Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View

Overview
This tutorial guides you through the process of designing an
ADAMS/View experiment and evaluating the results using
ADAMS/Insight. Both products are part of the MSC.ADAMS®
suite of software.
ADAMS/Insight is a stand-alone product that also works with
ADAMS/View, ADAMS/Engine, ADAMS/Car, and
ADAMS/Chassis. ADAMS/Insight lets you design
sophisticated experiments for measuring the performance of
your mechanical system model. It also provides a collection of
statistical tools for analyzing the results of your experiments so
that you can better understand how to refine and improve your
model.
This guide assumes you know how to use ADAMS/View. We
also assume that you are familiar with parametric modeling
capabilities including creating, modifying, and using points and
design variables. In addition, you should know how to specify
design objectives. For information on ADAMS/View or other
MSC.ADAMS products, see the online help.
This guide also assumes that you have a moderate level of
knowledge about experimental design or Design of
Experiments (DOE) and that you have access to in-depth
references on them.
■ Introducing the Suspension Tutorial, 3

■ Creating and Running an Experiment, 11

■ Working with Results, 25

■ Using the Monte Carlo Method, 37

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
2 Copyright

The information in this document is furnished for informational use only, may be revised from time to time, and
should not be construed as a commitment by MSC.Software Corporation. MSC.Software Corporation assumes no
responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document.

Copyright Information

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®
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Copyright © 2005 MSC.Software Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

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1 Introducing the Suspension Tutorial

Overview
This chapter introduces you to the suspension tutorial and gets
you started. The tutorial uses a simple automotive example to
illustrate the basics of ADAMS/Insight. Even if you don’t have an
interest in automotive parts as a regular part of your job, we think
you’ll find these instructions sufficient to help you focus on the
capabilities of ADAMS/Insight.
The sections in this chapter are:
■ About the Tutorial, 4

■ Starting ADAMS/View, 5

■ Creating a Modeling Database, 6

■ ADAMS/Insight Interface, 8

This tutorial takes about one hour to complete.

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
4 Introducing the Suspension Tutorial

About the Tutorial

This tutorial guides you through the process of creating an experiment and analyzing
results. In the initial sections, you’ll run a model through a number of simulations that you
set up in the experiment, fit your data against a polynomial to determine which factors
most affect the performance of your model, and publish your results to an HTML page that
you can view with a Web browser.
This first tutorial uses an experiment for a model of a simple automotive front suspension
system that you’ll import from an examples library. The model is a Short Long Arm
(SLA), independent front suspension that you’ll exercise through its range of motion while
the steering input is held constant in the straight-ahead position. You’ll monitor aspects of
the model while you make modifications to it. Table 1 describes the modifications.
Table 1. Modifying and Monitoring Your Model

Geometric
Performance attributes you’ll
locations Description of event:
monitor:
you’ll modify:

Outer tie-rod You’ll track the changes in toe You’ll determine how
location angle as the suspension moves modifying the geometric
through its range of motion from location of the outer tie-rod
jounce to rebound. affects toe angle. A real-world
application for this event
Toe angle is the projected angle the
includes:
wheel plane makes with the ground
when viewed from above the ■ Determining if exaggerated
vehicle. Toe-in is considered changes in toe angle result
positive, and toe-out is considered in aggressive tire wear.
negative. ■ Assessing your model
against a manufacturing
variation.
■ Assessing packaging
requirements for your
model.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Introducing the Suspension Tutorial 5

Starting ADAMS/View
The section provides instructions on how to start ADAMS/View on UNIX and Windows.

Note: On Windows, you may need to set the permissions to Full Control to edit the
tutorial files.

To start ADAMS/View on UNIX:

1 Copy the install_dir/ainsight/examples/ain_tut_101_aview.cmd to your working

directory, where install_dir is where the MSC.ADAMS software is installed. If you
cannot locate this directory, please see your system administrator.
Note: You can skip this step if you previously used the HelpÆCopy Examples To
feature to copy all of the tutorials for ADAMS/Insight. Your working
directory is ain_examples/aview.
2 Type the command to start the MSC.ADAMS Toolbar at the command prompt,
and then press Enter.

3 Select the ADAMS/View tool .

The ADAMS/View main window appears.

