Mecalog Group�s Radioss solver predicts risks and ruptures
Added: (Tue Mar 28 2006)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Mecalog Group of France, a supplier of products and services for the digital simulation of mechanical phenomena, has released Version 5 of Radioss � a solver for problems related to the mechanics of structures, fluids and fluid-structure interactions. With its two, totally parallelised, implicit solution algorithms, Version 5 enables users to solve both static and dynamic calculations. The development of new rupture models enhances risk prediction, which is a major advantage in studying the behaviour of high-strength steel parts.
Version 5 of Radioss has been enhanced with an implicit formulation, which is capable of dealing with linear, non-linear, static and dynamic problems. Initial equilibrium conditions of a collision simulation can thus be more easily integrated and, using a single solver, complex mechanical problems can be undertaken, such as the behaviour of mechanisms and fatigue analysis. The time saved in undertaking these studies using Radioss is invaluable to users.
New rupture models can now be associated with the material laws integrated into the software. Previously, high-strength steel parts have not been involved in the behaviour of a vehicle during crash, but their increasing use introduces potential risks of rupture � being able to simulate and predict these risks reliably is a major advantage for vehicle manufacturers.
Users of Radioss Version 5 can take into account new physical states, such as the initial static state of equilibrium and springback after loading � a critical point for studying the response of a structure in a vehicle crash. The frontal crash regulation stipulates that a door must be able to open easily after a collision. The simulation in this case must be extended beyond the 100msec crash event to allow the vehicle structure to recover elastically. This elastic recovery can be determined rapidly using Radioss Version 5.
Radioss, which was first released in 1987, is well suited to the simulation of rapid dynamic phenomena, such as the study of hyper-velocity impacts in space, and is also widely used for simulating shocks and crashes in the automotive, aerospace, rail and marine industries. The Radioss software includes general modules which apply to all industries, as well as specific modules such as Radioss Crash � for solving problems of collision, impact, passive safety, stamping and hydroforming � and Radioss ALE-CFD-SPH � for simulating fluid/structure interactions, fluid flow and sources of noise which are caused by a fluid/structure interaction.
In 2005, nine cars out of the twenty-two which obtained the maximum score of five stars awarded by EuroNCAP for safety were designed with Radioss, the most widely used program in the automotive industry � it is used by five of the world's ten leading manufacturers.
About Mecalog Group
Mecalog was founded in 1986 and has its head office in Antony in the Paris region. The group employs 270 people, with subsidiaries in five countries (USA, Japan, Germany, Italy and Great Britain) and seven regional offices in France. It also has a distribution network in Asia, South America and Australia. Mecalog Group has become the preferred partner of major industrialists throughout the world in varied areas of activity: land, air and maritime transport, space, defence, nuclear power, civil engineering, biomedical products, equipment and consumer goods.
For further information, please go to: www.mecalog-group.com