Altair® OptiStruct®/AnalysisThe Modern NASTRAN Alternative

OptiStruct/Analysis is a fast and accurate finite-element solver for linear static and dynamics problems. This modern alternative to NASTRAN,directly supports NASTRAN input and output data file formats (OUTPUT2 and PUNCH) for ease of deployment and interoperability. Withsuperior model checking, error messaging and results accuracy, OptiStruct/Analysis provides a better user experience while increasinganalysis efficiency and results quality.

Featuring robust six degrees-of-freedom per grid shell element formulations, OptiStruct/Analysis is a proven solver technology for linearstatics; inertial relief; eigenvalue calculation; buckling; direct and modal frequency response; direct and modal transient response; andrandom response solution sequences.

The Enterprise Solution for Product Innovation

Altair® OptiStruct®/Analysis

Altair OptiStruct/Analysis is a fast, accurate, and robust finite element solver, which offers acomprehensive set of linear solutions as well as nonlinear contact. Using the latestsparse matrix and Lanczos solver technologies, large finite-element modelscan be analyzed quickly. Fast and accurate solution sequences areavailable for linear static, eigenvalue, buckling, inertia relief, randomresponse, as well as for both direct and modal frequency and transientresponse analysis. Numerous customers in aerospace, automotive,heavy machinery and consumer products industries worldwide rely onOptiStruct/Analysis for their daily analysis work.

BENEFITS• Comprehensive package: The most popular

linear analysis problems can be solved withOptiStruct/Analysis. Deeply integrated inHyperWorks and HWU* enabled,OptiStruct/Analysis increases end-userefficiency and significantly reduces corporateinvestments in third-party solver solutions.

• Fast computation: The underlying solutionalgorithms for linear and modal analysisproblems are very efficient compared toconventional solvers.

• Accurate results: Modern 6 DOF/grid shellelement formulations in OptiStruct/Analysiseliminate the problems associated withAUTOSPC and K6ROT fudge factors in NASTRAN.

• Large models: Model sizes are not restricted.With intelligent memory management,OptiStruct/Analysis easily simulates structureswith millions degrees of freedom (DOFs).

• Highly compatible: OptiStruct/Analysis usesNASTRAN input syntax, which ensurescompatibility and reduces the need to convertinput decks.

• Ready for optimization: Most analysisproblems can easily be converted into anoptimization problem to quickly improve the design.

Complete set of linear solution sequencesOptiStruct/Analysis offers a comprehensive range of solutions fordisplacements, stresses, strains or frequency evaluation. Sequencescurrently available are:• Linear Statics• Inertia Relief• Normal Modes• Linear Buckling• Direct and Modal Frequency Response• Direct and Modal Transient Response• Random Response• Contact Analysis

Depending on the solution type, OptiStruct/Analysis calculatesdisplacements, eigenvectors, stresses, strains, strain energy densities andforces. Post-processing can be performed using the Altair HyperWorks tools.OptiStruct/Analysis also writes out the NASTRAN OUTPUT2 and PUNCH fileformats to be compatible with almost every modern CAE environment.

CAPABILITIES

Structural analysis of a motorbike frame. Courtesy of Bajaj Auto

Buckling analysis of a intermediate diagonal tension beam.

Courtesy of Fiat, Italy

* HyperWorks Units (HWU) is an Altair-patented, unit-based software licensing model that provides greater valueand flexibility than conventional and token-based licensing models.

Advanced capabilitiesComposite materialComplex composite lay-ups can be analyzed with OptiStruct/Analysis.Homogenized anisotropic shell properties are derived from composite lay-upinformation. HyperMesh's powerful laminate modeler helps to quickly definecomposite stacks. Stresses, strains and failure indices for each individual plyare derived from simulation.

Nonlinear GAP AnalysisOptiStruct/Analysis uses a quasi-static nonlinear solution for contact analysis.A grid to element gap element (CGAPG) can be used to model the interactionof different finite element meshes. A coulomb friction model is included tosimulate sliding conditions. The nonlinear solution can even be used within optimization.

