V20 also includes:

• Improved meshing tools including mid-side nodes following curvature
• Enhanced capabilities for fluid flow analysis including a new k-epsilon turbulence model
• Faster, best-in-class sparse solver for heat transfer and linear dynamic analyses
• Updated Material Library Manager with new directory structure organization and tree view
• Reinforced (rebar) concrete element and material model for Mechanical Event Simulation
• Capability to define results-based load curves for Mechanical Event Simulation
• Enhanced multiphysics analysis including coupled unsteady fluid flow and transient heat transfer with buoyancy effects
• Capability to use element length as a result type and in custom calculations
• and much more.

Integrated CAD/FEA modeling environment - ALGOR V20 introduces a single environment for all modeling needs including CAD import and preparation of CAD models for analysis as well as creation of original finite element models. In V20, the FEMPRO interface has three environments: "FEA Editor", "Results" and "Report". In the updated "FEA Editor" environment, many features that were previously limited to CAD models can now be used with hand-built models, such as contact between parts and enhancing a surface mesh. Likewise, functions that are independent of the mesh can now be applied to the CAD model prior to meshing. For example, a surface of the CAD part can be selected and constraints applied. When the model is meshed, the constraints will be distributed to the nodes on the surface. Shown here is a STEP model of a piston engine assembly that was imported into ALGOR and then prepared for analysis.
Design scenarios - In V20, one FEA model (i.e., one .FEM file) can contain numerous analyses or design scenarios. The results of each scenario are saved in a separate folder under the main model folder. For example, one model could contain all of the following analyses: Design Scenario 1: Fluid Flow analysis Design Scenario 2: Steady State Heat Transfer analysis, using the results from the fluid analysis Design Scenario 3: Static Stress with Linear Material Models, using the results from the heat transfer analysis, with gravity in the X direction and different nodal forces on load cases 1, 2, 3 Design Scenario 4: Static Stress with Linear Material Models, using the results from the heat transfer analysis, with gravity in the Y direction and different nodal forces on load cases 1, 2, 3 Design Scenario 5: Static Stress with Linear Material Models, using the results from the heat transfer analysis, with gravity in the Z direction and different nodal forces on load cases 1, 2, 3 The image shows the tree view with these five design scenarios. Scenario 5 is active and its branches are expanded.
Software wizard for creating bolts and other fasteners - New in V20, the "Create Bolt" software wizard simplifies the creation of bolts and similar fasteners such as screws and rivets. The wizard's dialogs guide the user through the process and automate many of the steps necessary to create and load the geometry of a fastener. Three types of fasteners can be created depending on the level of detail needed: With nut - Bonds parts together in the area of the connection. Without nut - Simulates a fastener that is threaded into a bottom part, modeled by additional beam elements that connect the shank to the hole. Grounded - The fastener is threaded into a rigid foundation that is not modeled; instead, a constraint is placed on the end of the bolt. Shown here is an oil pan assembly with several bolts that were created using the "Create Bolt" wizard.
Design studies and size optimization - V20 provides built-in tools for performing design variable sensitivity studies and size optimization, which make achieving optimal designs practical, fast and easy. A design variable sensitivity study can be performed before an optimization is run to pre-determine the effect that changes to each design variable (the features that you want to change) would have on the objective (the goal of the optimization, e.g., minimize volume) and constraints (criteria that must be met, e.g., maximum stress below an upper limit). This kind of study gives the designer or engineer insight into which design variables would benefit most from optimization. Size optimization can then be performed to automatically optimize the size of parts (e.g., the cross-sectional width of a beam) based on user-supplied criteria. The general procedure is: 1. Define design variables. 2. Define the objective and constraints. 3. Perform the optimization (the software automatically analyzes the model, compares results to the objective and constraints, updates design variables in order to obtain a more optimal solution and repeats until completion). 4. Examine the final model and optimization history. The image illustrates size optimization of the beam frame structure of an airplane hanger. The radii of beam cross sections in the original model (upper left) were defined as design variables (right) and the software automatically produced the optimal design (lower left) with a nearly 73-percent reduction in volume.
