BDA 31003

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Laboratory Session 4
Beam Element
Beam Problem

A beam as shown in the figure fixed at node 1. It has an elastic support at

node 3 where, the spring stiffness, k = 200 kN/m. The beam carries a 50
kN/m uniformly distributed load from node 1 to node 2 and a 25 kN
concentrated load at node 3. Given the Young’s Modulus, E = 200 GPa and
moment of inertia, I = 2 x 10-4 m4 and Poisson’s ratio as 0.13. Determine the
nodal displacements and support reactions.

Optional:
Beam cross-section
area, A = 0.05 m2

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3 Stages of FEA

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Defining Coordinates, Node & Element Numbers

The definition of elements and nodes are listed in following tables

Node x(m) y(m) Element Node i Node j

1 0 0 1 1 2

2 6 0 2 2 3

3 10 0 3 3 4
4 10 -2

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Converting Distributed Load into Point Load

1- Converting the distributed load into concentrated

1
loads and moments follows the equations as shown
in the Figure.

2- Defining the constraints and the loading conditions,

the model visualization should be as shown;

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Defining Type of Analysis

Double click on Analysis, A dialog appears, select the General tab

and choose 2D, select Static 2D.

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Renaming the Material Component: Beam

There are two different materials (beam and spring).

1- Go to Components & Materials > Default. Right
Click,
2- Rename by type “Beam”.

1 2

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Defining Material Properties: Beam
To assign beam material properties,
1- right click on Beam and select Assign new material.
2- In Geometric tab, choose General Section and enter the 2nd Moment at
area about W = 2E-04 and Cross-sectional area = 0.05.

2
1

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…Defining Material Properties
In Mechanical tab, choose Isentropic and enter the Young’s
modulus = 200E-09 and Poisson’s ratio = 0.13

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Renaming the Material Component: Spring

To add spring materials, right click on Components & Materials and

select New Component. Right click and Rename by type “Spring”.

1 2 3

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Defining Material Properties: Spring

1- Then right click on Spring and select Assign new material.

2- In Geometric tab, choose None.
3- In Mechanical tab, choose Spring and enter the Spring constant = 200E3

2
1

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Creating Nodes
Nodes and Elements
From Mesh tools menu, select Create>Node, or click on node tool
then enter the coordinates of the nodes as shown.

or

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Showing Node Numbers
1- To re-size the view to fill out the monitor screen
select Fit to window menu or hit “Fit to screen 1
tool”

2- To Show node and element numbers click on

the icon from the tool bar
or
3- The nodes will appear as shown.
2
3

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Creating Elements
1- From Mesh tools menu, select Create>Element, or click on
element in tool bar
2- on the displayed dialog, select Line2 for element type and
enter node numbers (1,2) and click Add to add element
2
3- enter the numbers for the other two elements
1

or

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Nodes and Elements Model

The elements will appear as shown.

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Assigning Material Properties: Beam
To assign Beam material;
1- press element selection
1
2- Select elements 1 and 2 (press Ctrl and select the two elements)
3- right click on the elements and choose Element properties
4- chose Beam as a component
5- click OK
2

3
5

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Assigning Material Properties: Spring
To assign Spring material;
1- press element selection 1
2- Select element 3
3- right click on the element and choose Element properties
4- chose Spring as a component
5- click OK

3
5

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Applying Constraints: Node 1
Constraints
Node 1 is restrained which is not allowed to move.
1- Right click on node 1, then select Loads & constraints > New displacement,
2- in the displacement dialog select X then OK to accept displx=0 and exit the
dialog.
3- Do the same for displacement in Y direction disply=0.

