Stress analysis types

Stress analyses are used to identify structure-related problems, typically with the strength, stiffness, and life expectancy of plastic products.

The following stress analysis types are available and can be selected from the Process Settings Wizard:

Small deflection

Select this analysis type if you expect the deformation behavior of the part to be stable. The small deflection analysis provides the final deformed shape of the part, assuming linear stress-strain behavior within the part.

Large deflection

Select this analysis type if you expect the deformation behavior of the part to be unstable, as determined from a previous buckling analysis, if the deformation behavior is borderline stable/unstable, and/or if you want the most accurate prediction of the shape of the part. The large deflection analysis provides the final deformed shape of the part, allowing for nonlinear stress-strain behavior within the part.

Buckling

A buckling analysis is used to determine whether the deformation of the part will be stable or unstable under the applied load(s). If the buckling analysis indicates the deformation behavior of the part is stable (critical load factor > 1), the deflection results obtained from the buckling analysis provide a good indication of the final deformed shape of the part. If the buckling analysis indicates the deformation behavior of the part is unstable (critical load factor < 1), you need to run a large deflection analysis to determine the final deformed shape of the part.

Modal frequency

Select this analysis type if you want to determine the natural, undamped frequency response of the part. Theoretically, this analysis type is similar to the buckling analysis, however the physical interpretation of the results is different.

Creep

Select this analysis type if you want to analyze the creep behavior of the part, that is, its time dependent deformation under the applied load(s).