FE-based Fatigue Analysis with nCode DesignLife
Duration
2 days
Course Outline
This course will show you how to use nCode DesignLife software to best advantage. It consists of a number of lectures and short demonstrations to show how the software should be used. This is reinforced with hands-on sessions which follow worked examples; these include step-by-step instructions and explanations and provide an opportunity to explore the different options available and understand their significance.
All users will need to understand how to set up a fatigue analysis and run it, and interpret the results. Some users may want to build standard process flows, customised to their company’s procedures, for their colleagues to use as well. Users are encouraged to bring their own models with them for discussion and should be able to create draft standard flows, to use after the course.
Attendees will be given printed copies of the slides.
Attendees
The course is aimed at engineering users of nCode DesignLife. As the software uses stress results from a prior FE analysis, it is assumed that attendees are familiar with FE concepts for structural analysis and the results the FEA produces. No prior knowledge of the Glyphworks software is required as this will be covered where necessary. It is assumed that attendees are familiar with structural analysis concepts and fatigue analysis methods in general. A 2-day fatigue theory course (not linked to the software) is also available.
Course Schedule
Day 1
- Fatigue and Fatigue Analysis Methods
- Worked Example 1 – simple constant amplitude SN
- Using Predefined Glyphs
- Worked Example 2 – variable amplitude EN
- Using Dutycycles
- Worked Example 3 – using a Bill of Materials (to save set-up time)
- Advanced Edit and CAE Glyph Structure
- Worked Example 4 – Advanced Edit – customize your own solution
- Using DesignLife outside of GlyphWorks
Day 2
- Spotweld Fatigue
- Worked Example 5
- Seamweld Fatigue
- Worked Example 6 – thin-sheet structures
- Vibration Fatigue
- Worked Example 7 – random vibration
- Dang Van
- Worked Example 8 – multi-axial assessment
- Customisation
Some topics and concepts which are introduced:
- Stresses and Unit Loadcases - Superposition
- Stress Combination methods and plasticity corrections
- Duty cycle analysis and damage summation.
- The CAE glyph description
- Predefined Glyphs
- User-customised glyphs
- Creation of FE-based fatigue processes – including results output styles
- Standard processes for company use
- Identifying hotspots
- Automated methods for accelerating fatigue solution times
Course timing
Course timing is flexible and will vary to suit the attendees. The schedule for day 1 is fixed – because it covers the basics that most users will need. Day 2 covers the more specialised applications (eg spot-welds) and different attendees will want to spend more or less time on each example. They may also wish to adapt one of the examples to suit their own work.
