internal loads

[ananthaces]

I have a 3d- square box structure which is pulled frm one end and fixed the other end. Suppose I want the internal loads or the nodal force along the interface i.e; edge connecting one side to the other..how do i get it? I understand that the total nodal forces or the total internal load would be zero to satisfy equilibrium. is there any way to find out the nodal force as it does show nodal stresses? thanks

 

[corus]

In general finite element packages allow you to remove part of the structure and to plot reaction forces. As you said, inteernally these are zero, however with part of the structure removed you will be able to plot values of nodal force along any internal edge.

corus

 

[ananthaces]

Thanks corus.Here is my concern. I have an edge of the box structure and there r nodes along this edge. i am getting an output of the internal loads on these nodes but the thing is this node is shared by 4 different elements. so i have 4 different forces in the x-direction.I add them it is zero which is true. But i how do i get a equivalent internal load on this node without doing the force balance.Thanks once again.

 

[airmail]

ananthaces:

I use NASTRAN and the "GPFORCE" command request grid point force balance (ordered by adjacent elements) at selected grid points.

Besides, PATRAN allows you to plot results in fringe's elements.

I hope it be useful (maybe I haven't caught your idea)

 

[ananthaces]

hey airmail..i did use gpforce but when i post process the result.its showing me the balanced force i.e.zero force on the nodes that i have put in the GPFORCE set. I hope you understood what i said.