WORKSHOP 10

Linear Static Analysis of a Simply-Supported Stiffened Plate

Objectives:
s Create a geometric representation of a stiffened plate. s Use the geometry model to define a MSC.Nastran analysis model comprised of CQUAD4 & CBAR elements. s Prepare a MSC.Nastran input file for a Linear Static analysis. s Visualize analysis results.

MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

Model Description:
Figure 10.1 is a finite element representation of the stiffened plate shown on the title page. Since the plate is 0.1 inches thick, thin-shell theory applies. I-beam stiffeners are mounted as shown. The structure is simply supported on its four corners and a uniform pressure of 0.5 psi is applied to the surface of the plate. NOTE: Because the centroidal axes of the stiffeners do not coincide with the mid-plane of the plate, it will be necessary to account for this when defining the element properties for the stiffeners. Figure 10.1 - Model Schematics 0.5 psi Stiffener 5.0 (typ) ye 0.1 C 2.0 a A 20.0 View A-A
Z X Y

F b 1.0

a ze 0.1 E

20.0

Table 10.1 - Model Properties Elastic Modulus: Poisson Ratio: Density: Plate Thickness: Bar Cross-Sectional Area: Iaa: Ibb: J: 10.3E+06 psi 0.3 0.101 lbs/in3 0.1 in 0.38 in2 0.2293 in4 0.0168 in4 0.0013 in4

MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

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Suggested Exercise Steps:

s Open a new database. s Define a geometric representation of the stiffened plate using a surface. s Define an analysis model by meshing the geometry model with shell (CQUAD4) and bar (CBAR) elements. s Define material (MAT1) and element properties (PSHELL and PBAR). s Verify XY-orientation and offset vectors for the bar elements. s Define simply-supported boundary constraints (SPC1) and apply a uniform pressure load to the plate (PLOAD4). s Use the load and boundary condition sets to define a load case (SUBCASE). s Prepare the model for a Linear Static analysis (SOL 101 and PARAMs). s Generate and submit input file for MSC.Nastran. s Post-process results. s Quit MSC.Patran.

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

Exercise Procedure:
1. Create a new database called workshop10.db. File/New... New Database Name: OK In the New Model Preference form set the following: Tolerance: Analysis Code: Analysis Type: OK NOTE:Whenever possible, toggle off the u Auto Execute option by left clicking the check box. 2. Create a 20x20 surface. workshop10

x Default
MSC/NASTRAN Structural

x Geometry
Action: Object: Method: Vector Coordinates List: Apply 2a. For clarity, turn on the Show Parametric Direction. Use the Display/Geometry... option. Display/Geometry... Create Surface XYZ <20, 20, 0>

s Show Parametric Direction

Apply Cancel

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3.

Edit the surface by breaking it into two halves. To control how the surface is to be divided, use the Break Direction Parameter; Constant u Direction corresponds to Parametric direction 1 as displayed on the Surface created in Step 2.

x Geometry
Action: Object: Method: Option: Break Direction: Break curve: Edit Surface Break Parametric

x Constant u Direction
0.5

s Delete Original Surfaces

Surface List: Apply Answer Yes when the question, "Do you wish to delete the original surfaces?" comes up on the screen. After this step, the display should resemble Figure 15.2. Figure 10.2
2 3

Surface 1

3 2

Y Z X 1 2 1

3a.

Repeat the last operation to break the two new surfaces to yield a total of four new surfaces, each having the same dimensions as the other.

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

Recall that surfaces can be selected by using the keyboard to specify the ids of the desired surfaces explicitly in the Surface List databox using the proper pick-list syntax, OR Specifying the desired surface with the mouse by first clicking in the Surface List databox and then clicking desired surface in the default_viewport. Surface List: Apply Answer Yes when the question, "Do you wish to delete the original surfaces?" comes up on the screen. Surface List: Apply Answer Yes when the question, "Do you wish to delete the original surfaces?" comes up on the screen. Show Labels The completed geometry model should resemble Figure 10.3 Figure 10.3
2 7 9 2 1 6 5 2 1 5 7 Y 4 Z X 1 2 1 4 2 1 8 6 10 3

Surface 2

Surface 3

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4.