To start ADAMS/View on Windows:

1 Copy the install_dir/ainsight/examples/ain_tut_101_aview.cmd to your working

directory, where install_dir is where the MSC.ADAMS software is installed. If you
cannot locate this directory, please see your system administrator.
Note: You can skip this step if you previously used the HelpÆCopy Examples To
feature to copy all of the tutorials for ADAMS/Insight. Your working
directory is ain_examples/aview.
2 From the Start menu, point to Programs, point to MSC.Software, point to
MSC.ADAMS 2005r2, point to Aview, and then select ADAMS - View.

The ADAMS/View main window appears.

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
6 Introducing the Suspension Tutorial

Creating a Modeling Database

You start this tutorial by creating a modeling database that contains a new model called
Suspension Assembly.

To create a modeling database:

1 In the Welcome dialog box, select Import a file.

2 If the Start in text box doesn’t show the path to your working directory, select the
Browse button . Use the Select File dialog box to navigate to your working
directory, and then select OK.
3 Select OK in the Welcome dialog box.
The File Import dialog box appears.
4 In the File to Read text box, enter ain_tut_101_aview.cmd or right-click and select
Browse. You can then use the Select File dialog box to open ain_tut_101_aview.cmd.

5 Select OK.
ADAMS/View imports the file, and then displays the car suspension model. It also
opens the Simulation Control dialog box.

Running a Simulation
Before you create your experiment, you’ll simulate the suspension model in
ADAMS/View.

To simulate the model:

■ In the Simulation Control dialog box, select the Start tool , and wait for the
simulation to finish.
ADAMS/View runs the simulation.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Introducing the Suspension Tutorial 7

Starting ADAMS/Insight
In this section, you’ll open ADAMS/Insight from ADAMS/View and begin creating an
experiment to measure the performance of a suspension model.

To start ADAMS/Insight from ADAMS/View:

1 From the Main menu in ADAMS/View, point to Simulate, point to ADAMS/Insight,

and then select Export.
The ADAMS/Insight Export dialog box appears.
2 In the Experiment text box, enter a name for your experiment or use the default.
3 Leave the default values in the Model and Simulation Script text boxes.
4 Select OK.
ADAMS/View launches ADAMS/Insight and the ADAMS/Insight main window
appears.

Note: On Windows systems, ADAMS/View opens a command prompt window to

launch ADAMS/Insight. This window stays open until you close
ADAMS/Insight. Do not manually close the command prompt window.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
8 Introducing the Suspension Tutorial

ADAMS/Insight Interface
This section describes what you see when ADAMS/Insight first opens. Figure 1 shows the
main window as it appears when you first launch ADAMS/Insight. It includes the
following items:
■ Menu bar - Contains pull-down menus for File, Edit, Define, Simulation, Tools,
and Help.
■ Toolbars - Contain commonly used tools for accessing files, creating and
modifying designed experiments.
■ Treeview - Displays a hierarchical list of objects that you can include in an
experiment. The tree is especially useful for selecting and identifying objects
when you are creating a design matrix.
■ Viewport - The area of the window that displays parameters for modifying the
objects you select from the treeview.
■ Status bar - Displays messages and issues prompts during your ADAMS/Insight
session.
Figure 1. ADAMS/Insight Main Window

Menu bar

Toolbars

Treeview Viewport

Status bar
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Introducing the Suspension Tutorial 9

ADAMS/Insight Toolbars
The ADAMS/Insight main window has four toolbars:
■ Main (Experiments) toolbar - Lets you execute basic commands.
■ Design Assistant (Experiments Contents) toolbar - Helps you build and execute
your experiment.
■ Work Space toolbar - Lets you execute commands on the work space.
■ Report toolbar - Lets you generate and export a report.
If you hold your mouse pointer over any tool, tip text appears giving a short description of
the tool.
Tools in toolbars are arranged in the order that you’ll use them in the process of creating
and executing your designed experiment. Depending on where you are in the process of
creating an experiment, ADAMS/Insight enables or disables the tools (you can always
display and undisplay them if you need to). This feature alerts you to the correct order of
procedures to follow. For example, the Run simulations tool is disabled until you define
required elements for a design matrix.
For more information on the toolbars, see the ADAMS/Insight online help.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
10 Introducing the Suspension Tutorial
2 Creating and Running an Experiment
Overview
This chapter guides you through the process of creating a design
matrix and running the model through a number of simulations
that you set up in the experiment.
The sections in this chapter are:
■ Creating a Design Matrix, 12

■ Running Your Experiment, 23

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
12 Creating and Running an Experiment

Creating a Design Matrix

In this section, you’ll create a design matrix to measure the performance of the suspension
model. This section includes:
■ Promoting Candidates, 12
■ Modifying Your Factors, 15
■ Promoting Responses, 16
■ Modifying Responses, 18
■ Setting Design Specifications, 20

Promoting Candidates
The first step required to creating your designed experiment is to select the factors that you
want to include in your design matrix. You select factors from the Candidates list in the
treeview, and then promote them to the Inclusions list. Promoting candidates to inclusions
causes them to become part of your design matrix.

