ElementTech (EDI SACS Guide)

SACS Element Technology
Theory and Usage of SACS Elements

November 2009
SACS Elements
Summary
Beams
Plates (Isotropic, Corrugated, Stiffened, 3-and 4-
noded)
Shells (3D curved plates, 6-, 8- and 9-noded)
Solids (Tetrahedron, wedge, pyramid, brick)
Specialty
GAP, Non-linear springs in Collapse
Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 2

Finite Elements Brief Overview
Shape Functions / Interpolation
Element Definition Deflection Approximation

P3 u3
P4 u4
P. u.
P1 u1
P2 u2

Shape Functions - Continued
Common practice to use natural co-ordinates.
P3
P4
s
P1
P2
r

Strain Displacement Matrix
Shape Functions
Strain Displacement
Matrix
Planar strains provide a simple example of the differential operator, .

Force Displacement Relationship
Stress strain law
Stiffness Expression

Numerical Integration
Stiffness Expression is numerically evaluated using Gauss

Quadrature. The points (ri,si) are the Gauss Points. The values
i and i are prescribed weights.
(r3,s3)
s (r1,s1) = .167, .167

(r2,s2) = .667, .167
(r3,s3) = .167, .667
(r2,s2) i = .333
(r1,s1)
r Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 7
SACS Plates
Overview
3- and 4-noded. Topology is automatic*.
Initial geometry is assumed to be flat.
Two choices
(i) DKT Theory default (and recommended).
(ii) Beam Strip (use ND in Columns 38-39 of the
OPTIONS line)
* 1-3 Should not be a local

axis. Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 8
DKT Plate Theory
Discrete Kirchhoff Triangles
Thin plates: the transverse shear strain energy is
negligible in comparison to the bending strain energy.
The transverse shear energy is neglected altogether by
introducing the Kirchhoff hypothesis at discrete points.
History of good performance under bending, over-
stiffness problems due to shear locking are inhibited.
Improvement in bending performance over the previous
plate technology. 1 plate needed instead of 4.

DKT Plate Theory
Kirchhoff Hypothesis as Applied to Plates
Normal to the mid-surface remains straight. The rotation of
the normal of the mid-surface is equal to the slope of the
mid-surface (normals remain normal).
Transverse shear strain is identically zero.

DKT Plate Theory
Membrane Formulation for DKT plates
For membrane action, DKT triangles are constant strain
plates.
For 4-noded plates, the four traditional bilinear shape
functions are used, in conjunction with two extra shape
functions in order to attain quadratic completeness.
j
4 3
i
1 2

DKT Plate Theory
Bending for Triangular DKT plates
The procedure is to take an 18 DOF triangle with Mindlin-
type strains and reduce to a 9 DOF triangle by imposing
Kirchhoff constraints.
5 3
6 4
1 2 3 1 2

DKT Plate Theory
Three sets of constraints are applied.
5 Kirchhoff assumption at nodes 1,3,5.

s
n
4
6 Tangent Kirchhoff assumption at nodes
2,4,6.
1 2 3
Averaged normal Kirchoff assumption

DKT Plate Theory
The three sets of constraints lead to a co-ordinate
transformation matrix and subsequent modification of the
stiffness matrix.
{18} = [T]18x9 {9}
[k9]=[T]t[k18][T]

DKT Plate Theory
Bending for 4-noded DKT plates
The bending formulation for DKT plates uses bending
formulation for 4 DKT triangles.
Resulting stiffness is divided by 2.

DKT Plate Benchmark Tests
Overview
A number of benchmark tests have been performed
from a standard set of problems proposed in a well
known paper from MacNeal and Harder.
The performance of the SACS DKT elements has been
successfully validated against results from the paper.
MacNeal, R.H. and Harder, R.L.; A proposed standard

set of problems to test finite element accuracy (1985)

Summary
Membrane Patch Test
Bending Patch Test
samples/sample16
Scordelis-Lo Roof
Spherical Shell
The benchmarks have been made available for

verification of the DKT plates.

