New Ph.D. Student Seeking LS-DYNA Tutorials for Civil Engineering Applications
Mohamed Elkahki
Hello everyone,
I am a new Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering and I am interested in learning LS-DYNA for my research. Currently, I have no prior experience with the software, so I would greatly appreciate any resources or tutorials that could help me get started, especially video explanations or guides related to civil engineering applications.
If you have any recommendations or links to useful materials, please share them. Your support will help me begin my learning journey effectively.
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Mohamed
James Kennedy
Dear Mohamed,
Courses to Get Started with Ansys LS-DYNA Student
Ansys LS-DYNA Student is the leading explicit simulation software for analyzing materials under extreme conditions. Our free Innovation Courses will enable you to simulate material responses in applications across automotive, aerospace, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetics.
Sincerely,
James M. Kennedy
KBS2 Inc.
January 13, 2026
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James Kennedy
Dear Mohamed,
Perhaps a bit old, however, much still can be learned from these notes.
----------------------------------------------
For those who day “I am new to LS-DYNA and new to FEM”. You
need proper training in understanding FEM and LS-DYNA if you are
going to be able to perform any reasonable LS-DYNA studies. These
are not simple subjects that can be picked at the drop of a hat.
----------------------------------------------
First of all, I believe that you will find LS-DYNA much easier to
understand and use if you have a good background in nonlinear finite
element analysis and explicit integration methods. I recommend the
following book to address these two thoughts:
Nonlinear Finite Elements for Continua and Structures by Ted Belytschko,
Wing Kam Liu, and Brian Moran
Taken from Back Cover of Book:
This book provides a comprehensive description of the major methodologies
of nonlinear finite element analysis for solid mechanics, as applied to
continua and structures. Treatment of the subject is integrated in such
a way that the reader can gain an understanding of the fundamental methods,
a feeling for the comparative usefulness of different approaches and an
appreciation of the difficulties inherent in nonlinear analysis. In-depth
coverage of the following is given:
* Lagrangian and arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian treatments of continua
* many of the material laws used in today's software and research
* solution methods, including explicit and implicit time integration
methods and methods for equilibrium problems
* basic concepts such as stability and smoothness, and techniques such
as linearization and regularization
* methods for shells and structures
* contact-impact problems
* element technology, including multi-field elements
Ideal for self-study, no other book provides such a comprehensive
description of nonlinear finite element analysis for solid mechanics.
This is an invaluable reference not only for final year undergraduates,
postgraduates, academics and engineers working on sophisticated finite
element software and in the field of solid mechanics, but also for all
users of nonlinear finite element programs.
-----------------------------------------------
LS-PrePost is an advanced pre and post-processor that is delivered free
with LS-DYNA. The user interface is designed to be both efficient and
intuitive. LS-PrePost runs on Windows, Linux, and Unix utilizing OpenGL
graphics to achieve fast rendering and XY plotting. The latest builds can
be downloaded from LSTC's FTP Site.
http://ftp.lstc.com/anonymous/outgoing/lsprepost/4.3/
LS-DYNA, developed by Livermore Software Technology Corp. (LSTC),
is a multi-purpose explicit and implicit finite element program (a solver)
used to analyze the nonlinear response of structures. Its fully automated
contact analysis and wide range of material models enable users worldwide
to solve complex real world problems.
LS-DYNA consists of a single executable file and is entirely command line
driven. Therefore all that is required to run LS-DYNA is a command shell,
the executable, an input file, and enough free disk space to run the
calculation. All input files are in simple ASCII format and thus can be
prepared using any text editor. Input files can also be prepared with the
aid of a graphical preprocessor.
A license (obtained from your local distributor or LSTC) is required to
run the LS-DYNA software. Customer support should be available if
you are having trouble installing the software or obtaining information
to request a password.
-----------------------------------------------
Some simple examples to get started:
http://ftp.lstc.com/anonymous/outgoing/trent001/manuals/getting-started/GettingStarted.pdf
http://www.dynasupport.com/tutorial/getting-started-with-ls-dyna/getting-started
-----------------------------------------------
Introductions to LS-DYNA.
-----------------------------------------------
An introduction to LS-DYNA covering general work with different
solvers, LS-DYNA capabilities and keyword file structure plus an
introduction to LS-PrePost presenting layout, pre-processing, post-
processing, special features, and composite tool:
Forsberg, J., "Short Introduction to LS-DYNA and LS-PrePost",
DYNAmore Nordic, Linköping, Sweden, September, 2013.
http://www.solid.iei.liu.se/Education/TMHL19/intro_lsdyna_lsprepost.pdf
-----------------------------------------------
A collection of slides from a two day class edited for print. It is 366
pages in 18 different chapters showing the most needed commands.
