ANSYS Mechanical is a finite element analysis tool for structural analysis, including linear, nonlinear, and dynamic studies. This computer simulation product provides finite elements to model behavior and supports material models and equation solvers for a wide range of mechanical design problems.
Truss is a structure capable of supporting loads purely through the axial resistance of its members. A truss can be a plane truss (in which case all its members must be in a single plane and all applied loads must also be in that same plane) or a space truss (in which case either all members are not in a plane or one or more applied loads are out of the plane of the members or both).
See also: How to use Ansys software – Step by step tutorial for Ansys
TRESS Problem:
Problem: Consider the four-bar truss shown in the figure. For the given data, find the stress in each element, the reaction forces, and the nodal displacement. E = 210 GPa, A = 0.1 m2.
truss analysis exampleSolution, steps:
1. Ansys Main Menu – Select Preferences – STRUCTURAL- h method – ok
2. Element type – Add/Edit/Delete – Add – Link – 3D Finit stn 180 – ok – close.
3. Real constants – Add – ok – real constant defined in – 1 – area c/s – 0.1 – ok – close.
4. Properties of materials – material models – Structural – Linear – Elastic – Isotropic – EX – 210e9– Ok – close.
5. Modeling – Create – Nodes – In the active CS – Apply (the first node is created) – x,y,z location in the CS – 4 (x value in relation to the first node) – Apply (the second node is created) – x,y, z location in CS – 4, 3 (x, y value relative to first node) – apply (third node is created) – 0, 3 (x, y value relative to first node) – ok ( the fourth node is created).
6. Create – Elements – Elem Attributes – Material number – 1 – Real constant set number – 1 – ok
7. Automatic numbering – Through nodes – choose 1 and 2 – apply – choose 2 and 3 – apply – choose 3 and 1 – apply choose 3 and 4 – ok (elements are created through nodes).
8. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Displacement – at nodes – choose node 1 and 4 – apply – DOFs to be constrained – All DOF – ok – at nodes – choose node 2 – apply – DOFs to be restricted – UY – OK.
9. Loads – Define loads – apply – Structural – Force/Moment – in Nodes – choose node 2 – apply – direction of For/Mom – FX – Force/Moment Value – 2000 (+ ve value) – ok – Structural –
10. Force/Momentum – in nodes – choose node 3 – apply – For/Mom direction – FY – Force/Momentum value – -2500 (-ve value) – ok.
11. Solve – Current LS – ok (The solution is complete is displayed) – close.
12. Table of Elements – Define Table – Add – ‘Result Data Item’ – By Sequence Number – LS – LS1 – ok.
13. Chart results – contour chart – Table of elements – item to be plotted LS,1, average of common nodes- yes average- ok.
14. Reaction forces: List Results – reaction solution – items to list – All items – ok (reaction forces will be displayed with node numbers).
15. Graph results – nodal solution-ok-DOF solution- Y component of displacement-ok.
16. Animation: PlotCtrls – Animate – Deformed shape – def+undeformed-ok.
