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Stress analysis programs for fracture mechanics: Surveys and availability
The second section lays the foundation of the design process by examining the pt:inciples of human problem solving and their relationship to the concept of system complexity. The factors contributing to interactions between system components are discussed in Chapter 6 on 'coupling' and the cohesion of individual systems components is treated in Chapter 7. Techniques ofstructured design are first presented in the third section. The authors initially describe some features of the shape of system structures which are found to be related to development costs. Chapter 9 then considers the Heuristic rule of thumb, development of systems and their inadequacy for the development of large systems. Two formalized methods of designing systems, known as 'Transform' and 'Transaction' Analysis are then presented in Chapters 10 and I 1, respectively. Sections IV and V are perhaps the most useful sections of the text in that they deal with the practical consequences and limitations of applying the methods of structured design. This is a stimulating and readable book and should be considered essential reading for everyone involved in the design of computer programs and systems; even those who already consider themselves proficient in this field. It should be especially recommended to those engineers who have become involved in programming without the benefit of a formal training in computer systems.
D. J. Collington
Stress Analysis Programs for Fracture Mechanics: Surveys and Availability
Computer Programs for Structural Steelwork Report No. 6 Dec,
London
The 'Evaluation Report Number Six' by the Design Office ConSortium, catalogues the available computer programs for structural steelwork. The report describes each program in a standard format and includes information concerning the source, scope, limitations and hardware requirements etc. of each program. To a prospective user, this rei~ott will serve as a useful directory of available programs in the market. Unlike some previous reports this one does not 'evaluate' the various groups of programs listed and in this respect the title is a misnomer. The merits of individual programs, in a given group, are not identified. It would be logical to produce further volumes of this report dealing with comparative studies of programs in each group. The report successfully maintains uniformity in describing the programs under various sub-headings an~i gives details of the methods of solution used in each case. However, for most design office engineers information on the input and output would be more informative. Rather than the wordy description presented, samples of the input and output would have been more useful. This report is probalby the first directory/catalogue of steelwork design programs. As there is a growing tendency among the consultants to acquire in-house mini/microcomputers together with suites of programs, the catalogue will serve as a very useful guide enabling them to consider several programs for possible future acquisition.
A. H. Khan
Frederiksson and J. Mackerle Advanced Engineering Corporation. Linkoping, Sweden. Report AEC-R-004 Application of fracture mechanics in design involves determining a suitable parameter (stress intensity factor, J-integral) which characterizes the stress-strain field in the vicinity of the crack. Once this is known it may be used to determine critical crack sizes, failure loads and crack growth rates. Such information provides for improved safety and efficiency of engineering structures and components which may contain cracks during their service life. For many situations it may be necessary to carry out the stress analysis of the cracked stru~:ture using advanced techniques. This can be done most easily if a suitable computer program is readily available. The authors of Stress Analysis Programsfor Fracture Mechanics have recognised this need and have provided a useful catalogue covering many of the available computer programs for determining stress intensity factors and J-integrals. The first section of their catalogue contains series of charts listing the details of each program followed by a second section in which the references to theoretical work, program manuals and applications are listed. The details provided in the first section on each of the eighty or so programs include; (i) the range of application (linear/non-linear, static/dynamic etc.); (ii) the method of analysis and type of crack tip element; (iii) the structural geometry (two/three dimensional, plates and shells etc.); (iv) the type of loading (static/time dependent, deformation modes I, 1I, 111); and (v) the type of crack (shape, closure, branched). The information is clearly presented covering some 20 pages of the catalogue. The entries are alphabetical and the presentation used should enable a user to quickly identify a suitable program. The second section of the catalogue contains a data sheet on each program. The method used to determine the stress intensity factor or Jintegral is stated together with information on whether the program is suitable for non-linear fracture mechanics, dynamic fracture mechanics or fatigue. Details of the program developer and supplier are provided: approximately 70% of the programs in the catalogue appear to be available for release to other users although no conditions on the release of any program are provided. An important part of this second section are the details of references to applications of each program in fracture mechanics: a list of these references, of which there are nearly 600, appear at the end of the catalogue. Stress Analysis Programsin Fracture Mechanics will mainly be of use to workers in fracture mechanics needing to determine stress intensity factors and J-integrals. The programs cover a wide range of structures and material behaviour and the authors are to be congratulated on a timely and well documented source of such information. There are inevitably omissions in a publication of this sort and a questionnaire is available from the authors (and in the catalogue) for potential contributers.
D. J. Cartwright
N E W BOOKS This section lists books within the field of engineering software that have recently been published and the descriptions given are those supplied by the book publisher. Comprehensive reviews of these books will appear in future issues.
