6/28/2017

FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB

MANUAL

ANSYS :
AN APPLICATION IN
FINITE ELEMENT METHODS |

Prepared by
Prof.(Dr.) D G MAHTO
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

This laboratory manual is written to accompany the textbook of the subject and gain practical
knowledge of the theoretical contents. The laboratory exercises are tied closely to the text, and cover
almost significant topics / theories of the chapters in the textbook.
Most of the laboratory exercises include the pertinent steps like the following: Aim Or Objective,
Apparatus / Equipment Required, Principle, Method, Procedure, Data Collections & Calculations,
Precautions and Viva Questions.
Instructors using these laboratory exercises should note the following:
1. It is recognized that the time and equipment available for teaching laboratory sessions vary
considerably. Therefore, instructors may need to modify the laboratory procedures (e.g.,
number of samples analyzed; replicates) to fit their needs and situation.
2. Some experiments include numerous parts/methods, and it is not assumed that an instructor
uses all parts of the experiment as written. It may be logical to have students work in pairs to
make things go faster. Also, it may be logical to have some students do one part of the
experiment/one type of sample, and other students to another part of the experiment/type of
sample.
3. It is recommended in the text of the experiments that a laboratory instructor may prepare many
parts of the experiments because of the time limitations for students in a laboratory session.
4. The lists of supplies and equipment for experiments do not necessarily include those needed
by the laboratory instructor in conducting for the laboratory session.
5. The data and calculations section of the laboratory exercises provides details on recording data
and doing calculations. In requesting laboratory reports from students, instructors will need to
specify if they require just sample calculations or all calculations.
6. The instructors are cautioned that this manual is prepared according to available version of
Ansys software. The changes in program may be possible if the version of the software used is
different.
Finally, Author is grateful to the expert faculty members who provided complete laboratory experiments
or the materials to develop the experiments. Likewise, former graduating students are thanked again
for their meticulously working out and testing the experimental procedures written in this edition.

Author

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SL. NO TITLE PAGE NO.

1. Performing a Typical ANSYS Analysis

2. General Steps
3. Bars of Constant Cross-section Area
4. Bars of Tapered Cross section Area
5. Stepped Bar
6. Trusses
7. Simply Supported Beam
8. Simply Supported Beam with Uniformly
varying load
9. Simply Supported Beam with Uniformly
distributed load
10. Beam with moment and overhung
11. Cantilever Beam
12. Beam with angular loads, one end hinged and
at other end roller support
13. Stress analysis of a rectangular plate with a
circular hole
14. Corner angle bracket
15. Thermal analysis
Modal Analysis of Cantilever beam for
16.
natural frequency determination
17. Fixed- fixed beam subjected to forcing
function
18. Bar subjected to forcing function
19. Additional problems
20. Viva questions

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Introduction to ANSYS
ANSYS is a general purpose finite element modeling and analysis package for numerically solving a wide
range of mechanical problems. These problems include: Static/dynamic structural analysis (linear and non
– linear), heat transfer and fluid problems, as well as acoustic and electro-magnetic problems.
 ANSYS is a complete FEA software package used by engineers worldwide in virtually all fields
of engineering:
o Structural
o Thermal
o Fluid (CFD, Acoustics, and other fluid analysis)
o Low – and High – frequency electromagnetics
 A partial list of industries in which ANSYS is used:
o Aerospace – electronics & Appliances
o Automotive – Heavy equipment & Machinery
o Biomedical – MEMS – Micro electromechanical systems
o Bridges & Buildings
 ANSYS Multiphysics is the flagship ANSYS product which includes all capabilities in all
engineering disciplines.
 There are three main component products derived from ANSYS Multiphysics
o ANSYS Mechanical – Structural & Thermal capabilities
o ANSYS Emag – Electromagnetics
o ANSYS FLOTRAN – CFD capabilities
 Other product lines:
o ANSYS LS-DYNA – for highly nonlinear structural problems
o ANSYS Professional – linear structural and thermal analysis, a subset of ANSYS
Mechanical capabilities in the workbench environment

 Structural Analysis: is used to determine deformations, strains, stresses, and reaction forces.
 Static Analysis:
o Used for static loading conditions.
oNonlinear behavior such as large deformations, large strain, contact, plasticity, hyper
elasticity, and creep can be simulated.
 Dynamic Analysis:
o Includes mass and damping effects.
o Modal analysis calculated natural frequencies and mode shapes.
o Harmonic analysis determines a structure’s response to sinusoidal
loads of known amplitude and frequency.
o Transient dynamic analysis determines a structure’s response to time-varying loads and
can include nonlinear behavior.
 Other structural capabilities
o Spectrum analysis
o Random vibrations
o Eigen value buckling
o Sub-structuring, sub-modeling

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 Explicit Dynamics with ANSYS/LS – DYNA:

o Intended for very large deformation simulations where inertia
forces are dominant.
o Used to simulate impact, crushing, rapid forming, etc.
 Thermal analysis: is used to determine the temperature distribution in an object. Other quantities
of interest include amount of heat lost or gained, thermal gradients, and thermal flux. All three
primary heat transfer modes can be simulated: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation.
 Steady-State: Time – dependent effects are ignored.
 Transient: to determine temperatures, etc. as a function of time.
o Allows phase change (melting or freezing) to be simulated.
 Electromagnetic analysis: is used to calculate magnetic fields in electromagnetic devices.
 Static and low-frequency electromagnetic:
o To simulated devices operating with DC power sources, low frequency AC, or Low
frequency transient signals.
 Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): To determine the flow distributions and temperatures in a
fluid.
o ANSYS/FLOTRAN can simulate laminar and turbulent flow,
compressible and incompressible flow, and multiple species.
o Application: aerospace, electronic packaging, automotive design.
o Typical quantities of interest are velocities, pressure, temperature, and film coefficients.

ANSYS

Opening ANSYS session:

ANSYS can be opened in windows operating system through

 Start > programs > ANSYS 14.0 > Mechanical APDL (ANSYS) 14.0 ANSYS Menu:

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By default ANSYS opens 6 Menus. They are:

1. Utility Menu
2. Main Menu
3. Input Window
4. Tool Bar
5. Graphics Window
6. Output Window

Utility Menu:

a) File:

The file contains

 Clear & Start: To clear the database & Start a new job
 Resume from: To resume the previously stored job
 Save as: Save the database as filename.db
 Read Input from: If input is taken from outside programmed file
 Switch Output: To external file or by default files in *.iges format is
supported without any additional software. By CATIA, UG, PRO-E.
You can import the geometry
 Export: To export to use in other software’s.
 Exit: To close the ANSYS session.

a) Select: This is very important option for viewing the results or applying the boundary conditions. The
parts of the model can be selected and can manipulate for data. This option contains

 Entities: Entities to be selected like keypoints, lines, nodes, elements, areas, volumes, etc.
 Components: Naming and grouping the selected components.
 Everything: Selecting only that part
 Everything below: Selecting the entities below that.

b) List: This option can be used to listing the elements, nodes, volumes, forces, displacements etc.
c) Plot: This option is used to plot the areas, volumes, nodes, elements etc.

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e) Plot Controls: This option is very important and contains

 Pan Zoom Rotate: It opens another menu through which zooming and rotation of the model
possible.
 View Setting: By default Z plane is perpendicular to the viewer. By this view option, view
settings can be changed.
 Numbering: This is useful for setting on/off the entity numbering.
 Symbols: To view the applied translations, forces, pressures, etc. this option should be used to
set them on.
 Style: Sectioning, vector arrow sizing and real structural appearances is possible through this.
 Window controls: Window positioning
 Animate: Animation can be done for the output data using this.
 Device Options: Wireframe models can be observed through this.
 Hard Copy: Data can be sent either to printer or any external file.
 Capture Image: To capture the graphics window output to a *.bmp image.
 Multiplot Window Layout: To view the results in more than one window.
f) Work Plane: By default Z plane is perpendicular for data input. For any changes in the global X, Y
& Z planes, the work plane should be rotated to create the model or view the results.
g) Parameters: These are the scalar parameters represented with values.

h) Macros: These are grouping of ANSYS commands to fulfill particular work. These can be taken
equivalent to C, C++ & Java functions.
i) Menu Controls: This can be used to set on/off the menus.

j) Help: For all the help files related to commands and

topics.
Main Menu: This menu contains

 Pre – Processor: This sub option can be used to build and mesh the model through proper element
selection and boundary conditions.
 Solution: This option can be used solve the matrix equation through proper solver.
 Post Processor: This option is used to interpret the results.
 DesignXplorer: This option is used to optimize the structure.
 Time History processor: For dynamic problems, results can be viewed through this option.
 Run Stats: This option can be used to find the status of the model, time it takes for execution,
computer processor capabilities etc.
Input Window: This can be used to input commands or named selection.

Tool Bar: This contains options like saving the file, resuming the file database, quitting the ANSYS
session and graphics type.
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Graphics Window: This is where the model creation and plotting of results carried out.
Output Window: This shows the status of the work being carried out.

