Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Saikat Basak
M.Eng (Structural), BCE, CIC, AIE (Ind.), A.ASCE
Structural Engineer
The author and publisher of this book have used their best efforts in preparing
this book. These efforts include the development, research and testing of the
theories and programs to determine their effectiveness. The author and publisher
shall not be liable in any event for the incidental or consequential damages in
connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance, or use of these
programs.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form or by
any means, without the permission in writing from the author.
CONTENTS
ABBREVIATION .................................................................................................................................................... 6
1. INTRODUCTION (BEFORE YOU BEGIN…)......................................................................................... 7
7. SPECIFYING LOADS............................................................................................................................... 27
13. MAXIMUM BENDING MOMENT, SHEAR FORCE AND REACTION IN BUILDING FRAME:
SUBSTITUTE (EQUIVALENT) FRAME ....................................................................................................... 38
19. SUB-STRUCTURING TECHNIQUE AND SYMMETRY (BREAK THEM INTO PIECES…) ... 46
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
28. COMMON FINITE ELEMENTS LIBRARY FOR LINEAR STATIC AND DYNAMIC STRESS
ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................................................... 89
44. FILE NAME EXTENSION GUIDE (FOR SOME CAD/CAE PROGRAMS) ............................... 143
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Abbreviation
Several abbreviations have been used throughout this book. They have been
defined in respective sections, but here is a list of them at a glance.
[k] – Stiffness
BM – bending moment
C - damping
CAD – computer aided design/drawing
CAE – computer aided engineering
CAM – computer aided manufacturing
E – modulus of elasticity
FE – finite element
FEA – finite element analysis
FEM – finite element method
fy – yield strength of steel
G – shear modulus
I – 2nd moment of inertia
IS – Indian Standard code
LRFD – load and resistance factor design
LSSA – linear static stress analysis
M, m – mass
MDF – multi degree freedom
MES – mechanical event simulation
NLA – non-linear analysis
RSA – response spectra analysis
SDF – single degree freedom
SF – shear force
T – time period of vibration
THA – time history analysis
UDL – uniformly distributed load
VRML – virtual reality markup language
x – displacement
x’ – velocity
x” – acceleration
ε – Strain
µ, ν – Poisson’s ratio
σ – Normal stress
τ – Shear stress
ωn – natural frequency of the structure
ξ – Damping ratio
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
In this book I shall tell you some practical tips for structural analysis using
computer. Most structural engineering books are written to tell you how you
will perform the calculation by hand. But even sometimes analysis using
computer can be very tricky. You may need to manipulate computer input to
solve a problem, which may at first appear to be unsolvable by that program.
Also, I am not going to teach you any particular structural analysis computer
program. However, the techniques of analysis discussed here are applicable to
most standard analysis packages.
No special knowledge is required to get the most out of this book. Only
Bachelor Degree knowledge in Civil/Mechanical Engineering is assumed.
However some parts of the book do discuss some topics which are normally
covered in Master’s degree level in detail. Also, I expect that you are familiar
with at least one standard structural analysis package otherwise you may
find the contents of this book quite terse!
This book does not contain listing of any computer program; because I know
that most readers will not bother to type them or to even read them.
But remember the most important advice: A structure will not behave as the
computer program tells it should regardless of how accurate the program
seems or how expensive it is! Thus goes the famous proverb “With good
engineering judgement you can produce on the back of an envelop that which
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
otherwise cannot be produced with a ton of computer output”. You should paste
this in front of your computer so that you see it everyday. (I did it!)
Before you accuse me by complaining that my tips do not work with your
program, I like to mention following important points.
• I did not work with all the structural analysis programs available in the
market.
• Some features I discussed here may not be available in your program. It can
even happen that the program you are using has better option to handle a
particular problem compared to what I discussed in this book.
• I am only providing you some “clues” for more effective use of structural
analysis programs. However, every analysis problem is unique depending on
type of project, cost, client’s requirement etc. Those specific criteria you
have to solve yourself.
• Documentation of the program you are using is very important. The program
manuals are the best source of help always.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
This section is a head start for those who are using structural analysis programs
for the first time. As the name suggests, Computer Aided Structural Analysis is
the method of solving your structural analysis problem with the help of
computer software. In earlier generation analysis programs, you had to supply
the programs the nodal co-ordinates, member incidence (i.e. between what
nodal points a particular member is connected), material properties, sectional
properties of the all members and the loads (nodal force/moment/distributed
member loads etc.). You also had to supply how the structure was supported,
fixed, hinged or roller. The program then calculated the member forces, nodal
reactions and joint displacements and presented in a tabular format. This type of
structural analysis programs is still used in junior years in the university as a
first learning tool. However, the commercial structural analysis programs of
modern days are far more powerful and easy to use. Here, you can actually
‘draw’ your model on screen (as if you’re drawing in a paper with a pencil!)
with the mouse and keyboard! Everything is graphical. You draw models
graphically, apply loads and boundary conditions graphically and visualize the
shear force, bending moment and even deflected shape diagram graphically. For
the first time users, it seems rather like a magic! The availability of these
programs has completely changed the way we analyze structures compared to
we did the same just a decade ago! Now it is a child’s play to analyze structures
having more than 10,000 degrees of freedom! However, analyzing structures
using computers has created many other new problems. First, you must be very
familiarize with the programs you are using. You must clearly understand its
limitation and assumptions. All programs can’t be applied for analyzing all
types of structures. Most programs solve the structures by stiffness method,
though solution algorithm may differ from one program to another. What is
most important is that you must interpret the output result accurately. This book
will show you how to perform quickly, accurately and proper interpretation of
data in easiest way. You will also learn to analyze many new kinds of structures
without learning theoretical calculations! Sounds interesting? At the end of this
book, you will also learn about some very recent concepts of structural analysis.
Bon Voyage!
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
3. Analysis types
In this section, you will learn various analysis options those are offered by FEA
programs. You are already familiar with most of the types of analyses, and some
are new to you. (References 8 and 15 were considered for this section.)
This is the most common type of analysis. When loads are applied to a body, the
body deforms and the effects of the loads are transmitted throughout the body.
To absorb the effect of loads, the body generates internal forces and reactions at
the supports to balance the applied external loads. Linear Static analysis refers
to the calculation of displacements, strains, and stresses under the effect of
external loads, based on some assumptions. They are discussed below.
1. All loads are applied slowly and gradually until they reach their full
magnitudes. After reaching their full magnitudes, load will remain constant (i.e.
load will not vary against time). This assumption lets us disregard insignificant
inertial and damping forces due to negligibly small accelerations and velocities.
Time-variant loads that induce considerable inertial and/or damping forces may
warrant dynamic analysis. Dynamic loads change with time and in many cases
induces considerable inertial and damping forces that cannot be neglected.
If the above assumptions are not valid, then we shall have to treat the problem
as non-linear analysis. I shall devote a few sections on non-linear analysis later.
Some FEA programs offer contact/gap elements. With this option, available
during meshing, contacting mating faces may separate during loading and hence
the load distribution in the model will change based on the gap forces generated.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Calculation of stresses
During result visualization, you may ask for element stresses or nodal stresses.
In calculating element stresses, the program averages the corresponding nodal
stresses for each element. In calculating nodal stresses at a node, the program
averages the corresponding results from all elements contributing to the stresses
at that node.
Dynamic analysis
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
This is just a prelude to dynamic analysis. You will find several topics on
dynamic analysis later in this book. However, since I shall not discuss theory of
structural dynamics here, I strongly recommend that you read a structural
dynamic textbook if you haven’t done so already.
Random Vibration
Engineers use this type of analysis to find out how a device or structure
responds to steady shaking of the kind you would feel riding in a truck, rail car,
rocket (when the motor is on), and so on. Also, things that are riding in the
vehicle, such as on-board electronics or cargo of any kind, may need Random
Vibration Analysis. The vibration generated in vehicles from the motors, road
conditions, etc. is a combination of a great many frequencies from a variety of
sources and has a certain "random" nature. Random Vibration Analysis is used
by mechanical engineers who design various kinds of transportation equipment.
Engineers provide input to the processor in the form of a ‘Power Spectral
Density’ (PSD), which is a representation of the vibration frequencies and
energy in a statistical form. When an engineer uses Random Vibration he is
looking to determine the maximum stresses resulting from the vibration. These
stresses are important in determining the lifetime of a structure of a
transportation vehicle. Also, it would be important to know if things being
transported in vehicles will survive until they reach the destination.
Engineers use this type of analysis to find out how a device or structure
responds to sudden forces or shocks. It is assumed that these shocks or forces
occur at boundary points, which are normally fixed. An example would be a
building, dam or nuclear reactor when an earthquake strikes. During an
earthquake, violent shaking occurs. This shaking transmits into the structure or
device at the points where they are attached to the ground (boundary points).
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
When you strike a guitar string or a tuning fork, it goes from a state of inactivity
into a vibration to make a musical tone. This tone seems loudest at first, then
gradually dies out. Conditions are changing from the first moment the note is
struck. When an electric motor is started up, it eventually reaches a steady state
of operation. But to get there, it starts from zero RPM and passes through an
infinite number of speeds until it attains the operating speed. Every time you rev
the motor in your car, you are creating transient vibration. When things vibrate,
internal stresses are created by the vibration. These stresses can be devastating if
resonance occurs between a device producing vibration and a structure
responding to. A bridge may vibrate in the wind or when cars and trucks go
across it. Very complex vibration patters can occur. Because things are
constantly changing, engineers must know what the frequencies and stresses are
at all moments in time. Sometimes transient vibrations are extremely violent
and short-lived. Imagine a torpedo striking the side of a ship and exploding, or a
car slamming into a concrete abutment or dropping a coffeepot on a hard floor.
Such vibrations are called "shock, " which is just what you would imagine. In
real life, shock is rarely a good thing and almost always unplanned. But shocks
occur anyhow. Because of vibration, shock is always more devastating than if
the same force were applied gradually.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
All things vibrate. Think of musical instruments, think of riding in a car, think
of the tires being out of balance, think of the rattles in an airplane when they are
revving up the engines, or the vibration under your feet when a train goes by.
Sometimes vibration is good. Our ears enable us to hear because they respond to
the vibrations of sound waves. Many times things are made to vibrate for a
purpose. For example, a special shaking device is used in foundries to loosen a
mold placed in sand. Or, in the food and bulk materials industries, conveyors
frequently work by vibration. Usually, however, vibration is bad and frequently
unavoidable. It may cause gradual weakening of structures and the deterioration
of metals (fatigue) in cars and airplanes. Rotating machines from small electric
motors to giant generators and turbines will self destruct if the parts are not well
balanced. Engineers have to design things to withstand vibration when it cannot
be avoided. For example, tyres and shock absorbers (dampers) help reduce
vibration in automobiles. Similarly, flexible couplings help isolate vibrations
produced by the engines. Vibration is about frequencies. By its very nature,
vibration involves repetitive motion. Each occurrence of a complete motion
sequence is called a "cycle." Frequency is defined as so many cycles in a given
time period. "Cycles per seconds” or "Hertz”.
Individual parts have what engineers call "natural" frequencies. For example, a
violin string at a certain tension will vibrate only at a set number of frequencies,
which is why you can produce specific musical tones. There is a base frequency
in which the entire string is going back and forth in a simple bow shape.
Harmonics and overtones occur because individual sections of the string can
vibrate independently within the larger vibration. These various shapes are
called "modes". The base frequency is said to vibrate in the first mode, and so
on up the ladder. Each mode shape will have an associated frequency. Higher
mode shapes have higher frequencies. The most disastrous kinds of
consequences occur when a power-driven device such as a motor for example,
produces a frequency at which an attached structure naturally vibrates. This
event is called "resonance." If sufficient power is applied, the attached structure
will be destroyed. Note that ancient armies, which normally marched "in step,"
were taken out of step when crossing bridges. Should the beat of the marching
feet align with a natural frequency of the bridge, it could fall down. Engineers
must design so that resonance does not occur during regular operation of
machines. This is a major purpose of Modal Analysis. Ideally, the first mode
has a frequency higher than any potential driving frequency. Frequently,
resonance cannot be avoided, especially for short periods of time. For example,
when a motor comes up to speed it produces a variety of frequencies. So it may
pass through a resonant frequency. Other vibration processes such as Time
History, Response Spectrum, Random Vibration, etc. are used in addition to
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Modal Analysis to deal with this type of more complex situation. These are
called Transient Natural Frequency Processors.
Buckling analysis
If you press down on an empty soft drink can with your hand, not much will
seem to happen. If you put the can on the floor and gradually increase the force
by stepping down on it with your foot, at some point it will suddenly squash.
This sudden scrunching is known as "buckling."
Models with thin parts tend to buckle under axial loading. Buckling can be
defined as the sudden deformation, which occurs when the stored membrane
(axial) energy is converted into bending energy with no change in the externally
applied loads. Mathematically, when buckling occurs, the total stiffness matrix
becomes singular (see section 8).
Slender structures and structures with slender parts loaded in the axial direction
buckle under relatively small axial loads. Such structures may fail in buckling
while their stresses are far below critical levels. For such structures, the
buckling load becomes a critical design factor. Stocky structures, on the other
hand, require large loads to buckle, therefore buckling analysis is usually not
required.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Thermal analysis
Conduction
Thermal energy transfers from one point to another through the interaction
between the atoms or molecules of the matter. Conduction occurs in solids,
liquids, and gasses. For example, a hot cup of coffee on your desk will
eventually cool down to the room-temperature mainly by conduction from the
coffee directly to the air and through the body of the cup. There is no bulk
motion of matter when heat transfers by conduction. The rate of heat conduction
through a plane layer of thickness X is proportional to the heat transfer area and
the temperature gradient, and inversely proportional to the thickness of the
layer.
Convection
Convection is the heat transfer mode in which heat transfers between a solid
face and an adjacent moving fluid (liquid or gas). Convection involves the
combined effects of conduction and the moving fluid. The fluid particles act as
carriers of thermal energy.
