ANSYS-SwiftComp GUI

ANSYS-SwiftComp GUI is an ANSYS plugin designed for multiscale modeling of composite materials and structures. It provides a user-friendly graphical interface for the SwiftComp tool, allowing users to perform homogenization and dehomogenization analysis efficiently within ANSYS.

For more information, visit this article: ANSYS-SwiftComp GUI: ANSYS Plugin for Multiscale Modeling

Features

• Multiscale Modeling: Supports modeling at both micro and macro scales, enabling accurate simulations of composite materials.
• Homogenization: Computes effective properties of heterogeneous materials, helping to bridge the gap between different scales.
• Dehomogenization: Recovers detailed stress/strain fields in the microstructure from macroscale results.
• Seamless Integration: Fully integrated with ANSYS Workbench, allowing for easy setup and execution of multiscale analysis.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive GUI that simplifies the process of setting up and analyzing complex composite models.

Requirements

• ANSYS: Version 19.0 or later (Workbench environment)
• SwiftComp: Compatible version of SwiftComp™ software
• Operating System: Windows (tested on Windows 10/11)
• Memory: Minimum 8GB RAM recommended for complex models
• Storage: At least 2GB free disk space

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/banghuazhao/ANSYS-SwiftComp_GUI.git

2. Follow the instructions in the ANSYS SwiftComp GUI Manual to install the plugin within ANSYS Workbench.

Quick Start

1. Install the Plugin: Run the installation script and follow the manual instructions
2. Launch ANSYS Workbench: Start ANSYS and navigate to the main menu
3. Access SwiftComp GUI: Find the SwiftComp menu item in the ANSYS interface
4. Create Your Model: Use the GUI to set up your composite material model
5. Run Analysis: Execute homogenization or dehomogenization analysis
6. Review Results: Analyze the results using ANSYS post-processing tools

Directory Structure

ANSYS-SwiftComp_GUI/
├── Code/
│   ├── ANSYS_menulist_new/          # Updated ANSYS menu configurations
│   ├── ANSYS_menulist_old/          # Legacy ANSYS menu configurations
│   ├── SwiftCompGUI_APDL/           # APDL macro files for GUI functionality
│   └── SwiftCompGUI_UIDL/           # UIDL files for user interface definition
├── image/                           # Screenshots and documentation images
├── ANSYS-SwiftComp_GUI_Manual.pdf   # Complete installation and usage manual
├── SampleLaminateInput.txt          # Example input file for laminate analysis
├── Install.bat                      # Windows installation script
├── Uninstall.bat                    # Windows uninstallation script
└── README.md                        # This file

Usage

The plugin integrates seamlessly into ANSYS Workbench, providing:

• 1D Analysis: Beam and truss element homogenization
• 2D Analysis: Plane stress/strain and plate/shell homogenization
• 3D Analysis: Solid element homogenization
• Advanced Features: Support for various unit cell geometries (square, hexagonal, honeycomb, spherical)

Refer to the manual for detailed usage instructions and examples.

Resources

• Documentation: ANSYS-SwiftComp GUI Manual
• SwiftComp: CDM Hub Resource
• Article: ANSYS-SwiftComp GUI: ANSYS Plugin for Multiscale Modeling
• Sample Input: SampleLaminateInput.txt

Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions:

• Issues: Please use the GitHub Issues page
• Documentation: Check the manual for detailed instructions
• Contact: For technical support, please refer to the SwiftComp documentation

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

About

ANSYS-SwiftComp GUI is a graphic user interface integrated into the Main Menu of ANSYS using APDL, which can use the preprocessing and postprocessing capability of ANSYS as a user-friendly GUI for SwiftComp™.

For more information about SwiftComp, visit: cdmhub.org/resources/1136

Author

Banghua Zhao

• GitHub: @banghuazhao
• LinkedIn: Banghua Zhao