Siemens Digital Industries Software

Simcenter 3D for durability

simulation
Enabling in-depth fatigue and life analysis

Simcenter™ 3D software offers a distinctive

Solution benefits suite of tools to support fatigue design in all
• Explore multiple design options and optimize stages of development. This includes easy-to-
your design for strength and fatigue use wizards for strength and fatigue in the
performance design phase, fatigue information on the
• Perform fatigue life prediction analyses quickly current simulated part, detailed analysis of
and accurately accounting for realistic loading complex load scenarios, including weldments
conditions and connections, and new materials and
manufacturing processes.
• Get insightful and rapid feedback on critical
durability areas
The best way to predict a product’s strength and
• Simulate realistically the durability performance durability
of complex connections and welded joints Shorter development cycles and ever-increasing quality
• Predict component loads and optimize system requirements have stretched the test-based durability
level fatigue performance through load-transfer approach to the limits. Evaluating and refining the
path approach durability performance by simulation methods is the
only valid alternative. The durability modules of
• Take advantage of the new materials and
Siemens Digital Industries Software’s Simcenter 3D give
manufacturing processes using accurate fatigue
you access to state-of-the art analysis methods,
methods
enabling engineers to interactively assign loads to a
model. The solution permits efficient analysis of seam
and spot welds as well as new methodologies for com-
posite materials.

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Eliminate over- or under-designed components • Simulation data, such as multibody results and finite
Analyze loads acting on the critical regions and element simulations of the digital twin
improve the load flow from the application points that
• State-of-the-art fatigue simulation methods
have the greatest influence on the critical areas, which
is much better than just reinforcing around the critical • Fatigue-specific postprocessing
area.
Providing a platform for multidiscipline simulation
Enabling a more efficient and safe physical The Simcenter 3D durability solution is part of a larger,
validation integrated multidiscipline simulation environment with
Virtual test rig experiments facilitate the analysis of the the Simcenter 3D Engineering Desktop at the core for
impact of individual load events on component dam- centralized pre-/postprocessing for all Simcenter 3D
age. Such analysis also permits the flexibility to define solutions. This integrated environment helps you to
your specific load scenarios for each of the compo- achieve faster CAE processes and streamline multidisci-
nents, thereby saving testing time. pline simulations that inte-
grate durability and other
Include manufacturing and assembly aspects in disciplines like stress
durability analysis and strain from
New materials and manufacturing processes often have structural solutions,
an important influence on fatigue behavior. With load prediction
Simcenter 3D, one can take into account such manu- using motion
facturing defects while performing durability analysis. solution and short
or long-fiber com-
Design right the first time posites nonlinear
To perform fatigue analysis in an efficient way, durabil- behavior predic-
ity modules provide access to: tion up to tight
integration for
• Test data such as load data, test schedule definitions,
damage tolerant
etc.
design.

Loads Create digital twin Simulate test In depth analysis

of test
Measure Stress calculation Apply material If and where fatigue occur

Simulate Load events Apply methods and Why and when they occur
Duty cycles parameters with one click

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Industry applications Industrial machinery

In industrial applications, achieving cost efficiencies
Aerospace and defense
depends on critical parts that are typically subjected to
Simcenter 3D is used to predict mechanical system
large dynamic multiaxial load cases. Any metal compo-
fatigue life for landing gears, control mechanisms, slat
nent subjected to dynamic loading cycles can be effi-
tracks and other critical assemblies. Local stress con-
ciently optimized. Simcenter 3D Durability can be used
centrations are identified based on all possible combi-
to determine rotor base fatigue life in large rotating
nations of local load conditions to address durability
machines.
problems long before prototypes are built. A wide
range of methods can localize weak spots and assess
Marine
fatigue life.
Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability connection modeling
allows you to have a digital twin for kilometers of
Automotive and transportation
welds performed in ship structures. For high-end yachts
Simcenter 3D is used to execute fatigue-life assess-
with lots of composite materials, the Simcenter 3D
ments on body frames, panels, cross-members and
Specialist Durability Composite Fatigue module facili-
door systems as well as on sunroofs, latches and lock-
tates state-of-the-art analysis.
ing systems. The Simcenter 3D Durability module also
enables a high degree of accuracy for specific seam and
spot weld analyses. Advanced numerical durability
predictions can be applied to engines, powertrain
parts, engine brackets, gear box chain heels and
exhaust lines.

