Nonlinear finite element analyses confront users with many choices. An understanding of the fundamental concepts of
nonlinear finite element analysis is necessary if you do not want to use the finite element program as a black box.
The purpose of this manual is to describe the numerical methods included in Radioss.
Kinematic constraints are boundary conditions that are placed on nodal velocities. They are mutually exclusive for each degree
of freedom (DOF), and there can only be one constraint per DOF.
The stability of solution concerns the evolution of a process subjected to small perturbations. A process is considered
to be stable if small perturbations of initial data result in small changes in the solution. The theory of stability
can be applied to a variety of computational problems.
A large variety of materials is used in the structural components and must be modeled in stress analysis problems.
For any kind of these materials a range of constitutive laws is available to describe by a mathematical approach the
behavior of the material.
This material law can be used to model low density closed cell polyurethane foams, impactors, impact limiters. It can
only be used with solid elements.
Explicit scheme is generally used for time integration in Radioss, in which velocities and displacements are obtained by direct integration of nodal accelerations.
The performance criterion in the computation was always an essential point in the architectural conception of Radioss. At first, the program has been largely optimized for the vectored super-calculators like CRAY. Then, a first parallel
version SMP made possible the exploration of shared memory on processors.
A large variety of materials is used in the structural components and must be modeled in stress analysis problems.
For any kind of these materials a range of constitutive laws is available to describe by a mathematical approach the
behavior of the material.
This law uses a generalized viscoelastic Kelvin-Voigt model whereas the viscosity is
based on the Navier equations.
The effect of the enclosed air is taken into account via a separate pressure versus
compression function. For open cell foam, this function may be replaced by an equivalent
"removed air pressure" function. The model takes into account the relaxation (zero strain
rate), creep (zero stress rate), and unloading. It may be used for open cell foams,
polymers, elastomers, seat cushions, dummy paddings, etc. In Radioss the law is compatible with shell and solid meshes.
The simple schematic model in Figure 1 describes the generalized Kelvin-Voigt material model where a
time-dependent spring working in parallel with a Navier dashpot is put in series with a
nonlinear rate-dependent spring. If is the mean stress, the deviatoric stresses at steps and are computed
by the expressions:(1)
for else, (2)
with:(3)
for
(4)
for
Where, and are defined as:(5)
(6)
In Equation 5 the coefficients and are defined for Young's modulus updates ().
The expressions used by default to compute the pressure is:(7)
Where,(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
and are the Navier Stokes viscosity coefficients which can be
compared to Lame constants in elasticity. is called the volumetric coefficient of viscosity. For
incompressible model, and and . In Equation 11, C1, C2 and
C3
are Boolean multipliers used to define different responses. For example, C1=1,
C2=C3=0 refers to a linear bulk model. Similarly, C1=C2=C3=1
corresponds to a visco-elastic bulk model.
For polyurethane foams with closed cells, the skeletal spherical stresses may be increased
by:(12)
Where,
Volumetric strain
Porosity
Initial air pressure
In Radioss, the pressure may also be computed with the versus , by a user-defined function. Air pressure may be assumed as an
"equivalent air pressure" versus . You can define this function used for open cell foams or for closed
cell by defining a model identical to material LAW 33 (FOAM_PLAS).