Lecture 02 - Analytical and Numerical Methods of Structural Analysis

Lecture #2
Analytical and Numerical Methods

of Structural Analysis
FLOWCHART OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Real object
Only load-carrying structure
is kept
Structural
layout Assumptions and simplifications
are applied, loads are calculated
according to the problem
Design model
Structural analysis
Results of
analysis
This step is beyond the scope
of structural analysis
Implementation
on real object
2
Real object
Structural
layout
Design model
Results of
analysis
Implementation
on real object
3
Real object
Structural
layout
Design model
Results of
analysis
Implementation
on real object
4
Real object Depending on the kind of

problem which is solved, the
design model could be either as
Structural detailed as structural layout, or
layout as generalized as below:
Design model
Results of
analysis
Implementation
on real object
5
METHODS OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Analytical methods Numerical methods

Best for designing Best for checking
calculations, suit for calculations, practically
checking calculations with effete for designing
certain limitations calculations
Solutions exist for partial

Versatile and flexible
cases (specific objects)
Need much work to be
Need expensive and
developed, but only
complex software and
simple software for
hardware
application
6
ANALYTICAL METHODS OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Widely used nowadays:

• methods of Mechanics of Materials;
• methods for statically indeterminate structures:
• method of forces;
• method of displacements;
• beam theory for thin-walled structures;
• method of reduction coefficients.
Rarely used nowadays (mostly due to the progress

of numerical methods):
• methods based on Calculus of Variations;
• methods of Theory of Elasticity.
7
EXAMPLE TO COMPARE ANALYTICAL AND
NUMERICAL METHODS
Aim: base
Design the steel
bracket to minimize
the self-weight
L 2, D 2,  2
displacement of the
load.
Given data:
D2=80 mm;
L2=500 mm;
L1=200 mm;
mload=0.5 kg.
L 1 , D 1 , 1
Objectives: load
D1, 1, 2. 8
BASIC EQUATIONS OF SOLID MECHANICS
This is not only the sum of

Equilibrium
forces or moments, but applies
equations
for elementary volume as well
Physical law, expresses

Constitutive
the relation between
equations
stress and strain
Solid body should

Compatibility
remain continuous
equations
while being deformed
9
This is not only the sum of forces

Equilibrium
or moments, but applies for
equations
elementary volume as well.
 x  xy  xz
   X  0,
x y z
Constitutive
equations  xy  y  yz
   Y  0,
x y z
 xz  yz  z
   Z  0,
Compatibility x y z
equations where X ,Y ,Z  external forces.
10
Physical law, expresses the

Equilibrium
relation between stress and strain.
equations
1

 x   x   y   z  ,
E

1
Constitutive  y   y   x   z  ,
equations E
1

 z   z   x   y  ,
E

 xy  xz  yz
Compatibility  xy  ,  xz  ,  yz 
equations G G G
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Solid body should remain

Equilibrium
continuous while being deformed.
equations 2 2
 2 x   y   xy  2 x  2 z  2 xz
2
 2  , 2
 2  ,
y x x y z x x z
 2 y 2
 z  2 yz
  ,
Constitutive z 2 y 2
y z
equations    yz  xz  xy   2 x
   2 ,
x  x y z  y z
   yz  xz  xy   2 y
   2 ,
y  x y z  x z
Compatibility    yz  xz  xy   2 z
   2 .
equations z  x y z  x y
12
From analytical point of view, every design model can
be expressed as a set of three basic equations with
corresponding boundary conditions.
Equilibrium Boundary
equations conditions:
• geometrical
features;
Constitutive • supports and Design
equations other means of model
fixation;
• applied
Compatibility displacements
equations and forces.
13
WAYS TO SOLVE A SOLID MECHANICS PROBLEM
Displacements
Stresses are
are set as
set as
unknowns
Compatibility unknowns
equations Constitutive
equations
Strains are
derived Strains are
Constitutive derived
equations Equilibrium
equations
Stresses are
derived Compatibility
Equilibrium
equations
equations
Equilibrium Compatibility
equations are equations are
solved solved
14
EXAMPLE TO COMPARE ANALYTICAL AND
NUMERICAL METHODS
Analytical methods base
used:
• Methods of
Mechanics of
L 2, D 2,  2
Materials;
• Mohr’s integral to
calculate
displacements.
Software used:
MathCAD V14.0
L 1 , D 1 , 1
load
15
EXAMPLE TO COMPARE ANALYTICAL AND NUMERICAL METHODS
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17
18
19
20
21
22
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24
25


Need expensive and
developed, but only
simple software for
hardware
application
26
NUMERICAL METHODS OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Most widely used nowadays is

Finite Element Method (FEM).
The structural analysis using FEM is called finite
element analysis (FEA).
Generally, FEM is just a method to solve

differential equations.
The physical background of FEM is the same as in
analytical methods.
27
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
The smooth field of stresses is calculated using the combination
of basic functions, which are constructed on a mesh.
28
Finite element software calculates exactly what you tell…
29
Finite element software calculates exactly what you tell...
30
Finite element software calculates exactly what you tell...
31
Even if the result is realistic,

you should always check it.
It’s not a big problem

to create a “nice picture” using FEA.
The problem is to get the reliable and verified result.