Radiation
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
There are two modes of heat transfer analysis based on whether or not we are
interested in the time domain.
In this type of analysis, we are only interested in the thermal conditions of the
body when it reaches thermal equilibrium, but we are not interested in the time
it takes to reach this status. The temperature of each point in the model will
remain unchanged until a change occurs in the system. At equilibrium, the
thermal energy entering the system is equal to the thermal energy leaving it.
Generally, the only material property that is needed for steady state analysis is
the thermal conductivity.
In this type of analysis, we are interested in knowing the thermal status of the
model at different instances of time. A thermos designer, for example, knows
that the temperature of the fluid inside will eventually be equal to the room-
temperature (steady state), but he is interested in finding out the temperature of
the fluid as a function of time. In addition to the thermal conductivity, we also
need to specify density, specific heat, initial temperature profile, and the period
of time for which solutions are desired.
Boundary Element
A type of finite element sometimes used to connect the finite element model to
fixed points in space. Typically this fixity is set with global boundary
conditions, in which the fixity is totally rigid. A boundary element, on the other
hand, allows for a flexible connection to the fixed space. Boundary elements
and boundary points are normally used to simulate the constraints that actually
occur when an object is used in the real world. For example, if a coffee cup is
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
sitting on the table and a weight is placed on top of the coffee cup, then the table
is the boundary. Boundary points would be points on the plane of the table that
are defined as being fixed in space and to which nodes of a finite element model
of the coffee cup are attached. If the table has a spongy surface, you might want
to use boundary elements to account for the flexibility. With many FEA
software, boundary elements have an additional capability of imposing and
enforced displacement upon a model. The force created by this imposed
displacement would be calculated automatically. Additionally, the forces
generated at a boundary by forces on the model can be obtained as output using
boundary elements.
There are another very powerful types of analysis offered by high-end FEA
programs, known as Mechanical Event Simulation or Virtual Prototyping. You
will find this in section 36.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
In structural analysis, sign convention is very important. You must follow same
sign convention throughout your life! Normally, the force towards right is taken
as positive and force acting upwards is considered positive. Anti-clockwise
moment is taken as positive. This has been shown in following figure for 2D
plane.
Fy
All positive
Mz
Fx
Figure 4-1
Most standard analysis programs follow this sign convention. Although you can
use any convention of your own, but I strongly advise you against that. You will
always be fine with this convention. Please note that, because of taking y
positive upwards, when specifying gravity loads, you often need to use “minus”
sign to do so.
For 3D structures, the sign convention will be of same type but somewhat
complicate. This is shown below.
Y
My All positive
Fy Mx
X
Fz Fx
Z Mz
Figure 4-2
When you see bending moment diagrams, remember that some programs draw
them in tension side or some may do the opposite. Also note that the “sign” of
bending moment diagrams indicate the “direction” (as shown in figure 4-1 and
4-2), they do not indicate whether the bending moment is sagging or hogging.
Axial forces are normally considered positive for tensile forces and negative for
compressive forces.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
When dealing with 3D structures, the program will generally consider y-axis as
elevation. This is as expected, because when dealing with 2D structures, you
will normally use x-y plane. But it has exceptions as well. Some programs, by
default use x-z plane for 2D analysis. Of course you can direct every analysis
program to consider z-axis (or even x-axis) as elevation. My main point here to
make you understand that co-ordinate system is very flexible. But you must
follow same sign convention throughout.
Different programs may follow slight different sign conventions. Before using
the program, you should be familiar with that program’s sign convention. Solve
some basic problems with them first and consult the user guide. As an example,
the following figures show how SAP90/2000 describes frame member internal
forces.
AXIS 2 T P AXIS 1
T
AXIS 3
Compression face
V2
V3 M3
Tension face
Figure 4-4
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Now please solve the following problems using your program and check the
result with the answer given.
-3 kN/m (case 2)
5 kN (case 1)
Node 4
Node 3 5m
6m 6m
fixed hinged
Figure 4-5
Figure 4-6
The above figure shows the bending moment diagram and the free body
diagram of each member. Now check the result and the sign with your analysis
program. Please note that your program may draw the bending moment diagram
on opposite side compared to what shown here! Observe the sign convention.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
-2 kN
4m 4m
Figure 4-7
The axial forces are shown as italics in the above figure. Note that the left end is
hinged and right end is roller.
It is interesting to know that with some programs, you may need to “tell” the
program that the structure is a ‘truss’ by specifying ‘moment releases’ in the
truss members. Otherwise, you may wonder why the program result shows
bending moment diagram in truss! Different programs have different options for
specifying moment (or axial force, torsion etc.) releases.
Some programs, which allow you to draw plate elements on screen, you should
draw them in counter clockwise fashion. Otherwise you may get awkward
result.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Proper node and joint numbering is very important for large models. Those
programs, which allow you to “draw” the model on screen, apply joint and
member numbers automatically. This default scheme may not always be
convenient for you, especially if you are analyzing a multi-story building.
Fortunately, most programs offer re-labeling option and you can even use
alphanumeric labels. Since it is impractical to re-number hundreds of members
manually, you should do it automatically.
Generally, beams, columns and slabs are numbered on the story or floor level
they reside. In that case, you can direct the program to use X-Z-Y re-labeling
pattern (assuming Y-axis is the elevation). You may number all beams in the B-
5-10 or B05010 fashion where “B” indicates beam, next number indicates
“floor” and the last number stands for serial number of beam on that floor.
Similar procedure may be adopted for numbering columns, slabs and other
structural members. You can also create ‘group’ for same type of members
whose design will be same such as all columns in a particular floor.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Plan of columns
Figure 6-1
In the above figure, the beams are of 200 x 300 mm and columns 200 x 400 mm
oriented as shown in plan. Beams can be specified as 200x300 mm without any
problem. But for columns, you have to be careful. Generally, the programs will
ask you to specify ‘depth’ and ‘width’ of the member. If you specify depth =
400 mm and width = 200 mm then you will get exact section as shown in figure
6-2.
If you specify the dimension in opposite manner, then you will get wrongly
oriented section for the columns. The above figure is taken from real time view
of SAP2000. If your program does not offer real time view (i.e. the members
should look like in the real structure in 3 dimension) option, you’re out of luck!
Many programs, however, have the option for specifying sectional dimension
using ‘tx’ and ‘ty’ (or it might be ‘ty’ and ‘tz’ or ‘t2’ and ‘t3’) option. I have
tried with various programs this sectional dimension input. In most cases width
= 200 and height (or depth) = 400 worked.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Y
Z X
Figure 6-2
Sometimes you may need to specify inertia directly especially for irregular
shaped sections. Normally the programs offer only ‘Iz’ and ‘Iy’ options. The
most often used is the ‘Iz’. For the beam discussed above, Iz = 200x3003/12 and
Iy = 300x2003/12. For the column, Iz = 200x4003/12 and Iy = 400x2003/12.
One important thing you must understand is the concept of ‘member local axes’.
In most analysis programs, the ‘local axes’ settings are different from ‘global
axes’. Normally, the ‘local axes’ are defined as shown in figure 6-3.
Figure 6-3
Some programs can display ‘local axes’ for all members. Please explore your
program’s resource files to see how it handles display of local member axes.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Y
Z
Figure 6-4
The above figure shows orientation of local axes for the inclined member. Note
that in your program, the orientation for local axes may be slightly different; for
example, direction of Z axis may be in opposite direction. The orientation of
global axes is also shown in blue color. It is clear that, when you are defining
section properties in terms of local axes, even an ‘inclined’ member is
considered as ‘straight’. We shall come to local and global axes story again
when we discuss interpretation of analysis output.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
7. Specifying Loads
All programs have the option for specifying concentrated and uniformly
distributed loads. Some programs allow you to assign a point load on beam
without creating a node at that point (the program itself creates a node there
internally) where as most programs require that you can assign concentrated
loads only at nodes. So, you may need to ‘split’ the member to create
intermediate nodes. If your concentrated load is inclined, you better resolve it
into horizontal and vertical components yourself and then apply them.
Specifying UDL is easy. However, trouble arises, then the load becomes
varying. The most common example of varying load is on the beams coming
from slabs as shown in figure 7-1. The lengths of the beams are ‘L’.
Unfortunately, very few programs will calculate distributed loads form slabs
automatically. More often than not, you’ll have to specify the slab load yourself.
Some programs allow specifying trapezoidal loads on beam members, however,
some allow only triangular load. In that case, you need to ‘split’ each beam into
three segments (not necessarily equal) and apply triangular loads at end
segments and UDL on mid segment.
αL Total Load = W (N) UDL = w (N/m)
Yes, this is somewhat cumbersome if you have, say 200 beam members! But
you can avoid trapezoidal loads all together with slight loss of accuracy as
shown in figure 7-2. If we equate fixed end moments in two beams (of figure 7-
1 and 7-2), we get
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
It is seen that maximum difference of mid span moment for figure 7-1 and 7-2 is
6.8%, which is quite small. So, we can safely replace trapezoidal load with UDL
whose magnitude is given by w as shown in (7.1).
Under some circumstances, you may have non-linearly varying (e.g. parabolic)
type of loads. Except in high-end FEA programs, you can’t input the load
through equation. The only way out is, split your member into several sections,
and specify concentrated loads varying through nodes (or UDL varying through
segments). More number of divisions, better the result is.
You may wonder whether you can model all the slabs in your building frame
using plate elements instead of converting loads to beams as shown in figure 7-
1. Of course you could. But there are several disadvantages! First of all, your
analysis program must have ‘plate’ element to do this. Many frame analysis
programs don’t have plate element! If you use ‘plates’, then you must ‘mesh’ it
before running analysis. If you have, say 100 slabs (i.e. plates) with 10x10
mesh, you’ll have 11x11x100 = 12,100 extra nodes compared to that you’ll
have if you transfer the loads on beams. Not only this takes much more time to
have your analysis done, but also it will swamp you with tons of output (just
count the number of total plate elements – their stress values etc.)! It has been
proved that with the conventional slab load distribution as shown in figure 7-3,
you’re quite correct.
Figure 7-3
Another type of load, which often creates problem, is due to hydrostatic of earth
pressure. If your analysis program has easy method to specify such type of
loads, consider yourself really lucky! If you’re applying hydrostatic load on a
plate element, apply load before meshing the plate. Sometimes the program
allows you to specify separate load at four nodes of the plates (and intermediate
values are interpolated) though this is not really necessary in day to day
analysis. Hydrostatic load normally takes the shape as of figure 7-4.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 7-4
To specify you generally supply fluid height, axis and density. Now the density
may be tricky. For example, in the above figure, the load acts towards the plate.
But what to do if we want make it act in opposite direction (i.e. away from
plate)? Surprisingly, changing the density into negative works! (Argh!) (I don’t
know whether all programs behave in this way, but I found this trick works in
Visual Analysis).
Surcharge or earth pressure load can be specified in the same way as that of
hydrostatic load. If your load needs to be like figure 7-5, then just place the fluid
level at higher level.
Water level
Figure 7-6 shows another trick where you need to superpose two types of loads
to get the desired resultant load distribution. Uniform pressure on plates can
easily be applied. While you analyze water tanks, these tricks come handy.
When you’re applying distributed load on inclined member, it may act in two
different manners as shown in figures 7-7 and 7-8.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
In figure 7-8, the load is projected on horizontal axis. This is the common case.
In figure 7-7, the load is acting perpendicular to the member. Most analysis
programs can handle both types of loading conditions shown. But it’s your
responsibility to apply correct method.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 8-1
First draw the column, define the column properties and then apply any load,
which you know that is well below Pcr. Now see if the column buckles! No, it
won’t. To get the correct result you must activate the “Frame instability” or “P-
∆” analysis option yourself to force the computer to make iterations! Now
gradually increase the load and re-analyze. At one instant, the computer will
show you a message, which will say that the program has encountered a
negative diagonal term in member stiffness matrix and analysis will terminate.
Note this load. This is the minimum buckling load. You are likely to see that
even when the column buckles, the deflected shape of the column is drawn
straight!
You may ask why computer can’t account for buckling in normal analysis.
Well, most analysis programs, by default, perform first order analysis. That is, it
sets stiffness matrix, solves it and then calculates axial forces from it. When you
instruct it to perform P-∆ analysis, it performs iteration to find out actual axial
forces. Remember if you are using a very cheap program or some non-
commercial program, it may not have P-∆ analysis option! Be careful!
You may wonder, why the computer itself does not choose P-∆ analysis always.
Hmm, it would have been nicer. But think of the time required for performing
such analysis. I once analyzed a 20 storied 3D frame in VA, which had 10 bays
in both x and y direction. With 233 MHz, 16 MB RAM computer it took me 20
minutes to perform first order analysis. If you want to perform P-∆ analysis for
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
such structure using a standard PC and inexpensive program, chances are that
your system will crash! Check it!
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
You may have been taught to use portal and cantilever method for analysis of
effect of lateral loads in frames. Both of these methods assume a point of
contraflexure at mid point of beams and columns, which is often grossly
inaccurate. Just analyze any frame subjected to lateral loading by these methods
and then compare the results with exact analysis by computer. You will find as
much as 50% to 60% difference of moments and shear forces. If computer is
available, you must not use these methods. Even for preliminary analysis, when
you do not know the size of the members in the structure, still these methods are
not useful. You can do the same easily by using computer.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
1. To find out deflection at middle of a beam, you must have a node there. You
can achieve this by splitting the beam into two members. Most analysis
programs have the option of doing this.
2. Changing I values of some members does not alter moment and shear values
which you have got previously using Ig.
3. Ie can be calculated only when you have designed the member i.e. you have
specified number and diameter of reinforcement bars.
4. When you are specifying I value explicitly, ensure that you do not define
beam width and depth or radius, otherwise you may get absurd results.
The formulas for calculating cracked moment of inertia are given below (Ref.
1).
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
For a T-beam with k>hf – use same equation as that for a rectangular beam.
In all cases n = Es/Ec.
