HS-1680: Set Up an OptiStruct Model

OptiStruct simulations can be directly integrated into HyperStudy without any pre-processor such as HyperMesh.

The integration takes place through interpreting variables represented by symbolic substitution and automatically extracting user-defined responses. This tutorial demonstrates how to parametrize an input deck and request responses via HyperMesh and subsequently set up a OptiStruct model in HyperStudy. Thickness and Young's Modulus values will be the input variables of interest.

Add Parameters and Export OptiStruct Deck

  1. Launch HyperStudy and open the beam.hm file from your working directory.
    Important: Verify the Profile is OptiStruct.
  2. From the Model Browser, double-click Properties.
    Tip: If necessary, you can enable the Model Browser from the menu bar by clicking View > Model Browser.
    The Properties Browser opens.
  3. From the Properties Browser, select the PSHELL_1 property card.
  4. Right-click the T value and select Parameter > Create from the context menu.
    The Create Parameter dialog opens.
  5. In the Create Parameter dialog, create the first parameter.
    1. For Name, enter thickness1.
    2. Click Close.
  6. From the Model Browser, double-click Materials.
    The Materials Browser opens.
  7. From the Materials Browser, select the MAT1 material card.
  8. Right-click the E value and select Parameter > Create from the context menu.
    The Create Parameter dialog opens.
  9. In the Create Parameter dialog, create the second parameter.
    1. For Name, enter Emodulus.
    2. Click Close.
    The Parameters Browser is populated with the two created parameters.


    Figure 1.
  10. Add a user-defined response that returns maximum von mises stress of elements under PSHELL_1 property.
    Note: Responses can be defined in HyperMesh prior to realizing the connection.
    The following responses are extracted by default.
    • Mass
    • Volume
    • Maximum Displacement for each linear static load case
    • First Mode if normal modes analysis is included
    1. In the Optimize ribbon, Targets group, click the Responses tool.
      The Create Optimization Response dialog opens.
    2. In the Create Optimization Response dialog, enter vomM for Name.
    3. For Response Type, select static stress.
    4. For List Of Properties, select the value.
    5. In the model, select PSHELL_1 and click to confirm your selection.


      Figure 2.
    6. Click Close.


    Figure 3.
  11. From the menu bar, click File > Export > Solver Deck to export beam.fem to the working directory.
    Note: The file may be opened in a text editor of choice to view the parameters.


    Figure 4.

Set Up OptiStruct Model

  1. Start HyperStudy.
  2. Start a new study in the following ways:
    • From the menu bar, click File > New.
    • On the ribbon, click .
  3. In the Add Study dialog, enter a study name, select a location for the study, and click OK.
  4. Go to the Define Models step.
  5. Add the OptiStruct model by dragging-and-dropping the beam.fem file from the Directory into the work area.


    Figure 5.
  6. Click Import Variables.
    Two input variables are imported from the beam.fem file.
  7. Go to the Define Input Variables step and review the input variables.


    Figure 6.
  8. Go to the Define Output Responses step and review the input variables.


    Figure 7.
  9. Go to the Test Models step and click Run Definition.
    An approaches/setup_1-def/ directory is created inside the study Directory. The approaches/setup_1-def/run__00001/m_1 directory contains output files, which is the result of the nominal run.