Static
Transient
Random
Strain gauge durability

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Durability wizard

Simcenter 3D Durability wizard is a simulation wizard Module benefits

for calculating the fatigue life of mechanical compo- • Improves robustness by predicting the life of product
nents subjected to cycles of loading. This solution is designs and determining which design features are
performed after users have calculated a stress state over- or under designed
from static loading using a finite element (FE) solver.
The durability algorithms in the wizard are based on • Reduces physical testing costs by allowing you to
the crack initiation method for fatigue analysis. analyze product life in a virtual environment
• Accelerates product design by allowing designers to
quickly perform what-if reanalysis of new designs
• Understand the impact of changes to product
durability

Key features
• Use linear stress or strain results in static solutions
with NX™ software stress wizard, Simcenter
Nastran® software, MSC Nastran, Abaqus and ANSYS
• Define the cyclic loadings that define the duty cycle
of the part over its lifetime
• Compute static safety factors, fatigue safety factors
and fatigue life
• Available fatigue criterion: Smith-Watson-Topper,
strain or stress life
• Display contour plots for strength safety factor,
fatigue safety factor or fatigue life
• Prepare a technical durability report

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Advanced Durability

Simcenter 3D Advanced Durability software helps to Module benefits

validate product’s structural integrity over its lifecycle • Save time with what-if redesigns
under either simple or complex loading conditions.
Expert analysts use this solution to perform in-depth • Improves product design robustness by determining
fatigue analysis and life calculations to help them the life of product designs
determine product durability based on Simcenter • Reduces physical testing costs by enabling you to
Nastran, Simcenter 3D Response Dynamics, MSC analyze product life in a virtual environment
Nastran, ANSYS and Abaqus solutions. Based on the
crack initiation method for fatigue calculation, the user
has a choice of multiple life criteria and can account for Key features
mean stress effects, notch effects, hardening effects • Simcenter 3D integration leverages geometry
and biaxial stress effects. Fatigue and strength safety associativity to quickly evaluate the impact of
factors, fatigue life and damage results are viewable as changing geometrical features on durability
contour plots.
• Industry standard life criteria, stress direction
approaches, mean stress effects, notch effects, cyclic
stress-strain relations and rainflow cycle counting
• Static, transient (including flexible body) and
random events
• Strain gauge durability

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability Modeling

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability Modeling provides a Module benefits

rich and intuitive tool set to prepare solutions, send • Intuitive and flexible parameter-based setup
them to the solver and postprocess durability results. It
enables the setup of complex durability scenarios with • Quickly isolate fatigue-critical locations and load
many finite element and load history cases. Durability cases under complex duty cycles
solutions may be configured using the provided param- • Understand the cause of fatigue problems
eters or configured to follow the standard procedures
of the user.
Key features
• Parameter-driven analysis types, solver profiles and
durability simulation objects
• Direct component-load importing from prototype
measurements or Simcenter 3D multibody
simulation and third-party, time-data formats
• Integration with Simcenter Testlab™ software load-
data processing tools for durability load-case
selection
• Assign complex duty cycles to assemblies and their
connections, including seam and spot welds
• Dedicated 2D and 3D postprocessing scenarios

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability solver

Using Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability solver is the Module benefits

basic solver for specialist fatigue analysis. It may be run • Reduce fatigue analysis time
on the same computer or independently in batch
mode. It provides all standard durability methodologies • Quick and accurate fatigue-life predictions based on
but may easily be extended with any fatigue methodol- realistic loading conditions
ogy due to unique openness via user-defined fatigue • Explore multiple design options and optimize the
methods. design for fatigue performance

Key features
• Industry standard fatigue-life solver with proven
accuracy and speed
• Parallel processing enabled with the standard license
• All industry standard methods
• New and unique user defined methods interface
• Batch processing

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability Composite Fatigue

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability Composite Fatigue Module benefits

provides a unique methodology for analyzing short and • Know the real progressive damage behavior of your
continuous-fiber composites. It can incorporate stiff- composite material
ness reduction and stress redistribution during the
fatigue life of composites under complex load situa- • Allows damage-tolerant design
tions. New technologies reduce the effort it takes to • Ability to predict fatigue damage to composite
test for parametrization of the methods. material
• Defined parameter identification processes available

Key features
• Unique workflow that enables stiffness reduction
and stress redistribution
• Variable amplitude and multiaxial loads
• Ply-based fatigue behavior modeled with no tests on
full stacking needed
• Master SN-curve approach for arbitrary short-fiber
orientations
• Intra- and Interlaminar methods for continuous-fiber
composites
• Integrated with continuous damage models and
analysis with Simcenter Samcef® software solvers
• User-defined methods, including stiffness reduction
and stress redistribution

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability for Connections

Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability for connections Module benefits

allows you to set up and conduct special spot weld and • Comprehensive software to predict fatigue of seam
seam weld analysis runs. Welds are taken from connec- and spot welds under arbitrary loading conditions
tions modeled in Simcenter 3D, defined in the xMCF
format, or detected in existing meshes. The load setup • Provides most accurate prediction of seam welds
and analysis are conducted with the same tools from fatigue life without remodeling
Simcenter 3D Specialist Durability Modeling and may • Increases engineers’ throughput by enabling
even be mixed in one analysis case. automatic detection of weld topologies
• Powerful software to handle welded assemblies
irrespective of size and number of welds
• Efficiently handles both traditional approaches and
most accurate approaches on the same model
• Validate more weld variants and its fatigue life
within shorter development cycles
• Understand and improve fatigue testing for seam-
welded assemblies

