[APDL] strain energy of cantilever beam

[saeed.akbari]

Hello All,

I'm modeling a cantilever beam with Plane183 and KEYOPT(3)=0 (plane stress).
Then I use SENE command to calculate stiffness (strain) energy of the beam.
The strain energy of the beam is a function of the beam thickness (normal to page).
I was wondering where i can input the beam thickness? And when KEYOPT(3)=0, what is the default beam thickness considered by the software?
Perhaps I have to create a 3D model of the beam to input the thckness ...
_________________
Saeed Akbari, PhD student.
University of Toronto

[Martin Liddle]

[quote="saeed.akbari"]
I'm modeling a cantilever beam with Plane183 and KEYOPT(3)=0 (plane stress).
Then I use SENE command to calculate stiffness (strain) energy of the beam.
The strain energy of the beam is a function of the beam thickness (normal to page).
I was wondering where i can input the beam thickness? And when KEYOPT(3)=0, what is the default beam thickness considered by the software?
[/quote]
To be able to input thickness you need to use Keyopt(3)=3 and then thickness can be input as real constant THK. If I remember correctly the thickness with Keyopt(3) =0 will be unity.
_________________
Martin Liddle, Tynemouth Computer Services,
Chesterfield, UK.

[saeed.akbari]

That's true!
Thanks Martin!
_________________
Saeed Akbari, PhD student.
University of Toronto