1

Basic Analysis

This chapter describes the analysis capabilities of Basic Structural Analysis: linear static analysis, buckling analysis, and normal modes analysis. This chapter is divided into the following sections: 4.1 Linear Static Analysis 4.2 Normal Modes Analysis 4.3 Buckling Analysis 4.4 Thermal Loading Each section concludes with a detailed step-through example.

4.1 Linear Static Analysis

Linear static analysis represents the most basic type of analysis. The term linear means that the computed responsedisplacement or stress, for exampleis linearly related to the applied force. The term static means that the forces do not vary with timeor, that the time variation is insignificant and can therefore be safely ignored. An example of a static force is a building's dead load, which is comprised of the building's weight plus the weight of offices, equipment, and furniture. This dead load is often expressed in terms of lb/ft2 or N/m2. Such loads are often defined using a maximum expected load with some factor of safety applied for conservatism. In addition to the time invariant dead load described above, another example of a static load is an enforced displacement. For example, in a building part of the foundation may settle somewhat, inducing static loads. Another example of a static load is a steady-state temperature field. The applied temperatures cause thermal expansion which, in turn, causes induced forces. The static analysis equation is:

BASIC ANALYSIS

[K]{u} = {f}
where [K] is the system stiffness matrix (generated automatically by MSC/NASTRAN for Windows (MSC/N4W), based on the geometry and properties), f is the vector of applied forces (which you specify), and u is the vector of displacements that MSC/NASTRAN computes. Once the displacements are computed, MSC/NASTRAN uses these to compute element forces, stresses, reaction forces, and strains.

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Basic Analysis

The applied forces may be used independently or combined with each other. The loads can also be applied in multiple loading subcases, in which each subcase represents a particular loading or boundary condition. Multiple loading subcases provide a means of solution efficiency, whereby the solution time for subsequent subcases is a small fraction of the solution time for the first, for a particular boundary condition.

4.1.1 Flat Plate with a Single Load

Example exercise for Linear Static Analysis.

Model Description:
In this example we create a 4 in. square plate with filleted edges (0.5 in. fillet radius) and a 2 in. diameter circular hole in the center. The plate is made of steel, 0.1 in. thick. The model is simply supported around the outer edge, and a 10g gravity load is applied normal to the plate. The plate is modeled with flat plate elements. Nodal displacements and element stresses are computed.

This example uses English units: inches (in.) for length, pounds (lb) for force, and seconds (sec) for time. Note that MSC/N4W assumes a consistent set of units, so you need to be consistent and not mix units (i.e., do not mix feet and inches). Follow the steps described starting on the next page to create the geometry, finite element mesh, loads and constraints.

Exercise Procedure:
1. Start up MSC/NASTRAN for Windows 4.0 and begin to create a new model. Start MSC/N4W by double-clicking on the MSC/N4W icon. When the Open Model File dialog box appears; choose New Model. Open Model File: 2. Create a 4 in. Square. New Model

Flat Plate with a Single Load Model the geometry of this exercise. Geometry/Curve-Line/Rectangle... Locate - Enter First Corner of Rectangle X: OK 0 Y: 0 Z: 0

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Locate - Enter Diagonally Opposite Corner of Rectangle X: OK The rectangle may be displayed in the corner of the display window. If so, you can resize and center the display by choosing View/Autoscale (or pressing Ctrl+A). View/Autoscale 4 Y: 4 Z: 0

BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

3. Display the Curve Labels and Turn Off Workplane Rulers. The default for the curve and other geometry labels is to be turned off. We will turn them on here, however, to assist in subsequent operations. To turn them on, choose View/Options, which brings up a dialog box. Select Labels, Entities and Color in the Category box. Choose Curve from the Options box, which brings up additional small boxes to the right of the Options box. In the Label Mode box, select ID to display curve identifier numbers. View/Options... Category: Options: Label Mode: l Labels, Entities and Color Curve 1..ID

Flat Plate with a Single Load

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Then choose Apply to apply the labels. Apply Now select Tools and View Style in the Category box. Choose Workplane and Rulers and uncheck the Draw Entity check box. Category: Options: Draw Entity l Tools and View Style Workplane and Rulers

BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

Then choose OK to apply these changes and exit the View Options box. OK

4. Fillet the Corners. To fillet the corners choose Modify/Fillet, which brings up the Fillet Curves dialog box.

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Enter 0.5 for the fillet Radius. To fillet the corner between curves 1 and 2, enter 1 for Curve 1 and 2 for Curve 2; then, to indicate the fillet direction, enter 3 for X and 1 for Y to define an approximate fillet center of 3,1; then choose OK. Modify/Fillet... Curve 1: Curve 2: Radius: 1 2 0.5

With Center Near:With Center Near: X: 3 Y: 1 Z: 0

OK

BASIC ANALYSIS

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4
Curve 1: Curve 2: Radius:

Basic Analysis

Fillet the upper right corner with the following: 2 3 0.5

With Center Near: X: OK Fillet the upper left corner with the following: Curve 1: Curve 2: Radius: With Center Near: X: OK Fillet the lower left corner with the following: Curve 1: Curve 2: Radius: With Center Near: X: OK Exit the Fillet Curves box by choosing Cancel. Cancel 1 Y: 1 Z: 0 4 1 0.5 1 Y: 3 Z: 0 3 4 0.5 3 Y: 3 Z: 0

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5. Create the Center Hole. To create the center hole choose Geometry/Curve-Circle/Center, which brings up a dialog box. Geometry/Curve-Circle/Center... Locate - Enter Location at Center of Circle: X: 2 Y: 2 Z: 0

BASIC ANALYSIS

OK Radius: 1

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Basic Analysis

OK Cancel The display should be as follow:

6. Save the Geometry. It is recommended that, after numerous steps in building a complex model, you save your model file. While the steps so far are not numerousnor is the model complexit is instructive, nevertheless, to illustrate how to save the model. To save your model, choose File/Save; the Save As dialog box appears (save as because the file has not yet been saved). Enter plate1.mod for File Name and press Save to save the file as plate1.mod. Note that mod is the default filename extension for a model file. Note, too, that this filename is now shown on the MSC/N4W title bar. Next time you do a save of this model the updated model file will be saved with the same name. File/Save File Name: Save plate1

Flat Plate with a Single Load 7. Creating the Material Properties.

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Now that we have created the basic geometry we will create the properties, beginning with the material properties. Choose Model/Material, which brings up the Define Isotropic Material dialog box. (Note that the default material type is isotropic.) Model/Material...

To read the material properties, choose Load, which brings up the Select Entity box. Select AISI 4340 Steel and note that the isotropic material properties are entered in the Isotropic Material box. Note that the density is mass density, which is in units of lb-sec2/in.4 for English units. Note, too, that the material ID is 1. Load...

BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

Library Entry: OK OK Cancel 8. Creating the Element Properties.

AISI 4340 Steel

Next we create element properties. Choose Model/Property to bring up the Define Property--PLATE Element Type box. (Note that the default element type is plate elements.) Model/Property... Title: Material: Thicknesses, Tavg or T1: Plate Property 1..AISI 4340 Steel 0.1

OK Cancel 9. Generating the Mesh.

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After we define the engineering properties we create the element mesh. First, choose Mesh/Mesh Control/Default Size, which brings up a dialog box. Mesh/Mesh Control/Default Size...

Then sets a mesh size of 0.4 in. for each plate element. Size: OK Next, choose Geometry/Boundary Surface to select the boundaries of the mesh. This brings up the Entity Selection box. Geometry/Boundary Surface... 0.4

Select All OK The boundary surface is now defined. BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

Next, choose Mesh/Geometry/Surface and pick the boundary surface that has just been created. Mesh/Geometry/Surface... Select Surface 1. OK The Automesh Surface dialog box will appear next.

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Property: OK

1..Plate Property

When meshing is completed, 135 elements and 163 nodes are generated.

10. Modifying the Display In order to better view the model, certain entities can be turned off for clarity. Choose View/Options. View/Options... Category: Options: l Labels, Entities and Color Point BASIC ANALYSIS Draw Entity Apply Options: Curve Draw Entity Apply

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4
Options:

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Boundary Draw Entity

Apply The geometry (curves and points) and boundaries are now turned off. The filled dot at the origin can also be turned off. Category: Options: l Tools and View Style View Legend Draw Entity Options: View Axes Draw Entity Options: Origin Draw Entity OK

Flat Plate with a Single Load 11. Creating the Boundary Conditions. First, choose Model/Constraint/Set and enter the load set title. Model/Constraint/Set...

