Assignment Title

Olabode G. Brown
School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics
Module Code - Module Title
Month 201X

Contents
1

Introduction

Convergence of Mesh Refinement

Parametric Study
3.1 Hole Radius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8
8
9

Discussion
4.1 Hole Radius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.2 Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12
12
12

Conclusion

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Chapter 1
Introduction
This reports centers around a parametric study performed on a rectangular plate, in order to investigate the effect of Von-Mises stress distribution on the plate due to varying dimensional parameters
and physical properties. The rectangular plate was subjected under tensile stress in the magnitude of
a constant pressure of 1MPa; possessing a height, width and thickness of 1m, 0.5m and 1mm respectively. The plate also featured at its centre a hole with a radius of 0.1m. This can be seen in Figure
1.1. In addition to this, the physical properties of the rectangular plate adopt that of steel; which has
a Youngs Modulus of 200GPa and Poisson ratio of 0.3.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was conducted on the plate, by modelling and descritizing the plate
using ANSYS; with an expectation of the Von-Mises stress concentration peaking at the top of the
hole. Initially a convergence test on the mesh refinement was performed in order to determine the
point where the accuracy of the simulations due to the refinement start to plateau. The parametric
study was then carried out on the plate, observing the Von-Mises stress concentrations around the
hole with an objective of reducing the maximum Von-Mises stress to an order of 3 times the applied
nominal stress. The different approximations from the parametric study were also assessed using
what is known as stress concentration factors, which can be expressed as the ratio between the maximum Von-Mises stress and the reference stress. So the aforementioned objective can be otherwise
be stated as acquiring a stress concentration factor of approximately equals to 3. Investigations such
as this are vital in the design of structures, as the behaviour of how a structural element under a
particular load could be determined without the need for testing.

Figure 1.1: Schematic of Rectangular Plate

1

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
It can be seen in Figure 1.2a that the rectangular plate is symmetrical about its horizontal and vertical
axes. This symmetry is also echoed in the tensile stress being subjected to the rectangle from both
sides. Therefore it can be safely assumed that the case will remain the same if only a quarter of the
plate was analysed, as shown in Figure 1.2b.

Figure 1.2: Horizontal and vertical lines

showing symmetry of rectangular plate

Figure 1.3: Quarter piece of Rectangular

Plate

Running simulations with a quarter plate would bring about major improvements in the time taken
for simulation approximations to be obtained. Although the simulation approximations would remain identical using either Figure 1.1 or 1.3, the boundary conditions set during pre-processing
would differ. In the case of the quarter-piece in Figure 1.3, the normal stress is now only applied
from the left side of the plate as opposed to both sides as shown in Figure 1.1. In order for the
quarter-piece to fully represent the full rectangular plate, the left face and the bottom face are made
to be roller-supported; by being fully fixed in the x-axis and y-axis respectively.

Chapter 2
Convergence of Mesh Refinement
Before the parametric study was carried out, a convergence test on the mesh refinement level had to
be carried out. This was in order to determine the level at which a significant improvement in the accuracy of the simulation results ceases to occur. An increase in mesh refinement leads to an increase
in the number of nodes which although improves the accuracy of the solution, also increases computing time of the simulation. Conducting this test is vital in conserving computing power during
simulations. The original parameters stated in the previous chapter were used to run simulations using varying levels of mesh refinement - from the lowest (0) to the highest (5). The mesh refinements
and their associated simulation results can be seen in Figures 2.1 - 2.6.