Membrane / Bending Patch Tests
A004 A003
t = 0.001
E = 1.0x106
B004 B003
= 0.25
B001 (0.04, 0.02)

B002
B001 B002 (0.18, 0.03)
B003 (0.16, 0.08)
A001 A002
B004 (0.08, 0.08)
For both bending and membrane tests, A004 (0, 0.12)
deflections are specified on the boundary A002 (0.24,0)
nodes.

Patch Tests (Continued)
Membrane Patch Test
u = .001(x + y/2), v = .001(y+x/2)
x = y = xy = 0.001
x = y = 1333.0 xy = 400
Bending Patch Test

w = .001(x2 + xy + y2)/2
x = .001(y + x/2), y = .001(-x - y/2)
x = y = 0.667 xy = 0.2

Scordelis-Lo Roof
u X= u Z = 0
L = 50.0, R = 25.0, = 40
SYM (100010) (101000) t = 0.25, E = 4.32x108
= 0.0
Uniform load in the z
431 direction (90/unit area)
uz at node 431
SYM (100010) Free
SACS .3044
Scordelis-Lo .3086
MacNeal-Harder .3024

Spherical Shell
Free
SYM
R = 10.0, = 90, hole for 18
(100011) t = 0.04, E = 6.825x107
SYM (010101)
= 0.3
Unit y load on node 1
Unit x load on node D
D uy at node 1, ux at node D
SACS .0925
1 Free
Morley, Morris* .0924
MacNeal-Harder .094

Old SACS Plates
Beam Strip Approach
Developed in the 1960s by a parent company.
Advantage: Representation of transverse shear strain
Disadvantage: Prone to locking under transverse loading,
difficult to capture certain bending profiles.
Under out-of-plane bending, roughly 4 old plates
needed for every DKT plate.
Old SACS plates can be specified by entering ND in
Columns 38-39 of OPTIONS

Old SACS Plates
Formulation (i)
Membrane and bending action by constant strain and
constant curvature triangular elements with Kirchhoff
transverse strain assumptions.
The old 4-noded plate is a combination of 4 constant strain
and curvature elements, with the 5th node reduced out.

Old SACS Plates
Formulation (ii)
The transverse shear strain is handled with prismatic
struts at each side, with separate shear areas assigned in
order to maintain energetic equivalence.
In-plane bending is represented with volumetrically
equivalent beams at the edge of the element.
Top View Side View

Plate Elements
Orthotropic Plates

Stiffened Plates
Overview
Stiffeners run parallel to the local x-
and/or y- plate axes.X-stiffeners are
not coupled to the Y-stiffeners.
Stiffeners are placed at the surface
of an isotropic plate. Location can
be top / bottom / both.
Stiffener geometry specified with a
PSTIF line or a SECTION line.
ALIGNMENT
By default, the joint plane is aligned with the plate. The joint plane
can be made to be aligned with the neutral axis by specifying Z in
Column 10 of the PGRUP line.
Stiffened Plates
Averaged Physical Properties
Properties are evaluated over an effective width, weff.
weff = min (spacing, 30*tplate)

Corrugated Plates
Averaged Physical Properties
A continuous orthotropic plate is derived.
Physical properties represented by an effective thickness
teff, and an effective moment of inertia per unit length, .
B
L
D
A
An effective transverse Youngs Modulus, Eeff is used.

Corrugated Plates
Orthotropic Stress-strain Laws
The following stress-strain and moment-curvature
relationships are used for corrugated plates.
In order to maintain symmetry, the following expression

is used for xy.

Plate Element Results
Reporting Options
Plate Stress Detail Report.
Select All under Element Detail Report
Stresses are reported at the element centroid.
For DKT elements under DK theory option, the
stresses are reported at the nodes (not the
Gauss Points).
Plate Internal Loads Report
Select Member End Forces Report in Datagen.

