Performing a submodel analysis is a two-stage process. First, you create and analyze the global model. You then create the submodel and drive the boundaries of the submodel with time-dependent variables that were saved during the analysis of the global model. The driven variables are defined as those variables in the submodel that are constrained to match results from the global model. Driven variables can be displacement or temperature degrees of freedom.
Analyzing the global model
You first obtain results for the entire model using a relatively coarse mesh and perhaps simplified geometry. This model is called the global model. Data generated by the global model are saved to the output database in the vicinity of the submodel boundary. These data are used to drive the submodel.
Analyzing the submodel
When you have successfully analyzed the global model and generated an output database containing the global model results, you are ready to create the submodel. You start by copying the part or assembly that you used to define the global model to a new part or assembly that you will use to define the submodel. You should also create a new analysis case that refers to the new part or assembly. You then remove regions from the global model that you are not interested in analyzing; only the regions of interest should remain. You can use the following techniques to remove regions from a part:
You can use the pocket tools in the Part Design workbench.
You can delete the part in the Part Design workbench and create a new part with the same name. You can then create geometric features that represent the submodel; however, you must position the new features in the same location as the original part.
Before you analyze the submodel, you must create a submodel property. The submodel property refers to the output database that contains the time-dependent variables that were saved during the analysis of the global model. See Creating Submodel Properties for more information. You then create a job and submit it for analysis in the usual manner.