Challenge 2- Comparing the performance of three types of beams under bending load.

Aim

To compare the performance of three types of beams under bending load using solid works simulation and to suggest the best out of the three obtained results.

Introduction

Finite element analysis is used to solve numerical differential equations of complex parameters used in engineering and mathematical models. Key feature of FEA is using differential equations as it simplifies and provide the following:

Accurate representation of complex geometry

Inclusion of dissimilar material properties

Capture of circumscribed effects

Uncomplicated total solution

Basic theory

FEA involves dividing the problem into small number of smaller sub domain that represent a set of element equations to the original problem. Thus, unifying set of element equations to form the final calculation. The FEM approximates a solution by minimizing an associated error function via the calculus of variations. Typical problem areas of interest include structural analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow ...etc. Studying or analyzing a phenomenon with FEM is known as finite element analysis (FEA).

Methods of solving engineering problems:

Analytical method

Usage of derived mathematical formulae.

Experimental method

Requires performing experiments and recording the solutions as long the setup is well defined.

Numerical method

Using mathematical tools to obtain approximate solutions for complex areas and volumes.

General steps in analysis:

Pre-processing

Geometry check

After importing the CAD model, it is made sure that there are no alterations in our model.

Meshing

Model is discreet into smaller elements for meshing.

Quality check

Quality of the meshing is checked during this step.

Boundary conditions

This includes the fixtures, loads, values of loads, initial conditions of the model, material of the model… etc.

Processing

Software computes the mathematical calculations based on the boundary conditions provided for FEA.

Post-processing

Visualization of the data form the simulation to obtain result or verify the hypothesis or redesign to obtain the desired outcome.

Case setup

We have three beams of different cross-sections but of length 400mm each and the applied load is 1500N on smaller faces to develop bending in the corresponding beams. By constraining one end of the beam and with the applied force the stress, strain and displacement results are obtained and compared for three different beams taken as case 1-Rectangle beam, case 2-I beam and case 3-C beam.

Solid works simulation

Create a new study under simulation choose static option.

Apply the type of material to the part to imbued with mechanical, chemical and thermal properties, in our case we use Alloy steel.

Case1 I section

Case 2 rectangle

case 3 u sectiion

Properties of alloy steel

OBSERVATION:

Stress Contour: It achieves maximum yield strength at 2.411e+07 N/mm.

Displacement Contour: It is quite evident from the contour that fixed end does not experience any changes, as we move to the other end, displacement is maximum at a distance of 8.592e+02 mm.

Strain Contour: Maximum strain is experienced on the fixed end i.e. 8.11e-05.

Case	stress	displacment	Strain
beam	9.45	0.031	3.001e^-005
I beam	23.018	0.085	7.610e^-005
U beam	42.276	0.344	1.310e^-005

CONCUSSION:

Here comparing all results of case 1(Solid Beam) has less stress, less displacement, less strain and comparing all results of case 3 (C section beam)has high stress,high displacement, high strain

But in the case 2(I section beam) stress, displacement, strain are in medium level, If I section beam, cross section increase the it can withstand more load comparing to other BEAMS.