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Section Modulus Calculation and Optimization Objective: The main objective of this project is to learn the basic tools, commands, and the calculation and optimization of the Section Modulus using Siemens NX CAD. The objectives of this project are as follows: To understand…
Dhivakar GN
updated on 05 Jun 2021
Section Modulus Calculation and Optimization
Objective:
The main objective of this project is to learn the basic tools, commands, and the calculation and optimization of the Section Modulus using Siemens NX CAD. The objectives of this project are as follows:
To understand and learn the basic Graphical User Interface (GUI) of Siemens NX CAD
To understand and learn the Calculation and Optimization of Section Modulus of Hood Design Using Siemens NX CAD.
What is section modulus:
Section modulus is a geometric property for a given cross-section used in the design of beams or flexural members. Other geometric properties used in the design include an area for tension and shear, the radius of gyration for compression, and the moment of inertia, and polar moment of inertia for stiffness.
Types of section modulus:
Elastic section modulus(S).
Plastic section modulus(Z).
For general design, the elastic section modulus is used, applying up to the yield point for most metals and other common materials.
The elastic section modulus is defined as S = I / y, where I is the second moment of area (or area moment of inertia, not to be confused with moment of inertia) and y is the distance from the neutral axis to any given fibre. It is often reported using y = c, where c is the distance from the neutral axis to the most extreme fibre, as seen in the table below. It is also often used to determine the yield moment (My) such that My = S × σy, where σy is the yield strength of the material.
Cross-sectional shape | Figure | Equation | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Rectangle | ![]() |
{\displaystyle S={\cfrac {bh^{2}}{6}}} |
Solid arrow represents neutral axis |
doubly symmetric I-section (major axis) | ![]() |
{\displaystyle Sx={\cfrac {BH^{2}}{6}}-{\cfrac {bh^{3}}{6H}}} {\displaystyle Sx={\tfrac {Ix}{y}}} with {\displaystyle y={\cfrac {H}{2}}} |
NA indicates neutral axis |
doubly symmetric I-section (minor axis) | ![]() |
{\displaystyle Sy={\cfrac {B^{2}(H-h)}{6}}+{\cfrac {(B-b)^{3}h}{6B}}} |
NA indicates neutral axis |
Circle | ![]() |
{\displaystyle S={\cfrac {\pi d^{3}}{32}}} |
Solid arrow represents neutral axis |
Circular hollow section | ![]() |
{\displaystyle S={\cfrac {\pi \left(r_{2}^{4}-r_{1}^{4}\right)}{4r_{2}}}={\cfrac {\pi (d_{2}^{4}-d_{1}^{4})}{32d_{2}}}} |
Solid arrow represents neutral axis |
Rectangular hollow section | ![]() |
{\displaystyle S={\cfrac {BH^{2}}{6}}-{\cfrac {bh^{3}}{6H}}} |
NA indicates neutral axis |
Diamond | ![]() |
{\displaystyle S={\cfrac {BH^{2}}{24}}} |
NA indicates neutral axis |
C-channel | ![]() |
{\displaystyle S={\cfrac {BH^{2}}{6}}-{\cfrac {bh^{3}}{6H}}} |
NA indicates neutral axis |
The plastic section modulus is used for materials where elastic yielding is acceptable and plastic behavior is assumed to be an acceptable limit. Designs generally strive to ultimately remain below the plastic limit to avoid permanent deformations, often comparing the plastic capacity against amplified forces or stresses.
The plastic section modulus depends on the location of the plastic neutral axis (PNA). The PNA is defined as the axis that splits the cross section such that the compression force from the area in compression equals the tension force from the area in tension. So, for sections with constant yielding stress, the area above and below the PNA will be equal, but for composite sections, this is not necessarily the case.
The plastic section modulus is the sum of the areas of the cross section on each side of the PNA (which may or may not be equal) multiplied by the distance from the local centroids of the two areas to the PNA: Zp = Acyc + Atyt
​
Description | Figure | Equation | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
Rectangular section | ![]() |
{\displaystyle Z_{P}={\cfrac {bh^{2}}{4}}} |
{\displaystyle A_{C}=A_{T}={\cfrac {bh}{2}}} |
Rectangular hollow section | {\displaystyle Z_{P}={\cfrac {bh^{2}}{4}}-(b-2t)\left({\cfrac {h}{2}}-t\right)^{2}} |
where: b=width, h=height, t=wall thickness | |
For the two flanges of an I-beam with the web excluded[7] | {\displaystyle Z_{P}=b_{1}t_{1}y_{1}+b_{2}t_{2}y_{2}\,} |
where:
{\displaystyle b_{1},b_{2}} |
|
For an I Beam including the web | {\displaystyle Z_{P}=bt_{f}(d-t_{f})+0.25t_{w}(d-2t_{f})^{2}} |
[8] | |
For an I Beam (weak axis) | {\displaystyle Z_{P}=(b^{2}t_{f})/2+0.25t_{w}^{2}(d-2t_{f})} |
d = Full height of the I Beam | |
Solid Circle | {\displaystyle Z_{P}={\cfrac {d^{3}}{6}}} |
||
Circular hollow section | {\displaystyle Z_{P}={\cfrac {d_{2}^{3}-d_{1}^{3}}{6}}} |
The plastic section modulus is used to calculate the plastic moment, Mp, or full capacity of a cross-section. The two terms are related by the yield strength of the material in question, Fy, by Mp=Fy*Z. Plastic section modulus and elastic section modulus are related by a shape factor which can be denoted by 'k', used for an indication of capacity beyond elastic limit of material. This could be shown mathematically with the formula .
K = (Z/S)
Shape factor for a rectangular section is 1.5.
Section Modulus Calculation and Optimization:
Hood Main Design:
Calculation of Section Modulus of main Hood:
Moment of Inertia (MOI), Imax = 1.086865601 x 10^8 [mm^4]
Moment of Inertia (MOI), Imin = 2.885002654 x 10^5 [mm^4]
Distance between the neutral axis and the extreme end of the object, y = 921.0122 mm / 2 = 460.506 mm
Section Modulus, S = Moment of Inertia (MOI), I / Distance between the neutral axis and the extreme end of the object (y)
S = I/y
For Maximum (MOI),
S = (1.086865601 x 10^8 mm^4) / (460.506 mm)
S= 23.60155136 x 10^4 mm^3
For Minimum (MOI),
S = (2.885002654 x 10^5 mm^4) / (460.506 mm)
S= 0.6264853561 x 10^3 mm^3
Hood Optimized Design:
Calculation of Section Modulus of Optimized Hood:
Moment of Inertia (MOI), Imax = 1.083863145 x 10^8 [mm^4]
Moment of Inertia (MOI), Imin = 2.878221084 x 10^5 [mm^4]
Distance between the neutral axis and the extreme end of the object, y = 921.0122 mm / 2 = 460.506 mm
Section Modulus, S = Moment of Inertia (MOI), I / Distance between the neutral axis and the extreme end of the object (y)
S = I/y
For Maximum (MOI),
S = (1.083863145 x 10^8 mm^4) / (460.506 mm)
S= 23.5363523 x 10^4 mm^3
For Minimum (MOI),
S = (2.878221084 x 10^5 mm^4) / (460.506 mm)
S= 0.6250127217 x 10^3
Conclusion:
Thus, the section modulus of the Front Hood of a car was calculated and compared with the optimized hood and found the better result.
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