THE VALIDATION OF SOME EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS USING A

NUMERICAL METHOD WITH 3D MESHING ELEMENTS

1
Eng. Ion TĂTARU, University of Craiova, Faculty of Mechanics, Department of Applied
Mechanics and Civil Constructions, Calea Bucuresti Street, no. 107, Craiova,Code 200512,
Romania, danilin@mecanica.ucv.ro
2
Assistant Phd. Eng. Cosmin-Mihai MIRIŢOIU, University of Craiova, Faculty of
Mechanics, Department of Vehicles, Transports and Industrial Engineering, Calea Bucuresti
Street, no. 107, Craiova,Code 200512, Romania, miritoiucosmin@yahoo.com
3
Prof. phd. eng. Dan ILINCIOIU, University of Craiova, Faculty of Mechanics, Department
of Applied Mechanics and Civil Constructions, Calea Bucuresti Street, no. 107, Craiova,Code
200512, Romania, danilincioiu@yahoo.fr

Abstract. In this paper we present the validation of some experimental results obtained in [1], where there was
presented a device for bars and plates bending which works with strain gauges attached, by using a numerical
method – the finite element analysis. There will be used the same loading variants as in [1]. The structure
analysis was made in Ansys with two types of meshing techniques: map mesh with Brick 8 Node 45 finite element
and auto mesh with Tet 10 Node 187. In the end, we will make comparisons between the used methods and
extract the errors that appear.

Keywords: metallic structure, finite element analysis, mesh, brick elements, tetrahedral elements

Contents:
1. Introduction
2. The previously studied problem
3. Finite element analysis. Meshing and loading cases
4. Conclusions
5. Acknowledgement

1. INTRODUCTION
In this paper, starting from the experimental results determined in Miriţoiu (2012)[1],
we will present a finite element analysis validation method with three dimensional elements
used for meshing: map mesh with Brick 8 Node 45 finite element and auto mesh with Tet 10
Node 187. In the end we will make comparisons between the results and determine the errors.
According to Călbureanu (2011)[2], the finite element method has appeared and
rapidly developed because of the necessity to have a powerful, quick and simple method to
solve the complex stress and displacement problems from various engineering areas, like:
mechanics, aeronautics, civil engineering, nuclear engineering and marine engineering. This
method can be successfully applied also for solving of some problems like: heat transfer,
dynamic analysis, fluid mechanics, and so on.
In Quin (2010)[3] the finite element method was used for a complete modeling and
calculation for steady state viscoelastic stress analysis. It was made an algorithm formulation
of one-dimensional case and extended to a generalized one. The numerical examples were
given for two cases: one-dimensional and two-dimensional. There are studied the effects of

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the load speed, material properties and pressure distributions at the contact surface. In
Karunakaran (2011)[4] is presented a finite element procedure for thermal analysis in pulsed
current gas tungsten arc welding (abbreviated PCGTAW) of Az 31B magnesium alloy sheets.
The studied material can be used in aircraft, automobile and high-speed train components.
The software Ansys was used for finite element analysis and the results obtained were
compared with experimental ones. The conclusion of the study was that the finite element
analysis using Ansys can be effectively used to model PCGTAW process for finding
temperature distribution.
In El-Asfoury (2009)[5], the finite element analysis was used for a static and dynamic
study of pelvic bone. The bone was subjected to quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions
simulating the effect of both weight gain and impact.
The mechanism of damping in welded structures was studied in Singh (2010)[6]. The
study emphasized the theoretical investigation of slip damping in layered and jointed welded
cantilever structures using finite element approach. The developed finite element model
shows that the damping capacity of such structures is influenced by a number of vital
parameters, such as: pressure distribution, kinematical coefficient of friction and micro-slip at
the interfaces, amplitude, vibration frequency, specimen length and thickness.

