On the computation of plate assemblies using realistic 3D joint model: a non-intrusive approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a non-intrusive method to replace simplified 3D joint models in plate assemblies with accurate nonlinear models, enhancing simulation reliability without altering the main plate model.

Contribution

It presents a novel non-intrusive approach to incorporate detailed 3D joint models into large plate assembly simulations, improving accuracy while maintaining computational efficiency.

Findings

The method effectively replaces simplified connectors with precise 3D models.

It allows independent computation on optimized software.

The approach improves the estimation of carrying capacity of bolted plates.

Abstract

Most large engineering structures are described as assemblies of plates and shells and they are computed as such using adhoc Finite Element packages. In fact their computation in 3D would be much too costly. In this framework, the connections between the parts are often modeled by means of simplified tying models. In order to improve the reliability of such simulations, we propose to apply a non-intrusive technique so as to virtually substitute the simplified connectors by a precise 3D nonlinear model, without modifying the global plate model. Moreover each computation can be conducted on independent optimized software. After a description of the method, examples are used to analyze its performance, and to draw some conclusions on the validity and limitation of both the modeling of junction by rigid connectors and the use of submodeling techniques for the estimation of the carrying capacity of bolted plates.