BASIC ETA CRASH ANALYSIS

Tutorial 2

BASIC META
CRASH ANALYSIS

Table of Contents

1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2

1.1.1. Prerequisites .......................................................................................................... 2
1.1.2. Problem Description ............................................................................................. 2
1.1.3. Data Files .............................................................................................................. 3
1.2. Post Processing Procedure ................................................................................... 4
1.2.1. Read Model Geometry and Results ...................................................................... 4
1.2.2. Handling of entities display. ................................................................................. 6
1.2.3. Animation of states ............................................................................................... 7
1.2.4. Part Manager ......................................................................................................... 7
1.2.5. Failed elements ..................................................................................................... 9
1.2.6. Fringe (contour) plots and options - Fringe Range options ................................ 10
1.2.7. Identification of results on the model ................................................................. 12
1.2.8. Statistics .............................................................................................................. 13
1.2.9. Annotations ......................................................................................................... 16
1.2.10. Eliminate Rigid Body Motion ........................................................................... 18
1.2.11. Vector Results and Intrusion Velocities ........................................................... 19
1.2.12. Importing second model ................................................................................... 21
1.2.13. Models comparison with Multi Model, State Statistics .................................... 23
1.2.14. Models comparison with Cut Planes................................................................. 24
1.2.15. Saving Images & Video .................................................................................... 27
1.2.16. Report ................................................................................................................ 28
1.3. Conclusion............................................................................................................ 32

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1.1. Introduction

This tutorial provides an entry overview of basic post-processing steps that could be followed within ETA to
conduct a standard Crash analysis. A PAM-CRASH model is used for this tutorial but the functionality is the
same for all the models of all solvers.
Not all ETA capabilities and features are exhausted within this tutorial.

The steps described in this tutorial include:

Loading data and results
Identifying different items of the model
Animation
Fringe (contour) plots and options Fringe Range options
Identification of results
Groups
Failed elements
Statistics
Annotations
Eliminating rigid body motion (Follow Node) Intrusion velocities
Importing second model
Comparison of two models with Multi Model, State Statistics and Cut Planes
Saving images and videos
Report

1.1.1. Prerequisites
It is recommended for users who have never used ETA before to read the Chapter 2 of ETA Users Guide.

1.1.2. Problem Description

The structure consists of two double metal sheet
parts connected along their flanges with mesh-
independent connection elements (e.g. PLINKs).
The two beams are connected with a
cylindrical traverse at the middle of their length,
while at the front, they are connected with a double
traverse structure. This assembly impacts on a rigid
barrier with an initial velocity of 12 mm/ms on
the X direction.

The material property of each component is listed

bellow:

Material Properties:

Rails: Traverse:
2 2
E = 210.0 kg/mm.ms E = 210.0 kg/mm.ms
y = 0.37 y = 0.235 GPa
=0.34 =0.34

m455 kg
vinit =12 mm/ms

Barrier Properties:
E=70.0 kg/mm.ms
=0.34
m2.5 kg

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1.1.3. Data Files

The files required for this tutorial are
/tutorials/mETA_tutorials/02-CRASH_BASIC/double_rail.pc
/tutorials/mETA_tutorials/02-CRASH_BASIC/double_rail.DSY
/tutorials/mETA_tutorials/02-CRASH_BASIC/second_model/second_model.pc
/tutorials/mETA_tutorials/02-CRASH_BASIC/second_model/double_rail.DSY

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1.2. Post Processing Procedure

1.2.1. Read Model Geometry and Results

Start ETA.
From the Read Results > Geometry tab, first
make sure that the File Format option menu is
1 switched to either Auto detect or Pamcrash.

1. Iinvoke the File Manager. Navigate and select

the file:
../02-CRASH_BASIC/double_rail.pc

The models geometry can be read from either the

input file or the .DSY file.
However loading geometry from the input file
provides extra information for the model.
The model is read and it should appear as it is
shown in the image on the left.

