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A tapered bar subjected to an axial load will be analyzed in order to predict the distributions of
stress and displacement in the bar. The geometrical, material, and loading specifications for the
bar are given in Figure 3.1. The thickness of the bar is 2h inches, where h is described by the
equation: h = 4 − 0.6 x + 0.03x 2
x
2h P
Figure 3.1 Geometry, material, and loading specifications for a tapered bar.
• Because the bar is thin in the width (out-of-plane) direction, a state of plane stress can be
assumed.
• Even though the load is exclusively axial, the taper in the bar may cause the state of stress to
be two-dimensional in nature. The effect of taper on the stress state depends upon the degree
of the taper, and is difficult to assess a-priori. Therefore, both a 2D plane stress elasticity
analysis and a 1D elasticity analysis will be performed.
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-2
Based on the assumptions above, two different models will be developed and compared. The first
model is a 1D elasticity analysis. In this model, the main axis of the bar is discretized using linear
two-noded 1D bar/truss finite elements having a uniform thickness within each element. Thus, the
geometry is idealized as having a piecewise constant cross-section, as shown in Figure 3.2. The
uniform thickness within each element is taken to be equal to the actual thickness of the tapered
bar at the x-coordinate corresponding to the centroid of that element.
x
P
The second model is a 2D plane stress model of the geometry as shown in Figure 3.1. The 2D
finite element model of this structure will be developed using 2D plane stress bilinear four-noded
quadrilateral finite elements. The present analysis can be greatly simplified by taking advantage of
the horizontal plane of symmetry in the bar. The geometry, material properties, and loading
conditions are all symmetric about this plane. Therefore, the response of the structure (i.e.,
displacements, strains, and stresses) will also be symmetric about this plane. Hence, it is necessary
to model only a one-half of the bar, as shown in Figure 3.3. The boundary conditions on the
symmetry plane are those that occur naturally on this plane, as can be verified by obtaining a
solution using the entire bar domain. In particular, the vertical displacement and the shear traction
are zero along the symmetry plane. Taking advantage of symmetry reduces the modeling effort,
the amount of computer memory, and the amount of CPU time required to obtain a solution.
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-3
h
0.5P
L
The procedure for creating the finite element model and obtaining the finite element solution for
each type of model is presented at the end of this chapter. The 1D analysis should be performed
three times, each with a different mesh. Meshes consisting of 1, 2 and 3 elements should be
developed. The 2D analysis should be performed only one time, using the mesh described within
the procedure.
Simple hand calculations can be performed to estimate the stresses and deflections in this bar
structure. The results of these calculations should be used to assess the validity of the finite
element results (i.e., to make sure that the finite element results are reasonable and do not contain
any large error due to a simple mistake in the model).
The displacement at the end of the bar can be approximated by assuming the bar is of uniform
cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape used in this calculation may be, for example, the
cross-sectional shape at the mid-point of the bar (at x=5”). Then the displacement can be
estimated using the well-known relation:
PL
δ=
EA
where δ is the tip displacement of the bar, A is the (uniform) cross-sectional area, and the other
parameters are defined in Figure 3.1.
The axial stress at any cross-section in the bar can be estimated by neglecting all other stress
components and assuming that the axial stress is uniformly distributed over the cross-section. This
assumption is not strictly valid for a tapered bar, but such an assumption should allow a
reasonably accurate solution to be obtained for the purpose of validation. From equilibrium, it is
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-4
found that the resultant force at any cross-section is P, so the axial stress can be estimated using
the relation:
P
σ=
A
A total of four finite element models were developed – three using 1D two-noded linear truss/bar
elements, and one using 2D four-noded bilinear plane stress elements. Based on the results of
these analyses, perform and submit the following postprocessing steps.
(2) Create a plot of the distribution of displacement along the x-axis as predicted by the four
models. Put all of the results on a single plot so that comparisons among the solutions can be
made.
(3) Create a plot of the distribution of axial stress along the x-axis as predicted by the four
models. Put all of the results on a single plot so that comparisons among the solutions can be
made.
(4) Comment on the convergence of displacement and stress in the 1D elasticity solutions.
(5) Comment on the validity of the solutions. Show the hand calculations.
TAPERED BAR WITH A TIP LOAD -- using two linear truss elements
Figure 3.4
2b. Create a line element from point 1 to point 2 and from point
2 to point 3.
Figure 3.5
<ML> MAIN
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-8
> FixedPoint
Figure 3.6
4b. Specify the horizontal load on the right edge of the model.
> PointLoad
> 10.0e3
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-10
Figure 3.7
> Steel
> 29.0e6
> X1
> 5.375
> X2
> 2.375
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-13
When the job has completed, the STATUS will read: Complete.
A successful run will have an EXIT NUMBER of 3004. Any other
exit number indicates that an error occurred during the
analysis, probably due to an error in the model.
10. REPEAT THE ABOVE PROCEDURE FOR MESHES OF ONE ELEMENT AND
THREE ELEMENTS.
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-16
Figure 3.8
Figure 3.9
3. Create a ruled surfaces.
Figure 3.10
> 30 8
Figure 3.11
Application of the Finite Element Method Using MARC and Mentat 3-23
> FixedEdge
Box pick the nodes lying on the left edge of the model, or
<ML> to select each node individually.
Figure 3.12
> SymBottom
Box pick the nodes lying on the bottom edge of the model, or
<ML> to select each node individually.
Figure 3.13
7c. Specify the edge load on the right edge of the model.
> EdgeLoad
> -5.0e3
7c4. Apply the condition to the element edges on the right edge
of the model.
Box pick the element edges on the right edge of the model.
Figure 3.14
> Steel
> 29.0e6
> 0.30
> Thickness
PLANE STRESS
<ML> MAIN MENU / GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES / PLANAR /
PLANE STRESS / THICKNESS
> 1.0
When the job has completed, the STATUS will read: Complete.
A successful run will have an EXIT NUMBER of 3004. Any other
exit number indicates that an error occurred during the
analysis, probably due to an error in the model.
the entire model again, use the FILL command on the static
menu.