Chapter 11

Structural Analysis
Chapter 11 – Structural Analysis
Overview Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• In this chapter, we will describe the specifics of a structural
analysis.

• The purpose is two-fold:

– To reiterate the general analysis procedure.
– To introduce you to structural loads and boundary conditions

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Chapter 11 – A. Preprocessing
Geometry Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Geometry

• Can either be created within ANSYS or imported.

• Include details to improve results:

– Goal is to sufficiently model the stiffness of the structure
– Add details to avoid stress singularities (e.g. fillets)
– Exclude details not in region of interest (e.g. exclude small holes)
– Add details to improve boundary conditions (e.g. apply pressure to an
area rather than using concentrated load)

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Chapter 11 – A. Preprocessing
Meshing Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• Element type
• The table below shows commonly used structural element types.
• The nodal DOF’s may include: UX, UY, UZ, ROTX, ROTY, and ROTZ.
Commonly used structural element types
2-D Solid 3-D Solid 3-D Shell Line Elements
Linear PLANE42 SOLID45 SHELL63 BEAM3
PLANE182 SOLID185 SHELL181 BEAM4
BEAM188
Quadratic PLANE2 SOLID95 SHELL93 BEAM189
PLANE82 SOLID92
PLANE183 SOLID186
• Material properties
– Minimum requirement is Young’s Modulus, EX. If Poisson’s Ratio is
not entered a default of 0.3 will be assumed.
– Setting preferences to “Structural” limits the Material Model GUI to
display only structural properties.

• Real constants and Section properties December 17,

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Define Loads Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• Structural loading conditions can be:

DOF Constraints Regions of the model where displacements are known.

Concentrated Forces External forces that can be simplified as a point load.

Pressures Surfaces where forces on an area are known.

Uniform Temperature Temperatures applied as a body force used with a

reference temperature to predict thermal strains.

Gravity Accelerations applied as inertia boundary conditions

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Displacement Constraints Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Displacement Constraints

• Used to specify where the model is fixed (zero displacement locations).

• Can also be non-zero, to simulate a known deflection.

• To apply displacement constraints :

– Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads >
Apply > Structural > Displacement
• Choose where you want to apply the
constraint.
• Pick the desired entities in the
graphics window.
• Then choose the constraint direction.
Value defaults to zero.
– Or use the D family of commands: DK,
DL, DA, D.

• Question: In which coordinate system

are UX, UY, and UZ interpreted?
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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Concentrated Forces Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• To apply a force, the following information is needed:
– node or keypoint number (which you can identify by picking)
– force magnitude (which should be consistent with the system of units
you are using)
– direction of the force — FX, FY, or FZ

Use:
– Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Force/Moment
– Or the commands FK or F

• Question: In which coordinate system are FX, FY, and FZ

interpreted?

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Pressure Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Pressures

• To apply a pressure:
– Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Apply
Structural > Pressure
• Choose where you want to apply the
pressure -- usually on lines for 2-D
models, on areas for 3-D models.
• Pick the desired entities in the graphics
window.
• Then enter the pressure value.
A positive value indicates a
compressive pressure (acting towards
the centroid of the element).
– Or use the SF family of commands: SFL,
SFA, SFE, SF.

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
…Pressure Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• For a 2-D model, where pressures
are usually applied on a line, you 500 500
can specify a tapered pressure L3
by entering a value for both the I
VALI = 500
and J ends of the line.

• I and J are determined by the line 1000

direction. If you see the taper 500
going in the wrong direction, L3
simply reapply the pressure with VALI = 500
the values reversed. VALJ = 1000

1000
500
L3
VALI = 1000
VALJ = 500
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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Uniform temperature Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Uniform Temperature

• To define uniform temperature

– Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Apply >
Structural > Temperature > Uniform Temp
– Or use the TUNIF command.

• Recall,  th   (T  Tref )
• To define reference temperature
– Main Menu > Solution > Load Step Opts > Other > Reference Temp
– Or use the TREF command or as MP,REFT

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Gravity Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Gravity

• To apply gravitational acceleration:

– Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads >
Apply > Structural > Inertia > Gravity
– Or use the ACEL command.
• Notes:
– A positive acceleration value causes deflection in the negative
direction. If Y is pointing upwards, for example, a positive ACELY
value will cause the structure to move downwards.
– Density (or mass in some form) must be defined for gravity and other
inertia loads.
– Acceleration can also be applied on an element component with the
CMACEL command.

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Modifying and Deleting Loads Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Modifying and Deleting Loads

• To modify a load value, simply reapply the load

with the new value.

• To delete loads:
– Main Menu > Solution > Define Loads > Delete
– When you delete solid model loads, ANSYS also
automatically deletes all corresponding finite
element loads.

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Solutions Options Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Static vs. Dynamic Analysis

• A static analysis assumes that only the stiffness forces are

significant.

• A dynamic analysis takes into account all three types of forces.

• For example, consider the analysis of a diving board.

– If the diver is standing still, it might be sufficient to do a
static analysis.
– But if the diver is jumping up and down, you will need
to do a dynamic analysis.

