Structural (static)

Structural analysis is the aspect of engineering performing evaluations of a structures’ strength and stability. It is a systematic process that involves the uses of mathematical and computational models to determine how a structure behaves under various loads and conditions. Static analyses are a type of structural analyses that focuses on the equilibrium of structures under static loads, such as gravity. These analyses are often used to determine if the structure complies with the relevant norms.

Thermal (mechanical)

A thermal analysis enables you to investigate the temperature distribution of a structure with heat and temperature loads. By combining this with a structural analysis, the loads caused by temperature-dependent variations in the materials can be determined. These analyses can be used to assess the suitability of a structure given thermal loads.

(Material) Nonlinear behaviour

A nonlinear analysis is an analysis where a nonlinear relation holds between applied forces and displacements. Nonlinear effects can originate from geometrical nonlinearity’s (i.e. large deformations), material nonlinearity’s (i.e. elasto-plastic material), and contact. These effects result in a stiffness matrix which is not constant during the load application. This is opposed to the linear static analysis, where the stiffness matrix remained constant.

Fatigue

A fatigue analysis is performed to calculate whether a structure will fail due to repeated loading and unloading, rather than due to a static structural load case. These fatigue loads are much lower than the allowable structural loads. The fatigue failure is due to initiation and propagation of cracks somewhere in the component.

Dynamics

Dynamic analysis differs from static analysis that both time and mass momentum plays a role in the response to loads. These types of analyses can be separated into implicit and explicit analyses. Implicit dynamic analysis analyses are subdivided into modal- and harmonic responses, and rotor dynamics .

Examples of explicit dynamic analyses are crash tests, drop tests and post-buckling behaviour.

Frequency response

Structures loaded with an oscillating load will vibrate. The frequency of the load has an influence on the magnitude of the excitations. To determine this response to a range of frequencies, a frequency response analysis can be performed. This type of analysis can be used for constantly oscillating loads or in a fixed vibration spectrum.

(Topology) optimization

Optimization methods in finite elements are either based on optimising grid locations (shape optimization), geometric properties (sizing optimization) or material properties (material optimization). Topology optimization is a powerful form of shape optimization, capable of generating high-performing optimized structural geometries without requiring the user to provide an initial concept.

Multi body dynamics

Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD) is the theory that describes how forces acting on a set of related bodies will cause them to move. The velocity of the bodies and the numerous interaction forces acting on and between the bodies are the outcomes of a multi-body dynamics simulation.

In addition to classic Multi-body dynamics, which utilizes rigid body motions, current state-of-the-art simulations use flexible bodies, with their behaviour based on modal analyses. This addition allows for more accurate predictions of dynamic behaviour