Getting dropped

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Preparing to demonstrate a drop test the other day, I was reminded of a useful procedure for creating a suitable mesh and thought you might like to know about it. 

  1. Identify the surface that will hit the ground first during the drop test.
  2. Create a static study.
  3. Add a fixed restraint to the surface identified in the first step above.
  4. Apply a reasonable gravity loading (e.g. 10g).
  5. Then run an h-adaptive study with a fine accuracy setting.
  6. Create the drop test study and then drag and drop the mesh from the static study on to it.
  7. Continue with the drop test.

By using an h-adaptive mesh, you should find the elements are refined in the regions most suitable for the drop test. Sneaky but cool.

 

Matthew West

SolidWorks alumnus. I like plate reverb, Rat pedals, Thai curry, New Weird fiction, my kids, Vespas, Jazzmasters, my wife & Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not necessarily in that order.