Nonlinear Analysis of a Critical Part Design

Abstract

A nonlinear analysis is needed when the behaviour of a mechanical structure is not complying with Hooke’s Law. Large deformation of the structure, changes in stiffness matrix, changes in boundary conditions caused by the loading and the stress-strain relationship of the material become nonlinear when the stress increases and passes the yield point. Once passed the yield point, the material is said to be nonlinear as it displays plastic or hyper-elastic behaviour. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to study and analyze problems of nonlinear behaviour. The conventional nonlinear analysis procedure is time consuming and complex as it uses an iteration method where the solution is lengthy and tedious. This study used CAD software which is SOLIDWORKS to design and perform nonlinear simulation. Additionally, displacement control analysis method and tangent modulus analysis method were carried out in this study. Galvanized steel is applied to the part design and plasticity von Mises material model is chosen to conduct the analysis. Nonlinear response curves of von Mises stress and displacement were generated from the analysis. Indeed, the parameters used in the nonlinear analysis influenced the result of von Mises stress and displacement. The results revealed that the nonlinear behaviour is initiated by the material nonlinear and geometric nonlinear.