Analysis of Fixed-Fixed Beam using Solid Brick Elements For the fixed-fixed reinforced concrete beam given below, use 8-node, solid brick elements to determine the beam’s displacements and stresses...

Analysis of Fixed-Fixed Beam using Solid Brick Elements



For the fixed-fixed reinforced concrete beam given below, use 8-node, solid brick elements to determine the beam’s displacements and stresses along the length. Compare your results to simple hand calculations based on beam theory. For the finite element analysis, use solid 3D brick elements with 8 nodes and 24 degrees of freedom. Use hand calculations, Excel and MATLAB, as needed. The modulus of elasticity
E=4030 ksi for the concrete. Compare the stress contours against beam theory. Discuss how well the finite element analysis compares to beam theory as well as how the hole in the web changes or doesn’t change the results. Provide maximum displacements and stresses from the finite element analysis and from the hand calculations. Plot section moments and shears along the length (moment and shear diagrams) from the finite element analysis and from the hand calculations. Note that the hole in the web is 10’ long and 2.5’ tall, indicated in the figure by the shaded rectangle. The hole starts one foot up from the bottom. Pressure loading is applied over the whole length and width of the beam top surface. Clearly show the deformed shape of the top and bottom of the beam and the deformations around the boundary of the hole. How well is torsion captured using brick elements compared to beam theory?