Realization of an integrated structural design process: Analysis-suitable geometric modelling and isogeometric analysis

Increasing complexity in structural shapes, the need for more detailed and precise numerical simulations, and shorter product development times request a tightly connected interaction within the design software environment since both fields, geometric design and structural analysis, rely on the results of each other. Therefore, this paper proposes an integrated design process, which is predicated on a NURBS-based CAD environment as well as on the NURBS-based isogeometric analysis, and substantiates in a mechanical point of view. The presented investigations are concentrated on thin-walled structures. In this paper several issues, e.g. continuity conditions associated with the applied finite element type, arising from the increased challenges for the geometric modelling within an integrated design process are identified and solution strategies are discussed. Furthermore, general analysis-aware modelling guidelines are derived. The paper concludes by exemplifying the complete integrated structural design process for a structural part.