Curved Balcony Design: FEA Simulation Weight Safety Check

No Penetration Contact Sets & Contact Visualization Plot

The relationships between the 3 weldments are explained to the simulation software by clicking the interfaces (circled in red below) and marking them as “No Penetration” contact sets. No Penetration is appropriate because they are bolt-together pieces, and they should deform as such under stress, instead of acting as if they’re glued or welded.

This is how the side rail weldment fits in with the deck and front rail weldments. All the interfaces were selected for a No Penetration Contact Set.

Curved Balcony SolidWorks Simulation Contact Set 1 – No Penetration

Curved Balcony SolidWorks Simulation Contact Set 2 – No Penetration

Curved Balcony SolidWorks Simulation Contact Set 3 – No Penetration

Contact Visualization Plot: This is how it’s supposed to look, the solver thinks the rail pushes against the house (Yellow = Virtual Wall), and all other interfaces are bolt-together, not welded/bonded (Purple = No Penetration). There is no red (Red = Bonded) because all welded parts are already incorporated into the bodies.