Computing mechanical loads

The Mechanical Load Summary command lets you compute the total forces and moments for the active structural analysis solutions or subcases in your model. This allows you to verify that you have correctly applied loads to your model.

Note:

You can only use Mechanical Load Summary in structural analysis type solutions or subcases. You cannot use Mechanical Load Summary to compute the sum of the loads in thermal analysis solutions or subcases.

Support for geometry- and FE-based loads

You can use Mechanical Load Summary to verify both geometry-based and FE-based loads. However, Mechanical Load Summary only takes into account geometry-based loads that are defined on a valid mesh. The software ignores any geometry-based loads that are not associated with an existing mesh.

Supported load types

The types of loads that you can sum with the Mechanical Load Summary command varies according to the specified solver and analysis type.

Solver	Analysis type	Supported load types
Simcenter Nastran, MSC Nastran, ANSYS, Abaqus	Structural	Forces, moments, bearing loads, torques, centrifugal loads, pressures, hydrostatic pressures, gravity
Simcenter Nastran, MSC Nastran, ANSYS, Abaqus	Axisymmetric	Forces, centrifugal loads, pressures, gravity
Simcenter Nastran	Time-varying or frequency-varying	Forces varying with time or frequency
Simcenter Samcef	Structural	Forces, moments, pressures.

For time- or frequency-varying loads, you can control the time or frequency at which the software computes the total loads.

Specifying a reference coordinate system

In the Mechanical Load Summary dialog box, you must specify a reference coordinate system (Reference CSYS). The software reports the total forces and moments in this reference coordinate system. The software also calculates the total moments for the solution or subcase about the origin of that reference coordinate system.

Special considerations for axisymmetric analyses

For axisymmetric analyses, Mechanical Load Summary calculates the total loads over the entire model of revolution. For example, if your model includes a beam pressure applied to an element edge, the software calculates the total force over the entire surface of revolution.

Where do I find it?

• With the Simulation file displayed, choose Information→Pre/Post→Mechanical Load Summary.

• From the Simulation Navigator, right-click the active solution or active subcase and choose Mechanical Load Summary.

Learn more

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Checking for duplicate elements and nodes

Detecting interference and clearance issues between faces

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Checking the completeness of your model prior to a solve

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Computing mechanical loads, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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