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Ansys Lab1 PDF
Ansys Lab1 PDF
Ansys Lab1 PDF
Lab#1
Introduction to ANSYS Finite Element Analysis
By C. Daley
Overview
ANSYS is a general purpose program, capable of numerical simulation of a variety of physical
problems. The types of problems include solid mechanics, thermal, electromagnetic and fluid
dynamics. The focus in this introduction will be on solid mechanics and structural behavior. We
will be demonstrating with the release 13.0.
ANSYS has existed as a program for many years (decades). However, it has been updated
significantly over the years, and is now very much more advanced in capability. The user
interface is a modern GUI that looks similar to many CAD packages. ANSYS includes a master
program called Workbench, that lets the user set up a project and keep all aspects of the
simulation together and connected. From Workbench the user opens various pre- and post-
processors that allow the user to describe the problem, specify the type and aspects of the
simulation and review the results. ANSYS is like a physical laboratory, where experiments can
be constructed, tested and measured.
In this first example we will model a simple steel cantilever, to see how the simple structure
responds to load. The problem is sketched below.
It is likely that the ANSYS results will be close to these, but not exactly the same. The % error
will depend on the assumptions, but differences of say +- 10% would not be unusual. ANSYS
considers effects that are not in the analytical calculation, such as shear deformation, and
includes various numerical approximations. It is an essential part of engineering analysis and
design to cross check results and compare assumptions.
The Workbench user interface, with a Static Structural analysis set selected.
5) Select the rectangle tool and sketch a rectangle, taller than wide (you may
click the LOOK AT icon );
(a) (b)
This will start the ANSYS Mechanical program, to setup the actual finite element
model.
3) First we will set the support conditions at the base of the cantilever.
5003 Lab#1: Introduction to ANSYS, page 8
You will need to bring the back of the bar into view. You can use these tools.
Rotate, pan, zoom smooth, zoom select and zoom all:
With the face that you want to fix in view, you need to insert a fixed support. To do this
right-click on the Static Structural component in the left hand Outline window. This will
open a sub menu. Move the mouse over Insert and a 2nd submenu opens. Select Fixed
Support (see below).
Make sure the face select option is on (in the menu bar at the top of the screen):
Now when you move the mouse over model in the main window, various faces will be
temporarily selected. Select the slender end face of the bar. The face will turn green. You
are not done yet. You need to click the Apply button on the lower left to confirm that you
want fixity applied to the selected face.
4) Next we add the 18kN force to the free end of the bar. Again right click on Static
Structural in the Outline tree, select Insert, Force.
5) There should be no question marks left in the Outline Tree, with some lightning bolts (see
below). You can solve the model now, but first we will specify what information we want
to plot (this could also be done after solution).
8) When you select the Equivalent Stress under Solution in the tree, the von-Mises
equivalent stresses will be plotted on the deformed shape. The max stress is 3.8788e8,
which is in Pa. This is 388 MPa, reasonably close to our simple estimate of 400MPa. If
you click on Total Deformation, it shows a max value of .0109, or 10.9 mm, compared
with our estimate of 10 mm. These values are reasonably close to the simple analytical
estimates. Which value do you think is more correct?
9) Examine the equivalent stress plot (next page). There are very localized stresses at the tip
under the load. Are these correct? The pattern of stresses near the base of the cantilever
look slightly odd. What looks odd? Why?
For each of these exercises, modify the model that you have developed above to explore
the model behavior and answer the questions given. Show the instructor your results and
make sure that it is recorded that you have completed the exercises.
Exercise #1 Refine the mesh. The default mesh results in only 3 bricks across the
180mm web. So the elements are about 60x60x10mm. Set the mesh size to 20mm and
compare the results. Do this by inserting a sizing control in the mesh part of the project.
Ex#1
Initials of Instructor
_________
brick
shell
Ex#2
Initials of Instructor
_________