2D Truss Evaluation using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.

1
Methodology
Geometry

The truss consists of 3 members with geometry constructed from the coordinates as follows:
Member 1 (0,0) to (0,1)
Member 2 (0,1) to (1,1)
Member 3 (1,1) to (0,0)

Boundary Conditions

To replicate the above truss system,

Pinned support at 1
Roller Support at 2

Roller Support at 3
The roller support at 3 is inclined or skewed at an angle of 45o, therefore we define a rotated
system
and the roller at 3 is prescribed in accordance with this rotated coordinate system

Cross Section
As per the problem statement, for member 1 and 2 (labelled 3 in COMSOL) cross section area
was 6 x 10-4 m2
for member 3 (labelled 2 in COMSOL) had cross section area was 6*sqrt(2)*10^-4[m^2]

Point Load
Point load of 15kN was exerted at node 2
Meshing
Results were determined by normal and fine meshing resolution

Results – Normal Meshing

Von Mises Stress

Figure 1:Von Mises Stress

 Figure 2: Local Axial Force

Point Evaluation
Forces

F1x = -7500.4 N F2x = 0 N F3x = -7499.6 N

F1y = -7502.5 N F2y = 2.9023 N F3y = 7499.6 N
Overall reaction at 3 is √ F3 x 2+ F 3 y 2=10606.03 N∨10.6 kN

Displacement

d1x = 0 m
d1y = 0 m
d2x = 1.7859E-4
d2y = 0 m
d3x = 8.4177E-5 m
d3y = 0 m
Results –Fine Meshing

Figure 3: Von Mises Stress

Figure 4: Local Axial Force

Forces

F1x = -7500.4 N F2x = 0 N F3x = -7499.6 N

F1y = -7502.5 N F2y = 2.9023 N F3y = 7499.6 N
Overall reaction at 3 is √ F3 x 2+ F 3 y 2=10606.03 N∨10.6 kN

Displacement
d1x = 0 m
d1y = 0 m
d2x = 1.7859E-4
d2y = 0 m
d3x = 8.4177E-5 m
d3y = 0 m

Observations
 The local displacements determined by both hand calculations and software computation
were approximately equal.
 Reaction Forces at 1 calculated by hand were F1x = -7496.2N, F1y = -7496.2N which were
approximately equal to the reaction forces computed by COMSOL using point
evaluation.
 The overall reaction at 3 was found to be 10.5 kN by hand calculations and 10.6 kN by
Point evaluation.
 The total reaction force at 2 is -15000 N.
 Some discrepancy was observed in results as hand calculation method is static. The
results obtained are determined by analytic or semi analytic methods which are exact
within the simplifications and assumptions made during the calculations, meanwhile
point evaluation has freedom of iteration where the model is refined based on simulation
results and compared with experimental data.
 Meshing does not have much effect on point evaluation results as the points for it are
precisely located on mesh nodes.