ICARE

The project aims at developing new computational methods for the analysis of large and complex structures. The challenge is to investigate local areas, with potential severe influence on the overall strength, but embedded in large structures with geometrical complexity. Usually, when addressing global and local modeling, a set of models, discretizations, behavior laws and numerical tools with increasing complexity are used. Whereas standard software are used for global analysis (ABAQUS, NASTRAN…), with topological idealization (plate theory, geometrical simplification), behavior idealization (homogenization), statistical idealization (deterministic models), local analysis demand for specialized software (routines, dedicated software) when handling faithful models of the geometry and the physics (contact, heterogeneity, damage, uncertainty). Though computational methods exist that can connect different models, there still remains heavy constraints that make it unaffordable for industry ; indeed, bridging models of different natures demands for significant efforts when designing these models : a geometry of the connection area should be prepared, its discretization also, then quantities of interest should be computed in this area, and finally a special post-processing of these quantities should be needed (when dealing with shell to solid couplings for instance). Non-intrusive coupling is a scientific breakthrough that will enable a brand new way of connecting the models together, with characteristics as follows: • Constraints on topology and meshes of global models will be minimized: transfer towards industry will be made easy, since the global model will not need any specific processing ; • Quantities of data exchanged will be minimized (thus CPU times will be optimized) ; • Specific developments of standard software will be minimized; global and local software remain independent, particularly as for meshes and solvers are concerned. As a consequence, a major outcome of ICARE will be to accelerate the dissemination of R&D production towards industry: once made easy, coupling generic models with specialized ones will become compatible with an industrial framework. With EADS and EDF carrying the most critical needs regarding simulation, the consortium groups three academic partners, specialists of computational mechanics (GeM, LMT, UTO) and one SME DISTENE, acknowledged by major finite element method software editors: DISTENE has for long being acting as a key player in integrating CAD, analysis and post-processing into one unified numerical suite.