2. Switch the Read Results card to the Results

tab. The corresponding .DSY file is automatically
selected and all available states are identified in
the States tab and selected by default.

Tips:
2 You may deselect from the list the states that you
do not want to load. For this example, load all
states.

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1. Switch to the Deformation tab. By default, the

Displacements, are selected for loading.

2. Make sure that the Deformation Scale Factor

is set to 1 and that Ignore Failed Elements check
button is deactivated in order the failed elements
1 to be identified in a later step of this tutorial.

3. Switch to the Scalar tab. Two menus appear.

The first one holds all available types of results
(stresses, strains, etc). By default, this is switched
to Stresses. Select from this menu the Strains
results.
The second menu includes all available types /
components for the results type that is selected in
the first menu. Switch this second menu to Plastic
Strain option.
3 4. Press Read, at the bottom of the Read Results
card, to load the selected Deformation and
Scalar results for the selected states.

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1.2.2. Handling of entities display.

Press F12 key to open the Set Visible Entities

card.

1 1. Deactivate the SOLIDS toggle button in order the

solid elements of the wall not to be visible.
2. Deactivate the PLANES so as not to see the cut-
planes of the defined cross-sections. These cross-
sections are defined inside the .pc file for the
calculation of section forces by the solver.

Model with Cut Planes and Solids visibility disabled.

1. Press the Set Transparency Style button.

2. Select the Barrier.

Tips:
2 To turn off transparency, right click on the Set
Transparency button and then select the Part.

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1.2.3. Animation of states

1. Press Animate One Forward

One animation of states is performed until the last
state.

Tips:
You can change states using:
- The Up and Down keys when the focus is in the
States List
- The Page Up and Page Down keys when the
focus is on the model
- Home and End keys navigate the model to the
ORIGINAL and the last state respectively.
- The Animation slider. You can move the slider or
press Middle Mouse Button on the slider to
navigate the model to the selected state. Press
1 Left Mouse Button on the slider to move to the
next or the previous state.

1.2.4. Connections

1. Open the Connections list

Since the geometry has been loaded from the .pc

1 input file ETA creates one group for each ANSA
connection (from ANSA comments).

2. Select the PAM_PLINH_WSPOTS group

3. Press Right Mouse Button on the selected
groups and select the Show only option to isolate
them
2
3

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The PLINK groups are isolated

For better visualization of the PLINKS, you can

draw with their real section

1. Invoke Tools > Settings

2. Enable the Bar/Beam cross-section option

under Windows Settings > Drawing >
Model/Geometry

The PLINKs are now drawn with a diameter.

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1.2.5. Failed elements

Elements can be colored according to the time of

failure.

1 1. Navigate to STATE 1 by middle clicking on the

respective step in the slider.

2. Switch the drawing style from PID to Fail Time.

The fringebar appears and the PLINKS are

colored according to the time that they fail.

Tips:
Elements that have already failed at the current
state can be identified by applying the command:
identify element failed

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1.2.6. Fringe (contour) plots and options - Fringe Range options

1. Press All to bring back to visible all parts.

2. Switch back the coloring mode to Pid.
3. Activate Scalar Fringe.
4. Navigate to the last state.
The model now is colored according to Plastic
Strain

1 2 3 4

You can change the palette from which the model

1 is colored.

1. Press Right Mouse Button on the fringebar.

2. From the menu that appears select the Fringe
Colors option and then Palettes and Colors.

2
The Fringe Colors window appears from which
you can select one of the available palettes.

3. Double-click the name of the palette.

Tips:
3 You can create your own palettes by pressing the
New button under the Palettes list and new colors
by pressing the New button under the Colors list.
For more details about creating new palettes and
colors refer to ETA tutorial 01-BASIC_STATIC

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Now the model is colored from the default palette.

The default options in the Fringe Options menu

are On Element and Normal Plot.

On Element, means that the element results will

be considered for the interpolation at each point of
the surface and this will be represented in the
fringe plot.

