Review the Results

Results from a static analysis are written to the structural results file, Jobname.RST. They consist of the
following data:
Primary data:
o Nodal displacements (UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, ROTZ)
Derived data:
o Nodal and element stresses
o Nodal and element strains
o Element forces
o Nodal reaction forces etc.
1.1 Postprocessors
You can review these results using POST1, the general postprocessor, and POST26, the time-history
processor.
POST1 is used to review results over the entire model at specific substeps (time-points). Some
typical POST1 operations are explained below.
POST26 is used in nonlinear static analyses to track specific result items over the applied load
history.

1.2 Points to Remember

To review results in POST1 or POST26, the database must contain the same model for which the
solution was calculated.
The results file (Jobname.RST) must be available.

1.3 Reviewing Results Data

1. Read in the database from the database file.
Utility Menu>File>Resume from
2. Read in the desired set of results. Identify the data set by load step and substep numbers or
by time. (If you specify a time value for which no results are available, the ANSYS program will
perform linear interpolation on all the data to calculate the results at that time.)
Main Menu>General Postproc>-Read Results-By Load Step
3. Perform the necessary POST1 operations. Typical static analysis POST1 operations are
explained below.

1.4 Option: Display Deformed Shape

Main Menu>General Postproc>Plot Results>Deformed Shape

1.5 Option: List Reaction Forces and Moments

Main Menu>General Postproc>List Results>Reaction Solu
To display reaction forces, issue RFOR,1 and then request a node or element display. (Use RMOM instead
of RFOR for reaction moments.)

1.6 Option: List Nodal Forces and Moments

Main Menu>General Postproc>List Results>Element Solution

You can list the sum of all nodal forces and moments for a selected set of nodes. Select a set of nodes and
use this feature to find out the total force acting on those nodes:
Main Menu>General Postproc>Nodal Calcs>Total Force Sum
You can also check the total force and total moment at each selected node. For a body in equilibrium, the
total load is zero at all nodes except where an applied load or reaction load exists.
Main Menu>General Postproc>Nodal Calcs>Sum @ Each Node

1.7 Option: Line Element Results

Main Menu>General Postproc>Element Table>Define Table
For line elements, such as beams, spars, and pipes, use this option to gain access to derived data
(stresses, strains, etc.). Results data are identified by a combination of a label and a sequence number or
component name on the ETABLE command. See the ETABLE discussion in Chapter 5 of the ANSYS
Basic Analysis Procedures Guide for details.

1.8 Option: Contour Displays

Main Menu>General Postproc>Plot Results>-Contour Plot-Nodal Solu or Element Solu
Use these options to contour almost any result item, such as stresses (SX, SY, SZ...), strains (EPELX,
EPELY, EPELZ...), and displacements (UX, UY, UZ...).
You can also contour element table data and line element data:
Main Menu>General Postproc>Element Table>Plot Element Table
Main Menu>General Postproc>Plot Results>-Contour Plot-Line Elem Res
Caution: Derived data, such as stresses and strains, are averaged at the nodes by this command. These
averaging results in "smeared" values at nodes where elements of different materials, different shell
thicknesses or other discontinuities meet. To avoid the smearing effect, use selecting (described in Chapter
7 of the ANSYS Basic Analysis Procedures Guide) to select elements of the same material, same shell
thickness, etc. before issuing PLNSOL. Alternatively, use PowerGraphics with the command (Main
Menu> General Postproc>Options for Outp) to not average results across different materials and/or
different shell thicknesses.

1.11 Option: Vector Displays

Main Menu>General Postproc>Plot Results>-Vector Plot-Predefined
Main Menu>General Postproc>List Results>Vector Data
Vector displays (not to be confused with vector mode) are an effective way of viewing vector quantities,
such as displacement (DISP), rotation (ROT), and principal stresses (S1, S2, S3).

1.12 Option: Tabular Listings

Main Menu>General Postproc>List Results>solution option
Main Menu>General Postproc>List Results>-Sorted Listing-Sort Nodes or Sort Elems