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Verification & Validation

It is imperative to do some checks to make sure that the numerical results are accurate. Numerical results can either be compared directly to empirical data or they may be compared to theory.

Qualitative Verification

It should be expected that the structure will experience most of its deformation in the horizontal direction. Additionally, there should be little deformation in the y direction. The results from ANSYS agree with our intuition here.

Mesh Refinement

Another, way to verify the solution of a numerical method is to examine the convergence of the solution as the mesh is refined. Generally, the numerical solution should converge to the exact solution as the mesh is refined. In order to refine the mesh, first expand the mesh tab, , in the tree outline. Next, click on "Edge Sizing", , such that it highlights blue. Now, change the number of divisions in the "Details of "Edge Sizing"" table. Remember, that each line segment of the plane frame structure will be divided in to the number of divisions that you specify. After you have changed the "Number of Divisions" to your preference, click on the solve button, , to recalculate the solution with the new mesh.

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