Viewing a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model allows users to see the various elements, segments and iterations or steps completed by the solver. This can also be used to check model setup and troubleshoot in case of failed solves.
View an FEA model
The FEA model is viewed through the FEA panel. For information on how to add panels see Add more panels.
Navigate to the Advanced Options section at the bottom of the panel and enable Record Steps. Ensure that the objects you wish to run the simulation on are selected in a view, such as Perspective view.
Navigate to the Simulations section at the top of the panel and select Run for the environment of interest.
Return to the Advanced Options section and select Current Solves. This will display a list of reports available.
Selecting a pole report will alter the Perspective view to display the FEA model, including segmentation, for the pole and attached components.
Note, to improve visibility of the FEA model, Map Overlay Opacity in View settings has been set to zero.
To view the effect of each iteration during the solve process, use the Iteration slider within the Advanced Options section. A slider value of zero provides the starting position. The maximum slider value provides the position upon reaching equilibrium.
To stop viewing the FEA model in Perspective view, left-click the red icon at the end of the Iterations field.
Troubleshoot failed solves
FEA completes an iterative process to determine how elements will behave in a given simulation. There are times when this cannot be completed using the parameters set. This is known as failed solves and if this occurs, Failed Solves will appear in the Reports section of the FEA panel. Failed Dependent Solves collates information about subsequent solves that could not be completed.
To troubleshoot failures check that the project has been set up correctly including ensuring there are sensible parameters in the following places:
Library properties for assemblies, components, conductors, and poles.
Strain section stringing tensions which may include ensuring insulators are close to plumb.
FEA configuration in FEA panel for given use case, simulated environment, and geometry of simulated objects.
Environment configuration is complete.
If the project setup is correct, adjusting the FEA simulation settings in Advanced Options of the FEA panel may also resolve failures.
Tuning Parameters are automatically set to Default values, but can be updated individually, or by apply the Unstable Model preset. Using the unstable model preset can improve the likelihood of convergence, however results will be slower and may be less accurate.
To balance convergence and accuracy consider updating:
Force Stop to increase the maximum amount of imbalance allowed in the final solution. Drastic increases in this parameter could resolve failed solves however this will reduce accuracy.
Max Steps to increase the maximum number of iterations allowable. Increases in this parameter may result in calculations taking additional time and will not resolve diverging solves.
The remaining parameters have significant impacts and trade offs, particularly on speed and accuracy. Therefore, they should be adjusted sparingly.
Node Displacement Stop is the minimum a node needs to move per step after the force stop threshold has been reached for a solve to be reached, without using the max steps. Increasing this parameter can result in a solve occurring sooner, at the expense of accuracy.
Step Fraction can be reduced to attempt to improve the convergence rate, however it will require more iterations to solve and should be altered alongside Max Steps.
Damping Lambda is a complex parameter that can alter the solution and required number of steps.