Plate Stress Detail Report
Overview
stresses are reported at the nodes (not the Gauss
Points).
Membrane stress, bending stress (upper surface),
maximum shear, maximum princ. stress, Von Mises
stress. Stresses at top and bottom stiffener surfaces.
Unity check: If no code is specified, u.c. =

Plate Internal Loads Report
Overview
Internal loads are reported per unit length
internal loads are reported at the nodes.
Bending moments, membrane loads and out-of-
plane shear load (transverse force per unit length).
Final bending moment, Mxy is the twisting moment

Twisting Moment
Description
Internal moment
occurs due to twisting
about axes normal to
the plate sides.
Linearly varying planar
shear stresses are set
up through the plate
thickness.
Cook, Malkus, Plesha; Concepts and Applications
of FEA (1974)

SACS Shells
Overview
6- and 8- and 9-noded. Transverse shear strain enabled.
Initial geometry can be (doubly) curved. Mid-side nodes
allow for quadratic shape functions.
Quadratic shape functions allow for better interpolation
of deflection profile and domain geometry.
Serendipity
Lagrange

SACS Shells
Options
Variable thickness (SHELL name THICK)
Selection of integration order (number of Gauss Points):
Coarse 2x2 (3)
Medium 3x3 (7)
Fine 4x4 (13)
Integration order influences the accuracy of the numerical
integration.
For case of large out-of-plane bending, reduced integration
can prevent problems associated with transverse shear.

SACS Shells
Gauss Points & Co-ordinate systems

SACS Shells
Results Reporting
Results are reported at the shell centroid (default).
Optionally, results can be reported at the set of Gauss
points that is closest to the corners (Col 51 of the SHELL
line)
Local, max. principal, maximum shear stress reported at
top and bottom surfaces.
Transverse shear stress reported at neutral surface.
Ref: Bathe; FE Procedures in Engineering Analysis (1982)

SACS Solids
Overview
4-noded tetrahedron, 5-noded pyramid, 6-noded
wedge and an 8-noded brick.
Topology (node ordering) is not important.

SACS Solids
Additional Issues.
Co-ordinate system for results interpretation is
based on the first three nodes of the user-defined
node ordering.
By default, only translational DOFs are included in
the stiffness matrix.
Attached rotational DOFs that are otherwise
unconnected are fixed in order to prevent numerical
difficulties.
The rotational DOFs can be activated by specifying
6 in Column 71 of the OPTIONS line.

SACS Solids
Theory.
Standard tri-linear shape functions are used for
translational DOFs as well as geometry
(isoparametric).
Ref: Bathe; FE Procedures in Engineering Analysis (1982)

SACS Solids
Incorporation of Rotational DOFs
A 20-noded solid element with only translational
DOFs is the starting point. A stiffness matrix, [k20] is
derived using appropriate shape functions:
[k20]
Ref: Yunus, Pawlak, Cook; Solid Elements with Rotational

Degrees of Freedom (1991)
SACS Solids
Incorporation of Rotational DOFs
The mid-side node translations are expressed in terms of
the rotations at the vertices. The mid-side nodes are
then constrained out.
[k8]=[T]t[k20][T]
{60} = [T]60x48 {48}

SACS Solids
Results Reporting
Results are reported at the solid centroid. If 6 DOF solids
are used, then results are reported at the nodes.
The principal stresses, S1, S2, S3 are reported along with
the Von Mises stress and the maximum shear.
The direct and shear stresses are reported in the global

co-ordinate system (default) or local co-ordinate system
(use L in column 11 of the SOLID line).

