Modeling and Simulation of Mortar Fin Tooling Using Cyclic Symmetry

摘要

Cyclic symmetry is a method in finite element analysis that allows for the simulation of an entire cyclically symmetrical structure based on a model of one repeating sector. The reduction of model size obtained using cyclic symmetry can significantly reduce computational cost. This technique was employed to optimize the three pronged tooling design used to assemble mortar fins to the mortar body. Using cyclic symmetry, only one-third of the model was needed. The software package Abaqus Standard (implicit) was used for this nonlinear, static analysis. Results were compared to a 360-deg model. Cyclic symmetry reduced the computation time by more than four times without resulting in a loss of accuracy.