2 05-Beam

Module 5
Beam Modeling
5. Beam Modeling
They are computationally more efficient than solids and

shells and are heavily used in several industries:
Building construction
Bridges and roadways
People movers (trams,

railcars, buses)
Etc.
INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2
Beam elements are line elements used to create a onedimensional idealization of a 3-D structure.
Training Manual
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...Beam Modeling
Training Manual
A. Beam Properties
B. Beam Meshing
C. Loading, Solution, Results
D. Workshop
In this chapter, we will present a brief introduction to beam

modeling via the following topics:
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Beam Modeling
A. Beam Properties
Training Manual
Then define the following beam properties:

Element type
Cross section
Material
The first step in beam modeling, as with any analysis, is to

create the geometry usually just a framework of keypoints
and lines.
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Properties
Training Manual
Choose one of the following types:

BEAM188 3-D, linear (2-node)
BEAM189 3-D, quadratic (3-node)
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
Ability to include multiple materials to simulate layered
materials, composites, reinforced sections, etc.
Ability to create user defined section geometry
Easy to use, both in preprocessing and postprocessing phases
Element Type
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Properties
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 > 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
a different section ID number (and an
optional name) for each.
Cross Section
Training Manual
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Properties
Training Manual
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 15 of the ANSYS

Structural Analysis Guide for
more information.
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Properties
Training Manual
Both linear and nonlinear material properties are allowed.
After all beam properties are defined, the next step is to mesh
the geometry with beam elements.
Material Properties
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Beam Modeling
B. Beam Meshing
Assign line attributes

Specify line divisions
Generate the mesh
The MeshTool provides a convenient way to

perform all three steps.
Meshing the geometry (lines) with beam elements

involves three main steps:
Training Manual
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
Training Manual
Line attributes for beam meshing consist of:

Material number
Section ID
Orientation keypoint
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.
Step 1: Line Attributes
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
Examples of using orientation keypoints:
Training Manual
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
Training Manual
Pick lines
Additional
attributes for
BEAM188 & 189
To assign line attributes, use the Element Attributes

section of the MeshTool (or select desired lines and use the
LATT command).
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
Training Manual
For BEAM188 and 189 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.
Step 2: Line Divisions
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
First save the database (Toolbar > SAVE_DB or SAVE
command).
Then press the Mesh button in the MeshTool (or issue
LMESH,ALL) to generate the mesh.
Pick lines
Step 3: Generate the Mesh
Training Manual
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Style > Size and Shape
Or /ESHAPE,1
To see the cross-section shape in the element display,

activate the element shape key:
Training Manual
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Beam Modeling
...Beam Meshing
Training Manual
After beam meshing is completed, the next step is to apply

loads and solve.
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Beam Modeling
C. Loading, Solution, Results

Displacement constraints
applied at keypoints or nodes

Forces
applied at keypoints or nodes
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
Typical loading for beam models consists of:
Training Manual
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Beam Modeling
...Loading, Solution, Results
Training Manual
First save the database.
Then solve. (Or write the loads to a load step file and solve all
load steps later.)
Results review is the same as for other stress analyses:

View the deformed shape
Check reaction forces

Plot stresses and strains
The main advantage of BEAM188 and 189 is that with the
element shape key activated (/ESHAPE,1), stresses can be
directly viewed on the elements (similar to solids and shells).
To obtain the solution:
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Beam Modeling
...Loading, Solution, Results

Demo:
Training Manual
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
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 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), reaction forces, SX stresses
(= axial + bending). Select elements with section ID=3 and replot stresses. Repeat
for ID=2.
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Beam Modeling
D. Workshop
Training Manual
W4. Building Frame
Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.
This workshop consists of the following problem:
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2 05-Beam

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Module 5

They are computationally more efficient than solids and

People movers (trams,

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

In this chapter, we will present a brief introduction to beam

October 30, 2001

Then define the following beam properties:

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

The first step in beam modeling, as with any analysis, is to

October 30, 2001

Choose one of the following types:

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

October 30, 2001

A sample preview (SECPLOT) of an I-beam cross section is shown

In addition to the predefined cross-section shapes, ANSYS allows

You can save user-defined

See Chapter 15 of the ANSYS

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

October 30, 2001

Both linear and nonlinear material properties are allowed.

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

October 30, 2001

Assign line attributes

The MeshTool provides a convenient way to

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Meshing the geometry (lines) with beam elements

October 30, 2001

Line attributes for beam meshing consist of:

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Step 1: Line Attributes

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Examples of using orientation keypoints:

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

To assign line attributes, use the Element Attributes

October 30, 2001

For BEAM188 and 189 elements, a single element spanning

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Step 2: Line Divisions

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Step 3: Generate the Mesh

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

To see the cross-section shape in the element display,

October 30, 2001

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

After beam meshing is completed, the next step is to apply

October 30, 2001

C. Loading, Solution, Results

applied at keypoints or nodes

load per unit length

Gravity or rotational velocity

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Typical loading for beam models consists of:

October 30, 2001

...Loading, Solution, Results

First save the database.