Lab Session 05

Beam with Uniformly varying load (Non-Linear Bending)

Objective:
To find the deformation in a simply supported I-beam with uniformly varying load application across the
whole span, numerically and analytically

Problem Statement:
A I-section beam composed of structural steel material is subjected to a uniformly varying load in
cantilever state. Do simulation on ANSYS Workbench for Non-linear bending analysis and then validate
results by hand calculation.

Input Data:
We draw a I-section beam in ANSYS module. Its length is 500 mm and total height is 106 mm. Its width is
103 mm. Web thickness of I-beam structure is 7.1 mm. Flange thickness of beam is 8.8 inch.
Flange has a chamfer of 6 mm.

Assumptions:
We assumed “Structural Steel NL” as a material for I-section beam with a value of Y=250 MPa and
Tangent Modulus for Bilinear Isotropic Hardening is 1450 MPa. Our units are US Customary units.

Procedure:
1. Open Static Structure Analysis form left toolbox of Analysis Systems
2. Then double click on engineering data to add a required material, i.e. mild steel.
3. Now again in work bench, open geometry in Design Modeler and draw according to
given data. Then save it and exit the modeler.
4. Now mesh the model with default mesh sizing and add named selections if required.
Then refine the mesh sizing and save the project.
5. Apply boundary conditions and then the loadings conditions as given. Then save
the project.
6. Now click on solution and select the stress, deformation, then click solve.
7. It will show the ANSYS analysis of stress and deformation in geometry window. The
minimum and maximum values will be shown on side with colors.
8. Save the images of all analysis and save the project report.

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Theory:
Introduction:
The deformation analysis of a simply supported I-beam under uniformly varying load application
across the whole span is a fundamental problem in structural engineering. This report aims to
provide a comprehensive analysis of the deformation behavior of such a beam using both
numerical (ANSYS Workbench) and analytical methods. The theoretical background,
methodology, and results of both approaches will be discussed in detail.
The deformation of a beam under load can be analyzed using principles of structural mechanics
and finite element analysis. When a load is applied to a beam, it induces internal stresses and
strains, resulting in deformation. The governing equations for beam deformation can be derived
from Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and Hooke's Law.
In ANSYS Workbench, the deformation analysis will be performed using finite element method
(FEM), where the beam geometry will be discretized into small elements. The material properties,
boundary conditions, and loading conditions will be applied to the model, and the software will
solve for the displacement and stress distribution throughout the beam.

Analytically, the deformation of the beam can be calculated using beam bending equations such as
the differential equation of the deflection curve and boundary conditions. By solving these
equations, the deflection at different points along the beam can be determined.

Theoretical Background:
1. Beam Bending Theory:
 Beam bending theory provides a framework for analyzing the deformation of beams
under loading. The governing differential equation for deflection (δ) can be expressed as:
𝑑2𝑑𝑥2(𝐸𝐼𝑑2𝛿𝑑𝑥2)=−𝑞(𝑥)dx2d2(EIdx2d2δ)=−q(x) Where:
 𝐸E is the Young's modulus of the material.
 𝐼I is the moment of inertia of the beam's cross-section.
 𝑞(𝑥)q(x) is the distributed load function along the beam's length.

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 Two common theories used for beam bending analysis are:
 Euler-Bernoulli Beam Theory: Assumes that the beam experiences small deformations and
is subjected to pure bending. It relates the bending moment, curvature, and beam
deflection.
 Timoshenko Beam Theory: Accounts for the effects of shear deformation and rotational
inertia, which are significant in beams with small dimensions or subjected to high shear
loads.
2. Simply Supported Beam:
 A simply supported beam is a beam that is supported at both ends and free to rotate. It is
one of the simplest and most common types of beam configurations.
 The boundary conditions for a simply supported beam typically include zero deflection
and zero bending moment at the supports.
3. Uniformly Varying Load:
 A uniformly varying load is a load that varies linearly along the length of the beam. It
results in a triangular distribution of load intensity.
 The total load applied over the span of the beam can be calculated by integrating the load
intensity function over the length of the beam.

Methodology:
1. Numerical Analysis (ANSYS Workbench):
 Static Structure Analysis is conducted using ANSYS Workbench to simulate
the deformation of the simply supported I-beam.
 The procedure includes geometry setup, mesh generation, application of boundary
conditions, loading setup with uniformly varying load, solution, and post-processing
to obtain stress and deformation results.

