MEGN 424:

Computer Aided Engineering

LAB 6 - 2D Truss Analysis with

SolidWorks Simulation and Mathcad

Slide1
 Finite Element Analysis Process
1. Create a CAD model (completed in THW 3)
2. Configure and run an FEA study
3. Validate and understand the results

Slide2
 Define Problem and Create Model
1. Create a CAD model (Completed in THW 3)
a. Define the problem to be studied
b. Specify units
c. Build a CAD model (in SolidWorks)

Slide3
 2D Truss Structure FEA
3: (0,36) 2 2: (48,36)

750
3
y
1

x
1: (0,0)

Figure 1: A Simple 2D Truss Structure Figure 2: Weldment profile cross-

(dimensions shown in inches) Section (dimensions in inches)

This system has three truss elements with the geometry shown.
The three truss elements have a hollow rectangular x-sectional area of 2.089
in2 and wall thickness 0.25 in (shown on the right above).
Use 1060 Aluminum alloy material
The distance and coordinate units are inches.
The x-translation is fixed at node 1, and the x- and y-translations are fixed at
node 3.
The pin at node 2 is subject to an applied downward vertical force of 750 lbf.

Slide4
 CAD model from THW 3
Open SolidWorks (SW), then open YI Truss LAB6.sldprt
from c:\scratch\yourinitials

Slide5
 Configure and run FEA

2. Configure and run an FEA study

a. Choose a study type
b. Specify units
c. Define a mesh type
d. Define material
e. Define joints for a beam or truss study
f. Apply restraints
g. Apply loads/pressures
h. Define contact sets
i. Set meshing options
j. Mesh the part or assembly
k. Run the analysis
l. Create displays of results
Slide6
 Adding SolidWorks Simulation
If Soildworks Simulation is already added, skip the next step.
Open Tools>Add-Ins, Check SolidWorks Simulation,
Select OK. You should see Simulation as a new tab in the
menu bar.

Slide7
 Adding SolidWorks Simulation
Activate the Simulation tab near the top of the viewing
area.

Select Simulation (or Study Advisor) > New Study >

Static.

Name the study LAB6 your initials.

The software creates the study in the Simulation study tree.

Set the units in Simulation>Options>Default Options

tab to IPS units.

Slide8
 Check Results Folders

After saving the

file in
c:\scratch\your
initials
Simulation>
choose the
Options
SolidWorks
document
folder.
It will
automatically
use c:\scratch\
your initials
Slide9
 Check Reports Folders

Simulation>
Options

Select the
report folder.
It will
automatically
use
c:\scratch\your
initials Slide10
Check Results Folder location
in the FEA Study

This should happen automatically

Slide11
 Configure Truss Elements

Select the structural

members, Right Click
Edit Definition
Choose Truss and OK

Slide12
 Configure Apply Material

Right click, Apply Aluminum:

1060 Alloy material to all
bodies

Slide13
 Define joints
2. Configure and run an FEA study
a. Choose a study type
b. Specify units
c. Define a mesh type
d. Define material
e. Define joints for a beam or truss study
f. Apply restraints
g. Apply loads/pressures
h. Define contact sets
i. Set meshing options
j. Mesh the part or assembly
k. Run the analysis
l. Create displays of results
Slide14
Define the Joints (nodes)

Right click Joint Group

Slide15
 Apply Restraints

2. Configure and run an FEA study

a. Choose a study type
b. Specify units
c. Define a mesh type
d. Define material
e. Define joints for a beam or truss study
f. Apply restraints
g. Apply loads/pressures
h. Define contact sets
i. Set meshing options
j. Mesh the part or assembly
k. Run the analysis
l. Create displays of results
Slide16
 Apply Restraints (Fixtures)
3: (0,36) 2 2: (48,36)

750
3
y
1

1: (0,0)

Figure 1: A Simple 2D Truss System

(dimensions shown in inches)

Slide17
Apply z-Restraints to prevent rigid body motion
Select type: reference geom. (Fixtures)

zero translation to Front (z) Plane

Slide18
Apply x,y-Restraint to upper left Joint
Immovable Fixture = all translations fixed

Slide19
Apply x-Restraint to lower left Joint

Slide20
Check Restraints (Fixtures: Show All)
3: (0,36) 2 2: (48,36)

750
3
y
1

1: (0,0)

Figure 1: A Simple 2D Truss System

(dimensions shown in inches)

Slide21
 Apply loads

2. Configure and run an FEA study

a. Choose a study type
b. Specify units
c. Define a mesh type
d. Define material
e. Define joints for a beam or truss study
f. Apply restraints
g. Apply loads
h. Define contact sets
i. Set meshing options
j. Mesh the part or assembly
k. Run the analysis
l. Create displays of results
Slide22
Apply Load

Slide23
 Run and display results
2. Configure and run an FEA study
a. Choose a study type
b. Specify units
c. Define a mesh type
d. Define material
e. Define joints for a beam or truss study
f. Apply restraints
g. Apply loads/pressures
h. Run the analysis
i. Create displays of results

Slide24
 Axial Stress Plot with probe values

Paste a screen shot of this plot into a MS Word document. See the following
slides for further LAB submission information.
Slide25
 Verify and understand the results

3. Verify and understand the results

a. Use Mechanics of Materials (MOM)
fundamentals calculations to approximate
results
b. Verify the results
c. Understand the results
d. Assess the safety of the design
e. Report the results

Slide26
 Draw a free body diagram
1. Do it on scratch paper. You dont have to submit it.
2. Choose either compression or tension for each member.
3. Draw the force arrows at the end of each member for either tension or
compression.
4. Draw the reaction force arrows at each joint to be equal and opposite from
the force arrows at each end of the members.
5. Add symbols, dimensions, and force values.

F = -750 lbf
3: (0,36) 2 2: (48,36)
3 (0, 36) F2
2 (48,36)

750
3
y
F3 F1
1

x
1: (0,0)
1 (0,0)

Slide27
 Determine Forces
in a Mathcad worksheet
Determine R3y from the overall truss FBD
Fy = 0
Fy
R3y :== F0 R3y = 750 lbf

:= :=
Determine the internal
FR33y force
R3yF = 750 = 750
F3lbfin member
R3ytension 3 lbf
using the method
of joints: R3y 3
F3 := R3y = 750 lbf tension
F3
Determine internal forces F1 & F2 using the method of joints
applied to node 2: F = -750 lbf
F1
F
= F1 :=
5 3
F = 1.25 10 lbf F2
compression 2
3 5 3
3

4
F2 F1 4 3
F2 := F1 = 1 10 lbf F1
= 5 tension
4 5
Slide28
 Determine Stresses
in a Mathcad worksheet

A = 2.089 in2

- F1
1 := 1 = -598.372 psi Compressive stress
A
F2
2 := 2 = 478.698 psi Tensile stress
A
F3
3 := 3 = 359.023 psi Tensile stress
A

Slide29
 Submit for LAB 6
1. MS Word file with:
2. Usual header.
3. Screen shot of SWS Axial Stress plot with 3 probe
values.
4. Screen shot of your mathcad worksheet that calculates
the element internal forces and axial stresses.
5. A comparison of the SWS and Mathcad results.

Create a pdf from the MS Word document named

Lname_Fname_LAB6.pdf and submit on Blackboard.

Slide30