Other Examples

 

FeResPost User Manual presents a lot of examples that illustrate the capabilities of FeResPost libraries. We list below some examples of the things that can be done with references to the corresponding pages of FeResPost online HTML manual.

The capabilities that are discussed here can be used with languages like ruby, Python, C#, C, C++, VBA (excel). The examples we are referring to in this document are often written in ruby however.

Reading of Nastran models, BDF cards...

 

The reading of Nastran finite element model from bulk data file (BDF) is done with “readBdf” of “NastranDb” class. The method is illustrated with an example here. Other methods allow to read BDF files, or manipulate Nastran BDF cards:

• The “each_bdf” iterator in NastranDb class iterates on the BDF cards read from one or several BDF (if include statements are considered). The method is presented here.
• Methods “writeBdfLines”, “writeNastranCard”, “writeNastranCards, “writeNastranCardToVectStr”, “writeNastranCardsToVectStr” in NastranDb can be used to write BDF cards. These methods are discussed here.
• Methods allow the extraction of BDF cards corresponding to FEM entities stored in NastranDb database. For example, “fillCard” and “fillCards” methods are discussed here. In the same section, one explains how finite element model can be modified by inserting new BDF cards in NastranDb database definition.

Some of the methods discussed above show that FeResPost can be used as a simple Nastran card reader or formatter. This can be done from the different languages listed above.

 

Reading of Nastran results

 

Results can be read from Nastran OP2 files, Nastran XDB files and Nastran HDF5 files (with "h5" extension). In the case of XDB and HDF5 files, random access is possible, but a simple importation of results in the database also works.

The extraction of results is possible from different programming languages (ruby, Python, VBA in excel, C#, C, C++...). FeResPost is not used only to extract the results. It also allows to manipulate them. For example:

• Modify the reference coordinate system in which vectorial or tensorial result components are expressed.
• Derive different kind of other results (magnitude of vectors, Von Mises stress, eigen-values, interface global forces and moments...)
• Perform CLA (Classical Laminate Analysis) calculations.
• Extract maximum or minimum values.
• Remapping results from center of element to nodes, from element corners to center,...
• Perform operations that involve several results (additions, substractions, multiplications, merge results...)
  
• Manipulate complex results in real-imaginary or magnitude-phase format.
  
• ...
  

You should read the description of Result class for more information on the post-processing capabilties. Examples are also provided to illustrate the different capabilties.

Extracting “raw” information from Nastran XDB file

An extraction of “raw” results from XDB files is also possible thanks to the “each_xdbRaw” and “each_xdbBinRaw” iterators and to the “binDataToValues” method presented here.

FeResPost does not propose the same capability for HDF5 files, because many programming languages as Python and ruby propose complements that perform this kind of operations.

The OP2 file can only be read sequentially and FeResPost proposes no method for “raw” access to its content. Note however that the reading of model is possible from the OP2 file.

Using FeResPost with Samcef solver

Samcef solver is also supported by FeResPost, which allows to :

• Build a "SamcefDb" database by reading a Samcef model (banque file obtained with ".sauve banque" bacon command).
  
• Import additional groups from a Patran session file containing the definition of groups.
• Read or accesss randomly results from DES & FAC results files.

An in general, most of the manipulations that are possible for Nastran models and results are also possible with Samcef. This is true for the different programming languages like ruby, Python, C#, C and C++ (COM component on Windows) and VBA (in excel, for example).

Composite calculations

FeResPost library calculates composite:

• Calculation of laminate properties from laminate and materials definition.
• Calculation of laminate load response considering mechanical, thermoelastic and hygroelastic constributions.
• Calculation of failure criteria.
  
• ...

These calculations can be done in a "discrete manner" from the supported programming languages (see above), but are also nicely integrated with FEM "Result" class to perform batch calculations.

The composite manual is accessible here. Several example are provided in the manual, in chapters IV.3 and VII.2.

 

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