How to Apply a Load to a Deformed Geometry in Ansys Mechanical

Sometimes when simulating the structural behaviour of a component is is necessary to apply a load to a previously deformed part. For instance, if you are wanting to simulate a setting process in an assembly and then apply subsequent loading to the displaced or “set“ assembly position. How do we do this? Well it is a two step approach. In the first step you apply the setting load. Then in the second load step, you use a reserve name %_FIX% in conjunction with the ANSYS Mechanical ’D’ command or displacement command, to fix the displacement at the end of the first load step as a constraint in the second load step. You can then apply the additional second load step loading condition to the model as required.