Shell vs Solid elements

When finite element analysis turns into an art. The shell element model on the right predicts stress level at least 2.5 times higher than the solid element model on the left. The imposed load, mesh size and boundary condition are similar for the two models. The 2 x 1.5m beams have maximum element size of 10mm and 4mm at the joint. Fillet weld is modelled into the solid model and not the shell model. Although structural shell elements is efficient for analyzing thin-walled structures but engineers require extensive experience when interpreting stress plots and make the right judgement to (or not to) isolate suspiciously high stress concentration. Analysis carried out by NING Research. Proud to be an engineer. Trust me I am an engineer. Solver: NX-NASTRAN.

#Shellelements #Solidelements #NASTRAN #FEA