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Services / Finite element analysis
Structural engineering: linear and nonlinear finite element analysis
Stress, modal, fatigue, vibration and contact analysis, with hyperelastic and nonlinear materials. The margin of safety is calculated for the real operating condition, so the design needs fewer prototypes and test specimens.
Methodology approved with test data in collapse and valve sealing studies for an oilfield services company.
Structural analysis track record
- Methodology approved with testsDuct collapse studied in linear and nonlinear scenarios, with the method approved with test data.
- Valve sealingContact analysis in three load steps: the valve seals as expected.
- Hyperelastic materialsConstants fitted to the experimental curve of the material, as in the polyurethane plug.
- Fewer prototypesSavings in prototypes and test specimens, by calculating thickness and pressures first.
- AerospaceStress analysis of aircraft piping and fuel lines, with material degradation by temperature.
Complete studies, from the load case to the margin of safety
We prefer whole projects to isolated simulations: ATS responsible for the model, the analysis, the redesign and the report.
Linear and nonlinear analysis
Linear when the material and the displacements allow, nonlinear when they do not, including contact and hyperelasticity.
Fatigue and vibration
Modal analysis, vibration and fatigue life of parts and piping.
Redesign
When the margin is not enough, ATS changes the design and calculates again.
Need only a part? We define the scope with you.
What you receive
Stress analysis
Stress and displacement under the load cases.
Margin of safety
Calculated for the real operating condition.
Modal and vibration
Natural frequencies, mode shapes and vibration response.
Fatigue
Life of the part under the load cycles.
Contact and sealing
Contact force and sealing under the operating pressures.
Report
Method, results and recommendation.
How ATS runs a finite element analysis
What it is
The finite element method (FEM, or FEA for analysis) divides the part into small elements and solves the equations of the structure on each one.
Linear and nonlinear
Nonlinear analysis covers large deformation, plasticity and contact. For hyperelastic materials, such as rubber and polyurethane, the constants are fitted to the experimental curve of the material.
Margin of safety
The margin of safety is the comparison of the calculated stress with the allowable one, for the real operating condition.
Temperature and material
In aircraft piping, the degradation of the material with temperature is part of the stress analysis.
Tools, and where each one fits
Tools serve the engineering work. We say what each one does in the project.
| Tool | Role in the project | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Femap, NX Nastran, Adina | Stress analysis, contact, hyperelastic and nonlinear materials, thermal and fluid-structure coupling. | Licensed |
Evidence you can check
Work for oil and gas, aerospace and industry.
Project work
| Project | What we did | Tools and tests | Result or venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halliburton: duct collapseProject | Study of a duct under collapse. | Linear and nonlinear scenarios, three cases in an advanced nonlinear solver, with materials and boundary conditions studied. | Methodology approved with test data. |
| Halliburton: valve seal contactProject | Contact study to verify the sealing of a valve. | Three load steps in an advanced nonlinear solver. Very complex, with many machine hours. | The valve seals as expected. Methodology approved with test data. |
| Petersen Products: polyurethane plugProject | Sealing between a polyurethane plug and the wall of the duct, for different pressures, duct size, material and thickness. | Hyperelastic analysis with the material data from tests. Model validated with test data. | Maximum gap allowed without leakage, contact force and deformation under pressure. Savings in prototypes and test specimens. |
| Embraer: aircraft pneumatic system pipingProject | Stress analysis of the piping, with the degradation of the material by temperature. | Finite element analysis with Femap and NX Nastran. | Stress and margin of safety for the operating cases. |
| Embraer: aircraft fuel systemProject | Stress analysis of the fuel feed line and cross feed line, to meet the requirements. | Each restriction and flexibility considered; the whole system modeled. | Angular and linear displacements, and stress on the most critical parts, which were redesigned when needed. |
| Novaer (now Calidus): landing gear: dynamic modelProject | Dynamic modeling of a landing gear. | MATLAB, with the client license. | Shock absorber orifice defined; dynamic response calculated; effects of tire, runway friction, structural stiffness and reaction loads assessed. |
Examples
Select an image to see each example.
Pneumatic ducts: stress
Von Mises stress in the pneumatic ducts, APU on.
Request a technical proposalHow an engagement runs
Diagnosis and goal
We define the problem, the operating conditions and the target with your team.
Model
The geometry of the equipment is prepared and the physics that apply are chosen.
Analysis
Numerical calculation based on the applicable physical principles.
Checks and validation
Results are checked for consistency and compared with tests, plant data or the literature.
Solution and report
Design of the solution, specification of the test when needed, and the report.
Follow-up
Support in the field test or in operation, and revisions.
Related services
Questions engineers ask before they hire us
Do you do nonlinear analysis?
Yes: large deformation, plasticity, contact and hyperelastic materials.
How do you get hyperelastic constants?
By fitting them to the experimental curve of the material.
Do you validate with tests?
Yes. In the collapse and sealing studies the methodology was approved with test data.
Which software do you use?
Femap with NX Nastran for linear analysis, and Adina for nonlinear analysis, large deformation and contact.
Is our data kept confidential?
Yes. We work under NDA, and your design data and reports stay with you.
Tell us about the part and the loads
Send the geometry, the material, the loads and the requirement.
sales@aerothermalsolutions.co+55 11 3854-4224An ATS engineer replies. We work under NDA.