Features
Finite Element Analysis
- Structural Analysis
- Linear Static Analysis
 - Linear Buckling Analysis
 - Small Displacement Nonlinear Analysis
 - Large Displacement Nonlinear Static Analysis
 - Explicit Dynamics (Radioss Integration)
 - Normal Modes Analysis
 - Frequency Response Analysis
 - Complex Eigenvalue Analysis
 - Random Response Analysis
 - Response Spectrum Analysis
 - Transient Response Analysis (linear and nonlinear)
 
 - Thermal Analysis
- Linear Steady-State Heat Transfer Analysis
 - Linear Transient Heat Transfer Analysis
 - Nonlinear Steady-State Heat Transfer Analysis
 - Contact-based Thermal Analysis
 
 - Acoustic Analysis
- Coupled Frequency Response Analysis of Fluid-Structure Models
 - Radiated Sound Analysis
 
 - Fatigue Analysis
- Uniaxial Fatigue (SN and EN)
 - Multiaxial Fatigue (SN and EN, Dang Van Criteria)
 - Weld Fatigue
 - Seam Weld Fatigue
 - Vibration Fatigue (Transient, Sine Sweep, Random Response)
 
 - Rotor Dynamics
 - Fast equation solver
- Sparse matrix solver
 - Iterative PCG solver
 - Lanczos and AMSES eigensolver
 - SMP parallelization
 - SPMD parallelization (Load Decomposition and Domain Decomposition Method)
 - Fast Modal Solution Solver for Modal Frequency Response (PARAM,FASTFR)
 - DMIG input
 - AMLS interface
 - FastFRS interface
 - GPU support
 
 - Advanced element formulations 
- Triangular, quadrilateral, first and second order shells
 - Axisymmetry
 - Laminated shells
 - Continuum shells
 - Hexahedron, pyramid, tetrahedron first and second order solids
 - Bar, beam, bushing, and rod elements
 - Spring, mass, and damping scalar elements
 - Mesh independent gap and weld elements
 - Rigid elements
 - Joint
 - Concentrated and non-structural mass
 - Direct matrix input
 
 - Geometric element quality check
 - Local coordinate systems
 - Multi-point constraints
 - Contact, tie interfaces
 - Prestressed analysis
 - Linear-elastic materials
- Isotropic
 - Anisotropic
 - Orthotropic
 
 - Nonlinear materials
- Elastoplastic
 - Hyperelastic
 - Viscoelastic
 - Gasket
 
 - User-defined material
 - Material consistency checks
 - Ground check for unintentionally constrained rigid body modes.
 
Modeling Techniques
- Parts and Instances
 - Subcase Specific Modeling
 - Local - Global (Zooming)
 - Model Change (Contact and elements) for Nonlinear Analysis
 - Direct Matrix Input (Superelements)
- Direct Matrix Input
 - Creating Superelements
 - Component Dynamic Analysis
 
 - Flexible Body Generation
 - Poroelastic Materials
 
Multibody Dynamics
- Solution sequences
- Kinematics
 - Dynamics
 - Static
 - Quasi-static
 - Linearization
 
 - Bodies
- Rigid
 - Flexible
 - Flexible body generation in using the CMS modeling technique, integrated with multibody analysis if the model is set up in OptiStruct.
 
 - Constraints (between any body, flexible, or rigid)
- Joints: Ball (spherical), free, fixed, revolute, translational, cylindrical, universal, planar, at-point, in-plane, parallel-axes, orient, perpendicular-axes, constant velocity, and in-line.
 - Gear
 - Couplers
 - Higher-pair joints: point-to-curve, point-to-surface, curve-to-curve, curve-to-surface, and surface-to-surface constraints.
 
 - Loads
- Forces
 - Gravity
 - Motions (Joint and Marker)
 - Initial velocities (Body and Joint)
 
 - Function Expressions
 
Optimization
- General optimization problem formulation for all optimization types
- Response based
 - Equation utility
 - Interface to external user-defined routines
 - Minmax (maxmin) problems
 - System identification
 - Continuous and discrete design variables
 
 - Solution sequences for optimization
- Linear static
 - Normal modes
 - Linear buckling
 - Quasi-static nonlinear (gap/contact)
 - Frequency response (modal method)
 - Acoustic response
 - Random response
 - Linear steady-state heat transfer
 - Coupled thermo-mechanical
 - Multibody dynamics
 - Fatigue
 
