Academic Rigor
The University of Michigan’s "Vehicle Crash Safety" course materials are partially available online for free. They include lecture slides and accompanying LS-DYNA workshop files.
Troubleshooting Tutorials
r/LSDYNA and the "LS-DYNA Community" Discord server are goldmines. Users frequently share .k files and ask "Why did this fail?" Reading those threads is a free tutorial in error solving.
Before searching YouTube, start with the source. The LS-DYNA Verification Manual is the single best free resource.
| Avoid | Because |
| :--- | :--- |
| Outdated YouTube playlists (pre-2015) | Keywords like *CONTACT_..._SURFACE_TO_SURFACE have changed. Old syntax may fail. |
| Pirated .k files from random forums | They often have corrupted keywords or unrealistic material models. |
| Starting with a full car model | You will drown. Start with a single cube hitting a plate. |
| Using *CONTACT_..._AUTOMATIC_... without understanding SLSFAC | Contact stiffness controls stability. Wrong values = exploding model. |
Before diving into the links, it is important to understand that LS-DYNA is different from standard FEA software like Ansys Mechanical or Abaqus/Standard. It uses a solver-based workflow (usually via keyword files, .k files) rather than a purely point-and-click GUI.
Free tutorials are valuable because they allow you to learn the syntax of LS-DYNA keywords (e.g., *MAT_024, *CONTACT_AUTOMATIC_SINGLE_SURFACE) at your own pace. Once you understand the keyword structure, you can simulate almost any non-linear event. ls dyna tutorials free
Would you like a direct link to the LS-DYNA Example Problems Manual PDF or the LS-PrePost download page?
LS-DYNA is a world-leading explicit simulation software used for high-speed impact, crash tests, and large-scale deformations. While professional licenses are expensive, beginners can access high-quality free tutorials and software to start learning immediately. 🛠️ Step 1: Get the Free Software Before you start the tutorials, you need the right tools: Ansys LS-DYNA Student : A free version for educational use. LS-PrePost
: The standard (and free) pre- and post-processor used to set up models and view results. : A simple manager to launch simulations. 📚 Top Free Tutorial Sources 1. Official Ansys & LSTC Learning Sites Ansys LS-DYNA Student Version
Learning Without Limits: A Guide to Free LS-DYNA Resources LS-DYNA is a premier multiphysics solver renowned for its ability to simulate highly nonlinear, short-duration events like vehicle crashes, ballistic impacts, and material failures. While historically associated with high costs, a wealth of free learning materials and even software versions now exist to help beginners and experts alike master this powerful tool. 1. Essential Software Access
To practice tutorials, you need the software. Ansys LS-DYNA Student is a free version available for self-learning and educational projects.
Capabilities: Includes all standard functionality for models up to 128k nodes/elements.
Included Tools: Comes with Ansys LS-DYNA Student, LS-PrePost (pre/post-processor), and LS-Run. 2. Top-Rated Free Tutorial Platforms Academic Rigor The University of Michigan’s "Vehicle Crash
For structured learning, several platforms offer step-by-step guides ranging from basic UI navigation to complex keyword editing.
Ansys Innovation Space: Provides free introductory courses and LS-DYNA tutorials that cover both explicit and implicit analysis. LS-DYNA Examples (DynaExamples)
: A massive repository of approximately 500 examples with downloadable input files. You can search by training class or specific simulation type (e.g., impact, thermal, or metal forming). DynaSupport: Offers a foundational Getting Started with LS-DYNA
manual that serves as a recipe-style guide for setting up solution control, geometry, and boundary conditions. Predictive Engineering: Hosts the LS-DYNA Handbook
, providing high-level analysis theory and techniques for structural mechanics. 3. Visual and Community Learning (YouTube)
Visual learners can find comprehensive playlists that walk through model setup and result visualization.
Unpopular Mechanics: Noted for detailed tutorials on shell element formulations, CAD cleanup, and realistic rendering. Would you like a direct link to the
Ameen Topa: Offers a series of LS-DYNA Basic Tutorials created from scratch, designed for users to follow step-by-step.
Predictive Engineering & Oasys Ltd: Recommended by the community for professional-grade insights into specific engineering applications. 4. Specialized Learning Topics
As you progress, you can find free resources focused on advanced simulation mechanics: Contact Modeling: Guides on Contact Treatment
explain how to choose between the numerous contact types available in LS-DYNA. Practical Engineering: The book LS-DYNA for Engineers: A Practical Tutorial Book
(found on ResearchGate) offers workshop-style tutorials focused on solving real-world problems rather than heavy mathematical theory.
Academic Resources: Universities often share introductory materials, such as Memorial University’s Simple Cantilever Tutorial, which helps new users understand dynamic integration and material density.