Basic Tutorials

LS-DYNA / LS-PrePost
Ex. 0. Introduction

2017-05-17 LS-DYNA / LS-PrePost

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Contents
1 LS-DYNA .................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Keyword format input files .................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Consistent units .................................................................................................................. 4
2 LS-RUN – Running LS-DYNA and access to manuals .............................................................. 4
3 LS-PrePost ................................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Input and output.................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Mouse and Keyboard ......................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Graphical user interface ..................................................................................................... 5
3.4 File Menu ............................................................................................................................ 6
3.5 Geometry Menu .................................................................................................................. 7
3.6 FEM Menu .......................................................................................................................... 8
3.7 Application Menu ................................................................................................................ 9
3.8 Settings Menu..................................................................................................................... 9
3.9 Extra help ......................................................................................................................... 10

1 LS-DYNA
LS-DYNA from Livermore Software Technology Corporation (LSTC), is a highly advanced general
purpose nonlinear finite element program that is capable of simulating complex real world problems.
The distributed and shared memory solver provides very short turnaround times on desktop comput-
ers and clusters operated using Linux, Windows and UNIX.

LS-DYNA is suitable to investigate phenomena involving large deformations, sophisticated material

models and complex contact conditions for structural dynamic problems. LS-DYNA allows switching
between explicit and different implicit time stepping schemes. Disparate disciplines, such as coupled
thermal analyses, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), fluid-structure interaction, Smooth Particle
Hydrodynamics (SPH), Element Free Galerkin (EFG), Corpuscular Method (CPM), Discrete Element
Method (DEM) and the Boundary Element Method (BEM) can be combined with structural dynamics.
By determining product characteristics before a prototype is built, LS-DYNA is the key to reducing
time to market for many products. Carrying out investigations with the aid of LS-DYNA supports the
design of robust products with superior performance. For pre- and post-processing, LS-DYNA comes
with the LS-PrePost tool. LS-PrePost can be utilized to generate inputs and visualize numerical re-
sults
1.1 Keyword format input files
An LS-DYNA input file is a text-file in so called Keyword format usually with a .k, .key or .dyn suffix,
e.g. car_crash.k. The keyword format is described in the LS-DYNA Keyword User’s Manual, which
has three volumes. A short overview of the basic structure of such an input file for a basic 1 element
finite element model is given below.

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A finite element model in LS-DYNA is built up by dif-

ferent keywords, which is defined for all ingoing defi-
nitions and parameters in a model (e.g. *PART,
*NODE). The following description and the map on
next page may help to understand the data structure
in LS-DYNA.

Consider a cube consisting of one element with eight

node points as shown in the figure. We have 1 part,
the cube, and use the *PART keyword to begin the
definition of the finite element model. The keyword

*PART contains data that points to other attributes of

this part, e.g. material properties. Keywords for these
other attributes, in turn, point elsewhere to additional
attribute definitions. The organization of the keyword
input for the cube looks like this:

The LS-DYNA Keyword User Manual, volume 1, should be consulted now for a description of the
keywords used in the figure. The manual is available in through e.g. LS-RUN, see section 2. A brief
description follows:

• *PART: We have one part with identification pid=1. This part has attributes identified by
section identification secid=1 and material identification mid=1.
• *SECTION_SOLID: Parts definitions that reference secid=1 are defined as constant stress
8 node brick elements (elform=1).

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• *MAT_ELASTIC: Parts definitions that reference mid=1 are defined as an elastic material
with density, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio.
• *ELEMENT SOLID: The element with identification eid=1 are defined by nid=1 to nid=8 and
belongs to pid=1.
• *NODE: The node identified by nid has coordinates x,y,z.

Boundary conditions and time dependent loads are also set by keywords and are usually applied on
nodes, elements, segments or parts. Set definitions are often used to define groups of these entities.
Since all loads are time dependent, curves need to be defined that states time vs load unit (force,
pressure etc.)

One example of defining boundary conditions and loads on the cube are visualized in the figure
below. The LS-DYNA Keyword User Manual should be consulted now for a description of the key-
words used in the figure

About the keywords above:

• *BOUNDARY_SPC_SET: The node set with identification nsid=1 are constrained in y-trans-
lation and x- and z-rotations.
• *SET_NODE_LIST: This keyword defines that node 1, 2, 5 and 6 belongs to node set sid=1.
• *LOAD_SEGMENT: A pressure load is applied on a segment that are defined by node 4, 8,
7 and 3.
• *DEFINE_CURVE: The curve consists of two points that defines the time vs pressure. This
curve with identification lcid=1 are used for the load.

