Create callouts and compare multiple analysis and optimization results.
In this lesson you will learn how to:
Create callouts for analysis results
Compare analysis results
Compare optimization results
Change the result type being compared
Show callouts in the comparison table
Sort and add columns to the comparison table
Overview
When performing optimization or finite element analysis, it is typical to generate
many different models and results, each with slight variations. The Compare Results
feature allows you to easily display and compare analysis or optimization runs in a
table format. All of the results that have been generated or loaded into Inspire during the current session can be compared. When
combined with callouts, this allows for detailed interrogation of analysis
results.
Some typical use cases include:
Performing an analysis with multiple load cases. For example, the maximum
stress results across all load cases can be compared in a single table.
Comparing optimization runs generated from variations in shape controls and
minimum thickness. The resulting mass estimates and parameters used in each
run are summarized, allowing you to assess performance against cost and
complexity.
Running a single model with an increasingly small element size and comparing
the results to ensure convergence.
Open a Model and View Analysis Results
Let's start by opening a model with analysis results and
comparing those results using the Analysis Explorer.
Press F7 to open the Demo Browser.
Double-click the Compare_Analysis_Results.stmod file to
load it in the modeling window.
This model has several surface and solid parts with five different load
cases.
Make sure the display units in the Unit System Selector are set to
MPA (mm t N s).
Select the Show Analysis Results tool on the Structure
ribbon.
Note that in the Analysis Explorer, all five load cases are shown and have
seven different result types associated with each.
Select Factor of Safety for the Result Type and click
through each of the load cases.
Note that it is difficult to compare the results for each load case without
writing down the minimum result for each.
Compare Analysis Results
Next, let's compare results using the comparison
table.
Click the icon under Callouts on the Analysis Explorer.
This adds a callout where the minimum factor of safety occurs.
Click the Compare Results button on the Analysis
Explorer.
A table comparing the minimum factor of safety across all load cases is
displayed below the modeling window.
Click the table title and select Displacement to change
what type of results are compared.
Right-click on a column header in the comparison table and select additional
result types and parameters to display as columns.
Click the Min Factor of Safety column header to sort the
analysis runs by that result.
Repeated clicks will toggle the sort order between ascending and
descending.
After sorting, an arrow appears in the column header indicating whether the
column is sorted in ascending or descending order. Right-click the arrow to open
a window that allows you to select which runs and load cases to display and to
filter the results.
Add Callouts to the Model
Sometimes it is useful to understand the response at a
specific location across all load cases. This can be done using callouts.
Select the "forward left" load case in the Analysis Explorer.
Select von Mises Stress for the Result Type and identify
the area with the maximum von Mises stress.
Click the icon under Callouts on the Analysis Explorer.
Click the min/max callout in the modeling window to create a standard callout
in the same location.
Click the icon under Callouts to turn off the min/max
callout.
Right-click the callout and select Result Types > X Displacement from the context menu.
From here, you can select additional result types and other derived results
such as reaction forces that you want to display at the callout location.
Callouts can also be shown in the comparison table.
Right-click on a column header in the table and select Callouts > Min/Max Callout 1 to add this as a column to the table.
Click the table title and select Min/Max Callout
1 to compare different result types at the callout
location.
Note: Contents of cells in the table can be highlighted and then copied and
pasted using Ctrl+C and
Ctrl+V.
Compare Optimization Results
Next, we'll use the comparison table to compare
optimization results.
Double-click the Compare_Optimization.stmod file in the
Demo Browser to load it in the modeling window.
This model has three load cases, with two sets of optimization results and two
sets of reanalysis results.
Select the Show Optimization Results tool on the
Structure ribbon.
Note that in the Shape Explorer, there are two different optimization results
with very different topology.
Click the Compare Results button on the Shape
Explorer.
A table comparing the optimized mass and compliance for each run is
displayed.
Right-click one of the column headers in the table and select Shape
Controls, Symmetry Controls,
Load Cases, Objective, and
Thickness to add these columns to the table.
Double-click on the run name in the first row, and then the second row.
Note how the optimized shape shown in the modeling window is updated based on
which run is selected in the table.
Note: Note that the second run has a split
draw shape control and twice the minimum thickness of the first run. Also,
the mass of the optimized shape for the first run is lower than for the
second run. This is expected, as with fewer constraints on the design, a
more optimum shape is obtained. The first run would likely be more complex
to manufacture using traditional methods, increasing the costs. Summarizing
these results in table form can greatly aid assessing design
concepts.
Compare Reanalysis Results
Now we'll go back and compare the reanalysis results,
which were created by clicking the Analyze button on the Shape Explorer for each
optimization result.
Select the Show Analysis Results tool on the Structure
ribbon.
Click the Compare Results button on the Analysis
Explorer.
A table comparing the total mass and minimum factor of safety for each
run and load case is displayed below the modeling window.
Right-click one of the column headers in the table and select Max
Displacement, Max von Mises Stress, and Analysis Settings > Element Size to add these columns to the table.
Being able to quickly and easily compare the performance
of many concepts at an early stage allows the best design features and potential problem
areas to be identified, and is an essential part of the design process.