The overarching objectives for this project are to develop a novel approach to Calibration, Verification, and Validation (CVV) of advanced, high-fidelity analytical models; and an validated analysis tool to predict material properties for new materials with a minimized set of tests. The primary objective for the proposed Phase I effort will be to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. Advatech Pacific""s approach consists of two main components: (1) High Fidelity, Multi-Scale Analysis Tool, aligned, calibrated, verified, and validated with (2) a novel approach to Testing, which entails the use of existing test databases and new testing performed with augmented ASTM tests and bi-axial testing. The second function will be to generate new material characterization predictions using augmented ASTM test data with the analysis tool that is validated over the entire realm of the design space for which the tool is expected to be deployed using far fewer tests. Advatech will utilize a Design of Experiments (DOE) based methodology with existing test data augmented with new test data and additional parametric data from specifications and procedures. This approach will utilize, predictive analytics, uncertainty quantification, probabilistic methods, data mining, and variance-based sensitivity analysis.
Benefit: Following the success of the Phase II prototype development effort, the design environment can be made available for initial deployment for evaluation and improvement. Involvement of initial users can be leveraged to accelerate the development and expansion of the capabilities of the tool in parallel with the Phase III effort. When brought to fruition in Phase II, the end result will be a calibrated and validated analytical design environment prototype that can be widely deployed among the dispersed engineering teams on any given program. It will be capable of generating material properties for new materials using a minimized test matrix. This initial set of configurations will allow engineering teams to investigate a wide range of new materials for their designs. The design environment developed in Phase II will be structured as a modular, multi-scale, and expandable tool. That will allow customers to integrate this tool within their existing analytical framework in a complementary manner. It will incorporate a fully parametric formulation for every aspect of the inputs and outputs of the 3D solid element, ply-by-ply FEA models that will allowing for encapsulation and automation of the entire set of analytical steps required to fully evaluate any given range of test configurations. This will also allow the user to capture every relevant detail that may have an effect on the evaluation. The Phase II test effort will provide a good foundation for determining a standardized methodology for calibrating and validating analytical models such that they can be trusted to yield accurate results over the entire segment of the design space that they are configured to evaluate. This approach will open up the entire feasible design space for use by the engineer. It will also allow for a significant reduction in the testing required to introduce a new material into new and existing designs.