What is said above stands for short-term (immediate) deflection. You must add
long term deflection due to creep and shrinkage as well.
This simple trick works for 1 dimensional member only i.e. for beams. For 2
way members e.g. slab, things are not as easy. We shall discuss later how to find
the deflection of 2-way slab by using finite element analysis.
Most codes provide you minimum depth of members if you do not calculate
deflection. But these values are always overestimated and thus lead to
uneconomical design for multistory buildings. Don’t be lazy. Always calculate
deflection, you can save money!
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Most programs do not take into account deformation due to shear force. For
normal beams where depth of beams are much less than their lengths, neglecting
shear deformation does not lead to erroneous result but where length of beam is
very close to depth of beam it can lead to large error. In fact if (Length of
beam/Depth of beam) < 2 then the beam is termed as deep beam. There, shear
deformation must be taken into account.
Consider the following problem. A point load of 1 MN is applied at the free end
of 1-m long steel cantilever beam. The cross section of the beam is 400x600
mm. The total deflection is ∆ = PL3/3EI + 6PL/5GA (the equation comes from
strain energy theorem) = 0.000234 + 0.00007143 = 0.0003029 m. See what
deflection your program shows! Chances are that it will show only 0.000234 m.
So, what do you learn? Now make the beam section 600x400 mm and you will
find that the total deflection is very near to bending deflection. Some programs
offer option for specifying shear area. In that case, they can take into effect of
shear deformation. Check whether your program has this option.
Figure 11-1
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
If your program supports specifying inclined local axes for a particular member,
you are lucky. In this case you just need to mention in what angle you want to
rotate the local axes of the selected member; then you will specify the joint
restraints in usual manner and it will be considered as an inclined support. But if
your program does not have this feature, you need to try out something else.
You can achieve this by specifying a “spring” of infinite stiffness. Normally you
can specify a spring at any angle. The spring reaction is the resultant of X and Y
components of reaction. In case of roller support you will get the reaction
automatically from spring reaction.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
A frame member will not experience maximum bending moment, shear force
and reaction when it is fully loaded. Here we shall combine classical
approximate substitute frame with computer analysis. But before that note the
following live load distribution criteria.
In all cases, dead load must always be applied over all spans.
Some codes say that if live load intensity does not exceed 75% of dead load
intensity, then you can load all spans together with dead and live load without
any combination. But if you have computer, it is always better to perform the
actual combination to get maximum values of force and moment.
In classical substitute frame (see figure 13-1), we isolate one single floor with
the assumption of columns at top and bottom floors are fixed. Then we apply
the combinations described above to get maximum member forces.
In case of computer analysis, though you still need to apply the live load in
same combination as discussed above, yet you need not isolate one particular
floor. Rather, you should just apply the required span load combination in any
floor. In case of regular shaped building elevation, result obtained from one
floor will be same for other floors. For example, in the (figure 13-2) shown, the
load combination stands for maximum negative support moment in first interior
column (actually both interior columns since this structure is symmetric) in 2nd
floor (bottom most floor, i.e. ground floor is normally denoted by “0” in
structural analysis convention). The value obtained for support moment under
this condition will also be the maximum support moment for 1st, 3rd and 4th
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
floor. (Though it is customary to use reduced live load in roof level). Similarly,
other load combinations can be used in same manner.
Figure 13-1
Figure 13-2
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Take any statically determinate structure, for example a simply supported beam
or a simple truss. Apply a settlement in one of its supports. Now analyze the
structure. You will see an interesting phenomenon. Though the program will
correctly say zero member force, still it will draw a bending moment or axial
force diagram! In a statically determinate structure, there should not be any
member force developed due to support settlement. Hooray, you have
discovered a bug in the program!
The reason of this awkward shape can be explained. Although the member force
is zero, the program calculates it as a very small (say 10-100) number. The
graphic code picks up this small but finite number and draws the force diagram.
Now take a statically indeterminate structure. Say a continuous beam. Make one
of its support settle to an amount and perform the analysis. You should find
some member forces in the beam. Well, now take a statically indeterminate
truss. The truss should be externally indeterminate. For example, you can take a
2-support truss whose both supports are hinged (pinned) as shown in figure 14-
1. Now apply a downward settlement in any one of its supports and analyze the
structure. Most likely, you will see zero force in all members after the analysis.
This is not correct!
Figure 14-1
Most standard analysis package use truss stiffness matrix based on ignoring the
support displacement perpendicular to member’s local axis. That’s why you get
the wrong answer. But since the members’ length change, there are strains,
which would create the axial forces. If you want to know the actual member
forces after such support settlement, you need to modify the member stiffness
matrix considering the displacement in perpendicular direction as well.
Unfortunately, you can’t do it with most available programs.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
15. 2D versus 3D
Figure 15-1
You can easily analyze just one plane frame as shown in fig. 15-2. Whenever
possible, try to convert 3D structures into 2D in this way. 2D structures are not
only easier to model, but also they can be ‘handled’ and analyzed much more
easily compared to 3D structures.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 15-2
Look, in fig. 15-1, the loads are towards X direction. If there were additional
loads of same type towards Z direction, you could adopt similar 2D frame (on
YZ plane) as shown in fig. 15-2. You can then superpose the result as long as it
is a linear structure with material and member section properties are the same.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Most frame analysis programs do not have curve element. You will need to
replace the curved member by a number of straight members. Obviously, more
the number of straight members used better the accuracy is. While drawing
straight members for curve elements, it is a good idea to change grid setting into
“polar” form instead of normal rectangular setting. Another way of doing this is
to figuring the straight members’ nodal co-ordinates in spreadsheet (for
example, Microsoft Excel or Lotus 123). This is useful when the equation of
curve is known as y = f(x) e.g. parabolic arch. By using spreadsheet’s built-in
commands, you can easily find out y co-ordinates of the curve against each x
co-ordinate. Some programs can “copy” and “paste” member and nodal
information to and from spreadsheet file. You may like to know that it is
theoretically possible to create stiffness matrix of a curved member.
4m X
20 m
Figure 16-1
The answer is: left vertical reaction 375 kN ↑, right vertical reaction 125 kN ↑,
horizontal reactions are 312.5 kN inward at both ends. With 20 straight-line
segments, you should get exact answer within 1% accuracy. Note that the
theoretical answer has been obtained by (H = ∫ My dx / ∫ y2 dx) formula.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Many programs have the option of specifying tapered or variable cross sectional
members. If so, you’re lucky. If not, still you’re lucky as you are reading this
book! To specify a tapered section by yourself, you should ‘break’ the members
into a number of parts (more the number, better is the result). Then you should
specify various A (areas) and I (inertia) for each segment. This will become
clear from the following problem.
2 4
15 15
Figure 17-1
The figure shows a tapered beam. Hinged at left end and fixed at right end. A
clockwise moment (hence minus sign) of 5000 has been applied at middle of the
beam. It is required to analyze the beam. The cross sections at both ends have
been shown. Please note that the beam has been ‘divided’ into 8 sections. Width
of the sections is same throughout. But the depth is varied as (from left most
section) 2, 2.25, 2.5, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4. The calculated reaction at left end is –
163 (i.e. downward) and at right end is +163 (i.e. upward) compared to
theoretical answer of 170. The bending moment at just left of mid-point of beam
is – 2443 (theoretically –2549) and that of right is 2557 (theoretically 2451).
You will get more accurate answer if you divide the beam into more number of
elements. Note another interesting point that, in this problem, I didn’t specify
any unit or E value of material! You should get same answer whatever unit you
use. Although some programs do allow you to specify “linearly” tapered
members; you still need to apply this trick for “non-linearly” (e.g. cubic or
parabolic) tapered members.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Many programs allow you to define a spring support, but none will allow you to
connect two nodes by a spring. But you can achieve this! Replace the spring by
a member connected between those two nodes where the spring is required.
Choose the properties of that member so that stiffness of spring equals AE/L of
that connected member. E should be same as that of material of the spring.
Choose A and L value properly, keeping L small; because if you choose large L,
the member will buckle easily. Also, do not forget to release moment on this
member i.e. this spring replacement member should carry axial load only. After
analysis, you must check whether axial load in spring replacement member is
below its buckling load (π2EI/L2). This can be automatically checked if you
activate P-∆ analysis (see section 8) option in your program. This trick works!
Figure 18-1
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
10 kN A = 2002 mm²
4m E = Steel
-5 kN/m
20 kN
4m
4m 4m 4m
Figure 19-1
If you separate the upper floor and then analyze only that portion, you will get
the result as shown below.
10 kN
11.44 kNm
11.44 kNm 5 kN 5 kN
4.28 kN 4.28 kN
Figure 19-2
With the result shown above, the applied loads on the bottom floor of the actual
structure will be as shown below.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
A B C D
Figure 19-3
For your check, the ultimate results are as given below for problem figure 19-1.
Node Fx kN Fy kN Mz kNm
A -6.223 -14.85 15.58
B -5.99 30.54 15.18
C -11.2 20.64 22.08
D -6.583 3.675 15.81
From the above example, it is clear that; you need to apply opposite of reactions
as loads on lower floor frames.
The procedure described here seems too meager for this particular structure, but
this method is an absolute must for doing a fine meshed finite element analysis.
It may happen that, if you run the whole structure once, it may exceed the
program’s or your computer’s resource limit. That’s why it’s so important to
‘break them into pieces’.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 19-4
Fixed
Figure 19-5
Figure 19-6
Figure 19-7
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 19-8
Fixed
Fixed
Fixed
Figure 19-9
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 19-10
Figure 19-11
Exercise
Solve some problems yourself on the basis of above example models. Unless
you analyze the models and visualize the results, things will not be crystal clear
to you. If you face any problem, don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail! You will
find advanced info on 3D structures’ symmetry, plate’s symmetry etc. in later
sections.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 20-1
The first figure shows exact shape of a flight of a staircase with loads (including
self-weight). The second figure is the approximation of the same staircase as
simple beam. The section of concrete staircase may be taken as 1-m width x
150-mm depth. The length of simple beam equals 1.25 + 2.75 + 1 = 5 m.
Theoretically, loading on landing should be less than that of inclined flight. In
approximate calculation, it is assumed same load is acting through out the span
for conservative result. The results of both analyses are shown in next figure. In
this case we have considered the staircase as simply supported. Depending on
casting, it may be fixed-fixed or fixed-pinned as the case may be. In fact
staircases are more often analyzed as fixed-fixed support condition. From the
analysis it is found that maximum mid span moment is almost same in both
analyses. Shear forces (reactions) are also more or less equal. This proves that
approximate analysis of staircase is not really inaccurate! In hand calculation,
moment was computed using simple M = wL2/8 formula.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 20-2
This analysis was done in Visual Analysis 3.5. An interesting point is to note
that, both structures were analyzed as a single file. This is applicable to most
analysis programs. You may analyze as many as separate structures in a single
file even they are not connected together. Now think about the following
paradox. Following three beams are all simply supported (left end pinned and
right end roller). Their projected length on plan is same in all cases (say 10 m).
They are all acted by same uniformly distributed load on ‘projected’ length (say
10 kN/m). Find out what will be the bending moment at mid spans.
10 m 10 m
10 m
Figure 20-3
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
What result do you see? The bending moment (and reactions as well) is same in
all cases! If you took w = 10 kN/m and L = 10 m, then Mmax = wL2/8 = 10*102/8
= 125 kNm. It shows that, for the simple beam, bending moment is same
irrespective of beam’s geometry. This happens because all three beams shown
are statically determinate structures. Now make all the beams fixed at both ends.
Now re-analyze them and you will see different bending moments for all cases.
The example problem I presented in this section for staircase, was simply
supported in both ends. That’s why you got same bending moment! Had they
been fixed at ends, the results would not have matched. However, they still
would not differ appreciably from traditional straight beam calculation.
Still in doubt why you got same result for statically determinate beams? Well,
the reason is simple. As the beams were simply supported, horizontal reactions
at supports are zero (since we have only loading acting downward). So, moment
due to ‘eccentricity’ of geometry is also equal to zero. This will be from
following figure.
x
Figure 20-4
This internal moment (= Hex at any section of distance x from end) causes the
bending moment to differ from the value as in case of straight beams (where ex
= 0 at all sections). In case of statically indeterminate beams, both H and ex are
non-zero. So, the internal forces differ depending on geometry of the beam.
When you analyzed two hinged arches as a student you probably used the
equation: Arch moment = Beam moment – He. Didn’t you?
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
21. Cables
Once you have specified cables in this way, the analyses are pretty
straightforward. While viewing the result, you should check whether cables’
axial force diagram shows tension only (generally positive number) and no
bending moments. That’s all.
An example of cable structure is shown in fig 21-1. After performing the
analysis, check your answer with exact result as given.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 21-1
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 21-2
It is also possible to analyze the cable shown in figure 21-2. Use suitable values
for span, sags and loads. Then find out the tension in cables. This is given as an
exercise to you! If the loads are all unequal, the tensions in the cables will be
different. Check if equation of static equilibrium is satisfied at each node.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Does your program offer specifying pre-stressed cable profile? If yes, then
good. If not then read the following tricks. Observe sign conventions carefully.
PyA PyB
yA θA θB yB PθA PθB
c
P P
Figure 22-1
PyA PyB
yA θA θB yB PθA PθB
P P(θA + θB) P
Total length L
Figure 22-2
Observe the figures very carefully. They are really confusing! Try to
comprehend the following worked out problem. Please note that the θ values are
in radians. Note that the yA and yB indicate eccentricity of the cable at supports
in upward direction from center of gravity of concrete (cgc) line. Upward
distance is positive at supports and downward distance is positive at mid spans
for pre-stressed cable profile (majority of standard analysis programs follow this
sign convention). If the cable distances are of opposite sense compared to what
shown in above figures, then ‘arrows’ of moments will be reversed.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 22-3
Now the forces shown in blue color will go to support directly. Moments shown
in orange color will cancel each other. So, the remaining forces that will act are
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
shown in green color. The ultimate equivalent load will be that of as shown in
figure 22-5.
