Version 3.

ELFEN-Explicit User Manual

A.1

Appendix A
Illustrative Examples
A.1 Axisymmetric Spherical Shell Subject to Step Pressure (VPSX003)
A.1.1 Description
A segment of a spherical shell of radius 22.27 inches is clamped and subjected to step external
pressure of 600 lb/in2 as shown in Figure A.1.1. The pressure is applied using a step function i.e.
instantaneously and then left constant and the material is modelled using a von Mises elastoplastic yield function with linear hardening. The solution algorithm utilised is explicit dynamic,
which is most suitable to capture the high frequency response that results from the step loading.
p
B
A

D
C
0.41in

22.27in

26.67

Figure A.1.1 Problem Description

A.1.2 Finite Element Model

Finite Element Mesh
The shell is modelled as an axisymmetric problem, using a regular mesh of quadrilateral elements
as shown in Figure A.1.2. Four elements are utilised through the thickness of the shell. This is
sufficient to reproduce the correct bending response exhibited by this type of application.

Appendix A

Illustrative Examples

ELFEN-Explicit User Manual

A.2

Version 3.7

Figure A.1.2 Finite Element Mesh

Material Properties
The material is modelled using a von Mises elasto-plastic constitutive model with linear hardening.

Property

Value

Young's Modulus

10.5 x 106 lb / in2

Poisson's Ratio

0.3

Initial Yield Stress

0.024 x 106 lb / in2

Density

2.45 x 106 lb / in2

Hardening Modulus

0.2143 x 106 lb / in2

Constraints
The spherical shell is clamped along AB and CD.

Loading
The spherical is subjected to an external pressure load of 600 lb/in2 applied to the external surface
BD. The instantaneous step load is modelled using the following load function;
Pseudo-Time

Load Factor

0.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

Solution Algorithm
The application is solved using a explicit central difference solution algorithm.

Time Step
The initial time step is 0.2E-6s which is less than the critical time step for the initial mesh.
This is kept constant unless it exceeds the automatically computed critical time step, in
which case 0.9tcr is used.

Illustrative Examples

Appendix A

Version 3.7

ELFEN-Explicit User Manual

A.3

Termination
The solution is terminated when either: 5000 time steps have been performed
the solution time is 1.0E-3s.
No minimum time step for termination was used as structural failure is not anticipated.

Output
The output frequencies are
Results
100 time steps
Plotting data
500 time steps

A.1.3 Neutral File

The neutral file has the following form
Element_group_data { IGROUP { 1 }
Element_type_number {
9
}
Material_number {
1
}
Element_options { NELOPS { 50 }
F F F F F F F F F F
...
F F F F F F F F F F
}
}
Element_data { IGROUP { 1 }
Element_topology { NNODE { 4 } NELGP { 40 }
4
22
29
26
..
55
25
2
13
}
Element_numbers { NELGP { 40 }
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
..
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
}
Assignment_surfaces { 1
1
}
}
Geometric_property_data { IGROUP { 1 }
Material_angle_flag {
0
}
}
Node_data { 0
Node_numbers { NPOIN { 55 }
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
..
51 52 53 54 55
}
Coordinates { NDIMN { 2 } NPOIN { 55 }
0
22.68
...
9.171063
20.628847
}
}

Appendix A

SAEQ_4 4-noded axisymmetric element

Material number 1

No element options

40 elements in the group

Geometric properties for element group

with isotropic material

55 Nodes

Nodal coordinates

Illustrative Examples

ELFEN-Explicit User Manual

A.4
Material_data { 1
Material_name {
"vpsx003"
}
Elastic_material_flags { NFGELA
0 1 0 0
}
Elastic_properties { NMPRP { 15
1.05e+007 0 0 0.3 0 0 0 0 0 0
}
Plastic_material_flags { NMFPLS
0
7
}
Plastic_properties { NPRPLS { 1
24000
}
Hardening_material_flags { 1
0
}
Hardening_properties { 2 2
0
2
24000
452600
}
Number_state_variables {
12
}
}

Version 3.7
Material 1 "vpsx003" Elasto-plastic von
Mises

{ 4 }
}
0 0 0.000245 0 0
{ 2 }

Elastic and plastic properties present

Isotropic elastic constants - no temperature
dependence
Young's Modulus = 1.05E7
Poisson's Ratio = 0.3
Density = 0.000245

}
Von mises model - linear hardening
Yield stress = 24,000

Hardening curve

Default 12 state variables

Operation_assignment_geometry {
Assignment_lines { 3
1
3
4
}
}
Load_curve_data { ILOAD { 1 }
Time_curve { NLFUNC { 1 }
0.0
}
Load_factor { NLFUNC { 1 }
1.0
}
}
Element_load_data { ILOAD { 1 }
Face_load { NDIMN { 2 } MFNOD { 2 } NFASET { 1 }
600
0
600
0
}
Face_load_pointers { NFAASM { 10 } 3
4
8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
10*3
10*1
}
Face_load_line_pointers { 1 2
1
1
}
}
Support_data { 0
Displacement_codes { MGDOF { 2 } NPDGRP { 2 }
1 0 0
1 1 0
}
Displacement_code_pointers { NDPGRP { 10 } NSETS { 2 }
1
2
3
4 23 24 25 26 27 28
1
2*2
1
3*2
3*1
}
Displace_code_line_pointers { 2 2
3 4
2 1
}
}
Load_case_control_data { 0
List_loadcases_input { NLODIN { 1 }
1
}
List_active_load_flags { NLODIN { 1 }
2
}
}

Illustrative Examples

Geometry lines with assignments

Step load function for load case 1

Pressure/Face loading (normal direction)

List of pointers

Geometry lines and pointers with face

loading

Two fixity conditions

U prescribed (symmetry)
U and V prescribed
List of nodes
List of pointers
1 - Symmetry condition
2 - Clamped end
Geometry lines with fixitiy conditions

A single active load case

Appendix A

Version 3.7
History { 1
Name {
"disp_y"
}
Output_steps {
10
}
Nodal_output_values { 1
"Y_DISP"
}
Nodes { NHNODE { 1 }
1
}
Tracking {
0
}
}
Control_data {
Control_title {
"elastic_shell"
}
Initial_time_step {
2e-007
}
Maximum_time_step_change {
101.0
}
Minimum_time_step {
0
}
Maximum_time_step {
1
}
Factor_critical_time_step {
0.9
}
Solution_algorithm {
1
}
Maximum_number_time_steps {
5000
}
Termination_time {
0.001
}
Output_frequency_results {
-1
}
Output_frequency_plotfile {
250
}
Output_frequency_restart {
0
}
Output_time_results {
0
}
Output_file_plotfile {
0
}
Output_time_restart {
}
Screen_message_time {
0
}
}

ELFEN-Explicit User Manual

A.5

High
resolution
history
results
of
displacements in y every 10 analysis steps
for node 1

Time step = 2e-007s

1% of time step growth permitted

No minimum time step limit

If tcr exceeded use 0.9*tcr

Central difference

Terminate after 5000 steps or

Terminate after 0.001s

Output last result

Output plot data every 250 steps

No restart file required

Not used

Not used

Not used

Not used

Appendix A

Illustrative Examples