Abstract: FEA model representing a RSW setup is defined and received in a computer system. The FEA model contains multiple solid elements representing a pair of electrodes and two workpieces. Numerically-calculated heat-power distributions and structural behaviors of the workpieces are obtained by conducting a time-marching simulation using FEA model with a set of time-dependent electrode forces and corresponding set of time-dependent electrical current. An overlapped contact area and corresponding contact center between first and second element contact faces of each of the solid element pairs in contact are determined. Respective elemental coordinates of the contact center in the first and second element contact faces are calculated. Augmented terms for Joule heating effects are added to the overall stiffness matrix for obtaining Joule heat rate power at each contact center, which is then distributed to respective corner nodes of the first and second element contact faces according to respective elemental coordinates.

Abstract: FEA model representing a RSW setup is defined and received in a computer system. The FEA model contains multiple solid elements representing a pair of electrodes and two workpieces. Numerically-calculated heat-power distributions and structural behaviors of the workpieces are obtained by conducting a time-marching simulation using FEA model with a set of time-dependent electrode forces and corresponding set of time-dependent electrical current. An overlapped contact area and corresponding contact center between first and second element contact faces of each of the solid element pairs in contact are determined. Respective elemental coordinates of the contact center in the first and second element contact faces are calculated. Augmented terms for Joule heating effects are added to the overall stiffness matrix for obtaining Joule heat rate power at each contact center, which is then distributed to respective corner nodes of the first and second element contact faces according to respective elemental coordinates.

Abstract: Systems and methods of numerically simulating physical phenomena of firing an electromagnetic rail-gun using a coupled FEM-BEM procedure are disclosed. Electromagnetic rail-gun includes a pair of parallel rails and a projectile located therebetween. Rails and projectile are represented by a FEM model, while the ambient air surrounding the rail-gun is represented by a BEM mesh for simulating the electromagnetic fields. The BEM mesh is generated from the FEM model as a surface encasing the projectile and rails. A sliding contact interface between each of the rails and the projectile causes the BEM faces in contact to be removed and thus resulting into a hole/gap in the BEM mesh. The hole/gap is patched up with new triangular BEM faces without adding new nodes in accordance with a predefined set of rules, such that the resulting BEM mesh is suitable for carrying out the coupled FEM-BEM procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods of numerically simulating physical phenomena of firing an electromagnetic rail-gun using a coupled FEM-BEM procedure are disclosed. Electromagnetic rail-gun includes a pair of parallel rails and a projectile located therebetween. Rails and projectile are represented by a FEM model, while the ambient air surrounding the rail-gun is represented by a BEM mesh for simulating the electromagnetic fields. The BEM mesh is generated from the FEM model as a surface encasing the projectile and rails. A sliding contact interface between each of the rails and the projectile causes the BEM faces in contact to be removed and thus resulting into a hole/gap in the BEM mesh. The hole/gap is patched up with new triangular BEM faces without adding new nodes in accordance with a predefined set of rules, such that the resulting BEM mesh is suitable for carrying out the coupled FEM-BEM procedure.