Experiment 1

To calculate the deformations in a bar having variable cross-sectional area,

using 7 elements.
Explanation:
Consider a bar with a variable cross section A. the upper part is fixed and its width is W 1. It is divided in
the seven equal parts. There is another with W2 on the downward side. A length L is full length. The
load is applied on the W2 which is the reason of deflection in bar. There are eight nodes and find value at
each node. Divide the length in 7 equal parts.

Diagram:

Data:

L = 10 in, E = 10.4 x 106 lb/in2, t = 0.125 in, w1 = 2 in, w2 = 1 in, P = 1000 lb.

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 Procedure:
1. In the give specimen, we want to find deflection which is categorized as the structural analysis of the
specimen. In structural analysis, the maximum and minimum point of stresses can be found. In
ANSYS, there are number of analysis (i.e. thermal, electromagnetic, ANSYS fluid and structure). So
first we have to select the nature of analysis (i.e. structural).
Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok.

2. After defining the nature of analysis, add the element type to tell whether it is beam, link, pipe, shell
or solid. As from the above figure of specimen, element type is link so we select link. For meshing,
select the type of method. The h-method improves results by using a finer mesh of the same type of
element. This method refers to decreasing the characteristic length (h) of elements, dividing each
existing element into two or more elements without changing the type of elements used. In ANSYS,
only h-method is available and this method is better and give more accurate information so we’ll
select this method.
Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – link, 3D Finite stn 180 – ok- close.

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3. As specimen has different cross-sectional area and divided into two elements so define area for each
element. Define real constants sets which shows number of elements in given specimen.
Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – cross-sectional AREA 1 – apply.

The area for each element as:

Real Constant Set No. Cross Sectional Area

1 0.2404
2 0.2232
3 0.2053
4 0.1875
5 0.1696
6 0.1518
7 0.1339

4. In next step, material properties have been defined. Linear elastic materials are the materials
which obey Hooke’s law i.e. the relationship between the stress and strain is linear. These
materials also deform elastically throughout the analysis, which means that they will return back
to their initial state upon unloading, irrespective of the deformation. In the vast majority of
simulations involving linear elastic materials, we are dealing with an isotropic material that does
not have any directional sensitivity. To describe such a material, only two independent material
parameters are required:
 Young’s modulus
 Poisson’s ratio

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 Isotropic material means a material having identical values of a property in all directions. EX
shows the Young’s Modulus and PRXY shows Poisson’s Ratio in figure. Values of both
parameters are given.

5. As mesh of given specimen has been created in which seven elements and eight nodes are
defined. As force is applied in Y-axis direction so material has deflection in vertical axis. First
node is taken as origin as it is fixed point and then distances of all nodes are defined.
Modeling – Create – Nodes– In Active CS - Node Number 1, Location in active CS X=0, Apply (first
Node is created)

Node number Location in active

CS
2 -1.4285
3 -2.8571
4 -4.2857
5 -5.7143
6 -7.1428
7 -8.5714
8 -10

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6. In this step, specimen will be shown as a straight line starting from 1st node as reference.

7. The constraints in the set act as restrictions on the motion of bodies relative to each other, reducing the
system's total possible degrees of freedom. A completely unconstrained body has six degrees of
freedom, three translational and three rotational. Each constraint restricts movement in a specific way.
Loads – Define loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick Node 1 – Ok DOFs to be
constrained – ALL DOF– Ok.

8. In this step, direction and magnitude of force will be defined Loads – Define loads – Apply –
Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes - pick Node 3 -Apply – direction of for/Mom – FX –
Force/Moment value -1000 – Ok.

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9. For solution, solve – current LS – Ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.

10. List Results – Nodal solution – Y-component of displacement - Ok (Displacement will be displayed
with the node numbers).

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Observations:

Nodes Deflection manually Deflection Ansys

1 0 0.0
2 -0.5703 -0.5714
3 -1.186 -1.1868
4 -1.8568 -1.8559
5 -2.591 -2.5885
6 -3.381 -3.3984
7 -4.2956 -4.3033
8 -5.315 5.3292

Results:
The results showed that there will be elongation in the element and deformations in all the nodes except
node 1(it is fixed). There is a small difference between the values of the manual and software
calculations which may be due to rounding off error in manual calculation.

Experiment 2

To calculate the deformations, stresses, strains and reactions in the bar fixed at
one end using ANSYS Mechanical APDL.

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Free body Diagram:
Free-body diagram shows that one end is fixed which is at node 1. There are total 3 node in this free-
body diagram. The third and last node at which 500N force is applied. Under the action of the force the
following body will tend to elongate.

