NHA 2430 Design Analysis
Finite element design exercise
(subject to external moderation)
INTRODUCTION
This assignment is designed to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the practical aspects of finite element analysis (FEA) and your ability to communicate this knowledge.
It is important that you understand that your mark will be heavily weighted towards how well you have reported your analysis. Hence, you will gain little from spending hours on the computer if you don’t write up your work well.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The following learning outcomes (as detailed in the module specification) will be partially assessed by this assignment:
(c) Be able to initiate and carry out linear static finite element (FE) analyses, critically evaluate the results of these analyses and communicate these findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
(d) Be able to critically appraise the robustness of designs with uncertain parameters with the aid of FE analyses.
(e) Be able to make judgements guided by manual calculations to support the application of commercial software for linear elastic finite element analysis and fatigue analysis.
BRIEF
You are required to carry out a finite element analysis of the load cell shown in the diagram below. The object of the analysis, within the context of the course work exercise, is only to determine the relationship between the load applied and the level of strain measured by the strain gauge.
The robustness analysis, within the context of the assessment, is only to be conducted with the consideration of material elasticity, the thickness of the load cell, and the location of the strain gauge (A, refer to Figure 1).
YOU SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO FIND THE STRESS AROUND THE THREADED HOLE - THE STRESS RAISERS IN THIS REGION CAN BE IGNORED.
The load cell has a simple construction with a uniform thickness throughout. The load is applied via rods screwed in the threaded holes at either end (the load can be either tensile or compressive). The material properties are given below while the individual dimensions should be taken from the Table in the associated file.
Young’s modulus = 210 GN/m2
Poisson’s ratio = 0.28
