VCCT for ABAQUS Brings Boeing Composite Structures Design Technology to Market

Business Wire, May 10, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- ABAQUS implementation of Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) now available worldwide to the engineering marketplace

ABAQUS, Inc., a leading provider of software, technology and services for advanced finite element analysis (FEA), today announced a new add-on capability for the ABAQUS(R) software suite called VCCT for ABAQUS. The new ABAQUS software is a comprehensive implementation of the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), a technology that Boeing developed for predicting fracture and failure in laminated composite materials.

VCCT for ABAQUS refines the Boeing technology and delivers it to customers conveniently as an integrated part of the familiar ABAQUS analysis environment. The software is compatible with ABAQUS Version 6.5 and is available immediately.

VCCT for ABAQUS is an important new analysis technology for aerospace engineering and for other industries that design and manufacture high-performance composite components. Composites are becoming more widespread as an engineering material in applications where strength is crucial and reductions in product weight offer a market advantage. In the aerospace industry, for example, manufacturers are using composites to lower the weight of aircraft to help carriers save on fuel costs.

"Accurate prediction of crack growth in composite parts is required for aerospace engineering," says Dr. Hyonny Kim, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University. "Fracture mechanics analysis involves complex calculations that allow us to determine when a composite structure will fail and whether a crack will propagate. The latest VCCT capability in ABAQUS helps engineers predict failure in composite parts so they can create designs that are more damage tolerant."

VCCT for ABAQUS accurately simulates delamination in composite structures. The software allows engineers to identify the overall load at which a crack initiates and to predict the behavior of the structure as the crack propagates. VCCT for ABAQUS also helps users understand the stability and load-carrying capacity of the composite structure after failure, a vital assessment for ensuring the durability and damage-tolerance of aerospace components.

"This implementation of VCCT will help extend virtual testing of composite structures throughout Boeing and its supplier community," said Rod Dreisbach, Senior Technical Fellow and Vice Chairman of the Boeing Technical Fellowship at The Boeing Company. "With ABAQUS as a platform for VCCT, we can continue to explore innovative composite designs for future aerospace projects."

"ABAQUS appreciates our productive working relationship with Boeing, which has brought to market the first high-quality commercial implementation of VCCT," said Ken Short, vice president of marketing at ABAQUS. "VCCT for ABAQUS is a powerful and practical tool for accurately predicting the performance of advanced composites structures."

About ABAQUS, Inc.

Founded in 1978, ABAQUS, Inc., is the world's leading provider of software and services for advanced finite element analysis. The ABAQUS(R) software suite has an unsurpassed reputation for technology, quality and reliability. It has been adopted by major corporations across all engineering disciplines as an integral part of their design process. ABAQUS offers a powerful and complete solution for simple to complex linear and nonlinear engineering problems, using the finite element method. A wide range of structural, thermal, and coupled analyses is supported. The software delivers a unified finite element analysis environment without equal, presenting a compelling alternative to implementations involving multiple products and vendors. ABAQUS employs over 400 people worldwide, with 28 direct offices for technical support, sales and services, plus a network of technically advanced distributors in emerging markets. (www.abaqus.com)

ABAQUS(R) is a registered trademark or trademark of ABAQUS, Inc., in the United States and other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.