Creo Simulate: Finite Element Modeling (FEM)
This section contains descriptions of the Creo TOOLKIT functions that support Creo Parametric Finite Element Modeling (FEM).
Overview
The Finite Element Modeling (FEM) functions in this section are designed to give you access to data generated by the Pro/MESH module of Creo Parametric. You can do the following:
•  Export a Pro/MESH output file to disk.
Exporting an FEA Mesh
Function Introduced:
  • ProFemmeshExport()
    		•
    The function ProFemmeshExport() generates the Finite Element Mesh based on the given parameters, and exports it to the specified file.
    The function uses the data structure ProFemmeshData, which is defined as follows: 
    typedef struct pro_femmesh_data
{
  ProFemmeshType         mesh_type;
  ProFemshellmeshType    shell_type;
  int                    num_quilts;
  ProFemquiltref       * pro_quilt_ref_arr;
  ProFemanalysisType     analysis;
  ProFemelemshapeType    elem_shape;
  ProFemsolverType       solver;
  ProFemcsysref          csys_ref;   
  int                    num_aux_csys;
  ProFemcsysref        * aux_csys_ref_arr;
}ProFemmeshData;
    The pro_femmesh_data fields are as follows:
    •  mesh_type—The mesh type. The possible values are as follows:
    ○  PRO_FEM_SOLID_MESH—Mesh solid parts using tetrahedral solid mesh elements.
    ○  PRO_FEM_SHELL_MESH—Shell mesh using triangular or quadrangular mesh elements. This type is designed for meshing surfaces.
    ○  PRO_FEM_MIXED_MESH—Mesh models with a mixture of shell and tetrahedral mesh elements.
    ○  PRO_FEM_QUILT_MESH—A mesh for any simple or advanced shell idealizations created for quilt surfaces.
    ○  PRO_FEM_BOUNDARY_MESH—A shell mesh of triangular or quadrilateral elements on the model's exterior surfaces.
    ○  PRO_FEM_BAR_MESH—A bar mesh for one dimensional idealizations.
    •  shell_type—The type of shell element. This field is ignored for a solid mesh. The possible values are as follows:
    ○  PRO_FEM_TRIANGLE
    ○  PRO_FEM_QUADRANGLE
    •  num_quilts—The quilt identifier.
    •  pro_quilt_ref_arr—An array of references of quilt surfaces in the assembly.
    •  analysis—The analysis type. The possible values are as follows:
    ○  PRO_FEM_ANALYSIS_STRUCTURAL—Structural analysis, including stress, strain, thermal stress, and displacement.
    ○  PRO_FEM_ANALYSIS_MODAL—Modal analysis, including the constraint sets applied to the model.
    ○  PRO_FEM_ANALYSIS_THERMAL—Thermal analysis, including temperature, heat flux, and heat gradient.
    •  elem_shape—The type of element to be used for the solver.
    ○  PRO_FEM_MIDPNT_LINEAR—Linear elements are used for the analysis. This includes corner nodes, straight edges, and planar faces.
    ○  PRO_FEM_MIDPNT_PARABOLIC—Parabolic elements are used for the analysis.
    ○  PRO_FEM_MIDPNT_PARABOLIC_FIXED—The excessively curved edges of solid and shell mesh parabolic elements are slightly straightened and then used for analysis.
    The number of nodes that are as follows:
    Tetrahedron
    PRO_FEA_LINEAR: 4 nodes
    PRO_FEA_PARABOLIC: 10 nodes
    Triangle
    PRO_FEA_LINEAR: 3 nodes
    PRO_FEA_PARABOLIC: 6 nodes
    Quadrangle
    PRO_FEA_LINEAR: 4 nodes
    PRO_FEA_PARABOLIC: 8 nodes
    •  solver—The type of solver used for analysis. The possible values are:
    ○  PRO_FEM_FEAS_ANSYS—Specifies an ANSYS solver.
    ○  PRO_FEM_FEAS_NASTRAN—Specifies a NASTRAN solver.
    ○  PRO_FEM_FEAS_NEUTRAL—Specifies other solvers that support the FEM Neutral file format for analysis.
    •  csys_ref—An array of geometric references.
    •  num_aux_csys—Additional coordinate system to be included in the analysis.
    •  aux_csys_ref_arr—An array of geometric references for the auxiliary coordinate system.
    Note
    Prior to calling this function, the model (pro_solid) should be displayed in the graphics window.
    The input arguments of this function are as follows:
    •  pro_solid— The handle of a Creo Parametric model (part or assembly).
    •  p_mesh_data—The pointer to the data structure containing the mesh generation parameters.
    •  file_name—The file name to export mesh to.
    This function supersedes the function pro_export_fea_mesh()