Improved meshing tools - V20 provides improved meshing tools including: Edge associativity Isoparametric second-order brick elements (midside nodes follow curvature) Capability to specify that surfaces do not include a boundary layer for fluid flow analysis As shown in this model of a piston, the midside nodes follow the original CAD surface, even along curvatures.
Enhanced capabilities for fluid flow analysis - V20 provides several enhancements to capabilities for fluid flow analysis: Support for multiple rotating frames of reference for 3-D modeling of complex fans and similar systems A k-epsilon turbulence model for 3-D transient mixed Galerkin/Least-Squares (GLS) formulation with surface roughness effects Buoyancy effects for transient analyses Total pressure boundary for 3-D Static pressure boundary with backflow for 3-D Inlet and outlet vent for 3-D The image shows specification of the new, two-equation, k-epsilon turbulence model for 3-D unsteady fluid flow analysis. The k-epsilon turbulence model provides more accurate results without needing as fine of a boundary layer mesh. It also adds the capability of specifying wall surface roughness.
Faster, best-in-class sparse solver - V20 provides the new BCSLIB-EXT sparse solver for heat transfer and natural frequency (modal) with load stiffening analyses. This solver will generally provide a faster solution than other sparse solver options. It is recommended for mid-sized models. As shown here, the BCSLIB-EXT sparse solver can be specified on the "Solution" tab of the "Analysis Parameters" dialog.
Updated Material Library Manager - As shown in the image, the V20 Material Library Manager has a new directory structure organization and tree view, which makes it easier to edit or add material properties. It also features an updated material library Application Program Interface (API) and improved dialogs for faster and easier input of tabular data.
Reinforced (rebar) concrete element and material model - A new material model, reinforced concrete, is now available in Mechanical Event Simulation. The reinforced concrete material model simulates cracking, crushing and compression under confinement. Cracks can occur in up to three different orthogonal planes at each integration point of each element. The strength of the rebar reinforces the concrete in the specified direction. Three independent directions of rebars can be defined. The image shows specification of options for a rebar-reinforced concrete material.
Capability to define results-based load curves - For Mechanical Event Simulation, load curves can now be based on a result (in addition to the normal time-based load curve). Thus, the magnitude of an applied load can be adjusted based on the calculations (displacement and velocity). For example, consider magnetic contacts in a switch assembly where the force due to magnetic attraction is not a known function of time because the displacement of the contact (due to other loads in the analysis) versus time is unknown. The magnetic force varies depending on the separation between the parts. In this situation, define a load curve as a function of a result, and the analysis will vary the load appropriately over time. To define a results-based load curve, you must first add probes to the model at the locations where results are to be used in defining the load curve. Simply select a vertex or multiple vertices ("Selection: Select: Vertices"), right click and choose "Add: Nodal Probe...". Then, in the "Analysis Parameters" dialog, set the load curve to be based on a result by specifying "Lookup Value" in the "Data for Selected Load Curve". The name of the lookup value will become the heading of the first column of the load curve spreadsheet. Shown here are dialogs for defining a results-based load curve.
Enhanced multiphysics analysis - In V20, a new type of coupled analysis is available that combines unsteady fluid flow and transient heat transfer. The heat transfer due to the flow of the fluid will be accounted for as well as the natural convection (buoyancy) in the fluid due to the temperatures. This is beneficial for situations in which a steady-state solution may not exist due to instabilities created by the buoyancy effects. The image shows dialogs for setting up a combined unsteady fluid flow and transient heat transfer multiphysics analysis of a radiator model.
Capability to use element length as a result type and in custom calculations - The length of line elements (beams or trusses) can now be plotted and used in custom calculations. Use the "Results: Element Properties: Element Length" command sequence to display a contour of line elements with coloring based on length. Use "Value" and "Results For Active Window: Element Properties: Element Length" or "Results For Analysis Type: Length" command sequences for custom calculations as shown in the image here.