Using Engineering Solver

Convert engineering requirements into material properties. Then use the resulting values in a limit stage to select appropriate materials.

You can model the following engineering loading geometries:
  • Tie in Tension
  • Beam in Bending
  • Panel in Bending
  • Shaft in Torsion
  • Column in Compression
  • Helical Spring
To start the Engineering Solver:
  1. Click Solver, and select the situation that you want to calculate engineering requirements for.
  2. Enter the Geometry and Design Parameters.
    • The required Young's or Shear modulus and Yield strength for your specified loading geometry will be shown in the Results section.

    • For Beam in bending and Column in compression, Shape Factor will also be shown in the Results section.

      (Shape Factor is a measure of a material or design's resistance to buckling. Use shape factor to compare the performance of beams or columns with different cross-sectional shapes.

      To account for a variable cross-sectional shape in a selection project, replace Young’s modulus in the relevant performance index with (Young’s modulus * Shape Factor). For strength-limited designs, replace Yield strength with (Yield strength * Shape Factor^0.5).)

Use these values in a selection stage (for example, a limit stage) to filter the materials.

For further information on simulating engineering situations, see "Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain", Warren C. Young & Richard G. Budynas.