Calum Wright 1005820w Finite Element Analysis 2 Aim

Mechanics 3

The aim of this experiment was to use finite element analysis analyse the effects of a uniformly distributed load on a beam. The computer software program Abaqus was used to obtain results, as well as another numerical method. These results were checked to be accurate within a 10% margin of error. Also the span: deflection ratio was to be between 200 and 400.

Weight of vehicle = 78 tonnes Boundary Conditions: F2(1)=? U2(1)=0 12(1)=? M12(1)=0 F2(2)=0 U2(2)=? 12(2)=0 M12(2)=0 F2(3)=0 U2(3)=? 12(3)=? M12(3)=?

Dimensions: Element: [1] [2] Length: 6.1m 3.9m Height: Width: Internal Wall Thickness: 1.1m 1m 0.01m 1.1m 1m 0.01m

Calum Wright 1005820w

Mechanics 3

Input File: *HEADING BEAM BRIDGE DESIGN *NODE, NSET=ALLN 1, 0. 2, 6.1 3, 10. *ELEMENT, TYPE=B23, ELSET=ALLE 1, 1, 2 2, 2, 3 *BEAM SECTION, ELSET=ALLE, SECTION=BOX, MATERIAL=STEEL ** the format here is width, depth and the thickness of the 4 walls 1.0, 1.1, 1.E-2, 1.E-2, 1.E-2, 1.E-2 *MATERIAL, NAME=STEEL *ELASTIC 200.E9, 0.3 *DENSITY 7800. *BOUNDARY 1, 2, 2 3, XSYMM *STEP *STATIC *DLOAD ALLE, GRAV, 9.81, 0., -1. 2, PY, -98100 *NODE PRINT u, rf *END STEP

Calum Wright 1005820w

Mechanics 3

Output File:
NODE OUTPUT

THE FOLLOWING TABLE IS PRINTED FOR ALL NODES

NODE FOOT- U1 NOTE

U2

UR3

RF1

RF2

RM3

1 2 3

0.000 0.000 0.000

-4.0471E-31 -1.1954E-02 0.000 -6.3283E-02 -7.2335E-03 0.000 -7.7995E-02 -3.3674E-30 0.000

4.1442E+05 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 3.2390E+06

Calum Wright 1005820w

MAXIMUM AT NODE 0.000 1 -4.0471E-31 -3.3674E-30 0.000 1 3 1 1 3

Mechanics 3
4.1442E+05 3.2390E+06

MINIMUM AT NODE

0.000 1

-7.7995E-02 -1.1954E-02 0.000 3 1 1 2

0.000 1

0.000

THE ANALYSIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED

2nd Calculation Method: For the second calculation method, conditions were calculated by hand and then entered into the Beam Solver Excel Sheet[1] in order to produce the results. In order to calculate the total combined weight of element 2 and the vehicle positioned on it, the total pressure exerted on the beam by the vehicle was calculated:

(Negative sign meaning force acts in downwards direction)

P = Pressure exerted by vehicle, F = Force, Cross-sectional Area of beam:

A = area

A = (1.1 1.0) (0.98 1.08) A = 0.0416 A = 0.042m2

ob = outer breadth od = outer depth

ib = inner breadth

id = inner depth

Calum Wright 1005820w Total weight of beam and vehicle: w2 = Pv + wb w2 = Pv + w2 = 98100 + (7800 0.042 9.81)

Mechanics 3

w2 =10131 N/m2 w2 =1.01 105 N/m2

w2 = Total weight of beam and vehicle Pv = Pressure exerted by vehicle wb = Beam weight g = acceleration due to gravity = density A = Cross-sectional area

Screenshot of excel program calculating solutions:

NB: deflection ratio here calculated = -7.80 x 10-2 m

Result Comparison: Percentage Error =

= =0.006%

x 100

UE = Force calculated in Excel program: -7.80x10-2 UA = Force calculated in Abaqus: -7.7995 x10-2 (if rounded further, % error will be 0)

Calum Wright 1005820w

Mechanics 3

Span: Deflection Ratio: Check deflection of beam is between 200 and 400 times less than span

= =256.426694 =256.43 Therefore, span: deflection ratio = 1:256 Results: After calculating these results using both techniques, both methods yielded similar results. The initial question of the effect of a uniformly distributed load on a beam has been answered, and both results are within a 10% margin or error of each other, with the span: deflection ratio being between 200-400 as instructed in the task. References:
[1]

Ron Thomsons Excel Spreadsheet for Mech3 PA1 Glasgow University Moodle http://eng.moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=40