Figure 22-5
So, for pre-stressing force, the beam should be analyzed for the loading shown
above. Naturally, the beam will also carry dead load and live load as well.
Analyze the beam for these loads as separate cases and then combine the results
as desired. In actual practice there are always more than one cables. You can
analyze effect of each cable separately and then superpose to get the net result.
Also remember that, there is a uniform compressive stress ‘P/A’ in the concrete
in addition to the bending stress due to pre-stress, dead load and live load. For
more information on this subject, please see any standard textbook on pre-
stressed concrete. I have shown here only linear and parabolic cable profile.
Although parabolic profile is the most common, there are other types of profiles
possible. See your textbook for details.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
We now come to the most outstanding and most versatile method of structural
analysis: the Finite Element Method. It has made possible to analyze virtually
all kinds of structures that human brain ever can imagine! If you have studied
finite element before, you may skip this section. Those who did not, I present a
very very brief introduction of the subject. There exist more than 1001 books in
this subject. But I warn you; the theory of finite element analysis is very
complex!
What is meant by finite element? The answer is any element, which is not
infinite. Don’t be exasperated; this is the real definition of finite element.
Did you play with mechano when you were a child? Just think how you built a
model car or house by “Lego” parts? Now consider each part of mechano as
“finite element”. A number of mechano elements were needed to build your
model car or house.
I hope you have probably realized now that the frame analysis, so far what we
have discussed in preceding sections, is actually finite element analysis in
essence where each finite element is a “bar”.
Figure 23-1
This is the longitudinal section of a beam shown. That is, you are viewing a
beam from its length side. Observe that here we consider the beam as 2-
dimensional “Plane stress” structure. Don’t confuse this with 2D or 3D frame.
By 2D or 3D frame we actually mean “Plane” and “Space” frame. In all
previous cases, we treat all beams as “bars” like a “stick”. But in the above
figure we are treating the beam taking into effect of its length as well as depth.
That’s why it is 2D. Had we considered the width of beam in the analysis, it
would have been termed as 3D solid. Pretty confusing! Look, there is a “cut” in
the beam. The beam is simply supported, left end pinned, right end roller. It is
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
So, first we divide the beam into a number of “triangular finite elements”. Then
we shall determine the member stiffness matrix [k] of each individual triangular
element and ultimately we shall have to combine the member stiffness matrices
into “global stiffness matrix” [K]; pretty much the way we did in case of frame
analysis. Then we shall have to apply the boundary condition on [K] matrix.
Figure 23-2
After that we need to construct force matrix [P]. For this, distributed load must
be converted to appropriate nodal loads by applicable equations. So, our
problem can be represented by familiar equation [P] = [K][D]. From this
equation we can solve for [D] and then we can find out nodal stresses form
σ] = [C][εε] where [C] matrix differs in various cases like plane stress,
equation [σ
plane strain etc. We are describing this problem as plane stress because we
considered only 2 dimensions (X and Y) and stress variation along width (Z
direction) has not been taken into account. That means we have taken care of
only σx, σy and τxy. In this problem we considered the beam is made of
“triangular” finite elements, but we could have also considered it is made of
“rectangular” finite elements as shown in figure 23-3.
Figure 23-3
If you analyze the beam with both triangular and rectangular elements as shown
above, you will see that you get accurate answer when you use rectangular
elements. It proves one very fundamental concept of finite element analysis:
You must choose proper element for particular problem. You do get correct
result with triangular finite element but you must use very fine mesh compared
to rectangular element. In general, triangular element is not a good choice. If
you are interested to know why triangular element behaves in such way, you
should consult any standard finite element analysis textbook.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 23-4
As a crude rule, when you use triangular you will normally need much finer
“mesh” than rectangular elements. The assembly of elements in finite element
analysis is called “mesh”. Most powerful finite element programs can generate
mesh automatically if you specify the boundary surfaces of the models. If you
want to analyze the same beam in 3D then your model will look like as shown
in figure 23-5.
Figure 23-5
In this case finite element will be 3D solid element like shown in figure 23-6.
Figure 23-6
This is an 8 noded finite element because it has 8 nodal points. If its each vertex
has one additional point in the middle, then it would have been 20 noded finite
element. Higher is the number of nodal points in an element better is the
accuracy of the solution. But higher noded elements are difficult to calculate
even with a computer since total number of nodes increases the size of global
stiffness matrix. Whatever element you use, it must be compatible.
Compatibility means there must not be any discontinuity or overlapping among
the elements when the analysis model deforms under applied load. You can
combine more than one kind of element in single structure. You should use
more number of elements where you anticipate stress variation is more
irregular. There are a lot more other finite elements in addition to basic
triangular and rectangular elements discussed above.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
One distinguishing feature of finite element method is that it does not provide
“closed form” solution. Every problem in finite element analysis is unique. This
probably needs little more explanation. Think of a simple beam. In classical
method of analysis, you can make a program, which takes L, E, I and w as input
and computes deflection at any point by solving the equation of elastic line,
which can be easily formulated. But in case of finite element analysis, if you
change the length of the beam, it becomes another new problem because the
geometry of the model changes. Of course you can change E or w values or
boundary condition without remodeling the whole structure.
You may be wondering that if finite element method can solve any structure,
then what is the justification of studying classical methods of analysis. Aha! A
real question indeed! You can realize it yourself. Just think of solving a simple
beam in finite element method (this is presented just after this section). After
you solve this beam by finite element method, you can easily check whether the
result is correct or not by comparing the answer obtained by classical method.
But now imagine the analysis of the fuselage of an airplane or the propeller of a
ship. How do you check the correctness of these analyses? Therefore you must
accept the finite element analysis result as exact result! That’s why it is so
important that finite element analysis models must be created to simulate the
actual structure as much as possible. You must use proper combination of finite
elements, sufficiently accurate mesh, proper load and applicable boundary
conditions. It is often a common practice to analyzing the structure first with a
particular mesh and then repeating the whole analysis after doubling the mesh to
see whether the result converges. But this method has drawbacks! Your
program cannot analyze the structure if your number of mesh nodal points
exceed the program’s capacity. Moreover, it is very difficult to predict
beforehand what particular “finite element” will best simulate the structure. This
is especially a demanding task for very complex structures.
I am concluding finite element introduction here. But you must realize that it is
not so easy as it seems. Researchers are still developing new finite elements.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Sometimes even the most expensive finite element analysis programs produce
wrong answer to complex problems. If you feel inclined to know more about
this wonderful (?) tool of analysis, I strongly recommend that you to go through
some standard finite element method textbooks.
One word of advice, many engineers tempt to use finite element analysis
everywhere even when it is possible to analyze the particular structure using
classical method of analysis. My main aim is to make you realize that finite
element analysis is required only when it is absolutely necessary. Remember
that finite element analysis programs are very expensive and they also demand
great part of contribution from you for preparing input and interpreting output.
1. Defining the model (i.e. drawing it either in the finite element program’s
graphical interface or importing it from a CAD program).
2. Creating the mesh (most programs can automatically generate mesh for best
result).
3. Defining the boundary conditions.
4. Defining the loads.
5. Performing analysis (may take hours for complicated models!)
6. Interpreting the result (very important).
The steps are pretty straightforward. But there are many glitches!
In next page you will find an exercise of simply supported beam with uniformly
distribute load analyzed by FEA method. This example is for your
understanding of the basic concept of FEA only. In practice, this problem
should be solved by simple flexure formula of σ = My/I. Remember this!
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Exercise
A 5-m steel (E=200GPa) beam has width 200 mm and depth 500 mm. It is
loaded by 10-kN/m uniformly distributed load. ν = 0.3. Its left end is hinged and
right end is roller. Find deflection at mid point and maximum bending stress in
the beam by finite element analysis. Try following modeling:
1. Plane stress analysis with 20 rectangular elements, each 0.5x0.25 m size.
That means there are 10 elements in X direction and 2 elements in Y
direction. You can convert the uniform load into nodal loads by applying
0.25 kN at extreme nodes and 0.5 kN at intermediate nodes.
2. Solid model analysis. Use standard solid brick or tetrahedral element. Most
finite element analysis programs offer these elements.
Figure 23-7
In case of plane stress model formulation, you should use plate finite element
whose thickness will be equal to the depth in Z direction. In this problem, this is
equal to width of the beam. After performing the finite element analysis, you
should get the answer: mid point deflection 1.95x10-4 m maximum stress 3.75
MPa. Your program may display slight different result due to numerical round
off in calculation.
The deflected shape should resemble the following figure. Original shape is
shown by dotted line. This 2D-beam analysis was performed in Visual Analysis.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 23-8
The figure 23-9 shows one of mid plane stresses, local σx distribution.
Your program should have the option to display other stresses e.g. σy , τxy etc.
Interpreting the finite element analysis result is very important. It is expected
that you spend equal or more time in interpreting analysis result compared to
the time previously spent in preparation of the model.
Later we shall see how finite element analysis can produce incompatible result.
There you will realize why it is essential to learn some theory behind the finite
element analysis.
Figure 23-9
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
To analyze the beam as 2D, you should not face any difficulty. However, you
should take into account many other things when you analyze the same beam as
3D solid. Firstly, what will be the load? Look, here we’ve applied a total load of
10 kN/m x 5 m = 50 kN acting on the upper face area of 5 m x 0.2 m = 1 m. So,
the applied load we have to specify as 50 kN/m² pressure normal to the upper
surface. Be careful about the load’s direction. Now, comes the main hurdle, the
meshing. If you are using a high-end FEA program, it will mesh the model
itself. By default, the program will mesh it by using brick elements or
tetrahedral elements. The next figure shows the beam with automatically
generated tetrahedral mesh. You may note that, such high density meshing is
not really required for this very problem. If you manually mesh with 20
numbers (2 elements along depth and 10 elements along length, similar to
shown in fig. 23-7) 8-noded solid elements, (as in SAP2000) you will get exact
result for this problem. Left end boundary condition is X, Y, Z translation fixed
along bottom edge and Z translation fixed along bottom edge on right end.
Figure 23-10
Figure 23-11
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Did you see that finite element analysis programs normally give you output in
the form of nodal displacements and stresses. It does not show you bending
moment or shear force diagram. Why? Well, why do you need bending moment
and shear force values? To calculate stresses later, isn’t it? Finite element
analysis programs directly give you the stress values!
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
I think by this time you have at least tried to open first few pages of a FEA
textbook and probably bogged down by heavy theory. Well, I am here to rescue
you. Unfortunately, most FEA textbooks do not contain sufficient numerical
examples to make the whole thing transparent to the readers. If you study the
following numerical example along with your FEA textbook, you might find it
easier to comprehend now. So, let’s start…
Figure 24-1
Figure 24-1 shows a plate divided into two triangular shaped finite elements.
This is a plane stress problem. The figure also shows the degrees of freedom
(DOF) of the system. Please note that the value of modulus of elasticity E is
taken as 200x106 N/m². In fact, the values taken in this problem are not realistic.
My main aim is to present various steps of FEA computation through a simple
numerical problem. The division of the plate into a mere two elements is done
just for illustration purpose only. In actual practice, the plate should be divided
into a larger number of elements (triangular or rectangular etc.).
Anyway, we now begin solving the problem. I hope you’ve already familiar
with ‘shape function’. This is the function, which describes displacement of any
point within an element as a function of nodal displacements of the element.
The definition will be clear as we solve the problem. Shape function matrix is
normally denoted by [N].
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
All FEA textbooks describe how to derive shape functions for various elements.
So, we shall assume that we already know the shape function for the triangular
element.
We consider element 1 at first. Its nodal points are 1,2 and 3. The co-ordinates
are (0,0), (4,0) and (4,4) respectively. If the area of the triangle is A, then we
know
1 x1 y1 1 0 0
1 1
A = 1 x2 y 2 = 1 4 0 = 8...m 2
2 2
1 x3 y3 1 4 4
Where, (x1, y1), (x2, y2) and (x3, y3) are the co-ordinates of node 1, 2 and 3
respectively.
( x 2. y3 − x3. y 2) + x( y 2 − y3) + y ( x3 − x 2)
N1 = = 1 − 0.25 x
2A
( x3. y1 − x1. y3) + x( y3 − y1) + y ( x1 − x3)
N2 = = 0.25 x − 0.25 y
2A
( x1. y 2 − x 2. y1) + x( y1 − y 2) + y ( x 2 − x1)
N3 = = 0.25 y
2A
∂N 1 ∂N 2 ∂N 3
0 0 0
∂x ∂x ∂x
∂N 1 ∂N 2 ∂N 3
[ B] = ∂[ N ] = 0 0 0
∂y ∂y ∂y
∂N 1 ∂N 1 ∂N 2 ∂N 2 ∂N 3 ∂N 3
∂y ∂x ∂y ∂x ∂y ∂x
− 0.25 0 0.25 0 0 0
= 0 0 0 − 0.25 0 0.25 ......m −1
0 − 0.25 − 0.25 0.25 0.25 0
Now we set the ‘Constitutive matrix’ [C] as (for plane stress only)
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1 ν 0 200 0 0
E
[C ] = ν 1 0 = 0 200 0 .10 6...N / m 2
1 −ν 2
1 −ν
0 0 0 0 100
ν
If we perform the calculation, we shall get stiffness matrix for element 1 as:
1 0 −1 0 0 0
0 0 .5 0 .5 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0
−1 0 .5 1 .5 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0
[k ]1 = .10 6......N / m
0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 1 .5 0 .5 −1
0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0 .5 0 .5 0
0 0 0 −1 0 1
Note that, it is a 6x6 matrix. Its DOF are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Thickness t = 0.01
m. Following exactly same steps, we can easily find stiffness matrix for element
2. This is given as an exercise for you. Calculation is same. Only you have to
use x1 = 0, y1 = 0 (point 1), x2 = 4, y2 = 4 (point 3), x3 = 0, y3 = 4 (point 4).
