Blog Posts Tagged Structural Mechanics Module
Finding a Structure’s Best Design with Topology Optimization
Think about the first architects who designed a bridge above water. The design process likely included several trials and subsequent failures before they could safely allow people to cross the river. COMSOL Multiphysics and the Optimization Module would have helped make this process much simpler, if they had computers at the time, of course. Before we start to discuss building and optimizing bridges, let’s first identify the best design for a simple beam with the help of topology optimization.
What Is Geometric Nonlinearity?
If you perform structural mechanics analyses, then you have most likely encountered the concept of geometric nonlinearity. But what exactly does geometric nonlinearity mean?
Multistudy Structural Optimization of a Bracket
Weight reduction is a key focus in the automotive industry, where lightweight materials equal more fuel-efficient cars. Here, we perform a multistudy structural optimization of 1 component.
The Physics of Tennis Racket Sweet Spots
Whether you’re a tennis pro or new to the courts, you might enjoy this blog post examining the physics behind the “sweet spots” of a tennis racket.
New Simple Mechanical Cloaking Technique
Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology developed a simple mathematical technique for designing mechanical cloaks using numerical modeling. Get details here.
The MTC Builds a Simulation App to Optimize 3D Printing
Engineers at the Manufacturing Technology Centre built a simulation app to efficiently analyze an additive manufacturing technique known as shaped metal deposition. Read the full story…
Modeling Linear Elastic Materials – How Difficult Can It Be?
Get an intro to the theory and application of the linear elastic material model, isotropy/anisotropy, allowable values for material data, incompressibility, and geometric nonlinearity.
Fitting Measured Data to Different Hyperelastic Material Models
Want to fit your experimental data to different hyperelastic material models? You can with the Optimization interface in COMSOL Multiphysics®, which lets you fit a curve to multiple datasets.
Protecting Aircraft Composites from Lightning Strike Damage
Some aircraft have a protective coating to mitigate damage from lightning strikes. Boeing used multiphysics simulation to evaluate thermal stress and displacement in this layer.
How to Model Hygroscopic Swelling
Hygroscopic swelling occurs in various sectors of industry, from wood construction and paper to electronics and food processing. Learn how to model this phenomenon in COMSOL Multiphysics®.
Singularities in Finite Element Models: Dealing with Red Spots
Seeing red? Explore common causes of singularities in your finite element models, as well as when and how to remove them and how to interpret your simulation results.
Using a Simulation App to Evaluate Fatigue Life in a Frame
The Frame Fatigue Life demo app is an example of how simulation apps can save you time and energy in evaluating the impact of fatigue on a structure. Take a look here >>
App: Improving the Payload Capacity of a Truck-Mounted Crane
Manufacturers and engineers looking to optimize the payload, or carrying, capacity of a truck-mounted crane can easily test parameters with a simulation app. Take a look at our demo app example.
Modeling a Stacked Piezoelectric Actuator in a Valve
Piezoelectric valves are energy efficient, durable, and fast. You can model a key component of this device responsible for opening and closing the valve: a stacked piezoelectric actuator.
Part 2: Obtaining Material Data for Structural Mechanics from Measurements
Learn how to use nonlinear elastic and elastoplastic materials, as well as a method for using your measured data directly in COMSOL Multiphysics®. Part 2 of a series on hyperelastic materials.
Simulating the Insertion of a Snap Hook
Snap hooks, a type of fastener that involves the insertion of a hook into a slot, are found in the automotive industry. Simulation can be used to analyze their insertion and removal.
Instability in Portable Washing Machines
A varied distribution of clothing can cause walking instability in both traditional and portable washing machines. Multibody dynamics analysis can be used to avoid this effect in machine designs.
Improving the Operational Lifetime of a Reciprocating Engine
Many of today’s motor vehicles rely on reciprocating piston engines as their source of power. Multibody dynamics analysis can be used to analyze the operation and performance of these engines.
The Motions and Mechanics of a Truck-Mounted Crane
The Truck Mounted Crane tutorial model analyzes the forces on the cylinders and hinges of a crane during an operating cycle, combining multibody dynamics and structural analyses.
Obtaining Material Data for Structural Mechanics from Measurements
Linear elastic, hyperelastic, nonlinear elastic, plasticity, creep, concrete: COMSOL Multiphysics® contains a number of built-in material models for structural analyses. Get an intro >>
Evaluating the Instability of a Space Arc Frame
Picture the Louvre Pyramid in France: This is a real-world example of a space arc frame. Simulation can be used to evaluate instability in this type of structure.
Using Degeneracy Breaking to Design a MEMS Biosensor
Researchers from Newcastle University in the U.K. used simulation to investigate the effects of material and geometric symmetry breaking in a degenerate mode sensor. Get the full story >>
Introducing Nonlinear Elastic Materials
Examples of nonlinear elastic material models: Ramberg-Osgood, Duncan-Chang, Hardin-Drnevich, Power law, and more. We discuss how to apply nonlinear elastic materials in your analyses.
Biomechanical Model Evaluates Human Response to Vibrations
Take a look at a biomechanical model of the human body in a sitting posture, which can be used to analyze how vibrations (like those from a moving vehicle) affect different parts of the body.