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Title: OK

Simply Supported

Next, we apply pinned supports to the outer edge. Model/Constraint/Nodal...

ID: OK

to:

40

BASIC ANALYSIS

Pinned

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4
OK

Basic Analysis

Pinned supports are applied to nodes 1 through 40 (the outer edge).

Cancel 12. Creating the Applied Load. Next, we model a 10g load applied normal to the plate. Model/Load/Set... Title: OK Apply an acceleration of -3864 for Z. (This defines a steady-state acceleration of 3864 in./sec2--10g--in the -Z direction, which is normal to the plate.) Model/Load/Body... Active Translation/Gravity (length/time/time) Z: Acceleration -3864 10g gravity load

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OK

13. Performing the Linear Static Analysis. We are now ready to analyze a model. Choose File/Analyze, which brings up the Analysis Control box. File/Analyze... Run Analysis

BASIC ANALYSIS

OK

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Basic Analysis

When prompted, OK to Save Model Now? Select Yes. The analysis can run for several minutes, depending on the speed of your PC. Yes 14. Processing the Results. After the analysis is complete, you are then prompted for the Message Review, click Continue. Continue At this stage the results have already been read into the database ready for processing. 15. Modifying the Display with quick options. Turn off the constraint entities and labels. Choose View Options, select Quick Options. View/Options... Quick Options... Draw: Done OK 16. Plotting Stress Contours. Choose View/Select, which brings up a dialog box, and plot the Von Mises Stress. View/Select... Contour Style: l Contour Constraint

Flat Plate with a Single Load

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Deformed and Contour Data... Output Vectors / Contour: 7033..Plate Top VonMises Stress

BASIC ANALYSIS

OK OK

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Basic Analysis

17. Plotting the Deformed Shape. Choose View/Select and turn off Contour by selecting None - Model Only under Contour Style. Select Deform under Deformed Style. Choose Deformed and Contour Data, and under Output Vectors, Deformation scroll down and select T3 Translation (which is Z translation). View/Select... Deformed Style: Contour Style: Deformed and Contour Data... Output Vectors / Deformation: OK OK Note that the deformed shape is plotted in white and is overlaid on the undeformed (blue) shape. The deformation can better be viewed by rotating the model. Choose View/Rotate and select Isometric. The model is rotated such that the deformation can be seen. View/Rotate... 4..T3 Translation l Deform l None-Model Only

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Isometric OK

18. Animating the Deformation. The deformation can be animated. Choose View/Select, and under Deformed Style choose Animate. The animation may be a little fast but can be slowed down by selecting View/Advanced Post/Animation and clicking Slower. The animation continues until another menuany menuis selected. View/Select... Deformed Style: OK View/Advanced Post/Animation... Slower OK (Click until the model moves at the desired speed) l Animate BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

19. Plotting Deformation Contours. View/Select... Deformed Style: Contour Style: Deformed and Contour Data... Output Vectors / Contour: OK OK 4..T3 Translation l None - Model Only l Contour

20. Exiting the Program To exit, choose File/Exit and choose Yes to save the current model, plate1.mod, and its results. File/Exit Yes

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4.2 Normal Modes Analysis

Normal modes analysis computes the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a structure. The natural frequencies are the frequencies at which a structure will tend to vibrate if subjected to a disturbance. For example, the strings of a piano are each tuned to vibrate at a specific frequency. The deformed shape at a specific natural frequency is called the mode shape. Normal modes analysis is also called real eigenvalue analysis. Normal modes analysis forms the foundation for a thorough understanding of the dynamic characteristics of the structure. Normal modes analysis is performed for many reasons, among them: H Assessing the dynamic interaction between a component (such as a piece of rotating machinery) and its supporting structure; if the natural frequency of the supporting structure is close to an operating frequency of the component then there can be significant dynamic amplification of the loads. H Assessing the effects of design changes on the dynamic characteristics. H Using the modes in a subsequent forced response analysis. H Using the natural frequencies as a guide to selecting the proper time or frequency step for transient and frequency response analyses, respectively. H Assessing the degree of correlation between modal test data and analytical results. In normal modes analysis there is no applied load and the structure has no damping properties. The equation of motion is of the form: [M]{u} + [K]{u} = 0 where [K] and [M] are the stiffness and mass matrices representing the elastic and inertial properties of the structure respectively. These system matrices are generated automatically by MSC/NASTRAN, based on the geometry and properties of the FE model. Assuming a harmonic solution, the above reduces to an eigenvalue problem.

