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 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 of manufacturing a structural part includes accessing memory storing code for a software tool to determine a template profile for the structural part. The method includes executing the code to cause an apparatus to execute the software tool for accessing a 3D model of the structural part. The method also includes generating a profile from the 3D model and dimensioning the profile, and accessing and searching a database for stock profiles that match search criteria that include the dimension measurements of the profile set as lower bounds of the corresponding dimension measurements. The method also includes performing a decision analysis to evaluate attributes of the matching stock profiles and identify a selected stock profile. The method also includes outputting an indication of the selected stock profile for manufacturing the structural part from a stock structural part having a cross-sectional profile corresponding to the selected stock profile.

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: An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib, and based thereon perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Performing the analysis may include importing a plurality of section cuts into a finite element model of the rib and thereby identifying nodes proximate the section cuts. Under an external load, internal load distributions may be extracted from elements proximate the nodes and elements, and the failure rate of the leading edge rib under the external load may be predicted based on the internal load distributions of the elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib in which respective stiffeners are represented by a collection of geometry within a solid model of the rib, and perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Identifying the properties may include, extracting a section cut of the geometry that corresponds to and has one or more properties of the respective stiffener, and identifying the properties of the cross-section and thereby the respective stiffener based on a correlation of the cross-section to a generic profile of a plurality of different cross-sections.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib, and based thereon perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Performing the analysis may include importing a plurality of section cuts into a finite element model of the rib and thereby identifying nodes proximate the section cuts. Under an external load, internal load distributions may be extracted from elements proximate the nodes and elements, and the failure rate of the leading edge rib under the external load may be predicted based on the internal load distributions of the elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for analysis of a leading edge rib of a fixed leading edge section of an aircraft wing. The apparatus may identify geometric or inertial properties of a plurality of stiffeners of the rib in which respective stiffeners are represented by a collection of geometry within a solid model of the rib, and perform an analysis to predict a failure rate of the leading edge rib under an external load. From the failure rate, the apparatus may determine a structural integrity of the leading edge rib under the external load. Identifying the properties may include, extracting a section cut of the geometry that corresponds to and has one or more properties of the respective stiffener, and identifying the properties of the cross-section and thereby the respective stiffener based on a correlation of the cross-section to a generic profile of a plurality of different cross-sections.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a structural component may include the step of storing one or more of the following on a server: at least one material allowable for a structural component, at least one load case for the structural component, and at least one analysis template having at least one analysis variable. The method may further include the step of providing, using an interface, at least one entry for the analysis variable. The method may further include performing, using a processor-based structural component analyzer, a strength analysis of the structural component using the analysis template and based on the load case and the entry for the analysis variable. The method may further include determining, using the analyzer, a margin of safety of the structural component based on the material allowable.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a structural component may include the step of storing one or more of the following on a server: at least one material allowable for a structural component, at least one load case for the structural component, and at least one analysis template having at least one analysis variable. The method may further include the step of providing, using an interface, at least one entry for the analysis variable. The method may further include performing, using a processor-based structural component analyzer, a strength analysis of the structural component using the analysis template and based on the load case and the entry for the analysis variable. The method may further include determining, using the analyzer, a margin of safety of the structural component based on the material allowable.