Generative Part Structural Analysis
(GP1) - P1, (GPS, MGS) - P2

General Issues

Improving Performance on Windows using the Intel Math Kernel Libraries (MKL) To improve performance, download the Intel MKL library from the following Intel web site:
http://developer.intel.com/software/products/index.htm
To install the MKL, you just have to execute the downloaded file. Then, add the following string to your PATH environment variable:
  • 32-bit: C:\Program Files\intel\MKL\XX\ia32\bin (where XX is the level of MKL)
    The supported MKL versions are 6, 7, 8 and 9.
  • 64-bit: C:\Program Files\intel\MKL\XX\em64t\bin (where XX is the level of MKL)
    The supported MKL versions are 8 and 9.

Warning:

  • MKL 10.0 and upper versions are not supported.
  • You may have to pay Intel to use some libraries.
Inserting Preprocessing Sets and Toolbar Customization To insert a mass set, a restraint set, or a load set in an analysis case, you must use the Create Preprocessing Set > Masses, Restraints, or Loads contextual menu as described in the Generative Structural Analysis User's Guide.
Do not add those three commands in a toolbar using the Tools > Customize menu.
Associativity Part Features vs. CATAnalysis Document If you delete the last feature in the specification tree of a part linked to the analysis document, the analysis specifications may be lost. You must re-define the design specifications to be applied to each analysis feature specification.
Recommended methodology: Create a dummy feature to be the last feature in the specification tree, and insert all new design features before the dummy feature.
Visualization of Analysis Specifications
  • When you modify the design and return to the Generative Structural Analysis workbench, the preprocessing specifications are not automatically displayed.
    Workaround: Double-click the analysis specifications in the specification tree to edit the specifications.
     
  • The maximum number of symbols displayed to represent an analysis specification is set to20 symbols per support.
2D Display and Undo Command The creation and the edition of a 2D display does not support the Undo command.
Workaround: Delete the 2D display.
Replacing a .CATPart in a .CATAnalysis Document It is strongly recommended to use publications to replace a .CATPart by another one in a .CATAnalysis document.
  1. Publish all the geometries that are the supports of analysis specifications (mesh parts, properties, preprocessing specifications...) using the Tools > Publication... menu.
  2. Make sure the published geometries of the new .CATPart are named as the published geometries of the replaced .CATPart.
  3. Replace the CATPart using the Edit > Links... menu.

Body-typed supports: if you work with the body created by default in the part document, you can replace a part by another one without using publications.

Change in Shell Element Formulation The shell element formulation uses a shell normal tolerance that varies depending on the release:
  • For Version 5 Release 18, this value is equal to 0 degrees.
  • For Version 5 Release 19, Version 5 Release 19 SP1, and Version 5 Release 19 SP2, this value is equal to 5 degrees.
  • From Version 5 Release 19 SP3, this value is equal to 20 degrees.

This can slightly modify the computation results.

To learn more, see Generative Structural Analysis User's Guide: Frequently Asked Questions: Solver Computation: How are shell elements computed.

This value can be modified using an environment variable, see Generative Structural Analysis User's Guide: Frequently Asked Questions: Singularity Computation: How to tune the singularity detection.

Left-handed Axis System
  • Before Version 5 Release 17, the selection of left-handed axis systems was authorized.
    Only the X and Y coordinates are used: the Z coordinate is obtained by the cross product of the X and Y coordinates (Z = X x Y) satisfying the right-hand rule.
    It is possible that some preprocessing data are not in desired sense.

  • From the Version 5 Release 17, it is not possible to select left-handed axis systems anymore.
    The models built with left-handed axis system are invalidated.

1D Property: Beam from Surface Option Although the Beam from surface option belongs to the ELFINI Structural Analysis (EST) product, this option is available with the Generative Part Structural Analysis (GPS) product.
The choice of this option will not be taken into account by the solver if the ELFINI Structural Analysis (EST) product is not installed.

You must install the ELFINI Structural Analysis (EST) product for the Beam from surface option to be taken into account by the solver.

Properties and Transformed Mesh Parts When applying a property to mesh part that has been transformed (by transformation), the transformed mesh part inherits this property.
The transfer of the properties between the parent mesh part and the transformed mesh part with multi-selection of supports may not have the desired behavior.
Workaround
: create several transformed mesh parts with mono-selection of support.
Integration with Product Engineering Optimization (PEO) Product Do not use the local properties in the algorithm for constraints and derivative providers.
Local Sensors: Stress Von Mises All the Stress Von Mises local sensors created before the V5R15 release are invalidated while opening a .CATAnalysis document.
You have to launch an update (using the Update Sensor or Update all Sensors contextual menus) or launch a computation (using the Compute icon).
Color Palette and Hide/Show If you want to show a color palette that you hid using the Hide/Show capability, you have to recreate the image associated with the color palette.
Smoothing Post-treatment for 2D Properties

The smoothing process (element to node) has been modified for the 2D properties (Shell, Membrane, Shear Panel).

Previously the axis of the first found connected element was arbitrarily chosen.

The axis system at node is now the mean axis system of the adjacent elements for characteristics owning a local axis system.

This will change results when large angle is detected between elements connected to a node.
The image/sensor types (at Node position) impacted by this enhancement are: principal stress, stress symbol...

Interoperability
  • It is strongly recommended to manage interoperability of analysis documents with ENOVIA V5 (open, save and impact graph) using the VPM Navigator product.
  • "Analysis on a product saved in Explode mode" and "Data Mapping" capabilities are supported by the VPM Navigator product but not by ENOVIAVPM Version 4 and ENOVIA 3dcom.

Open Issues

AnalysisUpdatePLMBatch and Computation Files that Exceed 2Gb The computation of a CATAnalysis document using the AnalysisUpdatePLMBatch batch fails if the generated CATAnalysisComputations file exceeds 2Gb. When the generated CATAnalysisComputations file exceeds 2Gb, this file cannot be saved in the database and prevents the computation process using the batch to be successful.
Workaround: select the Automatic clearing of computation data check box in the Tools > Options > Analysis & Simulation > External Storage > Computation Data Management on save settings to remove computation data when the CATAnalysis file is saved, and run again the computation using the AnalysisUpdatePLMBatch batch.
 

Documentation

Authorized Supports - Force Density Mechanical features are now authorized as support of a force density.
The Authorized Supports chapter will be updated in a forthcoming Service Pack.