Articoli Tecnici

Introduzione all'Analisi FEM

L’analisi agli Elementi Finiti è adatta alle mie esigenze?

Se stai pensando all'analisi strutturale con il Metodo degli Elementi Finiti (FEM) per la prima volta, questa guida è stata pensata per farti familiarizzare velocemente con le basi di questa tecnologia e aiutarti a valutare il tipo di software di cui avrai bisogno per lo sviluppo dei tuoi progetti strutturali.

Il nostro obiettivo è quello di risparmiarti le complessità teoriche di questo metodo, ma di dotarti comunque dei fondamenti di cui hai bisogno per scegliere consapevolmente il tuo software FEM.

Grazie a questa guida riuscirai a valutare criticamente il software disponibile sul mercato e determinare un percorso adatto alle tue necessità progettuali, il tuo livello tecnico, il tuo budget ed i tuoi obiettivi di business.

Correlazione tra FEA e Test

Questo articolo introduce la motivazione ed i vantaggi attesi dalla correlazione fra FEA e test sperimentale.

Tipiche applicazioni si trovano nell’ambito dell’analisi modale, dove strutture e procedure efficienti sono, al giorno d’oggi, disponibili per la calibrazione dei modelli analitici, al fine di una miglior corrispondenza con i risultati dei modelli sperimentali.

Viene qui offerta una panoramica degli strumenti d’uso, assieme alla prospettiva di dover tenere in considerazione l’incertezza, analogamente ad una visione futura della tecnologia.

Model Updating of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge, Vancouver, Canada.

The Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing is a critical transportation link in the Lower Mainland Region of British Columbia, Canada, which is a zone of high seismic risk. The IMSNC is being instrumented as part of a real time seismic and health monitoring system, which will also include many other bridges around the region. As part of the system, a finite element model has been developed and updated using previously obtained ambient vibration measurements. This paper focuses on updating of one approach truss section of the bridge. The model was updated in several steps using both manual and automated techniques. Updating included stiffness of a set of seismic isolators that were added to the bridge in a retrofit in the mid 1990’s. The complete updated set of models will be used in fatigue and damage studies as a part of the monitoring system.

Model Updating using Operational Data

Finite element model updating is a well established method for validating and improving simulation models in structural dynamics. The traditional approach consists of correlating simulation data with the results of an experimental modal analysis (EMA). Usually, EMA data, i.e. resonance frequencies and mode shapes extracted from frequency response functions, is used as reference since it is independent of the applied loads.
However, the operational loads or boundary conditions can change the dynamic behavior of a structure, or make it impossible to perform an experimental modal analysis. In such cases, only operational data can be used as reference data for model updating. Additionally, updating a model using operational data automatically guaranties the validity of the model under the considered operational conditions.
This paper introduces a new updating approach based on Operational Deflection Shapes (ODS) that is able to update the mass, stiffness and damping properties of a structure simultaneously. The proposed method is evaluated by means of a simulated experiment.

The Impact of High-Fidelity Model Geometry on Test-Analysis Correlation and FE Model Updating Results

Structural responses obtained with finite element simulations normally differ from those measured on physical prototypes. In the case of monolithic structures, the differences between the simulated and measured responses are mainly caused by inaccuracies in the geometry and material behavior. The present work focuses on evaluating the impact of using a high-fidelity representation of the actual geometry on the differences between measured and computed resonant frequencies and mode shapes.
This paper presents a study that was performed on a cast-iron lantern housing of a gear box. In a first step, the resonant frequencies and modes shapes of the test structure were measured using impact testing. Next, optical scanning and photogrammetric techniques were used to obtain a 3D virtual point cloud model which accurately describes the surface of the lantern housing. This point cloud was then used to generate a 3D solid finite element model representing the as-built geometry of the housing.

Geometry-based Updating of 3D Solid Finite Element Models

Structural responses obtained with finite element (FE) simulations normally differ from those measured on physical prototypes. In the case of monolithic structures, the differences between the simulated and measured responses are mainly caused by inaccuracies in the geometry and material modeling. Such inaccuracies may result from the manufacturing process. The presented work illustrates how the geometry of CAD-based FE-models can be updated using a high-fidelity representation of the actual manufactured geometry, to improve the correlation between measured and computed resonant frequencies and mode shapes.

Incrementare prestazioni e sicurezza di un cerchio in compositi

Due realtà italiane: FSA Europe e SmartCAE hanno maturato insieme un’interessante collaborazione che ha portato allo sviluppo di un profilo strutturale nuovo e più performante per un cerchio in materiali compositi avanzati. Si tratta di un’attività che attraversa tutte fasi più complesse della progettazione strutturale con i materiali compositi fino a giungere a un riscontro sperimentale condotto sul banco prova.

Nella foto a fianco il ciclista Leif Hoste alla Parigi-Roubaix 2011 con il cerchio Vision TC24, oggetto del presente articolo.

Composite Analysis Compendium

The following is a collection of work that presents how composite analysis is being used by the engineering community. The compendium includes a composite analysis guide, technical white papers and articles written by NEi Software, Firehole Technologies and members of the media.

All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Composite Analysis Guide

White Papers

• Simulating Fiber Metal Laminates
• Progressive Ply Failure Analysis for Composite Structures

Articles

• “Orion re-entry system”, High-Performance Composites Magazine
• “Analysis and simulation create virtual product testing”, Design World
• “Eliminating Guesswork: Finding Better Answers with Multiscale Composite Structural Analysis”, Firehole Technologies

Case Studies

• Aerospace: WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo
• Automotive: Minardi F1 Team – Chassis Design