The FE input file (finite element input file) is processed
in two ways during the optimization procedure. Initially, the optimization
preprocessing step reads the FE input file and all necessary information
is written into the optimization database. Afterwards, in each optimization
iteration only the properties changing during the optimization will be
modified in the FE input file.
The flow diagram below is identical for all FE solvers. The optimization
preprocessor TOSCA_PREP executes the program fem2onf.
This program converts the FE-input file into a neutral file format
(ONF). The essential information regarding the FE-model
is written in the neutral file. The first file called <jobname>_req.onf
contains the result requests. These are the FE-results needed for the
optimization module. The second file contains FE-model (<jobname>_fem.onf)
information, that is, grid points, elements and etc. The last file contains
the group definitions (<jobname>_grp.onf).
The optimization iterations begin when the preprocessor is finished.
No previous optimization iterations exist for the first optimization
iteration. However, FEM_MODIF modifies the FE-input
files (model1.<input>, model2.<input>, ...)
which ensures that requested results are present after FE-analysis.
The chosen FE solver calculates the requested results (model1.<output>,
...). The specific results required for the optimization are
read by RES_2_VTM and the results are stored in the database
(tosca_memory). Using these results the optimizer TOSCA_OPT
generates a modification file (<jobname>_mod.onf).
Afterwards, FEM_MODIF once again modifies the original
FE-input file using the modification file. The standard configuration
ensures that the FE-input files will be stored for each optimization
iteration in the directory SAVE.<input>. The directory
SAVE.<input> also contains the original input
file having the name model_org.<input>. The first
and last FE results files are stored in the directory SAVE.<output>.
Flow diagram for SIMULIA Tosca Structure
"input" and "output" is
the FE input file extension and result output extension, respectively.
The extension names correspond to the extensions given
by the FE solver.
Solver type
SIMULIA Tosca Structure
supported input
SIMULIA Tosca Structure
supported output
Abaqus
*.inp
*.fil or *.sim (see below)
*.odb
ANSYS®
*.cdb
*.rst
*.dat
*.inp
MSC Nastran®
*.bdf
*.op2
(*.dat)
Some features in SIMULIA Tosca Structure
are not available for all solver interfaces.