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Solutions Options Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• Inertia and damping forces are usually significant if the applied
loads vary rapidly with time.

• Therefore you can use time-dependency of loads as a way to

choose between static and dynamic analysis.
– If the loading is constant over a relatively long period of time, choose a
static analysis.
– Otherwise, choose a dynamic analysis.

• In general, if the excitation frequency is less than 1/3 of the

structure’s lowest natural frequency, a static analysis may be
acceptable.

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Solutions Options Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Linear vs. Nonlinear Analysis

• A linear analysis assumes that the loading causes negligible

changes to the stiffness of the structure. Typical characteristics
are:
– Small deflections
– Strains and stresses within the elastic limit
– No abrupt changes in stiffness such as two bodies coming into and
out of contact

Stress

Elastic modulus
(EX)

Strain December 17,

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Chapter 11 – B. Solution
Solutions Options Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• A nonlinear analysis is needed if the loading causes significant
changes in the structure’s stiffness. Typical reasons for stiffness
to change significantly are:
– Strains beyond the elastic limit (plasticity)
– Large deflections, such as with a loaded fishing rod
– Contact between two bodies

Stress

Strain

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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
Review Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• Reviewing results of a stress analysis generally involves:
– Deformed shape
– Stresses
– Reaction forces

Deformed Shape

• Gives a quick indication of whether the loads were applied in the

correct direction.

• Legend column shows the maximum displacement, DMX.

• You can also animate the deformation.

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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
…Review Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• To plot the deformed shape:
– General Postproc > Plot
Results > Deformed Shape
– Or use the PLDISP command.

• For animation:
– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls >
Animate > Deformed Shape
– Or use the ANDISP command.

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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
…Review Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Stresses

• The following stresses are typically available for a 3-D solid

model:
– Component stresses — SX, SY, SZ, SXY, SYZ, SXZ (global Cartesian
directions by default)
– Principal stresses — S1, S2, S3, SEQV (von Mises), SINT (stress
intensity)

• Best viewed as contour plots, which allow you to quickly locate

“hot spots” or trouble regions.
– Nodal solution: Stresses are averaged at the nodes, showing smooth,
continuous contours.
– Element solution: No averaging, resulting in discontinuous contours.

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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
…Review Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• To plot stress contours:
– General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot > Nodal Solu or PLNSOL command
– General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot > Element Solu or PLESOL command

• You can also animate stress contours:

– Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Animate > Deformed Results... or ANCNTR command

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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

A Note on PowerGraphics

• It is the default graphics setting (/GRAPH,POWER).

• Plots only the visible surfaces and ignores everything

“underneath.”

• Advantages:
– Faster REPLOT, crisp graphics.
– Smooth, almost photo-realistic displays.
– Prevents stress averaging across material and real
constant boundaries.

• To deactivate PowerGraphics (or activate “full

graphics”):
– Toolbar > POWRGRPH
– Or issue /GRAPH,FULL
– Or interactively, Utility Menu>PlotCtrls>Style>
HiddenLineOptions> Graphics Display Method is...Full Model
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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
…Review Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

Reaction Forces

• The sum of the reaction forces in each direction must equal the
sum of applied loads in that direction.

• Best viewed as a listing:

– General Postprocessor > List Results > Reaction Solution or PRRSOL
command

This example had an applied pressure

of 1000 psi in the Y direction over a
10” x 10” area, which results in reaction
forces at nodes where constraints were
applied. Notice that the total value of
force in the X and Z directions are zero,
and the Y direction is 1000*(10x10) = 0.1e6.

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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
Verify Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

It is always a good idea to do a “sanity check” and make sure that
the solution is acceptable. What you need to check depends on
the type of problem you are solving, but here are some typical
questions to ask:

• Do FEA results agree with hand calculations or experimental

data?

• Is the displacement solution correct? Check the FEA

displacement solution first since FEA stresses are second order
results.

• Do the reaction forces balance the applied loads?

• Where is the maximum stress located?

– If it is at a singularity, such as a point load or a re-entrant corner, the
value is generally meaningless.
– Are the stress values beyond the elastic limit?
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Chapter 11 – C. Postprocessing
…Verify Results Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• Is the mesh adequate?
– This is always debatable, but you can gain confidence in the mesh by
using error estimation.
– Other ways to check mesh adequacy:
• Plot the element solution (unaveraged stresses) and look for
elements with high stress gradients. These regions are candidates
for mesh refinement.
• If there is a significant difference between the nodal (averaged) and
element (unaveraged) stress contours, the mesh may be too
coarse.
• Similarly, if there is a significant difference between
PowerGraphics and full graphics stresses, the mesh may be too
coarse.
• Re-mesh with twice as many elements, re-solve, and compare the
results. (But this may not always be practical.)

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Chapter 11 – D. Workshops
Workshops Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS - Part 1

• This workshop consists of two problems:
11A. Lathe Cutter
11B. 2-D Corner Bracket Tutorial

Refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.

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