How to Mesh Surfaces with 90-Degree Bends Using Shell Elements to Minimize Artificial Stresses

[manees90]

Hi,

I'm seeking advice on best practices for meshing surfaces intersecting 90-degree angles using shell (plate) elements in Femap. The main challenge I'm facing is the appearance of high stresses at the sharp bends, which can lead to result uncertainties and failure in model validation checks (e.g., free-free modes, enforced motion, and thermoelastic analyses).

I've considered strategies like refining the mesh and ignoring the stress results at the corners, but I'm wondering if there are more effective approaches to handle this issue.

Any insights or suggestions you could share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[SWComposites]

90 degree intersections of shell elements is done all the time, and should not fail any validation checks.

The stress results are another issue.

Show a sketch of what real part you are modeling and the FE mesh and we might be able to help. In many cases one has to do manual postprocessing/calcs using loads (not stresses) from the model.