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Hand Calculations in Structural Analysis

Hand calculations in structural analysis take more time than computer programs but may not provide completely accurate results. Classical hand calculations are still required for analyzing even complex geometries, with some exceptions like finite element analysis. A stress engineer's ability to perform classical hand calculations is a highly regarded skill, as it allows for sanity checks and quick preliminary designs. Common types of classical hand calculations include free body diagrams, Euler buckling analysis, and 3D rigid body analysis of joints and fasteners. References like Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain are widely accepted for classical structural analysis methods.

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Ardalan Yazar
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940 views3 pages

Hand Calculations in Structural Analysis

Hand calculations in structural analysis take more time than computer programs but may not provide completely accurate results. Classical hand calculations are still required for analyzing even complex geometries, with some exceptions like finite element analysis. A stress engineer's ability to perform classical hand calculations is a highly regarded skill, as it allows for sanity checks and quick preliminary designs. Common types of classical hand calculations include free body diagrams, Euler buckling analysis, and 3D rigid body analysis of joints and fasteners. References like Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain are widely accepted for classical structural analysis methods.

Uploaded by

Ardalan Yazar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Hand Calculations in Structural Analysis:

Hand calculation in structural analysis and design is a classic one it takes


too much time and maybe will not give 100% correct result due to hand
calculation as nowadays using programs to analysis and design witch
saves time and gives a better result.
You may have heard the term “Classical Hand Calculations in Structural
Analysis”. What does it mean? And why should you care? This post is all
about this very critical skill, an essential skill set for any good stress
engineer in the aerospace industry. So without further delay, let us dive
right into it.

Simple Beam, Classical Hand Calculations in Structural Analysis


In the stress analysis industries, especially in aerospace, classical hand
calculations in structural analysis are pretty much a requirement to analyze
even complex geometries. A few exceptions to this are the use of finite
element analysis for loads models (FEM models built exclusively to extract
internal and external loads), crack growth analysis for failure and damage
tolerance (F&DT), some detailed FEM models for fatigue analysis where
simple to use stress concentration factors are not available, among others.
A stress engineer's ability to perform classical hand calculations in
structural analysis is one of the most important skills highly regarded in the
stress engineering circles. For example, if you build a detailed FEM to
analyze a simple bracket, not only is it extremely inefficient but also
considered as a lack of engineering judgement on your part.
You need to be able to do these quick back of the envelope calculations for
your own sanity checks, and also for providing quick sizing of simple parts
for the benefit of the designer or project engineer or management that
comes to you with such simple requests. Beyond these simple classical
hand calculations in structural analysis, there are obviously many more
advanced methods that dive much deeper into that area.
You can see above in the figure, it is a simply supported beam. If you have a
plate attached to seat track beams on either side and the plate is loaded in
the middle, you know what the approximate load is, then a simple "Mc/I"
calculation is all you need to size that plate.
It is a simple case of course, but even in complex cases good engineering
judgement and proper assumptions of conservatism will provide you with a
reasonable result to save you a lot of time in the long run. You do not have
to be a stress engineer to do such calculations. Design engineers can do this
as well to avoid potentially costly fixes later in the design release cycle. So
what are some of the most common types of classical hand calculations in
structural analysis? 
1) Free Body Diagrams - Critical to understand the load path and checking
your analysis
Free body diagrams (FBDs) are basically load and moment diagrams that
you draw of the part as a free body by itself with the applied loads and
moments balanced with reactive loads and moments, in other words, load
and moment equilibrium checks. This type of analysis is typical for fastener
checks, insert checks and section checks of structural joint components.
2) Euler Buckling - Compression member or column buckling
For example, if you have a tie rod assembly, you can determine the
allowable load for the tube using simple Euler Buckling analysis, this is the
preferred method, period.
3) 3D Rigid Body Analysis - Fastener Loads for a rigid joint
This is another commonly used method to determine the loads induced in
the fasteners of a joint, another type of classical hand calculations in
structural analysis.
The list can keep going such as lug analysis, bolt bending, plastic
bending, crippling, etc. But I think you get the idea. Some of the most
commonly used and widely accepted references for classical hand
calculations in structural analysis are as follows:
 Formulas for Stress And Strain - Roarks
 Airframe Sress Analysis - Niu
 Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structures - Bruhn
 Peterson's Stress Concentration Factors

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