FINITE ELEMENT

ANALYSIS
I GEDE MADE ADI WIRAGUNA
8448893

ABSTRACT
In this report, the theoretical method of calculating forces and stress in a truss is compared to simulated FEA results
in Abaqus. The results are mostly similar, however, there are pro cons of using FEA software, which needs to be
considered.

1
INTRODUCTION
Finite element analysis has become an important skill for the engineer to study how complex structures behaves.
There are several methods can be used in finite element analysis:
❖ Numerical Method
This method utilises the mathematical theory of the stiffness matrix, which consist of the number of degrees of
freedom on each truss nodes and time by angle, length and young modulus of the material. This matrix also can be
described as the local coordinate matrix and can be given as:

After the stiffness matrix of each node identified, each stiffness matrix will be combined to create a global matrix.
The size of the global matrix depends on the numbers of nodes on the overall structure. Furthermore, the global
matrix can be arranged in the equilibrium equation to identify the displacement and force of the node.

❖ FEA Method
This method utilises computer software such as Abaqus, ANSYS or Solidwork to identify the structure force and
displacement. There is some boundary condition that needs to be applied in the software to get a precise result such
as, the structure support, young modulus and Poisson ratio, the load, mesh, seed size and the step.
❖ Theoretical Method
Using free body diagram and condition of equilibrium equation to determine the compression and tension force of
the structure. This method also considered as the most accurate method. The equation can be given as
ΣFx=0, ΣFy=0, ΣM=0
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this report is to use the 3 different methods above to identify the forces, displacement, stress
and assess the level of safety of the given truss structure below. Furthermore, to compare the 3 different results in
order to let the reader know how to use the data to a solved unfamiliar engineering problem and understand how
the computer software can be used in engineering problem.

Young Modulus E = 100G PA

Poisson Ratio v = 0.32
Diameter A = 20 mm

Fig 1 and Table 1: Truss structure (Not Drawn to Scale) and the Properties

HYPOTHESIS
Base on the truss structure above, the first assumption is there is some element with 0 forces acting on it and the
middle part of the truss structure will fail. Furthermore, each method will give different result to the nodal and
element force and displacement

2
 THEORITICAL CALCULATION
To calculate the compression, tension and reaction forces of the truss using the theoretical method, the correct
angles and length need to be identified before the free body diagram and equation of equilibrium use to find the
forces of the truss. In this report the correct angle and length will be found using Sketch function, which available in
1.6 m 0KN
Abaqus
120° 85.6°
0.6 m 0.53 m -2.026KN
0 KN

44.7°
15.3° 79.11°
3.59 KN
3.716 KN 2 m 30.96°

28.78°

1.2 m
2 KN
1.39 m 0KN

59.04° Fig 2, Truss Structure with correct angle and length

30.96° 1.3 m 0KN 120.96°
3.33 KN

4 KN
❖ Reaction forces calculation
For fix joint:
∑ 𝑀 = 0 , ∑ 𝑀 = 8000 cos(30) (0.52) − 8000 sin(30) (1.9) − 𝑅𝑥(1.2) rearrange the equation to get 𝑅𝑥
𝑅𝑥 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟑 𝑲𝑵 , 𝑅𝐹𝑦 = 8000 sin(30) = 𝟒 𝑲𝑵
For roller joint
𝑅𝐹𝑥 = 8000 cos(30) − 33000 = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟗 𝑲𝑵,
Free Body Diagram
FFB
∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 3.33 + 𝐹𝐹𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠(30.96) 𝑭𝑭𝑫 = −𝟑. 𝟖𝟖𝟕 𝑲𝑵, 𝑭𝑭𝑬 = 𝟎(𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒅)
∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 4 + 𝐹𝐹𝐷𝑠𝑖𝑛(30.96) + 𝐹𝐴𝐵, 𝑭𝑨𝑩 = −𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑲𝑵 FFB
FFD

59.04°
FAC
3.33 KN 30.96° 44.7°
𝐹𝐷𝐶 FFE
3.594 KN 15.3°
4 KN FAD
∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 3.595 + 𝐹𝐹𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠(15.3) + 𝐹𝐴𝐷, 𝐹𝐴𝐷 = 𝟑. 𝟕𝟏𝟔 𝑲𝑵,
∑ 𝐹𝑌 = 2 + 𝐹𝐹𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛(44.7) + 𝐹𝐵𝐷𝑠𝑖𝑛(15.3), 𝐹𝐹𝐵 = 0(𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒅), 𝑭𝑭𝑫 = −𝟕. 𝟓 𝑲𝑵
79.11°
𝐹𝐷𝐴
30.96° ∑ 𝐹𝑋 = 𝐹𝐹𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠(30.96) − 𝐹𝐴𝐷 − 𝐹𝐷𝐶(cos79.11), 𝑭𝑫𝑪 = −𝟐. 𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐹𝐷𝐹 𝐹𝐷𝐸
Truss Element Force (N)
1 -2000 (compression)
2 0
3 0
4 -2026 (compression)
5 -7579 (compression)
6 3176 (Tension)
7 0
8 -3888 (compression)
9 0
Table 2, Theoretical Method Result

