Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide

variable you specified. You will also see a data entry area for material IDs if you used any variable that

requires a material ID. Enter the appropriate values in these data entry areas.

Note

Only numeric data is supported for the constant values in the Function Loader dialog

box. Character data and expressions are not supported as constant values.

4. Repeat the process for each regime you defined.


5. Click on Save. You will not be able to save this as a table arra y parameter until you have provided values
   for all variables in all regimes in the function.

After you have saved the function as a named table arra y parameter using the Function Loader, you
can apply it as a tabular boundary condition. See Applying Loads Using TABLE Type Array Paramet-
ers (p. 50) for detailed information on using tabular boundary conditions in your analysis.

The function is loaded into the table as a coded equation. This coded equation is processed in ANSYS
when the table is called for evaluation.

3.4. Applying Boundary Conditions Using the Function Tool

If your data can be conveniently expressed as a table, ANSYS recommends using tabular boundary
conditions. ANSYS applies function boundary conditions to a model using the tabular boundary condition
process described in Applying Loads Using TABLE Type Array Parameters (p. 50). You must define your
function and load it as a table arra y before you try to add it as a load.

You cannot use function boundary conditions to circumvent the restrictions on boundary conditions
and their corresponding primary variables as supported by tabular boundary conditions. For example,
in a structural analysis, the primary variables supported with a pressure load are TIME, X,Y, Z, and TEMP;
therefore, when using a function boundary condition, the only primary variables allowed in the equation
are TIME, X,Y, Z, and TEMP. The list in Using the Function Editor (p. 80) shows which primary variables
are available for each type of operation.

3.5. Function Tool Example.

The following example shows how to create and apply a boundary condition using a function repres-
entation.

The convection heat transfer coefficient from a fluid flowing over a flat plate is applied as a function
boundary condition, using the correlation for laminar heat transfer coefficient. The figure below shows
the flat plate with the applied boundary conditions.

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Using the Function Tool