Building Block For Analysis Research Articles

9.3.2 Simulation‐Based Design Using SysML Part 1: A Parametrics Primer

AbstractOMG SysML™ is a modeling language for specifying, analyzing, designing, and verifying complex systems. It is a general‐purpose graphical modeling language with computer‐sensible semantics. This Part 1 paper and its Part 2 companion show how SysML supports simulation‐based design (SBD) via tutorial‐like examples. Our target audience is end users wanting to learn about SysML parametrics in general and its applications to engineering design and analysis in particular. We include background on the development of SysML parametrics that may also be useful for other stakeholders (e.g, vendors and researchers).In Part 1 we walk through models of simple objects that progressively introduce SysML parametrics concepts. To enhance understanding by comparison and contrast, we present corresponding models based on composable objects (COBs). The COB knowledge representation has provided a conceptual foundation for SysML parametrics, including executability and validation. We end with sample analysis building blocks (ABBs) from mechanics of materials showing how SysML captures engineering knowledge in a reusable form. Part 2 employs these ABBs in a high diversity mechanical example that integrates computer‐aided design and engineering analysis (CAD/CAE).The object and constraint graph concepts embodied in SysML parametrics and COBs provide modular analysis capabilities based on multi‐directional constraints. These concepts and capabilities provide a semantically rich way to organize and reuse the complex relations and properties that characterize SBD models. Representing relations as non‐causal constraints, which generally accept any valid combination of inputs and outputs, enhances modeling flexibility and expressiveness. We envision SysML becoming a unifying representation of domain‐specific engineering analysis models that include fine‐grain associativity with other domain‐ and system‐level models, ultimately providing fundamental capabilities for next‐generation systems lifecycle management.

Integrating engineering design and analysis using a multi-representation approach

With the present gap between CAD and CAE, designers are often hindere in their efforts to explore design alternatives and ensure product robustness. This paper describes the multi-representation architecture (MRA)—a design-analysis integration strategy that views CAD-CAE integration as an information-intensive mapping between design models and analysis models. The MRA divides this mapping into subproblems using four information representations: solution method models (SMMs), analysis building blocks (ABBs), product models (PMs), and product model-based analysis models (PBAMs). A key distinction is the explicit representation of design-analysis associativity as PM-ABB idealization linkages that are contained in PBAMs. The MRA achieves flexibility by supporting different solution tools and design tools, and by accommodating analysis models of diverse discipline, complexity and solution method. Object and constraint graph techniques provide modularity and rich semantics. Priority has been given to the class of problems termedroutine analysis—the regular use of established analysis models in product design. Representative solder joint fatigue case studies demonstrate that the MRA enables highly automated routine analysis for mixed formula-based and finite element-based models. Accordingly, one can employ the MRA and associated methodology to create specialized CAE tools that utilize both design information and general purpose solution tools.