Module 5

Beam Modeling

5. Beam Modeling
Beam elements are line elements used to create a onedimensional idealization of a 3-D structure. They are computationally more efficient than solids and shells and are heavily used in several industries:
Building B ildi construction t ti Bridges and roadways People movers (trams, railcars, buses) Etc.

Training Manual

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-2

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

...Beam Modeling

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part art 2

In this chapter, we will present a brief introduction to beam modeling via the following topics:
A. Beam Properties B. Beam Meshing C Loading C. Loading, Solution, Solution Results D. Workshop

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-3

Beam Modeling

A. Beam Properties

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part art 2

The first step in beam modeling, as with any analysis, is to create the geometry usually just a framework of keypoints and lines. Then define the following beam properties:
Element El t type t Cross section Material

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-4

Beam Modeling

...Beam Properties
Element Type Choose one of the following types:
BEAM188 3-D, linear (2-node) BEAM189 3-D, quadratic (3-node)

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

ANSYS has many other beam elements, but BEAM188 & 189 are generally recommended.
Applicable to most beam structures Support linear as well as nonlinear analyses, including plasticity, large deformation, and nonlinear collapse Abilit Ability to t include i l d multiple lti l materials t i l to t simulate i l t layered l d materials, composites, reinforced sections, etc. Ability to create user defined section geometry Easy to use, both in preprocessing and postprocessing phases

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-5

Beam Modeling

...Beam Properties
Cross Section To completely define a BEAM188 or 189 element, you also need to specify its cross section properties. The BeamTool provides a convenient way to do this.
Preprocessor > Sections > Beam > Common Sectns... Select the desired shape, then enter its dimensions. Press the Preview button to view the shape, then OK to accept it. If there are multiple cross sections, specify y a different section ID number (and an optional name) for each.

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-6

Beam Modeling

...Beam Properties

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

A sample preview (SECPLOT) of an I-beam cross section is shown below. In addition to the predefined cross-section shapes, ANSYS allows you to create your own, user-defined shape by building a 2-D solid model. You can save user-defined sections as well as standard sections with the desired dimensions in a section library for later use. See Chapter 16 of the ANSYS Structural Analysis Guide for more information.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-7

Beam Modeling

...Beam Properties
Material Properties

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS ANSYS - P Part art 2

Both linear and nonlinear material properties are allowed. allowed After all beam properties are defined, the next step is to mesh the geometry with beam elements.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-8

Beam Modeling

B. Beam Meshing g
Meshing the geometry (lines) with beam elements involves three main steps:
Assign line attributes Specify line divisions Generate the mesh

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part art 2

The MeshTool provides a convenient way to perform all three steps.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-9

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g
Step 1: Line Attributes Line attributes for beam meshing consist of:
Material number Section ID Orientation keypoint

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

Determines how the cross section is oriented with respect to the beam axis. Must be specified for all cross-section types. A single keypoint can be assigned to multiple lines (i.e, no need to specify a separate keypoint for each line). Each end of a line can have its own orientation keypoint, allowing the cross section to be twisted about the beam axis.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-10

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g
Examples of using orientation keypoints:

Training Manual

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-11

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS ON ANSYS - P Part art 2

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

To assign line attributes, use the Element Attributes section of the MeshTool (or select desired lines and use the LATT command).

Pick lines

Additional attributes for BEAM188 & 189

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-12

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g
Step 2: Line Divisions

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part art 2

For BEAM188 and 189 elements, elements a single element spanning the entire beam length is not recommended. Use the Size Controls section of the MeshTool (or the LESIZE command) to specify the desired number of line divisions.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-13

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g
Step 3: Generate the Mesh First save the database (Toolbar > SAVE_DB SAVE DB or SAVE command). Then press the Mesh button in the MeshTool (or issue LMESH,ALL) to generate the mesh.

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part art 2

Pick lines

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-14

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g
To see the cross-section shape in the element display, activate the element shape key:
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Style > Size and Shape Or /ESHAPE,1

Training Manual

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-15

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS ANSYS - P Part art 2

Beam Modeling

...Beam Meshing g

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS ON ANSYS - P Part art 2

After beam meshing is completed, the next step is to apply loads and solve.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-16

Beam Modeling

C. Loading, g Solution, Results

Typical loading for beam models consists of:
Displacement constraints applied at keypoints or nodes Forces applied li d at t keypoints k i t or nodes d Pressures load per unit length applied on element faces Solution > Apply > Pressures > On Beams Or SFBEAM command Gravity or rotational velocity acts on entire structure

Training Manual

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-17

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

Beam Modeling

...Loading, g Solution, Results

To obtain the solution:
First save the database.

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

Then solve. (Or write the loads to a load step file and solve all load steps later.)

R Results lt review i is i the th same as for f other th stress t analyses: l

View the deformed shape Check reaction forces Plot stresses and strains The main advantage of BEAM188 and 189 is that with the element shape p key y activated (/ESHAPE,1 , ), stresses can be directly viewed on the elements (similar to solids and shells).

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-18

Beam Modeling

...Loading, g Solution, Results

Demo:

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS A -P Part 2

Resume frame.db (contains lines, kps, loading, element type, material, and two cross sections) Plot the two cross section already defined (SECPLOT,1 & 2) Define a third cross section using the BeamTool: ID=3: Name = peak, Sub-type = box (hollow rectangle), W1=6, W2=6; T1=T2=T3=T4=0 25 T1=T2=T3=T4=0.25

Bring up MeshTool, GPLOT, then assign the following line attributes: Sloping lines: mat=1, secnum=3, orientation KP = topmost KP (#100) Left vertical lines: mat=1, secnum=2, orientation KP = #102 Right vertical lines: mat=1, secnum=2, orientation KP = #101 Left & front horizontal lines: mat=1, secnum=1, orientation KP = #1 Right & back horizontal lines: mat=1, secnum=1, orientation KP = #3

Specify p y size=20 on all lines Save, then LMESH,ALL; then EPLOT with /ESHAPE,1 Constrain the 4 bottom keypoints in all DOFs and apply a force of -10,000 lb in the fy direction on keypoint #9

Solve, then review results: deformed shape (animate), Solve (animate) reaction forces forces, SX stresses (= axial + bending). Select elements with section ID=3 and replot stresses. Repeat for ID=2. February 20, 2006
Inventory #002270 5-19

Beam Modeling

D. Workshop
This workshop consists of the following problem:
W5. Building Frame

Training Manual

INTRO RODUCTIO ON TO ANSYS ANSYS - P Part art 2

Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.

February 20, 2006 Inventory #002270 5-20