Trying to calculate the max deflection
Trying to calculate the max deflection
(OP)
I have a rectangular thin steel plate fixed on the two short ends with a rectangular cutout centered along one of the long sided. So it’s really a U-shaped plate fixed on the two sides with a uniformly applied force along the three inside edges a short distance in. To calculate the maximum defection, should I split this into three brackets or is there a better way?





RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
-b
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
corus
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
Do you mean that it is fixed on either end? Or is this "track" bolted to the casing on one side? I'm a little unclear, but I'm picturing an electronics module being slid in to a control cabinet.
If it is fixed on either end and the module is being slid in, I think you may have two problems, not one. The first would be a simple beam calculation where you would calculate the beam properties and use a formula out of Roark's. You may even be able to look up a channel that closely approximates your channel, but that would take away the fun of calculating. For the load, I would use the weight of the module divided by the total length of beam supporting the module.
The second problem is making sure that the sides of the "U" don't bend excessively under the pressure exerted by the module. For this, I might go to FEA, particularly if there are any cut-outs.
If I'm misinterpreting, then sorry for the long-windedness...
Garland E. Borowski, PE
Borowski Engineering & Analytical Services, Inc.
Lower Alabama SolidWorks Users Group
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
bvanhiel, That is very true. I do have a flange lip along what I would call the bottom of the U and an angled front flange to assist with alignment of the mating module.
Corus, I do have the pro/e of the support plate and will be learning Ansys sometime in the near future, so this might be the time to jump in and get my feet wet. With the angle slide in guides along the entry edges, this does seem to be a difficult problem to solve. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything obvious.
I have changed jobs going from pure design to more of an analytical/design position, so I’m trying to get back into the mechanics of solids again. Roark’s and Practical Stress Analysis in Engineering Design (Blake) have been very helpful.
GBor, I think you have the layout correct. Hopefully the crude detail below comes out. The support plate is mounted just below a cabinet top plate (attached to the side walls) creating slide-in support for three flanges on a module, with the front flange stopping the unit.
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RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
-b
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
Side view
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RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
-b
RE: Trying to calculate the max deflection
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