Youmin: I doubt that the crash is caused by running out of memory, but I am not sure. If insufficient RAM exists, the MAPDL solver should run fine out-of-core. What error message is given in the output file? To join the air and structural mesh, you need to share nodes (i.e., contiguous mesh) or create a contact interface(s). I recommend using a contiguous mesh if possible. Dan --------------------------------------- On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 5:29 PM, Youmin Wangwrote: > Hi Daniel, > > And attached are two simulated result files illustrating the electrical > potential and structural displacement. As you can see there is no > structural displacement. > > This is one successful computation after numerous crashing using the > Solid226 model. I am now guess the problem of crashing could be out of > memory, though not sure. > > For the no-displacement problem, i am guessing I need to create contact > element between the air-solid interface, not sure though as well. Could you > also give me some hints on this? Thanks. > > [image: Inline image 1][image: Inline image 2] > > > On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 1:17 PM, Youmin Wang wrote: > >> Hi Daniel, >> >> I tried with Solid186 but seems it has the same problem. I have attached >> the err file for your review. >> >> As an alternative, I am trying two other methods right now: >> >> 1. As you suggested, using workbench. I am currently in Ansys San Jose >> training center for the 14.5 workbench training. >> 2. Use the ROM 144 to see whether it helps. >> >> Thanks for your help and I will keep you updated. >> >> On Fri, Nov 8, 2013 at 12:50 PM, Daniel Shaw wrote: >> >>> Hi Youmin: >>> >>> If you can send me the output file from the crashed analysis, I might be >>> able to offer some insight into the cause of the crash. R14.5 is not an >>> unstable release for MAPDL applications. I doubt that R14.5 is the >>> issue. >>> >>> Some thoughts: >>> >>> 1. Do not use SOLID45. It is a legacy element that is no longer >>> supported. Use the current technology SOLID186. It will more robustly >>> interact with SOLID226. >>> >>> 2. SOLID226 should work. I generally use the MFS for most electro-static >>> structural evaluations, but the SOLID226 approach is the most recent >>> method. It should be fine. The most critical concern for either the >>> MFS or SOLID226 approach is excessive distortion in the air mesh. In >>> both methods the movement of the structure distorts the air mesh. If the >>> structure experiences large motion, the air mesh is highly distorted. You >>> need to create an initial air mesh that is capable of being distorted into >>> its final position. This situation is relatively unique in FE, because a >>> coarse air mesh is often better than a fine air mesh. A coarse mesh can >>> more easily undergo large distortion without excessively deforming any of >>> the individual elements. Note: One of the reasons I prefer the MFS is >>> that the structural mesh and air mesh do not share nodes. You can have >>> fine structural mesh and a coarse air mesh. The coupled-field information >>> is mapped across the interface. The air and structural interface share the >>> same geometric space, but they do not share nodes. >>> >>> Regards. >>> >>> Daniel Shaw >>> Lead Technical Services Engineer >>> ANSYS, Inc. >>> >>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 2:01 PM, Youmin Wang wrote: >>> >>>> Hi Friends, >>>> >>>> Actually, I want to state a little bit more on the meshing issue of my >>>> current study using Solid226. The problem I have is the Ansys program >>>> simply crashes when I try to solve. I searched online and somebody says the >>>> 14.5 versions are not really stable. But I think it might be the problem >>>> with the meshing. I wonder whether Daniel or anyone else has come into this >>>> problem before. >>>> >>>> Thanks. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 11:54 AM, Youmin Wang wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Daniel, >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Thank you for you kind help! >>>>> >>>>> After investigations done so far, I recognized that Trans126 element >>>>> might not be a good choice to be used in my tilting mirror applications. >>>>> Though the Ansys help manual indicated something as below: >>>>> >>>>> [image: Inline image 1] >>>>> >>>>> As you can see, the above figure is using Trans126 elements, though I >>>>> think it is a simplified model. I heard that Trans126 is good for >>>>> attraction, while difficult to perform the leaving electrodes. Beyond that. >>>>> I think my micromirror has more complicated geometry than the parallel >>>>> plates, I don't know this parallel-plate simplification would be a good >>>>> choice for it. >>>>> >>>>> As for now, I am considering to proceed with the Solid226 option, >>>>> which is exactly what you have suggested. I am trying to mesh the air gap >>>>> between the movable mirror and the fixed electrodes using Solid226 >>>>> elements, while leaving the other parts using Solid45. The electroelastic >>>>> and structural elements are joined through nodal connectivity at the >>>>> interface between them. I am still working on this direction right now, >>>>> when the geometry becomes more complicated, seems it get more difficult to >>>>> converge, I have many small parts to trim, such as the meshing and boundary >>>>> conditions... >>>>> >>>>> Another option seems to be multi-field solver, which up-to-now I have >>>>> not acquired too much reference materials and did not dive in too deep yet. >>>>> >>>>> Again, thank you very much for your help and suggestions! I am really >>>>> grateful to you. If you could provide more insight, that would be >>>>> great. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Nov 1, 2013 at 11:22 AM, Daniel Shaw wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi Youmin: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> To perform an electrostatic-structural simulation using Mechanical >>>>>> APDL >>>>>> (aka “classic ANSYS”), you can use either the 22x coupled-field >>>>>> elements, >>>>>> the multi-field solver (MFS), or the electro-mechanical transducer >>>>>> element >>>>>> (TRANS126). You could also use the reduced order >>>>>> electrostatic-structural >>>>>> element (ROM144). The 22x elements and the MFS use a sequential >>>>>> coupling >>>>>> approach. TRANS126 and ROM144 use a matrix coupling approach. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> If possible, I recommend using TRANS126. It is the simplest and most >>>>>> robust approach. With the 22x elements and the MFS, you might have >>>>>> meshing >>>>>> issues at pull-down. ROM144 can be complicated to implement. If >>>>>> fringing >>>>>> effects are significant, TRANS126 might be difficult to accurately >>>>>> implement. In that case, you need to use one of the other methods. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Regards, >>>>>> >>>>>> Daniel Shaw >>>>>> ANSYS, Inc. >>>>>>
_______________________________________________ Hosted by the MEMS and Nanotechnology Exchange, the country's leading provider of MEMS and Nanotechnology design and fabrication services. Visit us at http://www.mems-exchange.org Want to advertise to this community? See http://www.memsnet.org To unsubscribe: http://mail.mems-exchange.org/mailman/listinfo/mems-talk