SUPERELEMENT TUTORIAL

August ©
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OUTLINE
Introduction to superelements
• Direct Matrix Input/Superelement
• Residual structure
• Superelement Generation Run
• Static Condensation
• Dynamic Reduction
• Tutorials
• Static condensation
• Optimization with superelement
• Dynamic condensation
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INTRODUCTION TO SUPERELEMENTS
Direct Matrix Input/Superelement
• Reduced representation of the behavior and
performance of a structure or a part of a structure.

• DMIG: acronym for Direct Matrix Input at Grid point.

• DMIG is a Bulk Data Entry and used to directly define

matrices to be included in the model (such as stiffness
and mass matrices).

• DMIG entries are selected in the case control section

using K2GG, M2GG, B2GG entries.

Residual structure
• The part that remains after the superelement has been
created is the Residual structure.

• The reduced loading, mass, stiffness, and damping

matrices can be generated using multiple methods.
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INTRODUCTION TO SUPERELEMENTS
Superelement Generation Run
• The full-model is carefully examined to
determine the sections or parts that can be
reduced out as superelements.

• The boundaries between the superelements and

the residual structure are identified using
connection/interface points
(ASET/BNDFIX/BNDFREE).

• After the identification of interface points, the

rest of the structure (residual) is now deleted
from the full model. Depending on the
superelement creation method selected, the
corresponding entries are added (CMSMETH,
CDSMETH, and so on). This model is now run
in OptiStruct to generate the superelement.
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INTRODUCTION TO STATIC CONDENSATION

Static Condensation

• Static condensation reduces the linear matrix

equation to the interface degrees of freedom
of the substructure through algebraic
substitution. In addition, the load vectors are
reduced to the interface degrees of freedom.
This includes the load vectors from point and
pressure loads as well as distributed loads
due to acceleration (GRAV and RLOAD).

• The way to perform static condensation in

OptiStruct:

• Define ASET and PARAM,EXTOUT.

• Should be used only for static analysis. Not

recommended for dynamic analysis as the
mass matrices in static reduction are
approximated.
Note: The displacement matrix only consists of static displacement modes. The
eigenmodes are not calculated in Static Condensation, therefore the reduced
mass matrix is approximate.
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INTRODUCTION TO DYNAMIC REDUCTION

Dynamic Condensation or Component
Mode Synthesis (CMS)
• This method is used to reduce a finite
element model of an elastic body to the
interface degrees of freedom and a set of
normal modes.

• The result can either be used as a flexible

body in a multi-body dynamics analysis, or
as external matrices representing a
superelement assembly in a finite element
analysis.

• While just an approximation, it is the

preferred method for dynamic analysis as it
captures the mass matrix correctly.

• Load vectors are not reduced during CMS

Super Element creation.
Note: The CBN and GM methods are the preferred methods for dynamic
analysis as they capture the mass matrix accurately.
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SUPERELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Determining a Superelement Superelement

The part to be reduced out of the model

through the static reduction technique is
referred to as a superelement.
• Use a logical cutoff boundary
location for use application.
• Both the accuracy and the cost of
static reduction increase as the
number of ASET entries (boundary
nodes) is increased.

Residual Structure

Tip: If the SUBCASE is for STATIC analysis, by default the reduced mass matrix will not
be created. However, PARAM,DMIGMASS,YES can be used to create the reduced mass
matrix for static analysis.
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Static Condensation Superelement

The following steps will be detailed in

this tutorial:
1. Superelement Generation Run
1) Create ASET boundary constraints
2) Delete residual structure
3) Request DMIG output

2. Residual (Static Condensation)

1) Delete Superelement
2) Create cards to reference DMIG
matrices
3) Compare results

Residual Structure

Tip: Should be used only for static analysis. Not recommended for
dynamic analysis as the mass matrices in static reduction are approximated.
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Determining Superelement
Since the blue strut is of interest, a portion
of each of the connected components on
either side will be included in a super
Boundary
element.
Boundary
• Open Model:
airframe_section_TUTORIAL_STATIC.hm
Strut
1. Model Browser: RMB Create (right mouse
Boundary
button) > Set: Create a new set of card
image : SET_ELEM that contains the
Strut and portion of elements within
boundaries and call it Residual.
➢ Note that the small patch of elements
attached to the large RBE2 spider should
be part of the superelement, NOT the
residual structure.

2. Model Browser: RMB Create > Set:

Create a new set of card image : Boundary
SET_GRID selecting boundary nodes
and call it Aset.
➢ Boundary is approximate. It just needs to Tip: save your model at this point. You will need the sets you created for both the
be few elements away from connections. superelement and residual structures.
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Creating ASET constraints
In OptiStruct, ASET entries are required to
indicate the boundary degrees of freedom
of a superelement, meaning the set of
degrees-of-freedom where the component
(being replaced by direct matrix input)
connects to the modeled structure.
1. Model Browser: RMB Create > Load
Collector: Create a new load collector
with card image set to none and call it
Aset.
2. BCs > Create > Constraints: Create a
constraint of load type= ASET at the
boundary nodes with all degrees of
freedom (dof) selected.
➢ Use nodes by set and use nodal set called
Aset.

