Compare Test Data

The Compare Test Data dialog box allows you to compare reference data to simulation data at selected locations. You can base the reference data on field measurements, other external sources, or a study.

To access this dialog, click Simulation > Compare Test Data.

You can define multiple studies for the comparison. Reference data are expressed in terms of channels. A channel is defined by a location, result component, reference value, or a study. You can define channels manually or automatically by importing a file. A location is defined by a vertex, reference point, or 3 Cartesian coordinates. You can compare reference data to nodal results from static, nonlinear, thermal, and drop test studies.

The software generates a table that compares results from relevant selected studies to the reference channels.

Study type Select the study type to compare simulation results to. You can choose:
  • Static
  • Nonlinear
  • Thermal
  • Drop Test

The results of the selected study type should include results associated with the reference data.

Reference Channel Data Specifies the data to be used as a reference.

Test data.

Select this option if you obtained reference data from field measurements.

Study results.

Select this option to use a study as the source of reference data and then select the reference study from the drop down menu.
Channel table Lists information about reference channel data.

Add.

Opens the Add Channel dialog box to let you define new channels or edit the selected channel.

Edit.

Opens the Edit Channel dialog box to let you edit the selected channel.

Delete.

Deletes the selected channels.

Import.

Allows you to import a plain text file (*.txt) or an Excel file (*.csv) with channel data. The file setup is as follows:

  • The first row contains arbitrary header information.
  • Each other row represents a channel, with columns containing information as follows:
    • Column 1: Channel name
    • Column 2: Component
    • Column 3: Reference Value
    • Column 4: units of measured value
    • Column 5: time (used for drop test, force and displacement control nonlinear, and transient thermal)
    • Columns 6, 7, 8: X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates of the location of measurement
    • Column 9: units of X-, Y-, and Z-coordinates

Compare with study results Sets the studies to compare the test data with.

Compare.

Extracts simulation data and displays comparison results in a table.
Channel table example: Excel file (*.csv)

Channel table example: Plain text file (*.txt)