1. Press the arrow next to the Scalar Fringe

button to open the Fringe Options menu.
2. From the menu that appears select the On
Node option.

Now the node results are considered for the

interpolation at each point of the surface so the
coloring of the model is smoother.
2

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3. Press Right Mouse Button on the fringebar and

select the Range Limits option.
4. Type 0.9 in the Max Value field and press
Enter
3 4

The maximum value of the fringebar is set to 0.9

now and the model is colored accordingly.

1.2.7. Identification of results on the model

You can identify results on the model using the

Identify menu button or the

Identify option from the menu that appears if you
press Right Mouse Button on the drawing area.

1. Press Right Mouse button in the drawing area

and from the menu that appears select the
Identify > iFunction > Options and then deselect
the Current Min option in order to identify only the
element with the max function value using the
iFunction option.

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Press Right Mouse button in the drawing area.

From the menu that appears select the Identify >
iFunction > Visible Elements.

The element that holds the maximum function

value among the visible is identified on the model.

Tips:
You can control the display of the identified data
from the Identify > Options.

Reset the identification by pressing the iReset

button:

1.2.8. Statistics

Identification of results can be

achieved also through Statistics.

Open Tools >Statistics

The Statistics table appears. The

user can see information about the
parts of the model for the current state.

Tips:
Having the synchronize button
activated the table is automatically
updated every time the state changes.

The parts that are not visible are

displayed grayed.

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1. Press the Max :: C1 column with

1 Left Mouse Button to sort the Pids in
the table according to the Pid with the
maximum value.
2. Select the Pids with the higher
2 3 values and press Right Mouse Button
on them.
3. From the menu that appears select
the Show only option to isolate these
Pids.

The selected Pids are isolated.

Tips:
From the menu that appears when you
select entities of the table with Right
Mouse Button you can:
- Apply focus commands
- Identify entities and results
- Create annotations
- Explode entities

1. Switch from All Entities to

Elements option.
The table is now empty and you can
add elements in it.
2. Press the Adv.Filter button in order
to use the Advanced Filter tool of
2 ETA to select elements.

3. In the Advanced Filter window

select:
Add / Elements / centroidfuncmax /
4 Max 10

4. Press OK

4
3

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The 10 elements with the higher

centroid function values of the model
are added in the table.

Tips:
Press the button to hide the Add
Elements menu.

8. Press the Columns button to set

which columns will be visible.
8
9. Select which columns will be visible.
Only the selected columns are now
visible.

1. Mark some rows of data in the table

and press Right Mouse Button on it.

2 3 2. Select Identify to identify them on

the screen.
1
3. Press the button.
A File Manager pops-up and you have
the option to save the selected data (or
All) in html or csv format.

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1.2.9. Annotations

Another way to identify results on the model is

using the Annotations tool.
2

1. Press the iReset button to reset the

identification of entities from the previous steps.
2. Press the Annotations button to open the tool
3. From the Pointer tab select the Element
option, to create annotations on elements.
4. Press the Adv.Filter button to use the
Advanced Filter tool for the selection of
elements.

The Advanced Filter window appears.

5. Set the filter as shown in the picture and press on OK.

Tips:
In order to add a second line press the Add button.

Add | Parts | visible

Intersect | Elements | centroid.func.scalar.max| Each Part Max 1

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The Advanced Filter window is closed after

pressing Ok and 5 annotations are automatically
created and by default placed at the top left
corner of the drawing window.

1. Switch to Text tab.

2. Set the Float Precision to 3
3. Edit the text that is displayed in the annotation.
4. Press Apply.

1 Tips:
You can add variables in the annotations text by
2 pressing Right Mouse Button and from the menu
that appears add models or entitys variables.
In this example the $pid variable has been added
from the Element variables

3
4

5. Switch to the Position tab.

5
6. Press the Follow button in order for the
annotations to follow the entities that they are
6 attached to.