K i M { i } = 0
where {} is the eigenvector (or mode shape) corresponding to the eigenvalue (the natural or characteristic frequency). For each eigenvalue, which is proportional to a natural frequency, there is a corresponding eigenvector, or mode shape. The eigenvalues are related to the natural frequencies as follows:

BASIC ANALYSIS

fi =

i 2

Each mode shape is similar to a static displaced shape in that there are displacements and rotations for each node. However, there is one important difference between the mode shape and the static displacements: the scaling. In static analysis the displacements are the true physical displacements due to the applied loads. Since there is no applied load in normal mode analysis, the mode shape components can all be scaled by an arbitrary factor. With MSC/NASTRAN this scaling can be done so that the maximum displacement in any

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Basic Analysis

mode is 1.0. Another option is to allow any user specified degree of freedom have a modal displacement of 1.0. The first optionunit modal massis generally preferred, though the scaling of a maximum displacement to 1.0 is useful for comparison to modal test data. Element forces and stresses and reaction forces are computed in the same manner as for static analysis, with each mode shape treated the same as a set of static displacements. Due to the scaling of each mode, the resulting element stresses and forces are on a per mode basis and cannot necessarily be compared from one mode to another. Because no single eigenvalue extraction method is perfect for all models, we have incorporated several methods in MSC/NASTRAN. These eigenvalue extraction methods are: H Lanczos method H Givens method H Householder method H Modified Givens method H Modified Householder method H Inverse power method H Sturm modified inverse power method The Lanczos method is the best overall method due to its robustness, but the other methods (particularly the modified Givens method and the Sturm modified inverse power method) have applicability for particular cases. MSC/NASTRAN's eigenvalue methods can also analyze unrestrained models, such as those that arise from aircraft in flight. These unrestrained models give rise to stress free, rigid body modes, which MSC/NASTRAN can analyze without any special modeling or analysis techniques.

4.2.1 Bracket Model

Example exercise for Normal Modes Analysis.

Model Description:
In this example we use a model created previously to perform a normal modes analysis.

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The model file is basically complete for analysisall of the nodes, elements, properties, and constraints are included.

Exercise Procedure:
1. Start up MSC/NASTRAN for Windows 4.0 and read in the model. Start MSC/N4W by double-clicking on the MSC/N4W icon. When the Open Model File dialog box appears; find and choose bracket.mod. Change to the examples directory. (This is a database containing the model to be analyzed in this example.) Open Model File: Open BASIC ANALYSIS bracket.mod

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Basic Analysis

2. Save the model. Since we will edit this database for our example, save the model as bracket1.mod by choosing File/Save As. File/Save As... File Name: Save The view can be cleaned up by switching off the geometry in the View Quick Options dialog box by selecting Ctrl+Q or through the View/Options/Quick Options menu. View/Options... Quick Options... Geometry Off Done 3. Review the model. Note the size and uniformity of the mesh between the arcs at the top of the bracket. This was accomplished by explicitly defining parameters for the number of elements on these arcs. bracket1

Bracket Model

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Controlling the mesh parameters is a useful way to minimize the total number of elements in the mesh. This improves analysis job performance. Controlling mesh parameters also enables analysts to enhance the shape of mesh elements. Improving the shape on mesh elements increases the reliability of analysis results. To review the mesh parameters used on this model select Mesh/Mesh Control/Size Along Curve from the Mesh Menu. Mesh/Mesh Control/Size Along Curve... Select the arc at the top of the bracket (arc 2) and the one at the top of the slot (arc 17). OK The number of elements selected should be set to a reasonable number in order to create well shaped elements. For this example we will select 6 elements around the 180 degree arc, giving a maximum included angle of 30 degrees or less for each element. Specifying the same number of elements on these concentric arcs will ensure a uniform mesh between the upper arc and the top of the slot. l Number of Elements OK Cancel 4. Performing the Normal Mode Analysis. We are now ready to analyze a model. Choose File/Analyze, which brings up the Analysis Control box. Prepare an Normal Modes analysis for the lowest three resonant frequencies and mode shape. File/Analyze... 6 BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

