CSWP Simulation & Design Validation Tools 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When running a SOLIDWORKS Simulation Thermal study, which result plot shows temperature distribution across the model?
- Displacement plot
- Thermal plot (Correct answer)
- Resultant Force plot
- Factor of Safety plot
Correct answer: Thermal plot
The Thermal plot displays temperature values at every node, showing how heat distributes through the model under applied thermal loads.
Question 2: In SOLIDWORKS SimulationXpress, which study type is available?
- Fatigue
- Static (Correct answer)
- Frequency
- Nonlinear
Correct answer: Static
SimulationXpress supports only linear static analysis, making it suitable for simple stress and displacement checks on single-body parts.
Question 3: What is the effect of applying a 'Symmetry' fixture in SOLIDWORKS Simulation?
- It mirrors loads to the opposite side of the model
- It constrains a face to move only within its own plane (Correct answer)
- It doubles the mesh density at the symmetry plane
- It automatically detects and removes duplicate bodies
Correct answer: It constrains a face to move only within its own plane
A Symmetry fixture constrains the nodes on the symmetry plane so they cannot move perpendicular to it, reflecting the behavior of the mirrored half.
Question 4: Which SOLIDWORKS Simulation result output reports the maximum displacement of any node in a static study?
- URES (Resultant Displacement) (Correct answer)
- SX (X-direction Normal Stress)
- ESTRN (Equivalent Strain)
- ERR (Element Strain Energy Error)
Correct answer: URES (Resultant Displacement)
URES is the resultant displacement magnitude combining X, Y, and Z displacements, and its maximum value identifies the most deflected point.
Question 5: In SOLIDWORKS Simulation, what does a 'No Penetration' contact set prevent?
- Two components from bonding together during meshing
- Overlapping/interpenetration of two touching surfaces under load (Correct answer)
- Heat transfer across mating faces
- Load transfer through bolted connections
Correct answer: Overlapping/interpenetration of two touching surfaces under load
No Penetration contact allows components to separate but prevents them from passing through each other, modeling realistic physical contact.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of running a Frequency study in SOLIDWORKS Simulation?
- To calculate steady-state thermal distribution
- To determine the natural (resonant) frequencies and mode shapes of a structure (Correct answer)
- To simulate high-speed impact loading
- To evaluate fatigue life under random vibration
Correct answer: To determine the natural (resonant) frequencies and mode shapes of a structure
A Frequency study computes eigenvalues and eigenvectors to find the natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of a structure.
Question 7: In Flow Simulation, what does enabling 'Rotation' in a rotating region allow you to model?
- Fluid moving through a static pipe bend
- Flow around rotating components such as fans, impellers, or propellers (Correct answer)
- Oscillating pressure boundary conditions
- Thermal expansion of rotating shafts
Correct answer: Flow around rotating components such as fans, impellers, or propellers
The rotating region feature applies a rotating reference frame to simulate flow interaction with spinning parts like fan blades or pump impellers.
CSWP Simulation & Design Validation Tools 3
When running a SOLIDWORKS Simulation Thermal study, which result plot shows temperature distribution across the model?