The accuracy of any FEA is related to the quality of the material models describing the material behaviour. Dependent on both the materials and the nature of the problem, different complex material models must be calibrated and applied. Our simulation experts built up vast knowledge in selecting most suited material model for each specific purpose. Typical models capture the non-linear material behaviour of plastics or the anisotropic stiffness and strength of composites. Advanced models additionally cover time- and rate-dependent material properties such as viscoelasticity or strain rate dependency of polymers.

The usage of FEA allows our engineers to gain insights in the behaviour of structural components or whole assemblies. Typically, the structural performance of parts is assessed regarding stresses or strains. Alternatively, the deformation behaviour constraint by applied boundary conditions and loads can be investigated. Dependent on each project, those assessments can add value in several stages of the product development process. This can be in an early development phase when first hardware prototypes do not exist yet or it can be applied to make improvements after the first production round is on the market.

To ensure that the gap between simulation and reality is as small as possible, the Code engineers validate their models continuously. This is done by comparing simulation results with experiments and if necessary, models are improved according to this information. This generates confidence and it brings the quality of our simulations to an even higher level, creating the best conditions for future projects.

Many safety related applications require to assess how they behave after loads exceed the integrity limits. Next to an accurate prediction of material failure, proper modelling of interactions of parts is key. Our simulation experts are very experienced in modelling complex applications undergoing crash loadings, such as car child seats. This allows optimising the integrity of those products. But our engineers can even go further and include whole dummy-models into the models allowing to evaluate and optimise dummy-accelerations. Dependent on the problem, we apply either FE- or Multibody dummies.