WORKPLANE:

Although the cursor appears as a point on the screen, it actually represents a line through space,
normal to the screen. In order to define an imaginary plane that, when interested by the normal line of
the cursor, will yield a unique point in space. This imaginary plane is called a working plane.

Working plane is an infinite plane with an origin, a 2D coordinate system, a snap increment and a
display grid. You can define only one working plane at a time. (Creating a new working plane
eliminates the existing working plane). The working plane is separate from the coordinate systems; for
example; the working plane can have a different plane of origin and rotation than the active coordinate
system. Work plane can be positioned wherever required and model can be created.
COORDINATE PLANE: The ANSYS program has several types of coordinate systems, each used
for a different reason:

 Global and local coordinates systems are used to locate geometry items (Nodes, Keypoints,
etc.) in space.
 The display coordinate system determines the system in which geometry items are listed or
displayed.
 The nodal coordinate system defines the degree of freedom directions at each node and the
orientation of nodal results data.
 The element coordinate system determines the orientation of material properties and element
results data.
 The results coordinate system is used to transform nodal or element results data to a particular
coordinate system for listings, displays, or general post processing operations (POST1).
SCALAR PARAMETERS: These are useful to change the model dimensions at any time. These are
useful when macros or batch programs are coded. For example in b = 10, b is considered as scalar
parameter. For optimization the model should be represented in scalar parameters. Here is another way
to set parameters is *b = 10 and can be changed any time.

MACROS: These are grouping of commands for particular purpose. These are equivalent to functions
in C and sub – routines in FORTRAN. They are very powerful and are based on APDL (ANSYS
Parametric Design Language). To get expertise with ANSYS, one should be thorough with usage of
macros.

MODELING: This is the important step of creating the physical object in the system. They are two
types of modeling in ANSYS.

o Direct Modeling
o Solid Modeling

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 DIRECT MODELING: In this approach the physical structure is represented by nodes and
elements directly. The problem is solved once after the boundary conditions are applied. This
approach is simple and straightforward. Takes very little time computation. But this can be applied
only for simple problems. When problem becomes complex, this method becomes tedious to
apply.
 SOLID MODELING: Models are directly created either using ANSYS preprocessor or imported
from popular CAD softwares like Mechanical desktop, ProE, CATIA, SOLID WORKS, etc. Once
the structural model created, by using mesh tool, the model can be meshed and problem can be
solved by applying the boundary conditions. In ANSYS solid modeling is carried out using two
methods:
o Bottom up Approach: To create model, Entities are required. Keypoints, lines, Areas,
Volumes are the entities in ANSYS. If model is constructed through keypoints to lines,
from lines to areas, and from areas to volumes the approach of modeling is
called bottom up approach. This approach is useful when models are complex.
o Top Down Approach: A 3D model can be created directly using the volumes. Once
volumes are created, all the entities below the volumes (areas, lines, Keypoints) are
automatically created. This approach is easy but can be applied to simple problems.
ELEMENTS: Elements are FE representation of physical structures or discretized parts of the
continuum. These elements are like functions designed for a specific purpose. For example bar
element can take only axial compressive or tensile loads. And a truss element can take only horizontal
and vertical loads in the global directions. So, a truss element cannot take any transverse loading
across the element or a moment. So, proper element should be selected based on the problem and
loading. Usually the number of elements of its library measures capacity of a software. ANSYS
contains more than 200 elements designed for specific purposes.
GRAPHICS DISPLAY: There are two methods available for graphic display.

 Full mode display: This option can be used with all elements.
 Power Graphics: Power graphics method is the default when ANSYS GUI is on. This method
is valid for all the element types except for circuit elements. Power graphics method offers
significantly faster performance than the full mode method.
ELEMENT TABLE: The primary data results are directly available for all elements in post
processor. The secondary data or derived data (Stresses, strains, Von misses stress, principal stress,
etc.) is available only for solid elements. The problems where solid model is created and meshed
directly through nodal solution results in the post processor, but not available to line elements like
(beam, link, etc.). To get the secondary data for line elements, we need to define the element table for
the particular element to get the required data. For example to get axial stress for the link element, you
must go to ANSYS help, type link1 and see the Link1 definitions and sequence no. for link1. Through
the post processor you have to create element table > define > by sequence no. – LS1 and Plot >
element table > LS1 gives the axial stress for the problem.

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PICKING & PLOTTING

In this course you will be using geometry entities such as volumes, areas, lines and Keypoints as well
as FEA entities such as nodes and elements. This topic introduces the following techniques used to
display and manipulated those entities within GUI

o Plotting
o Picking
o Select Logic
o Components and assemblies

PLOTTING:

It is often advantages to plot only certain entities in the model. Within the Utility Menu > Plot, you
will see that geometric, finite element and other entities can be plotted.
With Multi-plots, a combination of entities can be plotted.

The plotCtrls menu is used to control how the plot is displayed:

 Plot orientation
 Zoom
 Colors
 Symbols
 Annotation
 Animation
 Etc.

Among these, changing the plot orientation (/view) and zooming are the most
commonly used function.

Use Dynamic mode – a way to orientation dynamically using the control key and
mouse buttons.

-Ctrl + Left mouse button pans the model.

-Ctrl + Middle mouse button: Zoom the model.

-Ctrl + Right mouse button rotates the model:

 About screen X
 About screen Y

Note, the shift Right button on a two – button mouse is equivalent to the middle mouse button on a
three – button mouse.

Use the model control toolbar icons to change view. The model control toolbar also includes a
dynamic rotate option.

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PICKING:

 Picking allows you to identify model entities or locations by clicking in the

graphics window.
 A picking operation typically involves the use of the mouse and a picker
menu. It is indicated by a + sign on the menu.
 For example, you can create keypoints by picking locations in the graphics
window and then pressing OK in the picker.

Two types of picking:

 Retrieval Picking
o Picking existing entities for a subsequent operation.
o Allows you to enter entity number in the picker window.
o Use the pick All button to indicate all entities.
 Locational picking:
o Locating coordinates of a point, such as a keypoint or node.
o Allows you to enter coordinates in the picker window.
 Note, you must hit the <Enter> key, after entering information in the picker window, then hit
[OK] or [Apply].
Mouse button assignments for Picking:

 Left mouse button pick (or unpicks) the entity or location closet to the mouse pointer. Pressing
and dragging allows you to ―preview‖ the item being picked (or Unpicked).
 Middle mouse button does apply. Saves the time required to move the mouse over to the
picker and press apply button. Use shift – right button on a two – button mouse.
 Right mouse button toggles between pick and unpick mode.
Note, the shift – Right button on a two – button mouse is equivalent to the middle mouse
button on a three – button mouse.
Hotspot locations for picking:
 Areas and volumes have one hotspot near the centroid of the solid model entity.
 Lines have three hotspots – one in the middle and one near each end.
 Why this is important: when you are required to ―pick‖ an entity, you must pick on the
hotspot.
 Note:
o Show locational picking by creating a few keypoints. Also show the use of middle and
right mouse buttons.
o Show retrieval picking by creating a few lines.
o Show ―loop‖ by creating an All area
o Show ― pick all‖ by deleting area only
o Do KPLOT, LPLOT, etc. with and without numbering. Type in a few of these
commands.
o Show the use of Pan – zoom – Rotate

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 Suppose you wanted to do the following:

o Plot all areas located in the second quadrant
o Delete all arcs of radius 0.2 to 0.3 units
o Apply a convection load on all exterior lines o Write out
all nodes at Z = 3.5 to a file
o View results only in elements made of steel
The common ―theme‖ in these tasks is that they all operate on a subset of the model.
 Select Logic allows you to select a subset of entities and operate only on those entities.
 Three steps:
o Select a subset
o Perform operations on the subset
o Reactivate the full set

Selecting Subsets

 Most selecting tools are available in the select entities dialog

box:
Utility Menu > Select > Entities….
 Or you can use the xSEL family of commands: KSEL,
LSEL, ASEL, VSEL, NSEL,
ESEL

 Criterion by which to select:

o By Num/Pick: to select based on entity numbers or by

picking
o Attached to: to select based on attached
entities. For example, select all lines attached to the current subset of areas.
o By location: to select based on X,Y,Z location. For example, select all nodes at X = 2.5.
X,Y,Z are interpreted in the active coordinate system.
o By Attributes: to select based on material number, real constant set number, etc.
Different attributes are available for different entities. o Exterior: to
select entities lying on the exterior.
o By results: to select entities by results data, e.g., nodal displacements.
 Type of selection:
o From full: select a subset from the full set of entities.
o Reselect: selects (again) a subset from the current subset.
o Also select: adds another subset to the current subset.
o Unselect: deactivates a portion of the current subsets.
o Invert: toggles the active and inactive subsets.
o Select None: deactivates the full set of entities.
o Select all: reactivates the full set of entities.

