Chapter 11: Inertia Relief

MSC Nastran Linear Static Analysis User’s Guide

11 Inertia Relief

J
Introduction to Inertia Relief
J Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-1 (SUPORT)
J
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-2 (no Suport)

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 478 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Introduction to Inertia Relief

Introduction to Inertia Relief

Inertia relief is an advanced option in MSC Nastran that allows you to simulate unconstrained structures
in a static analysis. It enables applied static loading to an unconstrained structure and the calculation of
deformed shape and internal loads within the accelerated structure. Inertia relief calculates the rigid body
mass x acceleration loads imparted by the applied loads, and applies them in combination to the flexible
body to produce a load-balanced static formulation in the linear acceleration reference frame. The
“steady-state” relative structural displacements and internal loads are calculated using suport entries
(PARAM,INREL,-1) or automaticly, the no suport capability (PARAM,INREL,-2). Typical applications
of inertia relief include modeling an aircraft in flight, an automobile on a test track, or a satelite in space.
Inertia relief is commonly used to measure inertial compliance or dynamic stiffness of an unconstrained
component under attachment loads or under center of gravity unit loads. Inertia relief has the valuable
property within SOL 101 of providing the static-dynamic convergence shape and elastic modes solution
of a dynamically loaded free-free structure as f → 0 hz in SOL 111 (using PARAM,LFREQ and residual
load vectors).

Although the internal processing is somewhat complex, the interface to the inertia relief option is quite
straightforward. There are two ways to invoke the inertia relief. The first method is to specify the
SUPORT entry explicitly by including “PARAM,INREL,-1” in the Bulk Data Section. The second
method (the recommended method) is to let MSC Nastran select the SUPORT degrees of freedom
automatically by including “PARAM,INREL,-2” in the Bulk Data Section. An optional
“PARAM,GRDPNT,x”--where x is a grid point ID--can be specified in the model. If
“PARAM,GRDPNT,x” is used, the loads and accelerations will be summed about this point. If
“PARAM,GRDPNT,x” is not specified, then the loads and accelerations will be summed about the origin
of the basic coordinate system.
The constraints associated with the reference frame are distributed to all points with mass. This means
that structures with modeling errors, such as a region of elements left out through oversight, will still give
reasonable results that can aid in diagnosing the modeling errors. A model in development may contain
many disjoint parts, inadvertently. Any part with three non-collinear points with mass will be adequately
constrained for solution.
In the manual support option, the free stiffness matrix Kaa is constrained by removing the r-set DOFs
from the a-set and imposing zero motion on them,

[ Ka a ] ⋅ [ ua ] = { Pa } (11-1)

[ ur ] = { 0 } (11-2)

With the automatic inertia relief, the u r variables are no longer a subset of the u a variables. The
constraint equation, Equation (11-2), is replaced by a more general constraint equation,
T
[ Ma a ⋅ Da 6 ] ⋅ { ua } = { ur } = { 0 } (11-3)