Analysis Type: Number of Modes

2..Normal Modes/Eigenvalue 3 Run Analysis

OK When prompted, OK to Save Model Now? Select Yes. The analysis can run for several minutes, depending on the speed of your PC. Yes 5. Processing the Results. After the analysis is complete, you are then prompted for the Message Review, click Continue. Continue At this stage the results have already been read into the database ready for processing. 6. Creating Multiple Views. Because we have 3 modes it is convenient to create 3 views for plotting the deformed shapes. To do so: A. Create 3 viewports. View/New... Create Layout: l3

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OK Three views are drawn, each in a different window and orientation. The large window on the right and the lower left window are XY views and will not be changed. To rotate the upper left window to an Isometric view, do the following: B. Select the upper left window by clicking anywhere in its window. Select from the main menu View/Rotate. View/Rotate... Isometric OK It is now put in the Isometric view. C. Follow step B but change the lower left window to XY Top view. D. The views need to be cleaned up to remove labels and switch off the workplane rulers. To do so: BASIC ANALYSIS Press Ctrl+Q for View Quick or: View/Option... Quick Options...

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Turn off everything except Element and Constraint markers. (upper right corner) All Entities Off Labels Off Draw: Draw: Done E. Then select View/Options and pick the Tools and View Style category. Then pick Workplane and Rulers and deselect the Draw Entity checkbox. Finally select OK. View/Option... Category: Options: (upper right corner) OK Your windows should appear as follows. l Tools and View Style Workplane and Rulers Draw Entity Element Constraint All Views

Bracket Model 7. Display the results.

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To display the first mode on the upper left view, click on upper left viewport. View/Select... (upper right corner) Deformed Style: Contour Style: Deformed and Contour Data... Output Set: OK OK The deformed shape for the first mode is now displayed over the undeformed model. 1..Mode 1 xxx.xx Hz All Views l Deform l None - Model Only

Next, display the second mode shape as a contour plot. Click on the lower left viewport. View/Select... Deformed Style: Contour Style: Deformed and Contour Data... Output Set: Output Vectors/Contour: OK OK 2..Mode 2 xxx.xx Hz 1..Total Translation l None - Model Only BASIC ANALYSIS l Contour

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Basic Analysis

The deformed shape for the third mode is now displayed over the undeformed model.

Finally, create a contour plot of the third mode and then animate it. To do so, click on V2 viewport (right hand side). View/Select... Deformed Style: Contour Style: Deformed and Contour Data... Output Set: Output Vectors/Contour: OK OK These operations create the deformation contour plot for the third mode. 3..Mode 3 xxx.xx Hz 1..Total Translation l None - Model Only l Contour

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To animate the plot, select View/Options, and then select PostProcessing for the Category and Animated Style for the Options. View/Option... Category: Options: Shape: l PostProcessing Animated Style 4..Sine - Full

Change Frames to 5. Because the animation is done by creating multiple frames of scaled deformation, an odd number of frames creates a frame that of zero deformation. Frames: 5

BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

Apply Options: Contour/Criteria Levels

Click the Animate checkbox to change the contour levels as the model is animated. (Note that in the first examplethe plate with a single load casethe contour did not change as the model was animated.) Animate

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OK Rotate the model and start the animation. View/Rotate... Isometric OK View/Select... Deformed Style: OK Five frames are drawn and the model is animated. The animation speed can be changed with View/Advanced Post/Animation. View/Advanced Post/Animation... BASIC ANALYSIS l Animate

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Basic Analysis

Note that as you click on Slower do so, the Delay increases. (The delay is proportional to the amount of time that the computer waits between framesthe larger the delay, the slower the apparent animation speed.) Slower (Click until the model moves at the desired speed)

Press Next> several timesthat performs frame-by-frame stepping in the forward direction. (<Prev does likewise, though in the reverse direction.) OK Stop the animation by choosing View/Select, setting Deformed Style to Deform. View/Select... Deformed Style: OK 8. Exiting the Program To exit, choose File/Exit and choose Yes to save the current model and its results. File/Exit Yes l Deform

