Learning Forum

[e252009]

Hello everyone, I am trying to use the deformation from one simulation as an initial condition for a new analysis on the exact same geometry.

I am exporting the nodal deformations to a CSV file and using the "External Data" system to map them onto my new model. I can successfully map and apply the initial deformation to the new mesh. But, when I apply a new force in subsequent load steps, the force does not deform the geometry further. The scoped areas act as perfectly rigid. As I understand from my own testing and previous forum threads, Ansys treats the "Imported Displacement" as a strict boundary condition, locking the spatial positions of those nodes. So, I need a way to complete this workflow.

P.S. I do not want to export the deformed CAD body and re-import it. I need to handle this via data mapping.

P.S. I have already considered mapping nodal stresses instead, but because my source and target meshes are different, the mesh-dependency increases too much. I specifically need a way to drive this using the deformation data.

P.S. I am using Ansys Mechanical 2024 R2.

Thank you in advance for your insights

[peteroznewman]

The easy way to start a new analysis at the end of a previous analysis is to add a step to the previous analysis and apply new loads in the new step. Is there a reason you can't do it the easy way?