What is the minimum diameter that will withstand the 10kN load if you fabricate the structural members made from the materials listed in the Table 1?

FEA Truss analysis

Learning outcome 1: To demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and principles associated with FEA.

Learning outcome 2: To be able to generate problem-specific FEA codes using MATLAB software.

Learning outcome 3 :To apply FEA and MATLAB to obtain solution of the problems in Engineering/product design.

OBJECTIvES

1. To investigate the axial forces, stresses and strains in the structural frame- work by experiments;

2. To develop a finite element model using MATLAB software to calculate the nodal displacements, axial force, strain and stress in each member and their validation with experimental results;

3. To compare some aspect of the performance of structures fabricated from welded steel, extruded aluminium and Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP).

ExpErIMENtAl AppArAtUS

The structural framework made from stainless steel member is available at the Solid Mechanics Lab QB 1.05a. A sketch of the configuration, boundary condi- tions and loading is shown in Figure 1. Laboratory technical staff will be avail- able during each session to assist you for performing experiments. At the end of the lab session, you should have measured strains in each structural member for the applied load of 500 N.

Compile your experimental results in tabulated form, refer lab sheet. You should submit the signed lab sheet along with the final report. Failure to submit the signed lab sheet will result in losing the marks correspond to the experimen- tal section of this coursework. Refer manufacture guide, available in the lab, to learn more about the structural assembly, strain and force measuring system.

FINItE ElEMENt MODEllINg

You should model the structural framework by using the finite element method. For this, you will use MATLAB software to write code to predict the axial forces, stresses and strains in the structural framework as shown in Figure 1. This will allow you to compare the experimental results.

You will also submit the MATLAB code (as an Appendix to the report) used to model the structural framework.