39. Plotting the reactions

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Non-linear Finite Element Analysis of 2D Catenary & Cable Structures using Python

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Introduction and Course Overview

  • 1. Introduction and course overview
  • 2. Course prerequisites
  • Support and Lecture Q&A (Please read!)

‘Heavy’ Cables - the Linear Solution

  • 3. Section overview
  • 4. Deriving a linear heavy cable equation
  • 5. Accounting for cable self-weight
  • 6. Problem-specific boundary conditions
  • 7. Solving for max cable tension
  • 7.1 Jupyter Notebook (lecture 7)

Getting Comfortable with Non-linearity

  • 8. Section overview
  • 9. What is non-linear structural behaviour?
  • 10. Large deflections and geometric non-linearity
  • 11. An iterative solution strategy

The Non-linear Stiffness Matrix

  • 12. Section overview
  • 13. Building the transformation matrix
  • 14. The linear stiffness matrix
  • 15. Additional force due to large deflections
  • 16. The local non-linear stiffness matrix
  • 17. The global non-linear stiffness matrix

Building our 2D Solver Toolbox

  • 18. Section overview
  • 19. Initial setup and data import
  • 20. Plotting the initial configuration
  • 21. Blocking out the main convergence loop
  • 22. Building the transformation matrices
  • 23. Adding pre-tension to each member
  • 24. Building the stiffness matrix
  • 25. Solving for displacements
  • 26. Updating the internal force system
  • 27. Building a convergence test function
  • 28. Calculating axial forces
  • 29. Allowing for smaller external force increments
  • 30. Generating a text summary output
  • 31. Adding self-weight calculation
  • 31.1 Jupyter Notebook (lectures 19-31)
  • Mid-course check-in

Visualising the Results

  • 32. Section overview
  • 33. Plot setup and data selection
  • 34. Plotting the undeformed structure
  • 35. Building a colour scale
  • 36. Plotting the deformed structure
  • 37. Adding axial force labels
  • 38. Plotting the applied forces
  • 39. Plotting the reactions
  • 39.1 Jupyter Notebook (lectures 33-39)

‘Heavy’ Cables - the Non-linear Solution

  • 40. Section overview
  • 41. Exploring the convergence behaviour
  • 41.1 Jupyter Notebook (lecture 41)
  • 42. Modelling the cable with large axial stiffness5
  • 43. Introducing non-linearity by reducing the axial stiffness
  • 43.1 Jupyter Notebook (lectures 42-43)
  • 44. Linear vs. Non-linear comparison for a simple truss
  • 44.1 Jupyter Notebook (lecture 44)

Modelling Initial Geometry in Blender

  • 45. Section overview
  • 46. Simulating initial catenary geometry
  • 47. Basic geometry data export
  • 48. Exporting cable definitions
  • 49. Exporting restraint data
  • 50. Exporting force location data
  • 50.1 Blender File (lectures 46-50)

Mixing Cables and Bars in the Same Model

  • 51. Section overview
  • 52. Modifying our code for different element types3
  • 52.1 Jupyter Notebook (lecture 52)
  • 53. Analysing a combined cable and bar structure
  • 54. Removing slack cable elements
  • 54.1 Jupyter Notebook (lecture 54)
  • 55. Antenna tower - modelling and analysis
  • 55.1 Jupyter Notebook (lecture 55)
  • 55.2 Blender File (lecture 55)
  • 56. Course wrap up & completion certificate

Appendix: Introduction to Blender

  • A1. How can Blender help us?
  • A2. Downloading and installing Blender
  • A3. Blender overview and interface basics
  • A4. Object versus edit mode
  • A5. Basic modelling - rectilinear structures
  • A6. Basic modelling - organic/curved structures