tables, a special type of array, are basically matrices that can
be used to store and process data from the analysis that was just run. This example is a simplified use of
tables, but they can be used for much more. For more information type help in the command line and
search for 'Array Parameters'.
1. Number of Nodes
Since we wish to plot the verticle deflection vs length of the beam, the location and verticle
deflection of each node must be recorded in the table. Therefore, it is necessary to determine how
many nodes exist in the model. Utility Menu > List > Nodes... > OK. For this example there are
21 nodes. Thus the table must have at least 21 rows.
2. Create the Table
Utility Menu > Parameters > Array Parameters > Define/Edit > Add
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The window seen above will pop up. Fill it out as shown [Graph > Table > 22,2,1]. Note
there are 22 rows, one more than the number of nodes. The reason for this will be explained
below. Click OK and then close the 'Define/Edit' window.
3. Enter Data into Table
First, the horizontal location of the nodes will be recorded
Utility Menu > Parameters > Get Array Data ...
In the window shown below, select Model Data > Nodes
Fill the next window in as shown below and click OK [Graph(1,1) > All > Location > X].
Naming the array parameter 'Graph(1,1)' fills in the table starting in row 1, column 1, and
continues down the column.
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Next, the vertical displacement will be recorded.
Utility Menu > Parameters > Get Array Data ... > Results data > Nodal results
Fill the next window in as shown below and click OK [Graph(1,2) > All > DOF solution >
UY]. Naming the array parameter 'Graph(1,2)' fills in the table starting in row 1, column 2,
and continues down the column.
4. Arrange the Data for Ploting
Users familiar with the way ANSYS numbers nodes will realize that node 1 will be on the far left,
as it is keypoint 1, node 2 will be on the far right (keypoint 2), and the rest of the nodes are
numbered sequentially from left to right. Thus, the second row in the table contains the data for
the last node. This causes problems during plotting, thus the information for the last node must be
moved to the final row of the table. This is why a table with 22 rows was created, to provide room
to move this data.
Utility Menu > Parameters > Array Parameters > Define/Edit > Edit
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The data for the end of the beam (X-location = 400, UY = -0.833) is in row two. Cut one of
the cells to be moved (right click > Copy or Ctrl+X), press the down arrow to get to the
bottom of the table, and paste it into the appropriate column (right click > Paste or Ctrl+V).
When both values have been moved check to ensure the two entries in row 2 are zero.
Select File > Apply/Quit
5. Plot the Data
Utility Menu > Plot > Array Parameters
The following window will pop up. Fill it in as shown, with the X-location data on the X-
axis and the vertical deflection on the Y-axis.
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To change the axis labels select Utility Menu > Plot Ctrls > Style > Graphs > Modify
Axes ...
To see the changes to the labels, select Utility Menu > Replot
The plot should look like the one seen below.
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UofA ANSYS Tutorials - Data Plotting: Using Tables to Post Process Results Page 8 of 8
The above example was solved using a mixture of the Graphical User Interface (or GUI) and the
command language interface of ANSYS. This problem has also been solved using the ANSYS
command language interface that you may want to browse. Open the .HTML version, copy and paste the
code into Notepad or a similar text editor and save it to your computer. Now go to 'File > Read input
from...' and select the file. A .PDF version is also available for printing.
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