What is meant by Shell thickener?
The term "shell thickener" refers to a process in structural mechanics and modeling, where thin-walled structures (shells) are reinforced by adding thickness. This technique is typically applied in finite element analysis (FEA) to enhance the strength and stability of thin structural elements, such as plates or membranes, without altering the original geometry. Shell thickening is especially useful for components that are subject to mechanical or thermal stress.
Typical software functions in the area of "shell thickener":
- Thickness Adjustment: Automatic or manual adjustment of the thickness of shell structures based on load requirements.
- Structural Strength Optimization: Analysis and adjustment of thickness to increase structural strength while minimizing weight.
- Load and Stress Distribution: Calculation of the effects of thickness changes on the load and stress distribution within the shell.
- Thickness Visualization: Visualization of thickness changes in a graphical model for review and validation of adjustments.
- Material Property Assignment: Assigning different material properties based on the new thickness of the shell.
- Integration into Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Full integration of the shell thickening function into FEA software to enable accurate simulations under loads.
Examples of "shell thickener":
- Reinforcement of an Aircraft Wing: Adjusting shell thickness in a wing model to withstand additional mechanical stresses from turbulence.
- Strengthening of Pressure Vessels: Increasing the thickness of a pressure vessel wall to resist higher internal pressures.
- Structural Optimization of Car Bodies: Thickening car body elements to enhance crash safety without significantly increasing weight.
- Thickness Adjustment in Wind Turbine Shells: Reinforcing shell structures in wind turbines to remain stable under high wind forces.
- Optimization of Membrane Structures: Applying thickening to membrane structures subjected to high tensile forces.