Merkle CAE supports aerospace companies with, among other things, structural FEM simulations, CFD flow simulations, thermal analyses, and coupled multiphysics calculations. Typical applications range from strength analysis, lightweight design, and thermal loads to vibration, shock, flow, cooling, and purging.

Loads during takeoff, flight, or separation can be analyzed using dynamic FEM methods. Depending on the specific application, modal analyses, random vibration analyses, transient calculations, or response spectrum analyses based on a shock response spectrum (SRS) are used. This allows critical natural frequencies, resonances, and structural responses to be identified at an early stage.

FEM simulations make it possible to evaluate stresses, deformations, and load paths as early as the development phase. This allows structures to be specifically optimized for weight and mechanical strength without compromising the required safety and structural integrity.

Temperature distributions cause thermal expansion, deformation, and mechanical stresses. Depending on the problem at hand, thermal and mechanical calculations are performed sequentially or with full coupling.

CFD simulations are used to analyze flow, pressure, and temperature fields. Typical applications include cooling designs, valves, piping, nozzles, and purging processes. If necessary, the results can be coupled with thermal or structural mechanics calculations.

Flow simulations can be used to examine how purge gases flow, how well critical areas are reached, and where, for example, dead zones or unfavorable flow conditions might arise. This is particularly relevant for sensitive optical, electronic, or technical systems. Learn more about this topic

Simulation can be used as early as the concept evaluation phase and can then be applied throughout the design and optimization phases, all the way through to the detailed technical evaluation. The earlier critical load cases and interactions are identified, the more precisely design changes can be made and the fewer time-consuming iterations are required.

The data required depends on the specific problem at hand. Typically, CAD geometries, material data, boundary and operating conditions, and relevant load cases form the basis. For dynamic, thermal, or fluid dynamics problems, additional information such as accelerations, temperature ranges, pressures, volumetric flow rates, or time-dependent loads may be required. If not all data is fully available at the start of the project, Merkle CAE assists in defining the required input parameters and establishing reasonable assumptions for the simulation model.