Hello All,
I have a few questions about modeling a large concrete structure within Inventor.
The structure consists of mostly mass concrete, with reinforcement around the exterior faces for temperature and shrinkage. The aspect ratio for the structure is basically 1 to 1, which eliminates the use of beam theory to evaluate capacity. Therefore, I have attempted to use the FEA analysis that is native to Inventor. When I have attempted to run an FEA analysis on the structure I keep getting odd results. The structure just isn't acting the way I would have anticipated it to. The structure is yielding about just the lower portion of the structure, the deflected shape looks like a cantilever column. This made some sense but overall the rest of the model didn't feel correct. After this I ended up breaking the Model down into 1-foot horizontal slices, this seemed to increase the model's accuracy. When using a point load for the main loading, this model buckled about the base which does not make sense. Following this, I modeled the force as a distributed load which slowed large deflections at the location where the load is applied. This seems like the 1ft slices are deflecting while the next slice was not. Overall, I am not sure about the accuracy of either modeling method used.
- When modeling an area load does it apply to the entire surface, or can I specify the loading to a specific location on a surface?
- Does Inventor have the ability to model and analyze reinforcement?
- Beyond this what are the limitations of Inventor when dealing with a none homogenous material like concrete?
Currently, I am under the assumption that Inventor is unable to model reinforcement. My conservative strength design methodology for this structure is to assume that the tensile surface stress is equal to the embedded reinforcement stress.
The following Model shows little to no stress at the point of load application, how is this physically possible? This model is a simple model that is fixed at the base.
The following model shows extreme deformations across the surfaces that the distributed load is being applied. With steel this would make sense, but with concrete this does not feel quite right. This model was broken down into 1 foot slices, this might be the cause of the error.
