Simulation of alminium /glass roof.

[lukasKX6ZC]

Hello Comunity 🙂

My name is Lukas. I'm using Fusion for about 3 years now and wanted to try some more advanced functions but hit a brick wall with that. I'm designing aluminium profiles that are extruded to build diferent constructions. 

My questions are:

1. Is it possible to do simulation of snow load on whole roof which is about 120kg per square meter?

I tried many different aproaches but wasn't able to set all parameters to even start simulation.

I manage to do simulation for single roof beam but that doesn't tell me enough and I was able to do that by adding some fixed support points which are not very realistic.

2. Second is shape optimization. I can't do optimization for cross section of this extruded profiles. The resoult is always to remove material in 1/3rd of the beam. I need to optimize cross section so when profile is extruded on press ti's the same in all it's lenght (for example 6m).

Here's a link for my example (it can be downloaded) https://a360.co/3ZWBofX

I would very much apretiate every single tip!

Thank you in advance!

Oh and sorry for my english ;-/

[TheCADWhisperer]

@lukasKX6ZC 

There are several issues with attempting an analysis of this assembly.

1. Linear elastic tetrahedral mesh elements driven FEA is limited to materials that are not relatively "rubbery" or "brittle".

2. Limited to geometry that does not have relatively extreme aspect ratio (you have thin and long skinny components).

This geometry is better handled with frame elements and thin feature analysis.

I think the best you can do is break up into individual components and analyze them individually. Of course, the problem is how to define the constraints and forces in such a way that mimics the interaction between components.

[lukasKX6ZC]

@TheCADWhisperer thank you for your response. So it looks like it's impossible to do it as a whole? That's what I thought.... also I think shape optimization will not wor in my case.

Probably I'll calculate moment of inertia of each profile and move further with that. 

I really had high hope to do it as assembly but.... thank you again.