Main Index
 CHAPTER 11 479
Inertia Relief

The variables u r are a set of generalized coordinates that represent the average motion of the u a
variables, as weighted by the mass matrix. The zero value for this equation implies that the average
motion of all a-set points is zero, although the displacement variables are free to move relative to this
least-squares fit reference frame.
The manual style of inertia relief allows use of PARAM,GRDPNT to define the origin used in
determining the shape functions D a6 . The presence of this parameter causes the output of the Grid Point
Weight Generator (GPWG) table, which lists the c.g. location of the model, its moments of inertia, and
other related data. This point in space is used as the reference point when computing rigid body mass and
moments of inertia, and rigid body accelerations. If the parameter is not present, the basic origin is used,
in the basic coordinate system. It is good practice (but not required by MSC Nastran) to use the same
grid point on PARAM,GRDPNT and on the SUPORT entry.
Unlike the manual option, PARAM,GRDPNT is not used as the inertia relief reference point for the
automatic support option. The basic origin is used. If the PARAM,GRDPNT is present, it causes the
generation of the GPWG table, but does not influence the inertia relief calculations in any way.
The constraint forces caused by the distributed constraints are printed with the SPCFORCE case control
command. They are computational zeros for a well-defined model. PARAM,TINY (default value is 1.E-
3) is traditionally used to discard element strain energies with values less than “tiny”. The same
parameter requests that small SPC forces of the reference frame constraint type be replaced with binary
zeros, for the automatic support option only. This filtering is not used on conventional SPC forces from
selected SPC entries or AUTOSPC, and manual support DOFs.
PARAM,INREL,-2, provides the following enhancements to inertia relief analysis:
1. Auto-suport (SUPORT entries are not required) for the 6 rigid body motions of an
unconstrained connected structure.
2. Unique displacement solution that is decoupled from rigid body motion and identical to SOL
111 elastic modes static solution as f → 0 Hz.
3. Improved accuracy in internal loads and stress calculations in “difficult-to-suport” models.

There is no actual Suport of grids or scalar points in the Inrel = -2 implementation. Unlike INREL = -1,
there are no enforced zeroes or “center of displacement.” The INREL = -2 solution typically balances
around the CG of the structure, with the CG displacing slightly in the direction of the applied loads. This
“balance” differs for each applied load P. INREL = -2 uses PARAM,GRDPNT and rigid body
acceleration as a geometric reference, not required to be part of structure or independent a-set.

Guidelines for Inertia Relief

1. Inertia relief analysis requires that the model have inertia, that is, mass. This is easily
accomplished for most models by use of the RHO field (mass density) on the MATi Bulk
Data entries. Line structures, such as a shaft made from BAR elements, may not have
moments of inertia along the torsion axis. Use either BEAM elements, which can have
torsion mass moments of inertia, or add inertia terms with CONM2 entries.

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 480 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Introduction to Inertia Relief

2. INREL = -2 with auto-suport is designed for the common 6 rigid-body-mode unconstrained

connected model. If the model is intended to have exactly 6 rigid body modes, then INREL
= -2 is the most convenient and numerically stable option. SUPORTi entries must NOT be
used.
3. If the model is semi-constrained with < 6 rigid body modes, including 1-D or 2-D models,
INREL = -1 is recommended, using < 6 appropriate suport DOF.
4. Inertia relief is not recommended on models with extra mechanisms or unconnected parts
with mass, with > 6 zero Hz modes. INREL = -1 will fatal with suports > 6, and INREL = -
2 with auto-suport will fatal or give unreliable results.
5. For models with local or massless singularities beyond the 6 rigid body modes, INREL = -2
with auto-suport can produce a reasonable result. But care should be taken, and singular DOF
with high factor diagonals in the .f06 should be checked.
6. PARAM,GRDPNT is the reference point for INREL = -2. If default (0,0,0) is far from the
model CG, then GRDPNT should be defined at or near the CG.
7. When SUPORTi entries are used in INREL = -1, a good rule of thumb is that they be on
structure strong and balanced enough to sustain the weight of the structure in a laboratory
test (they must have significant stiffness). If the structure does not have such DOFs, a new
grid can be defined as a reference node, and connected to many DOFs with an RBE3
element. The reference node must be in the n-set which implies that the UM feature of the
RBE3 element must be used.
8. Inrel = -1 SUPORTi entries must constitute a statically determinate set ≤ 6 . Good
selections are either: a) all DOF at CG, or b) DOF distanced out in 3-2-1 fashion to create a
good balance of the structure. See discussion in INREL = -1 section.
9. INREL = -2 should be used if the inertia relief solution is intended to match the SOL 111
f → 0 Hz elastic solution exactly.
10. INREL = -1 should be used if a zeroed “center of displacement” is desired.
11. Both inertia relief methods are most accurate on ungrounded “clean” models with rigid body
modes on the order E-4 less than first flexible mode frequency. Case Control command,
GROUNDCHECK, can be helpful in detecting grounding problems. For INREL = -1, Suport
Strain Energy in .f06 should also be checked. The INREL = -2 method remains more robust
and accurate, as long as 6 rigid modes are intended and remain fairly distinct from the 7th
mode. For models where separation between 6th and 7th mode is less than E-1, then INREL
= -1 with good suport selection should be considered as well.

