I am designing an structure to support 15 tons of a lead ring. The structure will be a ring shaped beam made of steel S275 (rectangle opened section), being supported by 4 vertical “H” section beams. Please, look at this pictures:
Both analytical and FEM calculations prove the resistance of the structure. (Von mises stress maximum = 80 Mpa < 275 Mpa)
But I am concerned about the stability issues, which are not taken into account in the analysis
Specially because of the opened section of the ring shape beam
Could you share your opinions about how to work on this?
I have no experience on this issues.
I will tag @rszoeke here who might give you some useful hints on the stability analysis of your model. I also think that you have forgot to use a symmetry BC for the lower part of the component as well.
About the symmetry, how could it be possible? I thought it was enough with selecting only one plane, as it is an infinite plane. But you are right, results do change
This is due to the fact that the lower part still can “deform over the symmetry line”. But as I mentioned I would recommend choosing the second face also to be a symmetry face which is what you actually want to simulate here.
About the buckling, knowing that is not available in SimScale, what would be your advise about this? Is there any calculations I might be doing as an aproximation, or it just should be done by FEM analysis?
I took a quick look at your project. Here are some points that you might find helpful (not related to your original question).
You are using a first order mesh. You will get much more accurate results with a second order mesh.
You have not included the load due to gravity. This can be added under Model in the project tree.
The small radii in your model are not necessary. They just add computation time and have very little impact on the result.
For symmetry, where possible, you should use “Fixed Value” and pick one direction (X,Y or Z) as this is more robust than the “Symmetry” option (which can work at angles other than the three orthogonal directions).
The image below shows the difference these changes make.
With regards to your original question. A frequency analysis is sometimes useful in assessing the “stability” of a structure. A frequency analysis will tell you the eigenfrequencies of the structure and their corresponding shape. In general you want the first mode eigenfrequency to be as high as possible. This will result in a stiff structure.
In this application you could think of a frequency analysis as a tool to identify any weaknesses in the structure that may not be in the primary load direction.
Here is a copy of your project where I have run a frequency analysis.
So I calculated the total weight (lead to support + own steel beam). Then, I will remove the steel contribution from the external pressure. I guess this is much better like this, thank you
About the radii. As it is the problematic zone, I thought it would be better to do the most real. I will look at it
Frecuency analysis: Ok, I am not familiar with frequency analysis, so I will take a read. However, how can you estimate that 14.5 Hz means a low value?
Sometimes it is important to include the radii, especially if the sharp corner creates a stress singularity. In general I start with no radii and only add them when required. If in doubt, a mesh convergence study can help identify singularities.
Actually from what I know of your application a first mode natural frequency of 14.5 Hz is pretty good. This is quite a stiff structure. I was simply pointing out that a frequency analysis can be used to find the most flexible part of the structure.
If, for example, you had designed the structure without the diagonal leg braces, the maximum stress under load, in a static analysis, would be no different to what is is now. But the first mode frequency would be be much lower (e.g. 1 Hz). Intuitively you knew to add bracing in this direction even though the static stress analysis does not require it. In some cases the required bracing is not so obvious. This is where a frequency analysis can help.
The required minimum natural frequency is highly dependent on the application. If the structure is subject to large cyclic loads and good dimensional control of the structure is required then the first mode natural frequency may need to be as high as eight times the frequency of the applied load (rule of thumb).
Sometimes it is important to have a low natural frequency. For example, earthquake resistant buildings are designed to have a low natural frequency. During an earthquake the structure will move large amounts and non load bearing members will intentionally undergo large plastic deformation to absorb energy. If the structure is too stiff it will fail catastrophically because there is no capacity to absorb energy.
If, on the other hand, none of these factors are important then the minimum natural frequency becomes a bit arbitrary. You have to look at the frequency and shape and make an assessment about whether or not you think the structure is stiff enough in that direction.
