All the parts are solid blue except for the structural members which are missing altogether! Let’s address the stress contour (or lack of) first. At first glance, this plot does not appear to be very useful. We fully defined a simulation study for the assembly pictured above now let’s look at the result plots! Bodies meshed with shell elements have no thickness, and beam elements model the geometry with a single line. The mesh type plays a significant role in the result plots. Long bodies with consistent cross section are beams, thin bodies with consistent thickness are shell, and all other bodies will be solid.

The assembly below must be analyzed and the geometry will determine which mesh type we use. There are three mesh types, shell, beam, and solid.

Several factors have influence over how we view the results and which results plots we create. Stress singularities do not converge and so are false.

All real stresses converge to a specific value for each iteration of the stress analysis. We must analyze the results plots to confirm that the stresses we see are real and not stress singularities and we must validate our inputs (material, geometry, fixtures, loads, mesh density). When the study solves our job, as analysts, this is just beginning. Pump the brakes! Neither of the statements you just read are indicators of a successful stress study. The SOLIDWORKS simulation solved successfully! It must’ve been setup correctly or else it would’ve given an error and, even better, my max stress is below yield! Next problem, please.

Solidworks simulation