This article describes the workflow for accessing ANSYS APDL on the Nimbix Cloud, for performing a multiphysics analysis. This article uses the same interface, same workflow as Mechanical APDL (aka Mechanical Classic) that is described in a separate article. The focus in this article is to describe the steps for performing a multiphysics analysis in Ansys Mechanical APDL by accessing ANSYS MULTIPHYSICS.
To access Mechanical APDL on Nimbix Cloud, the following steps are required:
1. Select the desired ANSYS Multiphysics release from the Compute dashboard
NOTE: If the option is not available in the first page menu, press on “More” at the bottom of the page as shown in the image below:
2. A splash window will open. Select the Mechanical APDL option as shown below:
3. Cloud set-up screen opens and here you must choose some of your settings by clicking on the Tabs on the top of the window (General, Optional, etc) one tab at a time.
UNDER GENERAL TAB
1. Under Machine type when you click on the caret on the right, you can select the type of machine you want to run your job on. The decision on machine type selection is based on size and complexity of your model and cost associated with the machine type (some machines will have higher RAM, others will only run the job on single CPU, others will have better graphics and therefore higher cost, etc).
2. Select the number of cores:
The machine type you selected in the previous step, will dictate the increment in the number of cores that you can choose/select. For a very simple and small model, you can leave default selection, which in this case would be “4” or move the scroll bar to the desired number of cores or simply type over “4” the number of cores you wish to run your job on (we left it default in this case):
NOTE: Do not confuse number of cores with number of nodes (nodes represent the number of increment of cores that you selected. In the example above, 1 node represents 4 cores, 2 nodes would be 8 cores).
UNDER OPTIONAL TAB
- Assign a JOB LABEL (give a name that will help you keep track on your running jobs. For example, My_APDLMultiPhysics):
UNDER STORAGE TAB
- Select vault type: Default vault is “Elastic_File”
The “Elastic_File” vault is recommended for small to medium size jobs, such as Icepak projects, simple linear Mechanical Analysis projects, some HFSS and simple Fluent projects (not multi-phase). For any complex and computationally heavy jobs, and where partitioning the job over number of cores becomes challenging, the Performance_SSD vault is strongly recommended. The Performance_SSD vault can be found in the drop-down under “Select Vault” tab (NOTE: requires subscription and extra monthly payment to have access to Performance_SSD vault).
Before submitting your job for running, you can preview your settings under the PREVIEW SUBMISSION tab.
You can start your job by clicking SUBMIT.
After Mechanical APDL Multiphysics has been successfully launched, select your simulation environment in the Product Launcher window, license type, and working directory (your “data” folder) in the Product Launcher window as shown below. Provide a Job Name which will be the name of your project as saved in your “data” folder (“My_APDL_Multiphysics” in this case):
Set up the High Performance Computing Tab as shown below: Use Shared Memory Parallel (SMP) and input the number of processors/cores selected (in this case 4)
NOTE: Distributed Computed (DMP) option is not available on Linux. Use Shared-Memory Parallel (SMP) option
Press “Run” button at the bottom of the window to start the job.
BUILD AND RUN YOUR FE MODEL
You can build and run your Finite Element (Multiphysics) analysis model by either entering the APDL commands in the command line or using the GUI.
In this example, a cantilever beam with rolling end is subject to thermal stress due to applied heat loss of 5000 W at the fixed end while the rolling end is kept at a constant 32° C. The beam uses a linear material with constant (isotropic) thermal and structural properties.
NOTE: Refer to How to run MAPDL analysis on NIMBIX article for additional help on setting up a classical APDL model.
a). Create/Import geometry using Keypoints/Lines/Surfaces/Solids and mesh (use SOLID226 coupled element if a thermal stress analysis is needed. Consult APDL User Guide for element definition) and enter desired mesh command:
b) Add loads, boundary conditions (thermal – fixed temperature and flow and static structural – fixed support and rolling end)
c) Set up analysis settings (use default or manual controls as desired) and SOLVE the problem. You can monitor progress by clicking on the “Detailed Job Metric” icon from your dashboard
CPU utilization will be shown in a separate window.
d) Insert Results based on the desired data that you wish you obtain from your analysis (temperature distribution, directional thermal strain, displacement)
e) Save your work and exit the software when finished (ensure the job is closed before closing your browser). NOTE: Chose: File > Exit from the APDL window after saving the model and loads.