MSC Nastran Simulation

Note: Users must procure and maintain valid licenses to integrate this commercial DE tool with the Istari Digital platform. Please contact your local IT administrator for assistance.

Supported Functions:

run

The Nastran Module provides functions for running nastran data files and writing paths of the simulation outputs to a json file. The following tables lists the functions currently supported by the Nastran Module:

Function Name	Description	Required Parameters	Optional Model Inputs	Optional Parameters	Example Input
run	Perform a simulation using MSC Nastran on the data file. The bdf and dat file extensions are supported.	model_id	None	None	"input_arguments": {}

Getting Started

The MSC Nastran integration allows users to run Finite Element simulations with MSC Nastran

Methods to Link to Istari Digital Platform

Upload: Yes

Link: No

Files Supported

The istari Digital Platform can extract from the following file types:

• .bdf
• .dat

All other NASTRAN file types not supported at this time. Please submit a feature request if an important file type is not supported.

Example Files

• Download Example: annular_plate.bdf

• Download Example: invalid_beam.bdf

Setup for Administrators

Ensure that MSC Nastran 2023.4 is installed on a Virtual Machine (VM) with Istari Ditigal Agent and appropriate Istari Digital Software.
Verify that the installation is up to date with the latest patches and updates.

Version Compatibility

The MSC Nastran integration has been tested with MSC Nastran 2023.4

Function Coverage and Outputs

The MSC Nastran module can collect a number of results and logs produced by the Nastran simulation. The table below describes each output artifact and its type.

Note: This is just a sampling of the types of files that Nastran can produce.

Route	Coverage	Description	Artifact Content Example
Results - .op2	Yes	This is the main MSC Nastran output file MACHINE readable. Used by post processing programs like Patran.
Results - .f06	Yes	This is the main MSC Nastran output file HUMAN readable. It contains the results of your analysis (such as displacements and stresses). It is in ASCII format so it can be viewed in any text editor. It also contains warning messages, error messages, and diagnostic messages to help you evaluate the quality of the analysis results.
Execution Summary - .f04	Yes	Contains a time history of job execution.
Input/Output - .h5	Yes	It is a data model, library, and file format for storing and managing data. It supports an unlimited variety of data types, and is designed for flexible and efficient I/O and for high volume and complex data.
Output - .log	Yes	Job log file.
Output - .pch	Yes	Punch file.	Not Available
Output - .plt/.ps	Yes	Binary plot file(.plt). FMS statement ASSIGN PLOT=* FORM=FORMATTED in the submittal job, Nastran will produce a .ps (post script file) which may be converted to a .pdf by appropriate apps...	Not Available

Detailed SDK Reference

Prerequisite: Install Istari Digital SDK and initialize Istari Digital Client per instructions here

Step 1: Upload and Extract the File(s)

Upload the file as a model

model = client.add_model(
    path="example.bdf",
    description="Nastran Simulation example model",
    display_name="Nastran Simulation Model Name",
)
print(f"Uploaded base model with ID {model.id}")

Perform a simulation using MSC Nastran input file once you have the model ID

simulation_job = client.add_job(
    model_id  = model.id,
    function  = "@istari:run",
    tool_name = "msc_nastran",
    tool_version = "2023.4",
    operating_system = "Windows 10",
)
print(f"Extraction started for model ID {model.id}, job ID: {simulation_job.id}")

Please choose appropriate function, tool_name, tool_version, and operating_system for your installation of this software.
Above is an example of how to call the function

Step 2: Check the Job Status

extraction_job.poll_job()

Step 3: Retrieve Results

Example

for artifact in model.artifacts:
    output_file_path = f"c:\\extracts\\{artifact.name}"
    with open(output_file_path, "wb") as f:
        f.write(artifact.read_bytes())

Troubleshooting

1. For general Agent and Software Troubleshooting Click Here

FAQ