Finite Element Analysis of Collision Impact in MD Patran/Nastran

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around performing finite element analysis (FEA) for collision impact using MD Patran/Nastran. Participants explore the setup of the model, including mesh creation, material application, and boundary conditions, while addressing issues related to obtaining results from the solver.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their setup for a collision impact analysis, mentioning the mesh, material, and boundary conditions applied, but notes the solver does not show results.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the total impact force and performing static analysis on the impacted object instead.
  • A question is raised about how contact is defined in the simulation, indicating a potential oversight in the model regarding contact conditions.
  • A later reply emphasizes the complexity of dynamic collision models compared to static analyses, suggesting that without proper contact conditions, the components may not interact as intended.
  • Concerns are expressed that even with contact conditions, obtaining useful results from the dynamic analysis may be challenging.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the adequacy of the current model setup and the importance of contact conditions, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to achieve valid results.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential missing assumptions about contact detection and the complexity of dynamic analyses compared to static ones, which may affect the outcomes of the simulation.

abkdt41
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I am trying to run a finite element analysis for a collision impact. The program I am using is MD Patran/Nastran. My model consists of moving object colliding with a stationary object. I have created the mesh, applied the appropriate material, applied the boundary conditions (fixed for the stationary object, and velocity for the moving object) Is there anything that I am missing, since the solver does not show the results.

I have done some static analysis prior to this and have always gotten results.
 
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You may be better off calculating what the total impact force of the object is, and then doing static analysis on what's being hit.
 
How do you define contact in the simulation?

abkdt41 said:
I am trying to run a finite element analysis for a collision impact. The program I am using is MD Patran/Nastran. My model consists of moving object colliding with a stationary object. I have created the mesh, applied the appropriate material, applied the boundary conditions (fixed for the stationary object, and velocity for the moving object) Is there anything that I am missing, since the solver does not show the results.

I have done some static analysis prior to this and have always gotten results.
 
abkdt41 said:
I am trying to run a finite element analysis for a collision impact. The program I am using is MD Patran/Nastran. My model consists of moving object colliding with a stationary object. I have created the mesh, applied the appropriate material, applied the boundary conditions (fixed for the stationary object, and velocity for the moving object) Is there anything that I am missing, since the solver does not show the results.

I have done some static analysis prior to this and have always gotten results.

A dynamic collision model is a LOT more complicated than a steady-state linear analysis. You didn't mention anything about contact conditions or how you're detecting contact, so I'm going to guess that in the model the components fly right through each other and don't collide.

Even if you were able to add proper contact conditions, I think it's pretty unlikely you'll be able to get useful results out of the model. Dynamic analyses are a fine art, and I think you're probably in over your head.
 

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