I am trying to simulate the steady state compression of a cylinder using finite element analysis. The model that I have runs, but the results don't make sense to me. It seems that the cylinder flattens almost down to zero height, no matter how weak of the compression force or how stiff the cylinder's material. I am a beginner to solid mechanics so perhaps this has to do with solving at steady state, or alternatively is there an error in my model that I am not able to see?
%% Declare pde
model = createpde('structural','static-solid'); %declare the model and physics
%% Cylindrical geometry
gm = multicylinder(0.025,0.025); %25mm diameter, 25mm height
model.Geometry = gm; %assign the cylinder to the model
generateMesh(model); %mesh the model
%Plot the geometry
figurepdegplot(model,'FaceLabels','on')%% Mesh it
fineness = 5e-3; %1mm element size, roughly
generateMesh(model,'Hmax',fineness);%Plot the mesh
figurepdeplot3D(model)title('Mesh with Quadratic Tetrahedral Elements');%% Define material props
structuralProperties(model,'YoungsModulus',1e12,'PoissonsRatio',0.49);%% Define boundary conditions
structuralBC(model,'Face',1,'Constraint','fixed'); %bottom of cylinder is fixed
load = 1; % applied pressure in Pascals
structuralBoundaryLoad (model,'Face',2,'SurfaceTraction',[0;0;-load]); %Front face has a distributed load in minus z direction (compression force)
%% Solve
result = solve(model);%% Plot the deformed object
figurepdeplot3D(model,'ColorMapData',result.VonMisesStress, 'Deformation',result.Displacement)axis on
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