Structural Analysis
Finite Element Analysis Simulation Tools
INTUITIVE SIMULATION TOOLS
Simulation is a computer-based technique for testing products using software. Simulia is a brand of simulation tools that allow users to evaluate the structural performance of their designs using the world-renowned ABAQUS solver for Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Analysts and designers have the ability to perform static and dynamic analyses to predict the behavior and maximize the lifecycle of their products. With collaborative tools available on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, users can now work with native SOLIDWORKS geometry in this ABAQUS Simulation environment.
“We chose a 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation solution because it’s cloud-based, which supports our remotely located engineering organization, works seamlessly with SOLIDWORKS design data, and incorporates the Abaqus Explicit solver, which is best suited for the types of simulation studies that we need to conduct on our parts, which can involve hyperelasticity, creep, fatigue, and contact.”
– Thomas Morgan
Design Engineer
Features
ABAQUS Solver
The leader in computer-aided engineering software, Dassault Systèmes introduces the power of ABAQUS/CAE to the toolkit of the everyday SOLIDWORKS user and analyst. It seamlessly tackles highly non-linear structural analysis problems without any computational effort.
Hex Meshing
Utilize the advanced meshing capabilities to generate high-quality Quadrilateral (Quad) and Hexahedral (Hex) elements for any geometry. The mesh can be extruded, swept, and refined locally with the inbuilt meshing tools to optimize your analysis for speed and accuracy.
General Contact
Take advantage of the native ABAQUS contact detection technology using General Contact to automatically simulate the interaction between multiple components. This is useful to analyze scenarios involving multiple interacting components and collapsing structures making a lot of self-contact without the need for breaking components up into their contact surfaces.
Transparent Workflow
With three different toolbars for guidance, users have multiple indicators to avoid analysis errors driven by missing inputs. The specification tree, action bar, and the assistant panel provide a simple workflow to get from setup to simulation
Cloud Computing
While solving on local hardware is available by default, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables users to expand their computing resources by providing access to virtual resources. Take advantage of high-speed local and cloud computing capabilities to speed up your analysis and improve solve times.
Engineering Synergy
Users can now work together in a collaborative environment to share design ideas, simulation results, and establish a workflow for their product development process. For instance, the Simulation Review application can be used to access simulation results by permitted users on any touch-enabled device.
Parametric Optimization
Discover the best version of your design automatically using the parametric study capabilities in the Structural Mechanics Engineer role. Users can derive the optimum combination of design parameters and dimensions to meet a certain performance specification like stress, strain, displacement, reaction force, weight and many others.
Material Calibration
Defining the right material properties is essential to performing structural analysis. The Material Calibration app enables users to systematically determine the properties from material testing data to ensure an accurate simulation model. Users should note that this app is only available with the Structural Mechanics Engineer role.
SOLIDWORKS integration
With the SOLIDWORKS connector, user can modify the design with SOLIDWORKS CAD and push these changes to the simulation environment with the 3DEXPERIENCE PLM services Connector. This eliminates the need to restart the simulation setup while fine-tuning the design.
Matrix
ROLE / CAPABILITY
Designer
Engineer
Performance Engineer
Mechanics Engineer
Integration
Workflow
- Save SOLIDWORKS data on the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE® platform directly from SOLIDWORKS
- Enable efficient what-if scenarios that update your simulation model for any change made with a CAD application connected to the platform
USER Interface
-
Follow an interactive wizard
to set up, run and review results of simulation
-
Customize the User Assistant
to streamline the setup and
solving of complex simulations
Platform
- Access the latest product design information from a single, centralized, secure location on the cloud
-
Collaborate in real time,
exchange ideas and manage
tasks across disciplines on the cloud
- Review and share simulation results in real time on the cloud
SOLVER
-
Solve static problems such
as gasket compression and
pre-loaded bolts
- Solve quasi-static problems such as snap fits
-
Solve nonlinear dynamic problems such as drop test
and impact
SCENARIO
-
Run linear static, thermal (steady-state), frequency,
and linear buckling studies
- Run modal transient, and model harmonic studies
- Run nonlinear static, thermal (transient) and visco/creep studies
- Run nonlinear dynamic, nonlinear buckling, random vibrations, complex frequency, and sub-modeling studies
- Set-up automatic sequential loading in one simulation
- Automatically set up component contact
MODEL
- Set up modeling of multiple components in an assembly
- Automatically refine meshes for higher accuracy where needed
-
Create high-quality meshes
for solids, shells, and beams
-
Set meshing size and specifications (holes, fillets)
for automatic high-quality
mesh creation
- Automatically remove undesired geometry (holes, fillets, logos), extract mid-surface, and partition geometry for hex meshing
Materials
- Explore a wide range of materials with the following properties: hyper-elasticity, plastic or permanent deformation, creep deformation, viscoelasticity
- Use test data to calibrate model behavior
RESULTS
- Generate report, contour/vector/iso-surface plots
- Create XY plots (field, history), path plots, view cuts
- Create stunning visuals coupling material rendering with simulation results
- Accelerate the visualization of results even on large models
Computation
- Run simulations on user’s local computer
-
Run simulations remotely
on the cloud
CASE STUDY
Learn how Morgan Polymer Seals accelerated their seal development to meet electric vehicle market demand with 3DEXPERIENCE Works Simulation.
Additional Resources
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