Lab Assignment 2

Introduction to Patran
EAE 133 A02 - Finite Element Methods in Structures
Professor: .
TA: .
Student: .
Lab Section A02, Oct 7, 2024
Introduction
The purpose of Lab 2 is to analyze the empennage of an aircraft when certain loads are applied,
which is seen in Figure 1. By simulating the loads with a linear static solution type, the nodal
displacements and axial stresses can be calculated. Then, the results of the simulation can be
analyzed.

Figure 1: Plane empennage (from Lab 2 Statement)

Procedure
One of the first steps of this lab is to use the coordinate system provided in the lab statement to
find the coordinates of each node. This report opted to first use trigonometry to find the
dimensions but verified by modeling the geometry in SolidWorks to find all dimensions, as seen
in Figure 2.
 Figure 2: Sketch of Geometry in SolidWorks with curves and nodes

Figure 3: Sketch of Geometry in SolidWorks oriented to coordinate system

 Point (see Figure 2) X-dimension (inches) Y-dimension (inches)

1 -36.75 17.00

2 -12.00 2.00

3 -16.05 2.00

4 0.00 17.00

5 0.00 0.00
Table 1: Positions of Points 1-5

Before moving on to future steps, it is also wise to find the components of the loads in the
coordinate system. This was done using trigonometry:

Figures 4-6: 100 lb load, 80 lb load, and 275 lb load respectively

100 lb load:
𝑜
𝑃𝑥 = + 100 sin 15 ≈ 25. 88 𝑙𝑏𝑓
𝑜
𝑃𝑦 = − 100 cos 15 ≈− 96. 59 𝑙𝑏𝑓

80 lb load:
𝑜
𝑃𝑥 = + 80 sin 15 ≈ 20. 71 𝑙𝑏𝑓
𝑜
𝑃𝑦 = − 80 cos 15 ≈− 77. 27 𝑙𝑏𝑓

275 lb load:
𝑃𝑥 =− 275 𝑙𝑏𝑓
𝑃𝑦 = 0 𝑙𝑏𝑓

Load Name X-component (lbf) Y-component (lbf)

Load_100lb 25.88 -96.59

Load_275lb -275.00 0.00

Load_80lb 20.71 -77.27

Table 2 - Load components in the coordinate system

With the geometry complete, create the points in Patran using the data from Table 1. Then,
connect the points using curves (this report uses Curve IDs seen in Figure 2). Next, move on to
properties, define a new isotropic material called steel (based on the elastic modulus and yield
strength, the material is likely steel), and input the properties seen in Table 3. Create a new 1D
rod property set, adding the material and the cross-sectional area seen in Table 3.

Measurement Name Value Unit

Elastic Modulus 29. 5 × 10

6 psi

Yield Strength 3. 4 × 10
4 psi

Poisson’s Ratio 0.29 N/A

Cross-sectional Area 1.0 in2

Table 3: Material properties and cross-sectional area of structure

Now, define the loads and boundary conditions. Create a displacement for nodes 4 & 5, which
are pin joints, which means that there should be no translation in any axes. Create three different
loads using the data seen in Table 2. Create a load case including all three loads and one set of
pin joints.

Now, mesh the geometry. Create a mesh seed with no subdivisions and include all curves, one by
one. Then create the mesh with default properties, and make an equivalence to remove redundant
nodes. Finally, analyze the model using a linear static solution type, and the load case created
previously. View the results in the results tab.
Results

Figure 7: Display of the deflection with the color gradient describing von Mises stress along the
elements;
Blue-Undeformed Structure;
Gradient-Deformed structure with stress gradient

Table 4: Displacement Vectors (inches)

Node ID X Y Z

1 − 4. 76 × 10
−4
− 1. 39 × 10
−3 0.00

2 7. 60 × 10
−5
− 2. 01 × 10
−4 0.00

3 − 2. 08 × 10
−4
− 3. 32 × 10
−4 0.00

4 0.00 0.00 0.00

5 0.00 0.00 0.00

Curve ID Stress (psi)

1 − 1. 41 × 10
2

2 − 1. 00 × 10
2

3 3. 82 × 10
2

4 0.00
 5 − 2. 62 × 10
2

6 1. 68 × 10
2

7 3. 82 × 10
2

Conclusion

The highest displacement is at node 1, which is reasonable considering it’s the farthest from any
joints. The highest axial stress on a member is on Curve 3 and 7. The stress on Curve 3 is a bit
higher than Curve 7, 381.9 psi compared to 381.7 psi. Curve 4 also has no internal stresses,
which is reasonable to assume since both ends of the member have no degrees of freedom. The
maximum stress is much less than yield strength of the material (34,000 psi) with a factor of
safety of 89. The rods could technically be made thinner to decrease weight and still have an
F.O.S. greater than 1.5. I would note the deflection though, as decreasing rod diameter might
deflect the empennage out of tolerance.