Materials Engineering

Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering

Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering lets you create microstructural models of complex, multiscale, multi-phase materials to predict their nonlinear behavior in virtual tests and part design using concurrent two-way coupled multiscale technology, referred to as True Multiscale, where Simcenter Multimech solves microstructural material models and Simcenter Nastran, Simcenter Samcef, or Simcenter Multimech solves the macro-scale (part or component) model. Additionally, you can use Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering to post-process full-field results at the microstructural level.

Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering solution with post-processing results (1) at the macro-scale (part) level and (2) at the micro-scale (microstructural material model) level

During a multiscale simulation, the software links microstructural finite element models to integration points in the macro-scale model. Loads transfer from the macro-scale solver to the micro-scale solver, which computes full-field responses, initiates or propagates micro-cracking if necessary, and returns the homogenized properties back to the macro-scale solver. This two-way coupled simulation helps achieve accurate predictions of nonlinear history-dependent material behavior.

For more information, see Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering.

Microstructural material models

Microstructural material models represent how a material appears at its smallest scale, explicitly denoting the various constituents and potential defects. You can create a new material from typical idealizations, import a custom FE microstructural model, or create one from micro-CT scan images. The software supports a wide range of microstructural materials, including, but not limited to, continuous and discontinuous fiber composites, particulate composites, voids, shells (capsules), woven composites, combined types of inclusions, and so on.

You can also generate microstructures to represent defects with stochasticity.

(1) A cross section of the microstructural material model and (2) a close-up of the local material orientation inside yarns that make up a woven composite

Microstructural output

You can request microstructural output for the desired elements and integration points in your model and then post-process the full-field microstructural results to assess failure. Damage mechanisms include, but are not limited to, fiber breaks, matrix cracking, and fiber-matrix debonding. These damage mechanisms can be modeled using several different approaches, such as element deletion, stiffness reduction, continuum damage models, and pre-inserted or automatic insertion of cracks or cohesive zones.

If you want to post-process other locations not selected prior to running a multiscale simulation, it is possible to rebuild the full-field microstructural results using the dehomogenization capability. Homogenized properties are automatically output at the macro-scale level for all multiscale elements by default.

Analysis types

You can use Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering to perform the following types of analyses:

HomogenizationYou can perform a homogenization analysis to obtain the overall elastic properties of the composite material.This analysis is performed at the micro-scale level.
Virtual testYou can perform a virtual test analysis to obtain the homogenized constitutive behavior for different types of loading conditions. For each solution step in the analysis, the software obtains and displays the homogenized stress and strain tensors, as well as the homogenized properties, in a table format.This analysis is performed at the micro-scale level.
Sequential (one-way) MultiscaleYou can perform a sequential multiscale analysis to obtain quick preliminary results, as compared to True Multiscale analyses. In this analysis, the software uses homogenized properties obtained from a previous homogenization or virtual test analysis at the micro-scale level and subsequently uses these properties in a single-scale part-level or component-level simulation.This analysis is performed at the macro-scale level.
True MultiscaleYou can perform a True Multiscale analysis to obtain more accurate results for parts or components undergoing nonlinear behavior as a result of microstructural phenomena, such as interaction between different constituents, plasticity, viscoelasticity, damage, defects, and so on. In this analysis, the software computes the microstructural material behavior while the part or component loads, and updates the homogenized properties at the micro-scale level at every time step. This allows for load redistribution at the part or component level and therefore more accurate and realistic nonlinear results.This analysis is performed at both the macro-scale and micro-scale levels simultaneously.

Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering includes the True Multiscale finite element solver, Simcenter Multimech. For more information, see Simcenter 3D Materials Engineering.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisites	Simcenter Nastran or Simcenter Samcef as the specified solver (optional for True Multiscale simulations in Nastran or Samcef)Right-click Top Border Bar→Materials Engineering
Menu	Menu→Tools→Materials Engineering

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials