THE USAGE OF SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION FOR THE DESIGN OF WELDED METAL STRUCTURES WITH SHEET METAL ELEMENTS ON THE EXAMPLE OF WAREHOUSE RACKS

Abstract

The paper considers the problem of the strength calculations using the numerical method of finite element analysis (FEA) that is implemented in Computer-Aided Engineering system SOLIDWORKS Simulation. It is shown that the usage of welded metal structures and sheet metal elements in the model has a number of peculiarities that are shown in the paper on the example of strength calculating of a rack for a warehouse. In particular, the division of the model into the finite elements was carried out for the channel elements and for the rectangular pipe – as beam finite elements, sheet metal – as shell finite elements, the contact of metal sheets to beams – was considered as welded joints. The load was simulated by placing two standard Euro pallets (1200x800) in the center on each shelf of the rack. According to the results of the calculations, changes to the structure of the rack were proposed, which provided the required safety factor.