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Operations of the subset

 Typical operations are applying loads, listing results for the subset, or simply plotting the
selected entities.
o The advantages of having a subset selected are that you can use the [Pick all] button
when the picker prompts you pick desired entities. Or you can use the ALL label when
using commands.
o Note that most operations in ANSYS, including the SOLVE command, act on the
currently selected subset.
 Another ―operation‖ is to assign a name to the selected subset by creating a component.
Reactivating the full set

 After all desired operations are done on the selected subset, you should reactivate the full set of
entities.
o If all nodes and all elements are not active for solution, the solver will issue a warning to
that effect.
 The easiest way to reactivate the full set to select ―everything‖:
o Utility Menu > Select > Everything – or issue the command ALLSEL

You can also use the [Sele All] button in the select entities dialog box to reactive each entity set
separately. [Or issue KSEL, ALL; LSEL, ALL; etc.]
COMPONENTS
 Components are user – named subsets of entities. The name can then be used in dialog boxes
or commands in place of entity numbers or the label ALL.
 A group of nodes, or elements, or Keypoints, or lines, or areas, or volumes can be defined as a
component. Only one entity type is associated with a component.
 Component can be selected or unselected. When you select a component, you are actually
selecting all of the entities in that component.
 Component Manager is used to create, Display, List and Select components and Assemblies.
o Utility Menu > Select > Component Manager….
 Creating a component
o Utility Menu > Select > Component Manager – Click on the
Create Component Icon
 All of the currently selected entities will be included in the component, or you can select [pick]
the desired entities at this step.
 Enter a name
o Up to 32 characters – letters, numbers, and _ [underscore] – are
allowed.
o Beginning a component with _ [underscore] will make it a ―hidden component‖ and it
cannot be picked from the list.
This is not recommended.
o Suggestion: Use the first letter of the name to indicate the entity type. For example, use
N_HOLES for a node component.
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 Creating Assembly
o Highlight the components for the assembly
o Click on the create assembly Icon and enter a name
o Checking the box next to a component under the assembly number will also put a
component in an assembly.

GENERAL PROCEDURE IN FEM

The objective of this chapter is outline of general analysis procedure to be used to solve a simulation.
Regardless of the physics of the problem, the same general procedure can be followed.

Every analysis involves four main steps:

 Preliminary Decisions
o Which analysis type?
o What to model?
o Which element type?
 Preprocessing
o Define Material
o Create or import the model geometry
o Mesh the geometry
 Solution
o Apply loads
o Solve
 Postprocessing
o Review results
o Check the validity of the solution
Which analysis type?

The analysis type usually belongs to one of the following disciplines:

Structural : Motion of solid bodies, pressure on solid bodies, or contact of solid bodies.

Thermal : Applied heat, high temperature, or changes in temperature

Electromagnetic : Devices subjected to electric currents (AC or DC), Electromagnetic waves and
voltage or charge excitation.
Fluid : Motion of gases/fluids, or contained gases/fluids
Coupled – field : Combination of any.

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PERFORMING A TYPICAL ANSYS ANALYSIS

The ANSYS program has many finite element analysis capabilities, ranging from a simple,
linear, static analysis to a complex, nonlinear, transient dynamic analysis. The analysis
guide manuals in the ANSYS documentation set describe specific procedures for
performing analyses for different engineering disciplines.
A typical ANSYS analysis has three distinct steps:
Build the model.

Apply loads and obtain the solution.

Review the results.
Building a Model
Building a finite element model requires more of an ANSYS user's time than any other part
of the analysis. First, you specify a job name and analysis title. Then, you use the PREP7
preprocessor to define the element types, element real constants, material properties, and the
model geometry.
Specifying a Job name and Analysis Title
This task is not required for an analysis, but is recommended.
Defining the Job name
The job name is a name that identifies the ANSYS job. When you define a job name for an
analysis, the job name becomes the first part of the name of all files the analysis creates.
(The extension or suffix for these files' names is a file identifier such as .DB.) By using a
job name for each analysis, you insure that no files are overwritten. If you do not specify a
job name, all files receive the name FILE or file, depending on the operating system.
Command(s): /FILNAME
GUI: Utility Menu>File>Change Job name
Defining Element Types
The ANSYS element library contains more than 100 different element types. Each element
type has a unique number and a prefix that identifies the element category: BEAM4,
PLANE77, SOLID96, etc. The following element categories are available

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The element type determines, among other things:

The degree-of-freedom set (which in turn implies the discipline-structural, thermal,
magnetic, electric, quadrilateral, brick, etc.)

Whether the element lies in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space.
For example, BEAM4, has six structural degrees of freedom (UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY,
ROTZ), is a line element, and can be modeled in 3-D space. PLANE77 has a thermal
degree of freedom (TEMP), is an eight-node quadrilateral element, and can be modeled
only in 2-D space.
Defining Element Real Constants
Element real constants are properties that depend on the element type, such as cross-
sectional properties of a beam element. For example, real constants for BEAM3, the 2-D
beam element, are area (AREA), moment of inertia (IZZ), height (HEIGHT), shear
deflection constant (SHEARZ), initial strain (ISTRN), and added mass per unit length
(ADDMAS). Not all element types require real constants, and different elements of the
same type may have different real constant values.
As with element types, each set of real constants has a reference number, and the table of
reference number versus real constant set is called the real constant table. While defining
the elements, you point to the appropriate real constant reference number using the REAL
command
(Main Menu> Preprocessor>Create>Elements>Elem Attributes).
Defining Material Properties
Most element types require material properties. Depending on the application, material
properties may be:
Linear or nonlinear

Isotropic, orthotropic, or anisotropic

Constant temperature or temperature-dependent.
As with element types and real constants, each set of material properties has a material
reference number. The table of material reference numbers versus material property sets is
called the material table. Within one analysis, you may have multiple material property sets
(to correspond with multiple materials used in the model). ANSYS identifies each set with a
unique reference number.
Main Menu > Preprocessor> Material Props > Material Models.
Creating the Model Geometry

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Once you have defined material properties, the next step in an analysis is generating a finite
element model-nodes and elements-that adequately describes the model geometry.
There are two methods to create the finite element model: solid modeling and direct
generation.
With solid modeling, you describe the geometric shape of your model, and then instruct the
ANSYS program to automatically mesh the geometry with nodes and elements. You can
control the size and shape of the elements that the program creates. With direct generation,
you "manually" define the location of each node and the connectivity of each element.
Several convenience operations, such as copying patterns of existing nodes and elements,
symmetry reflection, etc. are available.
Apply Loads and Obtain the Solution
In this step, you use the SOLUTION processor to define the analysis type and analysis
options, apply loads, specify load step options, and initiate the finite element solution. You
also can apply loads using the PREP7 preprocessor.
Applying Loads
The word loads as used in this manual includes boundary conditions (constraints, supports,
or boundary field specifications) as well as other externally and internally applied loads.
Loads in the ANSYS program are divided into six categories:
DOF Constraints

Forces

Surface Loads

Body Loads

Inertia Loads

Coupled-field Loads
You can apply most of these loads either on the solid model (key points, lines, and areas) or
the finite element model (nodes and elements).
Two important load-related terms you need to know are load step and sub step. A load step
is simply a configuration of loads for which you obtain a solution. In a structural analysis,
for example, you may apply wind loads in one load step and gravity in a second load step.
Load steps are also useful in dividing a transient load history curve into several segments.

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Problem 1.1: Bar of Constant Cross-section Area

5 2
Consider the bar shown in figure below. Young’s modulus is 2.1×10 N/mm and Area is
2
500mm . Determine the Nodal Displacement, Stress in each element, Reaction forces.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL – h method- ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Link – 3D Finite stn 180 – ok – close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no 1 – c/s area – 500 – ok.
4. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 2.1e5 – PRXY – 0.27 – ok – close.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 1000 (x value w.r.t first node) – ok (second node is created).
6. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – ok (elements are
created through nodes).
7. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1 –
apply –DOFs to be constrained – All DOF – ok. Loads –
8. Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2 – apply
– direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value – 1000 (+ve value) – ok.
9. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
10. Element table – Define table – Add –‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num – LS –
LS1 – ok.
11. Plot results – contour plot –Element table – item to be plotted LS,1, avg common
nodes- yes average- ok.
12. List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok (reaction forces
will be displayed with the node numbers).
13. Plot results- nodal solution-ok-DOF solution- x component of displacement-ok.
14. Animation: Plot Ctrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

19
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Displacement: ______________________

Stress: ____________________________

Reaction force: _____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

Reaction

20
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 1.2: Bars of Tapered Cross section Area

Consider the Tapered bar shown in figure below. Determine the Nodal Displacement,
Stress in each element, Reaction forces
5 2 2 2
E = 2 x 10 N/mm , Area at root, A1 = 1000 mm , Area at the end, A2 = 500 mm .

