Simulating gravity by forces at nodes

[TomGroves]

I'm trying to simulate gravity on a 2D object by distributing the force across the nodes (as described in z88mane.pdf, page 97, fig.2). The object is supported by fixed nodes with zero displacement at the bottom.
I'm seeing an odd result:

ForceConcentrate.png

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Why is the stress concentrated at the corners of the supports? Surely it should be distributed across the base?

Thanks,
Tom

[DanBil]

Hi Tom,

the stress is very high at the supports, because there are local singularities (high stress gradient within an element). This is a typical phenomenon in finite element analysis. The reason for that is, that a linear finite element analysis can not consider the local plasticization, which would lead to downsizing and shifting of the stresses. Because of that a stress evaluation at the position of boundary conditions should be made in an integral way after a refinement of the mesh.

Kind regards,
Daniel Billenstein

[TomGroves]

Really? Surely there's no local plasticization when a (relatively light) steel object sits on a hard surface?

Is there a guide somewhere on how to do the refinement and re-evaluation at the singularities? I'm new to FEA, and I was not expecting this complication :-/

Thanks,
Tom

[DanBil]

Hi Tom,

of course there is local plasticization in reality, but a linear finite element analysis can not consider this effect. For that you need to use a solver for nonlinear material behaviour.
Z88Aurora has one, but only for hexahedron and tetrahedron. So you have to make a new finite element structure with hexadrons or tetrahedrons to consider this effect within Z88Aurora.

Kind regards,
Daniel Billenstein