GEM 425E FEA of Marine Structures
Beam Analysis in ANSYS Workbench
M. Erden Yildizdag
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Problem Definition
Let’s consider the beam shown below. The beam has a cross section of width
w and height h. Let ℓ = 1 m, w = 0.02 m, h = 0.05, and q = 1000 N/m.
Plot shear force and bending moment diagrams and determine the maximum
normal stress. Assume that the beam is made of stainless stain of Young’s
modulus 200 GPa and Poisson’s ratio 0.3.
q
M = qℓ2
h
ℓ ℓ w
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Project Schematic
We use Static Structural module in ANSYS Workbench to model and analyze
elastostatics problems.
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Engineering Data
In Engineering Data section, we define the material properties. As we have an
isotropic linearly-elastic material, we only define Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s
Ratio. The default material is stainless steel.
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Geometry
In Geometry section, the geometry of the problem is prepared for finite element
analysis. Here, you have two options:
Import the geometry from a CAD software (like Autocad, Solidworks,
etc.);
Prepare the geometry by using CAD tools provided in Workbench
(SpaceClaim or Design Modeler, or Discovery in newer versions of
Workbench).
Design Modeler is the oldest CAD tool in Workbench and it has been utilized
for this example. Other options (Discovery or SpaceClaim) are welcome to use
as well.
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Geometry
In Design Modeler, X-Y plane is used to define the geometry with the following
steps:
Setup the grid accordingly from Settings in Sketching.
Using Draw in Sketching, draw two lines (one from 0 to ℓ, and one from ℓ
to 2ℓ). This allows us to apply the distributed load easily later in FEA.
Go to Concept and choose Lines from Sketches, select your sketch as the
Base Object and Apply.
Choose the object created in Tree Outline and Generate.
Assign a Rectangular Cross Section from Concept, and define its width
and height.
Go to Line Body created at the end of Tree Outline and assign the cross
section.
Go to View and activate Cross Section Solids to check the orientation of
the cross section. This step is important! If the orientation is wrong, go
back and edit the dimensions of the cross section.
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Geometry
When the geometry of the problem is ready, close Design Modeler and move to
Model.
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Model – Mesh
To define a mesh, you have multiple options. In this problem, Sizing option is
useful to control the number of division of each line in the geometry. Or, you
can define the length of each element.
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Model – Boundary Conditions
Next, supports and loads are defined. Pay attention that the problem is 3-D by
default, which requires careful handling of displacement and rotation degrees of
freedom at the supports.
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Model – Solution
Finally, in Solution, define required post processing options (total deformation,
diagrams, stresses, force reactions, etc.) and perform the analysis.
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Model – Shear force and bending moment diagrams
Specifically for this problem, to get the shear force and bending moment dia-
grams, you must define a path. Go to Model and insert Construction Geometry
and define a path by using Edge as Path Type (select the lines and apply).
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Model – Shear force and bending moment diagrams
The shear force and bending diagrams are plotted using the specified path.
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