1. Select the annotations in the list and press

Right Mouse Button on them.
2. From the menu that appears select the
Explode Off Model option in order for the
annotations not to overlay the model and each
1 other.
2

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The 5 annotations following the elements they

point to.

1.2.10. Eliminate Rigid Body Motion

In order to visualize deformation of the model

4 without any rigid body motion, it is necessary to
apply a Follow-Node scheme (deformation
displayed with respect to a plane).
5
1. Press the Del button in the Annotations card to
delete them.
2. Navigate to the ORGINAL state
3. Press Right Mouse Button in the drawing area
4. From the menu that appears select the View
option.
5. From the View options select Follow 3 Nodes

6. Pick the 3 nodes that will define the plane to

which the deformations of the model will be
transformed

3
6

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7. Press Animate One Forward to see an

animation of states

1.2.11. Vector Results and Intrusion Velocities

1. Click on the ALL button to make everything

visible
3
2. Select the !Not option through the context
menu of the drawing area.
3. Select the front plates of the model and press
Middle Mouse Button to isolate them

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4. Switch to Vector tab of the Read Results card.

5. Select Velocities from the pull-down menu with
the available results.
6. Switch to Read Options > Nodes tab.
4 7. Activate Follow nodes transform option in
order for the vector results to be transformed to
the plane that the deformations of the model have
5 been transformed.
8. Deactivate Deformation and Scalar options
and leave only Vector enabled. Press the cross
button next to the Vector option. This way the new
6 results will be appended to the previous loaded
results.
9. Press Read
7 Velocities are been loaded as a new vector label.

8
9

1. Press on the Vector Fringe button to draw

vectors.

2 For better visualization the size of the vectors can

be scaled.
2. Press on the arrow next to the Vector Fringe
3 button to open the options.
3. Change the Vector Scale to 15.

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Vectors have been scaled.

1.2.12. Importing second model

A second model or more models can be imported in the same window or in a new window.

1. Switch off the Vector Plot.

4 2. Press All to bring back to visible the rest of the

model.

3. From the Read Results > Geometry tab,

invoke the File Manager. Navigate and select:
../second_model/second_model.pc

4. In the window that pops up select the Loading

as a new model in active window option and
press OK

The second model is imported in the active

window and you should see the two models now
as they are shown in the image on the left.

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5. Switch the Read Results card to the Results

tab. The corresponding .DSY file is automatically
selected.
6. Select to load for all states Displacements in
7 the Deformation tab and Strains, Plastic Strain
in the Scalar tab.
7. Deactivate the Vector check-box and leave
active only Deformation and Scalar and press
Read to load the results.

1. Navigate the new model to the last state.

2. Through the context menu select View > Apply
follow nodes of model and type 0.
Now the deformations of the second model are
translated to the same plane with the first model

3
3. Press the arrow next to the Active Model label
to open the Models List.
4. Select the ALL option to activate both models.
5. Now both models are active.

Now both models are displayed one on top of the

other, deformed at STATE 9 with contours.

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1.2.13. Models comparison with Multi Model, State Statistics

A first comparison between these two models can be performed using Multi Model, State Statistics
tool.
Multi Model, State Statistics is a table displaying information on Maximum and Minimum values of
results at All entities (Parts, Nodes, Elements and Groups) for every state and for every available model.

Open this tool from Tools>Statistics>Multi Model, State Statistics

The Multi Model, State

Statistics table appears. By
default it includes results for
the currently loaded
Maximum function (Plastic
Strain in this case) for all
parts of both models at each
state. The corresponding
differences between the two
models (% column) are also
available.

Selecting an entity (part in this

case) from the table with
Right Mouse Button, a menu
appears. Identification or
isolation of the selected
part(s) can be applied directly
from this menu
1 1. Select the Plot Entity
option to create curves for the
maximum Function Values of
these parts over the States

A New 2d plot window is

created having a plot with two
curves, that is one curve for
the Maximum Function values
of the part, of each model,
over the States.

