What's New: MD Nastran

MD Nastran release adds major new features and enhancement for enterprise computing in the areas of high performance computing, nonlinear analysis, assembly modeling, optimization, rotordynamics, and aeroelasticity. A list of enhancements is summarized below. You can find more details in the release guide which is included on the MSC.Nastran delivery CD.

Nonlinear Analysis

Nonlinear Transient Analysis (SOL 400)

SOL 400 extends the capabilities of existing Sol 129 by allowing multiple distinct subcases in the same run—each may have a different SPC and MPC callout. It also adds a new HHT integration scheme and supports transient thermal loads

Implicit Nonlinear (SOL 600)

Enhancements have been made to greatly improve the performance and capabilities of MSC.Nastran implicit nonlinear solution (SOL 600). These include:

  • More robust data exchange
  • Faster contact calculation (3-6 fold CPU improvements).
  • Support of autospc and automset
  • Support of inertia relief
  • An improved out-of-core solver
  • More automated brake squeal calculation
  • Improved user subroutine support
  • More results support

Explicit Nonlinear (SOL 700)

With this new release, you can perform crash and drop test analysis starting with your existing Nastran models with minor modifications.

Elements

  • Additional features have been added to the arbitrary beam cross section. This includes:
    • Outline display of the cross section in a postscript format
    • Stress recovery includes shear and torsion
    • Supported in optimization
  • A new line interface element is now available to connect dissimilar meshes along edges for h-element. This feature is useful for global-local analysis.
  • A new CWSEAM element to complement the existing CWELD and CFAST elements
  • A general 3-node beam element is added for linear static, normal modes, dynamics, and buckling analysis

Numeric Enhancements

  • A new iterative solver is added for static analysis
  • Significant performance and reduction of I/O requirement for MDACMS method

Dynamics and superelements

  • Enhancement has been added in rotordynamics for generating data for Campbell diagram and provide better mode tracking
  • Gyroscopic terms are included in aeroelasticity analysis
  • Several enhancements have been added to the external superelement analysis. This includes:
    • The ability to specify the suffix name when using the DMIG punch option
    • The ability to request output for the boundary points and PLOTEL points regardless of whether this output was requested in the reduction run
    • Control of qset degrees of freedom in the assembly run

Optimization

  • Several manufacturability constraints have been added to the topology optimization. These include:
    • Casting (draw direction)
    • Extrusion
    • Impose symmetry

This ensures that the analytical results are manufacturable.

Acoustics

Internal acoustics has been available in MSC.Nastran for many versions. A beta version of exterior acoustics has been added to MD Nastran. This can be used, for example, to measure sound pressure level in the vicinity or far away from the vibrating body.

Aeroelasticity Enhancements

Several monitor points have been added. They are as follows:

  • MONPNT21 provides integrated loads at a user defined point in a user defined coordinate system.
  • MONPNT2 provides element results (stress, strain, force) in a tabular format
  • MONPNT3 provides a summation of grid point forces at a user-specified integration point
  • MONDSP1 allows for the sampling of a displacement vector to create a blended displacement response at a user specified point and coordinate system
  • All these are designed for aeroelasticity solutions, but they can be used for SOLs 101, 144, and 146

In addition, 2 new methods are available for extracting loads from one analysis and import it into a second analysis.