0 .5 0 0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0 .5
0 1 0 0 0 −1
0 0 1 0 −1 0
[k ] 2 = .10 6......N / m
− .0 .5 0 0 0 .5 0 .5 − 0 .5
− 0 .5 0 −1 0 .5 1 .5 − 0 .5
0 .5 −1 0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 1 .5
For element 2, DOF are 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8. So, the global stiffness matrix [K]
becomes, [K] = [k]1 + [k]2. In matrix format,
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1 .5 0 −1 0 0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0 .5
0 1 .5 0 .5 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0 0 −1
−1 0 .5 1 .5 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0 0 0
0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 1 .5 0 .5 −1 0 0
[K ] = .10 6.......N / m
0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0 .5 1 .5 0 −1 0
− 0 .5 0 0 −1 0 1 .5 0 .5 − 0 .5
− 0 .5 0 0 0 −1 0 .5 1 .5 − 0 .5
0 .5 −1 0 0 0 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 1 .5
Our next step is to calculate applied nodal forces. In the problem, we have a
varying distributed force. In FEA, we must transfer distributed loads into
equivalent nodal loads. The formula for converting distributed loads into nodal
loads is:
{re } = ∫ [ N ]T q...dx
For more explanation on this topic, see your favorite (or not so favorite) FEA
textbook.
q1 q2 L(2q1+q2)/6 L(q1+2q2)/6
L L
Actual distributed load Equivalent nodal load
Figure 20-2
Note that the applied load is in DOF 3 and 5 direction. So, force matrix becomes
an 8x1 matrix. However, still we did not specify the boundary condition. Since,
nodes 1 and 4 are pinned, DOF 1, 2 and 7, 8 will be fixed. Therefore, we have to
adjust both global stiffness and force matrix with DOF 3, 4, 5, 6 only.
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0
0
8000
0
[F ] = .....N
4000
0
0
0
1 .5 − 0 .5 − 0 .5 0
− 0 .5 1 .5 0 .5 −1
[K ]B = .10 6.........N / m
− 0 .5 0 .5 1 .5 0
0 −1 0 1 .5
8000
0
[F ]D = ..........N
4000
0
[d]c = [K]B-1.[F]D or
7.43
1.71
[d ]c = .10 −3..........m
4.57
1.14
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0
0
7.43
1.71
[d ] = .10 −3........m
4.57
1.14
0
0
Our main analysis is complete. Now we shall ‘post process’ our result. Suppose,
we like to know the strains and stresses at all three nodes of element 1. The
strain matrix is defined by [ε] = [B][d].
0
0
εx − 0.25 0 0.25 0 0 0 1875
7.43
[ε ] = ε y = 0 0 0 − 0.25 0 0.25 . .10 = − 143 10 − 6
−3
1.71
γ xy 0 − 0.25 − 0.25 0.25 0.25 0 − 286
4.57
1.14
σx 371450
[σ ] = σ y = − 28550 . .......N / m 2
τ xy − 28600
d1
d2
ux N1 0 N2 0 N3 0 d3
= . =
uy 0 N1 0 N2 0 N3 d4
d5
d6
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0
0
0.25 0 0.25 0 0 .5 0 7.43 4.14
10 −3 = 10 −3........m
0 0.25 0 0.25 0 0 .5 1.71 1 .0
4.57
1.14
1. In this problem, [B] = constant i.e. it does not involve any terms containing x
or y. However, this is the case only for triangular element. That’s why it’s
called Constant Strain Triangle. For rectangular and other elements, [B] is a
function of x and y (and z for 3D cases).
2. Since strain is constant, stresses at any point within element are also
constant.
3. Distributed load should be converted to equivalent nodal loads.
4. The commercial FEA programs basically performs the same operation as
described above. They calculate stress/strain at all points inside the elements
and plots as colorful contour diagram as output.
5. Did you realize the labor involved in solving with just 2 elements and 8
DOF. Now imagine what will happen with 100,000 nodes. It vindicates
absolute necessity of computers in FEA.
6. The answer we have got here is not correct. This is as expected because we
have considered only two elements. Use your analysis program to generate a
mesh and see what will be the exact answer. Next try the problem with four
rectangular elements. See your FEA textbook to find out [N] matrix for
rectangular elements. The stiffness matrix for rectangular elements is given
by
b a
[k ] = ∫ ∫ [ B]
T
[C ][ B].t...dxdy
−b − a
Here you have to integrate ‘numerically’. (Oops!) I think you are already feeling
bore. Let’s have a snack break!
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Let’s solve a simple plate by finite element analysis. Our model is 3-m x 2-m
size and 10 mm thick. The plate is made of steel (E = 200 GPa). It is simply
supported. Ignore self-weight of the plate. It is acted by 100-kPa uniformly
distributed load over its surface. Find the deflection at mid point of the plate.
The theoretical answer is 0.65-mm i.e. 0.00065 m. If you get 0.0005 or 0.0007
m deflection using your program, it may be considered sufficiently accurate.
First hurdle is how you should ‘mesh’ the plate. Most programs will allow you
to divide the plate into number of smaller plates within it. So, do it. Expensive
programs can create the optimum mesh for you! If you mesh the plate 15x10
elements, it should be enough for this problem. Now comes the boundary
condition. Specify two adjacent edges as pinned and the other two adjacent
edges as rollers. It will make the plate simply supported. Consider sign
convention as described in section 4.
Roller
Pinned Roller
Pinned
Figure 25-1
Now solve the same problem with some different boundary conditions like all
edges fixed and heavier loads etc. Check your answers with theoretical
solutions. Make a ‘cut’ anywhere in the plate and see what happens.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Suppose you have made a model of moment frame with masonry walls and
concrete floor slabs as ‘plates’. Now why you need to ‘mesh’ the plates? The
problem with this is that the plate elements are only connected to the supporting
members at the nodes. In the real world structures, the plates are in continuous
contact with the supporting members. Modeling the structure in this way can
cause larger deflections in some members than if they were modeled with
intermediate connections. The walls may also be too stiff when modeled as a
single element. Another concern involves load path continuity. If a distributed
surface load were applied to the floor plates, the load would be transferred to the
corners of the plate and directly down to the columns. The supporting beams
would receive no load. To fix these problems the single plate will have to be
split into smaller pieces, so that more nodes are provided to allow the real world
connection to be more accurately modeled. The more each plate is split the
more accurate the model becomes. However, more elements require more time
to analyze, this is particularly important with large models. Interpreting the
result also becomes complicated. Finally, it is not clear into how many elements
you should split the plates (Ref. 6). You may wonder that we don’t split frame
(beam/truss) members. Well, as I already stated that for ‘bar’ finite elements, we
can form the exact stiffness matrix. So we don’t need to split them. Although,
occasionally you may need to split frame members too for applying nodal point
loads. For linear structures, even if you split frame members, you still get same
result. But for non-linear structures, you will get different (usually more
accurate) result if you split frame members. More on non-linear structures in
some later sections. So, keep going on!
Why not start with this very plate problem? First, analyze the plate with only
6x4 mesh. Your mid point deflection should come 5.91x10-4 m. Clearly, this is
not equal to theoretical 6.5x10-4 m. So, you need to increase your mesh density
i.e. you have to decrease your mesh size. Let’s apply 15x10 mesh (see fig. 25-
2). As I already mentioned you earlier, in this case you should get exact mid
point deflection. So, this mesh is sufficient. But hey, in actual problem you
won’t know the answer beforehand! So, how do you know that you get exact
answer with 15x10 mesh? What you have to do is that, you analyze the plate
again but with 30x20 mesh. You will observe that you get same displacement as
in case of 15x10 mesh. Now your result is correct. So, we just increased mesh
density and see whether our result converges and we stopped when done. This
trick normally works in most of the FEA problems, however, there may be
situations where increasing mesh density only may not produce good result! We
may need to use more complex elements. For example, instead of 4-noded plate
element we can use 8-noded plate element. I shall discuss more about it later.
Another point, should you rely upon convergence of displacement or of stress?
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
In general, stresses in FEA are ‘less’ accurate than displacements (since stresses
are calculated from displacements, see the worked out problem of previous
section). So, you should aim at displacement convergence. Take stress diagrams
of the point when displacements converge (in 30x20 case for this problem).
Figure 25-2
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
In this section you will learn how to interpret FEA result. This is one of the
most important tasks. I shall start with very basic beam and truss and then
gradually move to complex stress components.
First consider a simple truss member. When it’s in tension, the force acts on it
as shown below.
Figure 26-1
The tensile stress developed in the member is simply equal to Force/Area. Until
the stress exceeds the value of yield stress of the material of the member, the
member will not fail. On the other hand, consider a member under compressive
force.
Figure 26-2
Here the stress is also Force/Area but in this case, buckling may occur. The
maximum stress that the member can withstand depends on the material and the
‘slenderness ratio’ (= length/side dimension) of the member. Try to avoid
compression member as far as possible. This is current trend in design. All
tension member structures like tents etc. are very efficient and cost effective.
Figure 26-3
The bending moment causes bending stress (= My/I) on the beam. The reactions
cause shear stress (= VQ/Ib). For beams curved in plan, in addition to these
forces, torsion also comes (see figure 26-4). Things will get really messy if
unsymmetrical bending is considered. This is discussed later.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 26-4
Now consider a most general case of the stresses acting on a solid element.
σy
τyx
τxy
τyz
σx
Y τzy τzx
τxz
X
Z
σz
Figure 26-5
All stress components are shown in figure 26-5. I’m sure you’ve seen this figure
several times since your first year of university, didn’t you?
In straight beam, we have only σx. Please see figure 26-1 and you will
appreciate the stress component diagram shown there. Note that in that beam,
you will get values for only σx stress components, which is obvious.
Typically, all FEA programs will show you Von Mises stress by default after
analysis is finished. Now what does this mean anyway?
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
stresses. Von Mises stress has no implication in brittle materials like concrete
and soil.
The Von Mises stress is computed from the six stress components as follows:
1
1
σ VM = [ ((σ x − σ y ) 2 + (σ y − σ z ) 2 + (σ z − σ x ) 2 ) + 3.(τ xy + τ yz + τ zx )] 2
2 2 2
2
(σ 1 − σ 2 ) 2 + (σ 2 − σ 3 ) 2 + (σ 3 − σ 1 ) 2
σ VM =
2
Hence, the Factor of Safety = σ limit / σ Von Mises
Then comes Maximum Shear Stress criterion, which is also known as Tresca
yield criterion. According to this theory yielding of material begins when the
absolute maximum shear stress reaches the shear stress that causes the same
material to yield in a tensile test. This criterion is mostly used to analyze
materials that would fail in a ductile manner.
There are two other failure criteria mainly for brittle materials – Mohr Coulomb
Stress and Maximum Normal Stress.
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This criterion is used for brittle materials whose tensile and compressive
strength properties are different.
This criterion is used for brittle materials whose ultimate strength is same for
both tension and compression. Please remember that brittle materials do not
have specific yield points. (Ref. 15)
What factor of safety you use is entirely your responsibility. In machine design,
it is not uncommon to use a factor of safety value in the range of 10 to 20.
Most frame analysis and design programs show the ratio of (applied stress/
allowable stress) for every member after performing design as per code
specification. If the ratio is less than 1, then design is same. Ratio more than 1
indicates re-design is necessary.
Please see Section the section on Folded Plate for more information on
interpreting FEA result.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
In this section you will learn some tips for creating a better FE mesh. But the
things are really messy! When your model is quite simple, remember the
following advises.
Mesh density – the mesh density need not be constant throughout the model.
The program assumes a linear result distribution through the element. If the
actual result through the elements is not linear but parabolic, for example, it is
obvious that there will be a decrease in the accuracy. In a fine mesh, the result
diagram through any one element will always be approximately linear.
Increase the number of elements where there is a greater rate of change in the
internal forces. For example; around supports (where bending moments increase
sharply), openings and large concentrated loads.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
elements is through the element end nodes only and so nodes located along an
edge of an element between end nodes are ineffective. Use triangular or
trapezoidal shaped elements to step between rough and fine quadrilateral
meshes.
If you have doubts as to the accuracy of the results in a particular area of the
model, rerun the problem with a finer mesh in that area and compare results.
The results converge to the exact solution, as the mesh becomes more refined.
Life will be much troublesome if you need to analyze complex solid models.
Here you need to consider many other parameters. Most FEA programs, by
default, generate ‘tetrahedral’ mesh for solids. Some programs, however, allow
you to specify how you want the mesh to be generated. Figure 27-1 shows how
your model looks with a tetrahedral mesh. Figure 27-2 shows same model with
combination of 8-noded brick, tetrahedral, 5 or 6-noded transition elements.
Some programs (e.g. Algor) offer following types of mesh generations.
Standard – used for most meshes by default. It gives you the highest quality
mesh and the lowest number of elements. Standard solid meshing works from
the surface inward. It will make 8-node brick elements on and near the surface
of the model while making 6, 5 or 4-node transition elements in the center of the
model as needed.
All 8-Node Bricks – this option should be used only for processors that accept
only 8-node bricks. In many cases, these are fluid flow processors (for analysis
of pipe network, this topic is not discussed in this book). This option can make 4
to 5 times the number of elements as the "Standard" option.
No Pyramids – the "No Pyramids" option builds brick meshes with 8, 6 and 4-
node elements, but no 5-node pyramid elements.
Tetrahedral from Quads – the "Tetrahedral from Quads" option is for generating
a tetrahedral solid mesh from a quadrilateral surface mesh.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 27-2 shows boundary condition (fixed) and pressure load of 1000
lbf/sq.inch (I had to use FPS unit because the YOKE model file was in ‘inch’
unit.)
We shall come to the same ‘yoke’ model later on, when we discuss how to
interpret FEA results.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 27-1
In the above figure only the mesh has been shown. The boundary condition and
pressure load for this particular analysis has been shown in next figure. You
may use ‘coarser’ or ‘finer’ mesh in your program. Normally, the programs
create the mesh using a default mesh density. If can control the mesh
size/density using a slider in the program.
