Using PAFEC (Programs for Automatic Finite Element Calculations) as a Preprocessor for MSC/NASTRAN

摘要

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. (ERA citation 09:051023)