Figure 2.1: Mesh refinement and Simulation result at level 0

CHAPTER 2. CONVERGENCE OF MESH REFINEMENT

Figure 2.2: Mesh refinement and Simulation result at level 1

Figure 2.3: Mesh refinement and Simulation result at level 2

CHAPTER 2. CONVERGENCE OF MESH REFINEMENT

Figure 2.4: Mesh refinement and Simulation result at level 3

Figure 2.5: Mesh refinement and Simulation result at level 4

CHAPTER 2. CONVERGENCE OF MESH REFINEMENT

Figure 2.6: Mesh refinement and Simulation result at level 5

The maximum stress obtained in the simulation results were tabulated along with their associated
mesh refinement levels, which can be seen in Table 2.1.
Refinement Level Maximum Von-Mises Stress (MPa) Deflection (m)
0
3.7756
0.00000314
1
3.7631
0.00000314
2
3.7567
0.00000314
3
3.7567
0.00000314
4
3.7583
0.00000314
5
3.7596
0.00000314
Table 2.1: Table displaying simulation approximations with varying mesh refinement levels
The results from Table 2.1 can be seen in graphical form in Figure 2.7. The graph shows the plot of the
maximum stress results from the simulation ran at varying mesh refinement levels. This represents
the increase in accuracy in the result as the mesh refinement level is increased. This increase in
accuracy can be attributed to the decrease in element size in the mesh. It can be seen in Figure 2.7
that the line begins to plateau at a mesh refinement level of 4. This suggests that utilising a mesh
refinement level of 4 in the parametric study is sufficient enough in acquiring accurate and reliable
results.

CHAPTER 2. CONVERGENCE OF MESH REFINEMENT

Figure 2.7: Graphical form of Convergence Test Results

Chapter 3
Parametric Study
As mentioned in preceding chapters, the objective of the parametric study is to investigate the design
influences changes in particular parameters of the rectangular plate would bring about on the stress
concentration around the hole of the plate. Specifically, it is desired that the maximum stress is
reduced to around an order of 3 times the normal stress being applied to the plate. The first parameter
that was changed was the radius of the hole; observations on the stress concentration were when the
hole was halved in size and then doubled. The other parameter that was changed was the material
properties of the rectangular plate. The material of the plate was changed to aluminium, copper and
titanium alloy and the effect this had on the stress concentration was observed.

3.1

Hole Radius

The hole radius of the rectangular plate was initially halved from its original diameter of 0.1m to
0.05m. The simulation was ran and a maximum stress of 3.15MPa was obtained. The mesh construction and final approximation of the simulation can be seen in Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1: Mesh refinement and stress distribution around a hole radius of 0.05m

3.2. MATERIAL

CHAPTER 3. PARAMETRIC STUDY

The same procedure was carried out with a hole radius of 0.2m. In this case the stress concentration
around the hole was increased significantly, with a maximum stress of 10.5MPa. The mesh refinement and simulation approximation can be seen in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2: Mesh refinement and stress distribution around a hole radius of 0.2m
Table 3.1 shows the maximum Von-Mises stress with its corresponding hole enlargement factor.
Enlargement factor Maximum Von-Mises stress (MPa) Deflection (m)
0.5
3.1535
0.00000264
2.0
10.454
0.00000851
Table 3.1: Table displaying simulation approximations with varying hole enlargement factors

3.2

Material

Part of the parametric study also involved investigating the type of material used for the rectangular plate and the effect that would have on the stress concentration approximation. The materials
used included Copper, Aluminium and Titanium Alloy. Their corresponding Youngs Modulus and
Poission ratios can be found in Table 3.1.
Material
Youngs Modulus (GPa) Poisson Ratio
Steel
200
0.30
Copper
117
0.36
Aluminium
70
0.33
Titanium Alloy
120
0.31
Table 3.2: Table showing material properties of metals to be used in Parametric study

3.2. MATERIAL

CHAPTER 3. PARAMETRIC STUDY

Approximations were obtained from running simulations using the material properties of the
three metals; which can be seen in Table 3.2. The simulation approximations for using Copper, Aluminium and Titanium Alloy can be seen in Figures 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5 respectively.
Material
Maximum Von-Mises stress (MPa) Deflection (m)
Steel
3.7593
0.00000314
Copper
3.7592
0.00000538
Aluminium
3.7593
0.00000899
Titanium Alloy
3.7593
0.00000524
Table 3.3: Table displaying simulation approximations with varying plate materials

