Simulate 3-point bending of tube?

[BAC52]

If I wanted to do a 3-point bend test for a tube in Solidworks using COSMOSWorks, how would I go about it?

I'm using Solidworks Office Premium 2008 (64bit edition).

Thanks!

 

[kellnerp]

Are you comfortable using beam elements?

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CSWP, BSSE

http://www.engtran.com

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[BAC52]

I don't see why I wouldn't be.

Solidworks just doesn't seem to want to behave when it comes to working with a tube.

The test is on a thinwall tube (1 meter long, 1" O.D with a .049" wall thickness).

 

[GregLocock]

BCs are bit funny for 3 point bending, not that they really make much difference in this case.

Can you post screendumps of your model?



Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[kellnerp]

With beam elements it is rather easy to get the B.C. right.

Simply supported at one end.
Simply supported slider at the other end.
Load the center node. (you did arrange for that?)



TOP
CSWP, BSSE

http://www.engtran.com

http://www.niswug.org

"Node news is good news."

 

[BAC52]

Hmm, I'm not sure how to go about doing that kellnerp. Any tips?

The only real FEA I've done with solidworks is tensile tests.

 

[kellnerp]

I went to a Simulation demo today and asked to see them make beam elements but the demo guy wasn't up on that. He stated that they were available.

To get the boundary conditions stated you would take your model which would be based on two equal length collinear curves and at one end you would fix UX, UY, UZ RY and RX. At the other end you would fix UY and UZ. In the center you would apply -FY.

These boundary conditions would not work on a shell or solid model without additional construction.

TOP
CSWP, BSSE

http://www.engtran.com

http://www.niswug.org

"Node news is good news."

 

[BAC52]

Hmm, I gave it a shot, but it was unable to load the center of the beam because there was no reference plane for the load.

Can I have non-member reference points?

 

[kellnerp]

You would think you could use the global xy plane.

TOP
CSWP, BSSE

http://www.engtran.com

http://www.niswug.org

"Node news is good news."