That’s a difference between professional and
beginner.
FEA is a way to find a stress state,

but not the way to design or to check the strength!
32
Object FEM model

base
load 33
Assignment
of parameters
34
35 finite elements
in model
Deformed
shape
35
Optimization
took 7
minutes on
average
office PC.
990 points
were studied. 36
Analytical method Finite element analysis
Displacement is 7.66 m Displacement is 7.81 m

(or 8.07 m in FEA) (or 8.22 m in FEA)
D1=67 m, 1=2 m, D1=58 m, 1=2 m,

2= 11.23 mm 2= 13 mm
Need only simple Need expensive and

software for application complex software
37


Need expensive and
developed, but only
simple software for
hardware
application
38
EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATING THE DESIGN OF FINITE ELEMENT MODEL
Shell model.
12K elements in
model, around 5
minutes to solve
on poor office PC
39
Solid model.
250K elements, around 20
minutes to solve on powerful PC
(4x4.2GHz processor,
16 GB memory).
40
Difference?
Certain there is a difference, but for some results it is negligible.
Thus, the model should be built according to problem,
as in analytical methods
41
FINITE ELEMENT SOFTWARE
Widely used nowadays:

• ANSYS;
• Patran/Nastran;
• ABAQUS;
• Solidworks Simulation (former COSMOS);
And many-many others, freeware and proprietary…
Any difference? Generally, no difference. FEA

packages are often customized to be more convenient
for some specific problems. But for most cases,
differences between packages and limitations have
marketing but not the technical reason.
42
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD HISTORICAL PROGRESS
Theoretical aspects were developed for the

1940
first time
Theoretical background was developed, the
1950,
rise of computer power allowed to make first
1960
specific software
Large general-purpose packages appeared
1970
(ANSYS, NASTRAN)
1980 Graphical pre- and post-processing
Rise of the role of automatic meshing, and
1990
thus the model scale
2000 Multi-disciplinary and large-scale problems
43
PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS OF FEA SOTWARE
Construction of the model, setting

Pre-processor the properties, loads, constraints
etc.
Solution itself. Two main types of

Solver
solvers are iterative or sparse .
Looking on results, processing of

Post-precessor
results, generating “nice figures”
44
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD – OLD INTERFACE
45
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD – MODERN INTERFACE
46
CONCLUSIONS
• “Analytical method” does not mean “by hand” or “on
paper”, modern software can give large benefits.
• Numerical methods are very exacting in terms of
software and hardware.
• FEA is not a magic key that opens every door. It’s
just a versatile and effective tool to calculate stresses.
• Deep insight is required for successful structural
analysis, no matter is it analytics of FEA.
• Generally, analytical methods are good for
designing, FEA – for checking. However, in many
cases both of methods can be used for both phases of
analysis. 47
CONCLUSIONS
What does it mean to be a professional in structural

analysis?
Knowledge of complex formulas? Usage of modern
software?
Neither of it is an answer. Answer is a deep
understanding of how the structure works, and
application of proper methods according to the given
problem.
Analytical and numerical methods loss their
disadvantages when they are combined together.
48
WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION?
BOOKS AND USEFUL LINKS
Good book about structural analysis and Ansys is
E. Madenci, I.Guven. The Finite Element Method and Applications in
Engineering Using ANSYS, 2006
Very useful links are:

Official website resourse library ansys.com
Resourse for Ansys users ansys.net
Perfect forum (not for beginners, though) xansys.org
Youtube (it’s not a joke, search “Ansys” for amazing training
videos) youtube.com
… Internet is boundless …
49
TOPIC OF THE NEXT LECTURE
Statically determinate trusses
All materials of our course are available

at department website k102.khai.edu
1. Go to the page “Библиотека”
2. Press “Structural Mechanics (lecturer Vakulenko S.V.)”
50
HOME TASK #1 – ALREADY AVAILABLE AT WEBSITE!
Trussed spars and beam spars
51

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Lecture #2

Analytical and Numerical Methods

Real object Depending on the kind of

Analytical methods Numerical methods

Solutions exist for partial

Widely used nowadays:

Rarely used nowadays (mostly due to the progress

This is not only the sum of

Physical law, expresses

Solid body should

This is not only the sum of forces

Physical law, expresses the

Solid body should remain

Analytical methods Numerical methods

Solutions exist for partial

Most widely used nowadays is

Generally, FEM is just a method to solve

Even if the result is realistic,

It’s not a big problem

The problem is to get the reliable and verified result.

FEA is a way to find a stress state,

Object FEM model

Analytical method Finite element analysis

Displacement is 7.66 m Displacement is 7.81 m

D1=67 m, 1=2 m, D1=58 m, 1=2 m,

Need only simple Need expensive and

Analytical methods Numerical methods

Solutions exist for partial

Widely used nowadays:

Any difference? Generally, no difference. FEA

Theoretical aspects were developed for the

Construction of the model, setting

Solution itself. Two main types of

Looking on results, processing of

What does it mean to be a professional in structural

Very useful links are:

Statically determinate trusses

All materials of our course are available

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