Unexplained error with FEA

[Anonymous]

Hello! I'm attempting to do a static loading simulation. I'm getting an unspecified error when I attempt to solve the simulation. Was wondering if I made an error somewhere? Thanks! File link below:

https://a360.co/2YEDQ9A

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

I saw enough issues that I did not dig very deeply.

First of all, I think I would use Beam Elements or Thin Shell (Autodesk Inventor Professional) rather than mesh elements for this analysis.

I noticed that you had unconstrained sketches and unmatched faces.

I can imagine that this is going to cause trouble for the mesh solver.

And I noticed intersecting bodies.

Is this a school assignment?

What do you want to know about this design - why are you doing the analysis?

The railings - I think I would analyze separately.

The floor (with support beams) - I would probably remove the railings and triangular supports.

The support trusses  - I think I would probably remove the railings and the floor - idealize the model for the purpose of analysis.

[Anonymous]

Hi! Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

Is there an easy way to import my design into Inventor from Fusion, or will
I have to redraw it? I have Inventor, but I prefer Fusion for the quality
of the renderings.

I will double check the sketches. I'm not sure what you mean about the
unmatched faces, however.

I think the intersecting bodies are in the handrail element. I'll rectify
that.

This is not a school assignment. I'm just attempting to get better at solid
modeling.

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:
 I'm not sure what you mean about the unmatched faces, however.

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Offset Face

Question: What is your Design Intent for offsetting this face by .000001802 inches (there are others as well).

Answer: There is no logic to this - neglected to fully define the geometry.

In my experience if you do not use robust modeling techniques you can expect unpredictable behavior.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to backtrack to the basics and try to develop better modeling habits.

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@TheCADWhisperer wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
 I'm not sure what you mean about the unmatched faces, however.

---

Offset Face

Question: What is your Design Intent for offsetting this face by .000001802 inches (there are others as well).

Answer: There is no logic to this - neglected to fully define the geometry.

In my experience if you do not use robust modeling techniques you can expect unpredictable behavior.

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