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2. Switch back to the

MetaPost window, either by
2 selecting it from the window
switcher bar or by pressing
Ctrl+Tab
4 3. In the Multi Model, State
Statistics table select to see
only the Selected States, that
is STATE 9 in this case.
4. By pressing the button,
this table can be saved in
HTML or .csv format.

1.2.14. Models comparison with Cut Planes

1. Navigate to ORIGINAL state.

2. Press the F12 key and in the window that
1 appears enable the PLANES option.

3. Hide the barrier parts by selecting them using

the Not function:

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5 4. Press the arrow next to the Planes button.

5. From the menu that appears select the
4 New>Default XY>No clip option.

6. Press Or with Right Mouse Button

6
7. Select the Planes Option

8
7

8. Pick on the plane previously created with a box

selection.

Only the cutting plane with the cross section is

visible
7. Fromnow.
the Selection Filter window that appears
select Planes
8. Select from the drawing area the new created
plane

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1. Press the Scalar Fringe button to deactivate

the fringe coloring of the model.

1 2 2. Press the Planes button to open the Planes

window.
3. Go to Grid tab and activate the Grid option.

4. Switch to Fringe tab and disable the Fringe

Styles.

5. Switch to Settings tab.

5
6. Increase the Line width.
7. Select for Section Color the Model option.

8. Press the arrow next to the Active Model label

to open the Models List.
8
9. Double Click on the color button of the each
model.
10. From the Select Color window that appears
select the blue color for the first model and read
for the second one.
9

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11. Navigate to the last state.

The difference between the deformation of the two
sections can be now compared more clearly.

1.2.15. Saving Images & Video

Images and videos can be saved.

1. Press File and from the menu that appears

select Save.

The Export to File window appears.

2. Select for example the PNG option for the File

type.
3 3. Type a name for the image.
2 4. Press Save.
An image is now saved in the selected directory.
4
Tips:
Pressing the Options button the Image
Parameters card appears. This includes various
Image properties that can be adjusted such as the
resolution of the image, the dimensions of the
image, the background color, etc.

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5. Press the Record button from the Animation

toolbar
5
6. From the menu that appears select the avi
option.
6

1. In the Export animation window type a name

1 3
for the video.
2. Enable the Export Movie option. This way one
animation Forward (this can be changed from the
respective pull-down menus) will be performed in
the background and this animation will be
recorded according to the Options that have been
selected.
3. Press Save.

1.2.16. Report

User reports in HTML, PPTX (e.g: MS Office 2007 PowerPoint and OpenOffice 3 Impress) or postscript
format can be created through the Report Composer.
1. Press Tools and from the menu that appears select the Report Composer option.

The Report Composer

window opens.

2
2. Select the PPTX option to
create a pptx report.

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3. Drag an image from the

model using the Left Mouse
Button.
4. Drop the image in the
Report Composer.
3 The image is added in the
Slide.

1. Use the Left Mouse Button

and resize the image. You
can move it again using Left
Mouse Button.

2. Open Tools>Statistics.
3. Switch back to Model 0
4. Select the first rows of data
4 with Right Mouse Button.
5. From the menu that
appears select the Copy
Clipboard > Selected option.

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1. Right click on the slide and select

Clipboard > Paste text from
clipboard(Spreadsheet)

A spreadsheet table has been added in

the report.
You can move it and resize it using Left
Mouse Button.

1. Select Slide 1 in the Slides

List with Right Mouse Button.
2. From the menu that
appears select Set Title.

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The Text Editor window pops-

up.
4 3. Type the title
4. Edit the text. The actions
3 are applied on selected text.
5. Press OK

A text box is added in the

report.
6. Resize it and move it with
Left Mouse Button.
7. Finally press Save. A File
Manager will open to save
your report.

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1.3. Conclusion

In this tutorial some of the basic steps for crash analysis post processing have been followed. Not all
capabilities were demonstrated. The user may also refer to ETA Users Guide for the functionality of ETA
and detailed description of functions and procedures.

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