Static stress study
Static stress analyses are one of the most common types of finite element structural analyses. The component or assembly is subjected to a range of load conditions and the resultant stress, strain, and deformation results analyzed to determine the likelihood of failure of the design.
Linear static stress analyses assume that:
- the structure returns to its original form
- there are no changes in loading direction or magnitude
- the material properties do not change
- deformation and strain are small
Assumptions for a linear static stress analysis
The following conditions must be true for the Static Stress analysis to be valid:
- The loading causes only small deflections or rotations. By small, we mean that the following individual conditions are satisfied:
- The deformation does not have a significant effect on the load direction, load magnitude, or the surface area of faces to which loads are applied.
- The deformation does not alter the boundary conditions (that is, where, and in what manner, the parts are constrained).
- The materials behave linearly and remain within the elastic region of the material's stress-strain curve. In other words, the stiffness and strength of the material does not change.
- Dynamic effects from the loading conditions are not significant. Static stress analysis does not consider inertial effects. However, the mass of the model is used to determine certain static loads, such as gravity and rotational forces.
Note: You can exaggerate applied static loads to account for transient or inertial effects. However, the amount you increase the load must be based on assumptions. Therefore, the accuracy of the results is only as good as the load-multiplication assumption. For an actual solution based on inertial effects, you must run an Event Simulation analysis.
Important: Surface contact between parts that are free to slide or separate relative to each other is a nonlinear effect. Nonetheless, you can include these types of surface contact in a static stress analysis. In such cases, the solution becomes iterative. The solver performs multiple calculations, each with varying contact results, until the model is in a state of equilibrium.
Static Stress analysis examples
The following list contains a few examples for which Static Stress analysis might be appropriate (when the preceding conditions are satisfied):
- Building structures
- Bridges
- Vehicle frames
- Machine parts
- Mounting brackets
- Housings
- Valve or pump bodies
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Pressure vessels
Static stress analysis on Generative Design outcomes
If you are running a static stress analysis on a Generative Design outcome, you can export your study to Ansys Setup, or directly into Ansys Mechanical or Ansys Discovery, for further analysis.