Main Index
 CHAPTER 11 481
Inertia Relief

Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-1 (SUPORT)

As discussed previously, static analysis by the finite element method assumes that the model contains no
mechanisms and may not move as a rigid body (strain free). If either of these conditions exists in a
conventional finite element analysis, the stiffness matrix for the model becomes singular. When
MSC Nastran attempts to decompose a singular matrix, a fatal message or unreasonable answers result.
Consequently, conventional finite element static analysis cannot be performed on unconstrained
structures. However, a method called inertia relief is provided in MSC Nastran for analyzing these
conditions. A simple description of inertia relief is that the inertia (mass) of the structure is used to resist
the applied loadings, that is, an assumption is made that the structure is in a state of static equilibrium
even though it is not constrained. Two examples are a spacecraft in orbit or an aircraft in flight. In these
cases, the structure is in state of static equilibrium, although it is capable of unconstrained motion.
In addition to the PARAM,INREL,-1 entry, a SUPORT entry is also needed. If PARAM,GRDPNT,x is
specified, the rigid body mass matrix is calculated about grid point x; otherwise, the rigid body mass is
calculated about the origin of the basic coordinate system. The inertia relief method requires that a
realistic mass distribution exists, and the degrees of freedom listed on the SUPORT entry must be
connected elastically to the model in all specified degrees of freedom. (For example, degrees of freedom
4, 5, and 6 on a grid point with only solid elements attached cannot be used since solid elements have no
stiffness in these degrees of freedom.)
To invoke inertia relief, you must provide a SUPORT Bulk Data entry with a list of up to six non-
redundant degrees of freedom that describe the possible unconstrained motion. The easiest way to
describe how to use the SUPORT entry in static analysis is if you hold the SUPORT degrees of freedom
constrained, there is no possible rigid body motion. If all possible rigid body motion is not described on
the SUPORT entry, then the stiffness matrix is singular, and the problem either fails in decomposition or
gives unreasonable answers.
When inertia relief is specified, MSC Nastran calculates the forces that result from a rigid body
acceleration about the point specified on the “PARAM,GRDPNT,x” in the specified directions.
MSC Nastran then calculates the summation of all applied loadings in the same directions.
Accelerations are applied to the structure in the appropriate directions to “balance” the applied loadings.
The structure is now in a state of static equilibrium, i.e., the summation of all applied loads is 0.0. Since
the problem is not constrained, rigid body displacement is still possible.
The next step performed by MSC Nastran is to constrain the SUPORT degrees of freedom to a
displacement of 0.0 and provide the relative motion of all other grid points with respect to that reference
point. Hence, the term “reference” degree of freedom is used to describe the SUPORT degrees of
freedom in MSC Nastran. The set of degrees of freedom described on the SUPORT entry belong to the
r-set or reference set for the solution. The computed solution is the correct one, and it is relative to any
rigid body motion that is occurring. A simple way to think of this is that the solution coming from
MSC Nastran represents the deformation of the structure you would see if you were standing at the
SUPORT degrees of freedom.
The SUPORT entry lists the DOFs in the r-set, the reference set. Some skill is required to use this entry
correctly. When the r-set is chosen such that structure is not constrained in a statically determinate
manner, or if the stiffness attached to these points is inadequate, the rigid body mode shapes may be poor,

Main Index
 482 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-1 (SUPORT)

leading to low accuracy in inertial load calculations. A poor static analysis solution may also result from
the poor constraints, independent of the loading problems. Both effects may result in poor overall
accuracy. Poor results can occur with little warning when the SUPORT entry is misused.
Solution 101 requires that the model does not contain mechanisms. The reference degrees of freedom
are specified using the the SUPORT entry as follows:
SUPORT

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
SUPORT ID1 C1 ID2 C2 ID3 C3 ID4 C4

Field Contents
IDi Grid or scalar point identification number.
Ci Component numbers.