2. THE PREVIOUSLY STUDIED PROBLEM

In [1], a device for metallic structures (bars, plates) bending and stress measurement
was studied. The studied metallic structure is presented in fig. 1 and the used device is
presented in fig. 2. According to [1], the device works with strain gauges (shown in fig. 3 and
4).

Fig. 1. The studied metallic structure [1]

Fig. 3. The first half bridge [1]

Fig. 2. The studied device [1]

Fig. 4. The second half bridge [1]

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 Two loading variants were considered: variant 1- P= 701,55 daN, variant 2- F= 507,56
daN. The stresses obtained, for each loading case, are shown in fig. 5 and 6.

3. FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS. MESHING AND LOADING CASES

For the first loading case, there was used a mapped mesh, with Brick 8 Node 45 finite
elements (fig. 7). The stress distribution for the whole structure is presented in fig. 7 and in
fig. 8 the stress distribution in the area of the first half bridge is presented. From fig. 8 it can
be seen that the stress distribution from the second half bridge area is almost 0. The stress
distribution from the first half bridge is presented in fig. 9 for variant 1. The mesh type in
variant 2 (with Tet 10 Node 187 meshing elements) is presented in fig. 10. In fig. 11 we have
presented the stress distribution for the whole structure and in fig. 12 the stress distribution in
the first half bridge area.

Fig. 5. The stress values in the first Fig. 6. The stress values in the second
loading case [1] loading case [1]

Fig. 7. Mesh type (variant 1) Fig. 8. Stress distribution (variant 1)

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 Fig. 9. Stress distribution (first half bridge) Fig. 10. Mesh type (variant 2)

Fig. 11. Stress distribution (variant 2) Fig. 12. Stress distribution (first half bridge)

Important remark: in the area of the second half bridge the stress values are very
small (according to fig. 8. and 11) and will be approximated being zero in the following parts
of the paper (the real values are: for variant 1- 0,12∙10-4 and for variant 2- 0,006736).

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 4. CONCLUSIONS
In the table 1 we have listed the results obtained with the three-dimensional meshing
elements for the considered cases.

Table 1. The results obtained with the finite element analysis

Stress type Value [MPa]
Method Finite element analysis
Loading variants First loading variant Second loading variant
First half bridge 32,8125 69,125
Second half bridge 0,12∙10-4 0,006736

The results obtained with the experimental method from [1] are listed in table 2.

Table 2. Stress results from [1]

Experimental method
Stress type First half bridge Second half bridge First half bridge Second half bridge
Loading variant 1 2 1 2
Stress Value
34,269 0,0042094 72,871 0,0079752
[MPa]

We have determined the errors between the experimental and numerical method with
relation (1).
 
 %  1 2 100 (1)
 max

In (1) we have marked with: ε1 – the stress obtained with the experimental method, ε2
– the stress obtained with the numerical method and with εmax the maximul stress. The errors
obtained are listed in table 3.

Table 3. Errors obtained between the experimental and numerical methods

Numerical method/ Experimental method
Stress type First half bridge Second half First half bridge Second half
bridge bridge
Loading variant 1 1 2 2
Error [%] 4,25 0 5,141 0

From the table 3 we can extract the next conclusions:

- the experimental method from [1] gives similar results like the numerical method, so
the strain gauges were glued well on the structure;
- the errors are very small (under 6%);
- the stress values obtained from the second half bridge are 0 (because the bars are not
loaded);
- the stress values obtained from the first half bridge are different from zero, because
the area is loaded by the forces considered from the two loading variants;
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 - both methods can be successfully used for metallic structures stress calculus;
- the errors are higher when the tetrahedral elements are used, because this type of
elements insert higher errors than the hexahedral ones (used in the first loading variant), fact
that was expected before using this type of elements.

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work was supported by the strategic grant POSDRU/159/1.S/S/133255, Project
ID 133255 (2014), co-financed by the European Social Fund within the Sectorial Operational
Program Human Resources Development 2007-2013.

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