Lusas Basics

Introduction to LUSAS
Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results
Basics
Opening Lusas:
10806 Linear
10805 Nonlinear
10804 Time History
.mdl the model file

.mys the results file
Basics Attributes Loadcases Groups Utilities Reports Layers
Basics Units
Geometry
Creates the basic shape of the model
Points Lines Surfaces Volumes
Geometry
Points defined using
Geometry>
Point> Coordinates.
Or:
To create new entry fields press Tab. When the Z-ordinate is omitted, it is recognised as 0.
Geometry
Lines are created between points by selecting 2 points and using :
Surfaces are created between lines by selecting lines and using:
Volumes are created by selecting surfaces and using:
Geometry
Points, lines, surfaces and volumes can all be copied, moved or swept.
Moving:
Copying:
Sweeping:
Geometry
Meshing The Geometry defines the shape of the model only the mesh is what is actually analysed To create the mesh: - Chose element type(s) - Assign the elements to the geometry
Meshing - Elements
Beam Elements 2 or 3 Dimensional Straight or Curved Thick or Thin (Shear Flexibility)
Other linear elements :

Bars or Cables
Meshing - Elements
Beam Elements GRILL 2D linear BEAM Thick 2D linear BMS3 Thick 3D linear BTS3 Thick nonlinear 3D linear BM3 Thin 2D quadratic BS4 Thin 3D quadratic BMX3 Cross Section Thin 2D quadratic BSX4 Cross Section Thin 3D quadratic Quadratic = more nodes = curved
Meshing - Elements
Surface Elements
More analytically expensive than Beams Triangular or Quadrilateral
Number of nodes / gauss point

Thick or Thin Elements Thin no shear flexibility simpler but only use if all plates are very thin Thick include shear flexibility
required for most analysis
Meshing - Elements
Surface Elements Plates For flat models Shells Thin TS3 Triangles TSL6 QSI4 Quadrilaterals QSL8 Thick TTS4 TTS6 QTS4 QTS8
Meshing - Elements
Joint (spring element) Joint elements are used to connect two or more nodes by springs, with translational and rotational stiffness. They may have an associated mass and damping.
Mass only joints can be defined
Meshing - Elements
To select the element types: Use Attributes> Mesh...
The number of elements in a regular mesh are controlled by defining line meshes on the boundary lines with no element type.
To assign the mesh to
the surface, select the surface to be meshed, then use the treeview and drag the appropriate mesh name from it onto the surface.
Meshing - Elements
Meshing - Layout
Balance between accuracy and effort Ideal value depends on what model is for
Use sensitivity tests to get right

set up part / all of model identify key result areas vary mesh density and compare results use lowest density that gives consistent results Consider varying mesh density through model.
Meshing - Layout
Meshing - Layout Mesh Aspect Ratios High aspect ratios can cause numerical problems in the analysis General guideline keep ratio less than 10
Attributes
Mesh
Geometric
Material
Supports
Attributes - Geometric
Geometric Attributes not to be confused with Geometry... For line elements need to enter the cross sectional properties For surface elements need to enter the thickness
Attributes - Geometric
Attributes> Geometric>
Cross section properties can be obtained from a library or entered directly.
New cross section properties can be defined and imported into a model by creating a separate 2d lusas model with the cross section shape.
Attributes - Material
Use Attributes> Material> Material Library/Composite Library and select a material.
Or, material properties can be entered directly
To check where any attribute is assigned, as well as having a coloured beside it, use rightclick on the attribute in the treeview, then Select Assignments to see which parts have that particular attribute.
Attributes - Supports
Supports can be assigned to points, lines or surfaces. They can be rigid or springs
When a support is assigned, it will be visualised by a green arrow on the point or line. Use the icon to turn this on/off.
If several load cases are created the supports are only applied in the first loadcase, and can only be manipulated when that loadcase is active.
Loading
A load is defined as an attribute, and applied to the geometry.
A self weight can be added to the model by selecting Body Force and then entering a linear acceleration of -9.81
The arrows can be turned on and off using:
Loading
Load Types:
Structural Applied to Structure
Prescribed - Moves structure

Discrete defined on local coordinate system and projected onto structure
Loadcases
Any number of loadcases can be created. When a load is assigned to the model it must be assigned to a loadcase. Basic Combinations
Smart Combinations
Envelopes When loads are assigned to the geometry a load factor can be applied. Supports are defined in first Loadcase
Traffic Loading - AUTOLOADER

Attributes > Influence
Displace or rotate elements.
Bridge > Run Influence Analysis...
Traffic Loading - AUTOLOADER

Bridge > Vehicle Load Optimisation
Doesnt cover Eurocodes yet.
Analysis
or File> LUSAS Datafile gives more advanced options
Visualisation of a Model
Geometry Mesh
Attributes
Labels
Contours
Vectors Deformed Mesh Diagrams Values The order of the layers on display is shown by the order in the treeview, bottom being most visible
Viewing Assignments
In the layers treeview right click on geometry and select properties
Viewing Model Groups:

Different parts of the model can be made visible and invisible at any stage. The groups function assigns geometry features to different named groups so they can be made visible and invisible easily
Selection:
Viewing Results
To view the results of the analysis, the loadcase used needs to be set active.
Utilities >
Print Results Wizard ...

Gives tables of results for the visible model
Viewing Results
Used to plot deflections, diagrams and contours
Other things Lusas can do: Frequency analysis Buckling analysis Non-linear analysis Automation using Visual Basic Scripts
Help... www.lusas.com
Username: lusas Password: powerfulfe
Bridge Engineers Working Group Site

https://communities.eu.atkinsglobal.com/sites/StructuresWG/default.aspx
Lusas Technical Support

Support@lusas.com
Checks
1. Check the reactions 2. Check the deformed shape 3. Check the value of the deformations. 4. Check your LUSAS Solver text output file (*.OUT) for any warning messages. 5. Check mesh refinement 6. Check element axis
http://www.lusas.com/protected/instruct/basic_checklist.html

Lusas Basics

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What are the different element types available in LUSAS?

What are the different element types available in LUSAS?

What are the different types of loads that can be applied in LUSAS?

What are the different types of loads that can be applied in LUSAS?

Introduction to LUSAS

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

.mdl the model file

Basics Attributes Loadcases Groups Utilities Reports Layers

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

Points Lines Surfaces Volumes

Surfaces are created between lines by selecting lines and using:

Volumes are created by selecting surfaces and using:

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

Other linear elements :

Number of nodes / gauss point

required for most analysis

Mass only joints can be defined

Use sensitivity tests to get right

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

Or, material properties can be entered directly

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

The arrows can be turned on and off using:

Structural Applied to Structure

Prescribed - Moves structure

Traffic Loading - AUTOLOADER

Bridge > Run Influence Analysis...

Traffic Loading - AUTOLOADER

Doesnt cover Eurocodes yet.

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

or File> LUSAS Datafile gives more advanced options

Basics Geometry Mesh Attributes Loading Analysis Viewing Results

Viewing Model Groups:

Print Results Wizard ...

Bridge Engineers Working Group Site

Lusas Technical Support

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