Tip: it is possible to create ASET constraints at boundary conditions (spcs and loads)
within the superelement. This allows a change to these BCs without rerunning the
superelement.
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Deleting residual model
The reduced stiffness matrix and load
vector will be generated for only those
elements that will be reduced out
(superelement). Therefore, a new model
needs to be created containing just the
superelement part and the loads and
boundary conditions applied directly to
that part.
1. Mesh > Delete > Elements: Delete
the elements that make up the
residual structure.
➢ Elements can be deleted by the set
created called Residual.

2. Tools > Delete > Sets: Delete the set

that make up the residual structure.
➢ This is now an empty set and will trigger
an error if not deleted.

Tip: it is good practice to save as a new model such as

airframe_section_SUPERELEMENT_STATIC.hm
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Output request for DMIG
The PARAM,EXTOUT bulk data entry is
required to activate the matrix save
process. Without this parameter, the run
will proceed as normal.
1. Analysis > control cards > PARAM:
Create control card of type PARAM,
EXTOUT, DMIGPCH.

Tip: This parameter has two options: DMIGPCH, which will save the matrices in an ASCII
format to a .pch file and DMIGBIN, which will save the matrices in a binary format to a .dmg file.
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Superelement Generation Run
Use K2GG & P2G for representing boundary
stiffness and bypass loads. Do not use
M2GG for representing the mass of the
surrounding structure when acceleration
loads are applied in the surrounding
structure. Apply all loads and accelerations
into the model for superelement extraction,
and those loads will be transferred as
bypass loads via P2G.
1. Analysis > Optistruct: Save as
airframe_section_SUPERELEMENT_ST
ATIC.fem and submit job as OptiStruct
job.
2. Verify the .pch file contains KAAX and
PAX matrices.

Tip: keep all loadcases including gravity loadcase, these loads will transferred as
bypass loads (by default mass matrix will not be created).
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Delete superelement
Since the matrices for the superelement part
will be replaced by DMIG, the bulk data
entries for the nodes and elements, as well
as all loads and boundary conditions that are
in the superelement, should be deleted.
• Open model:
airframe_section_TUTORIAL_STATIC.hm
1. Mesh > Delete > Elements: Delete all
elements associated to superelement.
➢ Delete elements by set, select the element set
called Residual and reverse selection.

2. Model Browser > Loadsteps: Remove

the SPC load collector from the STATIC
loadstep 4g_5psi.
➢ This is now an empty load collector.

Tip: use the model checker (optistruct) to find unused/empty entities.

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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Define control cards
Since the matrices for the superelement
part will be replaced by DMIG, the bulk
data entries for the nodes and elements,
as well as all loads and boundary
conditions that are in the superelement,
should be deleted.
1. Tools > Create Cards >
INCLUDE_BULK: Create
INCLUDE_BULK card and point to
punch file.
➢ Punch file should be in same folder as the
residual run.

2. Tools > Create Cards > K2GG &

P2G: Create K2GG & P2G cards and
set name to KAAX & PAX
respectively.
➢ It is important to ensure that when
multiple reduced matrices are used that Tip: use Ctrl F to quickly find and create cards such as K2GG.
they have unique names.
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Creating Buckling Loadcase
1. Create Load Step: input name =
Buckling_4g_5psi and set the following
conditions:
• Analysis type = Linear buckling
• STATSUB(BUCKLING) = 4g_5psi
➢ Referenced static subcase is used in
forming the geometric stiffness needed for
the linear buckling solution.
• METHOD (STRUCT) = EIGRL
➢ Defines data required to perform real
eigenvalue analysis (already created)

2. Create a BULK_UNSUPPORTED_CARDS
with DSCREEN,AUTO,ON,NOBUCK
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Residual Run
The superelement created by the
generation run is utilized in the residual
run. The reduced mass, stiffness, and
damping matrices, depending on the
type of run, are included with the residual
structure. The results are obtained at the
requested residual structure grids,
elements, other attributes, and at the
interface points.

1. Analysis > Optistruct: Save as

airframe_section_RESIDUAL.fem
and submit job as OptiStruct job.
2. Save the model as
airframe_section_RESIDUAL_STATI
C.hm (this model will be used to start
the next tutorial).

