Results

Deformation

First, we will look at the deformation to see if the simulation makes intuitive sense. In the project outline window, select Solution > Total Deformation. Also, in the Result tool bar, select Edges > Show Undeformed WireFrame.

From the deformed view, we can see that the crank deformed basically as we would expect from this loading.

Strain

Now, let's examine the strain at the strain gauge. If we select Solution > Normal Elastic Strain we can see the strain distribution along the path we created. In the Tabular Data window, we can see the numerical values of the strain along the path.

While the strain along the entire strain gauge is useful, what we really want is the average along the strain gauge. Right click anywhere in tabular data window, and go to Export. Save the file as an .xls file and name it Strain data. Open the file, and average the data by selecting all of the strain data, then going to Formulas > AutoSum > Average. At the bottom of the data, we will see the calculated average of the strain gauge: 4.5167E-5 in/in.

Stress

Now, let's check the stress at the strain gauge. Click on Solution > StressXX in the Project Outline window. This will bring up the stress distribution over the entire crank.

Now, click on the probe tool Hover the probe tool around where the strain gauge is located. We just want to compare the stresses we see to the calculated value of -1368.65 psi. If you hover the probe around that area, you should find that the stresses are about what we expect them to be based on the calculation. Repeat this step for Solution > StressYY

Here, we assumed that the stress was zero. If we use the probe tool to examine the middle section of the bar, we find that most of the stresses are on the order of 1 x 10^-3, meaning once again the simulation agrees with our calculations.

Continue to Step 7: Verification & Validation
Go to all ANSYS Learning Modules