4.3 Buckling Analysis

In linear static analysis, a structure is assumed to be in a state of stable equilibrium. As the applied load is removed, the structure is assumed to return to its original, undeformed position. Under certain combinations of loadings, however, the structure continues to deform without an increase in the magnitude of loading. In this case the structure has become unstable; it has buckled. For elastic, or linear, buckling analysis, it is assumed that there is no yielding of the structure and that the direction of applied forces does not change. Elastic buckling incorporates the effect of the differential stiffness, which includes higherorder strain displacement relationships that are functions of the geometry, element type, and applied loads. From a physical standpoint, the differential stiffness represents a linear approximation of softening (reducing) the stiffness matrix for a compressive axial load and stiffening (increasing) the stiffness matrix for a tensile axial load.

Link Model

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In buckling analysis we solve for the eigenvalues that are scale factors that multiply the applied load in order to produce the critical buckling load. In general, only the lowest buckling load is of interest, since the structure will fail before reaching any of the higherorder buckling loads. Therefore, usually only the lowest eigenvalue needs to be computed. The buckling eigenvalue problem reduces to:

K + i Kd = 0
where K is the system stiffness matrix, Kd is the differential stiffness matrix (generated automatically by MSC/NASTRAN, based on the geometry, properties, and applied load), and i are the eigenvalues to be computed. Once the eigenvalues are found the critical buckling load is solved for:

Pcr i = i Pa
where Pcr are the critical buckling loads and Pa are the applied loads. Again, usually only the lowest critical buckling load is of interest. Because no single eigenvalue extraction method is perfect for all models, we have incorporated three methods in MSC/NASTRAN: H Lanczos method H Inverse power method H Sturm modified inverse power method The Lanczos method is the best overall method because it provides the most accuracy for the least cost, but the other methods have applicability for particular cases.

4.3.1 Link Model

Example exercise for Buckling Analysis.

Model Description:
The purpose of this problem is to investigate the linear buckling analysis process by conducting a simple buckling analysis on an existing link model (which is in the form of a FEMAP neutral file). In this analysis we will use the existing plate geometry and finite element mesh and apply the necessary loads and boundary conditions to determine the buckling load and buckled shape of the link. BASIC ANALYSIS

Exercise Procedure:
1. Start up MSC/NASTRAN for Windows 4.0. Start MSC/N4W by double-clicking on the MSC/N4W icon. When the Open Model File dialog box appears; select New Model. Open Model File: New Model

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2. Import the FEMAP neutral file, link.neu. File/Import/Analysis Model... Analysis Format: l FEMAP Neutral

OK Change to the examples directory. (This is a database containing the model to be analyzed in this example. File Name: Open OK link.neu

3. Save the model. Once the file has been read in it is good practice to rename it, select File/Save As and enter the name Link in the File name box. File/Save As... File Name: Save Link

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Since the geometry and mesh already exist, in this example we will concentrate on the aspects directly related to buckling analysis. To accomplish this, we will create new boundary conditions and applied loads and use these for the buckling analysis. 4. Change the title on the window. View/Window... Title: Plate Buckling

The graphics window now has a problem specific title. OK 5. Creating New Boundary Conditions. Select Model/Constraint/Nodal and enter Buckling Boundary Cond. for the constraint set title. Model/Constraint/Nodal... Title: Buckling Boundary Cond.

BASIC ANALYSIS

OK

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Basic Analysis

The Entity Selection dialog box then appears. Use the cursor to select the nodes around the hole on the lower part of the model (node 138-153) and fix all translational DOF on these nodes. ID: OK Pinned 138 to: 153

OK Cancel 6. Creating the Buckling Loading Condition With the boundary conditions specified, we now create the loading configuration for which the buckling load will be calculated. In this problem, we will simulate the application of a uniform load applied at the upper hole with a set of concentrated nodal forces. Since the result of the buckling analysis is a buckling load factor, for simplicity we apply unit load values. We apply the loading such that the link is being placed in planar compression in the negative Y direction. Other configurations could easily be considered. Model/Load/Nodal... Title: In Plane Loading

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OK The Select Nodes dialog box then appears, select the nodes around the bottom of the hole (nodes 178 and 184-189). ID: ID: 178 184 to: to: 189 More