Whenever a SUPORT entry is used in static analysis, the epsilon and strain energy printed in the table
from UIM 3035 should be checked. The values printed for epsilon and strain energy in the UIM 3035
table should all be numeric zero. The strain energy printed in this table for matrix KLR represents the
strain energy in the model when the one SUPORT degree of freedom is moved 1.0 unit, while all other
SUPORT degrees of freedom are constrained. If the SUPORT degrees of freedom are properly specified,
the model should be capable of rigid body motion (strain-free) with no strain energy.
The values printed for the strain energy indicate the ability of the model to move as a rigid body. These
values should always be checked. If the structure is not constrained, the values should be numeric zero,
but roundoff almost always results in a small nonzero value. Acceptable values are a function of the
units, size of the structure, and precision of the hardware; therefore, a recommended value is not provided
in this user’s guide.
An additional feature allowed in Solution 101 is the solution of a problem under uniform acceleration.
This problem is posed using the DMIG,UACCEL, entry in addition to the previously mentioned
requirements. In this case, uniform accelerations are applied to the model, and the solution is found.
Uniform accelerations are useful for situations, such as spacecraft liftoff and landing loadings, which are
often specified as static accelerations.
As an example of inertia relief, consider the three CBEAM model shown in Figure 11-1.

Main Index
 CHAPTER 11 483
Inertia Relief

1 2 3 4
10 in 10 in 10 in
Y

X
Figure 11-1 Inertia Relief Analysis of a CBEAM Model

The three CBEAM structure is to be analyzed as a free-free structure with a line load acting in the Y-
direction as shown and using inertia relief. To show the effect of the SUPORT point, two runs are made,
each with a different SUPORT grid point. Part of the input file is given in Listing 11-1. Note that the
SUPORT information is shown for both runs; however, one set is commented out. For the first run, (See
Install_dir/mscxxxx/doc/linstat/inertia1.dat), the SUPORT point is located at grid point 1. All six
degrees of freedoms for the SUPORT point are placed on one grid point as required for Solution 101.
The parameter INREL is set to -1, and the parameter GRDPNT is set to the SUPORT point, which is grid
point 1 in this case.

Listing 11-1 Three CBEAM Model with Inertia Relief

$
$ FILENAME - INERTIA1.DAT
$
$ SUPORT ENTRY FOR INERTIA1.DAT
$
SUPORT 1 123456
PARAM GRDPNT 1
PARAM INREL -1
$
$ SUPORT ENTRY FOR INERTIA2.DAT
$
$SUPORT 3 123456
$PARAM GRDPNT 3
$PARAM INREL -1
$
GRID 1 0.0 0.0 0.0
GRID 2 10. 0.0 0.0
GRID 3 20. 0.0 0.0
GRID 4 30. 0.0 0.0
$
CBEAM 1 1 1 2 1. 1. 0.0
CBEAM 2 1 2 3 1. 1. 0.0
CBEAM 3 1 3 4 1. 1. 0.0
$ .5 .5 .5 .5
PBEAM 1 1 1. .667 .167 .1
.5 .1 1.5 -.1 -.5 .1 -.5 -.1
PLOAD1 1 1 FY FR 0. 1000. 1. 1000.
PLOAD1 1 2 FY FR 0. 1000. 1. 1000.
PLOAD1 1 3 FY FR 0. 1000. 1. 1000.

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 484 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-1 (SUPORT)

$
MAT1 1 1.+7 .3 7.43E-3
ENDDATA
A partial listing of the output is shown in Figure 11-2.

