nCode DesignLife Product Options

nCode DesignLife is the next generation CAE fatigue and durability analysis tool that works with all leading FE codes and produces realistic predictions of fatigue hotspots and fatigue life. DesignLife shares the nCode GlyphWorks architecture – providing an unparalleled integration of test and CAE data. DesignLife can be purchased separately or together with GlyphWorks.

DesignLife's core functionality includes:

Virtual Strain Gauge – is a standard feature of DesignLife that provides a uniquely powerful way of correlating test with finite element results. Graphically position and orient many single or rosette gauges on your finite models as a post-processing step. Then extract the time histories due to applied loads for direct correlation with your measured strain data. Assessing correlation has never been this easy!

Schedule Create - lets the user build and process multiple cases that model a duty cycle. Through an intuitive interface, Schedule Create makes it easy to create a complete durability schedule.

Signal Processing – includes GlyphWorks Fundamentals functionality for basic data manipulation, analysis and visualization.

Materials Manager – enables materials data to be added, edited and plotted. A default database with fatigue properties for many commonly used materials is also provided.

Python Scripting – This unique capability enables Python scripting to be used to extend existing analysis capabilities rather than needing to code fatigue analysis from scratch. Perfect for proprietary methods or research projects.

Read the detailed product brochure (PDF)

Strain-Life (EN)

Applicable to a wide range of problems including low-cycle fatigue with the local elastic-plastic strain controls the fatigue life. Includes the ability to interpolate multiple material data curves for factors such as mean stress or temperature.

EN Solver Includes:

Material models

Standard EN
EN mean multi-curve
EN R-ratio multi-curve
EN temperature multi-curve

Mean stress corrections

Morrow
Smith Watson Topper
Interpolate multiple curves

Plasticity corrections

Neuber
Hoffman-Seeger
Seeger-Heuler

Multiaxial assessment

Biaxial
3D Multiaxial
Auto-correction

Stress-Life (SN)

Primary application is high-cycle fatigue (long lives) where nominal stress controls the fatigue life. Includes the ability to interpolate multiple material data curves for factors such as mean stress or temperature. Python scripting is also available for defining custom fatigue methods.

SN Solver Includes:

Material models

Standard SN
SN Mean multi-curve
SN R-ratio multi-curve
SN Haigh multi-curve
SN Temperature multi-curve
Bastenaire SN
Custom SN using Python scripting

Mean stress corrections

FKM Guidelines
Goodman
Gerber
Interpolate multiple curves

Stress gradient corrections

FKM Guidelines
User defined

Dang Van

Dang Van is a multi-axial fatigue limit criterion and is a method of predicting the endurance limit under complex loading situations. The output from the analysis is expressed as a safety factor and not a fatigue life.

Download available:

White Paper: Taking into Account the Forming Process in Fatigue Design Computations

Spot Weld

This option enables the fatigue analysis of spot welds in thin sheets. The approach is based on the LBF method (see SAE paper 950711) and is well-suited to vehicle structure applications.

Seam Weld

This option enables the fatigue analysis of seam welded joints including fillet, overlap, and laser welded joints. The method is based on the approach developed by Volvo (see also SAE paper 982311) and validated through years of use on vehicle chassis and body development projects.

Vibration Fatigue

Vibration Fatigue enables the simulation of vibration shaker tests driven by random (PSD) or swept-sine loading. It provides the capability to predict fatigue in the frequency domain and it is more realistic and efficient than time-domain analysis for many applications with random loading such a wind and wave loads.