OK When the Create Loads on Nodes dialog box appears, enter a magnitude of -1.0 in the FY box. We choose a magnitude of 1.0 to represent a simple unit load. The minus sign is used to orient the load so as to apply a compressive load to the plate. FY -1 BASIC ANALYSIS

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OK Cancel 7. Modifying the Display. To clean up the display of the model the geometry entities and boundary condition and loading labels can be turned off. Press Ctrl+Q for View Quick or: View/Option... Quick Options... Turn off geometry and boundary condition. Geometry Off Labels Off Draw: Draw: Done Load - Force Constraint

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8. Saving and Analyzing the Model With the loading and boundary conditions defined for the buckling analysis we are now ready to analyze the link for its buckling load. Before we do this it is a good idea to save the model in its current state by choosing File/Save. File/Save We can now select File/Analyze and prepare for a Buckling analysis. File/Analyze... Analysis Type: 7..Buckling Run Analysis

BASIC ANALYSIS

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OK yes The analysis then starts. When it has completed, the results are read into the database and are ready for postprocessing. 9. Preparing for Postprocessing Once the analysis has completed the results are read in automatically. A Message Review dialog box appears and as long as there are no Fatal errors, the Continue button can be selected. Continue Select View/Rotate and choose Dimetric in the dialog box. File/Rotate... Dimetric

OK

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10. Postprocessing the Analysis Results The important results of a buckling analysis are typically the buckling load factor (eigenvalue) and the buckled shape. To access the analysis results choose View/Select. In the View Select dialog box, choose Deform for the Deformed Style and Full Hidden Line for the Model Style. These choices will create a hidden line plot of the deformed (buckled) shape superimposed over the undeformed shape. View/Select... Model Style: Deformed Style: l Full Hidden Line l Deform

BASIC ANALYSIS

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Basic Analysis

Select the Deformed and Contour Data... button to activate the buckling results. In the Select PostProcessing Data dialog box select the Output Set for Eigenvalue 1. In our case it is set "2..Eigenvalue 1 36.351". (Depending upon the sequence you have used in accessing the different analysis capabilities demonstrated using this problem your set number may be different.) For the Output Vectors, select 1..Total Translation in the Deformation box using the scroll bar to the right of the box. Deformed and Contour Data... Output Set: Output Vectors/Deformation: 2..Eigenvalue 1 36.351 1..Total Translation

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OK OK

11. Rotate the model for a better view of the result. View/Align By/Dynamic...

BASIC ANALYSIS

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l Rotate XY Holding down the left mouse button and dragging the cursor. Drag left or right to rotate the model about the y axis. Drag up and down to rotate about the x axis. Select Cancel to return the model to the original Isometric View when you are done. Cancel 12. Calculate the Buckling Load To calculate the total buckling load we first have to obtain a summation of the forces in the system. Choose Tools/Check/Sum Forces, activating the following dialog box: Tools/Check/Sum Forces...

X: OK

Y:

Z:

Since in this problem we are only interested in the summation of the forces in the Y direction, the origin (X = 0, Y = 0, Z = 0) is a reasonable point about which to sum the forces. This choice creates a Summation of Forces Table in the Messages and Lists window.

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This table shows that the total load weve applied in the Y direction is -7.0 lbs. To calculate the buckling load, we multiply the applied load by the buckling load factor (eigenvalue) or: Applied Load x Buckling Load Factor = Buckling Load - 7.0 lbs x 36.35 = - 254.45 lbs

More directly stated, the link will buckle at a total load of 254.45 lbs, uniformly distributed along the edge of the hole. The buckling load factor is a scale factor whose value is a function of the applied load. Had we applied a load set that was 100 times greater (100 lbs instead of 1.0 lb) the resulting computed buckling load factor would be proportional to the increased load and would be 0.3635, resulting in the same total buckling load. Additional postprocessing (i.e., contours, XY plots, etc.) can easily be performed on these results.

4.4 Thermal Loading

4.4.1 Lug with a Thermal Load
We will create an aluminum lug with geometry shown in the figure. The lug is attached at the base to a larger component that has generated heat. The thermal loading will be modeled as a linear temperature distribution from the base. BASIC ANALYSIS Example exercise for Thermal Loading.

Model Description:
This example will demonstrate how to create 3D geometry, automesh solid elements by extruding, generate a nodal temperature distribution using built-in equations, and perform graphical post-processing on solid elements.