Question 2

Model:

Deformed Shape

Displacements

Stresses:

Question 3
Model:

Deformed shape with displacements:

Stress:

Question 4
PART 1
i)
Using 2 x 4 mesh:
Model:

Stress along B-B Syy

Stress along B-B Sxy

Deformed shape

Displacements at point A X-direction: 8.799 x 10-4 m

Y-direction: -5.153 x 10-4 m

Using Mesh 3 x 5
Model:

Stress along B-B Syy

Stress along B-B Sxy

Deformed shape

Displacements at point A X-direction: 8.962 x 10-4 m

Y-direction: -5.163 x 10-4 m

Comparing both previous values with beam theory:

Combing values from both cases shown below:

For pointed load:

100(203 )
=5.33104
3
10 0.3
m
3 (2107 )(
)
12

For distributed load:

200.3(204 )
=2.4104
3
10 0.3
8(210 7)(
)
12

Total deflection (m) = 7.73 * 10-4 m

iii) As it can be seen that increasing the mesh size to 3 x 5 should result in a closer
value to the true value from beam theory. Unfortunately due to
convergence/divergence this is not always the case. Ultimately as you increase the
fineness the value will converge to the true value (or approx.) but you may face
divergences on the way.

PART II
I will start by showing the meshs used in each run as I go from coarse to a fine and
finer mesh. I have focused on refining the mesh in the areas where the load is
applied and area of high stresses:
Trial 2:

Trial 3:

Trial 4:

Trial 5:

Trial
Number

Mesh size

Trial 1

Triangle of dimensions:
2.5m by 2.5m
Mix of Triangles
dimensions: 2.5m by
2.5m and 2.5 by 1.77m
Mix of Triangles
dimensions: 2.5m by
2.5m and 2.5 by 1.77m
Mix of Triangles
dimensions: 2.5m by
2.5m and 2.5 by 1.77m
Mix of Triangles
dimensions: 2.5m by
2.5m and 2.5 by 1.77m

Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5

Ux
(10^-4
m)

Uy
(10^-4
m)

7.855

-4.749

5.612

-4.174

5.477

-4.163

6.1874

-4.438

6.236

-4.451

% change
12.107
8
0.2635
4

28.555
1
2.4055
6

6.6058
13

12.970
6

0.2929
25

0.7854
67

Question 5
I have done several mesh refining for this question, making it finer each run at
critical areas where forces and stress are high. The hydrostatic load on the dam was
taken to be linear, increasing as the depth of the water increased Pressure (kN/m 2)
= Gamma water * depth. Here is a list of the models I have attempted:
Trial 1:

Trial 2:

Trial 3:

Trial 4:

Trial 5:

The final mesh was chosen by checking the change of displacements at point C
(finding when the convergence occurred 2% change):
Trial Number
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3

Ux (10^-4 m)

Uy (10^-4 m)

3.018

-1.271

2.945
2.409

% change

-2.98977

-2.41882

4.785077

-18.2003

-5.57276

17.55915

-0.65574

1.235876

-1.233
-1.292

Trial 4

2.832

-1.22

Trial 5

2.867

-1.212

Deformed shape:
Dead weight:

Hydrostatic load:

Combination:

Stresses:

Smax
Deadload

Hydro

Combination:

Smin
Deadload

Hydro

Combination

Shear
Deadload

Hydro

Combination