Using PAFEC as a preprocessor for MSC/NASTRAN

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6534910

Gray, W H; Baudry, T V

Programs for Automatic Finite Element Calculations (PAFEC) is a general-purpose, three-dimensional, linear and nonlinear finite element program. PAFEC's features include free-format input using engineering keywords, powerful mesh-generating facilities, sophisticated database management procedures, and extensive data validation checks. Presented here is a description of a software interface that permits PAFEC to be used as a preprocessor for MSC/NASTRAN. This user-friendly software, called PAFMSC, frees the stress analyst from the laborious and error-prone procedure of creating and debugging a rigid-format MSC/NASTRAN bulk data deck. By interactively creating and debugging a finite element model with PAFEC, thus taking full advantage of the free-format, engineering-keyword-oriented data structure of PAFEC, the stress analyst can drastically reduce the amount of time spent during model generation. The PAFMSC software will automatically convert a PAFEC data structure into an MSC/NASTRAN bulk data deck. The capabilities and limitations of the PAFMSC software are fully discussed in the following report.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); PAFEC Engineering Consultants, Knoxville, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6534910
• Report Number(s): CONF-831203-178; ON: DE85000955
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700202* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Magnet Coils & Fields
COMPUTER CODES
ELECTRIC COILS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
MAGNET COILS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PROGRAMMING
STRESS ANALYSIS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS