Finite element analysis - Essay Example

It is not only used for stress analysis and deflection of solid structures, but also for problems involving heat conduction, fluid flow and electric fields. Finite element analysis (FEA) is a method which most engineers today find an essential tool that can be applied to almost any design problem prior to testing and development. This paper presents the results of a finite element analysis for the buckle of a standard lap belt used in a passenger aircraft. Figure 1 is a representation of the buckle/belt assembly.

The buckle itself must be designed to withstand a 450 kg tensile load; thus, the objective of the analysis was to determine the maximum stress max of the buckle under this load and determine whether or not the design meets its objectives. Once this has been determined, a recommendation is made to proceed with testing or to begin a redesign of the buckle. Finite Element Analysis was first introduced in the 1950's and has been continually developed ever since. (FEA) is a computer-based numerical technique for calculating the strength and behaviour of engineering structures.

It can be used to calculate deflection, stress, vibration, buckling behaviour and many other phenomena. It can be used to analyze either small or large-scale deflection under loading or applied displacement. It can analyze elastic deformation, or "permanently bent out of shape" plastic deformation. The computer is required because of the astronomical number of calculations needed to analyze a large structure. As mentioned, this report has been complied to document the results of the Finite Element Analysis of a buckle connection.

The function of the FE Analysis was to obtain the max of the buckle connection which is based to resist 450 Kg of tension, as written in assignment. The buckle connection was designed to be made from Stainless Steel plate. A comprehensive set of properties for the specified material is shown in table 1 FIRST STEP: Material properties of Stainless SteelASSUMPTIONSAssumptions: The first step in preparing for the analysis is to develop a list of assumptions concerning the geometry, properties, the mesh, the boundary conditions and linear and static factors.

In the begging of doing this report in FEA Package there are numbers of assumptions were made which give create more imaginations as key in testing any design before test it in real life. FirstConsidering the geometry, it is assumed that the drawings provided are accurate representations of the buckle. Thickness of the buckle was assumed to be constant which led to the particular selection of the element type which allowed for a thickness criteria. Shell elements were then selected. In brief, shells form curved surfaces in space and are usually thin compared to their length.

The elements selected for this analysis are assumed to be able to adequately model the part. ly Next, properties of the material were considered. It it was assumed that all material properties supplied provided by the designerin the problem statement were correct accurate and provided a true representation of the material specifiedpart. . Another assumption made was that the Homogeneous and isotropic material was homogeneous