Page 129 - Using ANSYS for Finite Element Analysis A Tutorial for Engineers

116 • Using ansys for finite element analysis
figure. The cross-section of the beam is 10 mm × 10 mm, while the mod-
ulus of elasticity of the steel is 200GPa.

Step-by-Step ANSYS Solution
Preprocessing: Defining the Problem

1. Open preprocessor menu /PREP7.
2. Give example a title:
Utility Menu > File > Change Title ... /title, Distributed Loading
3. Create keypoints:
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Keypoints > In Active CS
K,#,x,y
We are going to define two keypoints (the beam vertices) for this
structure as given in the following table:

Keypoint Coordinates (x,y,z)
1 (0,0)
2 (1000,0)

4. Define lines:
Preprocessor > Modeling > Create > Lines > Lines > Straight Line
L,K#,K#
Create a line between keypoint 1 and keypoint 2.
5. Define element types:
Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete...
For this problem, we will use the BEAM3 element. This element has
three degrees of freedom (translation along the X and Y axis’s, and rota-
tion about the Z axis). With only three degrees of freedom, the BEAM3
element can only be used in 2D analysis.