Hi,
Jamesbewley,
"For someone who doesn't understand FEA this is a big bonus and it is the route ANSYS are keen to go down. For an FEA expert it can however be limiting and specify options which are not always 100% correct."
I do believe what you're saying is extremely dangerous. If someone doesn't understand FEA at all then it's better for him and for the people's safety that he keeps his hands away from any instrument of this kind, be it user-friendly or not. Options are never 100% correct in the simulation world wrt the real one, but a good mechanical engineer must know which simplifying assumptions are correct (appropriate) or not. It's not a matter of WB vs Classical: in both programs, the choice of BCs do are correct and consistent: it's up to you to use them properly. In fact, WB has some more BCs which are nothing but internal macros to execute "Classical" commands in one pass, for example the application of a remote force which is one command in WB and a sequence of operations in Classical.
In no case at all, as far as I know, ANSYS' reps have ever claimed that WB is for "FE-newbies".
"Classic is much more involved but requires knowledge of the whens and why's of FEA to be able to set it up correctly."
Also WB, I can assure you. Your sentence can be easily reversed, in the sense that the ease-of-use of WB can be extremely treacherous for unexperienced people, who are much more in danger to do a "garbage calculation" believing that it's correct "because the program allowed it".
"As I said Classic has greater functionality although Rob suggests that workbench has almost all of the same functionality (spoken like a true ANSYS sales rep )"
That's true, because the solver is in any case the same; moreover, any APDL command typical of "Classical" can be added to Commands Snippets in WB, once you have fully understood its logic.
"If you are just starting out in FEA then I can fully recommend workbench as a user-friendly package. Just be aware of its limitations"
No, no. Be aware of YOUR limitations, if you are just starting with FEA.
"and try to (if you already haven't) get an understandings to the basic principles of FEA."
Yeah, this is perfect. BEFORE even switching on a FEA program, study, study, study and, if you have enough time for it, study even more.
Regards