O U T P U T F R O M G R I D P O I N T W E I G H T G E N E R A T O R
0 REFERENCE POINT = 1
M O
* 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 -3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.858986E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 7.058500E+01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 7.058500E+01 *
S
* 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 *
DIRECTION
MASS AXIS SYSTEM (S) MASS X-C.G. Y-C.G. Z-C.G.
X 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
Y 2.229000E-01 1.500000E+01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
Z 2.229000E-01 1.500000E+01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
I(S)
* 1.858986E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 2.043250E+01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.043250E+01 *
I(Q)
* 1.858986E-01 *
* 2.043250E+01 *
* 2.043250E+01 *
Q
* 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 *
0
0 RESULTANTS ABOUT 1 IN SUPERELEMENT BASIC SYSTEM COORDINATES.
0 OLOAD RESULTANT
SUBCASE/ LOAD
DAREA ID TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
0 1 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- 3.000000E+04 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 4.500000E+05
FZ ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 7.639755E-11
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 3.000000E+04 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 4.500000E+05
0 2 FX -2.229000E-01 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00
FZ ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS -2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
0 3 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- -2.229000E-01 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- -3.343500E+00
FZ ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 -2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -3.343500E+00
0 4 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00
FZ ---- ---- -2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00
0 5 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00
FZ ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- -1.858986E-01 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -1.858986E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00

Figure 11-2 Inertia Relief Output When Grid Point 1 is the SUPORT Point

Main Index
 CHAPTER 11 485
Inertia Relief

0 6 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00

FY ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00
FZ ---- ---- 3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 -7.058500E+01 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 -7.058500E+01 0.000000E+00
0 7 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- -3.343500E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- -7.058500E+01
FZ ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 -3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -7.058500E+01
*** SYSTEM INFORMATION MESSAGE 4159 (DFMSA)
THE DECOMPOSITION OF KLL YIELDS A MAXIMUM MATRIX-TO-FACTOR-DIAGONAL RATIO OF 7.702858E+00
*** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 3035 (SOLVER)
FOR DATA BLOCK KLR
SUPPORT PT.NO. EPSILON STRAIN ENERGY EPSILONS LARGER THAN 0.001 ARE FLAGGED WITH ASTERISKS
1 1.7762876E-15 0.0000000E+00
2 1.7762876E-15 7.7640316E-12
3 1.7762876E-15 0.0000000E+00
4 1.7762876E-15 0.0000000E+00
5 1.7762876E-15 0.0000000E+00
6 1.7762876E-15 4.0163286E-09
0
INTERMEDIATE MATRIX ... QRR

COLUMN 1
1 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 6

COLUMN 2
1 0.000000E+00 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 6

COLUMN 3
1 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 -3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 6

COLUMN 4
1 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.858986E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 6

COLUMN 5
1 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 7.058500E+01 0.000000E+00 6

COLUMN 6
1 0.000000E+00 3.343500E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 7.058500E+01 6
1 BAR WITH SUPORT ENTRY OCTOBER 9, 2009 MSC NASTRAN 6/12/08 PAGE 10
0
INTERMEDIATE MATRIX ... QRL

COLUMN 1
1 0.000000E+00 -3.000000E+04 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -4.500000E+05 6

INTERMEDIATE MATRIX ... URA

COLUMN 1
1 0.000000E+00 1.345895E+05 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.473939E-12 6

Figure 11-2 Inertia Relief Output When Grid Point 1 is the SUPORT Point (continued)

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 486 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-1 (SUPORT)

0 *** USER INFORMATION MESSAGE 5293 (SSG3A)

FOR DATA BLOCK KLL
LOAD SEQ. NO. EPSILON EXTERNAL WORK EPSILONS LARGER THAN 0.001 ARE FLAGGED WITH ASTERISKS
1 -2.3053298E-15 1.5617192E+02

