SimcenterKnowledge

Boundary conditions > Structural constraints > Nastran, Simcenter 3D Multiphysics, Abaqus, ANSYS, and LS-DYNA structural constraints > Transient initial conditions (Nastran)

Define normal transient initial conditions

The Normal type lets you define a transient initial condition with a magnitude and a +/– direction normal to the selected geometry or element faces. The software creates a displacement coordinate system if the normal direction does not match the work coordinate system Z direction.

  1. Choose Home tab→Loads and Conditions group→Transient Initial Conditions .

  2. In the Transient Initial Conditions dialog box, select Normal from the Type list.

  3. In the Model Objects group, click Select Object and select the curve, point, mesh point, polygon face/edge, or element to which the initial conditions will be applied.

  4. In the Magnitudes group, define the Initial Displacement and/or Initial Velocity as constant values or expressions. For more information, see Expressions.

  5. (Optional) In the Distribution group, select the method for distributing the initial conditions.Select Constant to apply the magnitude as a constant value.Select Spatial to use a unitless field to map the magnitude to the elements.For more information, see Using fields and expressions to define boundary conditions.

  6. Click OK.The constraint is applied to the model.

How do I

Define transient initial conditions using magnitude and direction

Define transient initial conditions using components

Learn more

Transient initial conditions (Nastran)

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Define normal transient initial conditions, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

© 2020 Siemens

window.mainLanguage="en_US"

window.delivId=""

window.projectId=""

MathJax.Hub.Config({ TeX: { extensions: ["autoload-all.js"] }, tex2jax: { displayMath: [ ] }, "SVG": { scale: 125 } });

Source: https://docs.sw.siemens.com/en-US/doc/289054037/PL20200601120302950.advanced/id623666 · retrieved 2026-07-17