Finite Element Analysis

Throughout the current international CAE software development, we can see some of the development trend of finite element analysis methods:
1, and CAD software, seamless integration
One of the development trends of finite element analysis software is the integration with general CAD software. After the design of components and parts by CAD software, the model can be directly transferred to CAE software for finite element meshing and analysis , If the analysis results do not meet the design requirements are re-design and analysis, until satisfied, so as to greatly improve the design level and efficiency. Many commercial finite element analysis software have developed interfaces to well-known CAD software such as Pro / ENGINEER, Unigraphics, SolidEdge, SolidWorks, IDEAS, Bentley, and AutoCAD to meet engineers' quick and easy solution to complex engineering problems. Some CAE software in order to achieve and seamless integration of CAD software using CAD modeling technology, such as ADINA software as a result of Parasolid kernel-based solid modeling technology, and to Parasolid as the core CAD software (such as Unigraphics, SolidEdge , SolidWorks) to achieve truly seamless two-way data exchange.
2, more powerful grid processing power
Finite element method to solve the problem of the basic process include: analysis of the object discretization, finite element solution, the results of post-processing three parts. Since the quality of the discrete mesh has a direct impact on the solution time and the correctness of the results, the software developers have increased their investment in the grid processing, so that the quality and efficiency of grid generation are very But in some aspects has not been improved, such as the three-dimensional solid model of the automatic hexahedral mesh division and the results of the model based on adaptive meshing, in addition to individual business software is doing better, the majority Analysis software still does not have this feature. Automatic hexahedral meshing is the process of three-dimensional solid model can be automatically divided hexahedral mesh unit, most of the software can use mapping, drag, sweep and other functions to generate hexahedral element, but these functions can only simple rule model For the complicated 3D model, tetrahedral element can only be generated by automatic tetrahedral meshing technique. For the tetrahedral element, if the intermediate nodes are not used, incorrect results will be produced in many problems. If using the intermediate nodes will cause a series of problems, such as solving time and convergence speed, it is urgent that the hexahedral network Lattice function. Adaptive meshing is the process of estimating the computational errors, re-meshing and recalculation based on the existing meshes and finite element results. For many practical engineering problems, some regions of the model will produce great strain in the whole solution process, which will cause the unit distortion, which will result in the solution can not be carried out or the result is not correct. Therefore, the grid must be automatically re-divided. Adaptive mesh is often necessary for many engineering problems such as crack propagation, sheet metal forming and other large strain analysis.
3, from solving linear problems to solve nonlinear problems
With the development of science and technology, linear theory has been far from being able to meet the design requirements, many engineering problems such as material failure and failure, crack propagation can not be solved simply by linear theory, must be nonlinear analytical solution, such as sheet metal forming (Geometric nonlinearity) and plasticity (material nonlinearity), while the plastic, rubber, ceramic, concrete and geotechnical materials such as the analysis or to consider the plasticity of materials, creep effect Material nonlinearity must be considered. As we all know, the solution of nonlinear problems is very complex, it not only involves a lot of specialized mathematical problems, but also must have a certain degree of theoretical knowledge and solving skills, learning is also more difficult. To this end, some foreign companies spent a lot of manpower and material resources to develop nonlinear analysis software, such as ADINA, ABAQUS and so on. ADINA has two kinds of time integration methods: implicit and explicit, which are both efficient nonlinear solver and rich and practical non-linear material library.
4, from a single structure field solution to the development of the coupling field to solve the problem
The finite element analysis (FEA) method was firstly applied to the aeronautics and astronautics field. It was mainly used to solve the linear structure problem, which proved to be a very effective numerical analysis method. Moreover, it has been proved theoretically that as long as the unit used to solve the discrete object is sufficiently small, the resulting solution can be approximated to the exact value sufficiently. The finite element method and software for solving the linear problem of structure are already mature. The development direction is the solution of structural nonlinearity, fluid dynamics and coupled field problem. Such as thermal problems due to frictional contact, thermal problems arising from plastic work during metal forming, cross-iterative solution of the finite element analysis of the structure field and the temperature field, that is, the "thermo-mechanical coupling" problem. When the fluid flow in the elbow, the fluid pressure will bend deformation, and deformation of the tube in turn affect the flow of fluid ... ... This requires the structure of the field and the flow field of the finite element analysis results cross-iterative solution, The so-called "fluid-solid coupling" problem. As the application of finite element more and more in-depth, people pay more and more attention to the problem, the coupling field of CAE software solution will become the development direction.
5, procedures for user-oriented openness
With the commercialization of the increase, the software developers in order to expand their market share, to meet the needs of users in the software features, ease of use and so spent a lot of investment, but the user requirements vary widely, no matter how hard they try It is impossible to meet the requirements of all users, it is necessary to give users an open environment, allowing users to expand the software according to their actual situation, including user-defined unit properties, user-defined material constitutive (structural constitutive, User-defined structure boundary conditions, user-defined structural fracture criteria and crack propagation laws, and so on.
Focus on the development of finite element theory, using the most advanced algorithm technology to expand the performance of software and improve the software performance to meet the growing needs of users, CAE software developers is the main target, and its products continue to occupy the market, Development of the fundamental way.