Hi Everyone,
I am having trouble making my FEA simulation in SolidworksSimulation match up to lab test data taken on a physical prototypewe recently tested. In this case, we're testing for lineargeometric behavior of our component, i.e. getting a linear strainresponse over a given load range. In practice, this component is tobe oriented vertically, consisting of 2 horizontal lug holes oneither end, 1 to be held fixed on the top end and 1 to hold theload on the bottom end. Between the lugs are some geometricdiscontinuities as well as the areas of interest for strainmeasurement. For this test, we take 6 data points in the lab testand I'm currently trying to replicate the strain vs. loadrelationship in FEA that we saw in the lab. So far I'm not havingany luck at all. I've tried making finer meshes, changing aspectratios, using additional mesh refinements in the areas of interest,and trying a couple different curvature-based meshes with nosuccess. I've also made sure that my restraining bearing load isonly holding the upper side of the bearing surface to properlyrecreate the structural behavior. The load pulling down on thebottom lug hole is also a bearing load which I believe is the mostaccurate load representation in this case.
I haven't been able to establish any sort of consistentrelationship between the lab data and FEA results at all. My FEAresults vary all the way from 1/1000th of the lab test data valueat the low end of the load range to 30% above the lab test datavalue at the high end of the range by testing at the same 6 loadvalues tested in the lab. There are some geometric discontinuitiesin the solid model I'm testing which I believe are causing somehavoc, particularly the large slot-like hole between the two lugsbut I'm having some difficulty as to how to best approach this. Itshould be noted that the applied loads to this component are smallenough to be well within the linear elastic range of thecomponent's material so Hooke's law is in effect here. As far assoftware goes, I'm using Solidworks 2009 Premium with SolidworksSimulation Professional. Anyone have any thoughts?SolidworksSimulation
I am having trouble making my FEA simulation in SolidworksSimulation match up to lab test data taken on a physical prototypewe recently tested. In this case, we're testing for lineargeometric behavior of our component, i.e. getting a linear strainresponse over a given load range. In practice, this component is tobe oriented vertically, consisting of 2 horizontal lug holes oneither end, 1 to be held fixed on the top end and 1 to hold theload on the bottom end. Between the lugs are some geometricdiscontinuities as well as the areas of interest for strainmeasurement. For this test, we take 6 data points in the lab testand I'm currently trying to replicate the strain vs. loadrelationship in FEA that we saw in the lab. So far I'm not havingany luck at all. I've tried making finer meshes, changing aspectratios, using additional mesh refinements in the areas of interest,and trying a couple different curvature-based meshes with nosuccess. I've also made sure that my restraining bearing load isonly holding the upper side of the bearing surface to properlyrecreate the structural behavior. The load pulling down on thebottom lug hole is also a bearing load which I believe is the mostaccurate load representation in this case.
I haven't been able to establish any sort of consistentrelationship between the lab data and FEA results at all. My FEAresults vary all the way from 1/1000th of the lab test data valueat the low end of the load range to 30% above the lab test datavalue at the high end of the range by testing at the same 6 loadvalues tested in the lab. There are some geometric discontinuitiesin the solid model I'm testing which I believe are causing somehavoc, particularly the large slot-like hole between the two lugsbut I'm having some difficulty as to how to best approach this. Itshould be noted that the applied loads to this component are smallenough to be well within the linear elastic range of thecomponent's material so Hooke's law is in effect here. As far assoftware goes, I'm using Solidworks 2009 Premium with SolidworksSimulation Professional. Anyone have any thoughts?SolidworksSimulation
