Two special features are supplied to facilitate the use of Patran in conjunction with Dytran. These allow the user to create sets of nodes or elements to be written out in the Dytran input file as SET1 entries and a dummy positioner. These special features are accessed via the Analysis form which appears when the Analysis toggle, located on the Patran main form, is chosen. These forms supporting this functionality are described on the following pages.

This form appears when the Analysis toggle is chosen on the main form. To utilize the special features, select Special Features as the action on the Analysis form. Select either “Sets”, “Dummy Positioner”, “Beam Post Processing”, or “Spotweld/Stiffener Tool” as the “Object.”

The subordinate form illustrated below appears if the “Object” is “Sets.” It is used to create a list of elements or nodes that is subsequently to be written to the Dytran input file as a SET1 Bulk Data entry. The “Set” is assembled from existing Patran groups. New groups are not created.

The purpose of the dummy positioner is to allow a user to import a standard finite element representation of a dummy so it can be correctly positioned within the Patran model. The dummy is not part of the finite element model as it is exported prior to creation of the Dytran input file. The exported file defining the dummy can be used in an ATB calculation run in parallel to Dytran simulation. Note that the positioner only works with the standard ATB dummy that is part of the standard Patran deliverable. ATB hybridII and hybrid III dummy files are included in the <installation_directory>/mscdytran_files directory.

In v2002, several modification have been carried out in the dummy positioner to make it more user friendly.

The Main “Dummy Positioning” form provides access to subordinate forms that provide for import, creation, manipulation, and export of an input file containing a finite element representation of a
standard dummy.

This form appears when “Dummy Selection...” is selected.

This form appears when “Export Dummy ...” is selected. It is under control of this form that a new input file is written in the working directory. This new file will be exactly the same as the “Master” model selected from the Dummy Selection form but with new grid points coordinates.

This form appears when “Delete Dummy ...” is selected. It is under control of this form that the dummy model is removed from the database.

These subordinate forms appear when “Manipulate Dummy...” and “Full Dummy” are selected

This form appears when “Manipulate Dummy...” and “Part Dummy” are selected.

The subordinate form illustrated below appears if the “Object” on the Analysis form is set to
“Beam Postprocessing.”

The subordinate form illustrated below appears if the “Object” on the Analysis form is set to “Spotweld/Stiffener Tool” with options Create and Stiffener selected.

The subordinate form illustrated below appears if the “Object” on the Analysis form is set to “Spotweld/Stiffener Tool” with options Create and Skin selected.