COLLIER RESEARCH

Collier Aerospace’s flagship products HyperSizer® and HyperX® Structural Analysis and Optimization Software has released an interface for Abaqus that allows engineers to streamline the process of composites design optimization. The optimized design is reached through rapid iterations between HyperSizer/HyperX and Abaqus. Abaqus determines the load path/direction and how much load is in components such as a stiffened panel or ringframes. HyperSizer/HyperX then analyzes or "sizes" the panels' cross-sectional dimensions and layups to the Abaqus computed load, reducing structural weight, establishing margins of safety for all load cases and all potential failure modes, and creating the stress report for aircraft airworthiness certification. HyperSizer/HyperX software verifies structural integrity with the required calculations to predict all potential failure modes for all load cases and identify negative margins of safety. HyperSizer/HyperX optimizes, or "sizes," a design by surveying millions of candidate dimensions and laminates, finding optimum variables down to the ply level in a matter of minutes. Abaqus analysis technology is used to perform implicit and explicit finite element analysis, including static, dynamic, impact, and thermal analyses, all powered with robust contact and nonlinear material options. Optimization using Abaqus and HyperSizer/HyperX follows an iterative process that begins with the transfer of data from Abaqus' initial model to HyperSizer/HyperX and continues until a convergence of internal load paths is reached, yielding a fully optimized structure.

Collier Research and Dassault Systèmes have collaborated on a partnership agreement enabling our customers in numerous industries to optimize their assembly structure designs to meet requirements related to performance, weight, cost, durability, and manufacturability early and often in the design cycle.

Collier Research brings its portfolio of Non-parametric Assembly Structure Design Optimization products, already used in the industry

The Dassault Systèmes & Collier Research alliance will offer key benefits for our customers:

• Promote the use of  Assembly Structure Design optimization as a ‘best practice'
• Offer best-in-class non-parametric Assembly Structure Design optimization solutions to Architects and CAE specialist

Optimization of complex Assembly Structures allows reduction in weight, improvement in performance and compliance with design goals while subject to numerous constraints such as manufacturability.