This document provides steps for creating a finite element model and analysis of a truss structure in ANSYS. It describes: 1) Defining element types, material properties, and applying boundary conditions like constraints and loads. 2) Creating the mesh by directly defining nodes and elements, without using solid model geometry. 3) Solving the model and comparing numerical results to theoretical calculations to verify the model is working correctly.

1. Step 1: Geometry
Thisanalysisdirectlygeneratesthe nodesandelementsforthe finiteelementmodel,therefore
there isno needtocreate solidmodel geometry.
Step 2: Define ElementTypes
2-1. Define the elementtype requiredforthis model
• Preprocessor>ElementType>Add/Edit/Delete
• Clickthe “Add...”buttontobringup the Library of ElementTypes
• Inthe leftcolumnunder“Structural Mass”choose “Link”
• Inthe rightcolumn,choose “3D finitstn180”
• ClickOK
• Close the ElementTypes dialogbox
2-2. Assignsectionpropertiesto the linkelements
• Preprocessor>Sections>Link>Add
• For the LinkSectionID,enter1
• ClickOK
• For [SECDATA] SectionDataLinkarea,enter1
• ClickOK
Step 3: Define Material Properties
3-1. Define the material properties
• Preprocessor>MaterialProps>Material Models

2. • ClickonStructural>Linear>Elastic>Isotropic
• For EX,enter
• ClickOK
• Close the material modeldialogbox
Step 4: Mesh (Create Nodesand Elements)
There isno solidmodel geometrytomeshinthisanalysis.Instead,we willdirectlydefine the
nodesandelementsforthe finiteelementmodel.
4-1. Create Node 1 at (0,0)
• Preprocessor>Modeling>Create>Nodes>InActiveCS
• Enter1 for NODENode number
• Enter0 inthe firsttextbox forX,Y,ZLocation inactive CS
• Enter0 inthe secondtextbox forX,Y,ZLocationin active CS
• ClickApply
4-2. Create Node 2
• Reopenthe Create NodesinActive CoordinateSystemdialogbox if closed
• Enter2 for NODENode number
• Enter10 in the firsttextbox forX,Y,Z Locationinactive CS
• Enter0 inthe secondtextbox forX,Y,ZLocationin active CS
• ClickOK

3. 5: ApplyConstraint Boundary Conditions
5-1. Constrainthe displacementofthe node in the lower leftcorner inxandy
• Solution>Define Loads>Apply>Structural>Displacement>OnNodes
• Clickonthe node at the origin(Node 1) or type “1” in the textbox
• ClickOK
• For “Lab2 DOFs to be constrained”choose “UX” and“UY”
• For “VALUE Displacementvalue”enter0
• Step6: Apply Load Boundary Conditions
6-1. Applya downward force of 1000 lbf to the lowercenternode (Node 2)
• Solution>Define Loads>Apply>Structural>Force/Moment>OnNodes
• Clickonthe node at the centerof the bottomline (Node 2) or type “2” inthe textbox

4. • ClickOK
• For “Lab Directionof force/mom”choose “FY”
• For “VALUE Force/momentvalue”enter−1000
• ClickOK

5. Step 8: Solve
8-1. Selecteverythinginyour model
• UtilityMenu>Select>Everything
8-2. Solve
• Solution>Solve>CurrentLS

6. 8-3. Save your results
• ANSYSToolbar>SAVE_DB
9-1. List the nodal reaction solutions
• General Postproc>ListResults>ReactionSolu
• Leave “All items”selected
• ClickOK

7. 9-3. List the displacementofthe joints(nodes) in the truss
• General Postproc>ListResults>NodalSolution
• In“Itemto be listed”choose “DOFSolution>Displacementvectorsum”
• ClickOk

8. 9-4. List the component forcesfor the membersof the truss
• General Postproc>ListResults>ElementSolution
• Scroll tothe bottomof the window
• In“Itemto be listed”choose “ElementSolution>All Availableforce items”
• ClickOK
9-5. List the component forcesfor the membersof the truss
• General Postproc>ListResults>ElementSolution
• Scroll tothe bottomof the window
• In“Itemto be listed”choose “ElementSolution>Line ElementResults>Element
Results”
• Click

9. OK
Step 10: Compare and Verifythe Results
By inspection,the reactionforcesatnodes1 and 3 shouldbe 500 lbf.Thiscan be verifiedby
settingthe sumof the momentsaboutnode 1 equal tozeroand thensolvingforthe reaction
forcesat nodes3 and 1. Thisisalso consistentwiththe resultsshowninFigure 3-3-4.
ΣM1=0 R1+R3=1000
20R3=(10)(1000) R1=1000−500
R3=500 R1=500
The axial forcesineach of the memberscanbe calculatedbysummingthe forcesat eachof the
nodesinthe horizontal andvertical directions.Thispredictsanaxial tensioninElement3of
−559.01 lbf and an axial tensioninElement1of 250 lbf.Thisis consistentwiththe results
showninFigure 3-3-8.
ΣF1vert=0 ΣF1horz=0
R1=FN1_4sinθ FN1_2=F14cosθ

