Solidworks balsa bridge structural analysis

This is a self demonstrated soldiworks exercise to evaluate
loading capacity of a small scale bridge made of balsa wood
material.
By carrying static structural analysis of balsa bridge using
solidworks simulation, we will evaluate maximum bending stress,
deformation as well as factor of safety parameters.
If bending stress is more than material yield strength, then factor
of safety will be less than one. Multiply that FoS with applied
load to determine loading capacity of bridge with solidworks.
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[@sirclippliers]

I was just wondering, how would this compare to having one end of your "bridge" as a fixed (immovable) point and the other as a roller/slider, versus the fixed both ends? Is there a correct way to analyse it?

[@cadingal]

OK, will be uploaded tutorial for this issue.

[@tomislavbunjevcevic9912]

It's a bridge. one side must be roller. If both ends are fixed you will get unrealistic results. it will apear that the bridge is way more strong than it really is. It's one of the greatest pitfalls of noobs using FEA

[@tomislavbunjevcevic9912]

Solidworks is really bad for this kind of work. You have to make the 3d model of the profiles instead of just defining them in the analysis. Profile library is basically empty

[@cadingal]

I respect your opinion but not too much.

[@tomislavbunjevcevic9912]

@@cadingal in most other software packages you could just draw one simple sketch. Beam/truss elements are usually defined as idealizations, so there is no need to have any 3d geometry. But solidworks forces you to make 3d model, which is not trivial as its beam profile library is by default mostly empty. You can populate it or draw your own sections, but it is all extra work. I hope i made myself a bit more clear. It is not a matter of opinion but a fact.