To promote factors from candidates to inclusions:

1 In the treeview, select the + in front of Factors. Factors expands to reveal Inclusions
and Candidates.
2 Continue by expanding Candidates, tut_101_aview, ground, and hpl_tierod_outer. Under
hpl_tierod_outer, you’ll see a list of design variables that you can include in your
design matrix.

Note: The treeview displays the full object hierarchy for each design variable.
This tutorial will only refer to the variable name. For example, the variable
hpl_tierod_outer.x appears as ground.hpl_tierod_outer.x in the treeview.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Creating and Running an Experiment 13

3 Select the candidate, hpl_tierod_outer.x, and then move your cursor to the Design
Assistant toolbar and select the Promote to inclusion tool .
The candidate hpl_tierod_outer.x moves to the Inclusion list under Factors in the
treeview.

Tip: To select more than one factor, hold the Ctrl key as you click. To promote the
factors directly from the treeview, press the shortcut key F5.

4 Continue promoting the following factors:

■ hpl_tierod_outer.y
■ hpl_tierod_outer.z
The factors move from the Candidates to the Inclusions list.
The factors appear in your treeview as shown in Figure 2 on page 14.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
14 Creating and Running an Experiment

Figure 2. Treeview Showing Factors

Name of your experiment

Factors you promoted from

Candidates to Inclusions
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Creating and Running an Experiment 15

Modifying Your Factors

After you promote your factors, you define parameters for them in the Factor form. To
learn more about factor parameters, press the F1 key from the Factor form.

To modify your factors:

1 In the treeview, find the factors in the Inclusions list. Select the factor
hpl_tierod_outer.x.

The Factor form appears in the viewport, as shown next.

2 In the Factor form, set Abbreviation to tierod_outer.x

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
16 Creating and Running an Experiment

3 In the Description tab, set Units to mm.

The Units parameter is for annotation purposes. The units entered do not affect
factor values.
4 In the Settings tab, enter the following:
■ Type: Continuous
■ Delta Type: Relative
■ Settings: -5, 5

5 Use the defaults for all remaining fields.

6 Select Apply.
ADAMS/Insight saves your factor modifications.
7 Modify the parameters for the remaining factors, hpl_tierod_outer.y and
hpl_tierod_outer.z, just as you did in Step 2, above, using appropriate abbreviations
for each.

Promoting Responses
Now that you have finished promoting and modifying your factors, the next step is to
promote your responses for the experiment.

To promote responses from candidates to inclusions:

1 In the treeview, select the + in front of Responses.

The levels nested under Responses expand to reveal Inclusions and Candidates.

Tip: You can select the minus (-) sign in front of Factors to collapse that section
of the treeview and save screen space.

2 Continue expanding the levels under Candidates and tut_101_aview. Under

tut_101_aview, you’ll see a list of responses that are potential candidates you can
include in your design matrix.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Creating and Running an Experiment 17

3 Select and promote the following responses just as you promoted the factors in
Step 3 on page 13:
■ toe_left_REQ
■ toe_right_REQ
The responses move from the Candidates to the Inclusion list.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
18 Creating and Running an Experiment

Modifying Responses
The modifications you’ll make to the responses are minor. You’ll add units and change
one of the parameters. To learn more about response parameters, press the F1 key from the
Response form.

To modify responses:

1 In the treeview, under Responses, in the Inclusions list, select the response,
toe_left_REQ.

The Response form appears, in the viewport, as shown next.

Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Creating and Running an Experiment 19

2 In the Response form, enter or verify the following:

■ Output Char.: Average

■ Abbreviation: toe_left_REQ
■ Units: degrees

Note: Output characteristics are grayed out when you use ADAMS/Insight with
ADAMS/View and other MSC.ADAMS applications. The output characteristic
is set by the originating CAE application, and is displayed in the Response form
for information only.

Use the defaults for all remaining fields.