10. FN1_4=−500/sin(atan(2)) FN1_2=559.01 cos(atan(2))
FN1_4=FE3=−559.01 FN1_2=FE1=250
Similarcalculationscanbe made toverifythe restof the resultsfromthismodel.Basedonthe
agreementbetweenthe theoretical andnumerical results,we canconclude thatthe model isin
excellentagreementwiththe theoryandcan be usedforengineeringdesignandanalysis.
Close the Program
• UtilityMenu>File>Exit...
• Choose “Quit-No save!”
• ClickOk
BEAM PROBLEM
Model Attributes
Material Properties for 6061-T6 Aluminum
• Young’s modulus—7.310e10 Pa
Loads
• 5000 N downwardload applied to the center of the free end of the beam
Constraints
• The fixed end of the beam is fully constrained inx, y,and z
Step 1: Define Geometry
1-1. Create keypoints to define the ends of the beam
• Preprocessor>Modeling>Create>Keypoints>In Active CS
• Supply (0,0,0) as the coordinates for the 1st KP
• Supply (1,0,0) as the coordinates for the 2nd KP
1-2. Create a line to connect the two keypoints

11. • Preprocessor>Modeling>Create>Lines>Lines>Straight Line
Step 2: Define Element Types
2-1. Define the element type to use forthis model
• Preprocessor>Element Type>Add/Edit/Delete
• Choose BEAM189 as the element type forthis analysis
124 ANSYS Mechanical APDLfor Finite Element Analysis
2-2. Define the section properties for yourmodel
• Preprocessor>Sections>Beam>Common Sections
• Ensure that a rectangle is shown as the Sub-Type (Figure 4-1-2)
• Ensure that “OffsetTo” is set to “Centroid”
• Enter 200 for B (width)
• Enter 300 for H (height)
• Click“Preview” toview the defined cross section
• ClickOKStep 3: Define Material Properties
3-1. Create a linear elastic material model for6061-T6 aluminum
• Preprocessor>Material Props>Material Models
• Choose a structural, linear, elastic, isotropic material model
• Supply 7.310e10 as the value for Young’s modulus (EX)
• Supply 0. as the value forPoisson’s ratio (PRXY)
Step 4: Mesh
4-1. Create the mesh forthe finite element model
• Preprocessor>Meshing>MeshTool
• Clickthe “Mesh” button
• Clickthe “PickAll” button in the Mesh Lines dialog box
4-2. Turn element numbering on
• Utility Menu>PlotCtrls>Numbering...

12. • Change “Elem/Attrib numbering” to “Element numbers”
• ClickOK
4-3. Plot the finite element mesh
• Utility Menu>Plot>Elements
4-4. Change to the isometric view
• Clickthe “Isometric View” button in the Pan Zoom Rotate menu
4-5. Turn element shape display on
• Utility Menu>PlotCtrls>Style>Size and Shape...
• Turn “[/ESHAPE]Display of element shapes based on real constant descriptions” on
• ClickOK
4-6. Return to the frontview
• Clickthe “Front View” button in the Pan Zoom Rotate menu
4-7. Turn element shape display off
• Utility Menu>PlotCtrls>Style>Size and Shape...
• Turn “[/ESHAPE]Display of element shapes based on real constant descriptions” off
• ClickOK
4-8. Turn element numbering off
• Utility Menu>PlotCtrls>Numbering...
• Change “Elem/Attrib numbering” to “No numbering”
• ClickOk
Step 5: Apply Constraint Boundary Conditions
5-1. Constrain the fixed end of the beam
• Solution>Define Loads>Apply>Structural>Displacement>On Keypoints
• Clickon the keypoint at the origin or specify Keypoint 1 in the text box
• ClickOK
• For “Lab2 DOFsto be constrained” choose “All DOF”

13. • For “VALUE Displacement value” enter 0
• ClickOK
Step 6: Apply Load Boundary Conditions
6-1. Apply a downwardload to the free end of the beam
• Solution>Define Loads>Apply>Structural>Force/Moment>On Keypoints
• Clickon the keypoint at the free (right) end of the beam or specify Keypoint 2 in the
text box
• ClickOK
• For “Lab Directionof force/mom” choose “FY”
• For “VALUE Force/moment value” enter−5000
• ClickOK
8-2. Solve
• Solution>Solve>Current LS