Material properties define the structure and thermal characteristics of each part in
the assembly.
In SimSolid, materials are assumed to remain in the
linear-elastic region of the stress-strain curve for structural analysis. That is,
strains are assumed small (<0.2%) and material properties do not change with load
or time. Figure 1.
Material properties must be defined based on the problem physics. Mechanical
properties must be defined for structural analysis. Young’s modulus, density and
coefficient of thermal expansion are mandatory fields. Thermal analysis requires
definitions for thermal properties and density.
Additionally, material yield strength is used to calculate factors of safety. For
fatigue analysis, fatigue properties must be specified by estimating from UTS or
input of Stress-Life or Strain-Life curve parameters.
SimSolid comes with a sample material database which
defines these parameters for common materials (steel, aluminum, and so on). Custom
material properties can be created as well.
Important: Material properties
can dramatically effect simulation solution results. Material properties
provided with SimSolid are intended as examples
only. Actual material properties should be obtained from the relevant part
or material supplier and entered in a local user database. SimSolid Corporation does not verify or validate the
accuracy of the examples materials provided.
