[Computational Simulations
and Finite Element Method]
[REPORT]
Abstract
Recently, computational simulations have become an extremely useful tool for solving various
problems in engineering, this report will show the finite element method and solid body
analysis. Software used was SimScale, a computer-aided engineering (CAE) software product
based on cloud computing. A structural analysis of a connecting rod has performed under
various type of mesh. Result showed a good agreement between mesh coarseness and
maximum displacement
and maximum stress.
Tegar Ainur Rofiq
Department of Ship
Building
Shipbuilding Institute of Polytechnic Surabaya
[tegarainur@[Link]]
Description of the Analyzed Problem
This report will demonstrate a structural analysis of a connecting rod, and the goal was to
analyze the stress field of the connecting rod under pressure load. This problem will use quasi
static and linear model. Software used was web browser platform SimScale, a computer-aided
engineering (CAE) software product based on cloud computing. SimScale was developed by
SimScale GmbH and allows Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis and
Thermal simulations. SimScale could be accessed in Website [Link]
Figure. 1 Structural Analysis of Connecting Rod
Description of the Numerical Model
Model geometry and structure of the connecting rod was using geometry from the Tutorial 1,
with diagonal length 0.195358 [m], as constraints, one side of the connecting rod was fixed
while as load 3 MPa of pressure load was applied as seen in Figure 2. Maximum displacement
and maximum stress were [Link] rod was made of aluminum, with material
properties as follow: Young’s Modulus: 70 [GPa]; Poisson’s Ratio: 0.3; and density: 2700
[kg/m3]
Figure 2 Model Geometry and Structure of Connecting
Rod Type of Discretization:
4 (four) type of mesh was performed to analyze the effect of mesh coarseness to the
displacement and maximum stress. Meshing results could be seen as follow:
Figure 3. Very Coarse Mesh
Figure 4. Coarse Mesh
Figure 5. Moderate Mesh
Figure 6. Very Fine Mesh
Result Representation
Number of elements, maximum displacement and maximum stress for each mesh density could
be seen in Table 1. All number of elements, including nodes number, 1D, 2D and 3D elements
are all increased with the finer mesh density. In average, coarse mesh density possess 2% more
number of finite elements compared to very coarse mesh density. While moderate mesh density
has 42% more finite elements compared to coarse mesh density. The finest mesh density has
about 595% more finite elements compared to moderate mesh density.
Table 1. Number of Elements, Max Displacement and Max Stress
Discussion and Conclusions
In finite element analysis, mesh density is a critical issue which closely relates to the accuracy of the finite element
models while directly determines their complexity level. A high-quality mesh is one of the most critical factors that
must be considered to ensure simulation accuracy, and this is why it is very important to check and improve the
mesh quality. Increasing the “Fineness” level will gradually increase the mesh size in the overall domain. Inadequate
mesh-fineness may cause significant error in the result estimate from finite element analysis.
References:
A. Chowdhury, C.N. Kostem, Significance of mesh-fineness in accuracy of finite element analysis of
hyperbolic cooling tower shells, Computers & Structures, Volume 40, Issue 2, 1991, Pages 237-241, ISSN
0045-7949, [Link]
Liu, Yucheng. (2013). Effects of Mesh Density on Finite Element Analysis. SAE Technical Papers.
2. 10.4271/2013-01-1375.
[Link]
Very Coarse Mesh
First Order
Nodes 1564
6
1D elements (edges) 4082
2D elements (faces) 1777
4
3D elements 6520
(volumes) 7
Runtime 7 min
Coarse Mesh
First Order
Nodes 1601
8
1D elements (edges) 4118
2D elements (faces) 1831
8
3D elements 6657
(volumes) 4
Runtime 1 min
Moderate Mesh
Nodes 25000
1D elements (edges) 4588
2D elements (faces) 25032
3D elements 10949
(volumes) 5
Runtime 6 min
Very Fine Mesh
First Order
Nodes 231083
1D elements (edges) 10199
2D elements (faces) 147362
3D elements 114369
(volumes) 8
Runtime 7 min