Mass Matrix Determination
Consistent Mass Matrix
The consistent mass matrix is determined by
considering the element density along with its
shape functions. Not evaluated

Specialty Elements
Gap, Collapse
GAP elements guyed structures, supports, [no supports],
friction elements
Tension only, compression only
No-load
Friction (related to a reference member)
Non-linear force deflection
Collapse contains a non-linear spring. Three flavors:
Grounded (NLSPRG)
Between joints (NLSPJJ)
Non-linear strut (NLSPST)

Mesh Quality
Overview
Plate, shell and solid elements can only approximate the
behavior of continuous media.
This contrasts with SACS linear beam elements whose DEs
can be solved analytically.
Accuracy of a solution can depend on the size, shape and
number of elements.
Poor mesh quality can bring about discretization errors: i.e.
Predicted solution differs greatly from the actual solution.
Two areas of interest: element quality, mesh refinement.

Element Quality
Overview
Symptoms of poor element quality include:
Inaccurate predictions due to poor interpolation of primary
variables and their derivatives, unusual looking results
Numerical problems related to poor conditioning of the
stiffness matrix
Commonly used quality measures include:
Aspect ratio, min/max angle, out-of-plane warping (for
plates) , Jacobian check, Rc/Ri (for tetrahedra)
Ref: Shewchuk; What is a good linear finite element ? (2002)

SACS Element Quality Criteria
Plates
Exterior / Interior
Warping
angles , < 25
Out-of-plane angle
(Not triangles)
< 0.5
L1
Coincident
Aspect Ratio nodes
L1/L2 < 3
L2
Use CP in Columns 38:39 of OPTIONS to check plate quality

SACS Element Quality Criteria
Shells
9th node
Exterior Angles interior angle
> 45, < 45
< 45

L1
Coincident
Aspect Ratio nodes
L1/L2 < 5
L2

Mesh Quality
Plate Mesh Convergence
A sufficiency of elements is required in order to
represent the domain of interest.
A coarse mesh will have difficulty in representing
highly curved domains.
A fine mesh has a better chance of capturing stress
gradients and avoiding discretization errors.
Increasing the mesh refinement and then re-running
the problem is one way to detect discretization error.

Plate Mesh Convergence - Example
Plate with Mid-face Transverse Load
Boundary is fully constrained

Load applied normal to the
plate at the centroid
Various mesh refinements to
be tested in order to assess
the effect on transverse
deflection prediction

Variation of Mesh Refinement
4 6 8
mesh1/sacinp.mesh1
Increased Accuracy in Mid-plate Transverse Deflection
with a Finer Mesh
6
Error in Predicted Deflection (%)
0
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Number of Element Sides

Femgv
Mesh Generation and Results Viewing
General purpose Pre-processor (Femgen) and Post-
processor (Femview) for FE Analysis.
Advanced mesh generation facilities:
Many element types (Beams, Plates, Shells, Solids)
Delaunay Triangularization
Voronoi Tet Generation
Solid Intersection Capability
Useful visualization for post-processing

SACS Interfaces with FEMGV
Data Flow
FEMGV (6.4)
Model Info. Common

Femgen Neutral File Solution File
Precede SACS to Femview
SACS Model Results

Femview Neutral File
SACS Analysis
FEMGV (6.4)
Common
Solution File

Femgv to SACS
Procedure for Pre-processing
Create a Femgv model using Femgen.
From within Femgen, export a neutral file.
Launch Precede
From the File menu, select Import
Select Femsys Neutral File and browse for the file
that was exported from Femgen.

SACS to Femgv
Procedure for Post-processing
Run an analysis and produce a full Common Solution File.
Convert the CSF into a Femview neutral file as follows:
From the Analysis Generator, select Results Processing
Select the subtype Femview Input File Creation
Browse for the desired CSF file and select it.
A Femview neutral file is created (sacfvi.name)
Launch Femview and import the neutral file by issuing
the FV command: UTILITY READ VIEWDATA sacfvi.name
Useful visualization for post-processing

SACS Joint Mesher

SACS Joint Mesher
Introduction
Automatic solid modeling and meshing of tubular
connections (at a single SACS joint).
Automatic chord identification along with a brace
hierarchy for the case of overlapping braces.
Automatic identification of modeling errors.
Delaunay triangularization (free triangular
meshing) produces a high quality plate mesh.
Meshes can be customized.

