DIVISION OF STRUCTURES DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

This division includes services such as:

• Theoretical and experimental stress analysis on structural components and determination of their behavior under operating conditions.
• Numerical analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Boundary Element Method (BEM).
• Analysis of fracture phenomena and crack propagation under environmental conditions (e.g. spectrum loads, corrosion impact), methods of predicting and restoring structural integrity.
• Evaluation of the effects of multiple crack evolution on the structural integrity.
• Methods for predicting the residual strength and behavior of advanced structures.

These services are generally not described by regulations. Available respective specifications (e.g. gas cylinders regulations) or company standards (e.g. aircraft companies standards for the analysis of structural components), are used. In other cases, an appropriate scientific methodology is followed each time.

To implement the analysis procedures and certified commercial software packages (e.g. FEM: ANSYS, LS-DYNA, PAM-CRASH, BEM: BEASY) are used, and where these are not adequate, software programs are developed by the laboratory.