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2 LS-RUN – Running LS-DYNA and access to manuals

1.2 Consistent units

LS-DYNA requires that the set units used is consistent with Newton’s second law of motion (f=m*a).
Different unit systems are shown in the table below. In these tutorials, we will use the S2 system.

2 LS-RUN – Running LS-DYNA and access to manuals

On Microsoft Windows, the LS-RUN software is the preferred method to start your LS-DYNA simu-
lation. LS-RUN also provides:

• Queueing system, to manage you LS-DYNA simulations.

• Managing of running and finished simulations, including starting LS-PrePost et c.
• Access to all LS-DYNA manuals.
• Install and check the LS-DYNA license and license server.

To quickly start an LS-DYNA simulation using LS-RUN: just drag and drop the keyword file on the
INPUT-field and then select you preferred solver (SMP single precision version in the above image).
Finally press the play button to start the simulation.

3 LS-PrePost
• LS-PrePost is an advanced pre- and post-processor designed specifically for LS-DYNA
• LS-PrePost is developed for Windows and Linux
• LS-PrePost is Free
• Core Functionality

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o Full support of LS-DYNA keyword files

o Full support of LS-DYNA result files
o Robust handling of geometry data (new CAD engine)
o Pre-processing (meshing, model clean-up, entity creation)
o Post-processing (animation, fringe plotting, curve plotting)

3.1 Input and output

• Input (partial list)
o FEM: LS-DYNA Keyword, Nastran, I-DEAS Universal, PAM-CRASH, RADIOSS,
ABAQUS
o CAD: IGES, STEP
o ASCII: glstat, matsum, etc.
o Binary: d3plot, binout, etc.
• Output (partial list)
o FEM: LS-DYNA Keyword, Nastran
o Image: PNG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, JPG, PostScript
o Movie: AVI, MPEG, Animated GIF, JPEG
o XY Data: CRV, CSV, XML
o CAD: IGES, STEP, STL
o Other: [Link], Project File
3.2 Mouse and Keyboard
• Dynamic Model Operation
o Rotate: Shift + Left-click
o Translate: Shift + Middle-click
o Zoom: Shift + Right-click/Scroll-wheel
o (Using Ctrl instead of Shift for edge mode)
• Graphics Selection
o Pick (single): Left Click
o Area (rectangle): Left-click + Drag
o Poly (polygon): Left-click at corners / Right-click to finish
• List Selection
o Multi-Select: Left-click + Drag / Ctrl + Left-click
• Mouse over controls for status bar help comments

3.3 Graphical user interface

The graphical interface of LS-PrePost is shown in the figure below. On the right hand side, you can
see the main toolbar. When clicking on one of these, a sub-toolbar just to the left will be shown. That
is the location where you’ll find most of the tools needed to create/modify/delete entities in your
model.

In the bottom toolbar, you’ll find the tools most commonly used to determine how LS-PrePost should
render mesh/surfaces, orient the model, etc. There are a couple of the drop-down menus on the top
left corner that you will use more or less frequently: File/View/Application/Settings. The Floating
Toolbar is used to toggle between different views.

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3.4 File Menu

New – Launch a new session of LS-PrePost, all model/data will be
closed
Open – Open file (new model created for each file opened)
Import – Import file (adds keyword data to current model)
Recent – Open recent files (stored in /user/.lspp_recent)
Save – Over-write current Keyword or Project file
Save As – Save any of the following file formats using advanced
options: Keyword, Active Keyword (visible data), Project, [Link]
(condensed d3plot data), Geometry, Keyword and Project (using the
same file name).
Update – Load new d3plots for run in progress
Run LS-DYNA – Pop up LS-DYNA job submission dialog, currently
only limited to the same local machine LS-PrePost is running
Print... – Launch printing interface (send to printer or image file)
Movie... – Launch movie generation interface
Exit – Exit LS-PrePost
Save and Exit – Save data to current file and exit LS-PrePost

