Isogeometric Representation and Analysis: Bridging the Gap Between CAD and Analysis

Abstract

NURBS elements rather than traditional finite elements for analysis. NURBS is the standard approach for representation of free form curves and sculptured surfaces in Computer Aided Design, and can represent elementary shapes such as sphere, cylinders, and torus exactly. Used in analysis NURBS consequently offers exact geometry representation, simplified design optimization and tighter integration of analysis and CAD. In this paper we address different aspects of isogeometric representation and analysis with a main focus on the relation to CAD, and how CAD can change to improve analysis by incorporating isogeometric representation. Nomenclature Analysis = Is in this paper used for complete process from creating the grid, setting up the finite element method and solving the resulting equations. CAD = Computer Aided Design FE = Finite element FEA = Finite element analysis