LS-PrePost is used throughout the booklet to illustrate how the
commands can be applied in LS-PrePost. A CD is included which
contains 27 different exercises with answer sheets both for print and for
reading. The booklet is for new users that want to get started quickly. A
further description of the booklet and some sample pages can be found in
the link below:
Jensen, M.R., "Getting Started with LS-DYNA - Course Notes", Livermore
Software Technology, Livermore , California , 366 pages, April, 2012.
For purchase/order, contact al...@lstc.com. For information, contact
in...@lstc.com (please enter in subject line - Author, Morten Jensen).
-----------------------------------------------
This book guides the user step by step to solve problems of diverse
nature using LS-PREPOST and LS-DYNA. A set of 13 solved examples
have been presented with clear instructions in such a manner that the
beginners can easily equip themselves with a deep knowledge of LS-
PREPOST and LS-DYNA. This book is especially designed to help the
undergraduate and post graduate engineering students in the fields of
mechanical, manufacturing, and other related fields. Practicing engineers
who are going to solve transient dynamic problems in engineering would
find this book extremely helpful:
Shah, Q.H., and Abid, H.M., "From LS-PrePost to LS-DYNA: An
Introduction", Lambert Academic Publishing, 132 pages, July, 2011.
http://www.amazon.com/FROM-LS-PREPOST-LS-DYNA-INTRODUCTION-Beginners/dp/3845409517
This book guides a beginner by presenting a step by step procedure to
Solve problems of diverse nature using LS-PrePost and LS-Dyna. A lot
of necessary information is contained in 18 chapters that would enable
the engineers to solve various problems. This book is especially designed
to help the senior undergraduate and post graduate engineering students
in the field of mechanical, manufacturing and civil engineering to facilitate
them in their research projects:
Shah, Q.H., and Abid, H.M., "LS-DYNA for Beginners: An Insight into
LS-PrePost and LS-DYNA", Lambert Academic Publishing, 152 pages,
April, 2012.
http://www.amazon.com/LS-DYNA-Beginners-insight-Ls-Prepost-Ls-Dyna/dp/3846556777
------------------------------------------------
I would "highly" suggest that ALL attend an Introductory Class to
learn to use all the LS-DYNA features easily. There are many different
people/organizations all over the world providing this service. I
suggest that you contact LSTC or your local distributor for someone
that is near where you live/work.
http://www.lstc.com/pages/classes.htm
http://www.arup.com/dyna/training/training.htm
http://www.gisseta.com/gisseta3.html
http://www.jlrcom.com/ansys/ls-dyna
http://www.dynamax-inc.com/services.htm
In Germany, I suggest contacting DYNAmore (they offer many classes):
https://www.dynamore.de/en/training/seminars
----------------------------------------------
A relatively new LS-DYNA training option (for a fee) is now becoming more
readily available with "online" courses and training being offered. Among
these are:
http://lsdyna-online.com/
http://www.courseforme.com/online-ls-dyna-training-3003.html
----------------------------------------------
As I have often stated, please remember that LS-DYNA always leads
LS-PrePost and is the solver, thus LS-PrePost may not help you regarding
issues such as this. I always recommend that you first learn to use the
LS-DYNA User’s Manual if you want the most up to date information.
-----------------------------------------------
Nearly all the necessary manuals can be downloaded from here:
http://www.lstc.com/download/manuals
Over 500 examples can be downloaded from here:
The site presents papers from the European and International LS-DYNA User Conferences
and papers provided by other users. 2265 papers are available.
-----------------------------------------------
Sincerely,
James M. Kennedy
KBS2 Inc.
January 13, 2026
From: ls-d...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ls-d...@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of Mohamed Elkahki
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2026 11:52 PM
To: LS-DYNA2 <ls-d...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [LS-DYNA2] New Ph.D. Student Seeking LS-DYNA Tutorials for Civil Engineering Applications
Hello everyone,
--
James Kennedy
Dear Mohamed,
LS DYNA for Civil Structural Applications
Ben Shao, Structural Analyst, ARUP Engineering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkv506akSlc
Sincerely,
James M. Kennedy
KBS2 Inc.
January 13, 2026
From: ls-d...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ls-d...@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of Mohamed Elkahki
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2026 11:52 PM
To: LS-DYNA2 <ls-d...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [LS-DYNA2] New Ph.D. Student Seeking LS-DYNA Tutorials for Civil Engineering Applications
Hello everyone,
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