Shaft Dimensioning FEM vs. Analytical 1

[ingeeneer]

Hi guys! I am trying to perform a simulation with two bearings in a FE simulation and want to calculate the shaft analytically as well. Do you have any resources on how to calculate this case? I have the FE Model already and want to apply torque at the end of it. Any help is much appreciated! Would it also be "easily" possible to do this calculation if the shaft expands (thermomechanics)?

Thanks!

 

[FEA way]

Approach to shaft analysis is similar both in FEA and hand calculations. Loads (bending and torsion) are applied in places where gears are mounted while supports are placed where bearings are. In case of analytical strength evaluation this can be simplified to beam subjected to combined loading. All books about mechanics of materials have a chapter on that. Shafts are the most popular examples there. For FEA similar method can be used. Place boundary conditions (supports) where bearings should be and apply loads in place of gears. Thermal stresses can be evaluated easily using FEA. Unfortunately it's hard to find any valuable resources about FEA modeling of regular shafts.

 

[ingeeneer]

Thanks a lot for your answer!

Do you have any internet resource that I could use as an example? I am basically trying to "reproduce" the reaction forces on the bearings that will then be used to dimension those using a bearing catalogue.