You may wonder whether the result will change depending on what kind of
mesh you are using. Well, not really in general. However, there are special
cases, where you should use particular type of mesh for best result. See the chart
in next section.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 27-2
Figure 27-3 shows Von-mises stress (described later) diagram of figure 27-1
after analyzing the model in COSMOS/Design Star.
The same model with mesh as of figure 27-2, is analyzed using Algor and
shown in figure 27-4.
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Figure 27-3
Figure 27-4
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
28. Common Finite Elements library for Linear Static and Dynamic
Stress Analysis
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Shear walls are often provided surrounding elevator or staircase. Figure 29-1
shows a typical arrangement of shear walls in a building frame. The exterior
shear walls are shown red and the interior shear walls surrounding central
columns are shown yellow for easy visualization. This is one of the most
common arrangements for shear walls. In the figure only a 5-storied building
has been shown. In practice, shear walls are generally provided in tall buildings.
Shear walls resist bending. So, reinforcement must be provided inside them.
The area and arrangements of steel bars are calculated in usual manner.
However, analysis of shear wall and frame must be done properly. In early days,
when computer was not available, the frame-shear wall interaction was a very
complicated task. It involved lots of assumptions and mind-boggling
calculations. One common classical method was that of MacLeod. If you want
to torment yourself, go and get an Advanced Structural Analysis textbook and
try to solve a shear wall problem using classical methods.
The advent of FEA has made life much easier for us. Just model the building
first. You can do it easily using your analysis program’s graphics editor (or you
can import it from CAD program) and then add ‘plates’ in the place of shear
walls. Specify thickness and material properties of the walls (i.e. plates). Then
‘mesh’ the plates (see Section 25 for how to mesh plates). And your model is
ready for cooking (I mean analyzing)! Run your favorite FEA analyzer, and you
will instantly get displacements, shear forces, bending moments, stresses in the
beams, columns and walls. Isn’t that easy?
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 29-1
However, actual difficult part comes after the analysis. Look, I told you already
that if there were no shear walls, the forces in the beams and columns would
have been much higher compared to those of with shear walls present. So, lesser
values of forces mean smaller dimension of members and less amount of
reinforcement. But inclusion of shear walls will raise the expense again. So,
there must a trade off at some point. You must analyze several model structures
with various shear wall arrangements to get the most economical yet practical
structure. Sometimes, it may be necessary to provide shear walls with openings
for windows, doors etc. for architectural reasons. Openings reduce the stiffness
of the shear wall.
Exercise
Assume suitable dimensions for the building frame shown in figure 29-1. Apply
some realistic horizontal forces at floor levels and analyze the structure with and
without shear walls. See how the result changes with shear walls. Use a
different arrangement for shear walls and analyze again. Which arrangement
comes out to be the best?
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
C G D
Thickness 150 mm 3m
A F
3m 4.5 m 3m
Figure 30-1
The frame is loaded with 1.5 kPa uniformly distributed load in addition to the
self-weight. The folded plate is made of concrete. If you use your analysis
program’s graphics editor for input, the quickest way to create the model is: (1)
draw the model first using frame element so that the shape like as of figure 35-1
(2) then copy the frames over 12 m distance (3) now draw the plates (4) after
the plates are drawn, delete the frame members since they were drawn here only
to ease the model (5) now mesh the plates (6) apply boundary condition, in this
problem, the sides of the plates are fixed (7) apply plate thickness, material
properties etc. (8) apply surface loads on plates BC, CD and DE.
After you apply the loads, visualization should look like as that of figure 30-3.
If you draw the plates in wrong orientation, the load direction may appear
awkward as shown in figure 30-4. If it happens, delete the particular plate and
redraw again in the opposite direction compared to previous case. For this
reason, it is a good practice to mesh the plates, after you have applied the loads
properly. Although, to make your figure change from 30-4 to 30-3, you may be
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
tempted to change the load into –1.5 kPa for plate DE, however, it may create
problem while interpreting the output.
Fixed on side
Fixed on side
12 m
Figure 30-2
Figure 30-3
Figure 30-4
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Are you wondering whether we can take advantage of the symmetry? Of course
we do. In fact, only 1/4th of the structure needs to be analyzed. The appropriate
boundary conditions are shown in figure 30-5 with respect to the global axes
shown in the same figure.
all free
Z rotation fixed
Y
Z X
all fixed
Figure 30-5
After performing the analysis, you will get following stress components – σx,
σy, σz, τxy, τyz, τzx in global axes direction and σx, σy, τxy in local axes
direction along with maximum principal normal stress σ, minimum principal
normal stress σ and maximum principal shear stress τ. The concept needs
clarification.
We have already discussed local axes concept. Now, every ‘plate’ element of
the above folded plate may be considered ‘lying’ in a ‘2D plane’ even if it is
actually ‘inclined’ in the real structure. For example, a ‘plate element’ of BC
may be visualized as shown in figure 30-6. This figure is a specific case of
figure 30-5 where stress variation along Z-axis is negligible.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
σy τyx = - τxy
y τxy
x
σx
Figure 30-6
The visualization will be more apparent from the figure 30-7, where local axes
for the vertical, inclined and horizontal plate elements’ are shown.
Y
X
Y
X
Z Global
Figure 30-7
Question: My analysis program doesn’t explicitly show global and local axes
stress components. How do I know which convention it is following?
Answer: Difficult to say. Generally, most programs give output with respect to
local axes. But there are some programs, which show the result with respect to
local axes for some type of ‘elements’ and with respect to global axes for some
other type of ‘elements’! Really confusing! See your programs’ manuals for
details. However, you better solve some benchmark problems (with known
answer) to check.
Question: Shall I provide the reinforcement on the basis of forces on global axes
or local axes?
Answer: Local axes forces.
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Figure 30-8
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Figure 30-9
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Figure 30-10
The span of plate (along X axis) is 10 m and thickness of all four plates is 100
mm. The plates are made of concrete and are acted by 3-kPa downward (i.e.
along –Z direction) load perpendicular to the surface of the plates. Sides
(leftmost and rightmost edges but not middle edge) of the plates are fixed. The
global X stress (σx in N/m2) after analysis (in Algor) is shown in figure 30-11.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 30-11
Exercise
Model and analyze the plate yourself and check if you’ve got the same result.
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31. Shells
20 m
5m
Figure 31-1
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shells is same for all shell types. The shell theory is extremely complicated and
if you lean too much in that subject you may find a place in lunatic asylum too
soon! One advantage of shell is that, because of its curve shape, less material is
required compared to beam or slab to carry same load. In other words, the ratio
of load carried/ amount of material used is higher for shells. However, because
of constructional difficulties, shells are still of limited use. Yes, like the folded
plate discussed in previous section, you can again take advantage of symmetry
as shown in figure 31-2.
Y
Z X
pinned
free
Figure 31-2
For other types of shells, if the loading and geometry are symmetrical, you can
always take advantage of symmetry. Although you have the right to place the
origin at anywhere, I prefer to keep the origin at the center of the shell. It has
some ‘psychological’ advantages.
The analysis output for σ in local X-axis is shown in figure 31-3. The analysis
was done in Algor. You should note some important points. First of all, all FEA
programs display output in colorful stress contour range. Normally, you can
‘adjust’ the range yourself. It is always advisable to specify a range of your
own. This is because, the highest (and lowest) range generally covers only one
or two elements in extreme ends of the model due to some numerical round of.
In fact, 99% of all elements’ stresses fall within the 80% region of stress range
shown in the display by default. So, keep on adjusting stress range until you are
convinced that your model shows optimum design stress range. In figure 31-3,
the maximum and minimum stresses are respectively 5 kPa and –20 kPa. Check
what answer you get in your program.
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Figure 31-3
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So far our study was confined within static analysis. In this section we shall
learn some aspects of dynamic analysis. The theory and field of structural
dynamics are very large. Even a decent introduction of this subject would
require at least 100 pages. I am just describing some very basic concepts of
structural dynamic useful for practicing engineers. If you’ve already studied the
theory of structural dynamic then it’s great. If not, I advise that you start reading
a textbook of structural dynamic besides this book. It will make you understand
the applications of dynamics discussed in this book in an easily understandable
manner.
At the beginning, let me explain the difference between static and dynamic
analysis. In static analysis, the applied force is constant but in dynamic analysis,
the applied force varies with time. It is not necessary that dynamic analysis
always involves application force only, it may be due to shaking of ground due
to earthquake. In civil engineering applications, dynamic analysis mostly
involves determination of maximum response (i.e. displacement etc.) of the
structure due to some applied ground acceleration.
Degrees of Freedom – consider the typical spring mass damper system as shown
below.
Stiffness k
Figure 32-1
It has mass 'm' and stiffness 'k'. It can move in only the direction shown by the
arrow. So, this model has one degree of freedom. We call this single degree of
freedom (SDF) system. We also assume that the mass 'm' is 'lumped' at the top
of model as shown by the filled circle. This means, the mass of the stick, though
distributed though out its length, we assume as if it is concentrated at one place
as shown by the circle. This model may reflect idealization of a single story
building, where the roof mass is concentrated as shown in the figure. If there is
more than one story, then floor mass of each story may be considered as
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In practice most structures are of MDF type. However, that does not imply that
we need not study theory of SDF structures, because many MDF structures can
be 'broken' into separate SDF structures and can be easily analyzed rather than
analyzing the whole structures!
For a time varying applied force, if I apply calculated values of the force at
particular instant of time and then perform static analysis with that force, shall I
get correct displacement etc.?
No, you won’t (even for a linear structure)! The concept of structural dynamics
is different from static analysis theory. You must perform exact dynamic
analysis.
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[ M ]{ X&
&} + [C ]{ X&} + [ K ]{ X } = F (t )
Where, [M] = mass matrix (kg or Ns²/m), [C] = damping matrix (Ns/m), [K] =
stiffness matrix (N/m), X = displacement (m), X’ = velocity (m/s), X” =
acceleration (m/s²) and F(t) = Force (N).
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I hope that by this time you’ve read a few pages of structural dynamics
textbook. Yes? Great, they you can appreciate following calculation.
Consider the following structure. It resembles a water tank over a tower. I shall
show you how to perform accurate dynamic analysis without any computer
program!
1000 kN
acceleration
m/s2
t2
3m
0 1
time (s)
1m
Figure 33-1
All the members of the tower shown are made of steel with 200x200 mm square
sides. The base of the tower is given an acceleration of 1-s duration as shown in
the figure. It is desired to calculate the displacement of the structure at t = 0.5 s.
Of course, you can model the entire structure using your analysis program. Then
apply base acceleration input and find out the displacement response curve for
entire duration. However, you will soon discover that you can solve it much
quickly using simple hand calculation and just static analysis program! Anyway,
you need to model the structure first! After all, we need to know the stiffness of
the whole structure.
When you are doing exact time history dynamic analysis, your model should
look like figure 33-2. Apply a lumped mass of (1000/10)/2 = 50 kNs2/m on the
two uppermost nodes as shown (we divide the weight 1000 kN by g = 10 m/s²
to get the mass). Note the direction of applied lumped masses because we are
interested in calculating the displacement in this direction. Next apply the base
acceleration data as shown in the figure 33-1. You may generate the data using
spreadsheet and refer the text file in your analysis program. For linear dynamic
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analysis time interval of one tenth of duration of applied force is sufficient. So,
here we use 0.1 s interval. Since we are considering the structure as SDF, only 1
mode is used in the analysis. After performing the dynamic analysis we get
from the time vs. displacement curve that the displacement at t = 0.5 s is –
7.64E-4 m.
50 kNs²/m 50 kNs²/m
Y
X
Figure 33-2
Now we are going to see what we get if we perform the analysis using Duhamel
Integral. In this case, after modeling the structure, our first step is to calculate its
stiffness. For this we need to apply a force (say 1 kN) in the upper left nodal
point. Then run a static analysis and note the displacement of any of the
uppermost nodes.
Displacement ∆
1 kN
Figure 33-3
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t
1 −ςω n ( t −τ )
u (t ) =
mϖ d ∫ p(τ )e
0
sin ω d (t − τ )dτ
ωd = ωn (1- ζ2)0.5 = 17.6 rad/s. So, the ultimate equation takes the form as
shown below.
0.5
− 100
τ 2 e ( −0.05)(17.64 )( 0.5−τ ) sin 17.6(0.5 − τ )dτ = −7.64 E − 4...m
100 x17.6 ∫0
u (0.5) =
After performing the numerical integration, we get the same answer as that of in
exact dynamic analysis program! However, in dynamic analysis using the
program, you will get the time vs. displacement plot over the entire duration,
wherefrom you can get the maximum displacement at once. But in case of
analysis using Duhamel’s integral, you need to perform the calculation at
several points to get the maximum response. In this particular problem, the
input excitation is defined by simple algebraic function, which makes use of
Duhamel’s integral feasible. In actual practice, the input excitation is often
defined as a set of data at some specified interval (normally at 0.02 s interval for
earthquake ground acceleration data). So, there you must use numerical
methods like what your analysis programs do.
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4. Specify how many mode shapes you do want (generally you need same
number of mode shapes equal to the number of stories in structure, however
sometimes you may need to venture more or less number of mode shapes
depending on problem type). Normally (but not always) first three mode
shapes are sufficient for subsequent calculations. However, for multi-story
buildings, contribution of higher modes is quite significant.
5. Some programs may ask you what algorithm you want to follow – eigen-
vector or ritz-vector (more about this later).
6. Now it’s time to analyze the structure. Dynamic analysis invariably takes
more time than static analysis because it performs iteration to find out mode
shapes. After finishing it displays the natural time periods (hence frequency
therefrom) of the structure for each modes, mode shapes and time vs.
displacement (and velocity, acceleration etc.). Some programs can also
display other parameters such as base shear etc. One word of caution, the
mode shapes are ‘relative’ displacements and not the actual displacements.
7. Now it’s time to interpret the result. Generally it’s your task to find out the
stresses developed in the members due to dynamic analysis. You can do it by
noting maximum displacement and then calculating the bending moment
developed there from.
