Linear Superposition

Setup linear superposition in SimSolid.

Purpose

SimSolid performs meshless structural analysis that works on full featured parts and assemblies, is tolerant of geometric imperfections, and runs in seconds to minutes. In this tutorial, you will do the following:
  • Learn how to setup linear superposition of subcases.

Model Description

The following model file is needed for this tutorial:
  • LinearSuperposition.ssp


Figure 1.
This file has the following specifications:
  • Material is set to Steel for all parts.
  • Regular connections with 0.25mm gap and penetration tolerance.
  • Bonded contact conditions are created automatically.
  • Static subcases are pre-defined and solved.

Open Project

Open the SimSolid project file.

  1. Start a new SimSolid session.
  2. Click the (Open Project) icon.


    Figure 2.
  3. In the Open project file dialog, choose LinearSuperposition.ssp
  4. Click OK.

Review Loads and Boundary Conditions

Review loads and boundary conditions of the subcases in the project.

  1. In the Project Tree, expand the Structural 1 analysis branch and verify the loads and boundary conditions are as shown in Figure 3.


    Figure 3.
  2. Repeat step 1 for Structural 2.
    The loads and boundary conditions should appear as shown in Figure 4.


    Figure 4.

Create Linear Superposition

  1. On the main window toolbar, click > Structural superposition.


    Figure 5.
  2. In the setup dialog, under Analyses available, click on Structural 1.
  3. In the dialog, hold down Control + Shift and select both Structural 1 and Structural 2 results.
  4. Click the button to combine analyses.


    Figure 6.
  5. Click Solve.
    A Superposition subcase will appear in the Project Tree.
    Figure 7.

Review Results

Plot displacement magnitude for each subcase.

  1. In the Project Tree, Select the Structural 1 subcase.
  2. On the Analysis Workbench, select > Displacement Magnitude.
    The Legend widow will open and display the contour plot.


    Figure 8. Displacement Magnitude plot for Structural 1 subcase
  3. Repeat this process for Structural 2 and Structural superposition 1.
    Figure 9. Displacement Magnitude plot for Structural 2 subcase
    Figure 10. Displacement Magnitude plot for Structural superposition 1 subcase