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Axis Symmetry
ANSYS Tutorial
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Lab Learning Outcomes

• Learn About Simplifying Geometry
• Learn How to Use Axis-Symmetry Condition
• Compare Hand Result to FEA Model (Assumptions)
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Axis Symmetry Problem

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Outline
3 Step Procedure:

1. Pre Lab Planning

2. ANSYS Procedure

3. Results
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Step 1: Pre Lab Planning

• Unit Conversions
• Element Type
• Geometry
• Constraints & Loads
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Step 1a) Unit Conversions

• Everything needs to be converted to consistent units
• For this problem, this includes Younge’s modulus
• We will be using the SI column for unit conversions.
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Step 1b) Element Type

• Since this is a solid object, we will be using

the PLANE183 element.
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Step 1c) Geometry

• We will use simplified geometry to model this problem

• This can be done through the use of constraints
• We will create the following rectangle
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Step 1d) Constraints & Loads

• We will use 2 constraints/conditions to simplify the geometry.

• Axis-symmetry: revolves the shape around the y-axis.
• Symmetry: creates the bottom half of the cylinder.

• There is a 500N load in the center of the cylinder.

• This will be mirrored by the symmetry constraint.
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Step 2: ANSYS Procedure

• Element Type
• Material Properties
• Modeling
• Meshing
• Constraints & Loads
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1) From the Main Menu Select:
Preprocessor > Element Type >
Add/Edit/Delete
Step 2a) Element Type 3) Select: Solid > 8 Node 183
Press OK

2) This window shows all defined element types.

Click “Add”.
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Step 2a) Element Type 5) Select: Under K3 (Element Behavior),
Select: Axisymmetric & Press OK

We can now close the element types

window.

4) To set the axisymmetric condition, we need

to open the options tab.
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Step 2b) Material Properties
1) From the Main Menu Select:
3) Enter the material’s properties
Preprocessor > Material Props >
given in the problem.
Material Models

2) Under Material Model Number 1 select:

Structural > Linear > Elastic > Isotropic
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1) From the Main Menu Select:
Step 2c) Modeling
Simplified geometry from prelab.
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create >
Rectangle > By 2 Corners

2) WP X & WP Y represent the starting coordinates

for the rectangle (bottom left corner).
Start the rectangle at (0,0) and enter the dimensions
given in the problem.
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1) From the Main Menu Select: Step 2d) Meshing 2) Select “Areas” under the Element
Preprocessor > Meshing > MeshTool Attributes dropdown menu.
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3) Click Set and select the
Step 2d) Meshing 4) Ensure the proper material
rectangle we just created. number, and element type number
are selected. Click OK
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5) Under Size Controls, click set
Step 2d) Meshing
for Areas. Select the Rectangle.

6) This allows us to set our mesh

size. A smaller length means more
element divisions (finer mesh &
better accuracy). For this problem, I
will use a value of 0.001.
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7) Under the Mesh tab, ensure that Step 2d) Meshing
areas is selected.
Click Mesh and select the rectangle.
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Step 2e) Constraints
1) From the Main Menu Select:
Solution > Define Loads > Apply > 2) Select the bottom edge of the
Structural > Displacement > rectangle and press OK.
Symmetry B.C. > On Lines
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1) From the Main Menu Select:
Solution > Define Loads > Apply >
Step 2e) Loads 2) Select the top left (center) of the
cylinder.
Structural > Force/Moment > On Nodes
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Step 2e) Loads 3) Select FY on the Direction of force
dropdown menu.

4) Enter +500 N for the value.

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1) We can now solve the system.
Solving
Select: Solution > Solve > Current LS

2) Press OK. 3) Close the windows.

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Step 3: Results
• Normal Stresses
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1) Select: General Postproc > List
Results > Nodal Solution
3a) Normal Stress

2) Select: Nodal Solution >

3) Click OK
Stress > Y-Component of stress
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3a) Normal Stress
SY represents the normal stress in each of the nodes. However, we do not want to see the
stress distribution in the entire cylinder. The stress distribution will be uniform at a
location far away from the concentrated load. This is the result that will agree with our
hand calculation.

Uniform stress distribution here.

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3a) Normal Stress (0 – 2mm)
We will select the nodes from y = 0 to y = 2mm. This will
give a result that agrees with our hand calculations.

2) Select: By Location from the

dropdown menu
1) From the top toolbar click:
Select > Entities

3) Select: Y Coordinates

4) We want to select the

nodes from y = 0 to y =
2mm (0.002 m)

5) Press OK
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3a) Normal Stress (0 – 2mm)
1) Plot the nodes using:
Plot > Nodes

3) Check Node Numbers and

Press OK.

2) To view node numbers,

select: PlotCtrls > Numbering
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1) Select: General Postproc > List
Results > Nodal Solution

2) Select: Nodal Solution > 3) Click OK

Stress > Y-Component of stress
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3a) Normal Stress (0 – 2mm)
The results window will now only
show the nodes between y = 0mm
and y = 2mm

If you average out the minimum and maximum

from these results, you should find that the stress
is very close to hand calculations.