For clarity, shrink the elements by 20%; this facilitates verification of the element connectivities. Display/Finite Elements... FEM Shrink: 0.20

To better visualize the connectivities, increase the node display size using Display/Finite Element.... Deactivate the labels for the surfaces and the points to minimize the model information in the display. Node Sizes: Hide All FEM Labels Apply Cancel Display/Geometry... 5

u Show Parametric Direction

Show All Geometry Labels Colors and Labels: Point: Surface: Apply Cancel 5. 5a. Mesh the geometry model. First, discretize the surface into quad4 elements:

u Label u Label

x Finite Elements
Action: Object: Type: Global Edge Length: Element Topology: Create Mesh Surface 2 Quad4

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

x IsoMesh
Surface 4:7

Mesher: Surface List:

OK

Apply 5b. To model the stiffeners, generate bar elements along the longitudinal edges of the surfaces. There is no need to specify a Global Edge Length since the mesher will utilize existing nodes from the quad elements on the plate geometry. NOTE: The stiffener centroidal offsets are NOT taken into account during the discretization step. These offsets are specified when defining the Element Properties for the bar elements.

x Finite Elements
Action: Object: Type: Element Topology: Curve List: Create Mesh Curve Bar2 Surface 4.4, 4:7.2

NOTE: The curve list may be different since there are edges from two different surfaces that occupy the same location. Apply 6. Equivalence the model to remove duplicate nodes at common surface edges.

x Finite Elements
Action: Object: Method: Apply Equivalence All Tolerance Cube

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Refresh the screen as needed using the brush icon on the Top Menu Bar. Refresh Graphics For clarity, hide the entity labels by selecting the Hide Labels icon on the Top Menu Bar. Hide Labels The completed model with all entity labels hidden should appear as follows: Figure 10.4

Y Z X

7.

Define a material using the specified Modulus of Elasticity, Poisson Ratio & Density.

x Materials
Action: Object: Method: Material Name: Input Properties... Constitutive Model: Linear Elastic Create Isotropic Manual Input alum

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

10.3E6 .3 .101

Elastic Modulus = Poisson Ratio = Density = OK Apply 8.

Define element properties for the analysis model.

x Properties
Action: Dimension: Type: Property Set Name: Input Properties... Material Name: Thickness: OK Select Members: Add Apply 9. Next, define properties for the bar2 elements which represent the stiffeners. For this model, in addition to bar orientation, area, area moments of inertia, torsional constant and appropriate stress recovery coefficients, offsets must be defined (See NOTE on page 10-3). Surface 4:7 m:alum ???
(Enter the plate thickness)

Create 2D Shell plate

x Properties
Action: Object: Method: Create 1D Beam

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Property Set Name: Input Properties... Material Name: Bar Orientation: [Offset @ Node 1] [Offset @ Node 2] Area: [Inertia 1,1] [Inertia 2,2] [Torsional Constant] [Y of Point C] [Z of Point C] [Y of Point D] [Z of Point D] [Y of Point E] [Z of Point E] [Y of Point F] [Z of Point F] OK Select Members: Add Apply 10.

bar

m:alum <0, 0, 1> <0, 0, 1.05> <0, 0, 1.05> 0.38 ???

(Enter Inertia about 1-1)

???
(Enter Inertia about 2-2)

0.0013 1. -0.5 ???

