TM

Efficient High-Fidelity Modeling of Composites—A New Approach

Efficient. Accurate. Versatile.

TM of simplifying the original nonlinear 3D analysis of slender

structures into a one-dimensional (1D) nonlinear beam analysis
using a powerful mathematical method, the variational asymptotic
method. VABS is designed to model structures for which one
dimension is much larger than the other two (i.e., a beam-like
body), even if the structures are made of composite materials and
Overview have a complex internal structure. VABS takes a finite element
mesh of the cross section including all the details of geometry and
VABS is the only tool capable of rigorously modeling three- material as inputs to calculate the sectional properties including
dimensional (3D) slender solids (commonly called beams) with structural properties and inertial properties. These properties are
complex microstructures and is becoming the tool of choice needed for the 1D beam analysis to predict the global behavior of
for the wind turbine and helicopter industries after 20 years’ the slender structure. The 3D pointwise displacement/strain/stress
development. Researchers and engineers worldwide are actively distribution within the structure can also be recovered based on
using VABS, which is the standard tool for design and analysis the global behavior of the 1D beam analysis.
of composite slender structures such as wind turbine blades,
helicopter rotor blades, high aspect ratio wings, composite
bridges, and other slender structural components. The unique Key Benefits
technology underlying VABS renders it the first truly efficient high- ++ Unprecedented competitiveness as the only available
fidelity modeling tool for composite beams, saving users many technology to rigorously model real structures such as
orders of magnitude in computing time relative to 3D FEA (finite composite blades
element analyses), without a loss of accuracy. The advantages of
++ Drastically reduced design cycle and time to market by helping
VABS over other technologies have been clearly demonstrated by
you save many orders of magnitude in engineering design and
virtue of its generality, accuracy, and efficiency.
analysis time
++ The best compromise between accuracy and efficiency, an
Unique Technology effective alternative for computation-intensive 3D FEA
VABS (Variational Asymptotic Beam Sectional Analysis) ++ An enabling technology for nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of
implements the various beam theories based on the concept highly flexible structures
Applications Materials
++ Wind turbine blades VABS is not restricted by materials. The structure
++ Helicopter rotor blades can be made of an arbitrary number of general
++ Gas turbine blades materials including:
++ High aspect ratio wings ++ Fiber reinforced composites
++ Wing section design ++ Woven composites
++ Composite bridges ++ Braided composites
++ Other general composite/smart structures: ++ Conventional materials
• Beams ++ Foam materials and others
• Shafts
• Rods
• Columns
• Bars

Efficient High-Fidelity Additional Features and Benefits:

Enabled by VABS, analysis can be done as efficiently and simply 1. Shape of the cross-section: Truly arbitrary geometries
as conventional beam analysis, without losing accuracy compared accommodated. Modeling of realistic rotor blades is
to more complex and time-consuming 3D FEA. With VABS, it is only possible through VABS. No need of oversimplified
now possible to confidently design and analyze real structures approximation for real structures.
with complex microstructures due to this unique efficient high- 2. Material properties: VABS has no restrictions on material
fidelity feature of VABS. For example, structures as complex as properties and can handle any material including isotropic,
real composite rotor blades with hundreds of layers can be easily orthotropic, or general anisotropic materials.
handled by a laptop computer.
3. Multiphysical capability: VABS can analyze structures
under the coupled effects of thermal, mechanical, and
Versatile electromagnetic fields.
VABS is implemented using the finite element techniques with a 4. Various engineering beam models: Generalized Euler-
general element library that includes all the typical 2D elements Bernoulli model, generalized Timoshenko model to account
such as 3, 4, 5, 6-noded triangular elements and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, for transverse shear, generalized Vlasov model for composite
9-noded quadrilateral elements. Users are free to choose the type beams with significant restrained warping effects. No ad-hoc
of elements, and different types of elements can be mixed within assumptions such as plane sections remaining plane and
one mesh, if necessary. This flexibility allows VABS to model normal to the beam axis are invoked.
beams of any shape. 5. Modeling of Initially curved /twisted /oblique beams: The
structure can be initially twisted or curved and/or have a
VABS can deal with arbitrary layups. Users can provide one naturally oblique cross-section.
parameter for the layup orientation and one parameter for the ply
orientation to uniquely specify the material system in the global 6. Recovery of field variables: Possible to accurately recover 3D
coordinate system. Nine parameters can be used for the ply stresses, strains, and displacements from 1D displacements
orientation if a ply is highly curved and the ply angle is not uniform and sectional resultants.
within an element. 7. Free companion 1D beam analysis: GEBT, also developed
by Prof. Yu as a companion code for VABS, is a general-
VABS does not require the beam reference line to be the locus of purpose 1D nonlinear beam analysis code. It is based on the
cross-sectional area centroids. VABS can calculate the centroid geometrically exact beam theory and can be used for static,
for any arbitrary cross section, and users can choose their own dynamic, eigenvalue analysis.
reference line for the convenience of the 1D global beam analysis.
8. Trapeze effect: Carries out a nonlinear sectional analysis
to incorporate the trapeze effect for beams under large
VABS can deal with isotropic materials, orthotropic materials, and
centrifugal forces which effects the torsional rigidity.
general anisotropic materials.
9. Overall benefits: Very high levels of accuracy—comparable
VABS can be quickly and conveniently integrated with other to 3D nonlinear FEA yet with the efficiency of simple 1D
environments such as computer-aided design environments, beam analysis. Possible to design/analyze complex
multidisciplinary optimization environments, or commercial structures which is not possible using 3D FEA within
finite element packages. available computing resources.

Contact us for
Phone: 801.599.5879
FAX: 435.797.9612 TM

a free trial Email: info@analyswift.com

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