7.

1 Introduction
 Three-Dimensional (3-D) Finite Element Analysis

o The problem (structure) is divided into smaller, simple three-

dimensional elements (i.e. tetrahedral or hexahedral).

o The difference between tetrahedral and hexahedral elements is as

follow. A detailed explanation on the difference between these two
elements is presented in Mesh Development (section 7.5).

Tetrahedral Element Hexahedral Element

 7.1 Introduction
 The example of an object being meshed using tetrahedral and
hexahedral elements is as follow;

The object being meshed The object being meshed

using tetrahedral element. using hexahedral element.
 7.1 Introduction
 Why the Analysis is Called as “Linear Static”?

o “Linear” is referred to the condition of two parameters which are:

a) Material Properties: The properties of material in all axes (x, y,

and z) are assumed similar or known as isotropic (see Section
7.4).

b) Contact Properties: The contact surface between two parts is

assumed to be perfectly mated without any significant
movements (friction coefficient close to 1.0) (see Section 7.8).

o “Static” is referred to the condition and characteristic of loads

(which having constant magnitude with time) applied onto the
models.
 7.2 General Analysis Steps
There are ELEVEN (11) main steps involved in three-dimensional finite
element analysis as follows:

1) Part Modelling Modelling (SolidWorks)

2) Material Properties Assignment
3) Section Assignment
4) Assembly Assignment
5) Steps of Loading Assignment
6) Mesh Development
Analysis (Abaqus)
7) Boundary Conditions Assignment
8) Loads Assignment
9) Contact Properties Assignment
10) Analysis
11) Results
 7.3 Part Modelling (SolidWorks)
 The three-dimensional (3-D) model of parts or systems to be analysed
must be done in any computer-aided design (CAD) softwares such as
SolidWorks.

 If the model to be analysed comprises more than one individual part, all
individual parts must be perfectly assembled together. There must be
no intersection or overlapping occurs between all mating parts.

 The completed 3-D model with perfect assembling is saved in ACIS file
format (.sat).

 The saved ACIS file is then imported into Abaqus for the analysis
purpose.

 The amendments or alterations on 3-D model (if any) is suggested to

be done in SolidWorks.
 7.4 Material Properties Assignment
 All properties of material such as Young’s modulus (E) and Poisson’s
ratio (v) are assumed to be the same in all directions (x, y, and z) or also
known as isotropic.

 The comparison between orthotropic, anisotropic, and isotropic is

shown as follows;

Orthotropic Anisotropic Isotropic

Material properties
Material properties
that differ along three Having identical
change with all
mutually-orthogonal values of a property
directions along the
two-fold axes of in all directions.
object.
rotational symmetry.
Examples: Wood,
Examples: Glass
Examples: Wood. composites, and
and metals.
bones.
 7.5 Mesh Development
 The differences between tetrahedral and hexahedral elements are as
follows:

Parameter Tetrahedral Element Quadrilateral Element

For complex geometries
Geometry For simple geometries.
(i.e. curvy parts).
Unstructured mesh
Mesh Pattern Structured mesh.
(free meshing).

Tetrahedral Elements Meshing Hexahedral Elements Meshing

 7.6 Boundary Conditions Assignment
 There are six degrees of freedom for 3-D FEA which are three for
translational movements (Tx, Ty, and Tz) while the other three for
rotational movements (Rx, Ry, and Rz) .

Fixed Support

Pin Support

Roller Support
 7.7 Loads Assignment
 In 3-D FEA, the object is commonly applied by several types of load
such concentrated force, pressure, and line load. Commonly, the body
force that acts at the centroid of the body of an object will be neglected.

 Pressure being the most frequent type of load used in the analysis. The
comparison between concentrated force and pressure is as follows;

Parameter Concentrated Force Pressure

Point of
Applied at nodes. Applied at surfaces.
Application
Force/Area
Units Force (N)
(N/m2 or N/mm2)
 7.8 Contact Properties Assignment
 There are two common types of contact modelling that applied in the
analysis of 3-D problems which are contact surface with and without
friction coefficient.

 The higher the friction coefficient value, the more difficult relative
movement between two contact surfaces.

 The comparison between both types of contact modelling is as follows;

Contact Type Friction Coefficient

No friction coefficient values applied on
Without friction
the contact surfaces (friction coefficient
coefficient values
value is nearly 1.0). The contacted
assigned (Tie).
surfaces are perfectly mated.
With friction Certain friction coefficient values (0.1 –
coefficient values 1.0) are assigned at the related contact
assigned. surfaces.
 7.9 Types of Result
 In 3-D linear static FEA, there are two main results normally presented which
are von Mises stress and displacement.

 Both result types of analysis are usually presented in their resultant magnitude.
However, the result values for each axis (x, y or z) can also be known by
changing the result options.

 The type of stress result is selected based on the materials of the object. The
following table shows the comparison between ductile and brittle materials and
their corresponding stress type.

Stress Result Type Ductile Materials Brittle Materials

The examples of
von Mises Stress ductile materials are -
metal and metal alloys.
The examples of brittle
Maximum & Minimum
- materials are plastics
Principal Stresses
and ceramics.
 Example 7.1 (Lab 5: Question 1)
Figure 1 shows an assembly drawing of a hinge set. The set consists of two
individual hinge bodies with similar dimensions and a pin which connects both
hinge bodies together. Figure 2 and Figure 3 exhibit the orthographic projection
drawings of hinge body and pin, respectively. Both hinge bodies are made of steel
(Young’s modulus, E = 207 GPa and Poisson’s, v = 0.3) whilst the pin is made of
aluminium (Young’s modulus, E = 200 GPa and Poisson’s, v = 0.3). The vertical
surface of the unattached region of Hinge 1 is fixed and a vertical load of 15 N is
applied on the top flat surface of Hinge 2. Investigate the stress and displacement
distributions on the hinge set.

Hinge 1

Hinge 2
Pin

Figure 1
 Example 7.1 (Lab 5: Question 1)

Figure 2
Example 7.1 (Lab 5: Question 1)

Figure 3