SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2019 Stress Averaging at Mid-Side Nodes
Article by Scott Durksen, CSWE updated September 16, 2018
Article
SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2019 now includes an option that enables an improved stress averaging method for mid-side nodes of a high quality (second order) solid element. A solid element is made up of a four-corner tetrahedral shape. Each corner has an associated node. High Quality elements include mid-side nodes to better represent curved geometry and allow for more accurate calculations through its deformation.
For elements with large aspect ratios, the new stress averaging method provides a more accurate calculation of stresses at these mid-side nodes. For more information on Aspect Ratio and Mesh Quality Plots, visit our previous blog post Create a Refined Mesh in SOLIDWORKS Simulation.
The stress of the mid-side nodes is calculated by averaging the stress values at the associated corner nodes. For example in the above element, if we are determining the stress at mid-side node #5 (StressNode5) we would take the average stress of nodes #1 (StressNode1) and #2 (StressNode2).
StressNode5 = (StressNode1 + StressNode2)/2
The new option can be found under the overall Simulation Default settings so all NEW studies have it enabled.
You can also enable this option on a per-study basis in the Study Properties.
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