Reduced Hsieh-Clough-Tocher elements are triangular C1-elements with only nine degrees of freedom. Simple formulas for the basis functions of reduced Hsieh-Clough-Tocher elements based on the edge vectors of the triangle have been given recently for a barycentric splitting. We generalise these formulas to the case of an arbitrary splitting point.

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This thesis presents a nontraditional treatment for uncertainties in the material, geometry, and load parameters in linear static finite element analysis (FEA) for mechanics problems. Uncertainties are introduced as bounded possible values (intervals). FEA with interval parameters (interval FEA, IFEA) calculates the bounds on the system response based on the ranges of the system parameters. The obtained results should be accurate and efficiently computed. Toward this end, a rigorous interval FEA is developed and implemented. In this study, interval arithmetic is used in the formulation to guarantee an enclosure for the response range. The main difficulty associated with interval computation is the dependence problem, which results in severe overestimation of the system response ranges. Particular attention in the development of the present method is given to control the dependence problem for sharp results. The developed method is based on an Element-By-Element (EBE) technique. By using the EBE technique, the interval parameters can be handled more efficiently to control the dependence problem. The penalty method and Lagrange multiplier method are used to impose the necessary constraints for compatibility and equilibrium. The resulting structure equations are a system of parametric linear interval equations. The standard fixed point iteration is modified, enhanced, and used to solve the interval equations accurately and efficiently. The newly developed dependence control algorithm ensures the convergence of the fixed point iteration even for problems with relatively large uncertainties. Further, special algorithms have been developed to calculate sharp results for stress and element nodal force. The present method is generally applicable to linear static interval FEA, regardless of element type. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the developed method. It is illustrated that the present method yields rigorous and accurate results which are guaranteed to enclose the true response ranges in all the problems considered, including those with a large number of interval variables (e.g., more than 250). The scalability of the present method is also illustrated. In addition to its accuracy, rigorousness and scalability, the efficiency of the present method is also significantly superior to conventional methods such as the combinatorial, the sensitivity analysis, and the Monte Carlo sampling method.

We consider reduced Hsieh-Clough-Tocher basis functions with respect to a splitting into subtriangles at the barycenter of the original triangular element. This article gives a proof that the second derivatives of those functions, which in general may jump at the subtriangle boundaries, do not jump at the barycenter.

We consider reduced Hsieh-Clough-Tocher basis functions with respect to a splitting into subtriangles at an arbitrary interior point of the original triangular element. This article gives a proof that the second derivatives of those functions, which in general may jump at the subtriangle boundaries, do not jump at the splitting point.

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Published Article / Rapid and reliable methods for component development and economic manufacturing layout are today crucial factors for the application of press tooling techniques in mass production of automotive industry components. The use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) based forming simulation can provide a more detailed insight into the real behaviour of a structure. An LS-DYNA finite element model was developed to analyse the material behaviour during the piercing process of a drainage hole for a shock absorber seat. The simulation is intended to simulate tearing that occurs during the manufacturing stage. Once the current punch produces the observed tearing we can modify the punch to eliminate the problem.

A blankholder is used to hold the edges of metal sheet while it is being formed by a matrix and a punch. An efficient way to design a stamping die is to integrate the blankholder plate into the die structure. This would eliminate the time and cost to manufacture blankholder plates. The integrated structure is called integrated blankholder. The main focus of this thesis is structural analysis and optimization of the integrated blankholder. The structural analysis of the integrated blankholder model (used for the production of doors of Volvo car model V70) is performed using Hypermesh and Abaqus. The FE-results were compared with the analytical calculations of the fatigue limit. To increase the stiffness and reduce the stress levels in the integrated blankholder, topology and shape optimization is performed with Optistruct. Thereafter, a CAD model is set up in Catia based on the results of optimization. Finally, structural analysis of this CAD model is performed and the results are compared with the original results. The results show reduction in stress levels by 70% and a more homogeneous stress distribution is obtained. The mass of the die is increased by 17 % and in overall, a stiffer die is obtained. Based on the simulations and results, discussion and conclusions are formulated.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The role of the computer has changed from a calculation tool to a tool that supports human thinking. In this thesis fundamental aspects of the Finite Element method are mapped to an object model with a well defined structure which provides for local and distributed analysis work. To achieve this the following was investigated: • An object-oriented framework for the Finite Element analysis method • An associated graphical user interface that enables the user to create and modify Finite Element models in an effective way • Requirements for the sharing of analysis information in a communication network Proposed solutions are implemented in a pilot application which indicates their potential. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die rol van die rekenaar het verander vanaf 'n gereedskapstuk wat berekening doen na 'n gereedskapstuk wat menslike denke ondersteun. In hierdie tesis word die fundamentele aspekte van die Eindige Element metode oorgedra na 'n objek model met 'n goed gedefinieerde struktuur wat lokale en verspreide analisering werk ondersteun. Om dit te bereik is die volgende ondesoek: • 'n Objek orienteerde raamwerk vir die Eindige Element metode • 'n Geassosieerde grafiese raamwerk wat die gebruiker in staat stelom objekte te skep en te verander • Vereistes vir die deel van analise inligting in 'n kommunikasie netwerk Die voorgestelde oplossing is geimplimenteer in 'n loodsimplementering wat die voordele van die benadering uitlig.