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    Tutorial: Nonlinear Structural Analysis of a Wheel

    This article provides a step-by-step tutorial for the nonlinear structural analysis of a wheel. The objective of this simulation is to analyze the deformation and stress distribution across the wheel in operation mode, taking into account the nonlinear phenomena such as hyperelastic material, physical contact, and alternating load.

    von mises stress wheel and deformation wheel
    Figure 1: Von Mises stress (left) and displacement (right) on the wheel

    This tutorial teaches how to:

    • Set up and run a nonlinear structural analysis.
    • Assign boundary conditions, materials, and other models to the simulation.
    • Mesh the geometry with SimScale’s standard meshing algorithm.
    • Explore the results using SimScale’s online post-processor.

    The typical SimScale workflow will be followed:

    1. Prepare the CAD model for the simulation.
    2. Set up the simulation.
    3. Create the mesh.
    4. Run the simulation.
    5. Analyze the results.

    1. Prepare the CAD Model and Select Analysis Type

    To start, you can import a copy of the project into your workbench by following along the steps by clicking the button below:

    The following picture shows what should be visible after importing the tutorial project. You can find the geometry Wheel and its 3D model displayed in the Workbench. You can interact with the model as with any CAD program by rotating, zooming, and panning.

    CAD model
    Figure 2: CAD model displayed in the viewer.

    This simulation leverages the double symmetry of the model, with two goals:

    1. Save on computational resources
    2. Be able to restrict the model from rigid body motions in the X and Y directions, making it more stable.

    It is always advisable to take advantage of symmetrical models in simulations. In order to extract the symmetrical model, we will use the Edit CAD option. For this, click the ‘Edit a Copy’ button (step 1 in Figure 2) from the geometry pop-up which opens the Edit CAD environment. In order to extract the symmetrical model, we use the Split operation:

    Split operation
    Figure 3: Using the Split operation to extract the symmetrical geometry.
    1. Select the ‘Split’ operation from the toolbar.
    2. Make sure that the orientation is ‘Y’, then select the bodies to split and Click ‘Apply’.

    This process will result in the halved model being extracted. Now you can repeat the process to extract the quarter symmetrical model, just changing the orientation from ‘Y’ to ‘X’ in step 2. You should end up with the following geometry:

    symmetrical model
    Figure 4: Quarter symmetrical model extracted with two Split operations.

    Finally, click ‘Save’ at the top right to save the changes and import the modified model to the Workbench for simulation. You can change the name of the new geometry named Copy of Wheel for something more meaningful, like Wheel-Quarter:

    Quarter model imported
    Figure 5: Quarter model after the modifications, ready for simulation.

    1.1 Create a Nonlinear Structural Analysis

    Now the simulation setup can be started. Follow these steps to create a new simulation:

    Create a new simulation
    Figure 6: Create a new simulation
    1. Select the ‘Wheel-Quarter’ geometry in the left panel.
    2. Click the ‘Create Simulation’ button in the pop-up window.

    The simulation library window appears. Select the Static analysis type and click the blue ‘Create Simulation’ button at the bottom:

    Figure 7: Analysis types available on SimScale.

    As this structural simulation will include nonlinearities such as physical contact, hyperelastic materials, and varying load, the nonlinear analysis type must be activated. In the global settings panel that is opened after creating the simulation, activate the Nonlinear analysis toggle:

    simulation parameters nonlinear analysis
    Figure 8: Activate nonlinear analysis for the simulation.

    Now a new simulation tree will be automatically generated in the left panel containing all the parameters and settings that are necessary to completely specify the analysis. All the portions of the setup that are completed are highlighted with a green check. On the other hand, the portions that need to be specified have a red circle. A blue circle indicates an optional setting that is not mandatory. Check the following figure for illustration:

    simulation tree nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 9: Simulation tree

    You can find more details about what characterizes a static analysis here.

    2. Set Up the Nonlinear Structural Analysis

    The analysis of the wheel will include the following operating conditions:

    1. The wheel rim is made out of polypropylene material.
    2. The wheel tyre is made out of rubber, with big deformations expected to occur.
    3. Maximum operating load of 1000 \(N\).
    4. Mean operating load of 500 \(N\).
    5. The tyre-ground pair must model the physical contact.