2. Analytical Calculation:
 Analytical calculation of beam deformation involves applying beam bending theory
to determine the deflection of the simply supported I-beam.
 The Euler-Bernoulli beam equation or the Timoshenko beam equation can be used to
derive the deflection equation based on the beam's geometry, material properties, and
loading conditions.
 Boundary conditions are applied to solve the differential equation, and the
deflection equation is solved to obtain the deflection profile of the beam

Analytical Calculation Formulas:

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 1. Uniformly Varying Load on Beam: The load per unit length (q) applied to the beam
varies linearly along its length. The total load (W) acting on the beam can be
calculated using the formula: 𝑊=∫0𝐿𝑞(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥W=∫0Lq(x)dx Where 𝐿L is the length of
the beam and
𝑞(𝑥)q(x) is the load per unit length as a function of position along the beam.
2. Beam Bending Equation: The differential equation governing the deflection curve of the
beam (y(x)) can be expressed as: 𝑑2𝑑𝑥2(𝐸𝐼𝑑2𝑦𝑑𝑥2)=−𝑞(𝑥)dx2d2(EIdx2d2y)=−q(x)
Where
𝐸E is the modulus of elasticity, 𝐼I is the moment of inertia of the beam cross-section, and
𝑥x is the position along the beam.
3. Boundary Conditions: For a simply supported beam, the boundary conditions are:
 At 𝑥=0x=0 and 𝑥=𝐿x=L, the deflection is zero: 𝑦(0)=𝑦(𝐿)=0y(0)=y(L)=0
 At 𝑥=0x=0 and 𝑥=𝐿x=L, the slope of the deflection curve is zero:
𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥(0)=𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥(𝐿)=0dxdy(0)=dxdy(L)=0
4. Solving the Differential Equation: By solving the differential equation with the
given boundary conditions, the deflection equation of the beam can be obtained.
5. Deflection at Mid-Span: The deflection at the midpoint of the beam (𝑥=𝐿2x=2L) can be
calculated from the deflection equation.
These analytical calculations will provide theoretical predictions of the beam deflection under the
uniformly varying load, which can be compared with the results obtained from ANSYS
Workbench to validate the accuracy of the simulation.
Given Data:
 Length of the beam (L) = 500 mm
 Total height of the beam = 106 mm
 Width of the beam = 103 mm
 Web thickness of the I-beam = 7.1 mm
 Flange thickness of the beam = 8.8 mm
 Flange chamfer = 6 mm
 Material: Structural Steel
 Yield Strength (Y) = 250 MPa
 Tangent Modulus for Bilinear Isotropic Hardening = 1450 MPa
 Units: US Customary units
Calculations:

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1. Moment of Inertia (I) of the Beam:

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For the web: 𝐼𝑤=112×103×(106−2×8.8)3Iw=121×103×(106−2×8.8)3 𝐼𝑤=112×103×(88.4)3Iw
=121×103×(88.4)3 𝐼𝑤=112×103×688284.704Iw=121×103×688284.704 𝐼𝑤=794096.839 mm4Iw
=794096.839mm4
For the flanges: 𝐼𝑓=2×(112×8.8×(106−8.8)3)If=2×(121×8.8×(106−8.8)3)
𝐼𝑓=2×(112×8.8×(97.2)3)If=2×(121×8.8×(97.2)3) 𝐼𝑓=2×(112×8.8×912932.16)If=2×(121
×8.8×912932.16) 𝐼𝑓=163343.579 mm4If=163343.579mm4
Total Moment of Inertia: 𝐼=𝐼𝑤+𝐼𝑓I=Iw+If 𝐼=794096.839+163343.579I
=794096.839+163343.579 𝐼
=957440.418 mm4I
=957440.418mm4
2. Deflection under Uniformly Varying Load:
Given that the load varies uniformly along the span of the beam, we can assume a linearly varying
load distribution.
Total Load: 𝑊=𝑞max2×𝐿W=2qmax×L
3. Beam Bending Equation:
The differential equation governing the deflection of the beam can be expressed as:
𝑑2𝑑𝑥2(𝐸𝐼𝑑2𝑦𝑑𝑥2)=−𝑞(𝑥)dx2d2(EIdx2d2y)=−q(x)
4. Boundary Conditions:
For a simply supported beam:
 At 𝑥=0x=0 and 𝑥=𝐿x=L, 𝑦(0)=𝑦(𝐿)=0y(0)=y(L)=0
 At 𝑥=0x=0 and 𝑥=𝐿x=L, 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥(0)=𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥(𝐿)=0dxdy(0)=dxdy(L)=0
5. Solving the Differential Equation:
By solving the differential equation with the given boundary conditions, we can obtain the
deflection equation of the beam.
6. Deflection at Mid-Span:
Once we have the deflection equation, we can calculate the deflection at the midpoint of the beam
(𝑥=𝐿2)(x=2L).
First, we need to determine the maximum load per unit length 𝑞maxqmax. We'll assume a
uniformly varying load across the span of the beam. Given that the load is uniformly varying from
one end to the other, we can determine 𝑞maxqmax using the maximum load at the far end of the
beam.