Solution: The tapered bar is modified into 2 elements as shown below with modified area
of cross section.
2
(A1 + A2)/2= (1000+500)/2=750 mm
2
A1 = (1000+750)/2= 875 mm
2
A2= (500+750)/2=625 mm

L1 = 187.5 mm & L2 = 187.5 mm

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method– ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – link, 3D Finit stn 180 – ok- close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – cross-sectional AREA1 – 875
– apply-ok
4. Add – ok – real constant set no – 2 – cross-sectional AREA 2 – 625-ok
5. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 2e5 –PRXY – 0.3 – ok – close.
6. Modeling – Create – keypoints– In Active CS, =0, Y=0 – Apply (first key point is
created) – location in active CS, X= 187.5, Y=0, apply (second key point is created)
- location in active CS X=375, Y=0(third key point is created) -ok.
7. Modeling-Create – lines-straight lines-pick key points 1 & 2-ok- pick key points 2 &
3-ok
8. Meshing-mesh attributes-picked lines (pick the lines)-ok-material no= 1, real
constants set no = 1, element type no =1, link 1, element section= none defined-pick
the other line-ok-material number 2-define material id 2- real constants set no = 2,
element type no =2-element section= none defined-ok.

21lines- no of element divisions=10(yes)-ok

9. Meshing-size controls-manual size-lines-all
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

10. Meshing-mesh tool-mesh-pick the lines-ok (the color changes to light blue)
11. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on key points- pick key
point 1 – apply –DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF, displacement value=0 – ok.
12. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on key points- pick last
key point – apply – direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value – 1000 (+ve
value) – ok.
13. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
14. Element table – Define table – Add –‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num – LS –
LS1 – ok.
15. Plot results – contour plot –Element table – item to be plotted LS,1, avg common
nodes- yes average- ok.
16. List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok (reaction forces
will be displayed with the node numbers).
17. Plot results- nodal solution-ok-DOF solution- x component of displacement-ok.
18. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

22
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Displacement: ______________________

Stress: ____________________________

Reaction force: _____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

Reaction

23
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 1.3: Stepped Bar

Consider the stepped bar shown in figure below. Determine the Nodal Displacement, Stress
in each element, Reaction forces.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – link, 3D Finit stn 180 – ok- close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – cross-sectional AREA 1 – 900
– apply-ok
4. Add – ok – real constant set no – 2 – cross-sectional AREA 2 – 600-ok
5. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 2e5 –PRXY – 0.3- material- new material-define material id=2- Structural – Linear
– Elastic – Isotropic – EX – 0.7e5 –PRXY – 0.3– ok – close.
6. Modeling – Create – key points– In Active CS, =0, Y=0 – Apply (first key point is
created) – location in active CS, X= 600, Y=0, apply (second key point is created) -
location in active CS X=1100, Y=0(third key point is created) -ok.
7. Modeling-Create – lines-straight lines-pick key points 1 & 2-ok- pick key points 2 &
3-ok
8. Meshing-mesh attributes-picked lines (pick the lines)-ok-material no= 1, real
constants set no = 1, element type no =1, link 1, element section= none defined-pick
the other line-ok-material number 2-define material id 2- real constants set no = 2,
element type no =2-element section= none defined-ok.
9. Meshing-size controls-manual size-lines-all lines- no of element divisions=10(yes)-ok
10. Meshing-mesh tool-mesh-pick the lines-ok (the color changes to light blue)
11. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on key points- pick key
point 1 – apply –DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF, displacement value=0 – ok.
12. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on key points- pick last
key point – apply – direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value – 500 (+ve
value) – ok.
13. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
14. Element table – Define table – Add –‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num – LS –
LS1 – ok.
15. Plot results – contour plot –Element table – item to be plotted LS,1, avg common
nodes- yes average- ok.
16. List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok (reaction forces
will be displayed with the node numbers).
17. Plot results- nodal solution-ok-DOF solution- x component of displacement-ok.
18. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.

RESULT: 24
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Displacement: ______________________

Stress in each element:_______________

Reaction force: _____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

Reaction

25
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

2. TRUSSES
Problem 2.1: Consider the four bar truss shown in figure. For the given data, find
2
Stress in each element, Reaction forces, Nodal displacement. E = 210 GPa, A = 0.1 m .

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Link – 3D Finit stn 180 – ok – close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – c/s area – 0.1 – ok – close.
4. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 210e9– Ok – close.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 4 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS – 4, 3 (x, y value w.r.t first node) – apply (third node is created) – 0, 3
(x, y value w.r.t first node) – ok (forth node is created).
6. Create–Elements–Elem Attributes – Material number – 1 – Real constant set number
– 1 – ok
7. Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – apply – pick 2 & 3 – apply – pick 3 & 1
– apply pick 3 & 4 – ok (elements are created through nodes).
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes – pick node 1
& 4 – apply – DOFs to be constrained – All DOF – ok – on Nodes – pick node 2 –
apply – DOFs to be constrained – UY – ok.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2
– apply – direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value – 2000 (+ve value) –
ok – Structural –
10. Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 3 – apply – direction of For/Mom – FY –
Force/Moment value – -2500 (-ve value) – ok.
11. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
12. Element table – Define table – Add –‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num – LS –
LS1 – ok.
13. Plot results – contour plot –Element table – item to be plotted LS,1, avg common
nodes- yes average- ok.
14. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok
(reaction forces will be displayed with the node numbers).
15. Plot results- nodal solution-ok-DOF solution- Y component of displacement-ok.
16. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.

11
26
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Displacement: ______________________

Stress: ____________________________

Reaction force: _____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

Reaction

27
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 2.2: Consider the two bar truss shown in figure. For the given data, find
2
Stress in each element, Reaction forces, Nodal displacement. E = 210 GPa, A = 0.1 m .

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Link – 3D Finit stn 180 – ok – close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – c/s area – 0.1 – ok – close.
4. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 210e9– Ok – close.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 0.75 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is created) –
x,y,z location in CS –(0, -0.5),(x, y value w.r.t first node) – ok (third node is created
6. Create–Elements–Elem Attributes – Material number – 1 – Real constant set number
– 1 – ok
7. Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – apply – pick 2 & 3–– ok (elements are
created through nodes).
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes – pick node 1
&3 – apply – DOFs to be constrained – All DOF – ok
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2
– apply – direction of For/Mom – FY – Force/Moment value – 5000 (-ve value)
10. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
11. Element table – Define table – Add –‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num – LS –
LS1 – ok.
12. Plot results – contour plot –Element table – item to be plotted LS,1, avg common
nodes- yes average- ok.
13. List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok (reaction forces
will be displayed with the node numbers).
14. Plot results- nodal solution-ok-DOF solution- Y component of displacement-ok.
15. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.

28
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Displacement: ______________________

Stress: ____________________________

Reaction force: _____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

Reaction

29
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 2.3: Determine the nodal deflections, reaction forces, and stress for the truss
system shown below(E = 200GPa, A = 3250mm2).

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

Reaction

30
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

3. BEAMS
Problem 3.1: Simply Supported Beam
Compute the Shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown and find
the maximum deflection. Assume rectangular c/s area of 100 mm * 100mm, Young’s
modulus of210 MPa, Poisson’s ratio 0.27.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 node BEAM 188– ok- close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 2.10e5– PRXY – 0.27 – ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) -enter b=100,
h=100- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 1000 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is created) –
2500 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply(third node is created)- x,y,z location in CS-
3500 (x value w.r.t first node)-ok.
6. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 apply – pick 2 & 3
apply – pick 3 & 4 – ok (elements are created through nodes).
7. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1
& 4 – apply –DOFs to be constrained – all DOF – ok.
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2
– apply –direction of For/Mom – FY – Force/Moment value – -2000(-ve value) –
ok-Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 3 – apply –direction of For/Mom – FY –
Force/Moment value – -4000(-ve value) – ok.
9. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
10. Displacement: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – DOF solution –
displacement vector sum – ok.
11. Stress: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – stress – vonmises stress – ok.
12. Element table – Define table – Add – ‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num –
SMISC –SMISC, 6 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC, 19 – apply, By
Sequence num –SMISC – SMISC, 3 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC,
16 – ok – close.

31
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

13. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS6 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS19 – ok (Shear force diagram will be
displayed).
14. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS3 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS16 – ok (bending moment diagram will
be displayed).
15. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok
(reaction forces will be displayed with the node numbers).
NOTE: For Shear Force Diagram use the combination SMISC 6 & SMISC 19, for
Bending Moment Diagram use the combination SMISC 3 & SMISC 16.
16. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed results – DOF solution – USUM – ok.

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Displacement: ______________________

Shear force: _________________________

Bending moment: ___________________

Stress:_____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deflection

Shear force

Bending moment

Stress

32
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 3.2: Simply Supported Beam with uniformly varying load.

Compute the Shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown and
find the maximum deflection. Assume rectangular c/s area of 100mm * 100m m,
5 2
Young’s modulus of 2.1×10 N/mm , Poisson’s ratio= 0.27.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method- ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 nodes Beam 188 – ok – close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 2.1e5– PRXY – 0.27 –ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter b=100,
h=100- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 3000 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is created) –
4500 (x value w.r.t first node) –apply (third node is created) – 6000 (x value w.r.t
first node) – ok (forth node is created).
6. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – apply – pick 2 & 3
– apply –pick 3 & 4 – ok (elements are created through nodes).
7. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1
& 4 – apply –DOFs to be constrained – all DOF – ok.
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Pressure – on Beams – pick element
between nodes 1 & 2–apply–pressure value at node I– 0 (value)– pressure value at
node J – 40000–ok.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 3
– apply – direction of For/Mom – FY – Force/Moment value – (-80000) (-ve value)
– ok.
10. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
11. Displacement: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – DOF solution –
displacement vector sum – ok.
12. Stress: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – stress – von mises stress – ok.
13. Element table – Define table – Add – ‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num –
SMISC –SMISC, 6 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC, 19 – apply, By
Sequence num –SMISC – SMISC, 3 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC,
16 – ok – close.
14. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS6 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS19 – ok (Shear force diagram will be
displayed).

