Preparing Analysis Objects

Set up scenes and reports to monitor the solution.

Set up a scalar scene to visualize the axial component of the stress tensor, σ z z , throughout the beam:
  1. Create a scalar scene and rename it to Stress.
  2. Edit the Scenes > Stress node and set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Scalar 1 Contour Style Smooth Filled
    Parts Parts Parts > Beam
    Scalar Field Function Stress Tensor > Laboratory > k,k
    Units MPa
Create a scalar scene for the beam displacement, using a warp surface to visualize the deformed geometry. A warp surface is a derived part where the input surface point coordinates are moved along a selected vector multiplied by a scale factor.
  1. Create a scalar scene and rename it to Displacement.
  2. Right-click the derived parts node and select New Part > Warp > Vector Warp...
  3. In the Edit in-place dialog, set the following properties:
    Property Setting
    Input Parts Parts > Beam
    Vector Displacement
    Auto Scale Activated
    Display No Displayer
  4. Click Create then Close.
In the Displacement scalar scene, use a new geometry displayer to visualize the original geometry, and the existing scalar displayer to visualize the warp surface:
  1. Right-click the Scenes > Displacement node and select New Displayer > Surface.
  2. Edit the Displacement node and set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Surface 1 Opacity 0.2
    Parts Parts Parts > Beam
    Scalar 1 Contour Style Smooth Filled
    Parts Parts Derived Parts > Vector Warp
    Scalar Field Function Displacement > Laboratory > j
    Units mm
As Euler-Bernoulli beam theory predicts that the stress component σzz is maximum on the flanges at the wall, set up a report to evaluate the stress at a point located on the upper flange at the wall. Position the point probe sufficiently far from the area that was constrained in all degrees of freedom, as results in this area may not be accurate.
  1. In the Graphics window, click the Stress scene tab.
  2. Right-click the Derived Parts node and select New > Probe > Point
  3. In the Create Point Probe in-place dialog:
    1. Click Select... in the Input Parts box.
    2. In the Select Objects dialog, right-click on a blank area and select Deselect All, then select the Parts > Beam > Surfaces node and click OK.
    3. Set the point coordinates as follows:
      Coordinate Value
      X 50 mm
      Y 100 mm
      Z 0 mm
    4. Set Display to No Displayer.
    5. Click Create then Close.
  4. Rename the Derived Parts > Point node to Corner-Point.
  5. Right-click the Reports node and select New > User > Maximum.
  6. Rename the Maximum 1 report to Stress [k,k] and set its properties as follows:
    Property Setting
    Field Function Stress Tensor > Laboratory > k,k
    Parts Derived Parts > Corner-Point
    Smooth Values Activated
You can also set up a report to evaluate the maximum σzz where the beam is constrained in all degrees of freedom, to visualize how the stress computed in this area deviates from the analytical solution.
  1. Copy the Derived Parts > Corner-Point node and paste it onto the Derived Parts node.
  2. Rename the Corner-Point Copy node to Mid-Point.
  3. In the Properties window, set Point to [0, 0.1, 0] m.
  4. Copy the Reports > Stress [k,k] node and paste it onto the Reports node.
  5. Rename the Stress [k,k] Copy node to Stress [k,k] near Fixed Constraint.
  6. In the Properties window, set Parts to use Derived Parts > Mid-Point instead of Derived Parts > Corner-Point.
  7. Save the simulation.