Hello Experts,
I am new to the software (been using it for a week) working on a finite element analysis (FEA) of a stainless steel carabiner design and have encountered an issue with the contact stress results. Despite ensuring that all settings are appropriately configured, the simulation results appear to be inaccurate compared to real-life behavior. I am seeking your valuable insights to resolve this problem.
Problem Description
In my stress analysis simulation, the maximum von Mises stress detected is significantly high before the contact surfaces actually touch. This inconsistency is observed during the animation feature, where stress is detected even at the initial stages before physical contact. Here are the details:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Design: Camera carabiner
- Load: Reference load is 300N
- Simulation Tool: Inventor
Observations
Initial Stage of Animation:
- Stress is detected prematurely before the surfaces come into contact.
- Maximum stress observed at this stage: 1477 MPa.
Final Stage of Animation:
- Maximum von Mises stress: 2216 MPa.
- The stress is localized at the contact regions as expected but appears before actual contact.
Images
- Middle Stage of Animation:
- Final Stage of Animation:
Steps Taken
- Mesh Quality: Refined the mesh in the contact regions.
- Contact Definition: Ensured contact pairs are defined with proper contact properties. (not 100% sure about this one)
- Solver Settings: Checked and adjusted contact algorithm settings.
- Initial Positioning: Verified the initial positioning of parts to avoid initial gaps or overlaps. (the cylindrical part of the design is ~0.6mm apart from the nearest part hook)
Questions
- What could be causing the high stress detection before contact in the initial stages of the animation?
- Are there specific solver settings or contact algorithms that you recommend for accurate contact stress analysis?
- Could there be any additional factors or settings that I might be overlooking?
I appreciate any suggestions or guidance you can provide to help me resolve this issue and achieve more accurate simulation results. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
