Calculation of the strain energy of the Truss using Abaqus software and Analytical Solution

Project Overview

This Abaqus tutorial is designed to help you understand how to calculate the strain energy of a truss using the Abaqus software and the Analytical Solution.

In this example, we calculate the strain energy of the truss using the Abaqus software and Analytical Solution and then compare the results obtained from both methods.

Analytical Solution

First, the forces applied to members BC and CD are calculated. Then, by writing the equilibrium equation for the forces in the Y direction, the force in member BC is obtained.

The force in member BC is equal to 51,000 Pounds.

Next, by writing the equilibrium equation for the forces in the X direction, the force in member CD is calculated.

The force in member CD is equal to 25,000 Pounds.

Calculation of Strain Energy

Following the calculation of the internal forces, the strain energy of the whole truss is calculated. To obtain the total strain energy, the strain energy of each member of the truss is calculated and then all the values are added together.

In this manner, the total strain energy of the truss is obtained.

The strain energy obtained from the Analytical Solution is equal to 1767.17.

Abaqus Simulation

Next, the same truss is modeled and analyzed using the Abaqus software. The strain energy of the truss is obtained from the Abaqus results.

The strain energy obtained from the Abaqus software is equal to 1767.18.

Comparison of Results

Finally, the strain energy obtained from the Abaqus software is compared with the result obtained from the Analytical Solution.

The strain energy obtained from the Analytical Solution is 1767.17, while the result obtained from Abaqus is 1767.18.

As observed, the results obtained from the Abaqus software are precisely concordant with those obtained from the Analytical Solution.

What You Will Learn

• How to analyze a truss structure using Abaqus.
• How to calculate the forces in truss members.
• How to calculate the force in member BC.
• How to calculate the force in member CD.
• How to calculate the strain energy of each truss member.
• How to calculate the total strain energy of a truss.
• How to obtain strain energy from Abaqus.
• How to compare Abaqus results with the Analytical Solution.

Key Features

• Truss strain energy analysis.
• Analytical Solution.
• Abaqus numerical simulation.
• Calculation of the force in member BC.
• F(BC) = 51,000 Pounds.
• Calculation of the force in member CD.
• F(CD) = 25,000 Pounds.
• Calculation of the strain energy of the whole truss.
• Analytical strain energy = 1767.17.
• Abaqus strain energy = 1767.18.
• Comparison between Abaqus and Analytical Solution.
• Free Abaqus tutorial.