Structural Mechanics Module Updates
For users of the Structural Mechanics Module, COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.4 introduces time-explicit dynamic analysis, magnetomechanics for shells and membranes, and automatic contact modeling for many objects. Read more about these updates below.
Explicit Dynamic Analysis
Version 6.4 introduces a new framework for time-explicit dynamic analysis, enabling efficient simulation of fast, transient, and highly nonlinear events such as impact, wave propagation, and metal forming. Two new interfaces, Solid Mechanics, Explicit Dynamics and Truss, Explicit Dynamics, use explicit time integration optimized for large deformations, high strain rates, and general contact conditions involving many objects. The explicit formulation supports many of the nonlinear materials of the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module, including hyperelasticity, plasticity, viscoplasticity, and creep, and works with the new automatic contact modeling functionality for systems involving many interacting bodies. It can also be coupled with the Phase-Field Damage interface for dynamic fracture simulations, available in the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module.
- bracket_explicit
- falling_objects
- seismic_event
- cable_crimping*
- phone_drop_test*
- cylindrical_battery_indentation*
*Requires the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module
Simulation of a drop test of a cell phone. The contours on the back side represent the development of plastic strains, while the crack propagation is visualized on the front.
Automatic Contact Modeling with Many Objects
To easily create models with a large number of possible contact interactions, a new type of contact modeling has been introduced that automatically sets up contact conditions between many objects arbitrarily. The Objects Falling in a Box tutorial model demonstrates this new functionality and the significantly improved workflow.
A tower of wooden blocks being hit by a ball. In this simulation, there are 56 objects that may interact with each other in ways that would otherwise be difficult to predict.
Magnetomechanics Using Shells and Membranes
To facilitate the modeling of magnetomechanics in shells and membranes, four new physics interfaces are available:
- Magnetomechanics, Shell
- Magnetomechanics, No Currents, Shell
- Magnetomechanics, Membrane
- Magnetomechanics, No Currents, Membrane
Additionally, the new Magnetomechanics, Boundary multiphysics coupling node enables coupling of the Shell and Membrane interfaces to the Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Fields, No Currents interfaces. View these additions in the Nonlinear Ferromagnetic Diaphragm tutorial model. Note that this functionality requires the AC/DC Module.
New and Updated Tutorial Models
COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.4 brings several new and updated tutorial models to the Structural Mechanics Module.
Bracket — Explicit Dynamic Analysis
Impact between a bracket and a rigid floor. The colors show the vertical acceleration.
Seismic Event, Explicit Dynamics
A wave propagation problem is studied using the new time-explicit solver. In the animation, pressure and shear waves are shown.
Objects Falling in a Box
Indentation of a Cylindrical Battery Cell
*Requires the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module
Phone Drop Test
Simulation of a drop test of a cell phone. The collision causes cracks to propagate in the glass.
*Requires the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module
Crimping of a Cable Terminal
Residual von Mises stress in a cable crimp joint after formation.
*Requires the Nonlinear Structural Materials Module
Buckling Analysis of a Corrugated Conical Shell
Nonlinear Ferromagnetic Diaphragm
Roundness Evaluation of a Deformed Hole
