Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide - Ansys

Chapter 6: An Overview of Postprocessing
After building the model and obtaining the solution, you will want answers to some critical questions: Will
the design really work when put to use? How high are the stresses in this region? How does the temperature
of this part vary with time? What is the heat loss across this face of my model? How does the magnetic flux
flow through this device? How does the placement of this object affect fluid flow? The postprocessors in
the ANSYS program can help you answer these questions and others.
Postprocessing means reviewing the results of an analysis. It is probably the most important step in the
analysis, because you are trying to understand how the applied loads affect your design, how good your finite
element mesh is, and so on.
The following postprocessing topics are available:
6.1. Postprocessors Available
6.2.The Results Files
6.3.Types of Data Available for Postprocessing
6.1. Postprocessors Available
Two postprocessors are available for reviewing your results: POST1, the general postprocessor, and POST26,
the time-history postprocessor. POST1 allows you to review the results over the entire model at specific load
steps and substeps (or at specific time-points or frequencies). In a static structural analysis, for example, you
can display the stress distribution for load step 3. Or, in a transient thermal analysis, you can display the
temperature distribution at time = 100 seconds. Following is a typical example of a POST1 plot:
Figure 6.1 A Typical POST1 Contour Display
POST26 allows you to review the variation of a particular result item at specific points in the model with
respect to time, frequency, or some other result item. In a transient magnetic analysis, for instance, you can
graph the eddy current in a particular element versus time. Or, in a nonlinear structural analysis, you can
graph the force at a particular node versus its deflection. Figure 6.2 (p. 128) is shown below.
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