Version 3.
ELFEN-Explicit User Manual
A.1
Appendix A
Illustrative Examples
A.1 Axisymmetric Spherical Shell Subject to Step Pressure (VPSX003)
A.1.1 Description
A segment of a spherical shell of radius 22.27 inches is clamped and subjected to step external
pressure of 600 lb/in2 as shown in Figure A.1.1. The pressure is applied using a step function i.e.
instantaneously and then left constant and the material is modelled using a von Mises elastoplastic yield function with linear hardening. The solution algorithm utilised is explicit dynamic,
which is most suitable to capture the high frequency response that results from the step loading.
p
B
A
D
C
0.41in
22.27in
26.67
Figure A.1.1 Problem Description
A.1.2 Finite Element Model
Finite Element Mesh
The shell is modelled as an axisymmetric problem, using a regular mesh of quadrilateral elements
as shown in Figure A.1.2. Four elements are utilised through the thickness of the shell. This is
sufficient to reproduce the correct bending response exhibited by this type of application.
Appendix A
Illustrative Examples
ELFEN-Explicit User Manual
A.2
Version 3.7
Figure A.1.2 Finite Element Mesh
Material Properties
The material is modelled using a von Mises elasto-plastic constitutive model with linear hardening.
Property
Value
Young's Modulus
10.5 x 106 lb / in2
Poisson's Ratio
0.3
Initial Yield Stress
0.024 x 106 lb / in2
Density
2.45 x 106 lb / in2
Hardening Modulus
0.2143 x 106 lb / in2
Constraints
The spherical shell is clamped along AB and CD.
Loading
The spherical is subjected to an external pressure load of 600 lb/in2 applied to the external surface
BD. The instantaneous step load is modelled using the following load function;
Pseudo-Time
Load Factor
0.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Solution Algorithm
The application is solved using a explicit central difference solution algorithm.
Time Step
The initial time step is 0.2E-6s which is less than the critical time step for the initial mesh.
This is kept constant unless it exceeds the automatically computed critical time step, in
which case 0.9tcr is used.
Illustrative Examples
Appendix A
Version 3.7
ELFEN-Explicit User Manual
A.3
Termination
The solution is terminated when either: 5000 time steps have been performed
the solution time is 1.0E-3s.
No minimum time step for termination was used as structural failure is not anticipated.
Output
The output frequencies are
Results
100 time steps
Plotting data
500 time steps
A.1.3 Neutral File
The neutral file has the following form
Element_group_data { IGROUP { 1 }
Element_type_number {
9
}
Material_number {
1
}
Element_options { NELOPS { 50 }
F F F F F F F F F F
...
F F F F F F F F F F
}
}
Element_data { IGROUP { 1 }
Element_topology { NNODE { 4 } NELGP { 40 }
4
22
29
26
..
55
25
2
13
}
Element_numbers { NELGP { 40 }
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
..
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
}
Assignment_surfaces { 1
1
}
}
Geometric_property_data { IGROUP { 1 }
Material_angle_flag {
0
}
}
Node_data { 0
Node_numbers { NPOIN { 55 }
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
..
51 52 53 54 55
}
Coordinates { NDIMN { 2 } NPOIN { 55 }
0
22.68
...
9.171063
20.628847
}
}
Appendix A
SAEQ_4 4-noded axisymmetric element
Material number 1
No element options
40 elements in the group
Geometric properties for element group
with isotropic material
55 Nodes
Nodal coordinates
Illustrative Examples
ELFEN-Explicit User Manual
A.4
Material_data { 1
Material_name {
"vpsx003"
}
Elastic_material_flags { NFGELA
0 1 0 0
}
Elastic_properties { NMPRP { 15
1.05e+007 0 0 0.3 0 0 0 0 0 0
}
Plastic_material_flags { NMFPLS
0
7
}
Plastic_properties { NPRPLS { 1
24000
}
Hardening_material_flags { 1
0
}
Hardening_properties { 2 2
0
2
24000
452600
}
Number_state_variables {
12
}
}
Version 3.7
Material 1 "vpsx003" Elasto-plastic von
Mises
{ 4 }
}
0 0 0.000245 0 0
{ 2 }
Elastic and plastic properties present
Isotropic elastic constants - no temperature
dependence
Young's Modulus = 1.05E7
Poisson's Ratio = 0.3
Density = 0.000245
}
Von mises model - linear hardening
Yield stress = 24,000
Hardening curve
Default 12 state variables
Operation_assignment_geometry {
Assignment_lines { 3
1
3
4
}
}
Load_curve_data { ILOAD { 1 }
Time_curve { NLFUNC { 1 }
0.0
}
Load_factor { NLFUNC { 1 }
1.0
}
}
Element_load_data { ILOAD { 1 }
Face_load { NDIMN { 2 } MFNOD { 2 } NFASET { 1 }
600
0
600
0
}
Face_load_pointers { NFAASM { 10 } 3
4
8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
10*3
10*1
}
Face_load_line_pointers { 1 2
1
1
}
}
Support_data { 0
Displacement_codes { MGDOF { 2 } NPDGRP { 2 }
1 0 0
1 1 0
}
Displacement_code_pointers { NDPGRP { 10 } NSETS { 2 }
1
2
3
4 23 24 25 26 27 28
1
2*2
1
3*2
3*1
}
Displace_code_line_pointers { 2 2
3 4
2 1
}
}
Load_case_control_data { 0
List_loadcases_input { NLODIN { 1 }
1
}
List_active_load_flags { NLODIN { 1 }
2
}
}
Illustrative Examples
Geometry lines with assignments
Step load function for load case 1
Pressure/Face loading (normal direction)
List of pointers
Geometry lines and pointers with face
loading
Two fixity conditions
U prescribed (symmetry)
U and V prescribed
List of nodes
List of pointers
1 - Symmetry condition
2 - Clamped end
Geometry lines with fixitiy conditions
A single active load case
Appendix A
Version 3.7
History { 1
Name {
"disp_y"
}
Output_steps {
10
}
Nodal_output_values { 1
"Y_DISP"
}
Nodes { NHNODE { 1 }
1
}
Tracking {
0
}
}
Control_data {
Control_title {
"elastic_shell"
}
Initial_time_step {
2e-007
}
Maximum_time_step_change {
101.0
}
Minimum_time_step {
0
}
Maximum_time_step {
1
}
Factor_critical_time_step {
0.9
}
Solution_algorithm {
1
}
Maximum_number_time_steps {
5000
}
Termination_time {
0.001
}
Output_frequency_results {
-1
}
Output_frequency_plotfile {
250
}
Output_frequency_restart {
0
}
Output_time_results {
0
}
Output_file_plotfile {
0
}
Output_time_restart {
}
Screen_message_time {
0
}
}
ELFEN-Explicit User Manual
A.5
High
resolution
history
results
of
displacements in y every 10 analysis steps
for node 1
Time step = 2e-007s
1% of time step growth permitted
No minimum time step limit
If tcr exceeded use 0.9*tcr
Central difference
Terminate after 5000 steps or
Terminate after 0.001s
Output last result
Output plot data every 250 steps
No restart file required
Not used
Not used
Not used
Not used
Appendix A
Illustrative Examples
