ABAQUS

ABAQUS
Name	ABAQUS
Developer	Dassault Systèmes
Released	0 1978
Latest release version	2024
Latest release date	May 2023
Operating system	Linux, Microsoft Windows
Genre	Finite element analysis
License	Proprietary

ABAQUS. It is a sophisticated suite of software applications for finite element analysis and computer-aided engineering, developed by the French company Dassault Systèmes. The software is renowned for its advanced capabilities in simulating complex physical behavior, from linear static analyses to highly nonlinear transient dynamics. It is widely utilized across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and biomechanics for virtual prototyping and performance prediction.

Overview

The ABAQUS software suite provides a comprehensive environment for engineering simulation, integrating pre-processing, analysis, and post-processing modules. Its core solver technology is built upon robust numerical methods for solving large-scale systems of equations arising from partial differential equations. The software interfaces with other major computer-aided design systems, facilitating workflows within broader product lifecycle management strategies. Its reputation for accuracy and reliability has made it a standard tool in both industrial research and development and academic institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

History

The origins of ABAQUS trace back to research conducted at Rhode Island University in the late 1970s by David Hibbitt, Bengt Karlsson, and Paul Sorensen. The trio founded Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc. (HKS) to commercialize the technology, releasing the first version in 1978. The company experienced significant growth, establishing a strong presence in the automotive industry and sectors dealing with nonlinear materials. In 2005, HKS was acquired by the global software conglomerate Dassault Systèmes, which integrated it into its SIMULIA brand alongside other simulation technologies like CATIA.

Features and capabilities

ABAQUS offers an extensive material model library, including sophisticated models for hyperelasticity, plasticity, and composite materials. Its element library supports diverse formulations for structures, fluids, and coupled problems, enabling simulations of multiphysics phenomena such as thermomechanical coupling and acoustic-structural interaction. The software excels in handling complex contact conditions, large deformations, and failure analyses using methods like the extended finite element method. Advanced features also include user-defined subroutines, optimization tools, and co-simulation capabilities with packages like MATLAB.

Applications

Primary applications are found in the aerospace industry for analyzing airframe components and jet engine parts under extreme loads. In the automotive industry, it is used for crashworthiness simulation, noise, vibration, and harshness analysis, and durability assessments of chassis systems. The energy sector employs it for simulating offshore structures, pipelines, and geomechanics problems. Significant use also occurs in biomedical engineering for modeling stent deployments, orthopedic implants, and soft tissue mechanics, supported by collaborations with agencies like the Food and Drug Administration.

Software architecture

The architecture is modular, primarily consisting of ABAQUS/CAE for interactive modeling and visualization, the ABAQUS/Standard implicit solver, and the ABAQUS/Explicit dynamic solver. These components are supported by specialized modules for specific physics, such as ABAQUS/CFD for computational fluid dynamics. The software utilizes a Python-based scripting interface for automation and customization, allowing integration with external databases and high-performance computing clusters. Its data structure is designed for scalability on systems from Windows Server to Linux-based supercomputers.

Licensing and versions

ABAQUS is commercially licensed proprietary software, available under various subscription models from Dassault Systèmes. Licenses are typically node-locked or floating, with options for cloud computing access via the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Major annual releases, such as ABAQUS 2024, introduce new features, material models, and performance enhancements. Historical version milestones include the integration of the SIMULIA brand and the introduction of the unified Abaqus Unified FEA product line. Academic licenses are available to universities and research centers like the Fraunhofer Society.

Category:Finite element software Category:Dassault Systèmes Category:Computer-aided engineering software Category:1978 software