Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled with regular shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite
Element Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end and all out-of plane translations and rotations are fixed.

Comments

This is a cantilever beam subjected to in-plane loading. The aspect ratio of the elements of
this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of various elements
with such a high aspect ratio.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated from
FEMAP)

1.

Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection
Max. Normal Stress
at fixed end
0.1081

9000

Fundamental
frequency

Buckling Load due to

axial load

178.0 Hz

45.69

Cantilever Modeled with Regular Shape Plate Elements

CAEFEM v6.0

MSC NASTRAN CQUADR

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

ANSYS v5.3
0

% ERROR

10

Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress
Fundamental Frequency
Buckling Load

Bar charts currently not shown: Buckling load for MSC NASTRAN and ANSYS, and Max. Normal Stress
for MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled with trapezoidal shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite
Element Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end and all out-of plane translations and rotations are fixed.

Comments

This is a cantilever beam subjected to in-plane loading. The aspect ratio of very distorted
elements of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of
distorted elements with high aspect ratio.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated using
FEMAP)

1.

Y
Z X

Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection

Max. Normal Stress

at fixed end

Fundamental
frequency

Buckling Load due to

axial load

9000

178.0 Hz

45.69

0.1081

Cantilever Modeled with Trapezoidal Shape Plate Elements

CAEFEM v6.0
MSC NASTRAN CQUADR

1.09
0.65

18.11

0.5

1.3
0.58

18.15
93

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

227
95
92

ANSYS v5.3
0

50

100

299

150

200

250

300

% ERROR
Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress
Fundamental Frequency
Buckling Load

Note: Bar charts currently not shown: Buckling load for MSC NASTRAN and ANSYS, and Max. Normal
Stress for MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

350

Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled with parallelogram shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite Element
Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end and all out-of plane translations and rotations are fixed.

Comments

This is a cantilever beam subjected to in-plane loading. The aspect ratio of very distorted
elements of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of distorted
elements with high aspect ratio.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated using FEMAP)

1.

Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection
Max. Normal Stress
at fixed end
0.1081

9000

Fundamental
frequency

Buckling Load due to

axial load

178.0 Hz

45.69

Cantilever Modeled with Parallelogram Shape Plate Elements

1.48
0.88

CAEFEM v6.0

0.82
1.66

1.5
0.92

MSC NASTRAN CQUADR

0.82

92

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

220

36
82

ANSYS v5.3

35

50

100

% ERROR

150

200

250

Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress
Fundamental Frequency
Buckling Load

Bar Charts currently not shown: Buckling load for MSC NASTRAN and ANSYS, and Max. Normal Stress
for MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled by regular shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite
Element Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end.

Comments

This is a cantilever beam subjected to out-of-plane loading. The aspect ratio of the elements
of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of various
elements with such a high aspect ratio. Neglect Shear Deformation
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3

0.5
0.5

YX
Z
Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection

Max. Normal Stress

at fixed end

0.432

Fundamental
frequency

Buckling Load due

to axial load

18000

11.42

Cantilever Modeled with Regular Shape Plate Elements

1.33

CAEFEM v6.0

0
0.5
1.23
1.35
8.3

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

0.45

2.3
8

ANSYS v5.3

1.46

% ERROR

7
8
Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress
Fundamental Frequency
Buckling Load

Note: Bar charts currently not shown: Buckling loads for MSC NASTRAN and ANSYS

Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled by trapezoidal shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite
Element Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end.

Comments

This is a cantilever beam subjected to out-of-plane loading. The aspect ratio of very
distorted elements of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the
performance of distorted elements with high aspect ratio. Neglect Shear Deformation.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3

0.5
0.5

Y
X
Z

Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection

Max. Normal
Stress at fixed end

Fundamental
frequency

Buckling Load
due to axial
load

18000

89.096 Hz

11.42

0.432

Cantilever Modeled with Trapezoidal Shape Plate Elements

1.27
1.5

CAEFEM v6.0

0.58
0.54
1.95

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

5.5
0.006

2.25
8.4

ANSYS v5.3

1.39

% ERROR

Note: Bar charts currently not shown: Buckling loads for MSC NASTRAN and ANSYS

Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress
Fundamental Frequency
Buckling Load

Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled by parallelogram shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite
Element Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end.