    The following picture summarizes the nonlinear modeling conditions:

    model nonlinearities overview for fea
    Figure 10: Model nonlinearities overview

    2.1 Contacts

    Two contact conditions will be specified:

    1. Interface between rim and tyre: A linear bonded contact is specified to get compliant deformation.
    2. Interface between ground and tyre: A nonlinear physical contact is specified to get realistic behavior.

    The bonded contact (1) is automatically detected and created by SimScale. It can be found under the Contact items under the simulation tree as Bonded 1:

    bonded contact nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 11: Bonded contact between rim and tyre.

    Now, physical contact (2) is created. Follow the instructions shown in the picture:

    physical contact nonlinear simulation
    Figure 12: Physical contact setup.
    1. Click the ‘+’ icon next to Physical contacts and select Physical contact from the menu.
    2. Change the Contact stiffness to High.
    3. Click on the Master assignment box, then select the corresponding face from the ground part.
    4. Click on the Slave assignment box, then select the corresponding face from the tyre.

    Click the check mark fixed value boundary condition checkbox to allow free movement to finish the setup.

    The selection of faces to be assigned the master/slave is performed according to the key concepts explained in the following article.

    this article.

    2.2 Material Model

    Next, add the material models from the material library. For this, we start by clicking the ‘+’ button next to the Materials node in the simulation tree. This opens a material library from which we select the adequate material and click on the ‘Apply’ button. This will then load the standard properties for the selected material.

    materials library structural simulation  simscale
    Figure 13: SimScale materials library

    In the settings panel, the target body that will have the material properties applied is assigned. Accept the selection with the blue checkmark fixed value boundary condition checkbox to allow free movement .

    Use these instructions to assign the following material to each body in the CAD model:

    A. Ground

    For the ground body, select the Concrete material from the material library, and assign the ground body (selected from the viewer or the Scene tree on the right), as shown in the picture:

    ground material assignment nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 14: Material assignment for the ground

    B. Rim

    For the wheel rim, select the PP (polypropylene) material from the material library, and assign the Rim body, as shown in the picture:

    rim material assignment nonlinear analysis
    Figure 15: Material assignment for the wheel rim

    C. Tyre

    For the wheel tyre, select the Rubber material from the material library, and assign the mount+tyre body. As this body is so soft and will undergo large deformations due to the load and the physical contact with the ground, a hyperelastic material model is specified. Change the Material behavior to Hyperelastic, and set up the parameters as shown in the picture:

    rubber material assignment nonlinear structural simulation of a wheel
    Figure 16: Material assignment for the wheel tyre

    The input values are:

    • Hyperelastic model: Mooney-Rivlin
    • \(C_{10} = \) 7.36e6 \(Pa\)
    • \(C_{01} = \) 1.84e6 \(Pa\)
    • \(D_{1} = \) 1e-4 \(1/Pa\)
    • \(\rho = \) 930 \(kg/m^3\)

    2.3 Boundary Conditions

    Now, we define the boundary conditions. To create a boundary condition, click on the ‘+’ button next to the Boundary conditions node in the simulation tree, and select the required boundary condition type from the drop-down menu, as shown in Figure 15.

    create select boundary condition in simscale
    Figure 17: Selecting a boundary condition

    A. Ground Fixed Support

    Our first boundary condition will be to fix the ground. Select the Fixed support boundary condition from the boundary conditions drop-down menu. Assign the ground body by first activating Assign Volume from the top bar, as shown on figure 16. Give an appropriate name to the boundary condition, such as ‘Fixed support ground’.

    assign volume nonlinear structural simulation wheel simscale
    Figure 16: Activating Assign Volume for a boundary condition assignment involving the whole part
    ground fixed support boundary condition nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 18: Fixed support boundary condition for ground

    B. Symmetry Plane Normal to X

    The second boundary condition specifies the restricted normal displacement in the symmetry plane through which the model was cut. Select a Symmetry plane boundary condition and assign all the faces belonging to the symmetry plane as shown in the picture:

    x symmetry boundary condition nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 19: Symmetry X boundary condition

    C. Symmetry Plane Normal to Y

    Use the same procedure as before to specify the second symmetry plane. Set up the condition as shown in the picture, assigning the corresponding faces:

    y symmetry boundary condition nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 20: Symmetry Y boundary condition

