FEA LAB REPORT 1

MUHAMMAD AHMED KHAN

243204
ME-10 B
Introduction
The problem includes a brief analysis on a pre-modeled 3D wrench design using COMSOL analysis, the
part is pre-designed and imported into the COMSOL analysis from the application library. Brief stress
analysis is then carried out to determine the von-mises, principal stresses along with deformation in the
part upon application of constraints and loads.

Finite Element Model Development

A spanner/wrench geometry has been used for a brief stress analysis in this study. The geometry type is
3D which has been imported as a pre-modeled part from the COMSOL.

3D geometry was chosen to study this particular problem as the fixed face and the force in the study
were not being applied in the same plane. Also, the 3d geometry generates stresses due to these non-
coplanar constraints which can only be observed in 3d geometry physics.

A boundary fixture constraint has been applied to the posterior flat round surface away from the
wrench. The bolt and wrench are assumed to be in perfect contact.

A boundary load of magnitude 150kN has been applied on one of the wrench’s surface as shown in the
figure in downwards direction.
Mesh has been generated using the default physics-controlled triangular mesh with finer element size.

Results
The deformation in wrench under applied conditions has been studied and can be visualized in the
following figure. The figure shows that the maximum deformation is under 0.2%.
 Figure 1: First Principal Strain Deformation

Discussion
Deformations/strains have been discussed and plotted in order to visualize the deformation part is going
through. However, it was observed that the maximum deformation which occurred was under 0.2% of
the initial configuration.

Deformation scale depicts that the wrench undergoes minimal deformation when subjected to the
applied conditions.

Stress Concentration: An important phenomenon to be noticed is that of stress concentration. We

observed stress being concentrated near the fixed end of the wrench specially near the edges binding
the bar with the ends. Edges mostly are the stress concentrators in most of the loading conditions.

However, this can be minimized by increasing the fillet radius at the edges and modifying the overall
design of the wrench. Similarly, for more detailed design analysis, studies can be performed using other
boundary conditions and loadings.

Activity 2: In-Plane and Space Truss

Introduction:
The first part of this activity solved a simple 2D problem by creating a 2D truss
model and solving it via 2D truss interface. The second part analyzes a 3D truss
through the 3D truss interface. The deformation and forces are calculated
(approximated) in the structure and compared to the reference analytical values
given.
Finite Element Model Development:
Geometry 1:

Geometry of the Truss

The above figure shows the geometry of the truss made by a square pivoted 45
degrees. A 2D geometry is utilized for the initial segment of the activity. Each of
the five members from the truss have similar cross-sectional area, length of side,
and Elastic modulus. The bars of truss have roundabout cross-sectional region
with radius of 0.05m.
Geometry 2:
The geometry shown below has another square rotated 90 around the vertical
axis to generate a cube with one space diagonal. The central bar in this case is
given twice the area of other members to create a space truss with the same
symmetry as the 2D geometry and twice the vertical stiffness.
3D Geometry of the Truss
Applied Constraints and Loadings:
Displacement in the two directions is compelled in the first (2D) part of the
activity. Points 1 and 4 are obliged in the 2D calculation. In the 3D geometry 2
new point imperatives are added and a sum of four points are constrained.

2D constraints
3D constraints
The point load of 50 kN is applied on the 2D geometry in the negative y direction
while the load is doubled to 100 kN in the 3D case. This doubling enables us to get
the same displacements for both geometries.

2D loading

3D loading
Material:
The material used for both the parts is Aluminum with the Young’s Modulus of 70
GPa and poison’s ratio of 0.3.
Results:
Force 2D Truss:

Stress 2D Truss:

Displacement 2D:
 Displacement field, Y component (m), Displacement field, Y component (m),
Point: 2 Point: 3
-5.1447E-4 -2.1310E-4

Axial Force 2D:

Axial force, member ac Axial force, member ad Axial force, member cd
(N) (N) (N)
-10355 25000 14645

Force 3D Truss:

Stress 3D Truss:
Displacement 3D:
Displacement field, Y component (m), Displacement field, Y component (m),
Point: 2 Point: 5
-5.1447E-4 -2.1310E-4

Axial Force 3D:

Axial force, member ac (N) Axial force, member ad (N) F_cd/2 (N)
-10355 25000 14645

Discussion (2D Truss):

• The maximum stress is 1.2×107.
• The minimum value of stress is 0.4×107.
• We have observed that two pinned edges whose displacement was
constrained are subjected to higher stress and thus these edges are liable
to deformations.
• As we have applied nonlocal average coupling operator hence, we observe
same axial stress throughout the truss member.
 • Displacement is observed in downward direction because lower end point c
is free.
• We have observed the axial stresses being produced in the body when it is
subjected to the external force. Thus, we can get an idea of the maximum
stress which truss can endure with permanent deformation.
• The results are same as the real-world problem when truss is subjected to
the stress. Thus, they are making physical sense because it yields results as
we anticipated from our mathematical calculations.
Discussion (3D Truss):
• The force varies from maximum value of 2.93×104 to minimum value of
1.04×104.
• The value of stress varies from maximum value 1.2×107of to minimum
value of 0.4×107.
• In this case we have observed that points which were pinned experienced
higher stress and hence these are the regions which are liable to
deformation upon application of the force.
• As we have applied nonlocal average coupling operator hence, we observe
same axial stress throughout the truss member.
• Displacement is observed in downward direction because lower end point c
is free.
• We have observed the axial stresses being produced in the body when it is
subjected to the external force. Thus, we can get an idea of the maximum
stress which truss can endure with permanent deformation.
• The results are same as the real-world problem when truss is subjected to
the stress. Thus, they are making physical sense because it yields results as
we anticipated from our mathematical calculations.