A Method for FEA-Based Design of Heterogeneous Objects

摘要

This paper introduces an iterative method for FEA-based design of heterogeneous objects. A heterogeneous solid model is first created by referring to the libraries of primary materials and composition functions. The model is then discretized into an object model onto which appropriate material properties are mapped. Discretization converts continuous material variation inside an object into stepwise variation. Next, the object model is adaptively meshed and converted into a finite element model. FEA using ANSYS software is finally performed to estimate stress levels. This FEA-based design cycle is repeated until a satisfactory solution is obtained. An example (FGM pressure vessel) is shown to illustrate the entire FEA-based design cycle.