Beam

Introduction to Finite Element Analysis Lab - MENG555L - Spring 2020

Introduction
A Beam is a 3D structure made from heavy materials usually strong metals such as steel
and is used for: Building construction – bridges – roadways – trams – railcars – buses – etc.

A beam problem is solved to determine:

 Deflection
 Bending stress
 Shear and Moment Diagrams

ANSYS - Mechanical APDL allows to model and simulates beam structures to

investigate its deflection, moments, shear forces, and stresses using beam element. A
Beam element is a Line element used to create a one-dimensional idealization of 3D
structure. 2
 2 out of 15
To solve a Beam problem you must go through these three stages: Defining Element type
Defining geometry of beam section

Material properties

Creating keypoints, then lines

Defining problem
Pre-processor Meshing
Building model
Choosing Analysis Type
B.C. (Loads +
Solution constraints) Defining constraints at keypoints

Solving Solving the Job

Post-processor Analyzing and Plotting def and undef shapes

controlling
Determining the absolute max bending stress

Plotting nodal deflection (3D Element)

Plotting moment and shear diagrams

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 Step-by-step Example! Element edge size 0.3 m
y
E = 250 MPa ; υ = 0.3
x

Q1: Plot the def + undef shapes and nodal deflection showing 3D element.
Q2: Determine the Absolute Maximum Bending Stress.
Q3: Plot Shear and Bending Moments Diagrams.
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Solution
 The given example is a beam system formed of one beam with one
material type (properties) and one cross-section.

The problem requires creating 4 keypoints and 3 lines, then, meshing

the three lines to be transformed into beam elements.

Use keypoint orientation by meshing!

 The beam is fixed at one End and the

loads are: Downward force and
downward pressure on the beam.
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 NOTE

Be careful with the units. Also, don't forget that there

is no UNDO command (Ctrl+z) in ANSYS.

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Solution
1. Open ANSYS Mechanical APDL
2. File – change directory – save the job in the required file

3. Preferences - structural
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 1
Pre-processor
Define the problem, and Model it

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4. Define element types: In the given example, there is 1 type of elements : Beam element.
Preprocessor – Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add
Define one Element: Beam > 2 node 188

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5. Add material properties for the beam: (representing steel)
 Material Props > Material Modals > Structural > Linear > Elastic > Isotropic
EX = Elastic Modulus = 210e9 (Pa)
PRXY = passion ratio = 0.3

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6. Beam Section: In the given example, the beam cross-sectional
area is modeled as follows:
Preprocessor – Sections – Beam – Common Sections
a. W1 represent the width on z-axis and
W2 represents the width on y-axis.

Click on
Preview

Then “OK”

Mass

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7. Create the keypoints: In the given example, we need only 4 keypoints.
The 4 keypoints will be defined as follows:
Preprocessor – Modeling – Create – keypoints – In active CS or On Working Plane.

Node number
Keypoint 1 (0, 0, 0)
Keypoint 2 (3, 0, 0)
Keypoint 3 (4.5,0, 0)
Keypoint 4 (5.5,0, 0)
+
Keypoint 5 (0, 1, 0)
For orientation on y-aXIS!

Abscissa Ordinate
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8. Create Lines: we need only 3 straight lines.
Preprocessor – Modeling – Create – Lines – Lines - Straight Lines.
Then start creating each line by clicking on one keypoint then the next one and pressing “apply”

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9. Transform lines into elements by MESHING
The element attribute should be used to assign each real constant for
each element. Create the elements as follows:

 Element Attributes (Lines): Select Lines – Set – Choose Lines by:

- pick Lines 1, 2 and 3, then click “OK”

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9. Transform lines into elements by MESHING
The element attribute should be used to assign each real constant for each element.
Create the elements as follows:

 Mark the check box (Pick Orientation Key Point), then click “OK” + SELECT Keypoint 5 then “Ok”

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9. Transform lines into elements by MESHING
The element attribute should be used to assign each real constant for each
element. Create the elements as follows:
 Element Attributes (Lines): Select Lines – Set – Choose Lines by:
- pick Lines 1, 2 and 3, then click “OK”
 Size Controls (Lines): Lines – Set – Choose Lines by:
- pick Lines 1, 2 and 3, then click “OK”