    D. Load

    For the operating load supported by the wheel, select a Force boundary condition. Assign the central cylindrical faces as shown in Figure 10. Then, click the varying load icon as shown in the picture:

    load force boundary condition nonlinear
    Figure 21: Load boundary condition

    The Specify value window will appear for us to input the load curve. In this case, we will use a table input, with the setup as shown in the picture:

    load curve table input nonlinear, structural simulation
    Figure 22: Load curve specification
    t
    \([s]\)
    Fx
    \([N]\)
    Fy
    \([N]\)
    Fz
    \([N]\)
    0000
    0.500-1000
    1.000-500
    Table 1: Load curve table

    Notice that our load force starts at zero, maxes out at \(t = 0.5\ s\) and then goes back down to the mean value at \(t = 1.0\ s\). The negative value indicates the force direction with respect to the Z axis. The load curve can be visualized in the following plot:

    load history plot
    Figure 23: Load history plot

    Did you know?

    This type of load curve allows us to study the history of the deformations, and the amplitude of the operating stresses, which are useful in fatigue analysis and other failure assesments.

    Time in nonlinear static analysis

    As this is a pseudo-static simulation, the time units are expressed in seconds, but actually do not have physical meaning. It just indicates the sequence of the events. There are no velocity or acceleration effects taken into account in the model, and all phenomena are assumed to happen slowly.

    3. Numerics and Simulation Control

    The Numerics section of the simulation tree can be left with the default values, as they are good enough to solve this case. In most cases, you will not have the need to modify these parameters, due to the carefully tuned default parameters.

    For Simulation Control you also do not need to change any parameter. As we assumed the simulation interval to be the default value of 0 to 1, we can proceed without needing to touch this section.

    4. Mesh Setup

    In order to achieve optimal results, we are going to build a structured mesh using the Standard meshing algorithm. Select the mesh option and check the default settings, which will not be changed. Also, you do not need to click the Generate button at this step, as the mesh will be computed as part of the simulation run.

    We will use mesh refinements to achieve the structured mesh. To create a mesh refinement, simply click the ‘+’ button next to Refinements below Mesh and select the type of refinement that you wish to create:

    create mesh refinement nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 24: Creating a mesh refinement.

    4.1 Swept Mesh for the Ground

    For the first refinement, select a Sweep meshing refinement. This allows us to specify a structured mesh that can produce hexahedral and prismatic elements, which have the best numerical performance than the unstructured tetrahedrons.

    Select opposite faces, that are connected one-to-one on their vertices to have a valid sweep, as shown in the figure:

    ground sweep mesh nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 25. Sweep meshing refinement for the ground part.
    1. Set the Sweep sizing type to ‘Number of elements along sweep’.
    2. Set the Number of elements to ‘3’.
    3. Set the Surface element type to Quad dominant.
    4. Toggle on the Specify start/end mesh size.
    5. Set the Maximum edge length to ‘0.02’ \(m\).
    6. Select the Start faces box, then assign the top face of the ground.
    7. Select the End faces box, then assign the bottom face of the ground.

    4.2 Swept Mesh for the Tyre

    We can also leverage the prismatic shape of the tyre to create a structured mesh for this part. Create a second Sweep meshing refinement and set it up as indicated:

    tyre sweep mesh nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 26. Sweep meshing refinement for the tyre part
    1. Set the Sweep sizing type to Number of elements along sweep.
    2. Set the Number of elements to ’40’.
    3. Set the Surface element type to ‘Quad dominant’.
    4. Toggle on the Specify start/end mesh size.
    5. Set the Maximum edge length to 0.002 \(m\).
    6. Select the Start faces box, then assign the shown face.
    7. Select the End faces box, then assign the shown face.

    4.3 Region Refinement for the Rim

    Finally, as the rim part mandates an unstructured mesh, we will limit the element edge length to achieve the maximum quality in terms of aspect ratio. Create a Region refinement, and set up as follows:

    rim region refinement nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 27. Region refinement for the rim part.
    1. Set the Maximum edge length to ‘0.002’ \(m\).
    2. Assign the Rim to the refinement.