 - Responses for optimization
- All optimization types:
- Compliance
 - Frequency
 - Compliance index
 - Volume
 - Mass
 - Volume fraction
 - Mass fraction
 - Center of gravity
 - Moments of inertia
 - Displacement
 - Velocity
 - Acceleration
 - Temperature
 - Pressure
 - Stress/Strain
 - Composite Stress/Strain/Failure
 - Force
 - Factor and Marge of safety
 - Buckling factor (with limitations in topology/free-size optimization)
 - Fatigue life/damage
 - Grid Point Force
 - Resultant Force
 - Bore Distortion Response
 - Contact force/pressure
 - Gasket pressure
 - Solid corner and grid point stress
 - Response spectrum displacement and stress
 - Stress/Strain based on Neuber correction
 - Equation Response (DRESP2)
 - User-defined Responses (DRESP3)
 
 
 - All optimization types:
 - Automatic selection of best optimization algorithm
- Convex approximation method (DUAL, DUAL2)
 - Method of feasible directions (MFD)
 - Sequential quadratic programming (SQP)
 - BIGOPT
 
 - Automatic selection of best method for design sensitivity analysis
- Direct method
 - Adjoint variable method
 
 - Topology, free-size, topography, size, shape, and free-shape optimization problems can be solved simultaneously
 - Multi-disciplinary optimization using combinations of the supported solution sequences
 - Mode tracking
 - Mode Identification using Frequency Response subcase
 - Multiple Models Optimization (MMO)
 - Global Search Option
 - Mode tracking
 - Failsafe Topology Optimization
 - Reliability-based Design Optimization
 - Multiple Material Topology Optimization
 - Topology Lattice Optimization
 
Topology Optimization
- Generalized optimization problem formulation
 - Multiple load cases with different solution sequences in combination
 - Stress/Strain responses in Topology design space for static and frequency response
 - Density method
 - 1D, 2D, and 3D elements in the design space
 - Non-design space can contain any element type and response
 - Extensive manufacturing control:
- Minimum member size control to avoid mesh dependent results
 - Maximum member size control to avoid large material concentrations
 - Draw direction constraints
 - Extrusion constraints
 - Pattern grouping
 - Pattern repetition
 - Multiple symmetry planes
 
 - Checkerboard control
 - Discreteness control
 - Smoothing and geometry generation for 3D results
 
Free-Size Optimization
- Generalized optimization problem formulation
 - Multiple load cases with different solution sequences in combination
 - Stress/Strain and the composite stress/strain responses in free-size design space for static and frequency response
 - Shell element thickness and composite ply-thickness design variables
 - Non-design space can contain any element type and response
 - Extensive manufacturing control:
- Minimum member size control to avoid mesh dependent results
 - Maximum member size control to avoid large material concentrations
 - Pattern grouping
 - Pattern repetition
 - Multiple symmetry planes
 
 - Manufacturing Constraints for Composites
 
Topography Optimization
- Shape optimization for shells with automated design variable definition
 - Easy set up with one DTPG card
 - Extensive bead pattern control to allow for manufacturing constraints
- Pattern grouping
 - Pattern repetition
 - Multiple symmetry planes
 - Discreteness control
 - Maximum bead width control
 
 - Direct launch of OSSmooth from Topography job
 
Size (Parameter) Optimization
- Shell, rod, and beam properties can be designed
 - Spring and concentrated mass properties can be designed
 - Composite ply thickness and ply angle can be designed
 - Material properties can be designed
 - Continuous and discrete design variables
 - Manufacturing Constraints for Composites
 
Shape Optimization
- Perturbation vector approach
 - Shape functions are defined through DVGRID cards
 - Continuous and discrete design variables
 - Remeshing option using HyperMesh
 
Free-shape Optimization
- Perturbation vector approach
 - Automatic generation of perturbation vectors
 - Reduction of stress concentrations
 - Manufacturing constraints
 - Remeshing option using HyperMesh
 
Structural Optimization in Multibody Dynamics Systems
- Equivalent Static Load (ESL) method
 - Size, shape, free-shape, topology, topography, free-size, and material optimization of flexible bodies in multibody dynamics systems
 - Generalized optimization problem definition
 - Large number of design variables and constraints
 
Pre-process
- Fully supported in HyperMesh, SimLab and MotionView
 - Nastran type input format
 
Post-process
- HyperView
                    
- Direct output of H3D format for model and results
 - Direct output for iteration history
 - Export of iso-density surface in STL format
 
 - HyperGraph
- Iteration history graphs
 - Sensitivity bar charts
 - Complex frequency response displacement, velocity, and acceleration plots
 - Random response PSD and auto/cross correlation of displacement, velocity, and acceleration
 - Transient response displacement, velocity, and acceleration time history plots
 - Bar chart for effective mass
 
 - HTML report 
- Model summary
 - Model and result displayed using HyperView Player
 
 - HyperMesh
- Direct binary result file output
 
 - SimLab
 - Microsoft Excel
- Design sensitivities for size and shape variable approximations
 
 - Support of Nastran Punch and OP2 output formats