GENOA by AlphaSTAR Webinar 2014 Series A Composite Software Solution

Overview
AlphaSTAR and the Altair Partner Alliance have teamed up to offer a monthly webinar focusing on various topics involving the GENOA and MCQ software solution suite.

Check back regularly as new topics and sessions are scheduled!

2/13/2014 Tension after Impact Recording 11 a.m. EST 3/13/2014 Effect on Fatigue Life Webinar 11 a.m. EST 4/10/2014 Multi Scale Progressive Failure Analysis Webinar 11 a.m. EST

Session Descriptions

Title: Tension after Impact: Damage Progression Coupling Different Structural FE Solvers in Sequence
Date: February 13th 2014
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Abstract
Join the webinar on February 13th 2014 for a discussion on how GENOA can be used to couple different analysis types together using different FE solvers so that advanced structures can be analyzed and assessed for damage initiation and propagation, fracture initiation and propagation using the engineering technology of choice.

Knowledge of the residual strength of a composite after a possible damage event is important. It allows the engineer to asses many ‘what-if’ situations in order to make a robust design.

Using GENOA, damage, residual stresses, and deformed/fractured meshes from one type of analysis type and solver can easily be used as the starting point for a completely different analysis and solver. This allows the residual strength of a structure to be computed based on a customized user defined life cycle for a structure all with users choice of technology.
An example will be shown that simulates impact with LS Dyna and then tension after impact using OptiStruct. Damage and residual stresses after impact and used to begin the tension after impact analysis.

We will also show our MULTI-SCALE methods carrying FE results down to the micro scale level so that the root damage mechanisms are assessed and the resulting degradation is accurately represented for every finite element and for every load step in the analysis.


Title: Effect of Voids, Defect Shapes and Sizes, and Fiber Waviness on Fatigue Life
Date: March 13th 2014
Time: 11 am EST
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Abstract
Join the webinar on March 13th 2014 for a discussion on how GENOA and MCQ can be used to determine the effect of voids, defect shapes and sizes, and fiber waviness on fatigue life. Using this methodology advanced structures can be analyzed and assessed for damage initiation and propagation, fracture initiation and propagation.

Knowledge of the life of a composite structure with defects is important since it reflects the “as-is” condition. It allows the engineer to assess many types of internal defects, their distribution, shapes, and size, in order to make decisions and produce a robust design.
An example will be shown that simulates these effects on an open hole tension coupon undergoing quasi static fatigue as well as random fatigue.

We show our MULTI-SCALE methods carrying FE results down to the micro scale level so that the root damage mechanisms are assessed and the resulting degradation is accurately represented for every finite element and for every load step in the analysis.


Title: 1D, 2D, and 3D, Unidirectional, Weave, and Braid Modeling and Reverse Engineering Constituent Properties for Use in Multi Scale Progressive Failure Analysis
Date: April 10th 2014
Time: 11 am EST
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Abstract
Join the webinar on April 10th 2014 for a discussion on how GENOA and MCQ can be used to determine the constituent properties – fiber, matrix, and stress strain curves for unidirectional composites. We will also discuss how to model weaves and braids. These 1D, 2D, 2.5D and 3D architectures can be used in FE solvers to assess for damage initiation and propagation, fracture initiation and propagation.

Material, damage, and fracture modeling is a very important step in finite elements. We will begin by discussing the material modeling for complex architecture and the damage and fracture criteria used to model progressive failure analysis.

An example will be shown that models 1D, 2D, and 3D architecture for a simple coupon and then uses that to perform a progressive failure analysis of an automotive vehicle component.

We show our MULTI-SCALE methods carrying FE results down to the micro scale level so that the root damage mechanisms are assessed and the resulting degradation is accurately represented for every finite element and for every load step in the analysis.

