| Author | M.S. Shephard, M.W. Beall & B.E. Webster |
|---|---|
| Title | Supporting Simulations to Guide Engineering Design |
| Year | 2004 |
| Journal | American Institute of Aeronautics, Inc. |
| Institution | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Abstract | Although computer-aided engineering (CAE) technologies are a critical component to the engineering design process, their effective integration into design processes continues to be awkward. This has been particularly true of more advanced simulation technologies such as finite element analysis. Developments over the past decade on technologies like the automatic generation of finite element mesh, and other analysis discretizations, directly from solid model representations [1,8] provide one of the tools to allow the effective use of simulation during design. However, a number of additional capabilities and structures are needed to truly integrate the simulation technologies into engineering design. One of the needed capabilities would support the effective association of simulation information to evolving design definitions. Although the methods used to automate mesh generation of solid models provides a means to link the simulation results model’s boundary representation, it is well recognized such representations are not the most appropriate design representations. A second needed capability is the adapt control of automated analysis model construction methods that accounts for the current state of the design and provides a means to control the simulation accuracy needed for the design performance parameters the simulation is to provide. This paper will discuss efforts on the development of a set of structures and methods that when combined with available advanced CAD representations and CAE tools will support the effective application of simulation technologies in support of engineering design processes. The next section gives a brief overviews of the component technologies needed to support the concept of simulation-based design where simulation can automatically be applied to provide the product performance evaluations, design parameter sensitivity information and verification. Section 3 provides additional information on the key component of the simulation model manages which interacts directly with the highest level of design definition. Section 4 briefly indicates how these technologies are beginning to be used in the automotive industry to support advanced design and virtual prototyping. |
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