ANSYS Explicit STR Features

ANSYS Explicit STR is an entry-level product for modeling problems that are well suited for the explicit solution method —problems with highly nonlinear response, large strain and strain rates, and complex contact between multiple and changing surfaces.

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Familiar User Interface Familiar User Interface

Managing simulations within the ANSYS Workbench environment results in enhanced speed and ease of use. Model setup for various analysis systems, such as thermal and static structural, can be persistently linked to an ANSYS Explicit STR solution for transfer of material data, mesh, connections, loads and constraints.

Explicit STR ANSYS Workbench project page

Familiar ANSYS Mechanical graphical user interface
Same initial and boundary condition setup


Easy-to-Use Explicit Material Library Easy-to-Use Explicit Material Library

The material library for explicit materials stored in engineering data contains over 200 material models composed of the most commonly used materials for explicit problems. These models are ready to be used without any additional data input needed and are fully documented with references to the publications describing the algorithms that were used for the models. A number of equation of states (EOS), strength models and failure models have been implemented as part of the library. These models can be used for materials not contained in the library, however the user then does have to specify the material data for the models.

Partial lists of explicit materials library
Material data for Iron-ARMCO
Graph of strain rate dependent strength for Iron-ARMCO


Implicit to Explicit Data Transfer Implicit to Explicit Data Transfer

Certain explicit problems require pre-stressing, a process that is far more efficient with the ANSYS Mechanical (implicit) solver. Pre-stressing can be employed before simulating the failure of a bond, impact, or other type of analysis that is best performed with ANSYS Explicit STR. The ANSYS Workbench environment and employing the same user interface for both types of solvers makes running these problems easy and convenient.

ANSYS Workbench product page for pre-stressing with ANSYS Mechanical for an ANSYS Explicit STR simulation
Fan pre-stressed for rotation
Fan blade damage from failed bonding


Discrete Surface Body Thickness Discrete Surface Body Thickness

A complete virtual prototyping and testing capability for manufacturing containers with variable thickness is available in ANSYS Workbench, Simulated blow molding or thermal forming processes can be used to obtain the thickness distribution of a container. The model can be transferred to ANSYS Explicit STR where impact loadings can be applied to simulate how the container will respond to in-use situations.
Explicit STR can also utilize variable thickness data imported from an external data file.

Variable thickness results from ANSYS Polyflow
Stresses from top loading analysis

Convenient Composite Modeling Convenient Composite Modeling

Composite materials are increasing used to extend the life and reduce the weight of products. Explicit STR software makes the setup and simulation of composites as easy as possible. The definition of complex material lay-ups that comprise the composite can be done most conveniently with the ANSYS Composite PrepPost  tool. The results can be used directly in Explicit STR.

Composite lay-up for a baseball bat
Composite baseball bat problem setup
Stresses in a composite baseball bat


Direct Access to Results Direct Access to Results

Results from ANSYS Explicit STR can be accessed directly with the design assessment tool. This tool can extract results from the simulation and manipulate the results using scripts to provide customized post-processing. This capability extends the already full featured result processing that can be done within Explicit STR.

ANSYS Workbench project page shows the use of design assessment


Add-On Modules Add-On Modules

Geometry Defeaturing and Editing

ANSYS DesignModeler provides geometry modeling functions unique for simulation. Features include CAD geometry defeaturing, fluid or electromagnetic enclosure creation, detailed geometric modeling, and concept model creation tools.

ANSYS SpaceClaim Direct Modeler is ideally suited for conveniently modifying geometry and creating geometric parameters for analysis.

Six-Sigma Analysis and Design Exploration

ANSYS DesignXplorer software performs robust design analyses of any ANSYS Workbench platform simulation, including those with CAD parameters. ANSYS DesignXplorer allows users to study, quantify and graph various analysis responses. It incorporates both traditional and nontraditional optimization through a goal-driven optimization method.

Process and Data Management

ANSYS Engineering Knowledge Management (EKM), a powerful data management system, can greatly reduce the effort required to handle large data files. it extracts information from these data files and conveniently stores the data in a quick and easy-to-use fashion.

Extract and Manipulate Results

The ANSYS design assessment system delivers the capability to perform data manipulation of the results from a solution.

Comprehensive Report Generation Comprehensive Report Generation

After a simulation has been completed, it can be a daunting task to document what has been done, to gather all of the graphs and plots that have been generated and fully describe the input parameters that were used to run the simulation. The report-generation feature of ANSYS Workbench handles all of these requirements by creating a report with a single mouse click.

Excerpts from a sample report are below.




Streamlined Workflow Streamlined Workflow

ANSYS Explicit STR software users benefit from the workflow afforded by operating in the ANSYS Workbench environment. While many different simulation processes are possible, here is an example of the typical steps a user might take:

  • Select the material models to be used from the extensive explicit material library available within engineering data.
  • Associatively link to a parametric CAD model or import a geometry.
  • Automatically create a uniform explicit mesh using the new explicit preference within ANSYS Workbench; automatically create part-to-part contact by using the body interactions tool.
  • Fine tune contact specifications, if desired, by utilizing breakable or eroding contact options.
  • Further fine tune contact specifications for efficiency, if appropriate.
  • Load and/or support an assembly and/or parts as usual with an ANSYS mechanical solution.
  • Use convenient cylindrical geometry for initial and boundary conditions, if appropriate.
  • Solve either in the background or via remote solution manager (RSM).
  • View progress of the solution interactively in real time using concurrent post-processing capabilities.
  • Explore alternative design ideas via parametric changes to the CAD model and easily perform resolves, just as you would with other ANSYS Workbench environment-based applications.
  • Use the ANSYS design exploration capability to automate the parametric model space exploration.
  • Generate a comprehensive report containing the details of the simulation with a single mouse click.

Native CAD Import & Robust Meshing Native CAD Import & Robust Meshing

Native bidirectional CAD connectivity, available for all mainstream CAD programs, and automatic meshing with advanced options are provided through the ANSYS Workbench platform. In addittion, the Workbench platform allows import from most neutral geometry formats, such as IGES, STEM and Parasolid®.

The extensive meshing technology that is part of the Workbench environment is able to produce the type of mesh required for explicit analysis, with uniform element size using hexahedral elements when possible. Since a high-quality mesh is the most important requirement for accuracy and reasonable computational performance the user is spared the tedious effort required for manual meshing.

Circuit board created in Pro/ENGINEER®
Meshed circuit board


Built on Proven Solver Technology Built on Proven Solver Technology

Based on the robust and time-tested Lagrange (STRuctural) solver of the ANSYS AUTODYN program, ANSYS Explicit STR software is fully integrated into the unified ANSYS Workbench environment. This platform enables convenient and seamless use of a range of multiphysics solutions, including electrical, thermal, mechanical and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

ANSYS Explicit STR software operates within ANSYS Workbench, which provides CAD connectivity, automatic meshing, automatic contact area definition, an extensive material library, and a single, convenient, easy-to-use user interface.

ANSYS Workbench project page with ANSYS Explicit STR setup

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