Different simulation results by using different meshing selection?

[Anonymous]

I build a simple 3D cantilever beam model (Long: 200mm, Width:40mm, Thick:2mm) by CAD software, then import into Algor. The beam is fixed at one end. Uniform surface pressure( 0.025N/mm^2 ) is set to load on top surface. Strangely, the simulation result is quiet different among using brick, mid-plane and plate meshing selection.

(Case1)Brick element: The maximum displacement of simulation results is 36.65mm.

(Case2)mid-plan mesh(plate element)：Plate thickness 2mm is auto-detected by Algor. The maximum displacement of simulation results is 13.02mm.

(Case3)plate mesh directly(plate element)：Plate thickness 2mm is set by modify the Element Definition. The maximum displacement of simulation results is 4.66mm.

What might cause the different results? Thanks.

                                                     Ccz90

[John_Holtz · Accepted solution]

ccz90,

Case 1 and 2 should give the same answer. Please check that the material properties and load are the same in both models, etc.

If I understand your description, case 3 is a misuse of the plate option. Please see the figures in this section of the documentation ("Help > Contents"): "Autodesk Algor Simulation > Meshing Overview > Mesh Overview > Meshing CAD Solid Models > Model Mesh Settings". Then expand the paragraph "Mesh type section" to see the differences between the brick, midplane, and plate mesh.

By the way, what is the correct answer? It should be a simple hand calculation.

[S.LI]

If the material is assumed as steel with E=210e9 Pa, my answer is 35.7mm, which is close to the one in Case 1.