Multibody Dynamics with Finite Element Method

What is MbDFEM?

Multibody Dynamics (MbD) is the study of the kinematics (motion) and the dynamics (forces and torques that are cause and consequence of motion); of systems of interacting parts (assemblies). Combined with Computer Aided Design (CAD), MbD represents a key tool in the design process of virtually any modern product.

Finite Element Metod (FEM) allows the study of the effects that forces and torques have when applied to individual parts. These effects may include deformation and fracture, which most often lead to the failure of a product.

The MbD-FEM-CAD integration:

Based on open-source packages, we are developing a software that allows the integration of CAD, MbD and FEM. Our MbD and FEM models are parametric (they depend on the CAD model), so that chages applied to the CAD geometry are automatically reflected by the corresponding changes in the MbD and FEM models. This allows us to efficiently study the effects that changes applied to the CAD geometries and assemblies have over the physical behaviour of a mechanism, ultimatelly predicting possible part failure, and using the MbD and FEM simulation results to optimize the CAD geometries and assemblies.

How does the MbD-FEM-CAD integration works?

  1. A parametric CAD model of the assembly is developed.
  2. A MbD model is produced from the CAD assembly. This model includes the material properties of the parts, constraints such as joints, boundary conditions, applied forces and torques, etc. The MbD model is solved, and outputs the forces and torques to which the assembly parts are subjected during motion.
  3. The forces and torques resulting from the MbD simulation are fed into the FEM model. This model predicts the stresses induced in the material of the parts, allowing the assesment of possible part failure due to material yield or fracture.
  4. In an iterative cycle, the results of the MbD and FEM simulations are used to improve the design (CAD) of the individual parts and the assembly as a whole. All this process is integrated in a single workflow and is achieved from within one single interface.

Why open-source?

We use high-quality open-source solvers, such as MBDyn and Calculix, in combination with our custom FreeCAD-based pre and post-processors; to develop and deliver correct and reliable simulations. Here are some of the reasons why to choose open-source:

Reliability

Modern open-source solvers are the result of decades of collaborative development. Today, they have reached a mature stage, and produce reliable simulation results. Moreover, these solvers are staring to gain terrain in the academic, research, development, and industrial fields, which accelerates their development and strenghtens their reliability.

Flexibility

Having access to the source code allows the precise modeling of the physics of the problem to be studied. Unlike closed-source programs, which pretend to integrate all the modeling process in a GUI workflow; we develop part of our modeling programatically, which gives us the flexibility and precision that cannot be achieved otherwise.

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