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In this section, we shall discuss the ‘Response Spectra’ and ‘Time History’
dynamic analyses in detail. Of greatest interest in dynamic analysis is the
deformation of the system, or displacement of the mass relative to moving
ground, to which the internal forces are linearly related. Knowing maximum
lateral displacement of the structure would be useful in providing enough
separation between adjacent buildings to prevent their pounding against each
other during an earthquake. Moreover, total acceleration of the structure would
be needed if the structure is supporting sensitive equipment and the motion
imparted to the equipment is to be determined.
Once the deformation response history has been evaluated by dynamic analysis,
the internal forces can be determined by static analysis of the structure at each
time instant (discussed later).
A typical response spectra for 1940 El Centro earthquake has been shown in
figure 34-1. First we need to determine natural period Tn (or frequency f = 1/Tn
in cycles per second) of the structure. Then we’ll have to check the damping
ratio of the structure. Using this, we can directly read the maximum
displacement of the structure from the figure as shown.
One thing to note is that, you must have response spectra chart for the particular
excitation (e.g. El Centro earthquake in this case). If you need to analyze a
structure for another earthquake, you need to use response spectra for that
earthquake. It means that, someone must have prepared the response spectra
chart before you use it in your analysis. The procedure of developing response
spectra is discussed in any standard structural dynamics textbook and not
discussed here. However, you may note that considerable computational effort
is required to generate such charts. So, the modern trend is to perform full time
history analysis, which is more versatile and accurate, for structures.
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By now you must have realized that the response spectra analysis is a ‘short cut’
to find out maximum response directly from the chart without performing time
history analysis.
Response spectra for elastic system for the 1940 El Centro earthquake ξ =0, 2, 5, 10, 20%
Figure 34-1
For example, assume our structure has natural frequency of 1 Hz. Also assume
10% of critical damping. From the figure 34-1, we see that the vertical arrow
(shown blue) drawn from Tn = 1 s, intersects the displacement line for 10%
damping at 3.3 inches displacement (shown green). So, the maximum relative
displacement response of our structure is 3.3 inches if it is excited by the 1940
El Centro earthquake ground acceleration. Also seen that horizontal arrow
(shown blue) extends to the pseudo velocity axis at 18.5 inch/s. Please note that
the axes are in logarithmic scale.
Since earthquake can’t be predicted, you may like to analyze your structure for
several past earthquake effects. Instead of using response spectra for each
earthquake, you can use ‘design response spectrum’, which represents a kind of
average response spectrum for design.
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During dynamic analysis, the program will calculate the stiffness of the
structure internally. However, you need to supply modal damping ratio yourself.
This method is sufficiently accurate for linear structures with classical damping.
Figure 34-2 recommends damping values (Ref.5).
Since, damping properties of the materials are still not well established; it is
quite a challenging task to determine exact damping of the structures, especially
in non-linear range. In fact, stiffness of the structure also varies with time
(Yikes!) due to deterioration of the structure. The change in stiffness is often
used for ‘retrofitting’ the structure. Determining exact stiffness and damping of
the structure is known as ‘system identification’. There are several techniques
for this purpose, but the most popular is ‘wavelet’ analysis, which has recently
attracted attention of the engineers.
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Recall that the main assumption in linear analysis (LSSA), is that the stress-
strain curve is linear and deformation is small. Right? But we have to consider
NLA if any or both of the above assumptions are violated. There are mainly two
types of non-linearity. The first is ‘Material Non-linearity’ and the second is
‘Geometric Non-linearity’. We shall study them in detail.
Material Non-linearity
σ σ σ
Et
Ei
Yield point
E E
ε ε ε
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 35-1
The figure (a) shows stress-strain curve for perfectly linear material. Figure (b)
shows stress-strain curve for ‘bi-linear’ material (typical for carbon steel). The
curve is linear (slope E) up to yield point, where from it changes its slope to Et
though remain linear again. E is our familiar modulus of elasticity or Young’s
modulus. Et is known as ‘strain hardening modulus’. In the range of ‘E’ the
material remains elastic, but in the range of ‘Et’ it becomes ‘plastic’. This
material behavior is known as material non-linearity. Now consider figure (c).
Here the curve is entirely non-linear. E value changes at every point of the
curve. This is also a typical example of material non-linearity.
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Did you realize the labor involved in the calculation for a large structure?
Geometric Non-linearity
In conventional linear analysis, the stiffness matrix for each element (and thus
global stiffness matrix) remains constant throughout analysis. This stiffness
matrix is formed on the basis of co-ordinates of the nodes of the structure. If the
deformation of the structure is small, then co-ordinates of the deflected nodes of
the structures will not move too much from its original configuration. In that
case, stiffness matrix formed on the basis of original nodal co-ordinates and
deflected nodal co-ordinates will be almost same.
Figure 35-2
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Figure 35-3
Now, the stiffness matrix [K] depends on nodal co-ordinates of nodes N1, N2,
N3 and N4 of the truss. Original geometry is shown by dotted line, solid line
shows deflected shape. Now if the co-ordinates of deflected truss be ND1, ND2,
ND3 and ND4, then we can construct another stiffness matrix [KD] from new
co-ordinates of the nodes. If the deflection is ‘large’, then [K] will not be equal
to [KD]. This is the main theory behind geometric non-linearity. If we increment
the load at each time instant and update [K] according to ‘changing’ displaced
position of the structure, then it will be a geometric non-linear analysis. So, the
main steps for geometric non-linear analysis are summarized below.
This calculation is more demanding than material non-linearity case, since you
will have to perform the whole calculation of setting up stiffness matrix at every
step! Now imagine what will happen if you need to analyze a large complex
structure with both types of non-linearity. May I add some dynamics as well?
Hey buddy, why people learn engineering?
What are you looking for? A numerical example? Well, may be in some later
sections! But there remains one most important question – when you should
consider a deformation large enough for geometric NLA? The answer is not
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easy! Often in large deformed state, the structure may behave entirely different
manner than that of small-deformed state. This depends on particular type of
structure, loading and material properties etc. Some analysis programs have an
in-built option to warn you if deflection comes out to be more than certain
percentage (say 5%) of length of largest dimension of the structure. The %
value is by no means to be taken as an absolute in determining whether or not
displacements are large. In a very long or very tall structure, inter-story or
inter-span deflections can easily be less than 5% of the overall dimension yet
large enough to violate the small displacement assumptions. The ultimate
decision is yours!
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Mass m
dimension L x B x d
Figure 36-1
The figure shows an experiment where a weight of ‘mg’ is dropped over a bar
of known dimension form a specific height ‘h’. We need to determine the
stresses at the bars.
F F
Figure 36-2
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Look, here we need to specify the force ‘F’ explicitly. But in case of MES, all
we need to do is specify the dimension of the bar, height h and dimension and
weight of the falling object, position of the objects and the meshing the model
(as shown in fig. 36-1). When we perform MES on the model, it does a time
varying analysis at each instant. The program will display stress and motion at
each instant of time. You will see the steps like animation. Did you realize the
advantage? You actually performed a virtual experiment of a mechanical event!
The example given here may appear too simple, but imagine that this method
can be successfully employed in crash test simulation of an automobile!
However, there are a few disadvantages as well. The very simple example
described above took me 90 minutes to perform for just 1-second simulation in
a 233 MHz PII computer. So, when you make a simulation of real world
problems say, crash test simulation, it may take as much as 24 hours of
computing! No joking! Anyway, MES is highly sophisticated analysis indeed.
In fact, to use these kinds of calculations seriously, you will need a super
computer rather than a PC!
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Except for simple lines, other AutoCAD entities are often treated differently by
various programs. If you are importing DXF file with plate, shell or wire frame
elements, you may find discrepancy in geometry upon importing. Therefore, it
is always better to check what AutoCAD entities your program can successfully
import. If you find your program can’t successfully import AutoCAD drawing
(DWG/DXF), then you should draw in the analysis program’s graphical
environment. Note that your analysis programs may or may not keep track of
AutoCAD’s ‘layers’ feature in imported drawing.
Suppose you have drawn the following drawing in AutoCAD as shown in fig.
37-1. If you change the radius of the right end circle, the drawing will look as
that of fig. 37-2. However, in parameter defined CAD programs, if you ‘tell’ the
program, that the lines will always be tangent to the circles, the drawing will be
updated automatically as shown in fig. 37-3.
Figure 37-3
Did you see the difference? This kind of relationship is very convenient for
solid object modeling. Some of the already named CAD programs have the
capability of converting 2D drawings in to 3D solid models! Wow!
A popular ‘neutral file’ format for solid models is IGES (Initial Graphics
Exchange Specification). Many CAD programs can export solid models into
this format. These files have *.IGES or *.IGS extension. This is actually a text
file. Programs write model information in the files. When you import an IGES
file, the analysis programs read that information and re-generate the model.
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Do you know what VRML stands for? Well, it’s Virtual Reality Mark-up
Language. It’s a new wonder of visual display. Fortunately, a large number of
structural analysis programs can export your model to VRML format. This file
has an extension of WRL. You can view VRML files using any standard web
browser like Internet Explorer. However, you must install first the VRML
viewer support files (normally come with your operating system CD). VRML
files can show the models in a 3D view like in actual life! You can rotate,
enlarge or even ‘walk through’ your model! You can even visualize different
materials of the structure. It’s an excellent feature to impress your clients
because you can show them what your structure will look like when it would be
built in real life. You are probably aware of ‘rendering’ feature of CAD
programs. VRML is just like that, but looks more realistic. VRML is actually a
text file. The browser reads the data in the file first and then develops the
realistic model. But here’s a warning! Finite element solid models, which
contain thousands of nodes, can result to very large VRML files. Moreover,
when you will try to open the same file using your web browser, the computer
may create staggeringly large (> 1 GB) virtual memory in your hard disk and it
will take a few minutes to display the model on screen.
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In this section, I’m going little bit off track. I’ll show you how to solve linear
programming problems using your favorite spreadsheet! Linear programming is
often required by engineers to solve certain design problem for example – in
pre-stressed concrete section design and various other ‘optimization’ problems
etc. Linear programming can be also be solved in programs like MATHCAD or
MATLAB etc., however, since these mathematical applications are not very
common in design offices, you better bet on versatile spreadsheets. Do you
know spreadsheet is the largest selling type of application in the world? The
procedure presented here are for Microsoft Excel 97, but if you any other
spreadsheet like Lotus 123 or Borland Quattro Pro you will find similar
functions in those programs as well. I assume that you are familiar with basic
spreadsheet operations. So, I’m directly going to the problem. Please make sure
that you have installed Analysis ToolPak add-in in Excel.
Step 1: Define the problem as shown in the figure 39-1, which resembles the
cells of the spreadsheet.
A B
1 X 0
2 Y 0
3 Z =3*B1+4*B2
4 C1 =4*B1+2*B2
5 C2 =2*B1+5*B2
Figure 39-1
Note that in cell B3, the equation for Z has been input. Here cells B1 and B2
stands for variable x and y respectively. The strings in column A is for
understanding purpose only. The constraints are defined in cells B4 and B5.
You may like to note that there are two more constraints that both x and y has to
be positive number. These constraints will later be defined using B1 and B2
cells. After you do this, initially all cells in the range B1:B5 will show 0.
Step 2: Click on ‘Tools’ and then ‘Solver…’ from Excel’s menu bar. The solver
dialog box appears as shown in figure 39-2.
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Figure 39-2
Make the ‘Set Target Cell’ box to cell B3, because this cell contains the
definition of our main function Z. Now set the ‘By Changing Cells:’ to
$B$1:$B$2. You can either type the cell range yourself or you can select the
range on the worksheet by clicking the red arrows as shown in the figure. Also
make sure that the ‘Equal To:’ selection is set to ‘Max’ for this problem. When
done, click on ‘Add’ button to specify constraints. When you do so, you will see
following dialog box.
Figure 39-3
Specify the Cell Reference and Constraint (for 4x + 3y <= 80) so that the figure
look like as shown below.
Figure 39-4
In the same way specify the other three constraints namely 2x + 5y <= 180, x
=> 0, y => 0. Click OK when done. After that ‘Solver Parameters’ dialog box
should look like figure 39-5.
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Computer Aided Structural Analysis
Figure 39-5
Figure 39-6
You will of course want to retain solver solution. Now you get the solution as
shown in figure 39-7.
A B
1 X 2.5
2 Y 35
3 Z 147.5
4 C1 80
5 C2 180
Figure 39-7
Obviously the maximum value of Z comes out to be 147.5 and for x = 2.5 and y
= 35. So, our problem is solved.
Exercise
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Figure 40-1
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When students see the reinforcement bar arrangements in building codes, they
normally have a hard time digesting it. This is because; detailing is often shown
in single color, which makes it difficult to follow. Figure 40-1 shows detailing
arrangement for a continuous beam as per IS456-1978 and SP34. Note that only
the bending reinforcement is shown. You must provide shear reinforcement
with vertical stirrups as well. Reinforcement arrangement generally follows
bending moment pattern in the beam. If interested, you can model the beam as
2D FEM (as discussed in Section 23) to visualize what are the highest zones of
stresses. Building codes specify lots of guidelines in ‘terse’ languages!
Unfortunately, detailing in most analysis programs is often unreliable. This is
mainly because, unlike analysis, design is subjective. Many codes allow the
engineers to use their ‘judgment’ in detailing. In fact, detailing is a subject
itself. A good designer must not finish his duty only after analysis, he should
prepare the accurate detailing as well let alone the drawing too if possible. The
general trend in design offices is that the detailing is done by the draftsman
rather than the engineer who performs the analysis. This often creates a
‘communication gap’, which is undesirable. Remember, if detailing is wrong,
then all the result of a good analysis will go astray! Traditionally, the detailing
drawing is drawn in monochrome (single) color. However, because of
availability of low cost color printing, the printing cost has been drastically
reduced in recent times. So, whenever possible, use colors in your drawings. It
will make the whole thing much clearer to everybody. The world around us is
colorful, why not your drawings?
