Nyquist/Haghighi ABE 601

Solving Torsion Problems using

ANSYS Thermal Module

Torsion problems can be solved by ANSYS using a steady-state thermal analysis analogy.

The governing equation is:

1 
∇ i  ∇ φ  = −2θ
g 

Where φ is the stress function;

g is the shear modulus (N/cm2); and
θ is the angle of twist per unit length (rad/cm).

The shear stresses are given by:

∂φ ∂φ
τzy = − and τzx =
∂x ∂y

The analogous thermal quantities are presented in the following table:

Symbol Units Analogous Thermal Qty.

φ F/L T
θ 1/L
g F/L2 1/K
τzy F/L2 -∂ T / ∂ x
τzx F/L2 ∂T/ ∂y
2gθ F/L3 ɺqɺɺ

Where T is the temperature;

ɺqɺɺ is the heat generation rate (W/m3);
K is the thermal conductivity (W/m°C); and
∂ T/ ∂ x and ∂ T/ ∂ y are the thermal gradients in the x and y direction
respectively (°C/m).

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Nyquist/Haghighi ABE 601

Following are the steps to solve a torsion problem using ANSYS:

Main Menu
Preferences
Select Thermal

Preprocessor
Element Type
Select an appropriate thermal element

Preprocessor
Material Props
Material Models & Thermal & Conductivity & Isotropic
Define Kxx = 1

Preprocessor
Create solid model and FE model (mesh)

Solution
Define Loads
Apply
Thermal
Temperature
On Lines
TEMP = 0 along the boundaries, not lines of symmetry

Heat Generation
Uniform Heat Generation
Enter the value 2gθ

Solution
Solve Current LS

General PostProcessor
Plot Results
Contour Plot
Nodal Solution
DOF – Temperature
Flux & Gradient – x-component of thermal gradient
Flux & Gradient – y-component of thermal gradient