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CAD model simplification using a removing details and merging faces technique for a FEM simulation

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Abstract

The simulation process is currently used in the design and dimensioning of mechanical parts. With the progress of computer materials, the finite elements method (FEM) becomes the most used approach in the simulation of mechanical behaviour. The simulation process needs multiple Design-FEM loops. In order to accelerate those analysis loops, an adaptation of computer aided design (CAD) model is necessary. The adaptation step consists in the simplification of the CAD model geometry by eliminating details (holes, chamfers, fillet, etc.) and faces. In this paper, a novel technique of simplification of the CAD geometry is developed. This technique is a hybrid method based on a combination of the elimination details and merging faces. The merging of faces is based on the energetic method. With this approach, the computing time is reduced by the elimination of geometric details which do not boundary conditions. An implementation of the proposed algorithm on the Open Cascade platform is also presented. The results of the developed method are compared with a previous publication. The reduction of the computing time and the amelioration of the result precision highlight the efficiency of the presented method.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LGM, ENIM, University of Monastir, Av Ibn Eljazzar 5019, Monastir, Tunisia

    Hamdi Mounir, Aifaoui Nizar & Benamara Abdelmajid

Authors
  1. Hamdi Mounir
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  2. Aifaoui Nizar
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  3. Benamara Abdelmajid
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aifaoui Nizar.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Ki-Hoon Shin

Mounir Hamdi is a teacher of Mechanical Design at the Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Sousse, Tunisia. Hi is currently a Ph.D student in the National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir. In 2000 he received his Mechanical engineering degree from National Engineering School of Monastir. In 2004 he received his Mechanical master degree from National Engineering School of Tunis. His main research interests include knowledge-based Computer Aided Design, interoperability and the application of geometric and solid model Simplification in CAD/CAE.

Nizar Aifaoui is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Preparatory Institute for Engineers of Monastir in Tunisia. He obtained his Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science and Automation from Valenciennes University (France) in 1998 and Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science and Automation, respectively, from National Engineering School of Monastir (Tunisia) and Valenciennes University (France) in 2003. Dr. Aifaoui’s research areas include: CAD/CAM/CAE integration and Mechanical Design Methodology.

Abdelmajid BenAmara is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at National Engineering School of Monastir in Tunisia. He obtained his Master Degree in Mechanical Engineering from National Engineering School of Tunis (Tunisia) in 1992 and Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science and Automation, respectively, from National Engineering School of Tunis (Tunisia) and Valenciennes University (France) in 1998. After an academic career, he integrated the Mechanical Engineering Department at the National Engineering School of Monastir in Tunisia. He contributes to the teaching of CAD, CAM, CAE and manufacturing technologies. Dr. BenAmara’s research areas include CAD/CAM/CAE integration, Manufacturing Technologies and Mechanical Design Methodology.

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Mounir, H., Nizar, A. & Abdelmajid, B. CAD model simplification using a removing details and merging faces technique for a FEM simulation. J Mech Sci Technol 26, 3539–3548 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-012-0869-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-012-0869-6

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