Methods and systems for creating computerized mesh model for layered shell-like structure

A system for creating a computerized model representing a layered shell-like structure as an input file of a computer aided engineering analysis, the system comprising:

• a main memory for storing computer readable code for a computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis application module;
• at least one processor coupled to the main memory, said at least one processor executing the computer readable code in the main memory to cause the CAE analysis application module to perform operations by a method of:
• receiving a two-dimensional (2-D) reference mesh model and a user-specified definition of a layered shell-like structure, the 2-D reference mesh model containing a plurality of reference nodes connected by a plurality of 2-D reference elements for representing the layered shell-like structure's mid-plane in the 2-D reference mesh model's thickness direction and the user-specified definition including number of layers and each layer's characteristics;
• obtaining each 2-D reference element's normal vector;
• obtaining each reference node's normal vector by averaging all connected 2-D reference elements' normal vector;
• calculating a set of new nodal locations along respective reference nodes' normal vectors according to a set of rules derived from the user-specified definition;
• creating a plurality of new nodes for defining a computerized model that represents the layered shell-like structure by reproducing the reference nodes at each corresponding new nodal location one layer at a time;
• and
• forming corresponding finite elements of the computerized model at respective layers in accordance with the user-specified definition;
• whereby the computerized model is used as an input file in a computer aided engineering analysis for assisting engineers/scientists to improve the layered shell-like structure;
• and wherein the set of rules comprises following formulas:
• when solid finite element layer i is followed by another solid finite element layer or the solid finite element layer i is last layer,
• ziupper=zi+ti/2
• when the solid finite element layer i is followed by shell element layer i+1,
• ziupper=zi+ti/2+ti+1/2
• when the solid finite element layer i is preceded by another solid finite element layer or the solid finite element layer i is first layer,
• zilower=zi−ti/2
• when the solid finite element layer i is preceded by shell element layer i−1,
• zilower=zi−ti/2−ti−1/2
• where zi is mod-plane coordinate of the solid finite element layer i, ti is thickness of the solid finite element layer i, ti+1 is thickness of the shell finite element layer i+1, and ti−1 is thickness of the shell finite element layer i−1.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system for creating a computerized model representing a layered shell-like structure as an input file of a computer aided engineering analysis by a method comprising:

• receiving, in a computer system having a computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis application module installed thereon, a two-dimensional (2-D) reference mesh model and a user-specified definition of a layered shell-like structure, the 2-D reference mesh model containing a plurality of reference nodes connected by a plurality of 2-D reference elements for representing the layered shell-like structure's mid-plane in the 2-D reference mesh model's thickness direction and the user-specified definition including number of layers and each layer's characteristics;
• obtaining, with the CAE analysis application module, each 2-D reference element's normal vector;
• obtaining, with the CAE analysis application module, each reference node's normal vector by averaging all connected 2-D reference elements' normal vector;
• calculating, with the CAE analysis application module, a set of new nodal locations along respective reference nodes' normal vectors according to a set of rules derived from the user-specified definition;
• creating, with the CAE analysis application module, a plurality of new nodes for defining a computerized model that represents the layered shell-like structure by reproducing the reference nodes at each corresponding new nodal location one layer at a time;
• and
• forming, with the CAE analysis application module, corresponding finite elements of the computerized model at respective layers in accordance with the user-specified definition;
• whereby the computerized model is used as an input file in a computer aided engineering analysis for assisting engineers/scientists to improve the layered shell-like structure;
• and wherein the set of rules comprises following formulas:
• when solid finite element layer i is followed by another solid finite element layer or the solid finite element layer i is last layer,
• ziupper=zi+ti/2
• when the solid finite element layer i is followed by shell element layer i+1,
• ziupper=zi+ti/2+ti+1/2
• when the solid finite element layer i is preceded by another solid finite element layer or the solid finite element layer i is first layer,
• zilower=zi−ti/2
• when the solid finite element layer i is preceded by shell element layer i−1,
• zilower=zi−ti/2−ti−1/2
• where Zi is mod-plane coordinate of the solid finite element layer i, ti is thickness of the solid finite element layer i, ti+1 is thickness of the shell finite element layer i+1, and ti−1 is thickness of the shell finite element layer i−1.