3 Select Apply.
ADAMS/Insight saves your response modifications.
4 Select the second response toe_right_REQ, and make the similar modifications as in
Step 2, above.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
20 Creating and Running an Experiment

Setting Design Specifications

In this section, you’ll set the design objective and design type for your experiment. To
learn more about setting design specifications, press the F1 key from the Design
Specification form.

To specify your design objective:

1 In the Design assistant toolbar, select the Set design specification tool , or in the
treeview, expand the levels under Design, and then select Specification. You can also
select the Define menu, point to Experiment Design, and select Set Design Specification.
The Design Specification form appears, in the viewport, as shown next.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Creating and Running an Experiment 21

2 In the Design Specification form, make or verify the following selections:

■ Investigation Strategy: DOE Screening (2 Level)

■ Model: Linear

■ DOE Design Type: Full Factorial

Use defaults for all remaining options.

3 If you made any changes, select Apply.
4 Select the Define menu, point to Experiment Design, and then select Create Design
Space.

5 Select the Define menu, point to Experiment Design, and then select Create Work Space.

Note: Selecting the Generate Work Space tool in the Design Assistant toolbar performs
Steps 4 and 5.

The Work Space appears in the viewport as shown in Figure 3 on page 22. This table
displays the work space matrix for the full-factorial experiment that you defined above.
ADAMS/View will run a simulation for each trial defined in this matrix. The column
headings are sortable and sizeable. You can also select Work Space Review to view
summary information for each factor and response in your experiment.
In the treeview, at the Design level, the letters D:W appear to indicate that the Design
contains a successfully generated design work space.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
22 Creating and Running an Experiment

Figure 3. Work Space Matrix Before Running Trials in ADAMS/View

Runs Factors Responses

Note: Columns appear in the work space matrix in the order that you promote
factors for inclusion.

Tip: Put your mouse pointer over column headings to display key information
about the abbreviation shown.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Creating and Running an Experiment 23

Running Your Experiment

Once you’ve verified the information in the Work Space, you’re ready to run the
simulations.

To run the simulation:

1 In the Design Assistant toolbar, select the Run simulations tool . You can also
select the Simulation menu, point to Build-Run-Load, and then select All.
ADAMS/View opens and runs the simulations defined by your experiment. The
ADAMS/View Status bar displays messages showing simulation progress. The
Message window also appears and displays warnings about joint locations, which
you can ignore for this tutorial.

Note: This procedure builds, runs, and postprocesses all of the simulations within
the ADAMS/View session. We recommend that you break up the process
flow into its separate phases using the MDI INSIGHT BUILD and MDI
INSIGHT LOAD commands. This is especially important when you have
more than 30 trials.

2 In the information box that appears, select OK.

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
24 Creating and Running an Experiment
3 Working with Results
Overview
This chapter guides you through reviewing the results of your
analysis, fitting your data to a polynomial to determine which
factors most affect model performance, and publishing results to
an HTML or SYLK file.
The sections in this chapter are:
■ Reviewing Results, 26

■ Fitting Results, 27

■ Optimizing Results, 30

■ Publishing Results, 33
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
26 Working with Results

Reviewing Results
After ADAMS/View completes the trials defined in your design matrix, you return to the
ADAMS/Insight interface to view the results.

To return to ADAMS/Insight:

1 From the Main menu in ADAMS/View, select Simulate, point to ADAMS/Insight, and
then select Display.
The ADAMS/Insight Display dialog box appears with the name of your current
experiment.
2 Select OK.
ADAMS/View undisplays and the ADAMS/Insight window opens.

To view your simulation results:

■ In the treeview, under Design, select Work Space.
Simulation results from ADAMS/View appear in the design matrix as shown in
Figure 4 on page 27.
■ In the treeview, under Design, select Work Space Review.
The Work Space Review offers another means of reviewing the raw data found
in the work space.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Working with Results 27

Figure 4. Work Space Matrix After Running Trials in ADAMS/View

Runs
Factors Responses

Fitting Results
Now that ADAMS/View has completed the trials defined in your work space matrix, you
can use ADAMS/Insight to fit your results to a polynomial or a response surface. The
purpose of fitting your results is to establish a relationship between the factors and
responses that you selected for the work space matrix. Fitting results includes a multiple
regression. You will be able to investigate the parts of the regression in the Summary
(located in the treeview under Analysis) after completing the steps on page page 27. For
more information on this topic, refer to the ADAMS/Insight online help.