Tip: make sure the punch file is in the same folder as the run directory .
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SUPER ELEMENT – STATIC CONDENSATION

Compare results
Results between the full
model run and the reduced
run match.
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SUPERELEMENT - OPTIMIZATION
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Setup Gauge Optimization
One of the advantages of using the
reduction method is to be able to quickly
turn around analyses such as
optimization. In this tutorial, a size
optimization is created on the strut using
discrete gauge variables.
1. Creating Size Design Variables
2. Creating Optimization Responses
3. Creating Optimization Constraints
4. Defining Objective Function
5. Viewing the Results

Tip: optimization can minimize a design’s weight, while still producing a design that
meets the defined criteria.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Creating Size Design Variables
Set the variables that define the gauge limits.
The optimization will be limited to only using
the variables that are input. That way only
accessible gauges are used.
• Open
airframe_section_RESIDUAL_STATIC.hm
1. Optimization > discrete dvs: input name =
GAUGE and set the following limits:
• from = 0.0625”
• to = 3.75” (baseline)
• increment = 0.0625”

Tip: individual gauge variables can also be created as csv input based on available
thicknesses that may not have a standard increment change.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Creating Size Design Variables
Assign the design variables to the strut
property.
1. Optimization > gauge: Set the following
limits:
• Lower bound = 0.0625”
• Upper bound = 3.75” (baseline)
• ddval id = GAUGE
2. Select Property: Select the property of
the Strut.
3. Leave default options as shown.

Tip: discrete size optimization is available on plies of a composite also.

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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Creating Optimization Responses
Set the responses that will drive the
optimization. These responses will be the
basis for the optimization, so choose ones that
make sense for the analysis, such as stress
and buckling.
1. Optimization > response: Create response
of type static stress and call it VM_Stress.
• Select the Strut property
• Exclude elements that are attached to
fasteners.
2. Optimization > response: Create response
of type buckling and call it Buckling.
• Track the first mode number: 1.
3. Optimization > response: Create response
of type mass and call it Mass.
• Minimize total mass.

Tip: Use cluster instead of blank if there are peak stress locations.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Creating Optimization Constraints
Set the constraints that will drive the
optimization. These constraints will set the
bounds for the design, so choose values that
make sense for the analysis.
1. Optimization > dconstraint: Create
constraint of response = VM_Stress.
• Select loadstep: 4g_5psi.
• Upper bound = 5,000 (ksi).
2. Optimization > dconstraint: Create
constraint of response = Buckling.
• Select loadstep: Buckling_4g_5psi.
• Lower bound = 5.0

Tip: Make sure the baseline model passes these constraints if trying to reduce mass.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Creating Optimization
Objective
Set the objective of the optimization.
Typically this is to minimize weight or
volume.
1. Optimization > objective: Create
objective of min-response = mass.

Tip: only one design objective can be present, other desired responses should be
included as constraints.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Running Optimization
The optimization will iterate, changing the
design variables against the constraints
until the objective is met.
1. Analysis > Optistruct: Save as
airframe_section_OPTIMIZATION.fem
and submit job as OptiStruct job.
• Make sure run options: optimization.
• Make sure file
airframe_section_SUPERELEMENT_STA
TIC_AX.pch (created in previous tutorial) is
located in the run directory.

Tip: monitor the status by looking at the .out file during the analysis or the optimization
summary graph found in the solver viewing screen.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Review Results
Viewing the results in Hyperview, observe
that the gauge optimization satisfied both
the stress and buckling constraints.
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SUPER ELEMENT – GAUGE/SIZE OPTIMIZATION

Review Results
Viewing the results in the .out file, see
that the final gauge variable and the
values of the constrained responses are
satisfied.
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SUPERELEMENT – CMS METHOD

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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Determining the Superelement Superelement

The part to be reduced out of the model

through the dynamic reduction model
reduction technique is referred to as a
superelement.
• Use a logical cutoff boundary
location for use application.
• Both the accuracy and the cost of
dynamic reduction increase as the
number of ASET entries (boundary
nodes) is increased.

Residual Structure

Tip: For component mode synthesis, stiffness, mass, structural and viscous damping, and
fluid-structure coupling matrices can all be generated. No reduced load vector is created.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

CMS Method Superelement

The following steps will be detailed in

this tutorial.
1. Superelement Generation Run
1. Create ASET boundary constraints.
2. Delete residual structure.
3. Request DMIG output.

2. Residual (Dynamic Condensation)

1. Delete Superelement.
2. Create cards to reference DMIG matrices.

Residual Structure

Tip: This is recommended for Dynamic Analysis. Both fixed and free boundary can be
used in this method
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Determining Superelement
Since the blue strut is the main interest,
include a portion of each of the connected
components on either side. Boundary

• Open Model: Boundary

airframe_section_TUTORIAL_CMS.hm
Strut
1. Model Browser: RMB (right mouse button)
Create > Set: Create a new set of card Boundary
image : SET_ELEM and call it
Residual that contains the Strut and
portion of elements within boundaries.
➢ Note that the small patch of elements
attached to the large RBE2 spider should
be part of the superelement, NOT the
residual structure.

