Run simulation to the point of failure/rupture

[Anonymous]

I am doing a simulation on flexural test. Besides applying load/pressure or prescribed displacement, can I gradually apply load to my model, entering the plastic region and finally achieving structural failure?

My three point flexural test model:

http://imgur.com/a/0KnUB

[John_Holtz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Here are my answers to your questions.

1. can I gradually apply load to my model? Yes. Load are assigned to a load curve which control how they change over time.
2. enter the plastic region? Yes. Naturally, you need to perform a nonlinear analysis (either MES or nonlinear static) and assign a material model in the Element Definition that accounts for plasticity (von Mises with ____ hardening).
3. and finally achieving structural failure? Please let us know what you mean by this. The level of stress will show that you have exceeded the strength of the material, so you will know if the fails based on that. But the simulation will not show it breaking apart, nor will it show what happens to the rest of the structure once it begins to fail in one location. Mathematically, the analysis will continue to infinite stress. Of course, if you only want to know if it will fail, there is really no reason to see it actually fail in the analysis. (Likewise, someone that wants to know if the design will exceed the yield strength can run a linear stress analysis and check if the stress exceeds the yield. You do not need to use a nonlinear analysis and calculate what happens after yielding if you just want to know if it yields or not.)

Let us know if you have any other questions.