From the course: SOLIDWORKS: Shell and Beam Modeling in FEA

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Beam modeling background

Beam modeling background - SOLIDWORKS Tutorial

From the course: SOLIDWORKS: Shell and Beam Modeling in FEA

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Beam modeling background

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- [Instructor] In this chapter we're going to look at the second type of special element which is the beam element. And as a reminder, a beam element is another type of one dimensional element in the same family as the truss element. And just like the truss, the beam has no representation of space around its one dimensional axis. Parametrically, it just knows the Area, Moments of Inertia and the Torsional Constant. The beam can carry end loads, like the truss, but in addition it can carry moments, shear forces and torsion. Each end of the beam has six degrees of freedom so it can carry these loads internally. Applications of the beam element include pipe-like assemblies where the joints are very stiff, like in the oil rig jacket here, in the construction industry where many girder-like assemblies are used, and there are many cases where shaft, legs, and stanchions can all be modeled as beams. For example, in the heavy section shown here. The conrod shown here could be greatly…

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