Course Title: Computational Statics and

Dynamics Coursework Title:

Numerical analysis and validation of a
complex structure under loading

Task overview:
The assessment aims to evaluate your knowledge of Computational Statics and Dynamics
principles, as well as your ability to creatively apply these in analysing the mechanical
performance of a structural assembly that would matter to an end user.

You are provided with two possible assemblies to work with (see appendices), of which you
need to select one. You are tasked with performing high fidelity finite element analysis and
related performance outcome prediction, along with an informed validation of your
results.

You will need to demonstrate how your decision making has been informed by your
understanding of the underlying finite element theory for all elements of the report.
Explanations of your work and underlying assumptions are absolute key!

Report elements for both problems:

You will need to prepare a comprehensive technical report with a full explanation of the
undertaken work covering the elements below:

 Explanation of analysis strategy (element types used, partitioning, assembly,

constraints, analysis steps, boundary conditions and applied loads)
 Assumptions and simplifications made during the analysis strategy
 Detailed discussion of findings and results
 Outline of validation strategy (hand calculations for validation)
 Discussion of 3-5 supporting references for your assignment problem.
Assessment Activities:
The assessment has a single activity. Based on your numerical analysis outcomes, you
must prepare a written report of no more than 10 pages. The report must be submitted
electronically. The requirements of the research report are as follows:

 Fully typed and professionally styled in a minimum of font size 11 (Arial, Verdana,
Georgia or Times New Roman)
 Contains a maximum of 10 images / graphs
 Images should be scaled sensibly (with scaled factors) to allow the reader to see all
necessary details
 Appropriate referencing throughout (including image referencing)
 Electronic submission only
 Maximum of 10 pages (excluding cover page and bibliography)
 The overall quality of the report based on these requirements will be assessed
Appendix 1: Pipe fitting analysis

This assignment represents a typical mechanical engineering problem. A pipe holder has
been designed to ensure that a pipe connection under internal pressure (5 MPa) is held
adequately in place without excessive stresses in either the pipe or the pipe holder.

The problem consists of 5 parts (1 pipe section, 2 pipe holder sections and 2 bolts). All
dimensions are in mm. You are to assume that bolt stresses are not critical, hence the bolt
does not need to be modelled in detail and can be replaced by simplified fastener solutions
as discussed in this course.

Figure 1: (a) different parts for the problem and (b) assembled model with applied loads. Here we
assume that the pipe holder is fixed at the lower flange.

(a)

(b)
Material properties are given in Table 1:

Table 1: Material properties for pipe, pipe fitting and bolts.

Parts Young’s Poisson
Modulus ’s
(GPa) Ratio
Iron Pipe 250 0.3

Pipe fitting
210 0.3
(Stainless
steel)
Bolts (Steel) 210 0.3

Assignment-specific tasks:
In line with the mandatory report elements, please complete the following required analysis
elements. It is expected that you elaborate on all necessary and modelling details,
assumed simplifications and interesting findings in your report:

1. Mesh refinement study

2. Mesh type investigation study
3. Constraint selection discussion for assembly (Coupling, TIE and Contact)
4. Vibration analysis to show that the parts of the mesh are properly connected
5. Linear perturbation step for detailed stress analysis under internal pressure
6. Suggest and validate a model change of the pipe fitting to reduce cost / weight.
Appendix 2: Hip joint analysis
This assignment represents a typical biomechanical engineering problem. Hip osteotomy
is a commonly performed surgical procedure. Here, a simplified CAD model of the hip joint
is provided as follows. The joint is composed of three parts, i.e., the femoral head,
intermediate cartilage layer and acetabulum. Initially we wish to investigate the stresses
for all parts in direct alignment. Therefore, the outer surface of the acetabulum should be
fixed in all directions and a load of 1500 N in axial direction should be applied to the bottom
surface of femoral head instance, representing the acting force during normal standing in
the hip joint. Note that boundary conditions should be appropriately interpreted for the finite
element analysis based on your underpinning knowledge. The mechanical properties of
the different biological materials are provided in Table 2. All model dimensions are in mm.

Figure 2: (a) different parts for the problem and (b) assembled model with applied load.

(a)

(b)

Table 2: Material properties for hip joint of a healthy adult.

Parts Young’s Poisson
Modulus ’s
(MPa) Ratio
Femoral 14700 0.3
head
Acetabulum 14700 0.3

Cartilage 12 0.4
5
Assignment-specific tasks:
In line with the mandatory report elements, please complete the following required analysis
elements. It is expected that you elaborate on all necessary and modelling details,
assumed simplifications and interesting findings in your report.
1. A mesh refinement study
2. A mesh type investigation study
3. Constraint selection discussion for assembly (Coupling, TIE and Contact)
4. Vibration analysis to show that the three parts are properly connected in the
assembly.
5. Linear perturbation step for detailed stress analysis.
6. Assume that a 30° angle change around the centre point of the femoral head with
respect to the cartilage and acetabulum may occur, which represents different
stages of the human gait cycle. The force will remain normal to the surface it is
applied to. Evaluate the observed changes in maximum stress in the joint.