This paper was produced for the 2019 NAFEMS World Congress in Quebec Canada

Resource Abstract

In most cases today, simulation has become complex both in terms of model and procedure complexity. Several different types of software take part in simulation procedures, to analyze the phenomenon as realistically as possible and produce reliable results. These different software types, however, do not use the same modeling parameters. For example, some of them use 3D elements, others deal with 2D elements, and others usually use different material models.



As a result, going through the steps of a simulation process, the information, including those for materials must be exchanged between the different software. To reduce errors, costs, and effort during this exchange of information, the creation of a “Material Data Exchange Interface Standard” is considered mandatory.



As part of the VMAP project, BETA CAE Systems is involved in the development of a common understanding and interoperable definitions for virtual material models in CAE. This project aims to the development of the “Material Data Exchange Interface Standard”. BETA CAE Systems has supported this format in its products, allowing engineers to apply (map) the results of a simulation on their current models, using the standard format, and proceed with their simulation process.



This presentation examines several use cases, in which exchanging information among different software, is required. In the illustrated case, we showcase how the proposed solutions support processes, such as mapping the results of a previous simulation written in the VMAP standard format on a current model, in a way that it can be used in a next simulation process step.



All steps required to transfer results from a simulation and utilize them as boundary conditions for the next simulation are performed in ANSA, with the application of the Results Mapper. ANSA Results Mapper is based on interpolation and the proper method can be selected from among several options. Enhanced with an intelligent position mechanism, the ANSA Result Mapper allows the mapping of information between models, which are not located in the same coordinate space. The transformation of the donor part can be automatically performed, with a simultaneous transformation of tensor results, like stress and strains.



Another great benefit of using the ANSA mapping algorithm is that a modification of the model’s mesh will lead to an automatic recalculation of the results, to preserve the initial values.