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9. Transform lines into elements by MESHING
The element attribute should be used to assign each real constant for
each element. Create the elements as follows:

 Element Attributes (Lines): Select Lines – Set – Choose Lines by:

- pick Lines 1, 2 and 3, then click “OK”
 Size Controls (Lines): Lines – Set – Choose Lines by:
- pick Lines 1, 2 and 3, then click “OK”
 Mesh (Lines): Select Lines – Mesh – Choose Lines by:
- pick Lines 1, 2 and 3, then click “OK”

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 2
Solution
Define Loads, then Solve

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10. Define analysis type
9 out of 15
To define the analysis type:
Step 1: Solution – Analysis type – New analysis then choose static.

10. Plot the key points to add the forces and pressure!
Step 2: Plot > Keypoints > Keypoints.
 Solution
11. Define boundary conditions
10 out of 15
 Keypoint 1 is fixed, so all DOF should be constrained
Boundary conditions are defined as follows:
Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement – On Keypoints.
Pick Keypoint 1, then ‘’All DOF’’ and click “OK”

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 Solution
11. Define boundary conditions
10 out of 15
 Keypoint 1 is fixed, so all DOF should be
constrained
Boundary conditions are defined as follows:
Solution – Define Loads – Apply –
Structural – Displacement – On Keypoints.
Pick Keypoint 1, then ‘’All DOF’’ and click
“OK”

 Keypoint 3 is subjected to a downward

force on Y-axis
Boundary conditions are defined as follows:
Solution – Define Loads – Apply –
Structural – Force/Moment – On keypoints.
Pick keypoint 3, then “FY = -50000 N ”,
and click “OK”

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 Solution
11. Define boundary conditions
 Keypoint 1 is fixed, so all DOF should be constrained
Boundary conditions are defined as follows:
Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement –
On Keypoints.
Pick Keypoint 1, then ‘’All DOF’’ and click “OK”

 Keypoint 3 is subjected to a downward force on Y-axis

Boundary conditions are defined as follows:
Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Force/Moment
– On keypoints.
Pick keypoint 3, then “FY = -50000 N ”, and click “OK”

 Line 1 (Beam) is subjected to a downward distributed

loading (pressure). On Y-axis.
Boundary conditions are defined as follows:
Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Pressure - On
Beams – Load Key 1 (for loads on y-axis)
Pick elements covering line 1, then “20000 N/m” at node I and
click “OK” 22
Boundary Conditions Displacement, Force and Pressure

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 Solution 11 out of 15
12. Solve the job

Solution – Solve – Current LS

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 3
Postprocessor
Analysis and Results

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 12 out of 15
13. Plot 3D Shape of Beam
PlotCtrls > Style > Size and Shape > Display of Element > On > Ok.

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 12 out of 15
13. Plot 3D Shape of Beam

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 12 out of 15
14. Plot Deformed and Un-deformed Shapes using 3D

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 Solution 14 out of 15
15. Plot Vector Plot of Y-deflection

General postprocessor – Plot Results – Vector Plot

– Predefined – DOF Solution – Translation U – Ok.

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 Solution 14 out of 15
16. List Y-axis displacement (deflection)

General postprocessor – List Results – Nodal Solution - Y component of displacement – Ok

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 Solution 14 out of 15
17. Plot Y-axis displacement (deflection)

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 13 out of 15
18. Moment and Shear Diagrams
Here, we need to define tables for Nodes I and J

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 13 out of 15
18. Moment and Shear Diagrams

• For Moment on node I: by sequence num > SMISC > write the number: 2
• For Moment on node J: by sequence num > SMISC > write the number: 15

• For Force on node I: by sequence num > SMISC > write the number: 5
• For Force on node J: by sequence num > SMISC > write the number: 18

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 13 out of 15
18. Moment and Shear Diagrams

Moment Diagram

Shear Force Diagram

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 Solution 14 out of 15
19. Plot Von-Mises Stresses.

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Prepare your questions to ask the instructor
during the online class session.

Stay Safe!36