The geometry of the model and the FE results of the linear static analysis can be found in the file spiderCI.op2. By now you should know how to invoke Pre & Post or MSC Patran. Do so now in a clean working directory.

Open a new database from File | New and call it spider. The model was run through a MSC Nastran analysis so keep the Analysis Preference set to MSC Nastran when asked.

In Pre & Post, press the Import toggle switch on the main form (not to be confused with the File | Import pull-down) or in MSC Patran, press the Analysis toggle. When the form appears set the Action to Access Results, the Object to Read Output2, and the Method to Both (model and results); then, press the Select Results File button and select the file spiderCI.op2 and click Apply. The model will then appear and you are ready to set up a fatigue analysis.

Before moving on to the fatigue analysis however, first press the Results application switch on the main form to view the stress results from the MSC Nastran analysis. Select Stress Tensor from the listbox and set the Quantity to von Mises. Note the areas of high-stress. You can rotate the model using the middle mouse button and then dragging for a better view. The areas of interest are going to be the nodes with the highest stresses. These are nodes 981, 2314, and 3650 on the top, inside portion of the center shaft between the three legs.