1 2 3

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…Applying Constraints: Node 1

1- For no rotation constraints, Right click on node 1, then select

Loads & constraints>On selected nodes>New rotz,
2- In the dialog click OK to accept rotz=0 and exit the dialog

1
2

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Applying Constraints: Node 2
Node 2 is not allowed to move vertically in y-direction.
1- Right click on node 2, then select Loads & constraints >New displacement,
2- In the displacement dialog select Y then OK to accept disply=0 and exit the
dialog.
2
1

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Applying Constraints: Node 4
Node 4 is also not allowed to move vertically in y-direction.
1- Right click on node 4, then select Loads & constraints > New displacement
2- In the displacement dialog select Y then OK to accept disply=0 and exit the
dialog.
2
1

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Applying Load: Node 1
Loads
1- Right click on node 1, then select Loads & constraints>New force,
2- In the force dialog under Y direction enter -150000 then press OK to
accept and exit the dialog.

1
2

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…Applying Load: Node 1
To define the moment applied to node 1,
1- Right click on the node and select Loads & constraints>New moment,
2- In the moment dialog under Z direction enter -150000 (negative moment),
then press OK to accept and exit the dialog.

1
2

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Applying Load: Node 2
Do the same thing for node 2 which is loaded with 150KN down words and
a moment of 1500 KN.m in counterclockwise direction (positive moment).
1- Right click on node 2, then select Loads & constraints>New force,
2- In the force dialog under Y direction enter -150000 then press OK to
accept and exit the dialog.

1 2

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…Applying Load: Node 2
To define the moment applied to node 2,
1- Right click on the node, then select Loads & constraints>New moment,
2- In the moment dialog under Z direction enter 150000 then press OK to
accept and exit the dialog.

1 2

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Applying Load: Node 3
To define the load at node 3,
1- Right click on the node, then select Loads & constraints>New force,
2- In the force dialog under Y direction enter -25000 then press OK to
accept and exit the dialog.

1 2

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Load & Constraints on the Model

The loads and constraints will be as shown in the following figure.

You should see the red triangle arrows and circles for constraints,
green straight arrows for forces and blue curved arrows for
moments.

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Solving Stage

To solve the model, go to Tools menu then select Solve or from the toll bar
press on Solve tool

or

Don’t forget to save your work, File > Save or

File >Save as if you want to save as different name.

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Results

After the solver completing doing the analysis successfully, the results
are listed in the Solution section.

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Deformed Shape
First thing to check is whether or not the beam has deformed in 1
the way that it was expected to.

1- Click Solution from the outline tree

2- Click View deformed from the toolbox
3- Enter 100 for Amplification factor and click OK
4- Element (1) is not deformed and element (2) of the beam is
bent downwards as expected. 2
5- To return to an undeformed view, click the undeformed tool-
button
5 3

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Displacement Magnitude

To check the result of the displacement of the beam at node 3, click

the node at that location. The value will appear in box as shown.

As can be observed, the computed

displacement value is close to the
theoretical value obtained in
Example 4.1, “Finite Element
Method Module 2020”.

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Vertical Displacement

Displacement in Y direction contours

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Rotation about Z-axis

Rotation about Z axis contours

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Shear Force

Shear Force V in y-direction

contours

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Bending Moment

Bending Moment about z-direction contours

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Table of Results
The detail of the displacement on every node, can be seen from the
outline tree Solution>Components>Table. The nodal displacement
results are all the very close with the theoretical calculation.

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Reaction Forces

Reaction forces and moments at supports at nodes 1,2 and 4.

The results are all well-matched with the theoretical calculation.

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Activity 4

A beam is pinned supported at node 1 and roller supported at point 5 as shown in

the figure. The beam carries 8 kN/m uniformly distributed load from node 2 to node
3 and 36 kN concentrated load at node 4. Given the Young’s Modulus, E = 150 Gpa,
Poisson’s ratio, v = 0.13 and moment of inertia, I = 6 x 10-4 m4. Determine:
i. nodal displacements,
ii. slopes at the supports and
iii. support reactions.

Optional:
Beam cross-section
area, A = 0.05 m2

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Answer

Finite Element Model

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… Answer

Nodal Displacements
Without cross-section area

With cross-section area

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… Answer

Slopes at Support
Without cross-section area

With cross-section area

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… Answer
Support Reactions

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FINISH!!!

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