Advanced

FEM Advanced Analysis

Specialized engineering analysis types

Overview

Advanced analysis types tackle specialized engineering problems beyond standard structural, dynamic, and thermal simulations. These include fatigue life prediction, contact mechanics, time-dependent creep, fracture mechanics, acoustics, and progressive damage.

Fatigue

Cyclic life prediction

Contact

Friction and contact surfaces

Creep

Time-dependent deformation

Fracture

Crack propagation analysis

Fatigue Analysis

Estimates the fatigue life of components subjected to cyclic loading using S-N (stress-life) curves.

Configuration

Parameter Default Description
analysisType fatigue Analysis type selector
fatigueCycles 1e6 Target number of loading cycles
fatigueLoadRatio 0 R-ratio (min stress / max stress)

Use Cases

  • Rotating machinery shafts and bearings
  • Spring and suspension components
  • Aircraft structural components
  • Any part under repeated loading cycles

Contact Analysis

Simulates contact between surfaces with friction using Code_Aster's DEFI_CONTACT. Supports penalty and Lagrangian contact formulations.

Configuration

Parameter Default Description
analysisType contact Analysis type selector
contactFrictionCoefficient 0.3 Coulomb friction coefficient
contactPenaltyParameter 1e10 Penalty stiffness
contactAlgorithm PENALISATION PENALISATION or LAGRANGIEN

Use Cases

  • Bolted and riveted assemblies
  • Press-fit and interference fit analysis
  • Gear tooth contact
  • Seal and gasket compression

Creep Analysis

Models time-dependent material deformation under sustained loads at elevated temperatures. Supports Norton and Lemaitre creep laws.

Configuration

Parameter Default Description
analysisType creep Analysis type selector
creepModel norton norton or lemaitre
creepDuration 3600 Creep duration (seconds)
creepTimeSteps 50 Number of time steps
creepTemperature 500 Operating temperature (°C)

Use Cases

  • High-temperature turbine blades and disks
  • Reactor pressure vessels
  • Solder joints under thermal cycling
  • Polymer components under sustained load

Fracture Mechanics

Analyzes crack behavior using J-integral and stress intensity factors (K-factors) via Code_Aster's CALC_G and POST_K1_K2_K3 commands.

Configuration

Parameter Default Description
analysisType fracture Analysis type selector
fractureGroupName — Mesh group containing the crack front
fractureJIntegralLayers 5 Number of contour integration layers

Output

  • J-integral — Energy release rate at the crack tip
  • KI — Mode I (opening) stress intensity factor
  • KII — Mode II (sliding) stress intensity factor
  • KIII — Mode III (tearing) stress intensity factor

Acoustic Analysis

Coupled fluid-structure acoustic simulation for noise and vibration analysis. Uses Code_Aster's PHENOMENE='ACOUSTIQUE' formulation.

Configuration

Parameter Default Description
analysisType acoustic Analysis type selector
acousticFluidDensity 1.225 Fluid density in kg/m³ (air)
acousticSoundSpeed 343 Speed of sound in m/s (air at 20°C)
acousticFreqMin 20 Minimum frequency (Hz)
acousticFreqMax 2000 Maximum frequency (Hz)
acousticFreqSteps 100 Number of frequency steps

Use Cases

  • Vehicle NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) analysis
  • Speaker and enclosure design
  • HVAC duct acoustic behavior
  • Room acoustics and sound insulation

Damage Analysis

Models progressive material degradation using damage mechanics models. Supports Mazars and endo_isot_beton models for concrete and quasi-brittle materials.

Configuration

Parameter Default Description
analysisType damage Analysis type selector
damageModel mazars mazars or endo_isot_beton
damageTensileStrength 3e6 Tensile strength (Pa)
damageCompressiveStrength 30e6 Compressive strength (Pa)

Use Cases

  • Concrete cracking and crushing
  • Composite material delamination
  • Masonry and brittle material failure
  • Progressive collapse analysis
← Back to Documentation

Ready for advanced?

Tackle specialized engineering problems

Get Started