Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this lesson you will be able to:
Build 4 different models and extract moment results using various techniques.
Assess what effect the mesh density has on the numerical accuracy of the results.
Use the Graph (including integrals), Peek and Result Settings tools for extracting results.
Introduction
This example is designed to illustrate the ways of extracting moment results for various element
types. Typically the type of element used will be assessed depending on its ability to capture the
behaviour of the structure. It may be possible to use more than one element type. The decision to
use one over another, can be based on not only its ability to capture the structures behaviour, but
also the results calculated by the element.
Consider the following application. Stiffened plates are common in all types of engineering design
and examples include concrete slabs with beam stiffeners and aluminium aircraft structures that
comprise a thin skin stiffened by stringers. Consider modelling the aluminium structure as shown
in the figure:
Modelling using only brick elements: This will give a good
representation of the structure and good results for the deflections
and stresses. However, in the case of modelling a large structure,
the model size will become prohibitively large for a fast solution
time. A coarse mesh density requires at least 2 brick elements
through the depth in order to capture the bending behaviour.
Stress results will require further refinement and a stress
convergence check should be performed.
Modelling using only plate elements: This can give good results for the stresses and
deflections similar to the brick only approach with a quicker solver time. The advantage over a
plate/beam model is that local buckling can be investigated in both the plate and stiffeners. Again
a stress/moment convergence check should be performed to ensure that the results are
satisfactory.
Modelling using plate/beam elements: This approach will solve quicker in that beam elements
are used for the stiffeners with plate elements used for the panels. The beam must be offset from
the panel either by using the offset attribute sharing a common node line or having a separate
beam node line connected via a rigid link to the midplane node of the plate.
Problem Description
This example demonstrates the three different ways of modelling a T section, using beams-only, a
combination of beams and plates and bricks-only. Probably the most practical way to model
stiffened plates in the majority of situations is to use a combination of beam and plate elements,
either offsetting the beam or the plates from a common node line.
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Properties:
E = 10 MPa
=0
Extruding a node 10 m to create a single beam element. Hint: for consistency work in the
global XY Plane.
Run the Linear Static solver. Calculate both Node Reactions and Beam
Force/Stress.
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Extrude a node into a beam which is then extruded into plates to make the top web section.
Subdivide the plate in 2 across the width to create a centre node line.
Extrude a node along the centre node line to create the beam stiffener section.
Subdivide to an appropriate mesh density. Remember to subdivide both plates and beams
together to maintain mesh compatibility. The mesh density should be chosen such that plate
elements maintain an aspect ratio of near 1.
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Notice that the beam lies in the plane of the plate (that is the beams have no offset). Using this
configuration the deflection of the T-section is incorrect and needs to be offset.
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A node force of 1000 N at the centre line node can be used as the load condition. Alternatively
an edge shear stress (P = F / A) could also be used.
Run the Linear Static solver. Calculate Node Reactions, Beam Force/Stress and Plate
Stress.
Note: the total deflection is slightly different to the beam result. What do you think is the
explanation?
Unlike the beam-only approach, the moment extraction is not available as one simple report. The
moment result is not simply just extracted from the beam element. In this composite model, both
the beam and the plate elements carry the moment since the finite element model must be in
equilibrium with the applied loads. Put simply the sum of the forces and moments at any position
along the structure must equal the forces and moments due to the externally applied loads.
Consider the forces acting on the elements at any section through
the beam:
The sum of the moments is taken about the midplane of the plate
(through AA). This removes the plate axial force from the
calculation.
(Fb * Offset) = 6705.918 * 0.25 = 1676.4795 Nm (Hint: use Results/Peek to find the axial force
at the beam element).
Mb = 306.582 Nm (Remember in the previous model the total moment from the beam was
2500 Nm).
The plate moment Mp can be recovered using the Graph function. Remember moment results are
per unit width for plate elements. Recover the moment by:
Select Results/Results Settings and contour Plate moment in the axial direction of the T
section (Global XX in the sample model).
Set the Displacement Scale to 0. Select Entity Display and for Draw as.. select Surface
Select Results/Graphs. Create a new graph Vs. Position, title the graph Plate Moment at
Centre.
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In this case, the moment in the Global XX direction is graphed across the width of the plate.
Notice the effect of the plate (or top part of the web) deforming affects the moment distribution. To
get the total moment now:
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Extrude a node by increments 0.25m in the X-direction, with Repeat set to 8 and Target set to
Beam Property Type1.
Extrude the centre node (created from previous extrusion) 0.075m in the negative Y-direction,
with Repeat set to 4 and Target set to Beam Property Type2.
Extrude all beams 0.25m in the Z-direction, with Repeat set to 40, into Quad4 plate elements
Apply end restraints and a point load of 1000N at the centre node.
Similar to the Beam/Plate model, the extraction of the moment at any position along the section
involves a number of steps. The sum of the moments is taken about the midplane of the plates
defining the web, thus removing the webs axial force from the calculation:
M sec tion
= M web + F flange d
where d is the vertical distance from the centroid of the force distribution through the flange to the
midplane of the web.
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Similar to the plate moment extraction carried out in the previous beam/plate example, the
moment in the web Mweb can be recovered using the Graph function:
Set the Displacement Scale to 0. Select Entity Display and for Draw as.. select Surface.
Hide the plates defining the flange (plate property 2) and half of the plate elements defining the
web as shown below.
The next step involves the determination of the moment at the web due to the load carried by the
flange.
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The graph obtained is shown below. Integrating under the curve will provide an estimate of the
axial force in the flange.
The total moment at the web midplane can then be calculated as follows:
Msection = Mweb + Area of force distribution * Dist. to centroid of force distribution = 2488.92 Nm
This value will become closer to the target value with mesh refinement. Converting the Quad4
elements to Quad8 elements and carrying out this procedure again gives Msection = 2500.402 Nm.
Extrude the base mesh to half the distance of the section (5 m). Then either copy or extrude
again to get the full 10 m length. By extruding to half of the section length, you are ensuring
that there is a nodeline at 5 m where the load will be applied and the moment will be
recovered.
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Apply restraints similar to the plate/beam model where the nodeline along the midplane at
each end is restrained. Apply the load as either point forces distributed at the midplane of the
top part of the T section or use Attributes/Brick Face Shear. By applying the load as a face
shear, if the model is subdivided, the load will still be correct.
Run the Linear Static solver. Calculate Node Reactions and Brick Stress.
Moment results can be extracted at the centre (or any position along the section) by:
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even closer to the target value with mesh refinement. Converting the brick elements to Hex20 and
resolving this model, then gives Msection = 2499.584 Nm
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