Solidworks Simulation Design for Life

 

Many of us are using Solidworks Static Simulation to check the ability of their design to withstand applied load and that the design reflects the required factor of safety.

At this stage you may find yourself asking, is this enough to say that this design is safe?

If you are asking me this question. I will answer you by asking another question.

Is the type of the applied load could be defined as a cyclic load of constant or variable amplitude?

Source: WMC (TU Delft-ECN)

If your answer to this question is Yes, then No will be my answer to your question.

So, what do you need to do next to make sure that your design is safe and will do the job?

Lucky you are. As, Solidworks Simulation Packages can help you taking the right decision by running a fatigue analysis.

You may ask a question this a part of Solidworks Premium?

Answer is No. Fatigue Analysis could be found in both Solidworks Siumlation Standard and Solidworks Simulation Professional packages.

Your next question will be:  what are the inputs and outputs for this type of analysis?

And, how does it work?

Let me take you quickly through setting a fatigue analysis study

1-  You need to setup and run a static study as normal

2-  Start a new study with Fatigue as its type

3-   You are also required to select the option which best defines you load type (Contact/Variable/ Harmonic/Random )

4-  Now you have a fatigue study it should like the following screen capture

5-  Next we need to add an event that describe the behavior of the applied load (number of cycles and if it is a full cycle or half)

6-  Before exiting this dialog box make sure that you have selected the right static analysis the describe your load behavior.

7-  Now you should have your study setup that looks like the following screen capture

8-  Wait before you run the study make sure that you have a definition of the SN curve of the model material. Select the CAD model from the study manger tree RMC à Apply/Edit Fatigue Data

You can either define SN curve or use the one driven from steel curve as per the following screen capture.

9-  Now , it is time to run the study and check the results

10-  The result fold should contain 2 fatigue plots ( Damage & Life)

–  Damage Plot: Which indicates the percentage cumulative damage factor or the percentage life consumed. A value of 100 indicates that the defined fatigue events consume 100% of the model life at that location.

–  Life Plot: this plot describes the number of cycles that causes failure at a model location. In the graph it is the intersection between the horizontal line for σ and the S-N curve.

Now you have full understanding of how your design will behave under a cyclic load. And you are designing for life.

Need to learn more about Fatigue Analysis In Solidworks, .ask your local Intercad Field Engineer.

Please keep an eye on this space for more Solidworks tips and tricks.