0 RESULTANTS ABOUT 1 IN SUPERELEMENT BASIC SYSTEM COORDINATES.

0 SPCFORCE RESULTANT
SUBCASE/ LOAD
DAREA ID TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
0 1 FX 0.000000E+00 ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
FY ---- -2.642321E-12 ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- 0.000000E+00
FZ ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 ----
MX ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ---- ----
MY ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00 ----
MZ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0.000000E+00
TOTALS 0.000000E+00 -2.642321E-12 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 -6.246877E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.249375E-02
3 G 0.0 -2.498751E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 -2.498751E-02
4 G 0.0 -5.622189E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 -3.748126E-02
F O R C E S O F S I N G L E - P O I N T C O N S T R A I N T
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 -2.642321E-12 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

S T R E S S E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )
STAT DIST/
ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH SXC SXD SXE SXF S-MAX S-MIN M.S.-T M.S.-C
0 1
1 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0 2
2 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0 3
3 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Figure 11-2 Inertia Relief Output When Grid Point 1 is the SUPORT Point (continued)

The GPWG (Grid Point Weight Generator) output is calculated with respect to the grid point specified
on the parameter GRDPNT. The total mass of the structure in this model is 0.229, which is used by MSC
Nastran to develop the inertia loads. Inspection of the GPWG output should be part of your routine model
checkout.
The OLOAD RESULTANT contains seven sections--consisting of seven lines per section. The first
section is the resultant of the applied loads about the GRDPNT, which is the basic coordinate system in
this case. The remaining six sections are the inertial reaction forces and moments created by imposing
unit acceleration(s) about the SUPORT point. Subcase 2 corresponds to the X-direction; Subcase 3
corresponds to Y-direction, etc. The first six lines of each section represent the detailed contributions,
whereas the seventh line represents the total.
Following the OLOAD output is User Information Message 3035 showing the strain energy and epsilon
due to the imposed unit accelerations about the SUPORT point. As discussed earlier, the epsilons and
strain energies should be small, which is the case for this example. Small epsilons and strain energy tell
you that you do not have any unwanted constraints or poorly defined MPCs causing a constraint in your
model. Always inspect User Information Message 3035 to make sure that the epsilons and strain energies
are small.

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 CHAPTER 11 487
Inertia Relief

The intermediate matrix QRR is printed following the UIM 3035. The QRR matrix is the total rigid body
mass of the total structure. It is a 6 x 6 matrix measured about the PARAM,GRDPNT point in the global
coordinate system. Masses on the scalar points are not included. Following the QRR matrix is the QRL
matrix. The QRL matrix is the resultant of the “apparent reaction loads,” measured at the SUPORT
point. This resultant is equal and opposite to the OLOAD resultant shown earlier in the output, if the
SUPORT point is the same as the PARAM,GRDPNT point. There is one column for each loading
condition. The last matrix output is the URA matrix, which is the rigid body acceleration matrix that is
computed from the applied loads.
The displacement and stress output shown is the standard output as requested through the Case Control
Section. Note that the displacement at the SUPORT point is exactly 0.0. This SUPORT point should be
0.0 since this point is constrained for the solution, and the forces of constraint should be numeric zero.
The SPC forces are shown in the output to confirm that the loads are balanced at the SUPORT point. The
displacement of all of the other points in the model are relative to the SUPORT point.
An interesting effect occurs when the SUPORT point is changed in the previous example. Suppose you
change the location of the SUPORT point from 1 to 3 (see the commented SUPORT entries in
Figure 11-1). (See Install_dir/mscxxxx/doc/linstat/inertia2.dat) Some of intermediate output varies
slightly, but the interesting area is in the resulting displacement and stress output as shown in Figure 11-4.