3
NUMERICAL METHOD CALCULATION
In this method, MATLAB will be used to calculate the Global Matrix and solve the equilibrium equation to obtain the
displacement and forces on each node. Furthermore, since the truss consist of 6 nodes and each node have 2
degrees of freedom, the global matrix will be 12x12, while the local stiffness will be 4x4.
❖ MATLAB function (for full code, see appendix)

❖ Result
Node Nodal Force (N) Nodal Displacement (m)
1 3332.87056548503 0
2 4000.00000000000 0
3 3595.33266479049 0
4 1.88366178077089e-11 -7.64163295939952e-05
5 -7.05183892506502e-12 -0.000219027790666015
6 -1.48989894184350e-11 5.00394243070376e-05
7 -6928.20323027550 -0.000219027790666015
8 -4000.00000000011 -0.00107747976975763
9 -1.13341231243975e-11 0.000236665773131937
10 1.16403878405415e-10 -0.000954829846408109
11 -2.30829740219641e-12 2.71050543121376e-20
12 -3.62653538557206e-12 -0.000816755086978024
Table 3, MATLAB result (for the annotated version and the equilibrium equation, see appendix).

FEA METHOD
All the analysis in this method conducted in ABAQUS 2019 version software under below certain limitation and
boundary condition to obtain the precise result of the truss analysis:

Table 4, ABAQUS setting for the analysis

Young Modulus E = 100G PA

Poisson Ratio v = 0.32

Diameter A = 20 mm

Section Type Truss

Step Static, General

Support Displacement/Rotation. Fix: U1, U2. Roller U2

Load Concentrated Force. CF1=-8000(cos30). CF2= 8000sin

(30)
Approximate global seed size 2 (8 number of elements per circle)

Element Type Truss. Scaling factor: 1 linear bulk

4
 ❖ Result

Fig 3, Deformed shape of the truss from Abaqus simulation (for real file, please follow hyperlink in appendix)
Nodal Force and Displacement
Node Nodal Force (N) Nodal Displacement (m)
1 -3333 3.333e-33
2 -4000 -4e-33
3 3595 -3.59487e-33
4 -3.68723e-13 -7.63944e-5-05
5 -8.5153e-13 2.18884e-4
6 -3.68723e-13 4.99785e-5
7 6928 -21884e-4
8 4000 107807e-3
9 -384.9 23671e-4
10 -2.94213e-10 -95547e-4
11 2.3083e-12 -5.4201e-12
12 2.94213e-11 817376e-4
Table 5 ABAQUS result for the node force and displacement (see appendix for the annotated version of the truss)
Reaction Forces
Support Reaction Force (N)
Roller X Direction 3594.87
FIX X Direction 3333
FIX Y Direction 4000
Table 6, ABAQUS result for the Reaction (see appendix for the annotated version of the truss)

Element Stress and Force

Element Stress (N/m^2) Force (N)
1 -6.3662e6 -2000
2 1.35525e-9 -4.25764344e-13
3 -271051e-8 -8.515318303e-7
4 -6.48303e6 -2036.703942
5 -2.41247e7 -7578.998029
6 -1.18283e7 -3715.970038
7 1.0842e-8 3.406114755e-12
8 -1.23737e7 -3887.312502
9 2.398735e-8 7.535848251e-12
Table 7, ABAQUS result for the element stress and force (see appendix for the annotated version of the truss)

5
DISCUSSION
❖ Nodal Force and Element Force
The nodal and element force result from 3 different methods indicate that the result is quite similar, however, when
comparing the result on table 3 with table 5, Some of the ABAQUS node force result seems to show negative value
as tension and negative when compared to the Numerical methods (for the comparison chart see chart1 in
appendix). In my opinion, the reason behind this might be due to the use of an elastic-isotropic material during the
material selection in Abaqus, which act differently in compression and tension. But, there still no clear evidence why
ABAQUS show the result differently. In other hand, the result also proved that the hypothesis is correct when
assuming some element has 0 forces acting on it. This can be proved by looking the some of the node and element
force result that has e-7 to e-13 value on table 3,5 and 7.
❖ Nodal Displacement and Reaction Force
There also similarity for the nodal displacement between the FEA method and Numerical method result. The only
difference is the MATLAB displacement value on the node 1,2,3 is assumed to be zero due to that node location in
the support of the truss structure, which in theory have no displacement. In term of reaction force ABAQUS give the
exact result as the theoretical result, this might due to the correctness of the boundary condition setting in the
ABAQUS.
❖ Truss Structure
As the ABAQUS simulation show in figure 3, the overall structure of the truss can be considered as fail. This might
due to the structure of the truss and the material property. Moreover, this prove that the hypothesis is correct
regarding how the truss will behave under concentrated force.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, all the 3 methods show similar result despite the differences in the mathematical theory and
calculation. Overall, the result from the FEA software emphasis that FEA software is viable and an effective way to
model and test engineering design before they are manufactured, especially for the design that requires complex
analysis. However, without a good understanding of the mechanical science, engineering material and mathematical
theory, it will be hard for an engineer to construct the correct model and get a precise result of the model on any
FEA software.

