visualization of 2D becomes 3D after optimization and extended density distribution

- February 23, 2020 at 12:18 pm
  
  elineh
  Subscriber
  
  Hi,
  
  I am analysing a simple 2D MBB Beam. I drew it and toggled the '2D-analysis' option, then, I performed an analysis and optimization. Now I have 2 questions:
  
  1) Is it possible to view the density distribution of a material when it is optimized. Right now I can see 3 colours (red, brown and grey) but I would like to have a range of colours, so I can see exactly how discrete my solution is and what the density of every element is.
  
  2) when I transfer my result back into Space Claim, to perform an analysis on the optimized result, ANSYS stretches my design into a long 3D beam, which is not my intention. Any idea how I can transfer my 2D optimized result so I can analyse it further?
  
  Thank you very much
- February 23, 2020 at 6:17 pm
  
  peteroznewman
  Subscriber
  
  What is a MBB Beam?
  
  1) Read this discussion, which mentions density in the output.
  
  2) In SpaceClaim, use the Select tool, click on the end face in the XY plane, Ctrl-C then Ctrl-V and you will have a surface. Now you can delete the solid.
- February 24, 2020 at 3:35 pm
  
  elineh
  Subscriber
  
  Hi,
  
  An MBB Beam is a simply supported beam of which only half is modelled since it is symmetrical. See figure 6 in this link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330853881_Topology_Optimization_Under_Uncertainty_by_Using_the_New_Collocation_Method
  
  Anyhow, I found how to model the densities, I did it with a user defined result with expression ETOPO.
  
  I will try to do as you said in SpaceClaim
  
  thanks