I have started learning FEM from scratch. I want to apply it to do numerical simulation of solidification in ANSYS? Where and how to start learning ANSYS?
Ansys software is used to design products and semiconductors, as well as to create simulations that test a product's durability, temperature distribution, fluid movements, and electromagnetic properties.
If you want to learn ansys then before starting solving problems on ansys you must have a deep and thorough knowledge of your engineering subjects such as:-
Theory of Machines (TOM)
Strength of materials (SOM)
Fluid mechanics (FM)
Thermals and
Heat transfer…. The concepts of these subjects will be used while solving problems on ansys.
As a beginner you can start with structural analysis LS DYNA is the solver for structural analysis. The problems of structural analysis comprise of beams, columns, struts in which you can find out the deflection of beams, bending moment, stress generation by applying a single load at a point then continuing with variable load and many more combinations can also be applied.
Then coming to the moderate level you can start with thermal analysis in which you can calculate the temperature on a body and the rate of heat transfer through that body by calculating the temperature difference between the two bodies. The problems of heat transfer comprise of electrical wires having insulation so calculating the thickness of the insulation so that there will be no heat loss is the one way to deal with such problems.
If you master structural and thermal analysis then you can go for advanced level and that is fluid analysis there is a different solver for fluid analysis that is CFD (computational fluid dynamics) where you can see how fluid affects the internal surface of the pipes by their different nature of flow (laminar and turbulent).
You can start watching Youtube videos when you learn how to simulate you can start the simulation yourself and when you have problems you can ask questions here or on this site https://forum.ansys.com/
Read at least one book about the theory of FEA. Study the theory of the problems you are trying to solve. If you can't get an approximate answer using back of the envelope calculations, you really have no idea whether the answer coming from the software is wrong. Too many FEA analysts jump in, start using the software, create pretty pictures, and don't know how wrong they are until either someone checks their work (I've really seen six months of FEA work shown to be wrong by 5 minutes of calculating on the back of an envelope) or when the test fails to line up with the software results.
I would start with static problems. LS-Dyna, mentioned above, is an advanced solver for advanced problems. The people I know that use it are specialists in those kinds of problems - mostly impact, high deformation, very time-dependent problems (and checking your work requires a very large envelope.)
You cam lay your hands on the ANSYS manual for quick guide and to fully understand the inherent features and add-ons suitable for your applications. You Tube videos featuring tutorials can also be of immense help. Best of luck.