Understanding Parametric Study in FEA Using SolidWorks: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome back to our blog series on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using SolidWorks. In the last post, we explored 1D, 2D, and 3D simulations, and even compared the results of each. In this post, we’ll venture into a powerful tool for engineers: Parametric Study. 

By the end of this article, you’ll understand: 

• What a parametric study is. 
• Why and when you should use it. 
• How to conduct a parametric study in SolidWorks. 
• How to optimize your models using parametric studies. 

Ready? Let’s dive in. 

What is a Parametric Study? 

A parametric study in SolidWorks allows you to optimize a design by analyzing different variations of specific parameters, such as dimensions or material properties. Rather than manually adjusting and re-running simulations multiple times, you can define parameter ranges and constraints, and let the software compute the optimal configuration. 

Think of it like this: If you’re designing a bottle that holds 250 ml of liquid and want to increase the capacity to 350 ml without changing the bottle’s diameter, a parametric study will vary the height until the desired volume is achieved. This saves time and effort, especially during the design phase. 

Why Use a Parametric Study? 

• Time Efficiency: Instead of manually altering dimensions and running simulations repeatedly, you can automate the process. 
• Optimized Designs: You get the optimal solution based on the goals and constraints you set. 
• Flexibility: Parametric studies allow for the flexibility to tweak multiple variables (e.g., dimensions, forces) while keeping certain constraints constant. 

Now, let’s move into the practical side of things by conducting a parametric study in SolidWorks. 

Performing a Parametric Study in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide 

Let’s use a simple cylindrical model and run a static analysis to optimize its dimensions. Follow these steps: 

1. Create the Cylinder Model 

1. Open SolidWorks and create a new part. 
2. Go to Sketch and select the Top Plane. 
3. Draw a circle with a radius of 50 mm and extrude it to 100 mm using the Extrude feature. 

This gives us a basic cylindrical model. 

2. Activate the Simulation Add-In 

Before we proceed to the parametric study, we need to run a static analysis on this cylinder. 

1. Go to SolidWorks Add-ins and activate Simulation. 
2. Start a New Study by selecting Static Analysis. 
3. Assign Brass as the material by right-clicking on the part and choosing Apply/Edit Material. 

3. Apply Fixtures and Loads 

1. Fixtures: Fix the bottom of the cylinder using the Fixed Geometry option. 
2. Loads: Apply a 50,000 Newton force on the top face of the cylinder. 

4. Mesh and Run the Study 

Create a mesh with a 9 mm global size and run the static analysis. You’ll see that some deformation occurs, but the stress values remain below the material’s yield strength. 

Now that we have our base simulation, let’s dive into the parametric study. 

5. Setting Up a Parametric Study 

To start a parametric study, we first need to open the Design Study feature. 

1. Create New Design Study: Right-click on the current static analysis and select Create New Design Study. 
2. Define Variables: In the Design Study window, you’ll see three main options: Variables, Constraints, and Goals.   

a) Variables: These are parameters that can be adjusted. For our cylinder, we’ll adjust: 

• Height: The height of the cylinder, currently 100 mm. 
• Diameter: The diameter of the cylinder, currently 50 mm. 
• Mesh Size: We’ll vary this between 5 mm and 10 mm. 
• Force: Adjust the applied force between 25,000 and 75,000 Newtons.  

b) Constraints: Constraints act as limiting factors. In this case, we’ll set the Factor of Safety to ensure that it stays above 1 for all scenarios. 

c) Goals: The goal of this study is to minimize the mass of the cylinder while keeping the Factor of Safety above 1. 

6. Running the Parametric Study 

With everything set, hit Run to start the parametric study. SolidWorks will evaluate each scenario based on the variables and constraints you defined, trying different combinations of height, diameter, mesh size, and force to find the optimal solution. 

During the run, you’ll see that the software evaluates various configurations (for example, varying the height from 50 mm to 150 mm in 20 mm increments) to find the design that minimizes mass while maintaining structural integrity. 

Results and Insights 

Once the parametric study is complete, you’ll notice that the optimal solution achieves the desired structural integrity with a significantly reduced mass compared to the original design. This is where the real power of parametric studies lies: you can now make informed decisions about the design without needing to manually adjust parameters and run simulations repeatedly. 

A Practical Example: Optimizing a Glass Bottle 

Let’s switch gears and consider another example—a glass bottle. Suppose you want to increase its volume from 250 ml to 350 ml while maintaining the same diameter. 

1. Create the Bottle Model: Open a model of a glass bottle with an initial volume of 250 ml. 
2. Set Variables: Define the height and diameter as variables to adjust during the study. 
3. Goal: Set the goal to maximize volume to 350 ml. 
4. Run the Study: The parametric study will adjust the height and diameter to meet the new volume requirement. 

By the end of the study, the software will provide the optimal bottle dimensions for the increased volume, with minimal change to the overall shape and material usage. 

Key Takeaways 

In this post, we explored how to use parametric studies in SolidWorks to optimize designs: 

• Parametric Study allows you to tweak various parameters of a model and find the optimal configuration based on specified goals and constraints. 
• It saves time, reduces manual trial and error, and ensures that design modifications are efficient and accurate. 
• Whether you’re optimizing a simple cylinder or designing complex components like bottles or machinery, parametric studies can significantly improve the design process. 

In our next session, we’ll explore advanced contact sets and boundary conditions in SolidWorks FEA. For those looking to deepen their expertise, consider exploring SolidWorks FEA Analysis Training and SolidWorks FEA Analysis Tutorials. Stay tuned for more insights into making your simulations even more powerful and precise. 

Happy simulating! 

This blog is part of our ongoing series on FEA Simulations using SolidWorks. If you missed the previous posts, check them out here.  

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