(Enter Y of Point D)

???
(Enter Z of Point D)

-1. 0.5 -1. -0.5

Surface 4.4, 4:7.2

Use the Viewing/Angles... option to change the view. Also erase all geometry using the Display/Plot/Erase... option. Viewing/ Angles... Method:

x Model Absolute

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

23.0, 34.0, 0.0

Angles: Apply Cancel Display/Plot/Erase... Erase All Geometry OK

10a. Graphically assess the orientation vectors that are required on the CBAR entries in the MSC.Nastran input file. These vectors define the local XY plane for each bar element. Since the element property created was applied to the geometry model instead of the analysis model, a graphical display of respective attributes will appear on the geometry model by default. In order to display attributes such as the orientation vectors on the analysis model, change the option in Display/Load/BC/Elem. Props..., since all geometry was erased from the Viewport. For additional clarity, turn on bar element labels. Display/Finite Elements... Colors and Labels Bar: Apply Cancel Display/Load/BC/Elem. Props...

s Label

s Show on FEM Only

Apply Cancel 10b. Change the Action in Properties form to Show.

x Properties
Action: Existing Properties: Show Definition of XY Plane
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Display Method: Select Group: Apply

Vector Plot default_group

The display in the viewport should resemble Figure 15.5. Figure 10.5
1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 162 1.000 1.000 160 1.000 159 1.000 158 1.000 157 1.000 156 1.000 155 1.000 154 1.000 153 1.000 152 1.000 1.000 150 1.000 149 1.000 148 1.000 147 1.000 146 1.000 145 1.000 144 1.000 143 1.000 142 1.000 1.000 140 1.000 139 1.000 138 1.000 137 1.000 136 1.000 135 1.000 134 1.000 133 1.000 132 1.000 1.000 130 1.000 129 1.000 128 1.000 127 1.000 126 1.000 125 1.000 124 1.000 123 1.000 122 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170

161

151

141

131

Y X Z
121

10c. Display the offset vector at Node 2 of each bar element.

x Properties
Action: Existing Properties: Display Method: Select Group: Apply Show Offset @ Node 2 Vector Plot default_group

The display should resemble Figure 10.6.

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

Figure 10.6
170 169 1.050 168 1.050 167 1.050 166 1.050 165 1.050 164 1.050 163 1.050 162 1.050 1.050 1.050 160 159 1.050 158 1.050 157 1.050 156 1.050 155 1.050 154 1.050 153 1.050 152 1.050 1.050 1.050 150 149 1.050 148 1.050 147 1.050 146 1.050 145 1.050 144 1.050 143 1.050 142 1.050 1.050 1.050 140 139 1.050 138 1.050 137 1.050 136 1.050 135 1.050 134 1.050 133 1.050 132 1.050 1.050 1.050 130 129 1.050 128 1.050 127 1.050 126 1.050 125 1.050 124 1.050 123 1.050 122 1.050 1.050 1.050

161

151

141

Y X Z

131

121

11.

Before defining loads & boundary conditions, modify the display and viewing settings as follows: Display/Entity Color/Label/Render... Entity Type Colors and Labels Point: Surface: Bar: Apply Cancel Display/Plot/Erase Plot All Posted Geometry Erase All FEM OK Display/Load/BC/Elem. Props...

s Label s Label u Label

u Show on FEM Only

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Apply Cancel Reset the display by selecting the broom icon on the Top Menu Bar as needed before continuing. Reset Graphics 11a. Define displacement constraints and apply them to the geometry model. This boundary condition represents the simply supported corners of the stiffened plate structure.

x Loads/BCs
Action: Object: Method: New Set Name: Input Data... Translation < T1 T2 T3 > OK Select Application Region... Geometry Filter: Select Geometry Entities: Add OK Apply <0, 0, 0> Create Displacement Nodal simply_support

x Geometry
Point 1:4

The display should resemble Figure 10.7.

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

Figure 10.7
123 3 123 2 9 6 6 7 10

Y X Z

4 123

1 123

Reset the display by selecting the broom icon on the Top Menu Bar. Reset Graphics 11b. Apply a uniform pressure load to the surface of the plate on which the stiffeners are mounted.

x Loads/BCs
Action: Object: Method: New Set Name: Target Element Type: Input Data... Top Surf Pressure: OK Select Application Region... Geometry Filter: Select Geometry Entities: 0.5 Create Pressure Element Uniform pressure 2D

x Geometry
Surface 4:7
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Add OK Apply Because the pressure loads are applied to the geometry model instead of the analysis model, it may appear as if the load was not applied correctly. The applied pressure will resemble Figure 10.8: Figure 10.8
3 .5000 2 7 10 .5000 6 .5000 8 .5000 4 .5000

.5000

.5000

.5000

Y X Z

.5000

.5000

12.

