Structural Mechanics Blog Posts

Computing Stiffness of Linear Elastic Structures: Part 1
Learn how to compute the stiffness of linear elastic structures in 1D and 2D by implementing the Timoshenko beam theory in COMSOL Multiphysics®. Part 1 of a 2-part series on computing stiffness.

Using Cyclic Symmetry to Reduce Computation Time
Cyclic symmetry can be more complex for rotationally geometries than it can for axially symmetric geometries. Learn how to implement this feature to cut down on computational memory.

Buckling, When Structures Suddenly Collapse
The easiest way to approach a buckling problem — like a bridge collapse or crushed soda can — is by performing a linearized buckling analysis. See how to do so in COMSOL Multiphysics® here >>

Selecting First Gear: Investigating a Classic Car Gearshift Mechanism
Follow along as we perform a multibody dynamics analysis of the gearshift mechanism in a classic car. Read to hit the road?

Amphos 21: Modeling Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical Phenomena
A guest blogger from Amphos 21, a COMSOL Certified Consultant, discusses the company’s iCP technology for modeling coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical phenomena.

Computing and Controlling the Volume of a Cavity
See a method for modeling enclosed volumes containing incompressible fluids (under the additional assumption that the momentum and energy transfer via the fluid is small) in COMSOL Multiphysics®.

Submodeling: How to Analyze Local Effects in Large Models
Modeling a particularly large structure with a lot of boundary conditions? Learn how to use submodeling, a technique for analyzing local effects in large models in COMSOL Multiphysics®.

Modeling Bone Strength Using Isotropic and Anisotropic Materials
The question of exactly how strong living bones are poses many important considerations for the medical industry. There is not currently a single-purpose device in the field to test bone strength. However, it is possible for researchers to get measurements of bone strength by modeling the entire makeup of the bone and using multiphysics simulation to perform stress and strain analyses. Simulating bone strength starts with a simple map of the external topology of the bone and then delves into […]