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Subject: STRUCT - radius/thickness error for Shell99
Author: Pete Winslow
Date: 2008-04-11 12:07:25

Hi all,

I am using SHELL99 elements with KeyOpt(2) = 4, so that I can input
user-defined material stiffness matrices. In the real constant set I define
these stiffness (A(1)-A(6), B(1)-B(6) etc.) and also define the average
element thickness THICK=1.

I then use the mesh tool to apply a free quad mesh to an area, with
AESIZE=10. After applying some loads, displacement contraints etc. this
model solves as expected.

However, if I now remesh the area with AESIZE=5 the model will not solve,
and I get the following errors:

***ERROR***
Element 1has a radius/thickness ratio of -39664.5437 (minimum radius of
curvature of 174.5 and a maximum thickness of -4.399395122e-3) this violates
the assumption of a shell element.

***ERROR***
Element 2 has a radius/thickness ratio of -39664.5437 (minimum radius of
curvature of 174.5 and a maximum thickness of -4.399395122e-3) this violates
the assumption of a shell element.

etc. etc.....

It appears to me that because I set the AVERAGE thickness, ANSYS makes up
values for the actual thickness profile. And in the case of the smaller
elements it doesnt do this particularly well... but perhaps I am missing
something??

Has anyone else had the same problem? If you are able to give me any
advice/help it would be much appreciated.

many thanks
Pete

Pete Winslow
Research Student
Cambridge University Engineering Department

Posts possibly associated with message #92814AuthorDateScore
92814STRUCT - radius/thickness error for Shell99Pete Winslow 2008/04/11 
92817Re: STRUCT - radius/thickness error for Shell99Dan Bohlen2008/04/11