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 -2.498751E-01 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.498751E-02
2 G 0.0 -6.246877E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.249375E-02
3 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 G 0.0 -6.246877E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.249375E-02
S T R E S S E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )
STAT DIST/
ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH SXC SXD SXE SXF S-MAX S-MIN M.S.-T M.S.-C
0 1
1 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0 2
2 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0 3
3 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Figure 11-3 Inertia Relief Output When Grid Point 3 Is the SUPORT Point

As can be seen, the displacement vector changes as the displacements are now relative to grid point 3,
which is the new SUPORT point. However, the stresses in the elements are the same because the stresses
are based on the relative displacement between the grid points, which is independent of the grid point
used for the SUPORT point.
A final comment on this simple beam model: suppose you used CBAR elements instead of CBEAM
elements for this model. The run would fail because the CBAR element does not have any torsional
inertia mass, whereas the CBEAM element does. This model is basically a one-dimensional structure so
that the rotational inertia about the X-axis is the mass inertia of the elements. When the inertia relief
method is used, the structure must have mass in all six directions. In general, however, there are no
restrictions on using a CBAR element with inertia relief. Most structures include CBARs that are not

Main Index
 488 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-1 (SUPORT)

colinear. The example above was introduced merely to emphasize the need to have mass in all six
degrees of freedom.
Suppose you wish to impose a 10 g acceleration at grid point 2 of the beam structure shown in
Figure 11-1. This acceleration can be applied using the DMIG,UACCEL Bulk Data entry as shown:

DMIG

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
DMIG UACCEL “0" “9" TIN
DMIG UACCEL L G1 C1 X1
G2 C2 X2 G3 C3 X3

Field Contents
TIN Type of matrix being input.
L Load sequence number.
Gi Grid point identification number of a single reference point.
Ci Component number for Gi in the basic coordinate system.
Xi Value of enforced acceleration term in the basic coordinate system.

A partial input file for this example is shown in Listing 11-2. (See
Install_dir/mscxxxx/doc/linstat/uaccel.dat)

Listing 11-2 Imposing a 10 g Acceleration Using the PARAM,UACCEL

$
$ FILENAME - UACCEL.dat
$
$
$ SUPORT INFORMATION
$
SUPORT 2 123456
PARAM GRDPNT 2
PARAM INREL -1
DMIG UACCEL 0 9 1
DMIG UACCEL 1 2 2 3864.0
$

The acceleration of 10 g is entered on the DMIG,UACCEL entry. When a DMIG (Direct Matrix Input)
entry is used, UACCEL, the first entry is the header entry, which is denoted by the 0 in field 3. Field 4
must be a 9, and field 5 is either a 1 for single precision input (the most common) or a 2 for double
precision input. For this example, the input is in single precision.
The second entry is where the applied acceleration is entered. Field 3 must be a 1, indicating that this is
the first load case (and the only load case in this model). The grid point component and value of the
enforced acceleration are entered in fields 6, 7, and 8. If acceleration is be to enforced in more than one

Main Index
 CHAPTER 11 489
Inertia Relief

component, then the continuation entries are used. For this example, the acceleration of 3864. in/sec2 is
entered in field 8. The 3864.0 is 10 g in the English system-you must ensure that the units are consistent.
When using the DMIG,UACCEL, the intermediate matrix URACCEL is output as shown in Figure 11-4.
This matrix is the rigid body acceleration that you input using the DMIG,UACCEL entry. Also shown
is the OLOAD output and the displacement vector. As can be seen, the SUPORT point is constrained,
which is what you would expect, and the total load applied to the structure corresponds to the mass of
the structure (see the GPWG output in Figure 11-4) times the enforced acceleration.
Although not commonly done, you can perform multiple inertia relief analyses in a single run. This
feature can be activated with the SUPORT1 entries instead of the SUPORT entry. Unlike the SUPORT
entry, which is automatically activated, the SUPORT1 entry must be selected by the SUPORT1 Case
Control command in order for it to be applied.

