Design studies of a square ring shaped force sensor - Integrated ...

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENGINEERING RESEARCH, DINDIGUL
Volume 1, No 4, 2011
© Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing Association
RESEARCH ARTICLE ISSN ­ 0976­4259
3. Finite Element Model and Analysis
Similar finite element analysis has been done for ring shaped force sensor earlier by various
researchers. The software ABAQUS standard student edition 6.7.2 has been used for
modeling and analysis of the force sensors developed. A three dimensional quarter of the
idealized square ring has been designed and suitable boundary conditions have been defined
for finite element analysis. A three dimensional solid continuum 8 node element with reduced
integration is considered and the analysis is of linear type. The material is of isotropic nature.
The axial force is applied in compression mode as an indication of methodology using
ABAQUS 6.7.2 software for studying stress – strain and axial deflection pattern. Suitable
procedure for finite element analysis of the quarter of the ring has been adopted and the stress,
strain and axial deflection patterns have been plotted. The findings of the finite element
analysis may be summarized in form of stress, strain and axial deflection patterns (Fig 2­4).
4. Results & Discussions
Figure 2 expresses the stress distribution of the quarter of ring when it is under axial force in
tension mode. Maximum stress occurs at the upper top point where the force is applied. From
the point of application of axial force, along the periphery, the stress tends to decrease.
Figure 2: Stress Distribution of a Quarter Square Ring
The maximum value of stress is found to be 118.7 MPa in comparison to 449.1 MPa for ring
shaped force sensor of similar dimensions and capacity (maximum values of stresses have
730