To fit your results:

1 From the Design Assistant toolbar, select the Fit results tool . You can also select
the Tools menu, and then select Fit New Model.
The Model Properties Summary window appears. Here, you can enter information
on your model.
2 In the Regression column, select the response, toe_left_REQ.
3 In the Display column, select the type of results you want to view. For example,
Figure 5 shows an example of the Fit table.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
28 Working with Results

Figure 5. Results Table with Fit for Regression

For definitions of the items in the results tables, refer to the online help.
The tables also provide you with a color code that indicates the soundness of your
results:
Green indicates that all fit criteria meet or exceed highest fitting thresholds
Yellow indicates that the fit criterion may bear investigation
Red indicates that the fit criterion should be investigated
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Working with Results 29

To review the fit:

Here is a suggested list of steps that you can use to view and modify the fit. For more
information on evaluating the fit, refer to Evaluating the Fit in the ADAMS/Insight online
help.

1 Check R2 and interpret the ANOVA table.

■ Verify residuals
■ Remove outliers, if any
■ Remove terms, if necessary

2 Check R2 and interpret the ANOVA table.

■ Transform response, if necessary
■ Change model order, if needed

3 Check R2 and interpret the ANOVA table.

4 Monitor error DOF in the fit display.
As you attempt these suggestions, go back through the following steps:

1 Running a Simulation on page 6

2 Starting ADAMS/Insight on page 7
3 Promoting Candidates on page 12
4 Promoting Responses on page 16
5 Modifying Responses on page 18
6 Setting Design Specifications on page 20
7 Running Your Experiment on page 23
8 Reviewing Results on page 26
9 Fitting Results on page 27
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
30 Working with Results

Optimizing Results
You can perform single-objective and multi-objective optimization using
ADAMS/Insight. Single-objective optimization involves trying to achieve a target for one
scalar response; multi-objective optimization involves more than one scalar response.
You can optimize your results by:
■ Updating Factor Settings, 30
■ Updating Design Objective (Response) Settings, 32

Updating Factor Settings

Here you will learn how to optimize your model by changing factors.

To optimize your model by changing factors:

1 From the Tools menu, select Optimize Model.

The window displays your model’s factors and responses (design objectives). Only
scalar responses are shown in the window. Composite responses are not displayed.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Working with Results 31

Figure 6. Optimization Window

2 Modify the current value of one or more factors.

To change the values, use the sliders next to each factor, or enter new values in the
corresponding Value text boxes.
3 Press Update.
ADAMS/Insight updates the responses to reflect the changes you made to the
factors. Use the Reset button to return to the nominal values for each factor. Use
Reload to reload all of the optimization settings.

Note: To save your results, select Write and enter the name of the file to which you
want to save. You can save to a number of different formats, including a
.cmd file, which can then be read back into ADAMS/View to set the model
using the specified factor settings.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
32 Working with Results

Updating Design Objective (Response) Settings

Here you will learn how to optimize your model by changing design objectives
(responses).

To optimize your model by changing design objectives:

1 Modify the response values as appropriate. You can change the following values:
❖ Oper: Changes the operator.
❖ Target: Changes the target value for the response.
❖ Weight: Applies a higher priority in achieving optimization for that factor.
Weight values can range from 0.0 to 1.0, where 1.0 indicates greater
importance.

Note: The in the slider area identifies the current value.

2 Select Fixed next to any factor that you don’t want changed during the
optimization.
3 Press Run.
ADAMS/Insight updates the factor values to reflect the changes you made to the
responses. Use the Reload button to return to the nominal values for each
factor/response.

Note: To save your results to a text file, select Write and enter the name of the file
and file type to which you want to save.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Working with Results 33

Publishing Results
ADAMS/Insight lets you save your results in .html, .slk, .bas (Visual Basic), and .m
(MATLAB) formats. Once saved, you can use other utilities, such as a browser or
spreadsheet program, to modify factors and see the effect on responses without performing
full simulations.

To publish your results:

1 In the treeview, under Analysis, select Model_01, and then go to the Design Assistant
toolbar, and select the Export to Web, SLK, etc. tool . You can also select the File
menu, point to Export, and then select Model. In the window that opens, set the File
Type to HTML File.

1 The Save dialog box appears and prompts you to save your results as xxx.htm,
where xxx is the name of your file.
2 Enter a name for your file and specify the path where you would like it to reside,
and then select Save.
ADAMS/Insight saves your file in the directory that you specified.
3 Continue with the next section, Modifying Values Using a Web Browser, 33, to
learn how to view and use the results in the HTML file.