SACS Joint Mesher
Simple Operation
Activated from the Executive under Utilities.
Options may be specified through an interactive form
or in a more advanced way with a dedicated input file.
By default, a minimal amount of user-interaction is
required.
The beam geometry is automatically replaced by the
plate geometry in an output model file. The input
model file is not changed.
Beam to plate mesh connection is achieved with plate
offsets.

SACS Joint Mesher
Interactive Operation
Activated from the Executive under Utilities.
Once the Joint Mesh icon has been clicked the
following dialog box appears.

SACS Joint Mesher
Joint Mesh Input File
ELMSIZ: Set the target plate length.
CHMLEN: Set the meshable length for chord members.
BRMLEN: Set the meshable length for brace members.
MSHLEN: Set the meshable length for specific or all
members.
MEMTOL: Set the member modification tolerance.

SACS Joint Mesher
Output Files
Listing file with reports: mesh.name.output
Output SACS model file: SACOCI.name.73

SACS Joint Mesher
Overlapping Braces

Collapse Element Theory
Co-rotational Formulation for Beams
A continually rotated representation of the element stiffness.
The stiffness matrix is calculated with respect to the
deformed configuration of the element. Consider a cantilever
beam.
Membrane
Force

Collapse Element Theory
Co-rotational Formulation for Beams
A co-rotational system approximates the Greens strain.
A similar formulation is applied to plates.
xl
L
vx
L ux

Plasticity Assessment - Members
Sub-segments, sub-areas
If the combined stress levels within the sub-area

would ordinarily exceed the Von Mises yield surface
then the whole sub-area is assumed to be in a state
of plasticity. This affects the overall stiffness
of the whole member.

Member sub-areas
Various Cross Sections
Each cross section

Cross-sectional sub-areahas its own unique
distributions:
arrangementchannel,
wide-flange, and number of subareas
tee, box, (rods).
angle, prism
The tubular cross section has 12 subareas.
Plasticity Assessment - Plates
Plate Layering
Plate is divided into 5 layers
Plasticity is allowed to develop through the plate

thickness. The amount of plasticity affects the
overall plate stiffness.
Plastic Layer

ElementTech (EDI SACS Guide)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ElementTech (EDI SACS Guide)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SACS Element Technology

Theory and Usage of SACS Elements

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 2

Element Definition Deflection Approximation

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 3

Common practice to use natural co-ordinates.

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 4

Planar strains provide a simple example of the differential operator, .

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 5

Stress strain law

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 6

Stiffness Expression is numerically evaluated using Gauss

s (r1,s1) = .167, .167

* 1-3 Should not be a local

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 9

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 10

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 11

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 12

5 Kirchhoff assumption at nodes 1,3,5.

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 13

{18} = [T]18x9 {9}

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 14

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 15

MacNeal, R.H. and Harder, R.L.; A proposed standard

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 16

The benchmarks have been made available for

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 17

B001 (0.04, 0.02)

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 18

Bending Patch Test

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 19

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 20

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 21

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 22

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 23

Top View Side View

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 25

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 27

An effective transverse Youngs Modulus, Eeff is used.

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 28

In order to maintain symmetry, the following expression

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 29

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 30

Unity check: If no code is specified, u.c. =

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 31

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 32

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 33

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 34

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 35

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 36

Ref: Bathe; FE Procedures in Engineering Analysis (1982)

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 37

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 38

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 39

Ref: Bathe; FE Procedures in Engineering Analysis (1982)

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 40

Ref: Yunus, Pawlak, Cook; Solid Elements with Rotational

{60} = [T]60x48 {48}

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 42

The direct and shear stresses are reported in the global

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 43

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 44

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 45

Mareal/EDI Seminar 11/13/2009 46