The difference between transient structural analyses from static structuraş analyses is the use of loads and boundary conditions that time-dependent. For example, a load in static structural analyses does not change or changes slightly that do not disrupt the steady-state conditions. But in transient structural analyses, loads or boundary conditions can change abruptly over time.
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In transient structural analyses, we are curious about the dynamic responses of the parts of the physical system that is analyzed. So, the inertial and damping effects of materials and parts are very important in transient structural analyses.
All the nonlinearities of solutions are available in transient structural analyses in ANSYS® Mechanical. These nonlinearities include plasticity, elasticity, large deformations, etc. But, you need to assess the expected nonlinearities from the system very well. Because, when the nonlinearities are permitted, solution times will be much longer, and much more computational sources required.
Understanding the natural or forced frequencies of the system is very important for healthy transient structural solutions. At these critical responses, part or system will respond to external excitements. So, the application of time steps according to these critical frequencies can be very useful for transient structural analyses.
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How To Create A Transient Structural Analysis Environment In ANSYS® Mechanical?

To start a transient structural analysis in ANSYS® Workbench, drag the ‘Transient Structural’ system to ‘Project Schematic’ as shown above.
Select Your Materials For Transient Structural Analysis
After selecting the transient structural analysis in ANSYS® Workbench, double click on ‘Engineering Data’ to select your materials that will be used in the ANSYS® Mechanical environment.
You can also create your material in ANSYS® to use in transient structural analyses. And you can change the properties of existing material also.
Insert Your Geometry Into ANSYS® Workbench

You need to have a geometry that has .iges or .stp extensions to directly add into ANSYS® Workbench by using ‘Geometry’. Right-click on ‘Geometry’ and import your geometry from your computer.
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You can also create your geometry by using DesignModeler or SpaceClaim CAD environments which are included in the ANSYS® license.
Then double click on ‘Model’ to open ANSYS® Mechanical environment to create your transient structural analysis.
Define Material Properties And Part Options

Below the ‘Geometry’ tab, all the parts that are attached to Transient analyses will be seen. You can select the parts one by one as shown by the red arrow above. Click on parts and define;
- Reference temperature: This will be the starting temperature of the body.
- Material assignment: Click to select the material of all bodies that are selected inside ‘Engineering Data’.
- Nonlinear effects: If you expect nonlinear effects from the bodies, you can make it ‘Yes’.
- Thermal strain effects: Thermal strains are also very important. But if you don’t have anything to do with thermal effects, turn it off.
Prepare Proper Mesh Structure For Your System In Transient Structural Analysis
You can find out the most important mesh options available in ANSYS® Mechanical meshing in Mechanicalland.
For transient analyses, you need to increase the mesh density on the regions of your physical model where;
- Transient loads will be applied,
- Nonlinearities are expected,
- Contacts that forces, loads, and moments will be transferred.
Also, you need to define proper contacts between various parts that constitute the whole assembly.
Prepare Step Controls For Transient Analysis In ANSYS® Mechanical
Step controls are a very useful thing to optimize the loads and boundary conditions on parts of transient structural analysis. As we stated above, loads and boundary conditions are time-dependent in transient analyses. So, you will provide this time-dependent nature of loads and conditions by using time steps in transient structural analyses.
Add Required Boundry Conditions And Loads Into Your Physical Model

You can define fixed supports, displacements, velocities, accelerations, frictionless supports to your parts in ANSYS® Mechanical as boundary conditions.
There are lots of options as you see at the pop-up menu when you hover your mouse on ‘Insert’, after right-clicking on analysis in ANSYS® Mechanical.
You can define pressures, forces, moments, loads, etc.. both static or time-dependent in transient analyses in ANSYS® Mechanical.
Define Solution Objects For Transient Analysis

If you right-click on ‘Solution’ as above in ANSYS® Mechanical, you can see all the solution objects available for transient structural analyses. You can select; maximum tensile stress, maximum shear stress, mohr-coulomb stress, and others.
Click on the ‘Solve’ button to start the transient structural analysis in ANSYS® Mechanical.
Conclusion
Transient structural analysis is a very important tool for designers that are designing dynamic structural systems.
Do not forget to leave your comments and questions below about transient structural analysis in ANSYS® Mechanical.
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NOTE: All the screenshots and images are used for educational and informative purposes. Images used courtesy of ANSYS, Inc.
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