    5. Start the Simulation

    The last thing to do for running this simulation is to create a run. The new run is created by clicking on the ‘+’ button next to Simulation Runs:

    In the pop-up window, you can give a meaningful name to the run, then click the ‘Start’ button to launch the computation.

    create simulation run nonlinear structural simulation wheel
    Figure 28: New simulation run

    The Job status item below the simulation tree updates the status of the run. Also, a Solver log is provided after a few seconds which shows the advancements of the actual computing algorithm. The simulation run should take a few minutes to be carried out. Once the simulation run is Finished, we can post-process the results.

    6. Post-Processing

    Once the simulation is finished, you can post-process the wheel load results on the platform in one of two ways:

    access online post-processor simscale
    Figure 29: Accessing the online post-processor
    1. Click the ‘Post-process results’ button in the simulation run dialog, or
    2. Click ‘Solution Fields’ under the simulation run tree item.

    6.1 Visualizing Stress

    In order to examine the stress results on the wheel, we should select the field assigned to the Parts Color as ‘Von Mises Stress’:

    setting stress parts color online post-processor simscale
    Figure 30: Selecting ‘Von Mises Stress’ as the option for Coloring

    The parts are now colored according to the levels of stress, but we will perform some tweaking to better visualize the results:

    tweaking stress plot online post-processor simscale
    Figure 31: Tweaking the stress visualization to get comprehensive results
    1. Change the time step to ‘0.5 \(s\)’, which corresponds to the point of maximum loading.
    2. Change the stress units to ‘\(MPa\)’.
    3. Right-click on the legend bar and select ‘Use continuous scale’ from the contextual menu.

    You should end up with the following visualization:

    stress contour plot nonlinear analysis structural simulation of a wheel online post-processor simscale
    Figure 32: Stress contour plot on the wheel at maximum load of 38.8 \(MPa\). Maximum stress can be seen around the rim and the contact patch between tire and ground.

    Figure 32 shows the stress distribution on the model of the wheel at the time of maximum load. It can be seen that maximum stress levels of around 41.3 \(MPa\) occur at the rim radius element and at the contact patch between the tire and the ground.

    6.2 Deformed Shape

    1. In the Parts Color panel, select the ‘Displacement Magnitude’ as Coloring.
    2. Right-click on the legend bar and select ‘Use continuous scale’ from the contextual menu.
    displacement magnitude using continuous scale
    Figure 33: Changing the Parts Color settings to visualize the displacement along the model, before adding the deformation of its shape.

    In order to visualize the deformed shape of the wheel, create a Displacement plot:

    create displacement plot online post-processor simscale
    Figure 34: Create a Displacement filter to plot the deformation.

    The deformed shape along with the coloring can then be inspected:

    deformation detail online post-processor simscale
    Figure 35: Details of the wheel deformation under maximum load (time 0.5 \(s\)) at the contact patch by observing the displacement magnitude plot

    The details of the deformation of the tyre in the region of contact with the ground is well appreciated.

    6.3 Animation of the Results

    We can visualize the loading and unloading process and the evolution of the deformation by creating an Animation filter, the same way we added the Displacement filter (see Figure 34):

    create results animation online post-processor simscale
    Figure 36: Parameters for the Animation filter

    The default parameters are enough for our purpose. Click the ‘Play’ button to start the animation and you should see something as shown:

    deformation in rim and tyre of wheel online post-processor simscale
    Animation 1: Deformation process of the wheel with the stress contour plot

    Animation 1 shows the deformation process and the corresponding contour plot for the von Mises stress. The effect of the load curve and the points of maximum deformation and stress can be appreciated.

    Finally, we can take a look at the load vs. deformation plot, created locally by measuring the displacement of a point at the center of the wheel in post-processing tool Paraview, and using the known force curve:

    load vs. deformation plot
    Figure 37: Load vs. deformation plot showing non-linear behavior of the model

    Figure 37 shows the vertical displacement magnitude of a point at the load application face, versus the applied load magnitude. Here, the nonlinear behavior of the model can be clearly seen, with the curvature of the load vs displacement curve following the hyperelastic behavior on the loading and unloading steps.

    If you want to learn more about SimScale’s online post-processor, you can have a look at our dedicated guide:

    Congratulations, you finished the differential casing tutorial!

    Note

    If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out either via the forum or contact us directly.

    Last updated: August 23rd, 2024

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