COMPARISON OF BENDING IN BEAMS | SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION | FEA

AIM:

To perform static loading analysis (FEA) on the given CAD models.

OBJECTIVE:

In this project, the main objective is to compare the bending performance of the three types of beams (Rectangular beam, I -section beam, and C-section beam) which is extruded to a length of 400mm. After this, a baseline simulation is run on these beams at an external force of 1500N acting upon their smaller face and compare the results of stress, displacement, and strain for all the three beams. Also, to suggest the best out of the three.

INTRODUCTION:

FEA (Finite Element Analysis): FEA is an analysis method using FEM (Finite Element Method) to solve the structural problems. The finite element method is a numerical technique for obtaining an approximate solution to a wide variety of engineering problems. The method originated in the aerospace industry as a tool to study stresses in the complex air-frame structure.

STRESS: When a body is acted upon by an external force or load, internal resisting force is set up, such a body is said to be in a state of stress, hence stress is the resistance offered by the body to deformation.

STRAIN: when a force or load acts on a body it undergoes deformation. This deformation per unit length is known as unit strain or simply strain.

STRESS-STRAIN CURVE: To determine the relationship between the stress and strain for a given material, let’s conduct an experiment. Take a test cylinder or wire and stretch it by an applied force. Record the fraction change in length (strain) and the applied force needed to cause the strain. Increase the applied force gradually, in steps, and record the readings.

Now, plot a graph between the stress (which is equal in magnitude to the applied force per unit area) and the strain produced. The graph for a typical metal looks as follows:

GEOMETRY OF BEAMS(GIVEN):

1. Rectangular Beam

2. I-section Beam

3. C-section Beam

PROCEDURE:

• Creating the geometry in SolidWorks.
• After creating the geometry, extrude it to 400mm.
• Under Simulation, perform a new study for static analysis.
• General steps in FEA problem:
  • PRE-PROCESSING: -
    • Defining material property. Here we have defined the material for each beam to be Alloy steel.
  • SOLVING: -
    • Types of Analysis: Static Analysis
    • Beams are fixed at one end of the extrusion along the cross-section.
    • A 1500Nload was applied over the top face
    • The Simulation was run using after refining mesh for good results.
  • POST PROCESSING: -
    • Results: Stress, strain, and displacement contours/plots.

OUTPUTS:

1. RECTANGULAR BEAM:

OBSERVATION:

• Stress Contour: It achieves maximum yield strength at 7.942e+06 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 3.02e-02 mm.
• Strain Contour: Maximum strain is experienced on the fixed end i.e. 2.685e-05.

2. I-SECTION BEAM:

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.

3. C-SECTION BEAM:

OBSERVATION:

• Stress Contour: It achieves maximum yield strength at 4.342e+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 2.769e-01 mm.
• Strain Contour: Maximum strain is experienced on the fixed end i.e. 1.329e-04.