Which Card Image to use?

Altair Forum User

Heya,

 

Up until now I've only been meshing 2D structures, and have always used PSHELL.

 

Now I need to run an analysis on two objects (below). One is 3mm sheet steel, the other a hollow pipe.

 

Should I use PSOLID for the sheet steel, and PTUBE for the pipe?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

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Altair Forum User

Hi carnut118,

 

First of all PSHELL, PSOLID etc are property cards that you apply to elements. I.e, you associate shell elements such as CQUAD4, TRIA3 with PSHELL cards to give material properties.

 

It really depends on your problem to the best way of modelling something. In order to make the best suggestion we'd need to understands loading, constraints and if they are stand alone models or part of a large assembly. 

 

From looking at the images you've attached, I would personally mesh both models using shell elements and assign PSHELL cards as they are thin structures with no complex geometry. 

 

Let us know if you have anymore questions

 

Matt