Fluid pressure extension is a very intuitive tool that dynamically updates contact behavior and makes it more realistic. All flange connections are exposed to working pressure which, by penetrating the flange, can increase the forces acting on the bolted connections or change the contact status under the influence of additional forces from the working pressure that penetrates the connection.
In extreme situations, the penetrating contact pressure can open the contact and cause leaks. The proposed solution analyses the status of the contact during the calculation and if the contact starts to open, the penetrating pressure is applied. This process is repeated until the algorithm finds balance and the contact status remains unchanged.
Accurate representation of the contact is very important when designing all flange connections where their tightness plays a key role (Expander flanges, pipelines, pressure vessels etc.).
Ansys Workbench in its latest version does not have the functionality described above without the Fluid pressure extension.