33
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

15. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS3 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS16 – ok (bending moment diagram will
be displayed).
16. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok
(reaction forces will be displayed with the node numbers).
17. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed results – DOF solution – deformed +
undeformed – ok.

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Deflection:______________________

Shear force: ________________________

Bending moment:___________________

Stress:_____________________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deflection

Shear force

Bending moment

Stress

34
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 3.3: Simply Supported Beam with Uniformally distributed load.

Compute the Shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown and find
the maximum deflection. Assume rectangular c/s area of 0.1 m * 0.1 m, Young’s
modulus of 210 GPa, Poisson’s ratio 0.27.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-select – STRUCTURAL – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 node 188 – ok- close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 210e9– PRXY – 0.27 –ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter
b=100, h=100- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) –
x,y,z location in CS– 4 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is
created) – 6 (x value w.r.t first node) – ok (third node is created).
6. Create – Nodes – Fill between Nds – pick 1 & 2 – apply – number of nodes to fill 7
– startingnode no – 4 – ok.
7. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 4 apply– pick 4 & 5
apply– pick 5 & 6 apply– pick 6 & 7 apply– pick 7 & 8 apply– pick 8 & 9 apply –
pick 9 & 10 apply– pick 10 & 2 apply – pick 2 & 3 – ok (elements are created
through nodes).
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1
& 3 – apply – DOFs to be constrained – UY – ok.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Pressure – on Beams – pick all
elements betweennodes 1 & 2 – apply – pressure value at node I – 12000 –
pressure value at node J – 12000 –ok.
10. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
11. Displacement: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – DOF solution
– displacement vector sum – ok.
12. Stress: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – stress – von mises stress – ok.
13. Element table – Define table – Add – ‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num –
SMISC –SMISC, 6 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC, 19 – apply, By
Sequence num –SMISC – SMISC, 3 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC –
SMISC, 16 – ok – close.
14. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I – SMIS 6
– Elem table item at node J – SMIS19 – ok (Shear force diagram will be displayed).
15. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS 3 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS 16 – ok (bending moment diagram will
be displayed).
16. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items –
ok (reaction forces will be displayed with the node numbers).
17. PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed results – DOF solution – USUM – ok.

35
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Deflection:______________________

Shear force: ________________________

Bending moment: ___________________

Stress:_____________________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deflection

Shear force

Bending moment

Stress

36
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 3.4: Beam with moment and overhung

Compute the Shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown and
find the maximum deflection. Assume rectangular c/s area of 0.2 m * 0.3 m, Young’s
modulus of 210 GPa, Poisson’s ratio 0.27.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method- ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 node 188 – ok – close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 210e9– PRXY – 0.27 –ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter b=200,
h=300- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 2 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is created) – 4 (x
value w.r.t first node) –apply (third node is created) – 6 (x value w.r.t first node) –
apply (forth node is created) – 7 (x value w.r.t first node) – ok (fifth node is created).
6. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – apply – pick 2 & 3
– apply –pick 3 & 4 – apply – pick 4 & 5 – ok (elements are created through nodes).
7. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1
& 4 –apply –DOFs to be constrained – UY – ok.
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2
– apply direction of For/Mom – MZ – Force/Moment value - 12000 (anticlockwise,
+ve value) – apply –pick node 3 – apply – direction of For/Mom – FY –
Force/Moment value - -6000 (-ve value) –apply – pick node 5 – apply – direction of
For/Mom – FY – Force/Moment value - -6000 (-ve value) – ok.
9. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
10. Displacement: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – DOF solution –
displacement vector sum – ok.
11. Stress: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – stress – von mises stress – ok.
12. Element table – Define table – Add – ‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num –
SMISC –SMISC, 6 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC, 19 – apply, By
Sequence num –SMISC – SMISC, 3 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC,
16 – ok – close.
13. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS6 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS19 – ok (Shear force diagram will be
displayed).
14. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS3 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS16 – ok (bending moment diagram will
be displayed).

37
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

15. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok
(reaction forces will be displayed with the node numbers).
16. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed results – DOF solution – deformed +
undeformed – ok.

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Deflection: ______________________

Shear force: ________________________

Bending moment:____________________

Stress: ____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deflection

SFD

BMD

Stress

38
 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 3.5: Cantilever Beam

Compute the Shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown and find
the maximum deflection. Assume rectangular c/s area of 0.2 m * 0.3 m, Young’s
modulus of 210 GPa, Poisson’s ratio 0.27.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 node Beam 188 – ok- close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 210e9– PRXY – 0.27 –ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter b=200,
h=300- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 2 (x value w.r.t first node) – ok (second node is created).
6. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – ok (elements are
created through nodes).
7. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1 –
apply –
8. DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF – ok.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2
– apply – direction of For/Mom – FY – Force/Moment value –( -40000) (-ve value)
– ok.
10. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
11. Displacement: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – DOF solution –
displacement vector sum – ok.
12. Stress: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – stress – von mises stress – ok.
13. Element table – Define table – Add – ‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num –
SMISC –SMISC, 6 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC, 19 – apply, By
Sequence num –SMISC – SMISC, 3 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC,
16 – ok – close.
14. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS6 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS19 – ok (Shear force diagram will be
displayed).
15. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS3 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS16 – ok (bending moment diagram will
be displayed).
16. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to be listed – All items – ok
(reaction forces will be displayed with the node numbers).

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Deflection: ______________________

Shear force: ________________________

Bending moment: ____________________

Stress: _____________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deflection

SFD

BMD

Stress

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 3.6: Beam with angular loads

Compute the Shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown in fig such
that one end hinged and at the other end is having roller support and find the maximum
deflection. Assume rectangular c/s area of 0.2 m * 0.3 m, Young’s modulus of 210 GPa,
Poisson’s ratio 0.27.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences select – STRUCTURAL – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2node 188 – ok – close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 210e9– PRXY – 0.27 –ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter b=200,
h=300- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In Active CS – Apply (first node is created) – x,y,z
location in CS– 1 (x value w.r.t first node) – apply (second node is created) – 2 (x
value w.r.t first node) – apply (third node is created) – 3 (x value w.r.t first node) –
apply (forth node is created) – 4 (x value w.r.t first node) – ok (fifth node is created).
6. Create – Elements – Auto numbered – Thru Nodes – pick 1 & 2 – apply – pick 2 & 3
– apply – pick 3 & 4 – apply – pick 4 & 5 – ok (elements are created through nodes).
7. Create – Nodes – Rotate nodes CS – by angles – pick node 2 – apply – about nodal z-
axis – 60 – apply – pick node 3 – apply about nodal z- axis – 45 – apply – pick node 4
– apply – about nodal z –axis – 30 – ok.
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick node 1 –
apply –DOFs to be constrained – UX & UY – apply – pick node 5 – apply – DOFs
to be constrained –UY – ok.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes- pick node 2
– apply direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value - -100 (-ve value) – apply
– pick node 3 – apply – direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value - -200 (-
ve value) – apply – pick node 4 – apply – direction of For/Mom – FX –
Force/Moment value - 300 (-ve value) – ok.
10. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
11. Displacement: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – DOF solution –
displacement vector sum – ok.
12. Stress: Plot Results – Contour plot – Nodal solution – stress – von mises stress – ok.
13. Element table – Define table – Add – ‘Results data item’ – By Sequence num –
SMISC –SMISC, 6 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC, 19 – apply, By
Sequence num –SMISC – SMISC, 3 – apply, By Sequence num – SMISC – SMISC,
16 – ok – close.
14. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS6 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS19 – ok (Shear force diagram will be
displayed).
15. Plot results – contour plot – Line Element Results – Elem table item at node I –
SMIS3 – Elem table item at node J – SMIS16 – ok (bending moment diagram will
be displayed).

