I.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTIONS

A tension coupon is constructed from aluminum with E = 68975 N/ mm

and Poissons

Ratio is = 0.3.
The coupon thickness is 3.175 mm.
An edge load of 222.5 N is applied to the tension coupon.
II.

OBJECTIVES

To build the tension coupon geometry and analyze it.

To control the mesh by using techniques discussed in class.
To compare FEA stress results to theoretical results from Stress Concentration Factors
by R.E. Peterson. The theoretical result is

max

= 2.98 N/ mm

254

222.5
N

101.6

50.8 mm
Diameter

Figure 1 The geometry of tension coupon with load conditions.

III.

METHODOLOGY

1) A new folder was created inside folder DINESH41634 and named as Workshop 4
where every one of the files of workshop 4 is saved in it. First the MSC Patran
software was opened. A new database was created in the name of tension_coupon_a.
For the model preferences, Default in the tolerance column, MSC Nastran in the
analysis code column, structural in the analysis type column was chosen.
2) The geometry model of the tension coupon was created.
3) Mesh seeds was used to define the mesh density.
4) A finite element mesh was created.
5) The quality of the finite elements was verified.
6) Specific quality tests were performed on the element.
Aspect test
Skew test
Warp test
Taper test
7) The material properties for the geometry model were defined.
8) The element properties was defined and applied to the geometry model.
9) Boundary conditions and loads were applied to the geometry model.
10) The finite element analysis was operated using MSC Nastran.
11) Results were post processed using MSC Patran.

IV.

RESULTS

Figure 4.1 Quick Plot (Stress Tensor, Von Misses)

2
Maximum Von Misses Stress = 2.90 N/ mm at Node 61

2
Minimum Von Misses Stress = 0.20 N/ mm at Node 284

Figure 4.2 Quick Plot (Stress Tensor, X-Component)

2
Maximum X Stress = 2.95 N/ mm at Node 61

2
Minimum X Stress = -0.054 N/ mm at Node 75

Figure 4.3 Fringe Plot (Stress Tensor, X-Component)

2
Maximum X Stress = 0.820 N/ mm at Node 292

2
Minimum X Stress = -0.564 N/ mm at Node 49

Figure 4.4 Fringe Plot (Stress Tensor, X-Component, CID)

2
Maximum X Stress = 2.95 N/ mm at Node 61

2
Minimum X Stress = -0.0546 N/ mm at Node 75

Figure 4.5 Fringe Plot (Stress Tensor, X-Component, CID, Domain is none)
2
Maximum X Stress = 2.95 N/ mm at Element 223.3

2
Minimum X Stress = -0.0731 N/ mm at Element 209.3

V.

DISCUSSION

2
1) There is no failure of the design. The yield strength of aluminum is 95 N/ mm and the

2
maximum X stress for the fringe plot is 2.95 N/ mm . By comparing the both values, it

shows that the maximum X stress is lower than the yield strength of aluminum.
2) Plate elements are 3 or 4 node 2D planar elements. It was used because as the tension
coupe structure was comprised of shell type. We should also use 2D object when the
width is bigger than the thickness or length for a symmetrical object.
3) The idealizations and assumptions made in this analysis is that there is no change in yaxis. It is also a 2D plane stress and the overall stiffness increases as the membrane
deforms.
4) The advantages of using 2D plate element instead of solid element that it gives a better
and accurate results compared to solid elements. Also the 2D elements are useful to
investigate bending as result.
5) The error margin for this this design is (Maximum X stress / Yield strength) 100 that is
2.95 N /mm 2
95 N /mm 2

VI.

100 = 3.10 %

CONCLUSION

From this workshop 4, tension coupon geometry has been build and meshed according to the
geometry. The theoretical result is

max

2
= 2.98 N/ mm and the maximum X stress result is

2
2
2.95 N/ mm . The difference between this two results is 0.03 N/ mm . The percentage of

error is about 1.01 %. The comparison between maximum X stress result and theoretical result
shows that the difference is very small and this may due to some entry problem or meshing
problems. Overall, the objectives of this workshop have been achieved.

VII.

REFERENCE

Laboratory manual sheet