This paper on "A Methodology and a Framework for FE Modeling of Complex Systems" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Effective Engineering Analysis - 25-28 April 1999, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

Abstract

Integration of CAD and CAE technology enables engineers to explore design alternatives and to ensure product quality before the first prototypes are manufactured. It also helps to clarify problems that are identified in the use phase for a product. Present commercial CAD and CAE software supports an associativity on component model level. Engineers are usually hindered in their efforts to simulate the physical behavior of complex systems of components. This paper describes a framework and a modeling methodology, with the scope to enable numerical modeling, simulation and analysis of the physical behavior of complex systems. The framework, which is based on commercial CAD, CAE and PDM software, includes a metamodel, which can be characterized as ISO STEP aware but not STEP compliant. The presented approach is exemplified with an industrial case.