Comments

This is a cantilever beam subjected to out-of-plane loading. The aspect ratio of very
distorted elements of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the
performance of distorted elements with high aspect ratio. Neglect Shear Deformation
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3

0.5
0.5

Y
X
Z

Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection

Max. Normal Stress

at fixed end

Fundamental frequency

Buckling Load due

to axial load

18000

89.096 Hz

11.42

0.432

Cantilever Modeled with Parallelogram Shape Plate Elements

1.26
1.2

CAEFEM v6.0

0.39
0.97
1.28
3.2

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

0.53

2.4
8

ANSYS v5.3

1.52

% ERROR

Note: Bar charts currently not shown: Buckling load for MSC NASTRAN and ANSYS

Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress
Fundamental Frequency
Buckling Load

Problem

Straight Cantilever Beam modeled with regular shape elements subjected to temperatures

Reference

Bruno A. Boley and Jerome H. Weiner, Theory of Thermal Stresses, page 279, Dover
Publications Inc., Mineola, New York 1997.

Data

Length = 6.0, Width = 0.2, Depth = 0.1

Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.3
Coefficient of thermal expansion=1.265E-5, Reference temperature = 00F
Loading: Top surface is maintained at 2000F and bottom surface is maintained at 1000F
Constraints: Fixed at one end.

Comments

Deformation due to temperature loading is considered in this problem. The aspect ratio of the
elements of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of various
elements with such a high aspect ratio. Both undeformed and deformed shapes are shown in the
figure.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated from FEMAP)

Y
Z X

Analytical Solution:
Deflection of node located at top right corner
X displacement: 0.015225,

Y displacement: -0.1152

Cantilever Modeled with Regular Shape Plate Elements

0.3

CAEFEM v6.0

1.5

7.2
MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

28

0.3

ANSYS v5.3

1.5

10

15

% ERROR

20

25
X displacement
Y displacement

30

Problem

Curved Beam modeled with regular shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite Element
Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Inner radius = 4.12, Outer radius = 4.32, Thickness = 0.1, arc = 900
Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.25, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end and all out-of plane translations and rotations are fixed.

Comments

This is a curved beam subjected to in-plane shear. The aspect ratio of very distorted elements
of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of distorted elements
with high aspect ratio.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated using FEMAP)

Analytical Solution:
Tip
Max. Normal Stress
Deflection
at fixed end at r=4.12
0.08734

Y
Z

6180

Curved Beam Modeled with Regular Shape Plate Elements

CAEFEM v6.0

0.75
1.57

MSC NASTRAN CQUADR

0.75
1.57
17

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

11.3

ANSYS v5.3

29

10

15

% ERROR

20

25

30
Tip Displacement
Max.Normal Stress

Note: Bar chart currently not shown for Max. Normal Stress for MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

35

Problem

Curved Beam modeled with regular shape elements.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite
Element Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.

Data

Inner radius = 4.12, Outer radius = 4.32, Thickness = 0.1, arc = 900
Youngs Modulus =10.0E6, Poissons ratio = 0.25, Mass Density=2.53881E-4
Loading: Unit force at free end.
Constraints: Fixed at one end.

Comments

This is a curved beam subjected to out-of-plane shear. The aspect ratio of very distorted
elements of this problem is 5.0. Hence this problem demonstrates the performance of
distorted elements with high aspect ratio.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated from FEMAP)

Analytical Solution:
Tip Deflection

0.5022

Curved Beam Modeled with Regular Shape Plate Elements

CAEFEM v6.0

11.44

5.73

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

ANSYS v5.3

13.5

10

% Error in Tip Displacement

12

14

16

Problem

Morleys Spherical Shell.

Reference

R.H. Macneal and R.L.Harder, A Proposed Standard Set of Problems To Test Finite Element
Accuracy, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 1, pp 3-20, 1985.
Also
Morley, L.S.D. and A.J. Morris, Conflict between Finite Elements and Shell Theory, Royal
Aircraft Establishment Report, London, 1978.

Data

Radius of Shell = 10.0, Thickness=0.04

Youngs Modulus =6.825E7, Poissons ratio = 0.3
Loading: Unit forces as shown.
Constraints: Symmetric boundary conditions along vertical edges.

Comments

It is a doubly-curved shell problem. The equator is a free edge so that this problem represents a
hemisphere with four point loads alternating in sign at 90 degree intervals on the equator. Both
membrane and bending strains contribute significantly to the radial displacement at the
load point.
CAEFEM v6.0, MSC NASTRAN for Windows v1.0, ANSYS v5.3 (generated using FEMAP)

1.

Reference Solution:
1.

Deflection under load: 0.094

M o r ley's Spherical Shell

2.04

CAEFEM v6.0

1.4

MSC NASTRAN CQUAD4

0.67

ANSYS v5.3

0.5

1.5

% Error in deflection under load

2.5