Need Fea Software Suggestions for Wind Loading Application

[dfowler]

I am looking to analyze the strength of simple static objects (garage doors) against wind force. The only FEA experience I have is with a super old version of Algor back in school. I have excellent 3D modeling skills with AutoCAD (ya I know) and a little SolidWorks experience. I am looking for a fairly simple interface with nothing too fancy for analysis necessary. From what I have learned so far it seems SolidWorks with an Algor add-in module might be the best solution for me. If anyone has used any particular package for a similar problem please let me know how well it worked out for you. Thanks for any feedback.

Davey

 

[DJHaley]

dfowler:

If you can produce your model in AutoCAD all you need is ALGOR's static structural package. However, ALGOR comes with Superdraw which is easy to use and adequate for simple models such as a door. I draw in CADKEY and have the ALGOR MES/NLM package. There are other more expensive software but these two give the best for the buck that I know of.

David J. Haley, PE

 

[Qshake]

The garage door may be modeled in a number of ways; it is not necessary to use FEA. The following methods should suffice.

1. Treat as a plate and solve for a pressure distribution acting on the plate due to wind. The support conditions may be assumed as pinned on all four sides if applicable (3 if the door doesn't fit into a guideway at the bottom. This method uses classical and simple plate theory.

2. Treat as a unit strip with bending in the short direction (may depend on the door dimensions) and apply boundary conditions as appropriate. For example assuming a unit strip that is pinned on the two ends and free on the other edges will exaggerate the bending moment and deflection in the middle of the garage door. However, that condition is closer to the behavior near the middle of the plate.

3. Treat as a plate with a pressure distribution and include the appropriate boundary conditions (Free, Fixed, Pinned) and consult Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain. There are many many solutions available in Roark's and certainly one that fits your situation.

I would use number 3. If you have the reference you'll be done in an hour tops. The formula from Roark's can be placed in a spreadsheet and from there you can evaluate a number of situations for loading, support conditions and parameters of design.

Good Luck.