Static - Options

The Static dialog box sets the analysis options for static studies.

Gap/Contact

Lets you specify options related to Gap/Contact.

Include global friction Lets you include or ignore the effect of friction for global contact conditions. This flag does not control local contact conditions. The software calculates static friction forces by multiplying the normal forces generated at the contacting locations by the specified coefficient of friction. The direction of the friction force at a location is opposite to the direction of motion at that location.
Friction coefficient Sets the coefficient of static friction for global contact conditions. For local contact conditions, a friction coefficient is specified in the Contact Set PropertyManager for each condition. The friction coefficient should be between 0 and 1.0.
Ignore clearance for surface contact When this option is checked, the program considers contact conditions regardless of the initial distance between user-defined face pairs by default. You can override this setting when defining contact sets. This option is not available for 2D simplification studies.
Improve accuracy for no penetration contacting surfaces (slower) This method produces continuous and more accurate stresses in regions with definitions of no penetration contact. The method is used when defining contact between faces to faces and faces to edges. It also assures convergence when using the h-adaptive method. When this option is selected, the software may take more time to solve the problem. This method is referred to as mortar contact in the literature.

Incompatible bonding options

Automatic If the default surface-to-surface bonding contact slows down the solution considerably, the solver switches to node-to-surface bonding automatically. The automatic option is available for static, frequency, buckling, and linear dynamic studies.
Simplified The program overrides the default surface-based bonding contact and resumes to node-based bonding contact. Check this option only in cases you run into performance issues when solving models with extensive contact surfaces. For a 2D simplification analysis, if you check this option, the program applies a node to edge bonding contact.
More accurate (slower) The program applies the default surface-based bonding contact, which results in longer solution time than the node-based contact formulation. For a 2D simplification study, the solver applies an edge to edge bonding contact.

Additional options

Large displacement When this option is checked, the program applies the loads gradually and uniformly in steps up to their full values performing contact iterations at every step. The number of steps is internally decided by the program. This option is not available for 2D simplification studies.
Compute free body forces Select this check box to instruct the application to prepare the grid force balance at every node. After running a study with this flag on, right-click the Results folder and select List Result Force to list forces that act on faces, edges, and vertices. The forces can come from contact, external loads, restrains, or connectors. This option is not available for 2D simplification studies.

Solver

Lets you specify the solver to be used to perform static analysis.

Automatic Solver Selection The software selects the solver based on the study type, analysis options, contact conditions, etc. Some options and conditions apply only to either Direct Sparse or FFEPlus.
Direct sparse solver Selects the Direct Sparse solver. Activate the Direct Sparse when you have enough RAM and multiple CPUs.
For every 200,000 dof, you need 1 Gb of RAM for linear static analysis. The Direct sparse solver requires 10 times more RAM than the FFEPlus solver.
FFEPlus Selects the FFEPlus solver to run the study. This solver uses advanced matrix reordering techniques that makes it more efficient for large problems.
For every 2, 000,000 dof, you need 1 Gb of RAM.
Large Problem Direct Sparse

By leveraging enhanced memory-allocation algorithms, the Large Problem Direct Sparse solver can handle simulation problems that exceed the physical memory of your computer.

If you initially select the Direct Sparse solver and due to limited memory resources it has reached an out-of-core solution, a warning message alerts you to switch to the Large Problem Direct Sparse.
The Large Problem Direct Sparse (LPDS) solver is more efficient than the FFEPlus and Direct sparse solvers at taking advantage of multiple cores.
Intel Direct Sparse The Intel Direct Sparse solver is available for static, thermal, frequency, linear dynamic, and nonlinear studies. By leveraging enhanced memory-allocation algorithms and multi-core processing capability, the Intel Direct Sparse solver improves solution speeds for simulation problems that are solved in-core.
Use inplane effect Check this option to consider the effect of in-plane loading on the calculation of the stiffness.
Use soft spring to stabilize model Check this option to instruct the program to add soft springs attached to the ground to prevent instability. If you apply loads to an unstable design, it will translate and/or rotate as a rigid body. You should apply adequate restraints to prevent rigid body motion.
Use inertial relief When this option is checked, the program automatically applies inertial forces to counteract unbalanced external loading. This option is particularly useful when you import loads from a motion package (SOLIDWORKS Motion) where external loads can be slightly unbalanced. When you check this option, you can solve structural problems without having to apply restraints or activate the soft spring option to stabilize the model against rigid body motions.
Results folder Lets you specify the directory to store the simulation results folder.