Selecting appropriate parts for midsurfacing

The midsurface commands are not appropriate for use on all parts. They are primarily intended for use on the following types of parts:

• thin-walled, tangent-continuous parts

• thin-walled, intersection parts

Thin-walled parts are parts whose thickness can be accurately analyzed using 2D (shell) finite elements, although the accuracy of the results can depend on the thickness of the part's walls.

In general, filleted connections are best modeled using solid elements if you are interested in obtaining accurate stress and strain results at the fillets. However, if you are not concerned with obtaining precise results at the fillets and only want to have elements at the fillet locations for structural rigidity, you can create midsurfaces in those areas.

Thin-walled, tangent-continuous parts

Thin-walled, tangent-continuous parts are parts in which the adjacent surfaces are stitched and where the angle between the individual surfaces is less than 3°. These types of parts tend to have a constant wall thickness and are often sheet metal or stamped parts. The following graphic shows examples of thin walled, tangent-continuous parts.

Thin-walled intersection parts

Thin-walled, intersection or tangent-discontinuous parts are thin-walled parts in which the adjacent surfaces are either unstitched or the angle between the individual surfaces is greater than 3°. Intersection parts tend to have a variable wall thickness and are often either molded or shelled parts, or forged or extruded parts. The following graphic shows examples of thin-walled, intersection parts.

How do I

Create a midsurface by face pairs

Modify the face pairs in an existing midsurface

Define a midsurface with the Offset method

Define a midsurface with the User Defined method

Insert a replacement mid-sheet into a face pair

Learn more

Creating midsurfaces before meshing

Creating a midsurface by pairing faces

Understanding face pair creation

Working with the Face Pair list

Understanding midsurface creation and trimming methods

Controlling midsurface display

Creating a midsurface with the Offset method

Creating user-defined midsurfaces

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

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Selecting appropriate parts for midsurfacing, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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