MechEng 4T03 – Finite Element Applications Assignment 2-S2024

ME 4T03 (Spring 2024)

Assignment 2 – Direct Stiffness Method using ANSYS
Due May 24

3 Points
1. For the truss shown below, assume
A = 1 in 2 , E = 10  10 6 psi , L = 100 in ,  = 300 , F = 1000lb .

Figure 1

Use ANSYS Workbench to

(a) Find the horizontal and vertical displacements of node 1.

(b) Determine the stress in each element.

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 MechEng 4T03 – Finite Element Applications Assignment 2-S2024

5 Points
2. Consider the plane truss shown in Figure 2, with five elements and the load P applied
on node 4.

Use ANSYS Workbench and symmetry in your analysis to:

a) Determine the nodal displacements.

b) Determine the reaction forces.
c) Determine the stress in each link element.

All the bars have the same L.

Assume:
𝐿 = 2 𝑚, 𝐴1 = 2 𝑐𝑚2 , 𝐴2 = 𝐴3 = 𝐴4 = 𝐴5 = 1 𝑐𝑚2 , 𝐸1 = 2 𝐺𝑃𝑎 , 𝐸2 = 𝐸3 = 𝐸4 =
𝐸5 = 70 𝐺𝑃𝑎 , 𝑃 = 4000 𝑁

Note: Only consider the right-hand side of the structure (including elements 1, 2, and 3) for
using symmetry in the analysis.

Figure 2

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 MechEng 4T03 – Finite Element Applications Assignment 2-S2024

12 Points
3. Consider the following two designs. Assume all the members have the same cross-
sectional area (A = 5 in2) and modulus of elasticity (E = 2.9e7 psi).

Figure 3

Use ANSYS Workbench to

(a) Find the reaction forces for both designs and compare them and comment on
the results and your comparison.
(b) Find the horizontal and vertical displacements of node 8 for both designs (and
compare the results).
(c) Find the stress in each element (for both designs). Present the results in a table.
(d) Find the member that is subjected to the highest load in each design.

Also, briefly discuss the following questions:

(e) Are there any non-load carrying members in the structure? If yes, identify them,
and briefly explain what could be the purpose of the members that carry no load?
(f) Which design could be more desirable? Why?

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