Map initial deformation to mesh

Bill_22179

I need to compute the stress in a beam that has plastic deformation. I dont know what are the initial stresses so I need to compute them.

The way I see it is I would mesh the beam (with solid/shell elements) first. Then I would add the deformed geometry to the model. I would then deform the initial mesh so it looks like the deform geometry.

Other than adding spcd to faces/nodes, is there a bette way to do this? Can this be an optimization problem?

 

I can't share pictures but you could imagine a beam fixed at both ends and warped in the middle.

Thanks

Bill_22179

Also, I was thinking on deforming the beam in an explicit subcase and then take the deformed mesh and stresses as a start for the second analysis (nl static) in which I would load the top of the beam. Would it be a better way to do it?