University of Hertfordshire

Faculty of Science, Technology & Creative Arts

ASSIGNMENT BRIEFING FRONT SHEET

Assignment Finite Element Analysis of Engineering Date

Title Components submitted

Module Title Advanced Computer Aided Engineering Module 7AAD0053

Code

Tutor Dr Y K Chen GROUP or AUM/MECH1/VMSMENg/MECHMENG

INDIVIDUAL
Assignment

*****************************************************************************************************************************
FOR INVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS – STUDENT TO COMPLETE
(Comments on this assignment by students can be made on the back of the assignment briefing sheet).
By completing BOX A below, I certify that the submitted work is entirely mine and that any material derived or quoted from
the published or unpublished work of other persons has been duly acknowledged. [ref. UPR AS/C/6.1, section 7 and UPR
AS/C/5 (Appendix III)].
Please print your forename and surname in capitals, provide your; - ID number, the study year code (e.g. CS1, ASE1), actual
time spent on the assignment and your signature.

BOX A
Student Forename Student Student ID Year Actual Time Signature of
(in CAPS please) Surname Number Code Spent by the Student
(in CAPS please) Student
(hours)

*****************************************************************************************************************************
FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENTS - STUDENTS TO COMPLETE

Group Name/Number (if allocated by module team) 2

(Student comments on this assignment can be made on the back of the assignment briefing sheet)
By completing BOX B below, we certify that the submission is entirely ours and that any material derived or quoted from the
published or unpublished work of other persons has been duly acknowledged. [ref. UPR AS/C/6.1, section 7 and UPR
AS/C/5 (Appendix III)].
Please print your forenames and surnames in capitals, provide your; - ID numbers, the study year code (e.g. CS1, ASE1),
actual time spent on the assignment and your signatures. By signing the submission you certify that this work represents
equal contributions from all team members. If this is not the case, the module leader must be informed before submission.

BOX B
Student Forename Student Student ID Year Actual Time Signature of
(in CAPS please) Surname Number Code Spent by each Student
(in CAPS please) Student
(hours)

This sheet must be submitted with the assignment, signed and either BOX A or B filled in.
LATE SUBMISSION WILL ATTRACT STANDARD LATENESS PENALTY.

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UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Faculty of Science, Technology & Creative Arts

ASSIGNMENT BRIEFING SHEET

ASSIGNMENT AIMS:
develop knowledge and skills in the key Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)methods; Computer
Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA),
provide CAD and FEA based solutions to typical mechanical engineering problems,
analyse mechanical engineering problems in order to optimise computer based model,
assess validity of simulation results.
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSED:
Successful students will typically be able to
1. generate required CAD models, transfer model to an FEA package, generate required meshes and
solver settings for basic mechanical engineering problems,
2. employ appropriate material properties, physical properties and boundary conditions for CAE models,
3. select solution methods and parameters with convergence criteria and monitor simulations,
4. carry out correlation of simulation and test results.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Complete the common task
Complete either two tasks in FEA Assignment 1 or the task in FEA Assignment 2 given in two separate
task sheets
Write a report in which you should consider the aspects requested in the task sheets

The page number of your report should not exceed 20 pages. Your report should be submitted as ONE Microsoft Word
document ONLY through the StudyNet by ONE member and the other member MUST submit a brief note through
the StudyNet to indicate responsibilities of the report from each individual student. No hard copy is needed.

MARKS AWARDED FOR:

Presentation (structure, quality of diagrams, figure captions, etc.) 20%

Technical content (allocated as above) 80%

***A significant reduction of marks for the report would be induced if a brief note was not submitted through
StudyNet to indicate responsibilities of the report.***

This assignment is worth 37.5 % of the Typical (hours) required by the 15

the overall in course assessment for this module. Student(s) to complete the assignment.

Date work Date to be Internal moderator

20th Oct. 2010 11th Nov 2010
handed out handed in approval (signature)

Target date for the return of the marked Assignment

[Late submission will attract

Marks Awarded % Marks Awarded % standard lateness penalty]
After Lateness Penalty

A note to the Students:

1. For undergraduate modules, a score of 35% - 39% represents performance at non-honours level. Scores
above 40% represent performance at honours level.
2. For postgraduate modules, a score of 50% or above represents a pass mark.
3. Modules may have several components of assessment and may require a pass in all elements. For
further details, please consult the relevant Definitive Module Document, Module Guide or Module Leader.

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STUDENT COMMENTS ON THE ASSIGNMENT (optional- for your continued academic and personal
development you are encouraged to review your achievement and reflect on your progress in your studies).

What did you do well?

What could you have done better?

What would have enabled you to do it better?

