Femap/Nastran API question

[icecreamballer]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any insight on API for femap/nastran. Specifically for NEI nastran. I'm dealing with running thousands of analysis with just few minor changes. I know there are ways to modify .nas input files but it will still take thousands of analysis in Nastran.

Anyone have any experience with femap/nastran API?

Thank you

 

[dwallace1971]

What's the nature of your "minor changes"?

 

[icecreamballer]

Add/Removing of loads

 

[dwallace1971]

Do you have multiple loads such as inertia loads in the forward/side/vertical directions that you have to combine?

 

[icecreamballer]

Nope simple one direction loads

 

[dwallace1971]

What I've done in the past when I have a large number of load conditions is to build the model in the pre/post processor software, then export the run deck. Then I would break the .bdf file into "cards" and use excel and a text editor to build loads and load cases (lots of copying and pasting), and then call the individual cards with a control file, completely outside the pre-post processor software. The method is a bit tedious, but it gives one quite a lot of control over the analysis model. Once your run deck is complete, then you can run it directly in NASTRAN or read it into FEMP and run it from there.

I'm not sure if writing an API routine would be any simpler. There's an API manual included with the FEMAP installation. The API uses the Visual Basic language.