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Deflection:______________________

Shear force: ________________________

Bending moment: ___________________

Stress:_____________________________

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deflection

Shear force

Bending moment

Stress

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Stress analysis of a rectangular plate with circular hole

Problem 4.1: In the plate with a hole under plane stress, find deformed shape of the
hole and determine the maximum stress distribution along A-B (you may use t = 1
mm). E = 210GPa, t = 1 mm, Poisson’s ratio = 0.3, Dia of the circle = 10 mm, Analysis
assumption – plane stress with thickness is used.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL-h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Solid – Quad 4 node – 42 – ok – option –
element behavior K3 – Plane stress with thickness – ok – close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – Thickness – 1 – ok.
4. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 2.1e5 –PRXY – 0.3 – ok – close.
5. Modeling –Create – Area – Rectangle – by dimensions – X1, X2, Y1, Y2 – 0, 60, 0,
40 – ok.
6. Create – Area – Circle – solid circle – X, Y, radius – 30, 20, 5 – ok.
7. Operate – Booleans – Subtract – Areas – pick area which is not to be deleted
(rectangle) – apply – pick area which is to be deleted (circle) – ok.
8. Meshing – Mesh Tool – Mesh Areas – Quad – Free – Mesh – pick all – ok. Mesh
Tool – Refine – pick all – Level of refinement – 3 – ok.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes – select box –
drag the left side of the area – apply – DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF – ok.
10. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes – select box
– drag the right side of the area – apply – direction of For/Mom – FX –
Force/Moment value – 2000 (+ve value) – ok.
11. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
12. Deformed shape-Plot Results – Deformed Shape – def+undeformed – ok.
13. Plot results – contour plot – Element solu – Stress – Von Mises Stress – ok (the
stress distribution diagram will be displayed).

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Deformation

Stress

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 4.2: The corner angle bracket is shown below. The upper left hand pin-hole is
constrained around its entire circumference and a tapered pressure load is applied to
the bottom of lower right hand pin-hole. Compute Maximum displacement, Von-Mises
stress.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences select – STRUCTURAL – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Solid – Quad 8 node – 82 – ok – option
– element behavior K3 – Plane stress with thickness – ok – close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – Thickness – 0.5 – ok.
4. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 30e6 –PRXY – 0.27 – ok – close.
5. Modeling – Create – Area – Rectangle – by dimensions – X1, X2, Y1, Y2 – 0, 6, 0, 2
– apply –Create – Area – Rectangle – by dimensions – X1, X2, Y1, Y2 – 4, 6, -2, 2 –
ok. Create – Area –Circle – solid circle – X, Y, radius – 0, 1, 1 – apply – X, Y, radius
– 5, -2, 1 – ok.
6. Operate – Booleans – Add – Areas – pick all.
7. Create – Lines – Line fillet – pick the two lines where fillet is required – apply –
fillet radius – 0.4 – ok. Create – Areas – Arbitrary – by lines – pick filleted lines –
ok. Operate – Booleans –
8. Add – Areas – pick all. Create – Area – Circle – solid circle – X, Y, radius – 0, 1, 0.4
– apply –X, Y, radius – 5, -2, 0.4 – ok.
9. Operate – Booleans – Subtract – Areas – pick area which is not to be deleted (bracket)
– apply – pick areas which is to be deleted (pick two circles) – ok.
10. Meshing – Mesh Tool – Mesh Areas – Quad – Free – Mesh – pick all – ok.
Mesh Tool – Refine– pick all – Level of refinement – 3 – ok.

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

11. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – on Lines – select the
inner lines of the upper circle – apply – DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF – ok.
12. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Pressure – on Lines – Pick line defining
bottom left part of the circle – apply – load PRES value – 50 – optional PRES value
– 500 – ok. Structural – Pressure – on Lines – Pick line defining bottom right part of
the circle – apply – load PRES value – 500 – optional PRES value – 50 – ok.
13. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
14. Plot Results – Deformed Shape – def+undeformed – ok.
15. Plot results – contour plot – Element solu – Stress – Von Mises Stress – ok (the
stress distribution diagram will be displayed).
16. PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.

RESULT:

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

THERMAL ANALYSIS
Problem 5.1: Solve the 2-D heat conduction problem for the temperature distribution
within the rectangular plate. Thermal conductivity of the plate, KXX=401 W/(m-K).

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-select – THERMAL- h method– ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Solid – Quad 4 node – 55 – ok – option –
element behavior K3 – Plane stress with thickness – ok – close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Thermal – Conductivity – Isotropic – KXX
– 401.
4. Modeling – Create – Area – Rectangle – by dimensions – X1, X2, Y1, Y2 – 0, 10, 0,
20 – ok.
5. Meshing – Mesh Tool – Mesh Areas – Quad – Free – Mesh – pick all – ok. Mesh
Tool – Refine – pick all – Level of refinement – 3 – ok.
6. Loads – Define loads – apply – Thermal – Temperature – on Lines – select 1000 C
lines – apply – DOFs to be constrained – TEMP – Temp value – 1000 C – ok.
7. Loads – Define loads – apply – Thermal – Temperature – on Lines – select 1000 C
lines –
8. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
9. Read results-last set-ok
10. List results-nodal solution-select temperature-ok
11. Observe the nodal solution per node.
12. From the menu bar-plot ctrls-style-size and shape-display of the element-click on
real constant multiplier=0.2, don’t change other values-ok.
13. Plot results-contour plot-nodal solution-temperature-deformed shape only-ok
14. Element table-define table-add-enter user label item=HTRANS, select by sequence
no SMISC, 1-ok-close.
15. Element table-list table-select HTRANS-ok

RESULT:

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FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

o
Problem 5.2: A furnace wall is made up of silica brick (K=1.5W/m C) and outside
o
magnesia brick (K= 4.9 W/m C) each 10cm thick. The inner and outer surfaces are
o o
exposed to fluids at temperatures of 820 C and 110 C respectively. The contact
2o
resistance is 0.001m C/W. The heat transfer coefficient for inner and outer surfaces is
2
equal to 35 W/m K. Find the heat flow through the wall per unit area per unit time
2
and temperature distribution across the wall. Area= 1m .

o o o 2
Given: K1=1.5W/m C, K2= 1 W/m C, K3= 4.9 W/m C, h1=h4=35 W/m K, T1=820°C,
0
T6=110 C, L1=L2= 10 cm & L= 1mm.

1. Preferences-thermal-h method-ok
2. Preprocessor-Element type-add/edit/delete-add-link, 3d conduction 33,element type
reference N0.=1-apply-link, convection 34 element type reference no.2=2-ok-close
3. Real constant- add/edit/delete-add-real constant set no=1-C/S area =1-ok-close.
4. Real constant- add/edit/delete-add-real constant set no=2-C/S area =1-ok-close.
5. Material properties-material model-thermal conductivity-isotropic-KXX=1.5-
ok. From the define material model behavior menu bar-material new model
Enter define material id=2-ok Thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-Kxx=1-ok
Define material id=3-ok Thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-Kxx=4.9-ok
Define material id=4-ok-convection or film coefficient HF= 35,
close Modeling-create-nodes-in active CS
Enter node no=1,x=0,y=0,z=0-apply
Enter node no=2, X=0.001, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=3, X=0.101, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=4, X=0.102, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=5, X=0.202, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=6, X=0.203, Y=0, Z=0-ok.
Modeling-create-element-element attributes

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Enter element type no=2 LINK 34 (convection)

Material no=4 (convection or film coefficient)
Real constant set no=2 (convection)-ok

Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 1 & 2-

ok Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33 (Conduction)
Material no=1 (conduction)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok

Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 2 & 3-

ok Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33 (Conduction)
Material no=2 (conduction)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok

Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 3 & 4-

ok Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33 (Conduction)
Material no=3 (conduction)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok

Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 4 & 5-

ok. Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=2 LINK 34 (Convection)
Material no=4 (convection or film coefficient)
Real constant set no=2 (convection)-ok
Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 5 & 6-ok.
Observe the straight line.
From the menu bar select plot controls-Numbering-Plot numbering control and select
element/attributes numbering=element no and don’t change other attributes-ok
6. Solution- Analysis type-new analysis-steady state-ok.

 Solution-define loads-apply-thermal-temperature-on nodes-pick the first nodes-ok-

0
temperature-load-temperature value=820 C-apply.

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

 Define load-apply-thermal-temperature-on nodes-pick the last node-ok, select

0
temperature-load temperature value=110 C-ok.

 Solution- solve-current LS-
ok. Solution is done-close.
7. Read results-last set-ok
8. List results-nodal solution-select temperature-ok
9. Observe the nodal solution per node.
10. From the menu bar-plot ctrls-style-size and shape-display of the element-click on
real constant multiplier=0.2, don’t change other values-ok.
11. Plot results-contour plot-nodal solution-temperature-deformed shape only-ok
12. Element table-define table-add-enter user label item=HTRANS, select by sequence
no SMISC, 1-ok-close.
13. Element table-list table-select HTRANS-ok

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Ansys results:

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Ansys Theoretical

Nodal temperature

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

T6

Heat flux

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 5.3: The exterior wall of a building is constructed of four materials, 12mm
thick gypsum board, 75mm thick fibre glass insulation, 20mm thick plywood and
o o
20mm thick hardboard. The inside and outside air temperatures are 20 C and -10 C
respectively. The convective heat transfer coefficients on the inner and outer surfaces
2o 2o
of the wall are 6W/m C and 10 W/m C respectively. Determine the heat flux and
o
the temperature distribution. Take K for gypsum=0.176W/m C, K for fibre
o o o
glass=0.036W/m C, K for plywood=0.115 W/m C and K for hardboard=0.215 W/m C.
2
Area= 1m .