MARKER’S COMMENTS (markers may elect to provide feedback or comments by alternative means on
students’ submissions, e.g. StudyNet, detailed marking plan, etc.)

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 FEA Common Assignment Task: (20%)
Validation of Theoretical Results

Objectives:

A structure consists of three elements as shown in Fig.Q1. Elements 1 and 2 can be considered as beam
elements and element 3 as a bar element. Assuming all elements have circular sections and

Beam 1: E=100 GPa I=10-6 m4 L=0.5 m

Beam 2: E=200 GPa I=10-6 m4 L=0.5 m
Bar 3: E=50 GPa A=10-5 m2 L=0.25 m

Manually, determine the deflection and slope of the free end of beam 2 shown in the diagram below.
Compare the result with that from modelling using ANSYS.

Element 1
v=2mm
0.5 m
0.25 m

Element 3

Element 2
0.5 m

Fig.Q1

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 FEA Assignment 1: Task 1 (50%)
Optimisation of a Formula Car Chassis
Aim:
This part of the assignment requires to analyse the torsional stiffness of a given chassis cage using FE
modeling. It would lead better understanding of how loads and deflections are distributed through the
structure and to appreciate a fundamental approach to optimize a given chassis in terms of weight and
stiffness.

Assumption:
i) The chassis model is fixed at the rear when tested
ii) The loading condition in the model is not to be altered
iii) Two Roller hoops, suspension attachments, engine mounting points, and dimension of all four corners
at the front are unchanged
iv) Use the vertical deflection uy as a reference to torsional stiffness of the given chassis
v) The smaller of the absolute value of uy is, the greater the torsional stiffness
vi) Use the coordinate axes in the given model as a reference

Objectives:
You should consider the following requirements when working on the given chassis:
1) Retrieve the chassis model from StudyNet
2) Present at least 10 different FE models and their results, based upon the following two criteria respectively
(you need to provide 5 models to satisfy each criterion):
a) reduce the weight by reducing the numbers of members of the chassis without decreasing the original
torsional stiffness
b) increase the torsional stiffness of the chassis by maintaining the original weight
3) Compare and discuss all of your models with the existing FE model in terms of stiffness, weight and
function
4) Recommend a model for the chassis with the highest torsional stiffness and lowest weight

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FEA Assignment 1: Task 2 (30%) Flat Plate with a Central Hole
Aim:
To investigate the effect of a hole on stress concentration
Assumption:
Young’s Modulus E = 207000 MPa
Poisson’s Ratio = 0.29
End Load (a concentrated force) P = 10000N
Edge pressure after conversion (10000/3x40) Udl = 83.33 N/mm2

Objectives:
Generate a CAD model of the plate given below and transfer this model to ANSYS
To obtain the stress concentration factor(SCF) on the plate using less than 130 elements
To compare the simulation SCF with that in a datasheet verified by tests

80 t= 3

5.25
P P

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 FEA Assignment 2: (80%)
Finite Element Analysis of an Upright for the 2006 Formula Car
Aim:
This assignment requires to analyse the strength and stiffness of a given upright using an existing FE tool,
ANSYS, to understand how to generate an FE model from an engineering component and to appreciate a
fundamental approach in order to analyse and optimize a given upright in terms of strength and stiffness.

Assumption:
i) The upright model was designed by a student for the 2006 formula car
ii) The upright was fabricated using steel sheet and its dimension is given as a Catia model
iii) The sheet thickness is 2 mm and its material properties are as follows:

Young’s modulus of steel (GPa) 210

Poisson’s ratio 0.29
Density (kg/m3) 7900
Steel properties used for analysis

iv) The applied loading conditions on the upright can be simplified as

a. The first loading case (lateral load transfer)

Ffriction 1.5 704.34 10 x 25.4

Bending Moment 1056.5
1056.5 N 1000
268.4 Nm

b. The second loading case (longitudinal load transfer)

o
where = 31.8
Fpushrod
Fz

Fy
z
Fz 122.17 9.81 sin 31.8 y
631.55 N x
Fy 122.17 9.81 cos 31.8
1018.59 N

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Objectives:
you should consider the following requirements when working on the given upright:
1) Generate an FEA model for the analyses
a. Retrieve the given Catia model from StudyNet
b. Import the model into ANSYS
c. Mesh the model (3D shell element is recommended)
d. Refine the mesh
e. Propose appropriate boundary conditions including restraints and loadings
2) Propose the boundary conditions from the car where the upright was employed
3) Validate the structural stiffness
4) Validate the upright strength
5) Identify the weakness of the upright in both stiffness and strength
6) Recommend dimension and locations of two key reinforcements

A Catia Model of the Upright

The Upright

Final solid model assembly of 2006 front upright

design