Modifying Values Using a Web Browser

Using the HTML page that you saved (see Step 1 through Step 3 above), you can modify
the input factor values of your experiment and see the changes instantly reflected in the
column that lists estimated responses. To learn more about making modifications to your
experiment using an HTML or SYLK page, refer to the ADAMS/Insight online help.

To modify your factors in an HTML page:

1 If not already displayed, display the Report toolbar by right-clicking a blank space
in the toolbar area, and then selecting Report.

2 Select the Display last exported item tool .

Your default browser opens the HTML page you created for your experiment.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
34 Working with Results

Make sure the browser you use is able to read JavaScript.

The results of your experiment appear as shown in Figure 7 on page 34.
Figure 7. HTML Page of Results

3 Change the value for the first factor hpl_tierod_outer.x from 417 to 420, and then
select Update.
The estimated responses adjust to reflect the new factor values. Notice that the
value for only one of the responses, toe_left_REQ, reflects a change. Because the
MSC.ADAMS model you’re working with is an independent suspension, in which
the right tie rod is not coupled with the left tie rod, the changes in the factor values
you made only affect the left side of the suspension.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Working with Results 35

4 You can continue to vary the factor values and investigate how changes to them
affect your responses. To learn more about analyzing the results of your
experiment and publishing your results to HTML or SYLK pages, refer to the
ADAMS/Insight online help.
5 Close your browser window.
6 Exit ADAMS/Insight.
7 Exit ADAMS/View.

Additional Information on the Web Page

In addition to the basic factor and response information that appears when you first open
the HTML file in your Web browser, you can view response statistics and response effects
as a function of each factor. To view this information, use the check boxes below the list
of factors. The check boxes are:
■ Contributions - This check box appears if you specified a non-zero tolerance for
any factor. When present and selected, this check box displays the Tolerance
Contributions table that provides the percent contribution of each factor to the
tolerance of each response.

■ Stats - Displays R2, R2 adjusted, P, and R/V statistics for each response.

■ Effects - For each response, displays effects caused by varying each factor from
its minimum to maximum value.
■ Nonscalar - Displays composite responses in addition to the scalar responses.

■ Plots- Opens a new window that displays a plot for each composite response
(providing you specified composite responses).
■ Info - This button displays a separate window that provides summary
information about the DOE parameters for the current page. It also provides
Web environment information that is valuable if you need to contact
MSC.ADAMS technical support.
For more information on the controls and information provided by the HTML page, refer
to the ADAMS/Insight online help.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
36 Working with Results
4 Using the Monte Carlo Method

Overview
This chapter introduces you to the Monte Carlo method of
analysis. The tutorial uses a launch vehicle/spacecraft separation
example to illustrate the mechanics of the solution.
The sections in this chapter are:
■ Introducing the Monte Carlo Method, 38

■ Starting ADAMS/View, 38

■ Creating a Modeling Database, 39

■ Running the Simulation, 41

■ Starting ADAMS/Insight, 42

■ Creating a Design Matrix, 43

■ Running the Experiment, 47

■ Reviewing Results, 47

This tutorial takes about one hour to complete.

 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
38 Using the Monte Carlo Method

Introducing the Monte Carlo Method

The Monte Carlo method of analysis as applied to mechanical systems involves several
runs with varying parameters. The goal is to provide a statistical basis for predicting
mechanism performance. The foundation of the method involves characterizing
parameters with a Probability Density Function (PDF). This function must be specified for
each parameter that will be varied in the analysis. Examples of parameters include spring
stiffnesses, damping rates, and initial rotation rates.
To learn more about the Monte Carlo method, consult a technical library. The following
book is an excellent reference:
■ James E. Gentle. Random Number Generation and Monte Carlo Methods.
Springer-Verlag, 1998.
You can also refer to the following online references:
■ Introduction to Monte Carlo Methods at http://csep1.phy.ornl.gov/mc/mc.html.
■ Numerical Recipes at http://www.nr.com.

Starting ADAMS/View
The section teaches you how to start ADAMS/View on UNIX and Windows.

To start ADAMS/View on UNIX:

1 Copy the install_dir/ainsight/examples/ain_tut_141_aview.cmd to your working

directory, where install_dir is where the MSC.ADAMS software is installed. If you
cannot locate this directory, please see your system administrator.
Note: You can skip this step if you previously used the HelpÆCopy Examples To
feature to copy all of the tutorials for ADAMS/Insight. Your working
directory is ain_examples/aview.
2 Type the command to start the MSC.ADAMS Toolbar at the command prompt,
and then press Enter.

