The tool has implemented two main methods presented in the document “NASALIFE-Component Fatigue and Creep Life Prediction Program” namely:

• MansonMcKnight ;
• modified MansonMcKnight.

The tool is equipped with functions such as:

• cycle counting based on rainflow method;
• damage rainflow.

The tool has a graphical user interface (GUI) for entering material data with the ability to read and write from a file. If no data is available, curves can be generated based on the static properties of the material.

In order to facilitate the analysis of the results, an additional graphical interface was implemented. Thanks to this solution the user is able to display the results in text and graphic form for selected regions in the model. This interface gives the possibility to display such information as:

• node number;
• he calculated life value;
• the method and material
• the method used; and the material used;
• information about the main cycle;
• information of side cycles;
• graphical representation of missions and cycles with additional options.

The program automatically finds and indicates the node with the smallest life in the FEM model.

In order to optimize the analysis of the results, the tool has been equipped with additional methods of searching the obtained results on the basis of predefined criteria. It is also possible to create components based on these criteria.

Advanced post processing options for results include:

• consideration of scaling factor and temperature offset for node life calculation;
• calculation of a scaling factor for stress with consideration of the material’s notch sensitivity factor.

Structural unconcentrated stress option

In order to calculate the stress scaling factor, it is required to determine the unconcentrated stress at a given location. For this purpose, stress averaging by volume within a node has been implemented.

To increase the flexibility of the tool, the possibility of defining custom functions for stress averaging at a concentration point has been introduced. The user can choose from several predefined functions such as:

• atlayer(3) – retrieves information about averaged stresses in layers 1-3;
• atfirstlayer() – retrieves stress information for layer 0 – concentrated stresses in a node;
• atlastlayer() – retrieves stress information for all layers;
• sig(value, ‘layer’) – retrieves stress information for distance measured in layers;
• sig(value, ‘volume’) – retrieves stress information for a given volume;
• sig(value, ‘normalize’) – retrieves distance stress information measured in the normalized volume to the total selected volume;
• the approximation follows the relationship below:

The tool also presents the change in stresses across layers and volumes. This allows the user to better understand the stress concentrations in a given region and to select the appropriate platform.

ADVANTAGES AND KEY FUNCTIONALITY:

• fatigue life calculation of parts based on the approach presented in NASALIFE;
• ability to use curves for single and multiple temperatures;
• correction of curves according to the asymmetry factor of the curve cycle;
• logarithmic interpolation of data with linear temperature interpolation for material curves;
• writing and reading data from a file;
• generating material curves from static data;
• searching for hills and lows on mission data for multidimensional stress state using MansonMcKnight and modified MansonMcKnight approaches;
• used cycle counting methodology for repeated missions consistent with ASTM E1049;
• calculations performed for minimum and maximum temperature per cycle;
• damage rainflow – identification of main cycle based on checking all possible combinations of time points from the mission;
• cycle asymmetry consideration using Walker’s method;
• summation of cycles using Miner’s method;
• presenting data in graphical form on the FEM model;
• result processing options include:
  • retrieving information for any node;
  • automatic search for node with minimum cycle life;
  • presentation of results in a user-friendly manner;
  • presenting stress history, rise and valley points, temperatures etc;
  • presentation of structural failure cycles;
  • determination and presentation of main structural failure cycle;
  • searching the results for lowest life, highest temperature, highest stress, highest amplitude or average stress;
  • reading data for nodes from components and creating components from selected nodes
  • consideration of stress scaling factor and temperature offset
  • calculating the stress concentration factor for fatigue cylinders;
  • calculation of unconcentrated stresses for a given location including volume averaging;
  • presenting volume-averaged stresses as a graph as a function of concentration location.

Check our solutions and tell us if we were able to speed up your process.

Automatic Mode Shape Recognition (AMSR) – is our proprietary algorithm based on machine learning to identify the model shape based on the implemented in the tool database. From now on, there is no need to manually evaluate the results and describe the vibration form. Our tool is able to correctly recognize and provide information about the form on a Campbell diagram.
We trained our database on a series of compressor blades. As part of our subscription, we offer to train the algorithm for your specific solutions and needs.

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• Automatic creation of Campbell diagram based on one speed point (0RPM or nominal speed);
• Possibility to manually enter margins for crossings;
• The major crossings are given in tabular form;
• Possibility of manual input of any number of excitation;
• Easy-to-use even for in experienced users;
• No need of APDL scripting;
• Automatic Mode Shape Recognition

TIME SAVINGS

Campbell diagram is always a challenging procedure which consume a lot of time. The tool can offer automatically created Campbell diagram based on one point slope. The output gives not only graphical representation of the frequencies and excitation but also the major crossing and margin in tabular form. The approach eliminates any other exterior tools such i.e. Excel etc. Additionally, the Campbell diagram can obtain and include the average bodies temperature what save significant amount of time.

The Ansys Sectional Evaluator is advanced extension which provides quick and precise information on the distribution of cross-sectional results over the entire length of the component and a feeling of strength. With our solution, the user can freely define the number of sections, ranges and intervals to be assessed. User can choose any type of available results: all types of stress/deform, temperature, etc. as well as the precision of average results calculation.
The tool has implemented automatic recognition of the minimum and maximum coordinate of the axis by which a given component will be analyzed.

The first version of the tool was dedicated to the turbine industry to evaluate rotating machinecomponents. In response to the growing needs of other industries, our team has expanded the tool to support Cartesian coordinate systems. Now, this extension can be used for analysis of almost every component.

