A computational structural/material analysis and design tool which would meet industry's future demand for expedience and reduced cost is presented. This unique software 'GENOA' is dedicated to parallel and high speed analysis to perform probabilistic evaluation of high temperature composite response of aerospace systems. The development is based on detailed integration and modification of diverse fields of specialized analysis techniques and mathematical models to combine their latest innovative capabilities into a commercially viable software package. The technique is specifically designed to exploit the availability of processors to perform computationally intense probabilistic analysis assessing uncertainties in structural reliability analysis and composite micromechanics. The primary objectives which were achieved in performing the development were: (1) Utilization of the power of parallel processing and static/dynamic load balancing optimization to make the complex simulation of structure, material and processing of high temperature composite affordable; (2) Computational integration and synchronization of probabilistic mathematics, structural/material mechanics and parallel computing; (3) Implementation of an innovative multi-level domain decomposition technique to identify the inherent parallelism, and increasing convergence rates through high- and low-level processor assignment; (4) Creating the framework for Portable Paralleled architecture for the machine independent Multi Instruction Multi Data, (MIMD), Single Instruction Multi Data (SIMD), hybrid and distributed workstation type of computers; and (5) Market evaluation. The results of Phase-2 effort provides a good basis for continuation and warrants Phase-3 government, and industry partnership. Abdi, Frank Glenn Research Center COMPOSITE MATERIALS; APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS (COMPUTERS); STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS; PARALLEL PROCESSING (COMPUTERS); STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY; PROBABILITY THEORY; RELIABILITY ANALYSIS; MA...

Researchers in the engineering industry and academia are making important advances on reliability-based design and modeling of uncertainty when data is limited. Non deterministic approaches have enabled industries to save billions by reducing design and warranty costs and by improving quality. Considering the lack of comprehensive and defini

In the preliminary stage of designing new structural hardware to perform a given mission in a fluctuating load environment, there are several factors that the designer should consider. Trade studies for different design configurations should be performed and, based on strength and weight considerations, among others, an optimum configuration selected. The selected design must withstand the environment in question without failure. Therefore, a comprehensive structural analysis that consists of static, dynamic, fatigue, and fracture is necessary to ensure the integrity of the structure. Engineers must also consider the feasibility of fabricating the structural hardware in the material selection process. During the past few decades, fracture mechanics has become a necessary discipline for the solution of many structural problems in which the survivability of structure containing pre-existing flaws is of great interest. These problems include structural failures resulting from cracks that are inherent in the material, or defects that are introduced in the part due to improper handling or rough machining, that must be assessed through fracture mechanics concepts.

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