I have been reading about modal and frequency analysis, now I understand it much better. However, I still have two concerns:
First mode frequency means the first natural frequency, so it is the lower frequency in which the structure could resonate, which would occur only If the external loading have the certain directions for this mode or shape.
Ok so then, why 1 Hz would be more dangerous than 14 Hz? Is it because it is “easier” to have a low frequency oscillation in the external load? Because, the more the frequency, the more improbable to occur in the real world. Is it the reason?
Does Simscale show the shape of each mode of vibration? (I have not found it)
That way one could try to predict which of these modes are likely to happen, or which ones are not going to happen, due to the external loads directions.
A 1 Hz structure is weaker (more flexible) than a 14 Hz structure.
In this video you can see that the more slender (weaker) structure has a lower natural frequency.
It this context it is not so much that the higher frequencies are less probable.
Yes, SimScale can show multiple mode shapes. Each mode is accessed as a time step. Here are the first 4 modes. Modes 3 and 4 relate to your original concern about having a slit in the ring beam. These frequencies are very high meaning the structure is stiff (strong) in this regard.
When doing a frequency analysis you need to ensure you are using the correct mass. From you description it is not clear to me it your structure is carrying a mass other than its self weight. If it is, this needs to be taken into account. Adding mass to the structure will lower its natural frequency.
For the experience, we know that higher (then, more flexible) structures have a lower resonance frequency. So then we can attest that If modal simulation returns a lower first frequency, that means the structure must be weaker than if it returns a higher first frequency. Even If the weaker one could support better some “higher range” frequency than the less weak
Ok about the mode´s graphics display…I have been looking around the post-processor, and still not able to locate the feature, Im sorry
The mode can be selected via the time/frame control. Unfortunately, the online post processor defaults to the highest mode instead of the lowest mode, which is probably counter intuitive for beginners.
ParaView
I recommend using ParaView. With Paraview you have two options. You can load just one mode by selecting the appropriate vtk file.
Alternatively, you can load all modes by selecting the top level group.
The the displayed mode can be controlled with the appropriate time step.
For a frequency analysis it is not correct to replace the mass with an equivalent force. You will need to add the mass, especially because the mass is so substantial.
You could get a rough approximation by changing the material density to achieve the equivalent mass.
Yes, in some cases a radius is important. Sorry to have led you astray here.
In your project I noticed you are using a half model for the frequency analysis. A half model cannot be used here because not all modes are symmetric.
About the mass: Yes, I know, I am not using any load for frequency analysis, I was referring to the static one. I know modal results are only dependent of geometry and constraints.
However, you say I should recalculate density ? So I should be raising it from 7870 kg/m3 (steel) to 55000 kg/m3 ?? (15 tons/volume of structure)
I did not do this because modal analysis is independent of external loads, and lead (12 tons) is actually an external load. So the density should be about the steel structure, no matter which load you put on top of it
About the radii, it´s ok as it´s good to know as well
Ok I will not use symmetry for modal. If you see, there are a full geometry analysis and half geometry analysis with symmetry, and both return the same first frequency, that´s the reason I was using it
You should add the lead mass to the model to get accurate frequency results. You can “cheat” by changing the density of the structure to achieve the same effective mass. This will give you a rough indication of the first mode frequency without having to re-mesh the model. Your calculation of the required density is correct:
effective density = ((m_struct+m_lead)/V_struct).
Natural frequency (omega) is dependent on two factors - mass (m) and stiffness (k):
If the structure is carrying a mass then it must be included in the calculation of natural frequency.
Here is another video that might help convey this concept.
If you are concerned that the lead mass should not add to the stiffness of the structure there are ways to deal with that.
When you add the lead mass I expect your first mode frequency will drop to around 6 Hz. If you hit this structure with a large mallet you would expect to feel a vibration at this rate.
The frequency analysis has showed you that your structure is weakest in the for-aft direction. You have no dynamic loading to consider so, so long as you are comfortable that your structure is adequately braced in this direction, 6 Hz should be fine.
