Page 130 - Using ANSYS for Finite Element Analysis A Tutorial for Engineers

stAtIc AnAlysIs usIng lIne elements • 117
6. Define real constants:
Preprocessor > Real Constants... > Add...
In the Real Constants for BEAM3 window, enter the following
geometric properties: Cross-sectional area AREA: 100
Area Moment of Inertia IZZ: 833.333
Total beam height HEIGHT: 10
This defines an element with a solid rectangular cross section 10 mm
× 10 mm.
7. Define element material properties:
Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > Structural >
Linear > Elastic > Isotropic
In the window that appears, enter the following geometric properties
for steel: Young’s modulus EX: 200000
Poisson’s Ratio PRXY: 0.3
8. Define mesh size:
Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Lines > All
Lines...
For this example, we will use an element length of 100 mm.
9. Mesh the frame:
Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh > Lines > click Pick All
10. Plot elements:
Utility Menu > Plot > Elements
You may also wish to turn on element numbering and turn off
keypoint numbering
Utility Menu > PlotCtrls > Numbering ...