2. Model Browser: RMB Create > Set:

Create a new set of card image :
Boundary
SET_GRID, selecting boundary nodes
and call it Aset.
➢ Boundary is approximate. It just needs to Tip: Save the model at this point. The sets created for both the superelement and
be few elements away from connections. residual will be useful in future steps.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Creating ASET constraints
In OptiStruct, ASET entries are required to
indicate the boundary degrees of freedom
of a superelement, meaning the set of
degrees-of-freedom where the component
(being replaced by direct matrix input)
connects to the modeled structure.
1. Model Browser: RMB Create > Load
Collector: Create a new load collector
and call it Aset.
2. BCs > Create > Constraints: Create a
constraint of load type: ASET at the
boundary nodes with all degrees of
freedom (dof) selected.
➢ Use nodes by set and use the nodal set
called Aset.

Tip: Create ASET constraints at boundary conditions (spcs and loads) within the
superelement. These BCs can then be changed without rerunning the superelement.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Deleting residual model
The reduced stiffness and mass matrix
will be generated for only those elements
that will be reduced out (superelement).
Therefore, a new model needs to be
created containing just the superelement
part and the loads and boundary
conditions applied directly to that part.
1. Mesh > Delete > Elements: Delete
the elements that make up the
residual structure.
➢ Delete elements by set and use the
element set named Residual.

2. Tools > Delete > Sets: Delete the set

that make up the residual structure.
➢ This is now an empty set and will trigger
an error if not deleted.

Tip: it is good practice to save as a new model such as

airframe_section_SUPERELEMENT_CMS.hm
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Create CMS
The CMSMETH load collector triggers
the creation of the reduced matrices.
1. Model Browser: RMB Create > Load
Collector: Create a new load collector
and call it CMSMETHOD with a card
image of CMSMETH and set method:
CBN.
➢ CBN refers to the Craig-Brampton
Method.

2. Assign number of normal modes,

NMODES: 10.
3. Assign a value of 999,999 to SPID
under SPID_INT.
➢ The starting SPOINT ID to be used in
DMIG matrix output for the structural
eigenmodes to define scalar points to
which no scalar elements are connected.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Output request for DMIG
The GLOBAL_CASE_CONTROL bulk
data entry is required to activate the
matrix save process. Without this
parameter, the run will proceed as
normal.
1. Analysis > control cards >
GLOBAL_CASE_CONTROL: Create
control card of type
GLOBAL_CASE_CONTROL and
select the created load collector
CMSMETHOD: <CMSMETH – Load
collector ID>.

Tip: This file will generate an H3D binary file that includes all the information that is needed
for this superelement.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Superelement Generation Run
Generation of the external matrices.

1. Analysis > Optistruct: Save as

airframe_section_SUPERELEMENT_CM
S.fem and submit job as OptiStruct job.
2. Delete the NormalModes Load Step
➢ The CMS method automatically triggers the
normal mode analysis.

Tip: The result can either be used for inclusion as a flexible body in a multi-body dynamics
analysis or as external matrices, representing a superelement assembly, in a finite element
analysis.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Delete superelement
Since the matrices for the superelement
part will be replaced by DMIG, the bulk
data entries for the nodes and elements,
as well as all loads and boundary
conditions that are in the superelement,
should be deleted.
• Open model:
airframe_section_TUTORIAL_CMS.hm
1. Mesh > Delete > Elements: Delete all
elements associated to superelement.
➢ Delete elements by set, select the element
set Residual and reverse selection.

2. Other entities that are no longer in the

model such as sets, contact surfaces,
etc that were part of the superelement
may need to be deleted.

Tip: use the model checker (optistruct) to find unused/empty entities.

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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Output request for DMIG
All of the matrices in the .h3d file are
used in the analysis by default.
1. Analysis > control cards > ASSIGN:
Create control card of type ASSIGN
of Type=H3DDMIG and give it a
matrix name and point to
airframe_section_SUPERELEMENT_
CMS.h3d.

Tip: Unlike matrices stored in .pch or .dmg formats, those stored in the .h3d file are
named on retrieval, rather than on creation.
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Residual Run
The superelement created by the
generation run is utilized in the residual
run. The reduced mass, stiffness, and
damping matrices, depending on the
type of run, are included with the residual
structure. The results are obtained at the
requested residual structure grids,
elements, other attributes, and at the
interface points.

1. Analysis > Optistruct: Save as

airframe_section_RESIDUAL_CMS.f
em and submit job as OptiStruct job.

Tip: make sure the H3D file is in the same folder as the run directory .
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SUPER ELEMENT – CMS METHOD

Compare results
Results between the full model run
and the reduced run match closely.

Reduced

Baseline
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END OF TRAINING