Abstract: A method is provided for designing a structural product. The method includes accessing a finite element method (FEM) model in which the structural product is represented by a mesh of elements with respective nodal points and nodal datasets, indexed by element identifier, and including part identifiers of the component parts to which the elements belong. The method includes accessing results from a finite element analysis of the FEM model that indicate internal loads and deflections on the structural product under an external load. The results are also indexed by element identifier. A part identifier for a component part is identified; and element identifiers of the elements for the component part, and whose nodal datasets include the part identifier, are determined. The internal loads and deflections on the component part are extracted, and post-processed to determine an effect of the external load on the component part.

Abstract: A method is provided for dimensioning a cross section of a structural product, the cross section having an arbitrary shape. The method includes defining and thereby producing a first definition of the cross section, and accessing template cross sections of various shapes, the template cross sections having respective second definitions of the template cross sections. The method includes performing a comparison of the first definition of the cross section and the respective second definitions of the template cross sections. The method includes identifying a matching one of the template cross sections based on the comparison, the matching one of the template cross sections further having respective locations from which the matching one of the template cross sections is dimensioned. And the method includes applying the respective locations to the cross section, and dimensioning the cross section from the respective locations.

Abstract: A method of managing a design lifecycle of a structural part includes accessing memory storing computer-readable program code for identifying a supplier for the structural part. The method includes executing the code to cause an apparatus to identify the supplier. The method also includes generating a first design of the structural part, the first design describing a geometry of the structural part and requirements for attributes of the structural part. The method also includes performing a search of a database of existing designs for a second design based on search criteria including multiple ones of the geometry and the requirements, and selecting a design from the first design and the second design based on the search. The method also includes performing a multiple-criteria decision analysis to evaluate the design, identifying the supplier from multiple suppliers, and outputting an indication of the supplier for use in ordering of the structural part.

Abstract: An apparatus for designing a structural product is provided. The apparatus accesses a computer-aided design (CAD) model that represents a first design of the structural product by a first geometry and accesses a finite element method (FEM) model that represents a second design of the structural product by a mesh of elements arranged in a second geometry. The apparatus performs a comparison of the CAD model and the FEM model to determine a similarity between the first geometry and the second geometry and produces a resulting FEM model based on the similarity, and that represents the first design of the structural product. The apparatus performs a finite element analysis on the resulting FEM model and performs a classical analysis to evaluate the first design of the structural product, produces an output based on the classical analysis, and displays the output to facilitate design of the structural product.

Abstract: A method is provided for defining a cross section having an arbitrary shape. The method includes creating a vector graphic of the cross section. The method includes disassembling the vector graphic of the cross section into paths that represent an outline of the arbitrary shape of the cross section, each path a straight path or a curved path having respective endpoints including a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method includes arranging the paths in an order in which the paths are connected in the vector graphic to form the outline of the arbitrary shape of the cross section, and generating an array of elements for the paths, including elements for successive pairs of adjacent straight paths in the order in which the paths are arranged. And the method incudes defining and thereby producing a definition of the cross section from the array of elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for dimensioning a cross section of a structural product, the cross section having an arbitrary shape. The method includes defining and thereby producing a first definition of the cross section, and accessing template cross sections of various shapes, the template cross sections having respective second definitions of the template cross sections. The method includes performing a comparison of the first definition of the cross section and the respective second definitions of the template cross sections. The method includes identifying a matching one of the template cross sections based on the comparison, the matching one of the template cross sections further having respective locations from which the matching one of the template cross sections is dimensioned. And the method includes applying the respective locations to the cross section, and dimensioning the cross section from the respective locations.

Abstract: A method is provided for defining a cross section having an arbitrary shape. The method includes creating a vector graphic of the cross section. The method includes disassembling the vector graphic of the cross section into paths that represent an outline of the arbitrary shape of the cross section, each path a straight path or a curved path having respective endpoints including a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method includes arranging the paths in an order in which the paths are connected in the vector graphic to form the outline of the arbitrary shape of the cross section, and generating an array of elements for the paths, including elements for successive pairs of adjacent straight paths in the order in which the paths are arranged. And the method incudes defining and thereby producing a definition of the cross section from the array of elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for designing a structural product is provided. The apparatus accesses a computer-aided design (CAD) model that represents a first design of the structural product by a first geometry and accesses a finite element method (FEM) model that represents a second design of the structural product by a mesh of elements arranged in a second geometry. The apparatus performs a comparison of the CAD model and the FEM model to determine a similarity between the first geometry and the second geometry and produces a resulting FEM model based on the similarity, and that represents the first design of the structural product. The apparatus performs a finite element analysis on the resulting FEM model and performs a classical analysis to evaluate the first design of the structural product, produces an output based on the classical analysis, and displays the output to facilitate design of the structural product.