How to apply assumed uniform distributed load to model?

General Questions
1

Hi all, I am a university student using PrePoMax for my final year FEA research project, in which I am modelling a elastomeric-and-steel-cord conveyor belt (i.e. steel cords held in a rubber casing). I have created the model in FreeCAD and have so far been using Extrude meshes for my simulations. (I also have another post open asking a different question relating to my project)

I have watched the both Hydrostatic Pressure videos listed in the PrePoMax manual, but in both scenarios the model pressure varies with position while in my model I have assumed that the load is uniform across the surfaces that it is applied on. I tried using some settings that I thought made sense (specifically I set the pressure change direction parallel to one of the model edges since I have assumed the load is uniform), but the simulation answers I got were notably different to the answers I worked out myself using my deflection theory lecture notes (larger by a factor of about 14x).

Is there a specific way I should be setting the load parameters? Thanks.

PS. for reference I have included a small-scale version of my model, with the bulk material in yellow and the protective rubber in dark grey.

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2

Then why don’t you just use the Uniform Pressure load in PrePoMax ?

3

Hi @FEAnalyst, thanks for the suggestion. I initially used the hydrostatic load as (from my understanding) the manual recommended it for modelling any distributed load. I did also try using the Uniform Pressure load but initially found that my expected displacements were off as well. However, after reviewing my working I realised I made an error in my analysis, and when I corrected for it my analysis agreed much more closely with the simulation.