NX Advanced FEM Fact Sheet - Siemens PLM Software - #7

fact sheet

NX

Solution processes

NX Advanced FEM also supports the definition of solution processes, which represent a multi-step solution and work with any of the supported structural solvers. The following processes are supported in Advanced FEM: adaptive, durability and optimization.

Adaptive solution

Adaptive analysis is a linear statics solution option, available for all supported solvers, that uses a solver-independent h-adaptive analysis method to perform automatic mesh refinement during solve iterations. The main objective of adaptive analysis is to automate the lengthy and repetitive process of running multiple finite element analyses with different mesh densities. The mesh refinement is determined by error estimates associated with element stress discontinuity. Based on these error estimates, critical regions are identified on the model, which then become the target for further refinement of the mesh.

Once the critical regions are identified, the local refinement is implemented internally. An element sizing scheme is used to estimate the new size. Furthermore, element quality is checked along transition areas to eliminate false hot spots that may later influence the refinement process.

Adaptive analysis is supported for all 2D and 3D triangular elements. Hex, wedge and pyramid elements are not supported. During the adaptive solve, the refinement of existing mesh elements involves replacement by matching template patterns. Element nodes needing refinement are identified by the software and modified accordingly.

Durability

Structural fatigue analysis is a tool for evaluating a design's structural worthiness, or its durability, under various simple or complex loading conditions, also known as fatigue duty cycles. NX Advanced FEM supports the creation of a durability process solution. Results of a fatigue analysis are displayed as contour plots that show the duration of cyclic loading (number of fatigue duty cycles) the structure can undergo before crack initiation occurs.