EXAMPLES OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS IN ANSYS

ANSYS offers many two-dimensional elements that are based on linear

and quadratic quadrilateral and triangular shape functions. Some
examples of two-dimensional structural-solid and thermal-solid elements
PLANE2
is a six-node triangular structural-solid element. The element has
quadratic displacement behavior with two degrees of freedom at each
node translation in the nodal x -and y-directions.The element input data
can include thic!ness if "#Y$%T&$N ' (planestress with thic!ness
input) is selected. Surface pressure loads may be applied to element
faces. $utput data include nodal displacements and element data such as
directional stresses and principal stresses.
PLANE35
is a six-node triangular thermal solid element. The element has one
degree of freedom at each node the temperature. *onvection and heat
fluxes may be input as surface loads at the element faces. The output
data for this element include nodal temperatures and element data such
as thermal gradients and thermal fluxes.
PLANE42
is a four-node quadrilateral element used in modeling solid problems.The
element is defined by four nodes with two degrees of freedom at each
node the translation in the x- and y-directions.The element input data
can include thic!ness if "#Y$%T&$N ' (plane stress with thic!ness
input) is selected. Surface pressure loads may be applied to element
faces. $utput data include nodal displacements and element data such as
directional stresses and principal stresses.
PLANE55
is a four-node quadrilateral element used in modeling two-dimensional
conduction heat transfer problems. The element has a single degree of
freedom the temperature. *onvection or heat fluxes may be input at the
element faces. $utput data include nodal temperatures and element data
such as thermal gradient and thermal flux components.
PLANE77
is an eight-node quadrilateral element used in modeling two-dimensional
heat conduction problems. &t is basically a higher order version of the
two-dimensional four-node quadrilateral element %+AN#,,. This
element is more capable of modeling problems with curved boundaries.
At each node the element has a single degree of freedom the
temperature. $utput data include nodal temperatures and element data
such as thermal gradient and thermal flux components.
PLANE82
is an eight-node quadrilateral element used in modeling two-dimensional
structural solid problems. &t is a higher order version of two-dimensional
four-node quadrilateral element %+AN#-.. This element offers more
accuracy when modeling problems with curved boundaries. At each
node there are two degrees of freedom the translation in the x- and y-
directions.The element input data can include thic!ness if "#Y$%T&$N
' (plane stress with thic!ness input) is selected. Surface pressure loads
may be applied to element faces. $utput data include nodal
displacements and element datasuch as directional stresses and principal
stresses.
EXAMPLE
*onsider one of the many steel brac!ets (# / .0 x l1
2
lb3in
.
v / 1.') used
to support boo!shelves. The dimensions of the brac!et are shown in
figure. The brac!et is loaded uniformly along its top surface and it is
fixed along its left edge. 4nder the given loading and the constraints
plot the deformed shape5 also determine the principal stresses and the
von 6ises stresses in the brac!et.
The following steps demonstrate how to solve this problem using
ANSYS7
#nter the ANSYS program by using the +auncher.
Type Bracket (or a file name of your choice) in the I!t!a" #$%a&e
entry field of the dialog box.
utility menu7 F!"e 8 '(a)e Title (9rite :rac!et)
;efine the element type and material propcrties7
6ain 6enu7 Pre*r$ce++$r , E"e&et T-*e , A../E.!t/De"ete
Select %+AN#<.
$ptions -= Select %lane Stres with Thic!ness
Assign the thic!ness of the brac!et7
main menu7 Pre*r$ce++$r 8 0ea" '$+tat+
9rite 1.>., as thic!ness
Assign the modulus of elasticity and the %oisson?s-ratio values7
main menu7 Pre*r$ce++$r 8 Mater!a" Pr$*+ 8 -'$+tat-I+$tr$*!c
# / .0 x l1
2
lb3in
.
v / 1.'
main menu7 %reprocessor 8 6odeling-*reate 8 Areas-@ectangle 8 :y .
*orners
You are now ready to mesh the area of the brac!et to create elements and
nodes. &ssue the commands
main menu7 %reprocessor 8 -6eshing-SiAe *ntrls 8 -6anual SiAe-
Blobal-SiAe (give 1..,)
Then issue the commands
main menu7 %reprocessor 8 -6eshing-6esh 8 Areas-Cree 8
*lic! on the %ic! All button.
Apply boundary conditions7
main menu7Solution 8 Apply 8 Str1ct1ra"- D!+*"ace&et $n "eypoints
2Se"ect "e3t t4$ ke-*$!t+ a. Se"ect A"".$35
main menu7Solution 8 +oads-Apply 8Structural-%ressure8 $n +ines 8
%ic! the upper two horiAontal lines associated with Area > and Area .
(on the upper edge of the brac!et).
2)!6e 785
Solve the problem7
main menu7 Solution 8 -Solve-*urrent +S
$"
*lose (the solution is doneD) window.
*lose (the STAT *ommand) window.
Cor the postprocessing phase first plot the deformed shape by using the
commands
main menu7 Beneral %ostproc -8 %lot @esults -8 ;eformed Shape . . .
%lot the von 6ises stresses with the commands
main menu7 Beneral %ostproc 8 %lot @esults 8 *ontour %lot 8 Nodal
Solution
'W
The bicycle wrench shown in Cigure is made of steel with a modulus of
elasticity E / 200 B%a and a %oisson?s ratio v / 0.32. The wrench is 3
mm thic!. ;etermine the von 6ises stresses under the given distributed
load and boundary conditions.