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Verification & Validation

Verification

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We have already noted that the ANSYS results compare well to our hand calculations obtained using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory in the pre-analysis. The ANSYS simulation gave 4.6352MPa for the maximum bending stress and the calculation in the pre-analysis yielded 4.635 MPa. The ANSYS simulation gave 0.005135m for the total deformation of the beam at x=4 while the calculation from the pre-analysis yielded 0.005103m. The ANSYS results closely match the hand calculations from the pre-analysis. This is one way to verify the solution.  

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 click on the Mesh tab, Image Removed, in the tree outline. Next, expand Sizing in Details of Mesh. The mesh will be refined by adjusting the Element Size. The length of the beam is 4 m so if you want n elements then you will need to set the "Element Size" to (4m/n). For instance, if you wanted 20 elements the "Element Size" should be set to (4m/20)=0.2m . After you have changed the Element Size to your preference, click on the Solve button, Image Removed, to recalculate the solution with the new mesh.

The table below displays the outputs of the ANSYS simulation for a mesh of 2 elements and a mesh of 10 elements.

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Steps

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3RMqaGN74Cg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Check Equilibrium

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FlM9BMQARSM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Check Mesh Dependence

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GNpoYKqrCTI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Go to Exercises

Go to all ANSYS Learning Modules

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