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Select Def + undeformed and click OK.
This plots the deformed and undeformed shapes in the Graphics window.
The deformed shape is shown as a solid line and the undeformed shape as a dotted line. The maximum displacement DMX is 0.583E-05m as reported in the Graphics window. This is small but plausible. Note that the deformation is magnified in the plot so as to be easily visible.
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Turn on Node numbers. Under Elem/Attrib numbering, select Element numbers. Click OK.
The node and element numbers will now appear in the Graphics window.
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From the list, under Element Solution, select All Available force items . Click OK.
This brings up a window listing the forces that the elements apply on each of their nodes:
These element forces reported by ANSYS are forces ON its environment BY the element, not the converse. For example, Element 2 (or member AB) applies a force of 1500 N in the x-direction and 800 N in the negative y-direction on node 1 (or pin A). This means that the total force in AB is . The resultant acts from A to B i.e. the member is pulling on pin A. So it must be in tension. Similarly, the force in Element 1 (AC) is 2000 N (tension) and in Element 3 (BC) is 2500 N (compression). Note that your node and element numbers might be different from the above since they depend on the order in which the lines were created.
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Under Element Solution, select Miscellaneous Items > Summable data (SMISC,1). Since MFORX is sequence number 1 in the SMISC group, enter 1 next to Sequent number SMIS in the editable field. Click OK. Click OK in the List Element Solution window.
This brings up a window with the axial forces in the elements. Positive values indicate tension and negative values compression. Do these values match what we got in method 1?
You can also plot the items listed under Element Output Definitions using the sequence number.
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Select All struc forc F for Item to be listed and click OK.
This brings up a window with the reaction forces at the nodes.
The sum of the reaction forces balances the applied load as should be the case for static equilibrium.
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