Composite T-Joint Design Analysis

Issue #11 - December 13th, 2007

Software Suite for Durability, Damage Tolerance, and Life Prediction
Augments FEA Solvers MSC Nastran*, ABAQUS, ANSYS & LS-DYNA

* Best Performance and Verified Solutions with MSC Nastran

This Week's Feature Composite Example

Composite T-Joint Design Analysis

Figure 1 - Configuration and laminate layups of the British Naval composite joint [1].

GENOA-PFA is virtual testing software tool simulating both the detailed micro and macro failures occurred in a composite structure throughout the entire loading process. It can greatly reduce the experimental investigation effort and cost involved in structural design. A British Naval composite joint [1, 2] was employed to demonstrate the application of GENOA-PFA in composite structure durability analysis and design. 

Figure 2 - Configuration and laminate layups of the British Naval composite joint [1].

Configuration of the T-Joint and the FEM - The joint is comprised of two FRP overlaminates bonded to either side of a web plate and then bonded to the base plate or flange (Figure 1). These overlaminates form a boundary angle connection and are comprised of alternating polyester/E-glass woven roving (WR) and chopped strand mat (CSM) layers. The gap within the boundary angle is filled with a compatible resin. The members being joined are comprised solely of polyester/E-glass woven roving. There are 14616 solid elements in the British joint model (Figure 2). The loading condition is three point bending. The load type is forced displacement. 

Simulation Results - The joint performance was simulated and the failure mechanism, which occurred in the joint, was identified. Figure 3 illustrates the comparison between the simulated and tested load-deflection relationship of the joint. The two results agree reasonably well for both damage initiation and final fracture loads.

Figure 3 - Comparison between simulated and tested load-deflection relationship.

The damage initiated as tensile- driven delamination in the fillets at the juncture area, where the interlamina tensile stress was the largest under the bending condition. Then the delamination failure propagated through the fillet thickness due to stress redistribution to the undamaged layers from the failed layers. The delamination in the fillets reduced their contribution to bending resistance, which finally resulted in the fracture of the flange at the end of the loading process. The entire simulated damage and fracture process of the joint is illustrated in Figure 4 where red areas represent the damage.

Figure 4 - Simulated failure process of the British Naval joint. Red areas represent the failure which was caused by interlamina tensile stress (delamination).

Conclusions
GENOA-PFA computed detailed laminate failure in the composite joint throughout the entire loading process. The load capacity of the British Naval joint was accurately predicted and its underlying failure mechanism was clearly identified, namely, delamination due to interlamina tensile stresses. Hence, GENOA-PFA is a useful virtual testing tool for optimal design of composite structures, e.g. for a composite joints, the fillet radii and thickness can be optimized to reduce the delamination failure and thus maximize the joint durability. 

References:

1. Cody Godines, Frank Abdi, Steven Kiefer and Keith Kedward, "Simplified Analytical Procedure for Prediction of Fracture Damage in Composite Structures", ASTM COMMITTEE-D30 Symposium on Joining and Repair of Composite Structure March 17-18, 2003 Kansas City, MO. Click here to read technical publication.

2. Phillips, H.J., and Shenoi, R.A., "Damage Tolerance of Laminated Tee Joints in FRP Structures", Composites Part A - Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 465, 1998. Click here to read technical publication.

Click here to read the full technical product data sheet of GENOA.

 

Did You Know?

Probabilistic Progressive Failure Analysis 

GENOA's Probabilistic Progressive Failure Analysis capability enables the prediction of structural reliability in presence of uncertainties in fabrication parameters, cure, material, geometry, and loading. First, perform low fidelity probabilistic analysis to identify influential random design variables. Second, reduce the list of variables to include critical ones and perform high fidelity simulation (e.g. Monte Carlo) to obtain a measure of reliability. As additional benefits, you will obtain a database of competing designs to improve the product performance and reduce the number of unnecessary tests.  For more information on this feature and trying out GENOA through our demos, please contact info@ascgenoa.com.

This issue was brought to you by Alpha STAR Corporation.

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