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Sparse Solver:
Storage of system matrices in a sparse format has been implemented and in combination with a parallel direct sparse solver very significant solution time savings can be observed for static as well as dynamic cases, in particular for analysis of large models. Frequency, complex harmonic and temperature analyses of large models show also very significant decreases in solution times. The direct sparse solver allows parallel execution on multi-core processors. It can also be applied out-of-core for solution of very large problems.
Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI):
A new fluid element is available to model interaction with an adjoining structure in static and dynamic analyses. Interfaces between the fluid and 2D/3D continuum elements or shell elements are established automatically. Typical applications include earthquake analysis of dams, dynamic loads on fluid tanks and structures submerged in water.
Large rotations:
All elements including the rigid link can be subjected to arbitrarily large rotations in static and dynamic analysis. In particular the new co-rotational beam element is very effective in large rotation analysis which can be important when, for example, the dynamics of rotor blades is studied under a large number of revolutions.
Linear Analysis Based on Pre-stressed Configuration:
Mode superposition, response spectrum analysis and complex harmonic analysis can be carried out based on linearization of a pre-stressed configuration. The static contribution from all neglected high frequency modes can be included in response spectrum analysis as well as in the response for each solution step during mode superposition analysis.
Simulation of Building Processes: A new Time-Elastic material may be used together with the element Birth/Death option to simulate, for example, a building process where the elements are successively added and where the material parameters may be different in the various linear stages.
Post-tensioned Tendons: The 3D tendon line geometry can be defined by non-uniform B-splines for calculation of frictional and pressure forces due to a sequence of applied end forces and length changes from anchorage set when concrete structures modeled by beam elements are post-tensioned.
User-defined Beam Sections: The external and internal boundaries of arbitrary sections can be decribed using straight and circular line segments and the section properties including shear center location and the warping constant can be calculated. An arbitrary section can also be modeled by plane elements to obtain stress distributions due to sets of section forces/moments including cases with Saint-Venant torsion and transverse shear forces.
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