Graphical problem in results environment?

[drpalo]

Haven't been using Algor long. Hopefully this is an easy question. In the attached image, in the results environment, the model appears to be missing a lot of geometry. What would cause this? Other than being attacked by a school of piranha.

Thanks

[S.LI]

What's the "view->display" here?

did you try all, such as shaded, mesh, features etc.?

[drpalo]

This is shaded with features. Yes, it's the same with all other display types.

[S.LI]

Is the wrong part beam/shell?

Could you try without 3-D visualization if yes?

[drpalo]

Brick elements. CAD geometry from STP file created in Inventor. All one solid piece.

[John_Holtz]

My guess is that you remeshed the model after the first analysis and the Results environment is only showing the original elements. Use "Display Options > Show All" to show all of the elements.

[S.LI]

Following John's hint here, I really saw some similar problem.

After some simulation, and mesh is changed (such as with/without mid-side nodes), the check-model will show bad elements/meshes.

[drpalo]

"Show all" doesn't change anything. Is it a size issue? Too many elements? Attached is the mesh results. Also, I just noticed on the mesh results it says there are microholes. I did not have the "allow microholes" box checked. On a previous mesh attempt I did, but not on this one.

Thanks for the ideas/help.

[John_Holtz]

Unless you are using a 386 computer with 1 MB of RAM 26000 elements is not a problem.

My second guess is the element type that you have set is not proper for the type of mesh created. The solid mesh is a mix of all variety of brick elements (8-node brick, 6-node wedges, 5-node pyramids, 4-node tetrahedrons.) Therefore, the Element Type needs to be brick. By any chance, is the element type set to Tetrahedron?

If this is not the solution, the create an archive ("File > Archive > Create") of the model only, and see if the archive file (.ACH) is small enough to be posted to the forum.

[drpalo]

The element type is set to brick. I'll see if I can post the archive.

[Anonymous]

I've had this happen tons of times. Usually just hiding and then showing the parts again helps. At least for me.

[drpalo]

John,

My archive file is over 43 MB. It's over 38 MB zipped. A little overweight from what I've read. Any other options?

Bjorn,

Tried hiding/showing a few times & nothing. Not even an improvement. Looks exactly the same.

[Anonymous]

You can use sendspace.com to upload files up to 300mb for free. 🙂

[drpalo]

Learn something new every day. Thanks Bjorn.

John,

Where/who do I send this to?

Thanks

[John_Holtz]

Interesting problem. You can either post the link to sendspace.com in a post on this forum (which obviously would give access to your model to everyone) or to me (John.Holtz@autodesk.com).

[drpalo]

John,

I sent the archive file your way via Sendspace. If you don't get it, let me know. I'll keep looking into this issue.

Thanks again for the help.

[John_Holtz]

Hi,

I think the problem is with the meshing, not the graphics in the Results environment. If your CAD application can calculate the volume, compare it with Algor's calculation (2526635 cubic untis). Is the real volume much larger?

Such thin geometry is difficult to mesh with solid (brick) elements. Personally, I would suggest modelling the bridge-like structure (a boom of a crane?) using beam elements. Since a beam model looks like a stick figure, this would need to be drawn from scratch. (Or if your CAD application can create a DXF file of the beam centerlines, that could be imported into Algor.)

[drpalo]

Actual volume in the Inventor model is 2,788,885 cu in. Sounds like there's no way to work with the geometry as is? Problem is, a lot of the members on this piece of equipment aren't uniform through whole length. It may be an I-beam but it's 24" tall on one end, then it tapers down to 18" tall on the other end. If I have a combination of CAD geometry & beam elements, won't the problem still exist since the members I can't make beams will still be "thin" geometry?

Thanks

[drpalo · Accepted solution]

Removed half of the components from the model. Seems to be working now. I'll try to replace all those components with beam elements.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.