Free Body Diagrams

Free Body Diagram (FBD) utilities facilitate the extraction and post-processing of grid point force results.

FBD extractions are typically utilized for breakout and/or sub-modeling analysis schemes, where balanced "free body" sub-cases are extracted from a coarse grid model and applied to a fine grid sub-model for eventual optimization and/or analysis. FBD is also used to extract cross-sectional resultant forces and moments, typically at the centroid of a cross-section, for use in traditional strength calculations.


Figure 1. Coarse Grid Model, Typical for FBD Extractions


Figure 2. Typical FBD – Forces Output on a Wing Rib


Figure 3. Typical Result Force and Moment Output on a Floor Beam