Simulation and Analysis of Three-point Bending Experiment with Hollow Beam Based on Abaqus

Abstract

Bending resistance is a crucial performance indicator for many hollow beams in service. However, traditional three-point bending experiments face challenges in measuring the stress of the inner wall, making it difficult to study the stress distribution and bending resistance of hollow beams under different external loads. In this study, we established a finite element model based on Abaqus and computed on a server to investigate the stress distribution and bending resistance of hollow beams. Our simulation results show that the structure of the beam meets design requirements, and the hollow beam has a bending resistance of 4.26 kN and a maximum stress of 378.6 MPa when the indenter displacement is 1 mm. As the indenter displacement increases to 10 mm, the bending resistance of the hollow beam increases to 9.04 kN, and the maximum stress reaches 636.4 MPa. We also observed stress concentration on the upper and lower sides of the cross-section, with lower stress in the middle region. Statistical analysis of the stress data revealed that the stress value of the nodes decreased as the distance from the center of the sample increased. Our results demonstrate that modeling and simulation are a feasible approach for studying the bending deformation of hollow beams, and this method provides abundant measurement data without size limitations, making it advantageous over traditional experimental measurement. We recommend that more scholars should explore this approach in their research.