There are many aspects to building a finite element analysis model. In several cases, the forms used to create the finite element data are dependent on the selected analysis code and analysis type. Other parts of the model are created using standard forms.

Under Preferences on the Patran main form is a selection for Analysis. Analysis Preferences defines the intended analysis code which is to be used for this model.

The analysis code may be changed at any time during the model creation. This is especially useful if the model is to be used for different analyses, in several analysis codes. As much data as possible will be converted if the analysis code is changed after the modeling process has begun. If any problems occur during data conversion, messages describing the problem will appear in the Patran command line. The analysis option defines what will be presented in several areas during the subsequent modeling steps.

These areas include the material and element libraries, including multi-point constraints, the applicable loads and boundary conditions, and the analysis forms. The selected Analysis Type may also effect the selections in these same areas. For more details, see Preferences>Analysis (p. 439) in the Patran Reference Manual.

The following tables outline the various ANSYS options supported by the Patran ANSYS Application Preference. For further information about these options, see the ANSYS User’s Manual Volumes I and II.

The following ANSYS commands are supported.

The following ANSYS element types are supported. Elements marked with an asterisk (*) support ANSYS Revision 5 results, but not Revision 4.4 results. Please note that the elements are listed using the ANSYS 5.X naming convention. For ANSYS 4.X, the elements use the “STIFFXX” naming convention, where “XX” is the number appearing in the ANSYS 5.X element name. All listed elements are supported for both ANSYS 4.4 and 5.X for translation from Patran into an ANSYS input file (jobname.prp).