CalCuliX - Free static and dynamic elasto-plastic analysis tools

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CalculiX is a package designed to solve field problems. The method used is the finite element method.

With CalculiX Finite Element Models can be build, calculated and post-processed. The pre- and post-processor is an interactive 3D-tool using the openGL API. The solver is able to do linear and non-linear calculations. Static, dynamic and thermal solutions are available. Both programs can be used independently. Because the solver makes use of the abaqus input format it is possible to use commercial pre-processors as well. In turn the pre-processor is able to write mesh related data for nastran, abaqus, ansys, code-aster and for the free-cfd codes duns, ISAAC and OpenFOAM. A vda CAD interface is available. The program is designed to run on Unix platforms like Linux and Irix computers but also on MS-Windows.

The CalculiX package was developed by a team of enthusiasts in their raw spare time. They are employees of MTU Munich, an Aero Engine manufacturer in Germany which granted the publication.

For a quick overview of the capabilities of CalculiX the results of an investigation of a turbo-charger are presented. The model was build from scratch with CalculiX and the compressor model together with an example input deck can be found in the distribution. The calculations were done to determine the burst-speed and the highest allowable rotational speed concerning low cycle fatigue. In addition the eigenfrequencies were calculated to determine possible resonances with the vanes. The following picture shows the rotor with the bearing housing and some vanes. The models are meshed with 20 noded brick elements with reduced integration. The right and left side of the disks are connected with each other by equations to simulate cyclic boundary conditions. Since version 0.92 cyclic symmetry frequency calculations are possible to calculate eigenvalues and mode-shapes for certain nodal diameters of a rotational symmetric volume based only on a segment. The compressor is made of casted aluminum alloy (AlSi - C355) and the turbine of a high temperature alloy (Inco 713C) and both are loaded by pure centrifugal force.

Types of analysis

• static
  • linear
  • nonlinear
    • geometric nonlinearities
    • material nonlinearities
• frequency (linear)
• dynamic
  • linear
    • transient modal dynamics
    • steady state dynamics
      • harmonic periodic loading
      • non-harmonic periodic loading
  • nonlinear
    • implicit
    • explicit
• buckling
• heat transfer
  • steady state
  • transient
• coupled thermomechanical analysis
  • steady state
  • transient
• steady-state networks
  • aerodynamic networks
  • hydraulic pipe systems
• Laplace and Helmholtz problems by analogy
  • Electrostatics
  • Seepage flow
  • Inviscid incompressible irrotional flow
  • Lubrication
  • Linear acoustics
  • Shallow water waves
  • Diffusion mass transfer in a stationary medium

Materials

• linear elastic (isotropic, orthotropic or fully anisotropic)
• isotropic hyperelastic (compressible as well as nearly incompressible)
• deformation plasticity (Ramberg-Osgood)
• large deformation incremental isotropic (visco)plasticity with isotropic and kinematic hardening
• large deformation creep for isotropic materials
• fiber reinforced anisotropic hyperelastic materials (e.g. arteries)
• small deformation isotropic viscoplastic theory for elastically anisotropic materials
• small deformation anisotropic viscoplastic theory for single crystals
• user defined material

Elements

• 8-node brick element (full or reduced integration)
• 20-node brick element (full or reduced integration)
• 20-node incompressible element
• 4-node tetrahedral element
• 10-node tetrahedral element
• 6-node wedge element
• 15-node wedge element
• 6-node plane strain element
• 6-node plane stress element
• 6-node axisymmetric element
• 6-node shell element
• 8-node plane strain element (full or reduced integration)
• 8-node plane stress element (full or reduced integration)
• 8-node axisymmetric element (full or reduced integration)
• 8-node shell element (full or reduced integration)
• 3-node beam element (full or reduced integration)
• 3-node fluid element (for forced convection)
• 4-node, 5-node, 7-node and 9-node contact spring elements
• 2-node gap element
• 2-node linear and nonlinear springs
• 2-node linear dashpots
• composite constructs consisting of beam and shell elements

Loading

• concentrated forces
• distributed pressure
• centrifugal loading
• gravity loading with know gravity vector
• generalized gravity loading
• temperature loading
• residual stress
• concentrated flux
• distributed flux
• prescribed convection conditions and forced convection
• prescribed radiation conditions and cavity radiation

Boundary conditions

• single point constraints
• linear multiple point constraints
• cyclic symmetry conditions
• contact (small and large sliding)

Kinematic behavior

• Rigid body motion
• Nodes on a straight line defined by movable nodes
• Nodes in a plane defined by movable nodes
• Application of a mean rotation to a set of nodes
• Maximum distance MPC
• Pre-tension

Coordinate systems

• global Cartesian system
• local Cartesian system
• local cylindrical system

Linear equation solvers

• profile solver
• interface for the direct sparse matrix solver SPOOLES
• interface for the direct sparse matrix solver TAUCS
• interface for the direct sparse matrix solver of the SGI scientific library
• iterative solver (with diagonal scaling or Cholesky preconditioning)

Output options

• Displacements
• Stress
• Section forces for beams
• Strain
• Forces (including sum over sets)
• Temperature
• Equivalent plastic strain
• Energy density (including sum over sets)
• Internal variables
• Heat flux
• Heat sources
• Volume (including sum over sets)
• Total pressure (for networks)
• Mass flow (for networks)

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