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Let's denote:
 Load at the far end of the beam = 𝑊farWfar
 Length of the beam = 𝐿L
Given that the load varies linearly, the load at any point 𝑥x along the beam can be expressed as:
𝑞(𝑥)=𝑊far𝐿×𝑥q(x)=LWfar×x
The maximum load per unit length 𝑞maxqmax occurs at the far end of the beam (𝑥=𝐿x=L):
𝑞max=𝑊far𝐿×𝐿qmax=LWfar×L
𝑞max=𝑊farqmax=Wfar
Now, we'll use the given total load to find 𝑊farWfar and then proceed with the remaining
calculations.
Let's calculate the maximum load (𝑊farWfar) at the far end of the beam:
Given that the load varies linearly from one end to the other, the maximum load occurs at the far
end of the beam (𝑥=𝐿x=L).
Total Load (𝑊W) is not explicitly given, so we'll need to calculate it. However, it seems like a
crucial piece of information is missing. We'll proceed by assuming a total load, and if you have a
specific value for the total load, please provide it.
Assuming a total load of 𝑊=1000W=1000 N (for example purposes), we can calculate the
maximum load at the far end (𝑊farWfar) as follows:
𝑊far=𝑊2Wfar=2W
𝑊far=10002Wfar=21000
𝑊far=500 NWfar=500N
Now that we have the maximum load at the far end, we can proceed with the next steps of the
calculations. If you have the specific total load (𝑊W) or any other required information, please
provide it so we can proceed with more accurate calculations.

Procedure:
Firstly, start with ANSYS Static Structural and link it with Eigenvalue Buckling.

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Then we open the geometry:

Then we selected space claim geometry and selected x-y plane.

Then we draw a rectangle and extruded that rectangle to make a rectangular beam.

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Geometry and Meshing: The I-section strut geometry, including dimensions and fillet radii, was
modeled in ANSYS Workbench. A suitable mesh was generated to discretize the geometry for
accurate analysis. Then we updated the mesh .Then in the meshing we selected fine meshing

Material Properties: Material properties corresponding to structural steel were defined, including
the modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio.
Boundary Conditions and Load Application: Appropriate boundary conditions, such as fixed
or pinned ends, were applied to the strut model. A compressive load was incrementally applied,
and a linear buckling analysis was performed to determine the critical buckling load.
 Then we went into setup model
 In the boundary conditions we selected fixed sides

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  Then we updated the mesh
 Then in the meshing we selected fine meshing
 After that we applied fix support on one side of I-section Beam.
 After that we apply point load force of 1N on top right side of I-section Beam.
 Then we click on solve to obtain the numerical solutions.
 Then in numerical results, we obtained results of deformation from it.

Project

First Saved Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Last Saved Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Product Version 16.0 Release

Save Project Before Solution No

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 Save Project After Solution No

Contents
• Units
• Model (A4) o Geometry
Solid o Coordinate Systems o Mesh
o Static Structural (A5)
 Analysis Settings
 Loads
 Solution (A6)
 Solution Information
 Results
• Material Data

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 o Structural Steel NL
Units
TABLE 1

Unit System Metric (mm, kg, N, s, mV, mA) Degrees rad/s Celsius

Angle Degrees

Rotational Velocity rad/s

Temperature Celsius

Model (A4)
Geometry
TABLE 2
Model (A4) > Geometry

Object Name Geometry

State Fully Defined

Definition

Source

Type DesignModeler

Length Unit Meters

Element Control Program Controlled

Display Style Body Color

Bounding Box

Length X 103. mm

Length Y 106. mm

Length Z 500. mm

Properties

Volume 1.2562e+006 mm³

Mass 9.8613 kg

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 Scale Factor Value 1.