1. Preferences-thermal-h method-ok
2. Element type-add/edit/delete-add-link, 3d conduction 33,element type reference
N0.=1-apply-link, convection 34 element type reference no.2=2-ok-close
3. Real constant- add/edit/delete-add-real constant set no=1-C/S area =1-ok-close.
4. Real constant- add/edit/delete-add-real constant set no=2-C/S area =1-ok-close.
5. Material properties-material model-convection film coefficient-enter HF=6-
ok From the define material model behavior menu bar-material new model
Enter define material id=2-ok Thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-Kxx=0.176-ok
Define material id=3-ok Thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-Kxx=0.036-ok
Define material id=4-ok Thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-Kxx=0.115-ok
Define material id=5-ok Thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-Kxx=0.215-ok
Define material id=6-convection or film coefficient HF= 10, close
Modeling-create-nodes-in active CS
Enter node no=1,x=0,y=0,z=0-apply
Enter node no=2, X=0.001, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=3, X=0.013, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=4, X=0.088, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=5, X=0.108, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=6, X=0.128, Y=0, Z=0-apply
Enter node no=7, X=0.129, Y=0, Z=0-ok
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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=2 LINK 34 (convection)
Material no=1 (convection or film coefficient)
Real constant set no=2 (convection)-ok
Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 1 & 2-ok
Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33 (Conduction)
Material no=2 (conduction)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok
Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 2 & 3-ok
Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33(Conduction)
Material no=3 (conduction)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok
Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 3 & 4-ok

Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33 (Conduction)
Material no=4 (conduction)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok

Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 4 & 5-ok.

Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=1 LINK 33 (Conduction)
Material no=5 (convection or film coefficient)
Real constant set no=1 (conduction)-ok
Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 5 & 6-ok.
Modeling-create-element-element attributes
Enter element type no=2 LINK 34 (convection)
Material no=6 (convection or film coefficient)
Real constant set no=2 (convection)-ok

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Modeling-create-element-auto numbered-through node-pick the nodes 6 & 7-ok

Observe the straight line.
From the menu bar select plot controls-Numbering-Plot numbering control and select
element/attributes numbering=element no and don’t change other attributes-ok
6. Solution- Analysis type-new analysis-steady state-ok.

o Solution-define loads-apply-thermal-temperature-on nodes-pick the first nodes-

0
ok-temperature-load-temperature value=20 C-apply.
o Define load-apply-thermal-temperature-on nodes-pick the last node-ok, select
0
temperature-load temperature value=-10 C-ok.
o Solution- solve-current LS-ok.

7. Read results-last set-ok

8. List results-nodal solution-select temperature-ok
9. Observe the nodal solution per node.
10. From the menu bar-plot ctrls-style-size and shape-display of the element-click on
real constant multiplier=0.2, don’t change other values-ok.
11. Plot results-contour plot-nodal solution-temperature-deformed shape only-ok
12. Element table-define table-add-enter user label item=HTRANS, select by sequence
no SMISC, 1-ok-close.
13. Element table-list table-select HTRANS-ok

RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 5.4: A plane wall ‘X’ (K=75W/mK) is 60 mm thick and has volumetric heat
6 3
generation of 1.5×10 W/m . It is insulated on one side while the other side is in contact
with the surface of another wall ‘Y’ (K=150W/mK) which is 30mm thick and has no
0
heat generation. The free surface of wall ‘Y’ is exposed to a cooling fluid at 20 C with
2
a convection coefficient of 950 W/m K. Find steady state temperatures at salient
2
points across the composite wall. Area= 1m .

1. Preferences-Thermal-h method-ok
2. Element type-add/edit/delete- add-solid, quad 4node 55-enter reference
number=1-select options-element behaviour,K3= plane thickness-ok
3. Real constants- add/edit/delete-add- enter real constant set no. 1, thickness=2-ok-close
4. Material properties-Material models-material number 1-thermal-
conductivity-isotropic-KXX=75-ok.
5. From the menu bar select material-new model-enter material no. ID 2=2-select
6. Material model no.2- thermal-conductivity-isotropic-KXX=150-ok.
7. Modeling-create-areas-rectangles-by dimensions-X1=0, X2=0.06,
Y1=0,Y2=0.03-apply- X1=0.06, X2=0.09, Y1=0,Y2=0.03-OK Modeling-
operate-Boolean-glue-areas-pick the material-ok
8. Meshing-size controls-manual size-picked lines-pick the first vertical line, middle
line and the last vertical line-ok-number of element divisions-2-apply
Meshing-size controls-manual size-picked lines-pick the first rectangle top
and bottom lines-number of element divisions=60-apply
Meshing-size controls-manual size-picked lines-pick the top and bottom lines
of second rectangle-number of element divisions=30-ok.
Meshing-mesh areas- free-pick all-ok.
9. Solution-Analysis type-new analysis-steady state-ok
define loads-apply-thermal-heat generated on areas-pick the first rectangle-ok

define loads-apply-thermal-heat generated on areas-apply Hgen on areas as
 constant value- load Hgen value=1.5e6



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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

define loads-apply-thermal-convection-on lines-pick the back corner line-ok-enter

0
film coefficient=950-bulk temperature=20 C (Don’t change other attributes)-ok

define loads-apply-thermal-heat flux-on lines-pick the front corner line-ok-enter

heat flux=0-ok
10. Solution-solve-current LS-ok-close
11. Read results-last set-ok
12. List results-nodal solution-select temperature-ok
13. Observe the nodal solution per node.

14. From the menu bar-plot ctrls-style-size and shape-display of the element-click on
real constant multiplier=0.2, don’t change other values-ok.
15. Plot results-contour plot-nodal solution-temperature-deformed shape only-ok
RESULT:
Analytical approach:

Calculation:

Ansys results:

Ansys Theoretical

Nodal temperature

T1

T2

T
3

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 6.1: Modal Analysis of Cantilever beam for natural frequency determination.
Modulus of elasticity = 200GPa, Density = 7800 Kg/m3.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 node 188– ok- close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 200e9– PRXY – 0.27 – Density – 7800 – ok – close.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter b=0.01,
h=0.01- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Keypoints – in Active CS – x,y,z locations – 0,0 – apply –
x,y,z locations –1,0 – ok (Keypoints created).
6. Create – Lines – lines – in Active Coord – pick keypoints 1 and 2 – ok.
7. Meshing – Size Cntrls – ManualSize – Lines – All Lines – element edge length – 0.1
– ok. Mesh– Lines – Pick All – ok.
8. Solution – Analysis Type – New Analysis – Modal – ok.
9. Solution – Analysis Type – Subspace – Analysis options – no of modes to extract – 5
– no of modes to expand – 5 – ok – (use default values) – ok.
10. Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement – On Keypoints –
Pick first keypoint – apply – DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF – ok.
11. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
12. Result Summary
13. Read Results – First Set
14. Plot Results – Deformed Shape – def+undeformed – ok.
15. PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.
16. Read Results – Next Set
17. Plot Results – Deformed Shape – def+undeformed – ok.
18. PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok

RESULT:
Analytical solution:

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Ansys results:

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Problem 6.2: Fixed- fixed beam subjected to forcing function

Conduct a harmonic forced response test by applying a cyclic load (harmonic) at the
end of the beam. The frequency of the load will be varied from 1 - 100 Hz. Modulus of
elasticity = 200GPa, Poisson’s ratio = 0.3, Density = 7800 Kg/m3.

1. Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok

2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – BEAM – 2 node BEAM 188 – ok – close.
3. Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX
– 200e9– PRXY – 0.3 – Density – 7800 – ok.
st
4. Sections-Beams-common sections- sub type- rectangle (1 element) - enter b=100,
h=100- preview-ok.
5. Modeling – Create – Keypoints – in Active CS – x,y,z locations – 0,0 – apply –
x,y,z locations –1,0 – ok (Keypoints created).
6. Create – Lines – lines – in Active Coord – pick keypoints 1 and 2 – ok.
7. Meshing – Size Cntrls – ManualSize – Lines – All Lines – element edge length – 0.1
– ok. Mesh– Lines – Pick All – ok.
8. Solution – Analysis Type – New Analysis – Harmonic – ok.
9. Solution – Analysis Type – Subspace – Analysis options – Solution method – FULL
– DOF printout format – Real + imaginary – ok – (use default values) – ok.
10. Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement – On Keypoints –
Pick first keypoint – apply – DOFs to be constrained – ALL DOF – ok.
11. Solution – Define Loads – Apply – Structural – Force/Moment – On Keypoints –
Pick second node – apply – direction of force/mom – FY – Real part of force/mom –
100 – imaginary part of force/mom – 0 – ok.
12. Solution – Load Step Opts – Time/Frequency – Freq and Substps... – Harmonic
frequency range– 0 – 100 – number of substeps – 100 – B.C – stepped – ok.
13. Solve – current LS – ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.
14. TimeHistPostpro
Select ‘Add’ (the green '+' sign in the upper left corner) from this window – Nodal
solution -DOF solution – Y component of Displacement – ok. Graphically select
node 2 – ok.
Select ‘List Data’ (3 buttons to the left of 'Add') from the window.
' Time History Variables' window click the 'Plot' button, (2 buttons to the left of
'Add') Utility Menu – PlotCtrls – Style – Graphs – Modify Axis – Y axis scale –
Logarithmic –ok. Utility Menu – Plot – Replot.
This is the response at node 2 for the cyclic load applied at this node from 0 - 100 Hz.

