Innovative Approaches to the Automated Simulation of Aircraft Structural Joints in Structural Analysis Models

While there have been tremendous technological improvements in meshing technology in current commercial pre-processors, there is a gap in assembling meshed components. Engineers can usually mesh single parts with relative ease but the steps involved in identifying, cleaning up and modeling assembly features such as small tooling holes, washers, contact surfaces, and lugs consume a disproportionate amount of time and the subsequent step of generating connections and assembling meshed parts is both time consuming and is usually approximated to simulate the load transfer between the assembly parts. In Phase I, an innovative approach that focuses on utilizing assembly features in an advanced simulation framework was demonstrated. The Phase II effort will focus on developing methods and models to accurately account for joints stiffness and load transfer mechanisms in typical airframe models. The research will lead to better Global loads models that take these stiffnesses into account up front in the design cycle to mitigate costs associated with costly test and analysis correlation exercises and retrofits during airframe tests late in the airframe design cycle.