SIMULIA Resource Center

Roller bearings are an integral part of the transmission system of a modern race car and their performance under arduous loading conditions needs to be assessed. The local distribution of contact pressure on the bearing surface can have a significant effect on the wear and durability of component parts, and simulation using finite element analysis methods form an important part of the design process. In this study, ABAQUS/Standard was used to examine the Hertzian contact stress in two-dimensions before extending the study to three-dimensional models. Further studies using a global model revealed the sensitivity of the design to the shape and strength of the bearing surface and to the number and size of rollers used.

Customer Papers

In order to accurately calculate the stresses in Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) head gasket durability analysis, the normal and relative shear motions between cylinder head and gasket, gasket and block, as well as between gasket layers have to be comprehended in the analytical model. In this study, an analytical method was developed to effectively calculate the MLS head gasket stresses during engine operating condition. In the analysis model, each layer of the MLS head gasket is modeled using GASKET element, developed by ABAQUS, and the GASKET element layers were stacked together according to the configuration of the head gasket.

Customer Papers

This report concerns the Finite Element modeling of a complete Formula One car wheel group. The main goal of such a model was to develop a design tool for wheel ball bearing optimization, both in terms of their layout and their dimensions. The project was a collaboration with the bearing manufacturer with the goal of best performance in conjunction with best reliability.

Customer Papers

Mercury Marine outboards, engines, and drives are designed to withstand indoor impact testing (called “logstrike”) that simulates a collision with an underwater object. This test is comprised of an outboard or sterndrive device mounted on a mock boat that collides with a simulated log. This newly developed method is beginning to support product development programs and assist Mercury Marine engineers in designing components with more knowledge about the loads they must withstand. The method also enables the evaluation of designs without the need for physical parts.

Customer Papers

The investigation to obtain the cutting force coefficients has been carried out over the past two decades by many researchers. However, the outstanding disadvantages of voluminous experimental data acquisition and its analyses still exist. This paper demonstrated the use of an efficient and accurate numerical tool ( i.e. FEA), in simulating the cutting process and determining the cutting force coefficients. In this approach, an Arbitrary Lagrangian Formulation (ALE) was employed in the FEM simulations. This formulation has been gaining more recognition in structural analysis for its combined advantages of both Lagrangian and Eulerian formulations in a single model. Cutting force predictions using evaluated coefficients are shown to perfectly match experimental results.

Customer Papers

In order to match the more stringent 2007 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards, the need for more robust and refined exhaust gas treatment has been recognized by the heavy duty engine manufacturers. This led to the conception of a breakthrough technology in the engine exhaust gas treatment by one of the World’s leading heavy duty engine manufacturer. The soul of this technology is vested in the Exhaust Gas Regeneration Unit which comprises of various intricate components along with a network of fuel, coolant and air ducts, and distribution head fittings. A prime challenge in the development of a successful design was to come up with a robust routing of these ducts which consisted of various combinations of Hard lines and Flex lines along with compatible end fittings.

Customer Papers

In contrast to frontal crash, the occupant sits directly in the deformation zone of the vehicle structure during a side impact event. The goal in occupant protection is not one of restraining the occupant relative to the interior of the vehicle but one of protecting the occupant from the high energies of the intruding surface. This paper describes a study undertaken to establish a means of dynamically validating a typical finite element seat model used in the virtual development of side impact protection systems at BMW.

Customer Papers

One major benefit of using a 3D injection molding simulation is the capability to simulate the fiber orientation and the anisotropic warpage, with the option, to transfer the material properties to structural mechanical analysis. With this option, it is possible to reduce the over dimensioning of fiber reinforced parts and thus resulting in substantial savings of mass, material and costs .This work will demonstrate the benefit of FEM combined with injection molding simulation but also the risks that can occur.

Customer Papers

While nonlinear FEA of rubber or elastomer components is quite common today, there is still some uncertainty in modelling choices and representations. Material modelling choices, curve fitting from material test data, etc., have been discussed in many papers, but some fundamental issues of element selection and mesh discretization for nearly incompressible and fully incompressible materials are less discussed

Customer Papers

An intumescent mat is a very popular material for mounting a ceramic catalyst inside the steel can of an automotive catalytic converter. The major roles of this mat material in a converter are providing a tight seal between catalyst and can, and holding the catalyst without breakage during assemblage and operation stages. Choosing the right mat material is critical for the performance and durability of the catalytic converter. Numerical simulation of the mat material and catalytic converter system provides a good tool for evaluating the mat material performance, and the accurate material modeling is essential.

Customer Papers

At the stage of NPP civil structure design for determination of stress-strain state (SSS) at static and dynamic loading ABAQUS is widely used. Hereto the floor response spectra are determined for calculation of loadings on the equipment at special dynamic impacts (seismic, air shock wave, aircraft crash). In case if the obtained characteristics of SSS or spectral accelerations exceed maximum permissible values, designers take actions on strengthening the corresponding structural components.

Customer Papers

The main focus in this paper is on the simulation with ABAQUS/Explicit of the required crash scenarios with different obstacles. Especially the assembly of the full scale crash model will be discussed in greater detail. It consists of the carbody with all equipment, bogies with wheelsets and the coupling elements. Thereby extensive use was made from different connector elements available in ABAQUS. Also the external crash buffer elements with their energy absorbing characteristics were modelled by means of special connector behavior features. The contact between wheel and rail is also included. Before the actual crash the spring deflection of the primary and secondary suspension due to gravity is considered.

Customer Papers