In the steps below, π± means a left mouse click and β leads to the next action. Labels in the screenshots are those of the MDESIGN interface.
1. Calculation model and input data
Analysis model

Input data (Sec.3.2, Ex.3.2)
Forces: FX = 1500 N, FY = 300 N, FZ = 700 N.
Moments: MX4 = 21000 Nmm, MY4 = 105000 Nmm.
Geometric parameters: X1 = 80 mm; b4 = 60 mm; h4 = 15 mm.
Material: S235, weldable general-purpose steel.
Operating constraints: temperature T = (β30β¦40) Β°C.
Forces and moments in the MDESIGN xyz coordinate system
Forces: Fx = FX = 1500 N, Fy = FY = 300 N, Fz = βFZ = β700 N.
Moments: Tx = βMX4 = β21000 Nmm, My = MY4 = 10500 Nmm.
2. Entering the data in MDESIGN (Annex.MD.1)
2.1 Launching the application
Launching the Beam module
| π± | ![]() | β | π± | ![]() | β | π± | ![]() |
Resetting the data of the automatically loaded application
π±
β [π± select the command
] β [π± select the option
].
Saving the application
π±
(
,
) β
: [
select the folder where the application will be saved],
[
enter the file name Element 4], [
:
], π±
.
Opening the application (if it was created and saved earlier)
π±
β [π± select the command
] β [select the folder where the application is saved] β π±
.
Note. While working, save intermediate versions regularly for safety (the system may freeze), using π±
or F10.
2.2 Selecting the Input window and general settings (Annex.MD.1)
Selecting the language
[π± select from the list
the option
].
Selecting the Input page

Notes.
β the option
is selected to view the results obtained after solving;
β the option
is selected to view the input data.
General settings (selected from the attached lists)

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2.3 Entering the geometric, technological, loading and material data (Annex.MD.1)
Entering data in the Beam geometry table
: π±
β π±
(
) β
: select from the list π±
, π±
β
: π± select from the list
, π±
(data on the chosen section appear automatically in row 1) β
: enter the bar length in the box
, e.g. 80.

3D graphic view of the bar
π±
(
).

Note. The model can be manipulated with: π±
(
, plane projection, 2D;
, perspective view, 3D); π±
+ π± (to zoom in) or
(to zoom out); π± + drag to pan;
+ drag to rotate.
Entering the support data in the Bearings table
: π±
, [enter the x value in the box
, e.g. 0] β π±
(
) β
: [π± select the icon
for a fixed (clamped) support] β

π±
(
).

Entering the axial-force loading in the Axial Forces Fax table
: π±
, [enter the values in the boxes
(the position, e.g. 0)],
(the value, with a + sign in the direction of the x axis, e.g. 1500),
(the radius, i.e. the distance from the X axis, e.g. 0),
(the angle in the YZ plane, measured from the Y axis, e.g. 0).

π±
(
).

Entering the radial-force loading in the Radial Forces Fr table
: π±
, [enter the values in the boxes
(the position, e.g. 0)],
(the value, with a β sign, opposite to the axis, e.g. β700/β300),
(the angle in the XY plane, measured from the Z axis, e.g. 0/90).

π±
(
).

Entering the bending-moment loading in the Bending moments Mb table
: π±
, [enter the values in the boxes
(the position, e.g. 0)],
(the value, with the appropriate sign, e.g. 10500),
(the angle in the YZ plane, measured from the Z axis, e.g. 0).

π±
(
).

Entering the torsional-moment loading in the Torsion table
: π±
, [enter the values in the boxes
(the position),
(the value of the torsional moment, e.g. β21000)] β
(the length, e.g. 0)].

π±
(
).

Entering the material data
[select from the list π±
(the MDESIGN database)]

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π±
β
: [select the row with the material (
)], π±
.

Entering the working temperature (
)
[enter the value in the box
, e.g. 40].
Entering the semi-finished product option (
)
[select from the list
, π±
].

Meaning
T β Temperature (maximum working temperature); Material, surface hardened; Loads mainly crosswise to the preferred direction of machining (rolling).
3. Solving the model and saving the results
| π± | or π± or F10 | β | Correct any inconsistencies or errors in the input data (only if warning windows appear) | β | π± | or π± or F10 | β π± | β | Element 4.pdf | β π± |
4. Input data and results obtained (Annex.MD.3.6_4)
Selecting the Output page

Geometry data

Meaning
lg β total length of the beam; m β total mass of the beam; xs β position of the centre of gravity on the X axis; Iy β moment of inertia about the y axis; Iz β moment of inertia about the z axis; Wt β torsional section modulus; Wy β section modulus about the y axis; Wz β section modulus about the z axis; Sy β first moment of area about the y axis; Sz β first moment of area about the z axis.
Loading data
Axial-force loading