Statistics

Bodies 1

Active Bodies 1

Nodes 14775

Elements 2166

Mesh Metric None

Basic Geometry Options

Parameters Yes

Parameter Key DS

Attributes No

Named Selections No

Material Properties No

Advanced Geometry Options

Use Associativity Yes

Coordinate Systems No

Reader Mode Saves Updated File No

Use Instances Yes

Smart CAD Update No

Compare Parts On Update No

Attach File Via Temp File Yes

Temporary Directory

Analysis Type 3-D

Decompose Disjoint Geometry Yes

Enclosure and Symmetry Processing Yes

TABLE 3

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Model (A4) > Geometry > Parts

Object Name Solid

State Meshed

Graphics Properties

Visible Yes

Transparency 1

Definition

Suppressed No

Stiffness Behavior Flexible

Coordinate System Default Coordinate System

Reference Temperature By Environment

Material

Assignment Structural Steel NL

Nonlinear Effects Yes

Thermal Strain Effects Yes

Bounding Box

Length X 103. mm

Length Y 106. mm

Length Z 500. mm

Properties

Volume 1.2562e+006 mm³

Mass 9.8613 kg

Centroid X -3.259e-015 mm

Centroid Y 53. mm

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 Centroid Z 250. mm

Moment of Inertia Ip1 2.244e+005 kg·mm²

Moment of Inertia Ip2 2.1175e+005 kg·mm²

Moment of Inertia Ip3 25270 kg·mm²

Statistics

Nodes 14775

Elements 2166

Mesh Metric None

Coordinate Systems
TABLE 4
Model (A4) > Coordinate Systems > Coordinate System

Object Name Global Coordinate System

State Fully Defined

Definition

Type Cartesian

Coordinate System ID 0.

Origin

Origin X 0. mm

Origin Y 0. mm

Origin Z 0. mm

Directional Vectors

X Axis Data [ 1. 0. 0. ]

Y Axis Data [ 0. 1. 0. ]

Z Axis Data [ 0. 0. 1. ]

Mesh
TABLE 5

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Model (A4) > Mesh

Object Name Mesh

State Solved

Display

Display Style Body Color

Defaults

Physics Preference Mechanical

Relevance 0

Sizing

Use Advanced Size Function Off

Relevance Center Coarse

Element Size 8.80 mm

Initial Size Seed Active Assembly

Smoothing Medium

Transition Fast

Span Angle Center Coarse

Minimum Edge Length 8.48530 mm

Inflation

Use Automatic Inflation None

Inflation Option Smooth Transition

Transition Ratio 0.272

Maximum Layers 5

Growth Rate 1.2

Inflation Algorithm Pre

View Advanced Options No

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 Patch Conforming Options

Triangle Surface Mesher Program Controlled

Patch Independent Options

Topology Checking No

Advanced

Number of CPUs for Parallel Part Meshing Program Controlled

Shape Checking Standard Mechanical

Element Midside Nodes Program Controlled

Straight Sided Elements No

Number of Retries Default (4)

Extra Retries For Assembly Yes

Rigid Body Behavior Dimensionally Reduced

Mesh Morphing Disabled

Defeaturing

Pinch Tolerance Please Define

Generate Pinch on Refresh No

Automatic Mesh Based Defeaturing On

Defeaturing Tolerance Default

Statistics

Nodes 14775

Elements 2166

Mesh Metric None

Static Structural (A5)

TABLE 6
Model (A4) > Analysis

Object Name Static Structural (A5)

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 State Solved

Definition

Physics Type Structural

Analysis Type Static Structural

Solver Target Mechanical APDL

Options

Environment Temperature 22. °C

Generate Input Only No

TABLE 7
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Analysis Settings

Object Name Analysis Settings

State Fully Defined

Step Controls

Number Of Steps 1.

Current Step Number 1.

