Validation to Experiments

The solution techniques used in ANSYS Autodyn software have been repeatedly validated by comparing the results generated with experimental data. Numerous comparisons by customers of experimental and simulated results are published annually in technical journals and presented at technical conferences.

Shared Memory & Distributed Memory Systems

To provide faster turn-around, problems can be run in parallel on multiple cores, processors or clustered computer systems. Domain decomposition is used to produce the most efficient parallel solution. Simulations can run in parallel on two processors with the standard installation, without the need for additional message-passing software or HPC licenses. In most cases, using two processors will result in a speed improvement by a factor very close to two. (Users of ANSYS Autodyn single task are required to obtain HPC licenses).

Close to linear speedup obtained with parallel processing

Convenient, Practical & Sophisticated Modeling Features

Features such as natural fragmentation, remapping, restarting, de-zoning, part activation and a fast 2-D solution enable production of high-resolution results quickly and efficiently with minimal effort. 

High-resolution 1-D analysis remapped into 2-D and 3-D

2-D Analysis Easy to set-up, fast to run, 2-D simulations are ideal for testing boundary conditions and material models. Running 2-D models of complex problems can often provide insight into the best way to run full 3-D models. Remapping Dimensions High resolution 1-D or 2-D calculations that are fast to run can be remapped into 2-D or 3-D quickly and conveniently. This results in highly accurate and high-resolution results without the major computing resources that would be required for the same resolution in 3-D. Dezoning Increasing the size of the cells used as the size of the problem increases can be achieved conveniently with minimal user input, ensuring the proper balance between calculation speed and maximum resolution. Part Activation Parts that do not participate in a problem at all times can be marked to be activated and/or deactivated at a certain problem time. This feature can save significant computing resources without reducing the accuracy of a solution. Remapping Solutions A partial solution with one type of solver can be remapped into another type. For example a Lagrange part in a 3-D problem that is starting to severely distort can be conveniently remapped into an Euler space, enabling the remainder of the problem to be run using an Euler solution technique for that part. Similarly a 2-D Euler solution can be conveniently remapped into a 3-D Lagrange part.

Extensive Material Model Library

To assure that analysis results are accurate as possible, one of the highest priorities at ANSYS is to provide extensive material models and material data. ANSYS Autodyn technology has set the pace for explicit material model availability with an extensive material model library that combines thermodynamic and constitutive responses for many solids, liquids and gases (for example metals, composites, ceramics, glass, concrete, soil and explosives). Combination of virtually all important equation of state, strength and failure/damage material models is possible and supported by all appropriate solution techniques. The library is organized logically by material name and the type of equation of state (EOS), strength model or failure model used.

ANSYS Autodyn material library

Open Architecture

Capabilities such as the equation of state, strength model and failure/damage model within ANSYS Autodyn can be expanded through the use of user subroutines and user variables. Templates for user subroutines with full documentation of data available in the routine and data to be produced by the user are provided with the standard program. This minimizes the effort to implement new capabilities. 

The features of ANSYS Autodyn can easily be extended by user subroutines and user variables. User Variables can be used in post-processing as if they were standard Autodyn variables.

Adding special logic to handle a equation of state (EOS) that is not implemented in Autodyn can be accomplished effectively and conveniently. Numerous other features in the list below can also be implemented by the user. Each User Subroutine is provided with a complete template, including the variables available to the subroutine and which values must be calculated by the user.

Interactive Problem Setup, Post-Processing and Calculation

Most modern simulation products enable users to interactively pre- and post-process but ANSYS Autodyn actually runs problems in an interactive manner. Since explicit solvers increment time explicitly,  calculations can be observed as they progress in time. The calculations can be stopped at any point, the problem can be modified, and the run restarted. Because some explicit simulations can run for long periods (days, weeks and sometimes even months), this allows the user to save a great deal of time as many of errors can be detected and corrected early in the calculation.

Easy-to-Use Graphical User Interface

The interactive graphical interface of ANSYS Autodyn is designed to minimize the effort required to set up, run and post-process problems. The buttons in the left column are laid out in sequence to guide the user through the set-up process in a logical and efficient fashion. It only takes a few days to learn how to set up and run problems, once the user understands how explicit solvers work.

ANSYS Autodyn graphical user interface

Specilalized Techniques for Common Problems

Automatic Virtual Volume of Fluids (VOF) Modeling

The mesh used for fluids in a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulation as well as the proper definition of material locations within the mesh are created automatically by the program.  The automatic creation of an Euler space and mesh by ANSYS Autodyn software to enhance user productivity is a capability not available from any other program.

Shock tube

Drop test liquid-filled bottle

Water jet

Multiple & Coupled Solution Techniques

Multiple solution techniques (Lagrange, multi-material Euler, Euler-FCT, ALE, SPH, shells, beams) can be used in combination and fully coupled within a single problem to deliver the most appropriate method  for each part in the problem.

Pictorial representation of Lagrange, Euler and SPH solvers