103

5.1 When to Use 1-D Elements

One of the dimension is very large in comparison to the other two:
Y
X
Z
10
5
1000
x>>> y, z
1000>>> 5, 10
Element shape Line
Additional data from user - The remaining two dimensions, the cross sectional area.
Element type Rod, bar, beam, pipe, axi-symmetric shell etc.
Practical applications- Long shafts, beams, pin joint, connection elements
Types of 1-D element :
Rod Bar Beam Pipe Axisymmetric shell
Tension/
compression (and
Torque for some
softwares)
U
x
, R
x
(1,4)
All 6 dofs
U
x
, U
y
, U
z
, R
x
, R
y
,
R
z
(123456)
Applicable for
symmetric c/s
Same as bar but
also support
unsymmetric
sections i.e.
shear center and
warpage
Same as beam.
Except it has
internal non
zero diameter
U
x
, U
z
, R
y
(1,3,5)
Z- axis of symmetry, X as
radial axis.
For objects symmetric
about the axis of rotation
and subjected to the
axisymmetric boundary
conditions.
Tension
compression
members (truss),
Shafts subjected to
Torque,
Connection
elements
Shaft subjected
to multiaxial
loading,
bolted, welded
joints,
connection
elements
Same as bar
+
for unsymmetric
c/s
Piping systems,
Structural
analysis
Thin shell pressure
vessels, cylindrical,
conical objects etc.
V
1-D Meshing
This chapter includes material from the book Practical Finite Element Analysis. It also has
been reviewed and has additional material added by Matthias Goelke.