Exercise 16: Calculate values for a Limit Stage using Engineering Solver

Use the Engineering Solver to convert engineering requirements into material properties, and then use these properties to filter materials in a Limit Stage.

Design requirements are often specified in terms of geometry, loading, and maximum deflections. The Engineering Solver tool converts these engineering requirements into material properties, which can then be applied in a Limit Stage to screen for suitable materials.

Note: Engineering Solver is only enabled in the advanced Level 3 databases. This exercise assumes you are using the Level 3 Polymer database from the last exercise.
  1. Open the Engineering Solver.
    1. Click Solver on the main toolbar.
  2. Select the loading geometry Beam in Bending

    This model estimates the minimum strength, stiffness and Shape Factor values required for a beam with the specified geometry and load conditions.

  3. Enter the geometry for an I-beam with the following dimensions:

    Use the Cross-section list to select I-section. Enter the following dimensions and use the drop-down lists at the end of each line to select the correct units:

    Breadth, b = 100 mm; Depth, d = 250 mm; Thickness, t = 10 mm; Web thickness, tw= 10 mm; Length, l = 5 m.
  4. Enter the design parameters for a cantilever with an end load of 5 kN

    Load condition = Cantilever End load; Load = 5 kN; Safety factor = 1.5; Maximum deflection = 50 mm.

    The results are populated automatically. You should see that the minimum required Young’s Modulus is 133 GPa and the minimum Yield Strength is 108 MPa.

    Keep the Engineering Solver dialog open.

  5. Select materials based on the results from Engineering Solver
    1. Create a new Limit stage using MaterialUniverse: All bulk materials, and enter the minimum Young’s modulus and Yield strength (elastic limit) estimated by the Solver. You can copy and paste from the dialog using CTRL+C and CTRL+V.
    2. Make sure the units in the Engineering Solver and Limit Stage match. Change the results units in the Engineering Solver dialog if they do not.
    Over a third of the materials in the database meet the requirements. Typically, you would apply more constraints and selection stages to narrow the list further.
  6. Delete this stage, and Change database back to Level 2