pyansystools

This module provides classes to simplify use of python module pyansys:

• Inline (easy python interface to use APDL inline functions)
• Geometry2d and its subclasses (create 2D geometries accesible as python objects)
• Material
• Macros (collection of common tasks available as methods)
• ...

Installation

Installation through pip:

pip install pyansystools

Prerequisites

• Python >= 3.6
• pyansys

Quick Guide

At this point, pyansystools has three different modules:

inline.py

This module implements the APDL inline functions as methods of class Inline. As this functionality is now part of PyMAPDL, this module is deprecated.

import pyansys
from inline import Inline


mapdl = pyansys.Mapdl()  # see pyansys for arguments
inline = Inline(Mapdl)
# ...

In many cases those functions provide an alternative to the more complicated *get function for specific values. To get an overview of implemented inline functions (including a short description) you could use the help function:

from pyansystools import inline
help(inline.Inline)

For some inline functions that ask for x, y or z values Inline has aditional methods not part of APDL to get all three values in one call:

inline.kxyz(k: int) -> Point  # for more information on Point see geo2d.py
inline.lxyz(l: int, lfrac: float) -> Point
inline.uxyz(, n: int) -> Point

Because inline functions can not run on its own in APDL, the Inline class needs to create (or overwrite) an APDL parameter '__INLINE__' to get the return values.

geo2d.py

The geo2d module provides classes to help create 2D geometries in a human readable way.

class Point and class Point2D

To work with coordinates, geo2d provides two classes - Point for 3D and Point2D for 2D. Both are iterable, so you can do e.g.:

from pyansystools import inline

x, y, z = inline.kxyz(5)  # kxyz() returns a Point-instance

class Geometry2d

Geometry2d provides some basic functionality to handle 2D geometries. This class is meant to be subclassed for each specific geometry (like Rectangle).

mapdl = pyansys.Mapdl()
geometry = Geometry2d(mapdl)
# or with optional parameters:
geometry = Geometry2d(mapdl, rotation_angle=0.5, destination=Point2D(0, 1))

# following methods do not change already created data inside ANSYS
geometry.set_rotation(radians=1.0)
geometry.set_rotation_in_degree(degrees=20.0)
geometry.set_destination(point=Point2D(2, -3))

geometry.create()  # this creates the keypoints, lines and areas in ANSYS.
# Note: Geometry2d does not implement create(), but enforces this method to all subclasses
# Warning: Changes to geometry won't be transfered to ANSYS after this call.
# If you call create() a second time, a new geometry or an error is created!

# Beware! Some APDL functions change keypoint numbers.
# In current version, Geometry2D is not updated automatically.
# Make sure to use below methods/attributes before such changes.

geometry.keypoints  # list of ANSYS keypoint numbers
geometry.lines  # lit of ANSYS line numbers
geometry.areas  # list of ANSYS area numbers

geometry.select_lines()  # Selects all lines belonging to the geometry (deselecting all other lines).
geometry.select_areas()  # Selects all areas belonging to the geometry (deselecting all other areas).

geometry.set_material_number(mat=3)
geometry.set_element_type(mapdl.et("", 183))

All subclasses have to implement at least:

• __init__()
• create()
• _calc_raw_points()
• a method for meshing

Geometry2D provides many more methods, that are meant to be called from inside a subclass. Look at class Rectangle for an easy example how to subclass correctly.

class Polygon

A polygonal geometry constructed with a list of points. The points should be given in a clockwise manner starting at bottom left.

import pyansys
from pyansystools.geo2d import Rectangle

mapdl = pyansys.Mapdl()
# there are several ways to give the list of points.
# It should work, as long as each point can be unpacked in 2 coordinates.
points = [Point2D(0, 0), Point2D(0, 3), Point2D(2, 4), Point2D(2.5, 1)]
points = [(0, 0), (0, 3), (2, 4), (2.5, 1)]
points = [[0, 0], [0, 3], [2, 4], [2.5, 1]]

polygon = Polygon(mapdl, points)
# ...

class Rectangle

rectangle = Rectangle(mapdl, width=10, height=24.5)

class Isogon

Creates an Isogon (regular polygon) geometry.

pentagon = Isogon(mapdl, circumradius=10, edges=5)

macros.py

Collection of macro-like functions for APDL ANSYS via pyansys. Up till now, there are only macros to create contact pairs for lines (symmetric or asymmetric). Suggestions for more macros are welcome.

Examples

Created and mesh a rotated rectangle

import pyansys
from pyansystools.geo2d import Rectangle

mapdl = pyansys.Mapdl(override=True, interactive_plotting=True)

rectangle = Rectangle(mapdl, width=10, height=30)
rectangle.set_rotation_in_degree(45)

rectangle.create()  # create keypoints, lines and area in ANSYS

rectangle.set_element_type(mapdl.et("", 183))
rectangle.mesh(10)
# or: rectangle.mesh_custom(...)

mapdl.pnum("KP", 1)
mapdl.pnum("LINE", 1)
mapdl.pnum("AREA", 1)
mapdl.gplot()

mapdl.exit()

Isogon with several rectangles (not merged)

import pyansys
from pyansystools.geo2d import Rectangle, Isogon

radius = 40
edges = 12
isogon = Isogon(mapdl, radius, edges)
isogon.create()
rectangles = []

for i, rotation in enumerate(range(0, 359, round(360/edges))):
    rectangle = Rectangle(mapdl, width=30, height=10)
    rectangles.append(rectangle)
    rectangle.set_destination(isogon.points[i])
    rectangle.set_rotation_in_degree(180-rotation+(180/edges))
    rectangle.create()  # create keypoints, lines and area in ANSYS

mapdl.gplot()
mapdl.exit()

Isogon with several rectangles (merged)

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Usage of Inline

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License and Acknowledgments

pyansystools is licensed under the MIT license.

This module, pyansystools makes no commercial claim over ANSYS whatsoever.