O U T P U T F R O M G R I D P O I N T W E I G H T G E N E R A T O R
REFERENCE POINT = 2
M O
* 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.114500E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 -1.114500E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.858986E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 -1.114500E+00 0.000000E+00 2.600500E+01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 1.114500E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.600500E+01 *
S
* 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 *
DIRECTION
MASS AXIS SYSTEM (S) MASS X-C.G. Y-C.G. Z-C.G.
X 2.229000E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
Y 2.229000E-01 5.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
Z 2.229000E-01 5.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00
I(S)
* 1.858986E-01 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 2.043250E+01 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 2.043250E+01 *
I(Q)
* 1.858986E-01 *
* 2.043250E+01 *
* 2.043250E+01 *
Q
* 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 *
* 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 1.000000E+00 *

INTERMEDIATE MATRIX ... URA

COLUMN 1
1 0.000000E+00 3.864000E+03 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 0.000000E+00 6

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 -7.547017E-03 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.076069E-03
2 G 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 G 0.0 -3.340174E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -5.380345E-03
4 G 0.0 -9.475221E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -6.456414E-03
L O A D V E C T O R
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 -1.435476E+02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 -2.870952E+02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 G 0.0 -2.870952E+02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 G 0.0 -1.435476E+02 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Figure 11-4 Partial Output of the UACCEL Example

Main Index
 490 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-2 (no Suport)

Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-2 (no Suport)

Inertia relief using param,inrel-2, we will call the Automatic Inertia Relief Method, is the recommended
inertia relief method. The SUPORT entry is no longer needed. Only PARAM,INREL,-2 is needed in the
input file. The method is designed for 3D models with exactly 6 rigid body modes. The reference frame
is selected automatically, in a manner that poor solutions are unlikely because of the choice of reference
frame variables.
The following features are not supported for the Automatic Inertia Relief Method:
• The DMIG,UACCEL option
• The Iterative Solver

As an example we will use the CBEAM model in Figure 11-1 using the automatic inertia relief method.
This is accomplished by removing the SUPORT entry and replacing PARAM,INREL,-1 with
PARAM,INREL,-2.(See Install_dir/mscxxxx/doc/linstat/inertia1a.dat) Figure 11-5 summarizes the
displacements, spcforces, and element stresses output.
The spcforces and stresses are both zeros, similar to the other two runs. As for the displacements, the
mass-weighted average motion of all a-set points must be zero. Since the mass is evenly distributed, u r
can be calculated for the T2 components as follows:

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R

POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3

1 G 0.0 -8.329169E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.874063E-02
2 G 0.0 4.164584E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.246876E-03
3 G 0.0 4.164584E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -6.246876E-03
4 G 0.0 -8.329169E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.874063E-02

U r = { 0.5 ⋅ ( – 8.329169E-2 ) + 1.0 ⋅ ( 4.164584E-2 ) + 1.0 ⋅ ( 4.164584E-2 ) + 0.5 ⋅ ( – 8.329169E-2 ) } = 0 (11-4)

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 CHAPTER 11 491
Inertia Relief

BAR USING AUTOMATIC SUPORT ENTRY

D I S P L A C E M E N T V E C T O R
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 -8.329169E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.874063E-02
2 G 0.0 4.164584E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.246876E-03
3 G 0.0 4.164584E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -6.246876E-03
4 G 0.0 -8.329169E-02 0.0 0.0 0.0 -1.874063E-02

F O R C E S O F S I N G L E - P O I N T C O N S T R A I N T
POINT ID. TYPE T1 T2 T3 R1 R2 R3
1 G 0.0 1.765873E-12 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 G 0.0 1.642524E-12 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 G 0.0 -2.466995E-13 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 G 0.0 -1.067961E-12 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

S T R E S S E S I N B E A M E L E M E N T S ( C B E A M )
STAT DIST/
ELEMENT-ID GRID LENGTH SXC SXD SXE SXF S-MAX S-MIN M.S.-T M.S.-C
1
1 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2
2 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
3
3 0.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
4 1.000 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Figure 11-5 Abridged Output Using the Automatic Inertia Relief Method

Main Index
 492 MSC Nastran Linear Statics Analysis User’s Guide
Inertia Relief Using PARAM,INREL,-2 (no Suport)

Main Index