Modeling clamping effect in SolidWorks FEA

[Anurag K]

I am currently running a FEA analysis on a plate for my project where a block is clamped to one of the free ends of a 100mm thick plate. How do I model the clamping effect accurately in SolidWorks FEA?


I made a few attempts -
Attempt 1
I modeled the block as a remote mass and gave it higher CG in Y axis (straight up). For area of contact I made a split line area and connected that remote mass to the area and applied gravity, it gave me a max deflection of 60 microns.

Attempt 2 -

I made same set up but did not use split line area instead I connected the remote mass to the entire of area of plate (the top face)

I have attached a picture for reference with front and top views (bottom two views next to each other)

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this post.

 

[DanStro]

Method #1 seems like a good start. Have you done any hand calculations to see if that 60microns is reasonable?

 

[FEA way]

The mass should be applied only to the region to which the block is attached. Instead of a remote mass, you could use a distributed mass.