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3.5 Geometry Menu

Reference Geometry – Access tools for creating and editing refer-
ence geometry (Axis, Plane, Coordinate System, Point, Reference
Geometry Edit)
Curve – Access tools for creating and editing curves (Point, Line, Cir-
cle, Circular Arc, Ellipse, Elliptical Arc, BSpline Curve, Helix, Compo-
site Curve, Break Curve, Merge Curve, Bridge Edge, Smooth Curve,
Middle Curve, Morphing Curve, Fillet Curve, Parabola, Hyperbola,
Function, Polygon, Convert, Sketch)
Surface – Access tools for creating and editing surfaces (Plane, Cyl-
inder, Cone, Sphere, Torus, Ellipsoid, Fill Plane, Extrude, Revolve,
Sweep, Loft, N-Side Surface, Patch Surface, Bridge Two Faces, Com-
bine Faces, Fit From Points/Mesh, Middle Surface, Surface Morphing,
Fit Primary Surface, Break Surface)
Solid – Access tools for creating and editing solids (Box, Cylinder,
Cone, Sphere, Torus, Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft, Fillet, Chamfer,
Draft, Thicken, Wedge, Boolean, Prism)
Geometry Tools – Access other geometry tools (Delete Face, Blank
Entity, Extend Curve, Extend Face, Intersection, Offset, Project, Re-
place Face, Stitch Faces, Trim, Transform, Reverse Direction, Copy
Entity, Management, Heal, Topology Simplify, Measure, Text Object,
Array flow)

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3.6 FEM Menu

Element and Mesh – Access mesh creation tools (Shape
Mesher, Auto Mesher, Solid Mesher, Block Mesher, N-Line
Mesher, 2D-Mesher, Tetrahedral Mesher, Blank Mesher, BulkF
Mesher, Element Generation, Node Editing, Element Editing,
Nurbs, Mass Trimming, Spot Welding, SPH Generation, Disc
Sphere Generation, Multiple Solver Mesh, Result Mapping)
Model and Part – Access model and part tools (Assembly and
Select Part, Keyword Manager, Create Entity, Part Data, Display
Entity, Reference Check, Renumber, Section Plane, Model Selec-
tion, Subsystem Manager, Group, View, Part Color, Appearance,
Annotation, Split Window, Explode, Lighting Setup, Reflect Model,
Trace Light)
Element Tools – Access element tools (Identify, Find, Blank,
Move or Copy, Offset, Transform, Normals, Detach, Duplicate
Nodes, Node Editing, Element Editing, Measure, Morph, Smooth,
Part Trim, Part Travel, Edge Face, Regionalize)
Post – Access post-processing tools (Fringe Component, Fringe
Range, History, XY Plot, ASCII, Binary Output, Follow, Trace,
State, Particle, Circle Grid, Chain Model, FLD, Output, Setting,
Vector)

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3.7 Application Menu

Occupant Safety – Occupant related applications (Airbag Fold-
ing, DynaFold, Dummy Positioning, Seat Deformer, Head Impact
Positioning, Airbag Impact Setup, Sled Creation, THUMS Position-
ing, Seatbelt Fitting)
Metal Forming – Setting up metal forming analyses (Easy Setup,
Roler Hemming, Die System Module, Scrap Trim Simulation, Best
Fit, 3D Drawbead Generation, Blank Size/trim line, Flange Unfold-
ing, New Roller Hemming)
Model Checking – Check contact, element quality, unreferenced
entities, etc. (General Checking, ALE Checking)
Tools – Useful tools (Media, DurveGen, jIntegral)
Crash Safety – Crash safety applications (Intrusion Measure-
ments)
Ale Setup – Setting up Ale (Arbitrary Lagrange-Euler) analyses)
Granular Flow Setup – Setting up granular Flow analyses
3DGraph - Create 3D graphs.
Customize – Read and operate scripting files.

3.8 Settings Menu

Current Subsystem ID – Set current subsystem ID
Current Working Directory – Set current working directory
General Settings – Set general parameters
Post Settings – Set post processing parameters
Configuration Settings – Set configuration settings
Toolbar Manager – Customize toolbars

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3.9 Extra help

To get more detailed information about LS-PrePost, one can use LS-Pre-
Post’s own help system. Located under Help in the top menu. Both Docu-
mentation and Tutorial can be used to develop the knowledge in the pro-
gram.

The first time one want to use this, two files needs to be downloaded. Open
Documentation, select Download by LS-PrePost and click Download.
This might take some minutes. Do the same thing with Tutorial. If this
doesn’t work, download the files from:

• [Link] or alternatively
• [Link]

If you for example use LS-PrePost version 4.2 on Windows, then click 4.2 > doc > win, then down-
load [Link] and [Link]. Move the downloaded files to …LS-PrePost\4.2-x64\re-
source\HelpDocument (… will be replaced with the folder path where you installed LS-PrePost). You
can now go to the Help menu in LS-PrePost and open Documentation and Tutorial.

To get more information about LS-DYNA, the manuals are helpful. Located under Manuals in LS-
RUN (see section 2):

• Vol.1 – Explaining almost every keyword

• Vol.2 – Material Models for LS-DYNA
• Vol.3 – Multi-Physics Solvers
• Theory – information on theory behind LS-DYNA

More workshops for LS-PrePost can be found at:

• [Link] or alternatively
• [Link]

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