Generic Modeling Procedure for Complex Component Design

The generation and modification of detailed finite element models necessary to examine the effects of component shape on stresses and/or deflections, is expensive and time consuming. Alternatively, generic modeling techniques offer the potential advantage of substantially reducing the model modification time by controlling the geometry through a finite set of design parameters. This paper describes a systematic generic modeling procedure for creating such models that can be linked with an analysis run-stream. Engineering Analysis Language features are used to develop this procedure. The technique is applied to the evaluation of: (i) a wheel with variation in the spider design (spokes, no-spokes, bolt radius, etc.); and (ii) different roof designs for a vehicle. The results of these numerical experiments are discussed to demonstrate the importance of the technique in the design evaluation of similar components.