Linear and non-linear simulation
Investigate behaviour of parts and assemblies under load.
Basic Linear analysis will model: -
- Static analysis giving stress, strain and displacement and
resultant geometry shapes.
- Frequency (modal) analysis predicts the frequencies and mode
shapes at which resonance will occur.
- Buckling analysis predicts the lowest axial load at which
slender structures would collapse.
- Thermal stresses and heat transfer due to steady state or
transient boundary conditions are analyzed.
- Drop / impact tests analyze the effect of an impact with a
solid surface from a given height or velocity.
- Fatigue analysis - predicts whether there is a risk of a
design failing due to cyclical mechanical or thermal loads.
- Geometry optimization can be used to get the best part shape
/ features to meet design requirements.
- Studies can be for single parts or complex assemblies with different materials (part contact and friction).
Advanced analysis or nonlinear FEA, is used to analyse problems
where stiffness is not constant. This may be because the material
has nonlinear stress/strain properties (e.g. plastics, rubber, foam,
composites) or the part has geometry that would result in nonlinear
force/displacement characteristics (e.g. a snap through disc
spring or a complex casting or fabrication).
- Non-linear materials, geometry or contact conditions.
- Large deflections or problems where load direction changes
as it is applied (typ. deflections greater than 1/20 largest
dimension).
- Large deflections or loads that result in stress levels
beyond material yield strength (e.g. proof stress or crash test
survival).
- Dynamic analysis will give stress, strain and displacement
and resultant geometry deformation for each time step e.g. shock
loads.
- Forced Frequency analysis simulates reaction of parts and
assemblies under sinusuidal or random vibration.
- Studies that include thermal effects, these may be imported
from a previous thermal or flow analysis.
- In general nonlinear analysis better simulates 'real-world' problems, with the penalty of taking longer to run.
Other aspects of simulation include: -
- Assembly Simulation - interactions of components, static or
dynamic loads to evaluate performance under stress, strain, and
displacement and thermal loads.
- Mechanism Simulation - physics-based models of real-world
operating conditions.
- Predictive simulation of structural failure thresholds due
to yielding, overheating, buckling, and fatigue under force,
pressure, gravity, centrifugal forces and thermal conditions.
- Design comparison and optimisation - determine the best
design option for strength, life, cost, and weight.
- Simulate Repeated Loading. Simulate, evaluate, and improve a
part or assembly that must withstand the rigors of daily
operation. Evaluate the differences in your system’s performance
to varying speeds or frequencies, and estimate the design life
of your entire product.
- Simulate Plastic Parts. Capture all the behavior of your plastic parts without special training or add-ins. Simulate your plastic components in all possible tests and environments, and optimize parts for volume and cost.