Step End Time 1. s

Auto Time Stepping Program Controlled

Solver Controls

Solver Type Program Controlled

Weak Springs Program Controlled

Solver Pivot Checking Program Controlled

Large Deflection Off

Inertia Relief Off

Restart Controls

Generate Restart Points Program Controlled

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 Retain Files After Full Solve No

Nonlinear Controls

Newton-Raphson Option Program Controlled

Force Convergence Program Controlled

Moment Convergence Program Controlled

Displacement Convergence Program Controlled

Rotation Convergence Program Controlled

Line Search Program Controlled

Stabilization Off

Output Controls

Stress Yes

Strain Yes

Nodal Forces No

Contact Miscellaneous No

General Miscellaneous No

Store Results At All Time Points

Analysis Data Management

Solver Files Directory

Future Analysis None

Scratch Solver Files Directory

Save MAPDL db No

Delete Unneeded Files Yes

Nonlinear Solution Yes

Solver Units Active System

Solver Unit System Nmm

TABLE 8

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Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Loads

Object Name Fixed Support Pressure

State Fully Defined

Scope

Scoping Method Geometry Selection

Geometry 1 Face

Definition

Type Fixed Support Pressure

Suppressed No

Define By Normal To

Magnitude Tabular Data

Tabular Data

Independent Variable Z

Coordinate System Global Coordinate System

Graph Controls

X-Axis Z

FIGURE 1
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Pressure

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TABLE 9
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Pressure

Z [mm] Pressure [MPa]

0. 0.

500. 4.

Solution (A6)
TABLE 10
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution

Object Name Solution (A6)

State Solved

Adaptive Mesh Refinement

Max Refinement Loops 1.

Refinement Depth 2.

Information

Status Done

Post Processing

Calculate Beam Section Results No

TABLE 11
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Solution Information

Object Name Solution Information

State Solved

Solution Information

Solution Output Solver Output

Newton-Raphson Residuals 0

Update Interval 2.5 s

Display Points All

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 FE Connection Visibility

Activate Visibility Yes

Display All FE Connectors

Draw Connections Attached To All Nodes

Line Color Connection Type

Visible on Results No

Line Thickness Single

Display Type Lines

TABLE 12
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Results

Object Name Total Equivalent Stress Equivalent Elastic

Strain
Deformation
State Solved

Scope

Scoping Method Geometry Selection

Geometry All Bodies

Definition

Type Total Equivalent (von-Mises) Equivalent Elastic

Stress Strain
Deformation
By Time

Display Time Last

Calculate Time Yes

History

Identifier

Suppressed No

Results

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Minimum 0. mm 3.5905e-003 MPa 3.7074e-008 mm/mm

Maximum 1.206 mm 301.06 MPa 1.5095e-003 mm/mm

Minimum Value Over Time

Minimum 0. mm 7.1819e-004 MPa 7.4119e-009 mm/mm

Maximum 0. mm 3.5905e-003 MPa 3.7074e-008 mm/mm

Maximum Value Over Time

Minimum 0.24086 mm 83.713 MPa 4.1856e-004 mm/mm

Maximum 1.206 mm 301.06 MPa 1.5095e-003 mm/mm

Information

Time 1. s

Load Step 1

Substep 4

Iteration Number 5

Integration Point Results

Display Option Averaged

Average Across No
Bodies

FIGURE 2
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Total Deformation

TABLE 13

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Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Total Deformation

Time [s] Minimum [mm] Maximum [mm]

0.2 0. 0.24086

0.4 0.48172

0.7 0.84301

1. 1.206

FIGURE 3
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Equivalent Stress

TABLE 14
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Equivalent Stress

Time [s] Minimum [MPa] Maximum [MPa]

0.2 7.1819e-004 83.713

0.4 1.4364e-003 167.43

0.7 2.5137e-003 292.99

1. 3.5905e-003 301.06

FIGURE 4
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Equivalent Elastic Strain

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TABLE 15
Model (A4) > Static Structural (A5) > Solution (A6) > Equivalent Elastic Strain

Time [s] Minimum [mm/mm] Maximum [mm/mm]

0.2 7.4119e-009 4.1856e-004

0.4 1.4824e-008 8.3713e-004

0.7 2.5942e-008 1.465e-003

1. 3.7074e-008 1.5095e-003

Material Data
Structural Steel NL
TABLE 16
Structural Steel NL > Constants

Density 7.85e-006 kg mm^-3

Specific Heat 4.34e+005 mJ kg^-1 C^-1

TABLE 17
Structural Steel NL > Isotropic Elasticity

Temperature Young's Modulus Poisson's Bulk Modulus Shear Modulus

C MPa Ratio MPa MPa

2.e+005 0.3 1.6667e+005 76923

TABLE 18
Structural Steel NL > Bilinear Isotropic Hardening

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 Yield Strength MPa Tangent Modulus MPa Temperature C

250 1450

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