Mesh Independent Weld ElementA mesh independent weld element (CWELD) can be used to connectincompatible meshes. This reduces modeling time significantly sincecomponents can be meshed independently. Replacing parts in an assemblymodel doesn't require re-meshing when they are connected with meshindependent welds.

Superelement TechniqueSuperelement modeling is a method to decompose large structures intosmaller sub-structures, which can be analyzed individually. This approachincreases computational efficiency. In OptiStruct/Analysis, the reducedcomponent is replaced by direct matrix input (DMIG).

Supported elements Input Data

CAPABILITIES (CONTINUED)

Connecting meshes with non-coincidentnodes using OptiStruct/Analysis

CWELD elements

OptiStruct/Analysis non-linear GAP elementssimulate the interaction of different

parts in an assembly

TYPE NAME DESCRIPTIONModel Definition GRID

SPOINTCORD1C,CORD1R,CORD1SCORD2C,CORD2R,CORD2SPLOTELUSET,USET1

grid pointScalar pointcoordinate systemcoordinate systemplotting elementU set definitions

0D Elements CVISC CELAS1,2,3,4CDAMP1,2,3,4CMASS1,2,3,4CONM1,CONM2

viscous damper elastic spring scalar damper scalar mass concentrated mass

1D Elements CBEAMCBARCBUSH CGAP CGAPGCROD CTUBECWELDCONROD

general beam Static Load simple prismatic beam general spring gap element enhanced gap element simple axial bar tube elementweld element simple axial bar

2D Elements CTRIA3 CTRIA6CQUAD4CQUAD8 CSHEAR

triangular 3 noded shell triangular 6 noded shell quadrilateral 4 noded shell quadrilateral 8 noded shellquadrilateral shear element

3D Elements CHEXA CPENTACPYRACTETRA

6-sided solid element 5-sided solid element 5-sided solid element 4-sided solid element

Materials MAT1,MAT2,MAT8,MAT9MATT1,MATT2,MATT8,MATT9TABLEM1,2,3,4

homogenous, anisotropic, orthotropictemperature dependent materialstemperature dependence tables

TYPE NAME DESCRIPTIONStatic Loads FORCE,FORCE1

LOADMOMENT,MOMENT1 PLOAD,PLOAD2,PLOAD4 PLOAD1GRAV RFORCETEMP, TEMPD

static force, alternate form load combinationstatic moment, alternate form pressure on 2D and 3D elements pressure on 1D elements gravity load centrifugal force temperature load

Dynamic Loads DELAY DLOADDPHASEFREQ FREQ1,2,3,4,5RLOAD1,2TABDMP1 TABLED1-4TICTLOAD1,2TSTEP

dynamic load time delay dynamic load combination dynamic load phase lead frequency list frequency list, alternate forms frequency response dynamic loads modal damping table dynamic tabular function Transient initial conditions Transient dynamic loads Transient time step

Constraints SPC,SPC1,SPCADDSPCD MPC, MPCADDSUPORT,SUPORT1

single point constraint enforced displacement multipoint constraint support constraint

Rigid Elements RROD RBARRBE1,RBE2,RBE3

rigid rod rigid bar rigid body

Matrix Input ASET, ASET1DMIG

degrees-of-freedom, alternate form direct matrix input at points

Random Response RANDPSRANDT1TABRND1

PSD definitionAutocorrelation function time lagPower spectral density table

Altair®, HyperWorks®, HyperMesh®, HyperView®, OptiStruct®, OptiStruct®/Analysis, HyperStudy®, HyperShape®, MotionView®, MotionSolve™, HyperGraph®, HyperForm®, HyperWeb™, HyperView Player®, HyperXtrude®, Altair Data Manager™ , HyperWorks Process Manager™ , RADIOSS™, HyperCrash™, HyperStudyDSS™, and Helioss™ are trademarks of Altair Engineering, Inc. NASTRAN is a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. All other trademarks or servicemarks are the property of their respective owners.

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