Figure 3.3: Simulation approximation for Copper rectangular plate

Figure 3.4: Simulation approximation for Aluminium rectangular plate

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3.2. MATERIAL

CHAPTER 3. PARAMETRIC STUDY

Figure 3.5: Simulation approximation for Titanium Alloy rectangular plate

11

Chapter 4
Discussion
4.1

Hole Radius

The hole radius was changed in order to determine the effect this would have on the stress concentration around the hole of the rectangular plate. Decreasing the hole radius to half its original size of
0.1m brought about a significant improvement in the stress concentration. The maximum Von-Mises
stress obtained was situated was reduced to 3.1535MPa, or a stress concentration factor of 3.1535. In
contrast, doubling the hole radius to 0.2m brings about a significant increase in the maximum VonMises stress at 10.454MPa, bringing about a stress concentration factor of 10.454. Also, decreasing the
hole radius brought about a decrease in the deflection relative to the original plate of 0.00000264m.
On the other hand, the hole radius double that of the original plate resulted in a significant increase
in the deflection of 0.00000851m.
It can be clearly seen that the hole size has a huge influence on the stress concentration obtained
around the hole of the plate. Decreasing the hole radius will bring about a relatively significant
reduction in the maximum Von-Mises stress. One could attribute this to being due to the decrease
in irregularities that arises when the hole size is decreased. An increase in the material area due to
having a smaller hole could contribute in decreasing the stress distribution on the rectangular plate.

4.2

Material

The effect on the maximum Von-Mises stress due to changes in material properties was also under
investigation. The material properties used were of the metals Copper, Aluminium and Titanium
Alloy. The material properties that were used in ANSYS were the Youngs Modulus and the Poissons
ratio, which can be found for the metals in Table 3.2. Although the material properties varied from
that of steel, they did not appear to have any significant effects on the solution approximation. For
instance, copper achieved a maximum Von-Mises stress of 3.7592MPa, or a stress concentration factor
of 3.7592, while plates made out of Aluminium and Titanium Alloy were approximated to achieve
a maximum Von-Mises stress of 3.7593MPa, or stress concentration factors of 3.7593. This happens
to be identical to the maximum Von-Mises stress obtained with steel, confirming that changing the
material of the rectangular plate brings about negligible differences to the approximation of the simulation results. Another observation that was made on the comparison between the original material
of the plate and the other three metals was that concerning the deflection. The original plate made out
of steel achieved a deflection of 0.00000314m, while copper, aluminium and titanium alloy achieved
12

4.2. MATERIAL

CHAPTER 4. DISCUSSION

deflections of 0.00000538m, 0.00000899m and 0.00000524m respectively. The increases in deflection

relative to steel could be attributed to the ductility of the metals, especially in the cases of copper and
aluminium which are known for their high ductility.

13

Chapter 5
Conclusion
Several parameters were changed as part of a study in order to ascertain the effects the changes
would have on the stress concentrations obtained due to the presence of a central hole in a rectangular plate. The parameters that were changed specifically included the radius of the hole as well as
the material properties of the rectangular plate.
Prior to this, a convergence test concerning the definition of the element connectivity, or the refinement of the mesh, was executed. This was in order to determine what level of mesh refinement was
sufficient in acquiring a relatively accurate approximation while reducing the computing time of the
simulation. The results from the test deemed a refinement level of 4 being adequate in carrying out
the parametric study.
The parametric study involved changing the hole radius with enlargement factors of 0.5 and 2, otherwise halving and doubling the original radius of the hole. This brought about major changes in the
stress concentration, as expressed in the maximum Von-Mises stresses of 3.15 and 10.5MPa obtained
with enlargement factors of 0.5 and 2 respectively. Changing the material of the plate brought about
negligible changes in the maximum Von-Mises stress, however, none were positive changes. Also,
the increases in deflection obtained using different material rules out the changing of material to the
specific metals of copper, aluminium or titanium alloy as a viable option for decreasing the stress
concentration around the hole.
The objective of this investigation was determine the effect several changes in parameters would
have on the Von-Mises stress distribution. From the results obtained, it can be stated that decreasing
the hole radius would bring about the most significant reduction in the Von-Mises stress distribution.

14