Symmetry Constraint

[mwighton]

I was trying to get a model to run using a symmetry constrain but was unable to get it to solve, so I made a very simple linear static analysis to check if I was doing the constraint properly. The following are the results I got:

Im confused at to why the results are significantly off from each other.

I have attached the files as well.

[mwighton · Accepted solution]

I have figured out what my problem is. I was running two different analysis, one with the force directed in the y axis and the other in the x axis. 

For the y axis analysis I had a total force of -5000 lbf in both models, but the half model should be half the force since the symmetry constrain reflects the force as well.

Similarly the x axis analysis I had a force pushing towards the middle of the part on one side, but when I cut the part in half and put the symmetry constrain the force was reflected as well. This is why my results were completely different.

On a side note, the solve time for the full model was faster than the half model which doesn't make sense to me considering the point of a half model is to decrease solve time.....But, either way my problem was solved with similar results.

Attached is a picture of the Von Mises stress.