Static analysis on a plate with hole

AIM:

To perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on two models of a plate with two configurations of holes and compare the results obtained by the two plates using SOLIDWORKS

THEORY:

Stress is the amount of internal force per unit area developed in an object subjected to an external force. Stress can be tensile or compressive.

Strain is the change in length over the initial length, it happens when the material deforms when it is subjected to external actions such as loads or temperature change. It is dimensionless.

Displacement is a result of external action, the actions make the material deform. This deformation manifests itself in small movements or displacements of material points. In the case of a beam where the displacement is perpendicular to the structure, it is known as deflection.

Finite element analysis is the process of simulating the behavior of a part or assembly under given conditions so that it can be assessed using the finite element method. FEA is used by engineers to help simulate physical phenomena and thereby reduce the need for physical prototypes, while allowing for the optimization of components as part of the design process of a project.

PROCEDURE:

• Create 3D models of a plate having one hole at the center and another plate having a hole at the center and two more both the sides and save them separately. The length should be 300 mm, height should be 120 mm, thickness should be 30 mm and the center hole diameter should be 60 mm for both the cases. For the case of plate having three holes the two holes should have a diameter of 30 mm placed 90 mm away from the central hole on both sides.

• Now for doing the simulation, click on ‘Simulation’ and then select ‘New Study’ and then ‘Static’ for static study.
• Now apply a material to beam that is Alloy steel for all the beams by right clicking on the part name and then on ‘Apply/Edit Material’.

• Now for fixing the plate at one end right click on ‘Fixtures’ option and then on ‘Fixed Geometry’ option, then select the face that is to be fixed.
• Now for providing load right click on external loads option and select ‘Force’ option now select the face for normal force and then set the force to be 1000 N.

• Now for creating a mesh, right click on ‘Mesh’ them on ‘Create Mesh’ now use the ‘Mesh Parameters’ option then enter the size of mesh as 5 mm.

• Now click on ‘Run This Study’ on the top menu bar for running the simulation.

RESULTS:

• PLATE WITH ONE HOLE

• PLATE WITH THREE HOLES

COMPARISON OF RESULTS:

Plates with	Max. Von Mises Stress (MPa)	Max. Equivalent Strain (MPa)	Max. Displacement (mm)
One Hole	1.207	4.508e-006	0.000524
Three holes	1.161	4.331e-004	0.000567

CONCLUSIONS:

• By comparing the results of maximum Von Mises Stress we can see that the plate with three holes experiences less stress than the plate with only one hole, because of stress relieving holes on either side. Providing smaller holes on either side of bigger hole has resulted in reducing stress concentration.
• By comparing the maximum displacement we can say that plate with three holes experiences a bit more deflection as compared to plate with only one hole.