Predict before programming · M01 · Learn to Program Ansys APDL Simulations

Predict before programming

Calculate uy_ref and sigma_ref on paper before trusting the simulation.

Before you code — Make a prediction

In M00 the height was 0.10 m. Imagine that we duplicate it:

beam_h=0.20

Will the deflection be one-half, one-quarter, or one-eighth?

For a rectangular section:

I = B·H³/12
uy = P·L³/(3·E·I)

Since I ∝ H³ and uy ∝ 1/I, we obtain uy ∝ 1/H³. Doubling the height reduces the theoretical deflection to 1/8. Save this prediction: will be our first test.

Height versus theoretical deflection plot: the first height that meets 0,25 mm is 120 mm — The relationship is not linear: small increases in height produce significant reductions in deflection.