Learning Forum

[Isita]

Hello, 

I am trying to run a Static Structural analysis on a cluster. I am familiar with writing a journal file and loading my case file in Fluent but I am not sure of how it is supposed to work for static structural. Is there documentation on how to proceed (journal file layout and commands in script file?) In particular, I am also trying to generate the mesh in batch mode after submitting the job to the cluster. Besides, is this achievable in Static structural or do I have to learn APDL?

Thanks!

[Aniket]

Is there a particular reason for doing mesh in batch? Unlike CFD meshes, structural meshes are not CPU intensive generally.

Being said that :

1. Mechanical (setup cell of static structural system) does not record operations done in a Journal file similar to what you have seen in Fluent, most of these tasks can be done using ACT APIs though.

2. One way of doing this is by setting up an RSM pointing to a cluster, which will do the heavy lifting of the solution, while the local machine can just import the result file and post-process the results. If your model and results are parametric this can be very much done without learning to code using ACT or learning APDL and by integrated into GUI

3. Another way of doing these things mentioned in 2nd option above is to generate an input file from Static structural for APDL and using this generated input file one can solve using a command such as following on the cluster: "C:Program FilesANSYS Incv195ansysbinwinx64MAPDL.exe"  -p ansys -smp -np 2 -lch -dir "C:myWorkingDirectory" -j "JobName" -s read -l en-us -b -i "C:myWorkingDirectoryinput.dat" -o "C:myWorkingDirectorysolverOut.out" 

option 2 is basically automation of option 3. Note in both cases mesh would be done on the local machine and it will be transferred to the cluster to solve.

4. final way is to generate and create your own APDL input file using command reference for APDL

Choosing your option will depend on your exact requirement and comfort level with Python or APDL.

-Aniket

Guidelines on the Student Community

How to access ANSYS help links

[Isita]

Thanks for your reply! I think my first attempt will be with suggestion #3. My file is kinda huge so generating the mesh is taking a couple of hours... I have a few questions though:

- will Static structural be able to read the output file?

- I assume everything inside the "..." will be customized using my directories and where I put my input/output files do I remove the " " marks when I write my script? Let's say my input is in a folder called simulations in my home directory can I write: /home/simulations/input.dat? 

Also I am unsure about how to write the line "C:Program FilesANSYS Incv195ansysbinwinx64MAPDL.exe". I found this online, do you think it will work?

Also, I don't know if I need to open a separate topic for this but I am getting the error "unable to start the meshing editor" when I try to generate the mesh on the cluster (in graphical mode). I do not know what to do, I found this https://forum.ansys.com/forums/topic/unable-to-start-the-meshing-editor/ but since I am login via vpn to their cluster I am not sure what to look for. I contacted their help desk but have not heard back.

Thanks

[Aniket]

- will Static structural be able to read the output file?

yes please check the same link for writing and reading files from APDL into Static Structural System (i.e. Mechanical).

- I assume everything inside the "..." will be customized using my directories and where I put my input/output files do I remove the " " marks when I write my script? Let's say my input is in a folder called simulations in my home directory can I write: /home/simulations/input.dat? 

no, you need the quotes, best way to get the entire command is to start Mechanical APDL Product Launcher on your cluster, set the required settings for HPC and file management in the UI and then select Tools > Display Command Line

Note that you may want to select the ANSYS Batch simulation environment. Again, the emphasis is on the mesh will have to be created before you export an input file for APDL, this can be done on the cluster with Graphics output or on the local machine.

 

For the system-related questions please search the https://studentcommunity.ansys.com/cat/systems/ (which you seem to have done already but recheck as there are multiple topics for similar question) or better open a new one for quicker response

-Aniket

Guidelines on the Student Community

How to access ANSYS help links

[Mangesh Bhide]

Re: Unable to start the meshing editor

This may also be helpful - Are you using a remote display method ? does the method support hardware acceleration ? is a good graphics card with recent drivers from manufacturer installed on the system?

Please refer ANSYS Platform Support page for details on supported Operating Systems and patch levels (versions), graphics hardware that ANSYS is tested with and supported remote display methods.

https://www.ansys.com/Solutions/Solutions-by-Role/IT-Professionals/Platform-Support

[Isita]

Thanks Aniket!

mbhide - Yes I am using a remote display method app (FastX). But I do not know the answer to the other questions. The cluster IT support initiated a ticket about this issue so I will forward them the link if they ask further questions. Thank you!