Firehole Releases Helius:MCT Version 4.0

Composite Analysis Software Now Takes on Challenges of Delamination and Mesh Dependency.

Laramie, WY – Firehole Composites announced today the launch of Helius:MCT v4.0, the newest edition of the finite element add-on built to significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of composite structural analysis. Building on the strength of its multiscale and progressive failure technologies, version 4.0 now offers unique solutions to the challenges of delamination and FEA mesh dependency.

"Helius:MCT v4.0 is a great example of how Firehole listens to our customers," said Firehole CEO, Jerad Stack. "Across the industries we serve – Commercial and Military Aircraft, Spacecraft, Automotive – the two most requested features have been delamination simulation and reduction of mesh dependence. That is exactly what we are delivering with this release."

Although delamination is one of the most common failure modes in composites, analysts wanting to assess its impact to their structures have been hindered by restrictions of existing analysis solutions. The most commonly used methods are limited by the need for pre-defined crack initiation, convergence issues and computational inefficiency. In many cases, these challenges are enough to preclude delamination or debonding effects from being included in the analysis process.

The new Cohesive functionality incorporated in Helius:MCT v4.0 extends the same technology that gives Helius:MCT a unique computational advantage in progressive failure to cohesive layers. Combining cohesive layer modeling with multiscale progressive failure analysis also eliminates the need to artificially prescribe a crack initiation. With the release of Helius:MCT v4.0, Firehole Composites introduces a robust solution able to model the simultaneous evolution of composite material failure and delamination for structural analysis, offering a complete solution the composite engineer.

A second analysis hurdle addressed by version 4.0 is the mesh-size dependency of an FE solution. Often an analyst may find considerable variability in their solution depending on the size of their mesh. Helius:MCT addresses this problem by incorporating an energy-based damage law that accounts for mesh size as it predicts damage evolution.