More Than One Way to Perform Thermal Stress Analysis in SolidWorks Simuation

By Paolo Olmos, Hawk Ridge Systems November 27, 2014

CAD/CAM/CAE

While the goals of analysis are the same, the assumptions made determine the method and final results.

Did you know that there are up to 15 ways to setup and run a thermal stress analysis using the tools in SOLIDWORKS Simulation and SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation? While the goals for a thermal stress analysis are the same, the assumptions you make and what you want to consider in your analysis all play a role in choosing a method and the final results you obtain.

Below is a handy table that outlines some of the assumptions and considerations you can make for a particular method along with what minimum Simulation software package is needed. You can also download this chart as a PDF.

Assumptions And Considerations	Method	Software Package
Materials are linear isotropic Temperatures are uniform through all bodies	Linear Static Stress Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard
Materials are linear isotropic Temperature gradients can be obtained. Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Thermal Analysis (Steady State) > Linear Static Stress Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional
Materials are linear isotropic Stresses at a specific time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Thermal Analysis (Transient) > Linear Static Stress Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional
Nonlinear materials can be used Temperatures are uniform through all bodies	Nonlinear Static Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium
Nonlinear materials can be used Stresses over a period of time can be obtained Temperatures are uniform through all bodies	Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
Nonlinear materials can be used Temperature gradients can be obtained Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Thermal Analysis (Steady State) > Nonlinear Static Analysis
Nonlinear materials can be used Stresses at a specific time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Thermal Analysis (Transient) > Nonlinear Static Analysis
Nonlinear materials can be considered Stresses over a period of time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Thermal Analysis (Steady State) > Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
Nonlinear materials can be considered Stresses over a period of time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Thermal Analysis (Transient) > Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
Materials are linear isotropic Temperature gradients can be obtained Fluid flow effects can be considered Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Flow Simulation (Steady State) > Linear Static Stress Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard
Materials are linear isotropic Stresses at a specific time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Fluid flow effects can be considered Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Flow Simulation (Transient) > Linear Static Stress Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard
Nonlinear materials can be considered Temperature gradients can be obtained Fluid flow effects can be considered Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Flow Simulation (Steady State) > Nonlinear Static Analysis	SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium
Nonlinear materials can be considered Stresses at a specific time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Fluid flow effects can be considered Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Flow Simulation (Transient) > Nonlinear Static Analysis
Nonlinear materials can be considered Stresses over a period of time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Fluid flow effects can be considered Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Flow Simulation (Steady State) > Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
Nonlinear materials can be considered Stresses at a specific time can be obtained Temperature gradients can be obtained Fluid flow effects can be considered Temperature dependent material properties can be considered	Flow Simulation (Transient) > Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis

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Paolo has 3 years of experience with SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Simulation. With a background in technical support, he currently provides analysis consulting, mentoring services, and custom analysis training as a part of the Hawk Ridge Systems Analysis Services team.