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I have discussed my personal views about the programs. You should test them
yourself, before deciding which program will serve your purpose best. Actual
prices may vary.
We shall divide the programs in two main groups – Civil Engineering and
Mechanical Engineering analysis programs. You must differentiate between
them first. A typical civil/structural-engineering program offers beam and truss
elements and sometimes plate/shell elements as well. It also often offers design
features (concrete/steel/aluminum/wood) for slabs, beams, columns, trusses,
footings, base plates etc. according to various country codes. It may include
both static and dynamic analysis. In contrasts, a typical mechanical engineering
analysis program contains a large number of element types for solid modeling.
This includes brick, tetrahedral etc. elements. In addition, it also includes all the
elements used in civil engineering analysis i.e. beams, plates etc. In fact,
mechanical engineering programs use finite element analysis in true sense.
These programs’ features include static, dynamic, thermal, multi-
physics/mechanical event simulation/virtual prototyping etc. Mechanical
engineering analysis programs are normally far more expensive than pure civil
engineering analysis programs. Since, mechanical programs offer versatile finite
element library, it is possible to solve all types of civil engineering structural
analysis problems using these programs. However, there are drawbacks as well.
Mechanical engineering programs do not offer concrete design facility
according to country codes. They mainly concentrate on solid model analysis
e.g. machine parts, rather than pure frame structures. Also, their output for
frame structures is generally much less varied compared to pure civil
engineering structures. So, for day to day building or industrial structure
analysis, it is much better to use civil engineering analysis programs. Although
some developers offer product for both civil and mechanical engineering
analysis, they generally contain separate modules for specific type of analyses.
I only described a brief description of the most used programs only. Note that I
didn’t have the opportunity to use all the programs myself. This is because not
all developers offer demo/trial version of their programs. The programs, which I
have used, I presented the features available, ease of use, reliability etc. For
other programs, I wrote the descriptions from product literature. I again tell you
that my personal views about the programs may differ a lot from your views.
So, judge them yourself before buying.
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Developer: SAFI
Website: www.safi.com
Description: Frame, plate/shell linear/non-linear static and dynamic analysis.
Price: Not known
Demo: 50-node 50-member demo can be downloaded from web site.
My comment: I didn’t use it.
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Website: www.diana.nl
Description: finite element analysis – static/dynamic, soil/concrete, solid
modeling, pre-stress, mobile loads, modeling of embedded reinforcement in
concrete, bridge, dam, offshore structure design. Various separate
design/analysis modules are available. Available on Unix as well.
Price: Not known
Demo: Not offered
My comment: I didn’t use it.
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prototyping. Incorporates beam, truss, plate, 2D, membrane, brick, contact, gap,
laminar, composite, sandwich, tetrahedral etc. elements. Can import model from
varieties of CAD programs. Separate modules are available for CAD
integration, heat, electricity, fluid flow, pipe stress etc. analysis.
Price: USD 2,000 – 18,000
Demo: 30-day trial full version CD available.
My comment: Very powerful programs containing lots of features, but advanced
options are difficult to use without training. Good buy if you analyze complex
finite element models often. To use this program to its full extent, you should
have good knowledge of finite element theory.
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Some developers provide feature-limited demo. See their web site for details.
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Prices in INR are shown only for those companies, which have dealer/
representative in India and you can buy the product in Indian currency. Some
companies sell their full capacity student version at reduced cost, but that
version cannot be used commercially. Some developers do offer university
license at very nominal cost.
A useful point on downloading large files from the Internet. Use a download
utility program such as Go!Zilla (www.gozilla.com) or something else, which
can resume broken download from where it left. Also, it can be set to disconnect
from Internet automatically after downloading is complete.
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42. How to select the most appropriate program for your need?
Here are some simple points to check before buying the program.
How easy is the program? How quickly you can create and analyze a model
using the program after installing? Use the sample problems in this book and
see how quickly you can analyze the structures with your programs.
Try reading the programs’ manuals at first. See if you can analyze models
successfully by just reading the example problems rather than by getting help
from the developers.
How good is the interface? Does the program follow standard Windows
conventions? For example, pressing F1 should bring context sensitive help and
Ctrl+O should show Open File… dialog box.
How good is the visualization? Does the model look similar to actual structure?
Does it offer dynamic viewing? Can it show the model in VRML format?
Before buying a program decide what features you do really need. There is no
justification of buying a high-end ‘feature overloaded’ expensive finite element
analysis program if your main purpose is building-frame analysis. Such
programs are generally much less expensive. In general, most civil
engineering design firms do not need high-performance FEA programs.
Only a frame analysis program will serve the purpose in most of the cases.
FEA is still mainly used in mechanical engineering.
Does the program is ‘forgiving’? Can it check model for instability or buckling
by itself? Does it allow ‘snapping’ members to intersection or end points?
How good is the program’s post processing capability? Can it show force
diagrams for any individual member? Can you clearly see the reaction forces in
the result? Can it display bending moment or shear force values in the
respective diagram?
How about printing through the program? Will it allow you to change paper
size, margin etc. before printing?
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What about generating report of analysis? Does it have the option of displaying
tailor made report specific to project requirement or it just dumps 100 pages of
numbers without telling you what to do with them?
Check if your program is compatible with other programs in the market. Many
programs allow copy-paste option with spreadsheet programs. Some offer cross
platform (i.e. different operating system) compatibility. Check if the program
can import/export models from/to CAD or other analysis programs.
Next comes the design part. Some programs do not offer design capability
according to your country code. This may dictate you to choose an inferior
program just for the sake of design calculation. Unlike analysis, design is not
something impossible to do manually. Sometimes, it is possible to ‘tailor made’
other codes according to your country codes. For example, in reinforced
concrete design, Euro code and Indian code give almost identical values of steel
area. You can use one code instead of other without much loss of accuracy. So,
the choice is yours.
An important point – how good is the customer support? Some companies may
offer free technical support by phone/e-mail. Others may insist on annual
maintenance contact (and demands a hefty sum for it). But to use high-end FEA
programs, you really need developers support. There will be many situations
when you will require technical support to know what a particular command
does or whether the program does a particular calculation automatically etc.
Lastly, what is your budget? Can you afford buying the program what impresses
you most? Some finite element analysis programs are very fascinating but their
prices often make them affordable by large corporate firms only.
Ask the vendors whether they offer free demo. Some generous companies may
offer 30-day full product trial. However, most companies offer limited
capability (e.g. 100-node maximum) demos. These limited demos may hide the
programs actual performance from you. You may not realize certain pitfalls of
the program unless you use full product for sometime. Therefore, try to select
your program from those, which offer full-product tryouts. Sometimes even the
low cost commercial versions of the programs do have node or member size
limitation (e.g. 1500 nodes maximum for SAP2000 Standard version)!
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make another copy in your laptop computer. But copy protection will prevent
you even doing that. Remember this while selecting your program.
Since these programs are quite expensive it does not make sense to change your
analysis programs frequently. More so, new programs may not open or analyze
your existing old projects. So, when you will select programs, you have keep in
mind that you must use it continuously for a couple of years at least. Ask the
developers how they like to upgrade their products in the near future.
My main aim is to make you realize that you must try the programs first before
making a final decision on purchase. Every company will boast that their
products are the best. They will swamp you with pictures of structures designed
using their programs! Very few companies offer you a money back guarantee
with first few weeks of purchase. Therefore, it is not an easy task to choose the
most suitable product for your need. But if you follow the above guidelines you
may by a gainer.
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Before performing an analysis, check carefully all input data. Verify loads are
in the directions you intended. Make sure co-ordinate directions as per you
specified. Check the member properties and end releases. Verify that you have
the correct support conditions. Take a look at the real time view (if this feature
is available in your program) of the structure and visually observe member sizes
and locations. Are they correct? You might also use spreadsheet like input
reports to make sure no information have missed.
When you obtain analysis results from analysis programs, you should perform
some simple checks to verify that the results are valid. First of all, look at the
deformed shapes that are presented to you. Do they make sense based on the
loading and structure?
Third, look at the member internal forces and stress levels reported in the
highest stressed members (beam/shell etc.) elements. Do these stresses yield,
crack, or fail or buckle the material? Again if they do, the response is violating
the basic assumption of linear-elastic material behavior.
As a fourth check, look for static check. If your loads are correct, yet reactions
do not balance, check for nearly unstable structures. If you have poor geometry
or very flexible members in critical areas, the structure may collapse due to
instability.
If you think you have found an error in the program, contact the program
developers immediately for clarification.
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Extension Description
ANS Ansys input
ASM Mechanical Desktop/Solid Edge assembly
CDL Cadkey wire frame model
DAT Nastran input
DFT Solid Edge draft
DGXASM Cosmos Design Star Assembly
DGXPRT Cosmos Design Star Part
DWG AutoCAD drawing /Mechanical Desktop model
DXF AutoCAD drawing interchange
ESD Algor input
IGS IGES solid model
INP Abaquas input
MOD Femap input
NAS Nastran input
NEU Patran input
NIS NISA input
PAR Solid Edge part model
PRT Solid Works model
SAT AutoCAD objects representing trimmed NURB surfaces, regions,
and solids to an ACIS file in ASCII (SAT) format. Other objects,
such as lines and arcs, are ignored.
SDB SAP2000 input
SG Spacegass input
SLDPRT Solid Works
STD STAAD input
STL Stereolithograph Apparatus (SLA) format, in which the solid data
is transferred as a faceted mesh representation consisting of a set
of triangles
STP STEP model
UNV SDRC I-DEAS
VAP Visual Analysis project
WRL VRML file
X_T Parasolid
Note: during runtime, programs create various files with different file name
extensions. If you delete those files, you may not view result without analyzing
the model again.
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2. This program has preformed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If
the problem persists, contact the program vendor.
This is a common error message for all Windows programs. It can be rectified
by just rebooting the machine in most cases. However, if you continue to get the
message every time, something is definitely wrong. Contact the developers.
3. This program is set to run in DOS mode. All other programs will shut
down if you proceed. Continue?
Some analysis programs are made in such cumbersome manner, that they
incorporate some Windows programs and some DOS programs. I am not sure
why this happen. It may be due to operating system problem rather than that of
your analysis program. Try reinstalling the program. If it's of no use, then I am
afraid that you may need to reformat your hard disk and load all from scratch. I
myself faced this very situation while installing Algor for the first time. After
erasing everything from my hard disk, and then refilling all, I was finally to run
the program.
The possibilities of this cause are endless. Did the problem start after installing
any new application? Then uninstalling that application might help. There may
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be some jumbled DLL and OCX files. My SAP2000 refused to show dynamic
analysis result after I loaded GT-STRUDL. Ultimately I discovered that an
OCX file required by SAP2000 was overwritten by STRUDL with backdated
version. After restoring that file, both were happy again.
You must specify proper boundary conditions, so that the structure does prevent
rigid body motion. That means the global stiffness matrix must not be singular.
Also see (8).
Same as above. However, some FEA programs can still continue solving the
problem and ultimately you may get result with no force or stress at all. Quite
confusing!
Some programs will not accept any load case that has no loading specified.
Remove that load case or apply some load in that load case.
The resulting forces/stress might be too small. Try changing the units, for
example, from kN-m to N-mm and see if you find any value now. Also see (2).
It means that the joint has no stiffness in that direction. It should be connected
to at least one member or support without releases.
6. Excessive loss of accuracy during the solution of equations – the structure
is unstable of ill-conditioned (also Lost 6.4 digits of accuracy) (SAP)
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A really annoying situation! Your structure has become a mechanism. So, any
load will make it fail (collapse). This is where you need to use your engineering
judgement. Add or remove some members until it becomes a stable structure.
You will have to perform some trial and error. This problem mainly occurs in
complex trusses.
9. I have applied loads on the model, but I can’t see the loads (common)
Look if there is any load ‘toggle’ menu. Some programs treat nodal load and
surface/pressure loads differently. You may need to specify surface/pressure
loads by some separate command. Sometimes there may be a pressure load
‘multiplier’. Make sure that it is not set to zero.
10. A smoothed stress tensor may not be meaningful for this model (Algor)
Stress values like σx, σy, τxy etc. is not meaningful for particular analysis
result. It is not so much that a smoothed tensor may not be accurate for a model,
but rather that with some element types and element generation methods, the
tensor may not provide meaningful results, i.e. a random mesh on a composite
element type.
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11. I see that my program does not have plate and shell elements separately
(common)
Some programs only have ‘shell’ element. In that case, ‘plate’ is considered a
special type of shell element (e.g. SAP2000). In some other programs, only
plate element is offered and shell is considered a type of ‘plate’ element (e.g.
Algor). However, there are many programs (e.g. Visual Analysis, Risa etc.)
which offer only ‘plate’ element, which can’t be used for shell analysis.
• Have you defined the mesh? Most programs can’t export to another FEA
format unless you create the mesh.
• Be careful about the units used in both programs.
• If full model (i.e. with mesh, boundary conditions, loads etc.) export does
not work, then try exporting the model with mesh only.
• Upon importing the model in desired program, check the model carefully.
• Suppose you are exporting the model from program ‘A’ to ‘B’s format and
you will open it using another program ‘C’. Then make sure ‘C’ can also
‘read’ that ‘version’ of ‘B’s data!
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46. References
The above list is not exhaustive. There are many other better books available.
You can find online reviews of a good number of books at www.amazon.com.
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FOR THE FIRST TIME
• A PRACTICAL GUIDE
• An absolute must for all practicing
Mechanical/Civil/Structural
Engineers, Researchers and Students!
• Use your structural analysis program
to its full extent!
• Analyze those structures, which you
previously thought impossible,
without going through heavy and
boring theoretical calculation!
• Discover hidden power inside your
present programs!
• Find out where you get FREE (not
just the demo!) Structural Analysis
programs on the Internet!
• HAVE FUN WITH ANALYSIS!
• ONLINE READER SUPPORT!