Key features
• Innovatively designed algorithms: Automatic
detection of welds and weld geometry from FE
models and groups based on joint types, penetration
grade and sheet thickness
• Support industry typical FE connection modeling for
seam and spot welds
• Handles all load cases: transient, random, harmonic,
proportional and non-proportional and schedules
• Special tools for seam welds: Mesh independent
notch stress method (R1MS, R03MS, R005MS),
including notch effects (effective notch stress
method) using the microstructural length ρ*
• User-defined methodologies can access all weld data

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Capabilities chart

Simcenter 3D Durability

Simcenter 3D Specialist

Simcenter 3D Specialist

Simcenter 3D Specialist

Simcenter 3D Specialist
Simcenter3D Advanced
General capabilities

Durability Composite
Durability Modeling

Durability solver
Specific capabilities

Durability for
Connections
Durability

Fatigue
Wizard
Loads from Simcenter Testlab • • • •
Loads from industry test formats (IST, MSC, EDAS,…) • • • •
Loads from Simcenter 3D Motion • • • • •
Finite element results (Simcenter Nastran, Simcenter Samcef, ABAQUS, ANSYS, universal format) • • • • • •
Block load events • • • • • •
Loads and stresses

Superposition events (unlimited number of loadcases, automatic matching) • • • •

Transient events (editor to select increments, change order, invert ordering) • • • • •
Pre-stress and static load cases • • • • •
Flexible event (directly analyse Simcenter3D Motion Flexible Body) • • • •
Duty cycle events • • • •
Duty cycles from spreadsheets •
Harmonic vibration loads • • •
Random vibration loads • • • •
Simcenter3D material database • • • • • •
Generation of material set based on existing material data (UML, universal slope, …) •
Materials

Material individually assigned to selection and groups • • •

Weld standard data (IIW, Eurocode, BS, …) • •
Durability databases • •
Directly from finite element calculation • • •
Inherit or overwrite materials • • •
Setup

Parameter databases •
User defined analysis types - define methods and parameters in one selection •
High cycle fatigue – stress-life • • • •
Low cycle fatigue – strain-life • • • •
Infinite life – safety factor / margin of safety • • • •
User defined fatigue methods • •
Structural stress seam weld analysis • •
Fatigue methods and solver

Notch stress seam weld analysis (incl notch severity) •

Stress based spot weld analysis •
Force based spot weld analysis •
User defined weld methods •
Multiple mean stress influence methods • • • • •
Multiaxial fatigue • • • • •
Notch/size effects – stress gradient correction • • • • •
Localized parameters (material/parameter map) • •
Fatigue below surface method • •
Use material data for user defined probability of survival • • •
Multiple damage accumulation rules (linear) • • • •
Short-fiber reinforced composites (master SN-curve approach) •

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 Solution guide | Simcenter 3D for durability simulation

Simcenter 3D Durability

Simcenter 3D Specialist

Simcenter 3D Specialist

Simcenter 3D Specialist

Simcenter 3D Specialist
Simcenter3D Advanced
General capabilities

Durability Composite
Durability Modeling

Durability solver
Specific capabilities

Durability for
Connections
Durability

Fatigue
Wizard
Intra-ply fatigue of endless-fiber composites (unidirectional/woven. etc) • •
Inter-ply fatigue of endless-fiber composites (unidirectional/woven. etc) •
Fatigue methods

Automatic iterarion of FE runs to account for global stiffness changes •

(continued)
and solver

Arbitrary damage accumulation •

User defined damage rules for composites •
Parallel processing (local and on external machines) • • • •
Different methods (e.g. stress-life and weld) on different locations(groups) in one analysis • • • • •
Different methods (e.g.different parameters) on one group in one analysis • • • •
Damage/lifetime • • • • • •
Detailed analysis of stress (max/min/max amplitude, mean) • • • • •
Mileage/Real lifetime • • • •
Design life factors • • • •
Safety factors • • • • • •
Postprocessing

Individual for groups • •

Individual for events of duty cycles •
For intermediate time steps • •
Hot spot detection •
Detailed function analysis on strain gauge and individual nodes/elements • •
Function analysis on all critical planes •
Damage accumulation time histories •
Load contribution analysis •

Legend:
• = included in module
Note: Simcenter 3D Engineering Desktop is a minimum prerequisite
for all Simcenter 3D products. Other dependency or prerequisites
may apply for individual products.

Siemens Digital Industries Software

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