FEM USING FEA SOFTWARE
Problem 1:
Bars - Three-node quadratic element
Consider the rod (a robot arm) which is rotating at constant angular velocity = 30
rad/s. Determine the axial stress distribution in the rod, using a) four linear elements,
b) two quadratic elements. Consider only the centrifugal force. Ignore bending of the
rod.
Define the material:
In our case, we define the material of the rob from the young modulus, poision ratio and
density is 107 psi, 0.3 and 0.2836 lb/in3 repectively.
Figure 1 Setup properties of material
Model visualization:
We firstly draw the rod (a robot arm) 42 in long and the square cross section which the
cross-section area is A = 0.6 in2.
Figure 2 Geometry of the model
Meshing the model:
We start sizing and generate the mesh which has 21 quadratic elements, so that the size
of each element will be 2 in.
Figure 3 Mesh of the structure
Setup in structural materials:
The robotic arm is consistently spinning at a constant angular speed of ω = 30 radians
per second. Therefore, our initial step involves establishing stationary support and
generating the angular velocity with respect to the z-axis.
Figure 4 Static structural of model
Solutions:
Once all the arrangements are in place, we proceed to determine the overall
deformation and axial stress within our structure. Our analysis reveals that the
deformation at the tip of the robotic arm measures approximately 0.0016 inches,
Figure 5 Total deformation of structure
while the highest stress is observed to be 583.3 pounds per square inch (psi) in the initial
section of the robot arm.
Figure 6 Direct stress of structure
Problem 2: 2D truss
For the following 2D truss structure, answer for the next questions. The answers
should be expressed in given symbols, E, A, L
(1) Find the element stiffness matrices (Use symbols, sin=s, cos=C.)
(2) Express the equation of motion by assembling the stiffness matrix and constructing
load vector.
(3) Apply the proper boundary conditions and find nodal displacement.
(4) Compute the stress in the first element
Define the material:
In our case, we define the material of the rob from the young modulus, poision ratio and
density is 107 psi and 0.3 repectively.
Figure 7 Setup properties of material
Model visualization:
We draw the truss structure as the below figure that forms an equilateral triangle with a
height of 51.96 inches with the x-axis.
Figure 8 Geometry of model
Figure 9 Geometry of model
Meshing the model:
We start sizing and generate the mesh which has 32 quadratic elements in total (16
elements for each line body), so that the size of each element will be 2.8125 in.
Figure 10 Mesh of structure
Setup in structural materials:
We will now establish the support points for the truss structure and specify the load
vector that is applied to the structure as the below figure.
Figure 11 Static structural of model
Solutions:
Once everything is prepared, we determine the overall deformation and the direct stress
within the structure.
Figure 12 Total deformation of model
However, in this case, due to the force vector, there will be bending moments occurring
in both the local Y and Z directions, resulting in bending stresses. Since the force vector
is applied in the opposite direction to OY, we must combine the direct stresses with the
minimum bending stresses. This is referred to as the "Minimum Combined Stress”.
Figure 13 Minimum combined stress of model
Our analysis reveals that the deformation at the top of the struss structure (compressed)
measures approximately 0.000399 inches, while the highest stress is observed to be
57.722 pounds per square inch (psi) around the middle of the structure.
Problem 3:
Beam
Consider a supported beam under vertical distributed load. Find the unknown
splacement and/or rotation at ×=L1 and ×=L1 + L2, reaction force/moment, and the
stress at x=0 (upper and bottom surfaces of the square cross section).
Define the material:
In our case, we define the material of the rob from the young modulus, poision ratio and
density is 120 GPA and 0.3 repectively.
Figure 14 Setup properties of material
Model visualization:
In this scenario, when determining the stress on the top and bottom surfaces of the
square cross-section, we begin by sketching 2D surfaces of the beam's surfaces. Rather
than constructing the cross-section, we only need to specify the thickness of these
surfaces using the 2D surface.
Figure 15 Geometry of model
Meshing the model:
We start sizing and generate the mesh which has 51 quadratic elements in total, so that
the size of each element will be approximately 0.15 m.
Figure 16 Mesh of model
Setup in structural materials:
We will begin by setting up the support locations for the beam structure, defining the
vertical distributed load, and utilizing the remote displacement to determine the
support at L = 5m. It's important to note that at this specific support point, the beam
retains the ability to undergo horizontal displacement and rotation in the Z-axis.
Figure 17 Static structural of the model
Solutions:
Once everything is prepared, we determine the unknown splacement and/or rotation at
×=L1 and ×=L1 + L2, reaction force and moment, and the stress at x=0 (upper and
bottom surfaces of the square cross section).
Our analysis reveals that the deformation at the tip of the supported beam measures
approximately 0.017041 meter.
Figure 18 Total deformation of model
while the stresses at the upper and bottom surfaces of the square cross section are
observed to be 36.396 Mpa and -36.396 Mpa repectively in the initial section of the
supported beam (x = 0).
Figure 19 Normal stress of model
About the reaction force and moment at x=0, analysis reveals that:
With the force reaction, the total force reaction of both force in x and y axis is 54706 Pa.
Figure 20 Force reaction at x = 0
With the moment reaction, the moment around the Z axis is 39155 N.m
Figure 21 Moment reaction at x = 0
Problem 4:
Frames
Consider a 2D frame structure. Model the structure with two frame elements and find
the displacements in the horizontal and vertical displacements and rotation angle at
the right upper corner.
Define the material:
In our case, we define the material of the rob from the young modulus, poision ratio and
density is 20x106 and 0.3 repectively.
Model visualization:
To start, we create the structural geometry using the outline of the shape, and then we
determine the dimensions of the cross-section (b and h) based on the cross-sectional
area (A) and moment of inertia (I) calculations.
Meshing the model:
We start sizing and generate the mesh which has 29 quadratic elements in total (15
elements for the horizotal frame and 14 elements for the vertical frame), so that the size
of each element will be approximately 0.15 m.
Setup in structural materials:
We'll start by establishing the support positions for the frame structure, specifying the
vertical distributed load, and defining the supports at the start of the horizontal frame
and the termination points of the vertical frames.
Solutions:
Once everything is prepared, we find the displacements in the horizontal and vertical
displacements and rotation angle at the right upper corner. Our analysis reveals that the
horizontal displacements of the frame measures approximately 4.566x10-4 inches,
while the vertical displacements of the frame measures approximately 2.4906x10 -3
inches,
