2D Axisymmetric Structure Model Type
Use this option if the geometry of your model and the loads and constraints you plan to place on it are symmetric about an axis—for example, cylindrical and conical structures such as tanks, flanges, or certain clamps. 2D axisymmetric models represent a slice of the actual 3D model that, if revolved around theYaxis of the reference Cartesian coordinate system, would become the original 3D structure.
In 2D axisymmetric models:
All included geometry must lie in the XY plane of the Cartesian coordinate system that you select as the reference coordinate system for your model. If you are working with assemblies, all included geometry from the assembly components must lie at the same Z depth.
All the geometry must lie in the X>=0 portion of the XY plane.
Loads and displacements must be specified in the XY plane.
If your model meets these criteria, you can model a cross-section of your structure as a 2D axisymmetric model using shells or solids, or a combination of both. When you use a cross-section for 2D axisymmetric modeling, you need to observe several rules that govern Creo Simulate's ability to treat the cross-section geometry as an entity that can be revolved about an axis. These rules differ depending on whether you are working with surfaces or curves.
Depending on how you treat your model, Creo Simulate takes one of the following actions:
Pure solid models — Creo Simulate meshes your model using 2D solid elements. For solid modeling, you need to assign material properties to the cross-section surface. You should not assign shell idealizations to any of the curves in your model.
Pure shell models — Creo Simulate meshes your model using 2D shell elements. For shell modeling, you should choose only edges when you select the geometry to include in your 2D axisymmetric model. Do not select surfaces. You also need to create simple or advanced shell idealizations on each curve that you want Creo Simulate to mesh. You should not assign material properties to the cross-section surface.
Mixed models — Creo Simulate meshes your model using both 2D solid and 2D shell elements. For mixed modeling, you need to create simple or advanced shell idealizations on each curve that you want Creo Simulate to mesh. You must also assign material properties to the cross-section surface.
In addition to shell idealizations, you can create the mass and spring idealizations for a plane strain model.
As mentioned, you must use a Cartesian coordinate system as the model type reference coordinate system. However, you can base other modeling entities on Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinate systems. You can define loads, constraints, and other model attributes in three degrees of freedom for a 2D axisymmetric model:
translation in X and Y (or the cylindrical and spherical equivalents)
rotation in Z (or the cylindrical and spherical equivalent)
For solid treatments of your model, only two degrees of freedom are available—translation in X andY.