Write your own analysis

An analysis in the Script workspace is a few short scripts that hand variables to each other. Start from a library function that is close to what you need, make a copy, and change it; or build one up as below.

1. A mesh

model = part();                  % the part you are modelling, as a model
m = tetmesh(model, 4);           % tetrahedra about 4 mm across
show(m)

Check the mesh in the view before going on: FF fits it, the eye in Shown hides the part.

2. Assemble and solve

Write the element loop in the script (it reads like the textbook), and leave the heavy parts to the built-in functions: element matrices, sparse assembly from triplets, and the conjugate gradient solver with a preconditioner. A library function such as static_tet (once the library has it) is a complete example to copy from.

3. Show the result

f = field(m, vm, 'node', 'von Mises', 'MPa');  % one value per node
show(f, 'deform', u, 'scale', 100)
plot(residuals, 'title', 'Solver residual', 'id', 'conv')

• The legend's range can be typed in or set back to Auto.
• Click the mesh to read the values at a node.
• A plot that keeps the same 'id' is updated in place, so print and plot inside your loop to watch it converge.

4. Check it

Compare with something you know: a cantilever's tip deflection against PL³/3EI, a plate with a hole against its stress concentration factor, the reactions against the loads. Write the check as its own script so it runs again after every change:

tip = max(abs(u(:)));
expected = P * L^3 / (3 * E * I);
fprintf('tip %g mm, beam theory %g mm (%.1f %%)\n', tip, expected, 100 * (tip / expected - 1))

5. Keep it

• Each step can be its own script tab: they share the variables, so run them one after the other.
• Scripts are saved in the part. Tick Save the variables with the part on the Variables tab to keep the results too (up to 32 MB).
• Save in the Script group downloads a script to share it; Open brings one in.