Drill DOF tuning improves torsional stiffness in composite shell models. When simulating wind turbine blades under torsional loads, shell models are often preferred over solid models for efficiency. But standard shell formulations can significantly underestimate torsional stiffness, especially when offsets and layered orthotropic materials are involved.  A joint study by Ghent University and 4RealSim, published in Composite Structures, Volume 280 (2022) , demonstrates that tu

Cross-section of the explosive casing expansion tool Addressing Zonal Isolation in Aging Wells  As oil and gas reservoirs approach the end of their productive life, there is a growing requirement for robust plug and abandonment (P&A) strategies. A critical component in these strategies is long-term zonal isolation, the prevention of fluid migration along the wellbore. Inadequate isolation risks contamination of groundwater, environmental leakage, and failure of the well’s str

DEM simulation of a spud can penetrating a seabed with dynamic rock fill Simulating Granular Particle Behavior With Abaqus/Explicit Granular materials, such as rock fill, shot peening media, or pharmaceutical granules, don’t  behave like typical solids. Their bulk response isn’t governed by internal deformation, but by frictional contact and motion between rigid particles. For these cases, the Discrete Element Method (DEM) in Abaqus/Explicit offers a purpose-built approach to

Structural adhesives are widely used in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and life science applications due to their corrosion resistance, lightweight design, and clean bonding characteristics. However, the curing process, where a liquid adhesive transforms into a solid, introduces complex thermal and chemical effects. These effects can generate residual stresses that compromise the strength and durability of bonded assemblies if not properly accounted for.  In this blog, w

Fiber-driven stress patterns in arterial tissue simulation with Abaqus. Modeling Anisotropic Hyperelasticity in Abaqus  Many modern materials, from fiber-reinforced elastomers to soft biological tissues, exhibit direction-dependent, nonlinear elastic behavior. These materials don’t deform uniformly; instead, their mechanical response varies along preferred directions and becomes increasingly complex under large strains.    Simulating these effects accurately requires more...

This blog highlights part of the PhD work of our colleague Elmer, conducted at Eindhoven University of Technology , where simulation met mechanobiology to explore one of the most ambitious applications of engineering tools: living heart valve replacements.  Heart valve disease often requires surgical intervention. While current prosthetic valves can restore blood flow, they are non-living and cannot grow or adapt, posing a major limitation, especially for younger patients. Th