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The
Probabilistic Finite Element System (ProFES) application is developed by
the Computational Mechanics Group of ARA's Southeast Division, located in
Raleigh NC. ProFES allows you to quickly develop
probabilistic models from your own model executables, analytical
formulations, or finite element models. You may use ProFES independently
to perform probabilistic simulations using functions internal to ProFES or
functions that you manually type in; you may use ProFES as an add-on to
your own model executables so you can perform probabilistic studies from
your deterministic models; you may also use ProFES as an add-on to the
commercial finite element codes ANSYS and NASTRAN or to the commerical CAD
package PATRAN and you can assess the uncertainty inherent in any design
or analysis situation and relate this uncertainty to product failure
rates. The ProFES GUI is designed to make it easy to perform probabilistic
analyses, especially for non-experts. Random variables can be assigned to
any of the variables that make up your analytical model or that are input
to your model executable. In the case of finite element analyses random
variables can be assigned to loads, material properties, element
properties, and boundary conditions. In the case of CAD analyses as is the
case with PATRAN, random variables can also be given to geometry features
(in our case the features are obtained by importing Unigraphics parts into
PATRAN). Failure criteria (limit-states) are used to define failure as a
function of your model results (e.g., output variables from your own
models, displacements, strains, stresses, etc.). ProFES also includes
utilities for seamlessly postprocessing your results (e.g., for
probabilistic fatigue analysis). ProFES provides a library of random
variables and utilizes state-of-the-art probabilistic analysis methods.
Probabilistic finite element analysis has advanced to the point that
specialists can solve very complex problems. Computational methods for
probabilistic mechanics are well developed and widely available, including
FORM/SORM methods, static and adaptive response surface methods,
simulation methods, and adaptive importance sampling.
ProFES places these tools in the hands of practitioners and makes
them usable without extensive re-training and software development. ProFES
includes an innovative data-driven architecture that has the look and feel
of commercial CAD and pre-processing packages. The ProFES approach
supports transparent interfaces to commercially available finite element
packages and allows you to build your deterministic model in your
preferred commercial pre-processing package. ProFES has been integrated
with several major probabilistic computational methods along with an
extensive library of random variable distributions.
ProFES is designed to work with commercially available finite element
software. If your finite element software is not ANSYS or NASTRAN, you
write your own interface between your finite element software and ProFES
by following a documented procedure.
There are five steps to performing probabilistic analysis:
- Import a finite element model;
- Define the random variables;
- Describe the failure criteria or limit state functions;
- Run the analysis; and
- Review the results.
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Probabilistic Mechanics Group
Applied Research Associates, Inc.
8540 Colonnade Center Dr., Suite 301
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 582-3300
ProFES@ara.com
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