FE analysis with beam elements

E. Tarallo, G. Mastinu
POLITECNICO DI MILANO, Dipartimento di Meccanica
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Summary
2
Subjects covered in this tutorial
An introduction to beam elements
A guided example to evaluate a simple structure through
the use of FEM
Comparison analytical vs numerical solutions
Other few exercises (to include in exercises-book)
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Beam element topic
3
The element library in Abaqus contains several types of beam elements
A beam is an element in which assumptions are made so that the problem
is reduced to one dimension mathematically: the primary solution variables
are functions of position along the beam axis only (as bar element)
A beam must be a continuum in which we can define an axis such that the
shortest distance from the axis to any point in the continuum is small
compared to typical lengths along the axis
The simplest approach to beam theory is the classical Euler-Bernoulli
assumption, that plane cross-sections initially normal to the beam's axis
remain plane, normal to the beam axis, and undistorted (called B23, B33)
The beam elements in AbaqusCAE allow transverse shear strain
(Timoshenko beam theory); the cross-section may not necessarily remain
normal to the beam axis. This extension is generally considered useful for
thicker beams, whose shear flexibility may be important (called B21, B22,
B31, B32 and PIPE)
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Beam element shape function
4
Classic mechanical
approach uses 3
rd
order
interpolation function
(elastic line theory)
To follow this theory use
element B23, B33
Beam defined in Abaqus
CAE has linear or
quadratic interpolation
function (element B21,
B22, B31, B32)
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Beam element topic (stiffness matrix)
5
Let us consider an Euler-Bernoulli beam:
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

=
L EJ L EJ L EJ L EJ
L EJ L EJ L EJ L EJ
L EA L AE
L EJ L EJ L EJ L EJ
L EJ L EJ L EJ L EJ
L EA L EA
/ 4 / 6 0 / 2 / 6 0
/ 6 / 12 0 / 6 / 12 0
0 0 / 0 0 /
/ 2 / 6 0 / 4 / 6 0
/ 6 / 12 0 / 6 / 12 0
0 0 / 0 0 /
2 2
2 3 2 3
2 2
2 3 2 3
k
where the stiffness matrix is:
[ ] [ ]
T T
y x y x
y x y x k M F F M F F
2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1


=
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Exercise 1 data problem
6
Geometry: L=1 m;
A=100x100 mm
Material: E=210 GPa;
=0.3
Load: p=1 N/mm
Write the relation of internal load e solve the analytic
problem of the deformed shape of the isostatic beam
EI
L
p L x
L
p
L x
p x v
L x
p M
|
|

\
|
+ +

=
8
) (
6 24
) (
) (
2
) (
4 3 4
2
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Exercise 1 Results (analytic vs numeric)
7
Exact solution:
v
2
=-0.07142mm

2
=-9.52381 e-5 rad
M
1
= 5e5Nmm
F
1Y
=1000N
FEM Results
Comparison btw analytic
solution and FEM results
Note: sensitive variables are
Number of elements
Linear or quadratic order
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Exercise 1 Modeling geometry and
property
8
1
2
3
4
5
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Exercise 2 data problem
9
Geometry: L=1 m;
A=100x100 mm
Material: E=210 GPa;
=0.3
Load: p=1 N/mm
Write the relation of internal load e solve the analytic
problem of the deformed shape of the iperstatic beam
) 2 3 (
48
) (
) (
) (
8
3
2
) (
2
2
x L
EI
x L x
p x v
L x pL
L x
p M

|
|

\
|

=
+

=
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Exercise 2 Results (analytic vs numeric)
10
FEM Results
Comparison btw analytic
solution and FEM results
Note: sensitive variables are
Number of elements
Linear or quadratic order
Exact solution:

2
=-1.1904e-5 rad
F
1
=625N
F
2
=375N
M
1
=1.25e5 Nmm
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11
Excercise 3 - data
Material Property:
E=210GPa
Forces:
F1=-20kN (Z)
F2=30kN(Y)
P=80N/mm(X)
Note:
All the written
dimensions are
500mm
Problem:
Solve the system and
report max
displacement and
max stress
A1
A3
A2
A4
A1 A2
A3
A4
F1
F2
P
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Exercise 3 - results
12
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13
Excercise 4
Compare max stress and displacement of the
structures used in the previous lesson using
beam elements
Geometry: L=1m, H=0.2 m, Section variable
Material: E=206 000 MPa, =0.3 (steel)
Load: P=10 kN
L
H
P