Numerically simulating structural behaviors of a product using explicit finite element analysis with a combined technique of mass scaling and subcycling

Abstract

Methods and systems for numerically simulating structural behaviors of a product using explicit FEA with a combined technique of subcycling and mass scaling are disclosed. A FEA model representing a product and a minimum time step size (Δt) for a time-marching simulation of the product are specified. N element groups is established with the first element group associated with Δtas required minimum time step size, while other element groups with integer multiples of Δtaccording to formula Δt=2Δt, n=1, 2, . . . , N. Finite elements are periodically resorted into N element groups based on their new respective Δt. To ensure all finite elements in the FEA model are processed at the user specified minimum time step size, proper amount of mass scaling is applied to those finite elements that are or have become too small to maintain a stable solution in the first element group.