Minimum Constraints in FEA – 3. Zero Resultant Force Problems by Kotur Raghavan
General
Objects like floating bodies and
vehicles in flight have two distinct features. In the first place, they are
subject to self-equilibrated system of forces. Secondly, they will have no identifiable
displacement constraints. Problems of this class can be solved by applying
minimum constraints. This aspect will be demonstrated by way of a few case
studies.
Perforated Disk under the action of uniform Circumferential Pressure
The object shown in Fig. 1 is the
first case study problem. Plane stress analysis is carried out.
Fig. 1
Two independent analyses are
carried out for two different sets of displacement constraints. The constraint
sets C1 and C2 are shown in Fig. 2. In each case the rules are adhered to.
Fig. 2
The nodes chosen for constraints
are arbitrary. We can expect the deformation patterns to be different for the
two different constraint sets. This is confirmed by the contours of resultant deformations
shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3
The stresses, however, are not
governed by absolute deformations. Strains and stresses are functions of
relative deformations. For both the constraint sets, the stress contours happen
to be identical. This can be observed from the contours of von Mises stress
given in Fig. 4. This is one check to ensure that the constraint are applied
correctly.
Fig. 4
There is another check to verify
that the constraints are correctly applied. This is by studying the reaction
forces at the constrained degrees of freedom. As the applied forces are in
self-equilibrium, the resultant force is zero and hence the total reaction
forces will be zero. This is irrespective of whether the constraints are
properly applied or not. In addition, however, the requirement is that the reaction
forces at each of the constrained DOF need to be zero.
The computed reaction forces for the constraint set C2 are as give the above box. The numbers, which are negligibly small, confirm that the constraints are appropriate.
It would be interesting to look
into the displacement patterns for different constraint sets. In Fig4A below
the variations of X- displacement along the horizontal diameter are plotted.
Fig. 4A
The two plots are running
parallel to one another with a “rigid body” shift. The slope, or in other words
the derivatives, will be same. Consequently, the strains and the stresses
remain unaltered.
Hydrostatic Loading
The same object is analysed for
hydrostatic loading condition. Pressure (unit value) is applied on the inner
surfaces of the cut-outs. The applied pressures are as indicated Fig. 5.
Fig. 5
According to theory, the body
will experience uniform compressive stress along all directions. This is
exactly the result obtained through analysis. This is observable from Fig. 6
which contains the stress fields of normal stress in X- direction and von Mises
stress.
Fig. 6
These results are obtainable only
by imposing the minimum constraints.
Transverse Fillet Welded Components as a Free Body
In an earlier article, design
analysis of plates joined by transverse fillet welds was carried out. See https://www.fembestpractices.com/2020/11/design-procedure-review-02-transverse.html
. In the analysis model, only one half of the assembly was analysed and
symmetry condition was used. Presently the full model will be analysed as a free
body and imposing minimum constraints. The model for analysis is shown in Fig.
7.
Fig. 7
As per the procedure followed in
the safe value of F was found to be 1852 newtons. Analysis is carried out for
the same value of load as in the earlier analysis. Displacement constraints are
imposed as indicated in the figure.
Fig. 8
The computed stresses in the
weldments are shown on the left hand side in Fig. 8. They are exactly same as
those obtained from the symmetry model (RHS).
Other Practical applications
We come across many practical
problems wherein we can exploit the principle of minimum constraints to tackle constraint
uncertainties. Floating bodies belong to this class.
Fig. 9
The simulation approach for this
class of problems is defined in Fig. 9. The problem is that of a floating rectangular
vessel. Hydrostatic pressures on the side walls will be in equilibrium. The
buoyant force on the bottom plate will be in equilibrium with the gravity force
due to self-weight and the additional point load at the centre. The problem is
analysed by imposing the constraints as shown.
Fig. 10
The results of analysis are shown
in Fig. 10.
In the figure below is shown a
column which is under compression caused by tensioned tie-rods.
Fig.11
The tensile force in the tie rods
will be in equilibrium with the compressive force in the central column. This
is another class of problem which can be solved by imposing minimum
constraints.
This is nice!
ReplyDeleteThis is regarding your Figs. 3 and 4. You have plotted USUM. It would be interesting to see contours of u and V. Two different sets of functions [ u1(x,y),v1(x,y)] and [u2(x,y),v2(x,y)] yield identical derivatives (du1(x,y)/dx is same as du2(x,y)/dx and sp on). It would be interesting to see these two plots on some representative paths and compare to see what binds them to yield identical derivatives
ReplyDeleteI will share the paths.
ReplyDeleteThe displacement patterns for two different constraints sets happen to be parallel to one another, Therefore , the slopes will be exactly same and hence the strains and stresses will same. I will include a figure in the text and add description. Thanks.
ReplyDelete