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 Procedure:
1. In the give specimen, we want to find deflection, stresses, strains and reaction forces which is
categorized as the structural analysis of the specimen. In structural analysis, the maximum and
minimum point of stresses can be found. In ANSYS, there are number of analysis (i.e. thermal,
electromagnetic, ANSYS fluid and structure). So first we have to select the nature of analysis (i.e.
structural).
Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok.

2. After defining the nature of analysis, add the element type to tell whether it is beam, link, pipe, shell
or solid. As from the above figure of specimen, element type is link so we select link. For meshing,
select the type of method. The h-method improves results by using a finer mesh of the same type of
element. This method refers to decreasing the characteristic length (h) of elements, dividing each
existing element into two or more elements without changing the type of elements used. In ANSYS,
only h-method is available and this method is better and give more accurate information so we’ll
select this method.
Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – link, 3D Finite stn 180 – ok- close.

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 3. As specimen has different cross-sectional area and divided into two elements so area is defined for
each element. We have defined real constants sets which shows number of elements in given
specimen.
Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – cross-sectional AREA 1 – 900 – apply.

Add – real constant set no – 2 – cross-sectional AREA 2 – 600-ok- close.

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 4. In next step, define
the material properties. Linear elastic materials are the materials which obey Hooke’s law i.e. the
relationship between the stress and strain is linear. These materials also deform elastically
throughout the analysis, which means that they will return back to their initial state upon
unloading, irrespective of the deformation. In the vast majority of simulations involving linear
elastic materials, we are dealing with an isotropic material that does not have any directional
sensitivity. To describe such a material, only two independent material parameters are required:
 Young’s modulus
 Poisson’s ratio
Isotropic material means a material having identical values of a property in all directions. EX
shows the Young’s Modulus and PRXY shows Poisson’s Ratio in figure. Values of both
parameters are given.
Material Properties – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX – 2e5 PRXY
– 0.3- material- new material-define material id=2- Structural – Linear – Elastic –
Isotropic – EX – 0.7e5 –PRXY – 0.3– ok – close.

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 5.

As we have created the mesh of given specimen in which we have define two elements and three
nodes. As force is applied in X-axis direction so material has deflection in horizontal axis. First
node is taken as origin as it is fixed point. Distance of second and third node is defined.
Modeling – Create – Nodes– In Active CS - Node Number 1, Location in active CS X=0, Apply (first
Node is created) – Node Number 2, Location in active CS, X= 600, Apply (second Node is created) –
Node Number 3, Location in active CS X=1100, Ok (third Node is created).

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 6. In this step, specimen will be shown as a straight line starting from 1st node as reference.

For second element, Modeling-Create –Elements- Element Attributes, Real Constants Set No. 2, Ok.

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 7. First two nodes will be selected for first element. Then 2nd & 3rd node is selected for second element
Modeling-Create –Elements- Auto Numbered – Thru Nodes- Pick Nodes 1 and 2, Ok.
Modeling-Create –Elements- Auto Numbered – Thru Nodes- Pick Nodes 2 and 3, Ok.

8. The constraints in the set act as restrictions on the motion of bodies relative to each other, reducing the
system's total possible degrees of freedom. A completely unconstrained body has six degrees of
freedom, three translational and three rotational. Each constraint restricts movement in a specific way.
Loads – Define loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick Node 1 – Ok DOFs to be
constrained – ALL DOF– Ok.

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 9. In this step, direction and magnitude of force will be defined
Loads – Define loads – Apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes - pick Node 3
-Apply – direction of for/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value 500 – Ok.

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 10. For solution, solve – current LS – Ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.

11. List Results – Nodal solution – X-component of displacement - Ok (Displacement will be displayed
with the node numbers).

12. List Results – Element Solution – X-component of stress – Ok (Stress will be displayed for each

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 element)

13. List Results – Element Solution – X-component of elastic strain – Ok (Strain will be displayed for
each element).

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 14. List Results – Reaction Solution – Struct force FX – Ok (Reaction forces at supports will be
displayed).

15. Plot results- Nodal solution- DOF solution- x component of displacement-ok. Red is the area where
there are maximum stresses.

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 16. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def + undeformed- Ok.

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Observation:
Deflection in X-direction
Nodes Reaction forces
Ansys Manual
1 0.0000 0.00 -500

2 0.00169 0.00166 0

3 0.007619 0.007619 0

Stresses in X-direction Strains in X-direction

Elements
Ansys Manual Ansys Manual
1 0.55556 0.55553 0.2777 *10-5 0.2777 *10-5

2 0.83333 0.83342 0.4166*10-5 0.4166*10-5

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 Results:
The following results shows that the deformation in the elements in the X direction is 0.001667mm at
node 2 and at node 3 is 0.007619mm. There is little bit difference in the manual and software values. That
could be because of the rounding off error, calculator mistakes, or due to some other reasons. The
software results showed the somehow actual values of the deformations, stresses, strains and reaction
forces.

