Shell Finite Element Data Management for Layered Composites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing finite element analysis (FEA) methods are inefficient and error-prone when dealing with structures containing a large number of varying layered composite materials, as they require manual identification of elements with unique layer and material property combinations, leading to time-consuming and unbalanced processor loads in parallel processing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that assigns a single identifier to all shell finite elements representing layered composite materials, sorting them into internal groups for optimal vectorization and domain decomposition, allowing for contiguous memory storage and efficient parallel processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual identification of elements with unique layer and material property combinations is used, then data accuracy is improved, but time consumption and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automatic identification and grouping of shell elements by material properties before the main analysis. Material property files are pre-loaded and elements are automatically categorized into groups based on their layer configurations, eliminating the need for manual identification during the analysis phase and significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining data accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If elements are grouped by unique material properties with unique identifiers, then data organization is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal material property identifier that serves multiple functions: it uniquely identifies material combinations, groups elements automatically, and enables efficient memory allocation. This single identifier system replaces multiple complex classification schemes, simplifying the overall processing architecture while maintaining excellent data organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service automatic grouping where shell elements automatically assign themselves to appropriate material groups based on their inherent properties stored in the model. The grouping algorithm autonomously processes elements without requiring external intervention or complex manual categorization, reducing processing complexity while achieving systematic data organization.
3Productivity
If shell elements are processed in contiguous memory locations by part identifier, then processing efficiency is improved, but load balancing in parallel processing deteriorates due to varying layer numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the model into material-based groups rather than part-based groups. Each material group contains elements with identical layer configurations, allowing for uniform processing time within each group. This segmentation enables independent processing of groups with balanced workloads across multiple processors, maintaining both processing efficiency and load balancing in parallel computing environments.
4Ease of operation
If a single identifier is used for all composite material elements, then ease of identification is improved, but memory storage efficiency deteriorates without contiguous grouping
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges all shell elements identified by the composite material identifier into a single contiguous memory region through automatic grouping. Elements with the same material properties are consolidated together in memory, achieving both the simplicity of single-identifier access and the efficiency of contiguous memory storage, eliminating the trade-off between ease of identification and memory efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for obtaining numerically simulated structural behaviors of layered composite materials within a structure in a time-marching simulation using finite element analysis (FEA) are disclosed. A single identifier is used for designating all shell finite elements representing parts or components made of layered composite materials in a FEA model of a structure by user. Layered composite materials may have arbitrary number of layers. Each layer may have different material orientation/angle or fiber direction, thickness, and structural material behaviors. Each shell element representing composite material includes a set of through-thickness integration points with each corresponding to one layer of the layered composite materials. The shell elements are sorted by types into a number of internal groups to facilitate vectorization and/or more optimal domain decomposition in massive parallel processing. The internal groups are configured to be hidden from the user and stored in contiguous memory locations when conducting a FEA.