SS-T: 4150 Interference Fit using Align Contact Condition

Tutorial Level: Intermediate

Purpose
SimSolid performs meshless structural analysis that works on full featured parts and assemblies, is tolerant of geometric imperfections, and runs in seconds to minutes. In this tutorial, you will do the following:
  • Learn to use the align contact condition for removing any gap or penetration in the model where they are defined.
Model Description
The following model file is needed for this tutorial:
  • Shaft_Assembly.ssp
Figure 1.


The file has the following specifications:
  • Material is set to Steel for all parts.
  • Regular connection with bonded contact created.
  • Solution settings set to Global adaptation.
  • The model exhibits initial penetration at the contact region as shown in Figure 2.
    Figure 2.


Open Project

  1. On the main window toolbar, click Open Project .
  2. In the Open project file dialog, select Shaft_Assembly.ssp.
  3. Click OK.

Create Structural Linear Analysis

On the main window toolbar, click Structural Analysis > Structural linear.
The new analysis appears in the Project Tree under Design study 1. The Analysis Workbench opens.

Create Immovable Support

  1. In the Analysis Workbench, click Immovable Support .
  2. In the dialog, verify the Faces radio button is selected.
  3. In the modeling window, select the three faces highlighted in orange.
    Figure 3.


Create Contact Condition

  1. Right-click on the part highlighted in orange, and select Review part contact conditions.
    Figure 4.


  2. In the Review part contact condition dialog, ensure Connection 1, bonded is highlighted and select Edit.
    The Custom Contact Condition dialog appears.
  3. In the dialog, select the Align radio button option.
  4. Click OK.

Solve Analysis

  1. In the Project Tree, ensure Structural 1 subcase is selected.
  2. Click Solve.
SimSolid runs the analyses in Design study 1. When finished, a Results branch for each analysis appears in the Project Tree.

Review Results

  1. In the Project Tree, select the Results branch for Structural 1.
  2. In the Analysis Workbench toolbar, click Results plot.
  3. Select the Displacement Magnitude plot.
  4. In the Legend window, click (Show deformed shape).
    The modeling window updates to show the chosen results and display options.
    Figure 5.


  5. Close the Legend window.
  6. To isolate the part, select the part highlighted in orange and press I on the keyboard.
    Figure 6.


  7. In the Analysis Workbench toolbar, click Results plot.
  8. Select the Stress > Von Mises Stress plot.
  9. In the Legend dialog, set the minimum value to 0 MPa and the maximum value to 5000 MPa.
The Von Mises Stress plot should illustrate the maximum stress concentration at the area where the contact is aligned to eliminate the initial penetration.
Figure 7.