Radial-force loading

Bending-moment loading

Torsional-moment loading

Material data

Meaning
RpN β yield strength; RmN β ultimate tensile strength.
Support reactions


Meaning
Rigid Clamping β the fixed support; Position x β the position on the x axis; Ry β reaction force in the fixed support along the y axis; Rz β reaction force along the z axis; R β resultant reaction force in the transverse yz plane; Rx β reaction force along the x axis; Calculation results for point β the results calculated at point x; My β bending moment about the y axis; Mz β bending moment about the z axis; Mb β resultant maximum bending moment.
Bending moment values and diagrams



Note. The maximum bending moments are those at the support reaction (see above).
Meaning
Bending moment development (XβY plane) β bending moment diagram in the XY plane; Bending moment development (XβZ plane) β diagram in the XZ plane; Bending moment development (resultant) β resultant bending moment diagram; Max. bending moment β the maximum bending moments; Mymax β maximum bending moment about the y axis; Mzmax β maximum bending moment about the z axis; Mbmax β resulting maximum bending moment; Position; Amount (value).
Normal stress diagrams and maximum values
Bending stress diagrams



Maximum normal stress values

Maximum value of the normal stress

Meaning
Bending stress development (XβY plane) β bending stress diagram in the XY plane; Bending stress development (XβZ plane) β diagram in the XZ plane; Bending stress development (resultant) β resultant bending stress diagram; Salient point β characteristic point of the section; Tension-pressure stress β tensile/compressive stress; Bending stress in consequence of Mymax β bending stress due to Mymax; Bending stress in consequence of Mzmax β bending stress due to Mzmax; Οres β combined (resultant) normal stress; Stress of axial force FX β stress due to the axial force FX; Stress of bending moment MY β stress due to MY; Stress of bending moment MZ β stress due to MZ; Οresmax β maximum resultant normal stress; Position; Amount (value).
Shear stress diagrams and maximum values
Shear stress diagrams

Shear stress values

Maximum value of the shear stress
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Meaning
Shear stress development (XβY plane) β shear stress diagram in the XY plane; Shear stress development (XβZ plane) β diagram in the XZ plane; Shear stress development (resultant) β resultant shear stress diagram; Salient point β characteristic point of the section; Οz β shear stress due to FZ; Οy β shear stress due to FY; Ο β stress due to the torsional moment; Οres β combined (resultant) shear stress; Stress of radial force FY β stress due to the radial force FY; Stress of radial force FZ β stress due to the radial force FZ; Stress of torsion moment TX β stress due to the torsional moment TX; Οresmax β maximum resultant shear stress; Position; Amount (value).
Equivalent stress and safety factor: values and diagrams



Meaning
Οvx β equivalent stress development (resultant); Οvxmax β maximum equivalent stress; SF β safety against the yield point; SFmin β minimum safety factor against yielding.
Transverse displacements (deflections) and rotations: values and diagrams



Meaning
v β resultant transverse deflection; ΞΈ β resultant inclination (rotation); vmax β maximum resultant deflection; ΞΈmax β maximum rotation (angle of the maximum deflection).
5. Checks
Check under combined loading
The check under combined loading aims to prevent permanent plastic deformation of the bar, based either on stresses,
Οvmax β€ Οa,
or on safety factors,
c β₯ ca,
where Οvmax is the maximum equivalent stress, Οa = Ο02/ca the allowable stress against yielding (plastic deformation), Ο02 the yield strength and ca the allowable (minimum) safety factor, which may be taken as ca = 1.5β¦2.5; c = Ο02/Οvmax is the minimum safety factor.
Applying the combined-loading check
Οvmax β€ Οa; 35.073 < 117.5 MPa (satisfied),
or
SFmin β₯ ca; 6.7 > 2 (satisfied).
Notes.
β Yield strength Ο02 = 235 MPa (see above, the Material Data section); the allowable safety factor was taken as ca = 2.
β If the check is not satisfied, the cross-sectional dimensions of the segments must be increased.
Check of bending deformations (stiffness)
The deformation check is carried out to prevent linear and angular displacements that are unacceptable from a functional point of view, by comparing the maximum deflections and rotations with the allowable values:
vmax β€ va,
ΞΈmax β€ ΞΈa,
where va is the allowable deflection and ΞΈa the allowable rotation. The allowable deformations recommended in the literature are va β€ (0.002β¦0.03)lmax (lmax being the maximum length of the bar) for linear deformations, and ΞΈa = (0.5β¦1.5)Β° for angular deformations.
Applying the deformation (stiffness) checks
Linear deformations (deflections)
vmax β€ va; 0.043 β€ 1 mm (satisfied).
Angular deformations (rotations)
ΞΈmax β€ ΞΈa; 0.0496 β€ 1Β° (satisfied).
Note. The allowable displacements were taken as va = 1 mm and ΞΈa = 1Β°.


