Solidworks simulation 2014 beam element + volume element

Simulation Generality
1

Hello

 

I am facing a problem on Solidworks Simulation 2014 which is the following.

 

I represented lifting ears on a frame made of mechanically welded beam and SW simulation does not give me a coherent simulation when I pull on an ear.

 

I explain, I make a contact between the beam and the ear, I apply a force inside the ear hole of 6000N and the simulation tells me that I have a displacement of 8mm which is not possible.

 

The only solution I found is to insert a plate between the ear and the beam to be able to have a larger impression on the beam and it works because I come across consistent results.

 

I put a photo in PJ to better illustrate my explanations.

 

For me, I have the impression that the imprint on the ear beam is too small for SW to make the contact between the 2.

 

Do you have an idea of how to remove these intermediate plates and have a coherent result?

 

Thank you


simulation_chassis.jpg
2

Hello

 

Sometimes the combiner function is required at the end of a mechanically welded design to have consistent results in SolidWorks Simulation.

 

http://help.solidworks.com/2012/French/SolidWorks/sldworks/HIDD_DVE_FEAT_COMBINE_BODIES.htm

1 Like
3

Hello

 

I do not advise combining in this case, because you are on a mixed beam and volume mesh.

I think the problem comes from the definition of your contacts between together, could you make us a screenshot or send us the file?

 

@+

 

1 Like
4

It's all about the properties of your contacts between ears and beam.

5

Hello

 

I don't know what the size of the complete model is, but given what's on the screenshot, I wouldn't bother and calculate everything in volume (or at least the first beam on which the ears are welded). Given the computing power of modern PCs, this kind of model should grind in a few seconds/minutes (the longest being the mesh).

In my opinion solidworks must also have quite bad management of the beam that fits into another: a beam element is a straight line with a continuous section: if the model has a beam with a hole, solidworks should not be able to calculate correctly at the place of the hole).

In conclusion, beams are good but only over very long lengths and very far from the discontinuities that we want to observe in detail (like welding, holes ..)