The Finite Element Method

HOMEWORK 2

1
The Finite Element Method
The second exercise will emphasize the influence of the mesh refinement on
the results. The difference between the exact solution and the approximate one,
obtained by the F.E.M., depends on the mesh refinement and/or on the degree of the
approximation functions.
Usually, to improve the results (minimizing the error), two methods are available:
- to refine the mesh of the model (especially in those areas where high gradients of
the
unknown parameters are expected);
- to use elements with higher order of the polynomial functions.
In both cases, the computing time increases. In the first case, the computing time
increases by
augmenting the element calculations (more element matrices, more equations in the
global
equation system, etc). In the second case, the integration process per element is
more
complicated.
For the second exercise, the analyzed structure is a cantilever wall-beam (the
name is due to the unusual h/L ratio, larger then for ordinary beams), subjected to a
vertical concentrated force, acting on its right-hand side end. The parameter of
interest is the vertical displacement of the same point (the maximum vertical
deflection occurring at the end of the beam).

Working hypotheses:
- The problem is considered a 2D one, the beam working in plane stress state.
- The beam’s own weight is neglected.
The geometry of the wall-beam is defined by its length, height and thickness
(L., h, b). They
are prescribed according to the student’s number.
- 𝐿 = 1000 + 25𝑁 𝑐𝑚 = 1000 + 25 × 1 = 1025 𝑐𝑚
- ℎ = 200 + 5𝑁 𝑐𝑚 = 200 + 5 × 1 = 205 𝑐𝑚
- 𝑏 = 40 + 𝑁 𝑐𝑚 = 40 + 1 = 41 𝑐𝑚
The material properties:
- Young modulus E = 25000 daN/cm2;
- Poisson’s ratio μ = 0.25
The applied force:
-𝑃 = 5000 + 100𝑁 𝑑𝑎𝑁 = 5000 + 100 × 1 = 5100 𝑑𝑎𝑁
Four finite element models will be created, increasing the elements’ number
(10, 20, 40 and 80 elements).

2
Preprocessing text files

Model 1:
/prep7
!
ET,1,42,,,3
R,1,41
!
MP,EX,1,2.5E4
MP,NUXY,1,0.25
!
N,1,0,0
N,6,1025,0
FILL,1,6
!
NGEN,3,6,1,6,1,,205/2
!
E,1,2,8,7
EGEN,5,1,1
EGEN,2,6,1,5,1
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,0
D,ALL,ALL,0
NALL
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,1025
F,ALL,FY,-5100/3

NALL
!
SAVE
FINISH

3
Model 2:
/prep7
!
ET,1,42,,,3
R,1,41
!
MP,EX,1,2.5E4
MP,NUXY,1,0.25
!
N,1,0,0
N,11,1025,0
FILL,1,11
!
NGEN,3,11,1,11,1,,205/2
!
E,1,2,13,12
EGEN,10,1,1
EGEN,2,11,1,10,1
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,0
D,ALL,ALL,0
NALL
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,1025
F,ALL,FY,-5100/3

NALL
!
SAVE
FINISH

Model 3:
/prep7
!
ET,1,42,,,3
R,1,41
!
MP,EX,1,2.5E4
MP,NUXY,1,0.25
4
!
N,1,0,0
N,11,1025,0
FILL,1,11
!
NGEN,5,11,1,11,1,,205/4
!
E,1,2,13,12
EGEN,10,1,1
EGEN,4,11,1,10,1
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,0
D,ALL,ALL,0
NALL
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,1025
F,ALL,FY,-5100/5

NALL
!
SAVE
FINISH

Model 4:
/prep7
!
ET,1,42,,,3
R,1,41
!
MP,EX,1,2.5E4
MP,NUXY,1,0.25
!
N,1,0,0
N,21,1025,0
FILL,1,21
!

5
NGEN,5,21,1,21,1,,205/4
!
E,1,2,23,22
EGEN,20,1,1
EGEN,4,21,1,20,1
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,0
D,ALL,ALL,0
NALL
!
NSEL,S,LOC,X,1025
F,ALL,FY,-5100/5

NALL
!
SAVE
FINISH

The vertical displacement (v, or UY in ANSYS terms) of the nodes placed on

the right-hand side of the beam will be determined in each node. The values will be
represented on a “convergence” graph, together with the analytical (“exact”) solution
of the problem.

PL3 Ph2 L
We get the analytical solution: Vmax = + = 2,553109792 cm
3EI 24EI

𝑏ℎ3
I= = 29435010,4 cm4
12

- I is the moment of inertia

- E is Young modulus

6
Postprocessing:

Model 1:

MAXIMUM ABSOLUTE VALUES

NODE 18 (6)
VALUE -2.5067

Model 2:

MAXIMUM ABSOLUTE VALUES

NODE 11 (33)
VALUE -2.5348

Model 3:

MAXIMUM ABSOLUTE VALUES

NODE 11 (55)
VALUE -2.5396

Model 4:

MAXIMUM ABSOLUTE VALUES

NODE 21
VALUE -2.5498

Model 1: Vmax = 2,5067 cm

Model 2: Vmax = 2,5348 cm
Model 3: Vmax = 2,5396 cm
Model 4: Vmax = 2,5498 cm

7
The convergence graph

In order to emphasize the convergence of the solution toward the analytical

result by increasing the refinement of the mesh, a convergence graph should be
represented. On the abscissa, we place the number of elements in the mesh. On the
ordinate, we place the displacement values calculated with the analytical formula and
with the 4 models.

2.56

2.5531 2.5531 2.5531 2.5531

2.55 2.5498
Maximum deflection (cm)

2.54 2.5396
2.5348
2.53
numerical solution
analytical solution
2.52

2.51
2.5067

2.5
0 10 20 30 40 50
Number of elements in the mesh