Create a new group called fem_only. This group will contain only the analysis model. Group/Create... New Group Name: fem_only

s Make Current s Unpost All Other Groups

Group Contents: Apply Cancel Add All FEM

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

12a. Enable the Show on FEM only button in Display/Load/BC/Elem Props.... For clarity, disable the LBC/El. Prop. Values display for the load & boundary condition sets. Display/Load/BC/Elem. Props...

s Show on FEM only u Show LBC/El. Prop. Values

Apply Cancel Turn on markers for the loading conditions on the analysis model.

x Loads/BCs
Action: Assigned Load/BCs Sets: Plot Markers Disp_simply_support Press_pressure fem_only

Select Groups: Apply

The model should resemble Figure 10.9. Figure 10.9

Y X Z

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Reset the display by selecting the broom icon on the Top Menu Bar. Reset Graphics 13. Create a load case which references the pressure and boundary condition sets.

x Load Cases
Action: Load Case Name: Load Case Type:
Assign/Prioritize Loads/BCs (Click each selection until all Loads/BCs have one entry in the spreadsheet)*

Create load_static Static

Disp_simply_support Press_pressure

* REMINDER:

Make sure that the LBC Scale Factor column shows the proper value for each entry (= 1.0).

OK Apply 14. Generate an input file for analysis.

x Analysis
Action: Object: Method: Job Name: Solution Type... Solution Type: Solution Parameters... Analyze Entire Model Analysis Deck workshop10

x Linear Static

s Database Run s Automatic Constraints

Data Deck Echo: Sorted

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

0.00259
(For English unit)

Wt.- Mass Conversion = OK OK Subcase Select... Subcases For Solution Sequence: Subcases Selected: OK Apply

load_static Default
(Click to deselect)

An input file called workshop10.bdf will be generated. This process of translating the model into an input file is called the Forward Translation. The Forward Translation is complete when the Heartbeat turns green.

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Submitting the Input File for Analysis:

15. Submit the input file to MSC.Nastran for analysis. 15a. To submit the MSC.Patran .bdf file for analysis, find an available UNIX shell window. At the command prompt enter: nastran workshop10_work.bdf scr=yes. Monitor the run using the UNIX ps command. 15b. When the run is completed, edit the workshop10.f06 file and search for the word FATAL. If none exists, search for the word WARNING. Determine whether or not existing WARNING messages indicate modeling errors. 15c. While still editing workshop10.f06, search for the word: D I S P L A C E (spaces are necessary) Figure 10.10

CQUAD4 77

CBAR 146

GRID 83 Y Z X

What are the components of the displacement vector for GRID 83 (translation only)? disp X = disp Y = disp Z =

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 10

Stiffened Plate (Sol 101)

Search for the word: S T R E S S (spaces are necessary) What is the axial stress for CBAR 146? axial stress =

Search for the word: Q U A D (spaces are necessary) What are the centroidal Von Mises stresses for CQUAD4 77? -(thk/2): +(thk/2): stress = stress =

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16. MSC.Nastran Users have finished this exercise. MSC.Patran Users should proceed to the next step.
17. Proceed with the Reverse Translation process, that is attaching the plate.xdb results file into MSC.Patran. To do this, return to the Analysis form and proceed as follows.

x Analysis
Action: Object: Method: Select Results File... Filter Selected Results File: OK Apply When translation is complete the Heartbeat turns green. Bring up the Results form. workshop10.xdb Attach XDB Result Entities Local

x Results
Action: Object: Create Quick Plot

Choose the desired result case in the Select Result Cases list and select the result(s) in the Select Fringe Result list and/or in the Select Deformation Result list. And hit Apply to view the result(s) in the viewport. To reset the display graphics to the state it was in before postprocessing the model, remember to select the broom icon. Reset Graphics Quit MSC.Patran after completing this exercise.

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MSC.Nastran 120 Exercise Workbook