There are things of which I know that it is possible, without ever taking the time to figure out how to do it and actively use it. Until recently, that was the case for what I want to discuss here: using the environment file to automatically do things when you startup Abaqus.

If you find yourself frequently doing the same thing after starting up Abaqus, then this may come in handy. You can do anything that you can script, so the options are extensive. For example, you can change the background color, change the default views so that Z is considered up, change font sizes, etc.

These days, unfortunately the whole world is facing the dramatic effects of the current Corona/Covid-19 pandemic. Like any other global business currently, this is also affecting our local business and how we interact with our customers and software users. Our company has taken the following measures following the advice of our National RIVM institute.

How to get the best from them & how to avoid problems

This month’s webinar relates to shell and beam elements.  It will cover the benefits of using these types of elements for particular problems, and when they should not be used.  The different types of shell and beam elements will be discussed, along with modelling techniques and problems and work arounds.

In this blog post, we will be showcasing the Abaqus Report Generator plugin (RGP), that is by default included in the Abaqus product installation. The RGP allows the user to create an HTML report using model and results data. The capabilities and functionality of this plugin will be demonstrated with an exemplary results database.

In this blog, we will be providing information on the modelling of laminated composites with Abaqus. Modelling will be done using the composite layup tool, and material orientations will also be assigned.

Those modelling features will be demonstrated with a relevant example case of a composite flanged tube under loading. The tube will be subjected to thermal and radial pressure loading.

How to strike the right balance between accuracy and solve times has been a major consideration for analysts since the inception of FEA.

In an ideal world we would include all parts and mesh each thread and fillet to ensure we have captured every detail of the model accurately. However, experienced analysts know that even with the luxury of modern-day processors, for many applications this is still a pipe dream. In reality, we tend to use our engineering judgement to omit certain parts or features and reduce mesh densities to reach acceptable but compromised solutions.

Luckily for us, Abaqus has a couple of “have your cake and eat it” solutions to this perennial problem in the form of substructures and sub-modelling. 

This FREE event on the 28th of February at our office in Den Bosch, NETHERLANDS, is meant for engineers who have some experience of Composites or FEA and would like to look at what is possible with simulation of composites performed by Abaqus FEA. The workshop is also suitable for engineers where ultimate structural performance is a critical product characteristic in their field. For example in areas of composite engineering such as marine, offshore, renewable energy, automotive, sports equipment and medical sciences.Structural Analysis - Composite behaviour.

What topics are discussed?

We’ve noticed that not everyone is familiar with the different ways in which we can help you if you have a simulation challenge. In this blog post, I want to go through the different options, explain what they are, for who they are available, and how to request this type of help.

In finite element analysis, traditionally we define the geometry at the start of the analysis and assume that while it may deform, the amount of material stays the same. For additive manufacturing, this is clearly not the case: material is continuously added. If we look at the thermal aspects of things, we also see a constantly changing problem: over time heat is added at different points in space; and the outer surface, where heat loss occurs, changes over time. Specific capabilities are therefore needed to efficiently set-up the simulation of problems that continuously change, such as the additive manufacturing process.

In the past, we have already given an example of optimizing a structure using Tosca. Now, I want to revisit this topic and focus specifically on geometry issues. I’ll explain how I obtained the geometry used for optimization, and also show how to get a 3D model of the optimized geometry, that can be used for further finite element analysis.

The example: a hip implant

Though we probably don’t always realize it, we use our hips a lot. After years of loading, they can become damaged and painful. In these cases, replacing the hip with an implant can be a solution. Here we are going to let Tosca design an optimized hip implant, as an example.