Functional Expertise

Structural Integrity and Durability Assessments

This type of work involves determining whether a structure, component or product meets the mechanical requirements and, if necessary, providing assistance to ensure that it does. Failure modes for which durability is assessed include fatigue, fracture, buckling, permanent deformation and wear.

Product Development Support

This includes durability assessments but also mechanical element/mechanism simulation, manufacturing feasibility assessments (e.g. forming simulations), failure modes and effects analysis; and design sensitivity analysis.

Finite Element Analysis

We conduct both linear and nonlinear finite element analysis including, linear static, dynamic, and frequency analysis, contact problems, buckling, plastic deformation and failure simulation. We use ABAQUS for this purpose. (See Solutions > Technology Briefs  for more about the capabilities of ABAQUS.)

Failure and Materials Analysis

This type of work involves determining the cause of failure for structures, components and products and identification and evaluation of methods to prevent the failure from occurring again. We conduct failure analyses on metallic, polymeric and ceramic components and have available labs for microscopy, materials analysis and mechanical testing.

Rail Vehicle Crashworthiness

This includes defining requirements, identifying structural approaches, evaluating designs, and conducting accident investigations. We perform crush calculations on individual components and collision dynamics (multi-body) computer calculations for entire trains.