Computer Aided Engineering

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) is the use of computer software to aid in engineering analysis. CAE can bring huge reductions in the number of trial-and-error cycles of a product, thereby saving development costs.

Finite Element Analysis

Finite Element Analysis is a way to solve (large) physical problems using a computer. Using FEA, the response of structures and systems due to loads can be evaluated. This is important, as it helps engineers to eliminate structural failures due to overloading. Other types of problems that can be solved using FEA are thermal / heat transfer problems, fluid flow and electromagnetics. ASCEE is specialized in solving structural and acoustic FEA.

ASCEE is COMSOL Certified Consultant

We are proud that COMSOL has acknowledged ASCEE as one of their "COMSOL Certified Consultants" in acoustic / structural modeling. A key indicator of the quality of our work and accomplishments.

Structural dynamics example: first torsion mode of a crankshaft.

Structural dynamics

In structural dynamics, the response of a structure (bridge, chair, machine) subject to a dynamic loading is examined. Dynamic loading can result in completely different stress situations compared to their static counterpart. Especially when mechanical resonances come into play, motion amplitudes can become severely high and result into damages.

Using modal analysis, the resonance frequencies and vibration modes of a structure are computed. The stresses in a structure can subsequently be limited by shifting the resonance frequencies away from the load frequency components.

Acoustics

The purpose of acoustic simulations is rather diverse, so far we have seen the following use cases:

  • Detection and solving standing wave problems in room acoustics
  • Fine-tuning the neck of a resonating silencer
  • Computing the performance of noise reduction measures

Acoustic FEA example: propagating wave through a - slice of a - resonator silencer.

Structure meets air: structure-borne sound

When structural vibrations push away the surrounding air, pressure waves can propagate through the air. These pressure waves we call sound waves. When sound waves are unwanted, it is called noise. Sound waves from structures are often unwanted. This is called structure-borne noise. Of course, there are alway exceptions such as musical instruments and loudspeakers.

To limit the structure-borne noise from a system the main source of acoustic radiation can be identified using a type of FEA, where the structural vibrations are coupled to acoustic finite elements. This is called acousto-elastic interaction.