Learning Forum

[josh dudman]

Hi,

Hope someone can help me here.

I'm trying to run a simulation where I apply a force across the face of a structure. The construction of the structure varies along it's length and therefore is more or less rigid in certain areas. Because of this in reality the structure will deform more at some locations and less of the load will be supported by them.

As far as I can tell a static structural analysis doesn't account for this and just applies the load evenly across the whole face that I've selected.

Is there a way of simulating this to take into account the uneven load sharing? I assume it would go from a linear analysis to a non-linear one?

Regards, Josh

[mohan.urs]

Hey Josh

Do you mean a spatially varying load when you say " Applied forces across face varies". If so can you check this link https://ansyshelp.ansys.com/public/////Views/Secured/corp/v242/en/wb_sim/ds_spatial_load.html

If not can you provide more details using snipshots of your setup.

Regards,
Mohan Urs

[josh dudman]

Hi Mohan,

Well I guess it is a spatially varying load but not one I would know the values to be able to apply myself. If possible I would like the structure to deform during the solution so that the force becomes concentrated at the areas which are stiffer and deform less.

To explain the simulation in a bit more detail it's for a wagon tippler. A wagon is held in a tippler and is rotated 180 degrees. As it rotates it's weight is supported by a side pad, the side pad being the thing I'm analysing. The side pad isn't perfectly rigid and therefore wouldn't support the weight of the wagon evenly along it's length. the side pad itself is supported by four actuators and this is where a large part of the load would be concentrated. See images below.

Do I need to do something like change the parts of the structure from rigid to deformable? Or maybe turn large deformation on?

Regards, Josh

[mohan.urs]

 

Hey,

Can you let us know what is the support that you’ve used ?
and when you say the its rotated 180 degrees, are you modelling that as well ?
When you say “The side pad isn’t perfectly rigid and therefore wouldn’t support the weight of the wagon evenly along it’s length” do you mean that the structure deforms more in the center and less near the supports ?

Turning the large deflection will definitely help but I still don’t understand what result are you hoping for, so could you explain what result are you getting currently.

Regards,
Mohan Urs

 

[josh dudman]

Sorry I wasn't explaining my problem very well.

I ended up modeling the wagon and applying a frictional contact between that and the side pad which worked perfectly and meant I didn't need to apply the force.

Thanks for your help.

Regards, Josh