3 Select the ADAMS/View tool .

The ADAMS/View main window appears.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Using the Monte Carlo Method 39

To start ADAMS/View on Windows:

1 Copy the install_dir/ainsight/examples/ain_tut_141_aview.cmd to your working

directory, where install_dir is where the MSC.ADAMS software is installed. If you
cannot locate this directory, please see your system administrator.
Note: You can skip this step if you previously used the HelpÆCopy Examples To
feature to copy all of the tutorials for ADAMS/Insight. Your working
directory is ain_examples/aview.
2 From the Start menu, point to Programs, point to MSC.Software, point to
MSC.ADAMS 2005r2, point to Aview, and then select ADAMS - View.

The ADAMS/View main window appears.

Creating a Modeling Database

You start this tutorial by creating a modeling database that contains a new model.

To create a modeling database:

1 In the Welcome dialog box, select Import a file.

2 If the Start in text box doesn’t show the path to your working directory, select the
Browse tool . Use the Select File dialog box to navigate to your working
directory, and then select OK.
3 In the Welcome dialog box, select OK.
4 In the File to Read text box, enter ain_tut_141_aview.cmd or right-click and select
Browse. You can then use the Select File dialog box to open ain_tut_141_aview.cmd.

5 Select OK.
ADAMS/View imports the command file, and then displays the launch vehicle
model.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
40 Using the Monte Carlo Method

6 Zoom in on the top portion of the vehicle. Note the four forces between the adapter
frustum and the spacecraft (they’re circled in the following figure).
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Using the Monte Carlo Method 41

Running the Simulation

Before you create your experiment, you’ll simulate the launch vehicle model in
ADAMS/View. Here, you will run and animate the simulation.

To simulate the model:

1 From the Simulate menu, select Scripted Controls.

2 In the Simulation Script Name text box, enter .separation.Sep_script. Use defaults for all
other simulation options.

3 Select the Play tool , and wait for the simulation to finish.
ADAMS/View runs the simulation.
4 From the Review menu, select Animation Controls.
5 Select the Play tool and wait for the animation to finish.
Note that the four forces push the spacecraft off of the launch vehicle.
6 Close the Animation Controls dialog box.

Identifying Measures
Here, you will identify the measures in the model.

To identify the measures:

1 From the Build menu, point to Measure, and then select Display.
The Database Navigator opens, displaying the four measures for the model: three
angular velocity components and a translational separation velocity component.
For information on measures, refer to the ADAMS/View online help.
2 Close the Database Navigator.
3 From the Simulate menu, point to Design Objective, and then select Modify.
The Database Navigator opens.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
42 Using the Monte Carlo Method

4 Select separation.
The Database Navigator displays the four objectives representing the ending
simulation values for each measure.
For information on design objectives, refer to the ADAMS/View online help.
5 Close the Database Navigator.

Starting ADAMS/Insight
In this section, you’ll open ADAMS/Insight from ADAMS/View and begin creating an
experiment to measure the performance of a launch vehicle model.

To start ADAMS/Insight from ADAMS/View:

1 From the Main menu in ADAMS/View, point to Simulate, point to ADAMS/Insight,

and then select Export.
2 Complete the ADAMS/Insight Export dialog box as shown below:

3 Select OK.
ADAMS/View launches ADAMS/Insight and the ADAMS/Insight main window
appears.

Note: On Windows systems, ADAMS/View opens a command prompt window to

launch ADAMS/Insight. This window stays open until you close
ADAMS/Insight. Do not manually close the command prompt window.

In the treeview of ADAMS/Insight, note that the model has eight factors and four
responses.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Using the Monte Carlo Method 43

Creating a Design Matrix

In this section, you’ll create a design matrix to measure the performance of the launch
vehicle model. This section includes:
■ Promoting Candidates, 43
■ Modifying Factors, 45
■ Setting Design Specifications, 46

Promoting Candidates
The first step required to creating your designed experiment is to select the factors that you
want to include in your design matrix. You select factors from the Candidates list in the
treeview, and then promote them to the Inclusions list. Promoting candidates to inclusions
causes them to become part of your design matrix.

