The program allows engineers to simulate composites on both a micro and macro scale, allowing for more accurate material performance predictions.
The latest release includes Digimat Virtual Allowables (Digimat-VA) which characterizes continuous fiber reinforced composites (CFRC). The tool can generate a B-basis value and coupon strength distributions without experimentation.
Also available for engineers working with CFRC’s are new curing and progressive failure models.
The new release also includes:
- Faster CSRC analysis for UD and woven materials.
- Automatic mapping improvements due to new mesh superposition algorithm
- Calibration of tension/compression failure indicators in Digimat-MX (Tsai-Wu 3D Transversely Isotropic)
- Hybrid Solutions for thermo-dependant failure indicators, unbalanced woven and thermo-viscoelastic models
The simulation of composites is a tricky business and many trends point towards improving these tools to help assess these complex materials. Once the mechanical properties are determined, it makes the simulation and validation of composite-based parts much easier.
Therefore, the ability of Digimat to interface with other FEA codes could be of significant interest to many engineers. The current release of Digimat will be adding interfaces with the following FEA tools: Pam-Crash, MSC Nastran SOL102 and SOL103. It will be surprising if this list doesn’t grow with each new release.