Sectional Evauator gives the possibility to easily compare stresses in sections with material properties which can be entered manually or downloaded directly from Engineering Data (if available). This gives the possibility of plotting information on the degree of material utilization, also as a function of temperature.
The whole process is carried out directly from the Ansys Workbench menu through a user-friendly graphic interface, where the results are presented.

The biggest advantage of this tool is cost and time savings. Comprehensive results are available within minutes, even if multiple sections are analyzed.
The latest version of the Sectional evaluator has been equipped with an optimized results evaluation algorithm to reduce the waiting time for results as much as possible and with a new charting algorithm that allows for smooth operation even with large amounts of data.

Important: If we have omitted an important function or result parameter for you, please write to us and we will certainly add it in the new version.

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• significant reduction of time needed to evaluate the results
• standardization of the process
• elimination of errors resulting from repetitive activities
• increase the precision of the results by allowing the analysis of an unlimited number of sections
• recognition of the min and max positions of the analyzed part;
• determining the default divisions of the analyzed part;
• cooperation with Ansys Engineering Data to download material data of the analyzed part;
• automatic determination of Degree of Utilization for each section.
• optimized algorithm for working with large amounts of data
• can be adapted to the individual needs of each user
• there is no need to use any other exterior tool such i.e. Excell;
• easy-to-use extension;
• works perfectly in transient analyses;

FUNCTIONALITY OF NEW VERSION

• optimized algorithm for working with large amounts of data
• support for all types of coordinate systems
• automatic downloading of material data
• new graphical interface
• improved graphs display library

TIME SAVINGS

Sectional evaluator significantly accelerates the evaluation of parts and, most importantly, increases the accuracy and precision of the results. Thanks to this solution, the precision of component evaluation has been increased to a level unreachable for manual or semi-automatic analysis.
Implemented solutions eliminate the possibility of making a mistake and give less experienced users the opportunity to quickly evaluate the results.

Check our solutions and tell us if we were able to speed up your process.

One of the most chlenging and time-consuming operations during stress analysis is to correctly guide the paths where the stresses will be analysed. It does not matter whether we analyze pressure vessels, turbine blades or other structures. Each of the paths should be led in a normal direction to the surface from which the path comes out.
Thanks to the advanced algorithm built into the extension we have the possibility to automatically generate the paths in the normal direction by defining only one point. The algorithm determines the normal direction by itself and looks for an intersection on the other side of the geometry, drawing the path to the existing grid.
We have equipped the extension with the ability to block a given direction in the process of determining the normal direction, which gives us greater ability to control the paths and set them as necessary in the project.
It does not matter how many points (paths) will be analyzed. The extension allows any selection of a group of points to be analyzed.

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• automatic creation of paths in the normal direction based on one point;
• automatic intersection point search;
• advanced normal and intersection point search algorithm on the other side of the geometry;
• possibility of blocking a given direction in a normal search;
• automatic evaluation of results along the path;
• tabular presentation of the results for each path;
• possibility to adapt the extension to the user’s needs by adding criteria and limits for given stresses (option for additional order);
• clear and easy to use user interface;
• full integrity with Ansys Workbench environment;

TIME SAVINGS

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• very simple and quick way to create the strain / stress range results;
• complete elimination of errors by systematizing the process;
• visualization of results directly on the geometry in Ansys Workbench;
• possibility to implement different Poison coefficient values for total strain range approach;
• elimination of ADPL from the process;

TIME SAVINGS

The main advantage of the extension is the possibility to analyse the change of clearance during the mission (transient analysis).

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• The chart of radial/axial clearance change is created automatically inside Ansys Workbench;
• The table with values is generated as well and can be exported to the csv file;
• There is no need to use any other exterior tool such i.e. Excell;
• Easy-to-use extension;
• Works perfectly in transient analyses;

TIME SAVINGS

The extension allows automatic generation of clearance change charts over time, so there is no need to manually copy large amounts of data between the softwares (especially when analyzing a large number of points simultaneously), which significantly speeds up data analysis and eliminates the risk of error.

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• Automatic creation of Campbell diagram based on one speed point (0RPM or nominal speed);
• Possibility to manually enter margins for crossings;
• The major crossings are given in tabular form;
• Possibility of manual input of any number of excitation;
• Easy-to-use even for in experienced users;
• No need of APDL scripting;

TIME SAVINGS

Campbell diagram is always a challenging procedure which consume a lot of time. The tool can offer automatically created Campbell diagram based on one point slope. The output gives not only graphical representation of the frequencies and excitation but also the major crossing and margin in tabular form. The approach eliminates any other exterior tools such i.e. Excel etc. Additionally, the Campbell diagram can obtain and include the average bodies temperature what save significant amount of time.

Moreover, the extension uses the spline interpolation for material data inputs. That kind of interpolation data gives the most accurate results.

ADVANTAGES AND SAVINGS

• Automatically created stress limits for the primary and secondary stresses;
• Eliminates exterior tools such as Excel, Matlab, etc;
• Possibility to combine strength data with creep data ;
• Material data interpolation based on spline approach;
• No need to use APDL language;

TIME SAVINGS

That tool gives an opportunity to obtain the results almost immediately. There is a great time-saving in comparison to manually created results (which involved additional tools such as Excel etc.). The extension automatically made an interpolation of material data as well as limitation criterion (1.5Sm, 3Sm).