Coupled Analysis

One of IBK´s main competences is the solution of complex, coupled problems.
The problem is generally a problem which can not be solved by simply concentrating on one discipline (e.g. structural mechanics or fluid mechancs) because this would imply a simplification that is not sensible. This simplification might be conservative or not. If it is, the simplified analysis will lead to solution which is not as efficient as it could be. If not, the solution might even endanger the total use and bear risks. IBK can help you to solve the interdisciplinary problems and come to an efficient solutions.
Coupled problems can for example be:
  1. Thermo-Mechanical Coupling (TMC): TMC means a coupling of thermal and structural mechanics. This coupling is found quite frequently especially when parts are loaded with a special thermal cycle, which consequences (thermal expansion of connected materials, strong changes of mechanical parameters within temperature range) are significant.
  2. Fluid-Structur Interaktion (FSI): Within FSI a structural and a fluid-problem are coupled. The pressure distribution which is a result of the fluid-calculation (normally CFD) is used as loads for the structural problem. The deformations, which are results from the structural problem lead to a different geometry and therefore a different fluid-solution. If the coupling is weak a one-way coupling might be enough. If not, the solutions have to be iterated until convergency is achieved. This procedure is used for instance for aircraft wings, in which the aerodynamic performance can be used using FSI during the design phase. Other fields of application are acoustics (linear FSI) and aeroelasticity (linearized FSI). However, other applications apart from the aircraft industry occur, too. The direction of the coupling is arbitrary in this (see for example the  - fan - in which a mechanical rotation driven by a electric engine leads to a flow).
  3. Thermo Fluid-Structur Interaktion (TFSI): TFSI combines both of the problems introduced above. It is used if for example high temperature flows have to be analysed (cooling problems).