2.1. Elements Used in 2-D Static Magnetic Analysis

www.kxcad.net Home > CAE Index > ANSYS Index > Release 11.0 Documentation for ANSYS

A 2-D model uses 2-D elements to represent the geometry of the structure. Although all objects and structures are 3-D, you can and often should consider using a 2-D model for your analysis when the geometry lends itself to planar or axisymmetric modeling. This is because a 2-D model usually is much easier to generate and takes less time to solve.

The ANSYS Multiphysics and ANSYS Emag programs include several elements (described below) to help you perform 2-D static magnetic analyses.

For detailed information about the elements, see the Elements Reference.

Table 2.1 2-D Solid Elements

Element	Dimens.	Shape or Characteristic	DOFs	Notes
PLANE13	2-D	4-node quadrilateral or 3-node triangular	Up to four at each node; these can be magnetic vector potential (AZ), displacements, temperature, or time-integrated electric potential	Supported for cyclic symmetry (periodic) analysis.
PLANE53	2-D	8-node quadrilateralor 6-node triangular	Up to four at each node; these can be magnetic vector potential (AZ), time-integrated electric potential, current, or electromotive force drop	Supported for cyclic symmetry (periodic) analysis.

Table 2.2 Far-Field Elements

Element	Dimens.	Shape or Characteristic	DOFs
INFIN9	2-D	2-node line	Magnetic vector potential (AZ)
INFIN110	2-D	4-node or 8-node quadrilateral	Magnetic vector potential (AZ), electric potential, temperature

Table 2.3 General Circuit Elements

Element	Dimens.	Shape or Characteristic	DOFs	Notes
CIRCU124	None	General circuit element; up to 6 nodes	Up to three at each node; these can be electric potential, current, or electromotive force drop	Used to couple with a magnetic domain

Table 2.4 Contact Elements

Element	Dimens.	Shape or Characteristic	DOFs	Notes
TARGE169	2-D	Target segment	n/a	Used to model the target region for a contact analysis
CONTA171	2-D	Surface-to-surface contact element (2-node)	AZ	Used to model the contact region for a contact analysis
CONTA172	2-D	Surface-to-surface contact element (3-node)	AZ	Used to model the contact region for a contact analysis
CONTA175	2-D	Node-to-surface contact element (1-node)	AZ	Used to model the contact region for a contact analysis

The 2-D elements use a magnetic vector potential formulation. (In other words, the degrees of freedom used to solve the problem are vector potentials.) Because the elements are 2-D, each node has only one vector potential degree of freedom: AZ (vector potential in the Z direction). The time-integrated electric potential (VOLT) is used for current-fed massive conductors and for enforcing terminal conditions on conductors.

An additional degree of freedom, current (CURR), is used in the source coil region to make voltage loads easier to apply. CURR, representing the current flowing in each turn of the coil winding, is used for voltage-fed coils and circuit coupling. Applying a voltage or current load through an external circuit requires the AZ, CURR, and EMF (electromotive force drop or potential drop) degrees of freedom along with the CIRCU124 element. (See the Coupled-Field Analysis Guide for more information about electromagnetic-circuit coupling.)