Experiment 3
To determine the deflection and average stresses along the concrete column.

Free body Diagram:

Free-body diagram shows that one end is fixed which is at node 1. There are total 6 node in this free-
body diagram. 500N force is applied at last node. Under the action of the force the following body will
tend to compress.

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 Procedure:
1. In the give specimen, we want to find deflection which is categorized as the structural analysis of the specimen.
In structural analysis, the maximum and minimum point of stresses can be found. In ANSYS, there are number
of analysis (i.e. thermal, electromagnetic, ANSYS fluid and structure). So first we have to select the nature of
analysis (i.e. structural).

Ansys Main Menu – Preferences-Select – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok.

2. After defining the nature of analysis, add the element type to tell whether it is beam, link, pipe, shell
or solid. As from the above figure of specimen, element type is link so we select link. For meshing,
select the type of method. The h-method improves results by using a finer mesh of the same type of
element. This method refers to decreasing the characteristic length (h) of elements, dividing each
existing element into two or more elements without changing the type of elements used. In ANSYS,
only h-method is available and this method is better and give more accurate information so we’ll
select this method.
Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – link, 3D Finite stn 180 – ok- close.
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3. As specimen has different cross-sectional area and divided into two elements so define area for each element.
Define real constants sets which shows number of elements in given specimen.

Real constants – Add – ok – real constant set no – 1 – cross-sectional AREA 1 – apply.

4. In next step, material properties have been

defined. Linear elastic materials are the materials which obey Hooke’s law i.e. the relationship
between the stress and strain is linear. These materials also deform elastically throughout the
analysis, which means that they will return back to their initial state upon unloading, irrespective
of the deformation. In the vast majority of simulations involving linear elastic materials, we are
dealing with an isotropic material that does not have any directional sensitivity. To describe such
a material, only two independent material parameters are required:
 Young’s modulus
 Poisson’s ratio

Isotropic material means a material having identical values of a property in all directions. EX

shows the Young’s Modulus and PRXY shows Poisson’s Ratio in figure. Values of both
parameters are given.

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5. As mesh of given specimen has been created in which seven elements and eight nodes are defined.
As force is applied in Y-axis direction so material has deflection in vertical axis. First node is taken
as origin as it is fixed point and then distances of all nodes are defined.
6.

In this step, specimen will be shown as a straight line starting from 1st node as reference.

Node 1 & 2 are joined by selecting them one by one. To join all nodes, same method is used.

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7. The constraints
in the set act
as restrictions
on the motion
of bodies
relative to
each other, reducing the system's total possible degrees of freedom. A completely unconstrained body has six
degrees of freedom, three translational and three rotational. Each constraint restricts movement in a specific way.

Loads – Define loads – Apply – Structural – Displacement – on Nodes- pick Node 1 – Ok DOFs to be
constrained – ALL DOF– Ok.

8. In this step, direction and magnitude of force will be defined by selecting last node.

Loads – Define loads – Apply – Structural – Force/Moment – on Nodes - pick Node 3 -Apply – direction of
for/Mom – FX – Force/Moment value -1000 – Ok.

9. For solution, solve – current LS – Ok (Solution is done is displayed) – close.

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10. List Results – Nodal solution – Y-component of displacement - Ok (Displacement will be displayed with the
node numbers).

11. List
Results –
Element
Solution –
X- component
of stress – Ok
(Stress will
be displayed for each element)

12. Plot

results- Nodal solution- DOF

solution- x component of displacement-ok. Red is the area where there are maximum stresses.

13. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def + undeformed- Ok.

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Observation:
Deflection in X-direction Stresses in X-direction
Nodes Elements
Ansys Manual Ansys Manual
1 0 0
1 -14.815 -14.816
-4 -4
2 -0.27183*10 -0.27884*10
2 -17.094 -17.098
-4 -4
3 -0.5854*10 -0.5852*10
3 -18.519 -18.520
-4 -4
4 -0.0120*10 -0.0122*10
4 -17.094 -17.098
-3 -4
5 -0.11257*10 -0.11265*10
5 -14.815 -14.818
-3 -4
6 -0.13975*10 -0.13986*10

Results:
There is little bit difference in the manual and software values. That could be because of the rounding off
error, calculator mistakes, or due to some other reasons. The software results showed the somehow actual
values of the deformations, stresses, strains and reaction forces.

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