Learning Outcomes of the Assessment
LO2: Evaluate different material models and element types to approximate the behaviour of
different materials and structures.
LO4: Apply commercial Finite Element Analysis software for linear and nonlinear analysis of
structures.
LO5: Critically apply elastoplastic constitutive models.
Assessment guidelines
Produce a 2000-word +/- 10% (excluding references and appendices) Finite Element Software
Report based on the dynamic explicit analysis performed on the truss bridge below, using
Abaqus/Explicit. The truss in the figure below is a 2D structure, which is dynamically loaded with
the concentrated forces shown during a 1 second loading step time, and 10 seconds total duration
with 9 increments. The selection of all material parameters, such as Young’s Modulus, Poisson’s
ratio, loading steps and types, applied boundary conditions etc., has been performed. The structural
material for the truss system is AISI 1005 (UNSG10050) carbon steel, Young’s Modulus of
200E+9, Poisson’s Ratio of 0.3, Density of 7872kg/m3, Specified minimum yield strength of
280MPa, Ultimate tensile strength of 310 MPa and a cross-sectional thickness of 3.14E-4 m. The
span of the truss is 60 m and a height of 10 m. Each section is reinforced as indicated, below.
Your report should be structured in line with the assessment need as follows.
(1) An introduction and essential background to the Dynamic Explicit analysis and the key
structural characteristics of the given truss bridge, and a clear definition of the objectives of
the assignment.
(2) Based on the course material for week 7, produce a clear outline and description of the
procedure you would have followed to create and model the above structure in Abaqus.
(3) Provide a detailed deductive report based on the resulting assembly of the truss structure
created on the Abaqus software with the concentrated loads, nodes and edges provided below
(Figures 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8). Support your position with relevant literature. The units of
the measured variables are as followed: Stress (Pa), Deformation (m), Force (N)
Figure 1. Forces
Figure 2. Vertical Reaction Forces
NN N
N N
Figure 3. Horizontal Reaction Forces
Figure 4. Deformation – Resultant (Cross-sectional thickness: 3.14E-4)
Figure 5. Principal Stresses in S11 Direction (Cross-sectional thickness: 3.14E-4)
The edges around the highest deformation area (2,3 and 13) are plotted below. If the acceptable
maximum strain is 40%, what is your judgement of the selected material?
Figure 6. Deformation – Resultant (Edge 2)
N N
Figure 7. Deformation – Resultant (Edge 3)
Figure 8. Deformation – Resultant (Edge 13)
(4) Based on the stress information provided in this brief and the results so far, justify and
explain why the material selected for the construction for the truss is fit for purpose or not.
The adopted safety factor for the design is 0.75.
(5) Explain the difference between the plots for edges 1_9, and edges 10_14. Is the structure
stable under the condition of edges 1_9, and edges 10_14? Provide detailed explanation and
supported with relevant literature.
Figure 9.Combined Deformation – Resultant (Edges 1-9 and 10-14)
(6) Based on the contour map in Figure 5, extract relevant results of stress and deformation from
any 5 nodes and 5 edges in a tabular form.
(7) If the cross-sectional area of the truss material is increased to 5.0E-3, what difference will it
make in the design life of the truss bridge when compared with the original design cross-
sectional thickness of 3.14E-4 above. Outside stress and deformation, equally consider cost
of the material in your analysis.
Figure 10. Deformation – Resultant (Cross-sectional thickness: 5.0E-3)
Figure 11. Principal Stresses in S11 Direction (Cross-sectional thickness: 5.0E-3)
(8) Provide critical discussion and interpretation of the results, and comments regarding whether
the structure is strong enough to withstand the applied loads.
(9) Design/structural improvements that could be made so that the bridge can withstand greater
loads of longer duration.
Your assignment should be structured as follows
Section/Aspect Content to cover
Marks
available
Introduction
1. Provision an essential background to the Dynamic
Explicit analysis and the key structural characteristics
of the given truss bridge. Clear definition of the
objectives of the assignment.
10
Main Body:
Discussion and
Critical Analysis
2. Based on the course material for week 7, produce a
clear outline and description of the procedure followed
to create and model the above structure in Abaqus.
3. Provide a detailed deductive report based on the
resulting assembly of the truss structure created on the
Abaqus software with the concentrated loads, nodes
and edges provided below (Figures 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8). Support your position with relevant literature.
4. Based on the stress information provided in this brief
and the results so far, justify and explain why the
material selected for the construction for the truss is fit
for purpose or not. The adopted safety factor for the
design is 0.75.
5. Explain the difference between the plots for edges 1_9,
and edges 10_14. Is the structure stable under the
condition of edges 1_9, and edges 10_14? Provide
detailed explanation and supported with relevant
literature.
6. Based on the contour map in Figure 5, extract relevant
results of stress and deformation from the any 5 nodes
and 5 edges in a tabular form. Justify your choice.
7. If the cross-sectional area of the truss material is
increased to 5.0E-3, what difference will it make in the
design life of the truss bridge when compared with the
original design cross-sectional thickness of 3.14E-4
above. Outside stress and deformation, equally
consider cost of the material in your analysis.
70
8. Provide critical discussion and interpretation of the
results, and comments regarding whether the structure
is strong enough to withstand the applied loads.
9. Design/structural improvements that could be made so
that the bridge can withstand greater loads of longer
duration.
Conclusion
Effective summary of the critical points addressed in
the assignment, and the most important findings of the
discussion. You recommendation should be action-
driven, with emphasis on cost and design life
implications.
10
Layout and
Referencing (list of
references can take as
many pages as
necessary/not
included in the 2000-
word count)
A high-quality presentation that conforms to principles
of academic writing and contains minimal errors in
sentence construction, grammar, and punctuation.
The assignment should follow appropriate academic
conventions regarding in-text citations and references
using the Harvard referencing system.
10
Total: 2000 words 100