Bibliography
https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/47251/altairuniversity-ebooks%20(Matthias)/Practical-Aspects-of-Finite-
Element-Simulation.zip
Ali, D. (2019). Mesh and Convergence.

Advice from DR Faris Elasha during his tutorial

Abaqus Truss Video Tutorial. (2016). [video] Bartoz Nowak.

Kwon, Y. and Bang, H. (2000). Finite element method using MATLAB. Boca Raton: CRC.

Dsk.ippt.pan.pl. (2019). Abaqus Analysis User's Guide (6.13). [online] Available at:
http://dsk.ippt.pan.pl/docs/abaqus/v6.13/books/usb/default.htm [Accessed 30 Nov. 2019].

Appendix
Complete MATLAB Code
function [K] = Stiffness_Matrix(L,Theta)%Calculate the stiffness matrix by variety of length and angle
%L = The length of the element;
%Theta =The angle of element;
E = 1e11;%Young modulus of the material
A = (pi*(0.01)^2);%Diameter of the steel truss
c = cosd(Theta);
s = sind(Theta);
EA = ((E*A)/L);
K = (EA)*[c^2,s*c,-c^2,-s*c;s*c,s^2,-s*c,-s^2;-c^2,-s*c,c^2,s*c;-s*c,-s^2,s*c,s^2];%Local Stiffness Matrix
end
K1 = Stiffness_Matrix(1.2,90);
K2 = Stiffness_Matrix(0.6,60);
K3 = Stiffness_Matrix(1.6,0);
K4 = Stiffness_Matrix(0.53,100.89);
K5 = Stiffness_Matrix(1.97,15.3);

6
K6 = Stiffness_Matrix(2,0);
K7 = Stiffness_Matrix(1.39,59.74);
K8 = Stiffness_Matrix(2.33,30.96);
K9 = Stiffness_Matrix(1.3,0);
Global_stiffnes=zeros(12, 12);
Global_stiffnes(1:4, 1:4)=Global_stiffnes(1:4, 1:4)+K1;
Global_stiffnes(3:6,3:6)=Global_stiffnes(3:6,3:6)+K2;
Global_stiffnes(5:8, 5:8)=Global_stiffnes(5:8, 5:8)+K3;
Global_stiffnes([9:10,7:8],[9:10,7:8])=Global_stiffnes([9:10,7:8],[9:10,7:8])+K4;%Change back to 7:10
Global_stiffnes([3:4, 7:8], [3:4, 7:8])=Global_stiffnes([3:4, 7:8], [3:4, 7:8])+K5;
Global_stiffnes([3:4, 9:10], [3:4, 9:10])=Global_stiffnes([3:4, 9:10], [3:4, 9:10])+K6;
Global_stiffnes([11:12, 9:10],[11:12, 9:10])=Global_stiffnes([11:12, 9:10],[11:12, 9:10])+K7;%Change to 11:12 9:10
Global_stiffnes([1:2, 9:10], [1:2, 9:10])=Global_stiffnes([1:2, 9:10], [1:2, 9:10])+K8;
Global_stiffnes([1:2, 11:12], [1:2, 11:12])=Global_stiffnes([1:2, 11:12], [1:2, 11:12])+K9;
N = Global_stiffnes-Global_stiffnes';
I = Global_stiffnes(4:12, 4:12);%Reduced to 9x9 due to the some of the nodes don't have any displacement
L = [0,0,0,(-8000*(cosd(30))),(-8000*(sind(30))),0,0,0,0]';%Applied force on the truss
F = rref([I L]);%using row elimination ti find the displacement matrix
G = [0;0;0;-7.64163295939952e-05;-0.000219027790666016;5.00394243070378e-05;-0.000219027790666016;-
0.00107747976975763;0.000236665773131937;-0.000954829846408107;1.18649018330193e-20;-0.000816755086978022];
B = Global_stiffnes*G;%to find the force matrix

Annotated Truss structure with Node and Element Label

6 8
5 3 7

5 Fig4, annotated version of the truss

2 4
10
4
6 9
3

1 8
7

12
2
11
1 9

Chart 1, Abaqus and MATLAB comparison Result

Link to the MATLAB FILE and ABAQUS FILE
https://livecoventryac-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/wiraguni_uni_coventry_ac_uk/EuzFkprNjI1Aoo_LAUK8hs4B37trtWr3C2j1YYNZGZi7Sw?e=Ifo4
Nl