Sphere pressing on a plate

AIM:

• To perform static structural analysis of sphere pressing the plate using ANSYS Workbench.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:

• To add Structural steel NL material for the plate.
• To insert the contacts for the sphere and the plate.
• To fix the plate at the bottom.
• To define sphere displacement.
• To define Symmetry region.
• To mesh the sphere and the plate.
• To define the no of simulation steps and the analysis controls.
• To evaluate the stress and deformation in the work piece.

PROCEDURE:

• OPEN WORKBENCH21 > NEW PROJECT > STATIC STRUCTURAL.
• This will start a new static structural project.
• Rename the project as Sphere_plate_pressing.
• Go to ENGINEERING DATA > EDIT > GENERAL MATERIALS NL > STRUCTURAL STEEL NL.
• This will add the structural steel NL material properties.
• Then double click on Geometry. This will open the Spaceclaim.
• In Space claim check the model for any dents or irregularities.
• The geometry looks good, exit the Spaceclaim.
• Then double click on Model. This will open Mechanical module.
• Now, rename the geometry as sphere and plate.
• Then assign structural steel NL to plate.
• 
• Then go to CONTACTS > CONTACT = SPHERE OUTER FACE > TARGET = PLATE > TYPE = FRICTIONAL > FRICTIONAL COEFFICIENT = 0.74.
• 
• This will define the contacts between the sphere and the plate as frictional.
• Then go to MODEL > SYMMETRY > INSERT > SYMMETRY REGION FOR X AND Z axis.
• 
• 
• Now, go to MESH > DEFAULT > GENERATE MESH.
• 
• The mesh will be generated on the model.
• Then go to STATIC STRUCTURAL > ANALYIS SETTINGS > NO OF STEPS = 4 > SOLVER TYPE = DIRECT > LARGE DEFLECTION = ON.
• 
• Go to STATIC STRUCTURAL > INSERT > FIXED SUPPORT > GEOMETRY = LOWER FACE OF PLATE.
• 
• STATIC STRUCTURAL > INSERT > DISPLACEMENT > SCOPE = SPHERE.
• 
• 
• Then, go to SOLUTION > INSERT > STRESS > STRAIN > DEFORMATION.
• 
• This will set the output results.
• Then SOLUTION > SOLVE.

RESULTS:

• 

• 

• 
• The strain developed on the sphere is very less and this proves that the sphere transfers all the force to the plate without self deformation.

• 

• 
• The plate after deformation does not retract back to its original shape which confirms the plastic deformation of the plate.

• 

• 
• We can observe the sphere is displaced by 4mm in the Y direction.

• 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• To add structural steel NL material.
• To assign material from the material library.
• To define contacts for the sphere and the plate.
• To define fixed support and displacement.
• To deploy mesh on the geometry.
• To define symmetry region.
• To define output results.

CONCLUSION:

• By performing this project we conclude that the plate is displaced by 4mm in the Y direction plastically.