To promote factors from candidates to inclusions:

1 In the treeview, select the + in front of Factors. Factors expands to reveal Inclusions
and Candidates.
2 Continue by expanding Candidates, and then separation. Under separation, you’ll see
a list of design variables that you can include in your design matrix.
3 Select all of the candidates by holding down the Ctrl key while mouse-clicking
each candidate.
4 Move your cursor to the Design Assistant toolbar and select the Promote to inclusion
tool .
The candidates move to the Inclusion list under Factors in the treeview.

Tip: To promote the factors directly from the treeview, press the shortcut key F5.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
44 Using the Monte Carlo Method

5 In the treeview, select the + in front of Responses.

The levels nested under Responses expand to reveal Inclusions and Candidates.

Tip: You can select the minus (-) sign in front of Factors to collapse that section
of the treeview and save screen space.

6 Continue expanding the levels under Candidates and separation. Under separation,
you’ll see a list of responses that are potential candidates you can include in your
design matrix.
7 Select and promote all of the responses just as you promoted the factors in Step 3
on page 43.
The responses move from the Candidates to the Inclusion list as shown in
Figure 8.

Figure 8. Treeview Showing Inclusions

Name of your experiment

Factors you promoted from

Candidates to Inclusions

Responses you
promoted from
Candidates to Inclusions
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Using the Monte Carlo Method 45

Modifying Factors
After you promote your factors, you define parameters for them in the Factor form. To
learn more about factor parameters, press the F1 key from the Factor form.

To modify your factors:

1 In the treeview, find the factors in the Inclusions list. Select the factor spacecraft_lxx.
2 In the Factor form, select the Variation tab.
3 Set Distribution to Normal.

4 Select the Calculator tool next to the Standard Deviation text box.
The Specify Variation Characteristics dialog box appears.
5 Select Tolerance, enter 40 in the corresponding text box, and then select OK.
6 Select Apply in the Factor form.
ADAMS/Insight saves your factor modifications.
7 Modify the parameters for the remaining factors as follows. Be sure to select Apply
after modifying each factor.

Factor: Variation Tolerance:

Distribution:
spacecraft_lyy Normal 30
spacecraft_lzz Normal 35
spacecraft_mass Uniform 23
spring_rate_nx Normal 200
spring_rate_nz Normal 200
spring_rate_px Normal 200
spring_rate_pz Normal 200
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
46 Using the Monte Carlo Method

Setting Design Specifications

In this section, you’ll set the design objective and design type for your experiment. To
learn more about setting design specifications, press the F1 key from the Design
Specification form.

To specify your design objective:

1 In the Design assistant toolbar, select the Set design specification tool.
2 Complete the Design Specification form as shown next.

3 Select Apply.
4 To create the work space, select the Generate Work Space tool.
The Work Space appears in the viewport. Note that the response columns are
empty.
Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
Using the Monte Carlo Method 47

5 From the treeview, under Design, select Work Space Review.

6 Select a factor and view its histogram plot.

Running the Experiment

Once you’ve verified the information in the Work Space, you’re ready to run the
simulations.

To run the simulation:

1 In the Design Assistant toolbar, select the Run simulations tool. You can also select
the Simulation menu, point to Build-Run-Load, and then select All.
ADAMS/View displays and runs the simulations defined by your experiment.
2 In the information window that opens, select OK.

Note: This procedure builds, runs, and postprocesses all of the simulations within
the ADAMS/View session. We recommend that you break up the process
flow into its separate phases using the MDI INSIGHT BUILD and MDI
INSIGHT LOAD commands. This is especially important when you have
more than 30 trials.

Reviewing Results
After ADAMS/View completes the trials defined in your design matrix, you return to the
ADAMS/Insight interface to view the results.

To return to ADAMS/Insight:

1 From the Main menu in ADAMS/View, point to Simulate, point to ADAMS/Insight,

and then select Display.
The ADAMS/Insight Display dialog box appears.
2 Verify the name of your current experiment, and then select OK.
The ADAMS/Insight window replaces the ADAMS/View window.
 Using ADAMS/Insight with ADAMS/View
48 Using the Monte Carlo Method

To view your simulation results:

1 In the treeview, under Design, select Work Space.

Simulation results from ADAMS/View appear in the response columns.
2 In the treeview, under Design, select Work Space Review.
3 Select the first response, r_01.
The histogram for this response appears above the table as shown in Figure 9. The
table includes mean, variance, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and range
values for each factor and each response.
4 Select the other responses to view their histograms.
Figure 9. Histogram Plot for r_01