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RESULT:

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ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS
1. Calculate the stresses and displacement for the plate shown below. Let the load be P =
100N applied at equal distance from both ends and E = 3e7 N/mm2.

2. Current passes through a stainless steel wire of 2.5 mm diameter (k=200 W/mK)
causing volumetric heat generation of 26.14X108 W/m3 .the wire is submerged in a
fluid maintained at 500 C and convective heat transfer coefficient at the wire surface is
4000W/m2 K . Find the steady state temperature at the centre and at the surface of the
wire.

3. Calculate the maximum value of Von-misses stresses in the stepped beam with a
rounded plate as shown in the figure. Where Young’s modulus, E=210Gpa, Poisson’s
ratio is 0.3 and the beam thickness is 10mm, the element size is 2mm

4. Loads will not be applied to the beam shown below in order to observe the deflection
caused by the weight of the beam itself. The beam is to be made of steel with a
Young’s modulus of elasticity of 200 Gpa.

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

5. A beam has a force of 1000N applied as shown below. The purpose of this
optimization problem is to minimize the weight of the beam without exceeding the
allowable stress. It is necessary to find the cross sectional dimensions of the beam in
order to minimize the weight of the beam. However, the width and height of the beam
cannot be smaller than 10mm. The maximum stress anywhere in the beam cannot
exceed 200 MPa. The beam is to be made of steel with a modulus of elasticity of 200
GPa

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VIVA QUESTIONS
1. Theories of failure.

a. Maximum Principal Stress Theory- A material in complex state of stress fails, when the
maximum principal stress in it reaches the value of stress at elastic limit in simple
tension.

b. Maximum Shear Stress Theory- A material in complex state of stress fails when the
maximum shearing stress in it reaches the value of shearing stress at elastic limit in
uniaxial tension test.

c. Maximum Principal Strain Theory-Failure in a complex system occurs when the

maximum strain in it reaches the value of the strain in uniaxial stress at elastic limit.

d. Maximum Strain Energy Theory- A material in complex state of stress fails when the
maximum strain energy per unit volume at a point reaches the value of strain energy per
unit volume at elastic limit in simple tension test.

e. Maximum Distortion Energy Theory-This theory is also known as Von-Mises criteria

for failure of elastic bodies. According to this theory part of strain energy causes only
changes in volume of the material and rest of it causes distortion. At
failure the energy causing distortion per unit volume is equal to the distortion energy per
unit volume in uniaxial state of stress at elastic limit.

2. What is factor of safety?

The maximum stress to which any member is designed is much less than the ultimate stress
and this stress is called working stress. The ratio of ultimate stress to working stress is called
factor of safety.

3. What is Endurance limit?

The max stress at which even a billion reversal of stress cannot cause failure of the material is
called endurance limit.

4. Define: Modulus of rigidity, Bulk modulus

Modulus of rigidity: It is defined as the ratio of shearing stress to shearing strain within elastic
limit.
Bulk modulus:It is defined as the ratio of identical pressure ‘p’ acting in three mutually
perpendicular directions to corresponding volumetric strain.

5. What is proof resilience?

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

The maximum strain energy which can be stored by a body without undergoing permanent
deformation is called proof resilience.

6. What is shear force diagram?

A diagram in which ordinate represent shear force and abscissa represents the position of the
section is called SFD.

7. What is bending moment diagram?

A diagram in which ordinate represents bending moment and abscissa represents the position
of the section is called BMD.

8. Assumptions in simple theory of bending.

a. The beam is initially straight and every layer of it is free to expand or contract.
b. The material is homogeneous and isotropic.
c. Young’s modulus is same in tension and compression.
d. Stresses are within elastic limit.
e.Plane section remains plane even after bending.
f. The radius of curvature is large compared to depth of beam.

9. State the three phases of finite element method.

10. What are the h and p versions of finite element method?

Both are used to improve the accuracy of the finite element method. In h version, the order of
polynomial approximation for all elements is kept constant and the numbers of elements are
increased. In p version, the numbers of elements are maintained constant and the order of
polynomial approximation of element is increased.

11. What is the difference between static analysis and dynamic analysis?
Static analysis: The solution of the problem does not vary with time is known as static
analysis.E.g.: stress analysis on a beam.
Dynamic analysis: The solution of the problem varies with time is known as dynamic
analysis.E.g.: vibration analysis problem.

12. What are Global coordinates?

The points in the entire structure are defined using coordinates system is known as global
coordinate system.

13. What are natural coordinates?A natural coordinate system is used to define any point
inside the element by a set of dimensionless number whose magnitude never exceeds
unity. This system is very useful in assembling of stiffness matrices.

14. What is a CST element?

Three node triangular elements are known as constant strain triangular element. It has 6
unknown degrees of freedom called u1, v1, u2, v2, u3, v3. The element is called CST because
it has constant strain throughout it.

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15. Define shape function.

In finite element method, field variables within an element are generally expressed by the
following approximate relation:

Φ (x,y) = N1(x,y) Φ1+ N2(x,y) Φ2+N3(x,y) Φ3+N4(x,y) Φ4 where Φ1, Φ2, Φ3 and Φ4 are the
values of the field variables at the nodes and N1, N2, N3 and N4 are interpolation function.
N1, N2, N3, N4 are called shape functions because they are used to express the geometry or
shape of the element.

16. What are the characteristics of shape function?

The characteristics of the shape functions are as follows:

 The shape function has unit value at one nodal point and zero value at the other nodes.
 The sum of shape functions is equal to one.

17. Why polynomials are generally used as shape function?
 Differentiation and integration of polynomials are quite easy.
 The accuracy of the results can be improved by increasing the order of the polynomial.
 It is easy to formulate and computerize the finite element equations.

18. State the properties of a stiffness matrix. The
properties of the stiffness matrix [K] are:
 It is a symmetric matrix.
 The sum of the elements in any column must be equal to zero.
 It is an unstable element, so the determinant is equal to zero.

19. What are the difference between boundary value problem and initial value problem?

The solution of differential equation obtained for physical problems which satisfies some
specified conditions known as boundary conditions. If the solution of differential equation is
obtained together with initial conditions then it is known as initial value
problem. If the solution of differential equation is obtained together with boundary conditions
then it is known as boundary value problem.

20. What is meant by plane stress?

Plane stress is defined as a state of stress in which the normal stress (α) and the shear stress
directed perpendicular to plane are zero.

21. Define plane strain.

Plane strain is defined to be a state of strain in which the strain normal to the xy plane and the
shear strains are assumed to be zero.

22. Define Quasi-static response.

When the excitations are varying slowly with time then it is called quasi-static response.

23. What is a sub parametric element?

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is less than the number of nodes used
for defining the displacements is known as sub parametric element.

24. What is a super parametric element?

If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is more than the number of nodes used
for defining the displacements is known as sub parametric element.

25. What is meant by isoparametric element?

If the number of nodes used for defining the geometry is same as number of nodes used for
defining the displacements then it is called parametric element.

26. What is the purpose of isoparametric element?

It is difficult to represent the curved boundaries by straight edges finite elements. A large
number of finite elements may be used to obtain reasonable resemblance between original
body and assemblage. In order to overcome this drawback, iso parametric elements are used
i.e for problems involving curved boundaries, a family of elements ‘isoparametric elements’
are used.

27. What are isotropic and orthotropic materials?

A material is isotropic if its mechanical and thermal properties are the same in all directions.
Isotropic materials can have homogeneous or non-homogeneous microscopic structures.
Orthotropic materials: A material is orthotropic if its mechanical or thermal properties are
unique and independent in three mutually perpendicular directions.

28. What is discretization?

Discretization is the process of dividing given problem into several small elements, connected
with nodes.

29. Steps in FEM

 Discretization
 Selection of the displacement models
 Deriving element stiffness matrices
 Assembly of overall equations/ matrices
 Solution for unknown displacements
 Computations for the strains/stresses

NAME OF THE LBORATORY:___________________________________ CODE:______________

SEMESTER:__________NAME OF STUDENT: ______________________ ROLL No:___________

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

Lab Performance Appraisal Sheet

Marks awarded for

Date of

Marks

mance
Experiment No & Title of the

Perfor

Citize
nship

with Date
Signature
Viva-

Total
Allotm

voce

of Lab In
Full

Lab

Lab
Experiment

(Y)

(X)

charge
ent

Total Marks from experiment

No------ to ----- (Z)
Total marks as per syllabus
(M)= Z / 10

Note: Lab citizenship covers Discipline, Punctuality, Lab Meeting Participation, Note book Record Keeping and
contribution in up keeping of the lab

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 FINITE ELEMENT METHODS LAB MANUAL

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[2]. ANSYS Inc. (2012). ANSYS Mechanical APDL Element Reference. ANSYS Manual,
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Engineering Using ANSYS. Chemistry &amp;
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