File Will Not Open After Defining Part Attributes

[Anonymous]

I am working my way through setting up a model in Simulation Mechanical 2017.  I am defining part attributes (plate element, thickness, and material) in a linear analysis.  Once I get past a certain point and I save and close the file it refuses to reopen.  It crashes Simulation Mechanical ilo opening the file.  Has anyone had similar experiences?

[John_Holtz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

The first question is whether other models work okay. In other words, is the problem with one particular model (and therefore something in the model that is causing the problem), or does the problem occur with other models (and therefore there is a problem with the installation).

You should look at this article to see if it applies to your situation: Simulation Mechanical crashes while opening file. There may be other articles that apply, but this one seemed the most likely.

If the article does not solve the problem, then this may help. The input is saved in two locations, so knowing which location is causing the problem could provide some clue.

1. Rename the folder "modelname.ds_data" to something different (like "modelname.ds_data-save"). This will "delete" the input saved in the model database (model.dbf) such as the material properties and plate thickness. With this input "deleted", can the model be opened? If so, the question is what input is causing the problem. (Excel can open the model.dbf file as a "dBase" type file; maybe that will show something that looks corrupt.)
2. If the model cannot be opened with the .ds_data folder renamed, then there is something in the .fem file that is causing the problem. Diagnosing this type of problem is difficult at best.