OPAAL: Optimized Meshless Algorithms for Seamless Integration of CAD, Simulation and Design

基于有限元或有限差分的计算机辅助工程（CAE）工具与工业计算机辅助设计（CAD）和计算机辅助制造（CAM）工具的集成中的主要瓶颈是生成形状良好的网格，该网格与复杂的CAD模型一致并且提供数值解的计算精度和效率，特别是对于制造过程的非线性模拟和设计。计划采用一种基于无网格的数值方法，通过CAD几何、模拟和形状设计优化实现无缝集成。该方法可以直接链接到CAD几何形状，因为在无网格方法的形状/插值函数制定独立的背景集成区。无网格方法将提供更高的收敛速度，并减轻了许多数值困难方面的网格变形和移动连续性遇到的传统有限元方法。一个无网格制定的线性和非线性问题，包括弹性和非弹性材料和接触条件将开发。有效的可计算的误差估计将来自无网格制剂。将制定节点积分方法以提高效率，并将开发自适应无网格方法以控制大变形问题的精度和效率。无网格方法的开发和实施将使用可扩展的和便携式的高性能算法，优化用于并行处理器的计算机环境中完成。新的，快速的图形划分技术和分层方法细分的域将被用来获得最大的好处，从并行处理器计算机的计算速度和效率。将开发一种利用CAD关联几何的无网格形状设计灵敏度分析方法，以实现快速、稳健的设计。计划研究的目标是实现技术解决方案，促进从概念开发到制造的整个生产过程中各种设计和工程分析学科之间的无缝和实质性互动。在这项工作下开发的技术将消除产品设计师和工程师之间全面合作的主要障碍，保持CAD，CAE和CAM建模和仿真之间的高度一致性，以及显着提高设计师和工程师在产品开发过程的所有阶段交换的设计信息的速度和相关性。实现CAD、工程仿真和设计的无网格集成将对降低成本、成熟的设计开发和缩短上市时间产生重大积极影响，因为它能够更广泛地使用准确可靠的基于仿真的工程和设计方法，而不是昂贵耗时的原型设计、测试和评估。无网格技术的应用还旨在最大限度地利用工业中广泛使用的高性能计算机功能。在这项工作下进行的研究计划将加快无网格方法的验证和向工业的技术转让。与福特汽车公司建立了伙伴关系，根据该伙伴关系，福特的研究实验室将致力于公开交换数据和专业知识，以及测试和验证无网格方法及其在高性能计算机平台上的实施的人力资源。计划中的实习项目、研究生和本科生的参与、学术研讨会、新的学术课程、报告和出版物的创建以及国际研讨会将为实际有效地传播这项工作的成果和技术成就提供一系列选择。这项活动的资金将由数学科学部、MPS多学科活动办公室和DARPA提供。

A major bottleneck in integration of finite element or finite difference-based Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools with industrial Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) tools is the generation of well-shaped meshes that are consistent with complex CAD models and which provide computational accuracy and efficiency of numerical solutions, particularly for nonlinear simulation and design of manufacturing processes. A meshless-based numerical method is planned to provide seamless integration through CAD geometry, simulation, and shape design optimization. The method can be directly linked to CAD geometries since the shape/interpolation functions in the meshless method are formulated independent of the background integration zone. The meshless method will provide a higher rate of convergence and alleviate many numerical difficulties with respect to mesh distortion and moving continuities encountered in conventional finite element methods. A meshless formulation for linear and nonlinear problems involving elastic and inelastic materials and contact conditions will be developed. Efficient computable error estimates will be derived for the meshless formulation. Nodal integration methods will be formulated to enhance efficiency, and adaptive meshless methods will be developed for controlling accuracy and efficiency in large deformation problems. Development and implementation of the meshless methods will be accomplished using scalable and portable high-performance algorithms optimized for use in parallel processor computer environments. New, fast graph partitioning techniques and hierarchical methods for subdividing the domain will be used to gain maximum benefits in computational speed and efficiency from parallel processor computers. A meshless shape design sensitivity analysis method that exploits the CAD-linked geometries will be developed for rapid, robust design.The objective of the planned research is to achieve technology solutions that promote seamless and substantive interaction between diverse design and engineering analysis disciplines throughout the production process, from concept development to manufacturing. The technology developed under this effort will remove major impediments to comprehensive collaboration between product designers and engineers by maintaining a high degree of coherence between CAD, CAE and CAM modeling and simulation, as well as by significantly enhancing the speed and relevance of design information which designers and engineers exchange during all stages of the product development process. Achieving the meshless-based integration of CAD, engineering simulation, and design will have substantial positive impact with respect to cost reduction, mature design development, and reduced time-to-market by enabling more extensive use of accurate and reliable simulation-based engineering and design methods in lieu of costly and time-consuming prototype design, test, and evaluation. The application of the meshless technology is also designed to take maximum advantage of high-performance computer capabilities that are in widespread use in industry. The research program to be carried out under this effort will expedite validation of meshless methods and technology transfer to industry. A partnership with Ford Motor Company has been established under which Ford's Research Laboratory will commit to an open exchange of data and expertise, as well as personnel resources for testing and validating meshless methods and their implementation on high performance computer platforms. Planned internship programs, graduate and undergraduate student participation, academic seminars, creation of new academic courses, reports and publications, and an international workshop will provide a range of options for practical and effective dissemination of the results and technical accomplishments of this effort.Funding for this activity will be provided by the Division of Mathematical Sciences, the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, and by DARPA.