Dept.

of Mechanical Engineering

MECH 387
Design Tools in Mechanical &
Aeronautical Engineering

Chapter 3
Analysis of Beams & Frames
 Course Outline
 Chapter 1: Introduction to FEA
 Chapter 2: Analysis of Bars and Trusses
 Chapter 3: Analysis of Beams and Frames
 Chapter 4: Analysis of Axisymmetric Bodies
 Chapter 5: Analysis of Components with Solid Elements
 Chapter 6: Analysis of Components with Mixed Elements
 Chapter 7: Simulation of Components with Composite Materials
 Chapter 8: Simulation of Components under Thermo-Mechanical Loads
 Chapter 10: An Introduction to CFD
 Chapter 11: Fluid mechanics
 Chapter 12: Aerodynamics
 Chapter 13: Gas Dynamics
 Chapter 14: Heat transfer

2
 In This Chapter
 3.1 An overview of beams and frames

 3.2 Strategies for the analysis of beams and frames

 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams and frames in

SolidWorks Simulation

 3.4 Summary

3
 3.1 An overview of beams and frames

 Simple beam
 Capable of supporting transverse loads (loads applied perpendicular
to its length)
 Has a length that is far greater than the dimensions of its cross-
sections

 However, in a more general sense, a beam can support

transverse, axial, and torsional loads.

4
 3.1 An overview of beams and frames

 Objectives of static analysis of beams and frames:

 determine the internal forces and their variations along the length of
the members.

 determine the stresses (normal & shear) developed within the

structure.

 evaluate the deformation of the beam. A simple beam deformation is

characterized by deflection and slope.

 determine the reaction forces.

5
 3.1 An overview of beams and frames

 Remarks:

 Beams may be long and straight in form, but may also be curved.

 A beam’s cross-section may be uniform or non-uniform across its

length.

 Some beams have symmetric cross-sections, while others may have

non-symmetric cross-sections.

6
 3.2 Strategies for the analysis of beams & frames

Structural details

 The following technical details are needed for the analysis of

beam/frame structures:
 Dimensions
 details of the cross-section

 geometric length of each member

 orientation angles of the members (for a frame)

 Material properties of the beam/members of a frame

 External loads applied to a beam/frame

 Support provided to a beam/frame to prevent a rigid body motion

7
 3.2 Strategies for the analysis of beams & frames

Modeling Strategy

 Main steps for the static analysis of beams and frames:

8
 3.2 Strategies for the analysis of beams & frames

Modeling Strategy

 Critical positions:

 beginning and end of a beam

 point where a concentrated load is applied

 beginning of a distributed load

 end of a distributed load

 point where there is a change of cross-section or change of material

properties

 all points of support

 all points of connections

9
 3.2 Strategies for the analysis of beams & frames

Modeling Strategy

10
 3.2 Strategies for the analysis of beams & frames

Characteristics of the beam element in the Solidworks

Simulation library

 The beam element has two nodes

 The beam element has six degrees of freedom per node because
it is a three-dimensional beam structure.
 3 translational displacements about the x, y, and z axes

 3 rotational displacements about the x, y, and z axes

11
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Problem statement

 The beam is made of AISI 304 steel and has an S (American

Standard) cross-section – S 120 x 12.

 Using SolidWorks Simulation, we want to:

 Determine the value and location of the maximum vertical deflection

 Visualize the variation of shear force and bending moment along the
length of the beam.

12
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create a sketch of lines describing the centroidal axis of the

beam

 Sketch the line model of the beam on the front plane.

13
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Convert the skeletal model into a structural profile

 Activate the weldments tool.

14
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Convert the skeletal model into a structural profile

 Add a structural property.

15
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Convert the skeletal model into a structural profile

 Select the desired profile.

16
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Convert the skeletal model into a structural profile

 Within Structural Member, click New Group to form Group 1
and select all five lines.

17
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Convert the skeletal model into a structural profile

 Check and reorient the profile if needed.

18
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Convert the skeletal model into a structural profile

 After completing the steps, you should see a view of the solid
beam and the following changes appear in the FeatureManager
tree:

19
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Activate the Simulation tab and create a new study.

20
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Input the analysis options.

21
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 The simulation study tree becomes active.

 Joints will be created at the intersection of the beam members

and the free ends.

22
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Add a material property.

23
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

24
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Confirm the beam element status for the segments.

 This warning is about the shortness of this beam segment and it

can be ignored without any issue.

25
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

26
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Apply a fixture.

27
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Apply a fixture.

28
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Applying the concentrated loads at joints B and D

29
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Repeat the steps to apply the 8000 N force on joint D

 Apply the concentrated moment at joint C

30
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Apply the distributed load on segment EF

31
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Appearance of the different external loads

32
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Meshing & Running

33
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Create the simulation study

 Appearance of the simulation study tree after completing all the
steps:

34
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Objectives

 What is the maximum vertical deflection of the beam and the location
of this maximum deflection?

 What is the graphical variation of the shear force and the bending
moment along the length of the beam?

35
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Maximum Deflection

36
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Maximum Deflection

37
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Maximum Deflection

38
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Maximum Deflection

39
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Shear force along the entire span of the beam:

40
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Shear force along the entire span of the beam

41
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Shear force along the entire span of the beam

42
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Variation of shear force in only partial segments of the beam:

43
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Change the view orientation to Front View:

44
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Bending moment over the entire length of the beam

45
 3.3 Getting started with analyzing beams & frames in SolidWorks Simulation

Examining the Results

 Change the view orientation to Top View

46
 3.4 Summary

 Key concepts explored:

 How to employ critical points along the length of the beam to create
the line segments

 How to rotate a weldment profile to achieve the desired orientation

 How to apply a distributed load on a beam segment

 How to apply a moment at a point on a beam and the SOLIDWORKS

Simulation convention

 How to extract the maximum deflection of a beam

 How to visualize the shear force and bending moment diagrams

47
 Further Reading
 Mustapha K. (2022). Practical Finite Element Simulations with
SolidWorks 2022: An illustrated guide to performing static analysis
with SolidWorks Simulation. Packt Publishing.
 Chapter 3

48