Finite Elements in Electrical and Magnetic Field Problems Edited by M. V. K. Chari and P. P. Silvester J o h n Wiley, C h i c h e s t e r , April 1980, $38.50/£14.00, (approx.) This book is a collected volume of contributed chapters by major authorities in the field of numerical analysis of electric and magnetic fields. Many of the chapters deal with finite element methods, which are important analytical tools in this area but which are not adequately treated in book form in this context. The book treats a wide area within the general scope of field analysis ranging from antenna theory to superconducting generators and high precision magnetic design.
Graphics in Engineering Design A. 1.evens and I4(. Chalk J o h n W i l e y , C h i c h e s t e r , 3rd E d i t i o n , A p r i l 1980, $27.90/£12.80, (approx.) A planned, technical, and goal-directed exploration of graphics that examines potential solutions of complex engineering pro: blems as well as side effects of modern technology and vast technological problems. This edition covers man's early efforts and 'design intent' plus powerful modern-day applications of engineering graphics, and expands coverage of conventional practices, computer graphics, graphical solutions, design documentation, and more.
Architecture and the Microprocessor J. Paterson J o h n Wiley, C h i c h e s t e r , A p r i l 1980, $38.50/£i4.00, (approx.) This book is about the changes taking place in architecture and the work of architects owing to the a d v e n t g f flie microprocessor and looks at possible future developments. There is s o m e discussion of the microprocessor in its various forms as well as the methods and operations in architecture to which it can: relate. Some examples of the type of programs are given and new
Adv. Eng. Software, 1980, Vol. 2, No. 4
~91
D. J. Collington
Stress Analysis Programs for Fracture Mechanics: Surveys and Availability
Computer Programs for Structural Steelwork Report No. 6 Dec,
London
The 'Evaluation Report Number Six' by the Design Office ConSortium, catalogues the available computer programs for structural steelwork. The report describes each program in a standard format and includes information concerning the source, scope, limitations and hardware requirements etc. of each program. To a prospective user, this rei~ott will serve as a useful directory of available programs in the market. Unlike some previous reports this one does not 'evaluate' the various groups of programs listed and in this respect the title is a misnomer. The merits of individual programs, in a given group, are not identified. It would be logical to produce further volumes of this report dealing with comparative studies of programs in each group. The report successfully maintains uniformity in describing the programs under various sub-headings an~i gives details of the methods of solution used in each case. However, for most design office engineers information on the input and output would be more informative. Rather than the wordy description presented, samples of the input and output would have been more useful. This report is probalby the first directory/catalogue of steelwork design programs. As there is a growing tendency among the consultants to acquire in-house mini/microcomputers together with suites of programs, the catalogue will serve as a very useful guide enabling them to consider several programs for possible future acquisition.
A. H. Khan
Frederiksson and J. Mackerle Advanced Engineering Corporation. Linkoping, Sweden. Report AEC-R-004 Application of fracture mechanics in design involves determining a suitable parameter (stress intensity factor, J-integral) which characterizes the stress-strain field in the vicinity of the crack. Once this is known it may be used to determine critical crack sizes, failure loads and crack growth rates. Such information provides for improved safety and efficiency of engineering structures and components which may contain cracks during their service life. For many situations it may be necessary to carry out the stress analysis of the cracked stru~:ture using advanced techniques. This can be done most easily if a suitable computer program is readily available. The authors of Stress Analysis Programsfor Fracture Mechanics have recognised this need and have provided a useful catalogue covering many of the available computer programs for determining stress intensity factors and J-integrals. The first section of their catalogue contains series of charts listing the details of each program followed by a second section in which the references to theoretical work, program manuals and applications are listed. The details provided in the first section on each of the eighty or so programs include; (i) the range of application (linear/non-linear, static/dynamic etc.); (ii) the method of analysis and type of crack tip element; (iii) the structural geometry (two/three dimensional, plates and shells etc.); (iv) the type of loading (static/time dependent, deformation modes I, 1I, 111); and (v) the type of crack (shape, closure, branched). The information is clearly presented covering some 20 pages of the catalogue. The entries are alphabetical and the presentation used should enable a user to quickly identify a suitable program. The second section of the catalogue contains a data sheet on each program. The method used to determine the stress intensity factor or Jintegral is stated together with information on whether the program is suitable for non-linear fracture mechanics, dynamic fracture mechanics or fatigue. Details of the program developer and supplier are provided: approximately 70% of the programs in the catalogue appear to be available for release to other users although no conditions on the release of any program are provided. An important part of this second section are the details of references to applications of each program in fracture mechanics: a list of these references, of which there are nearly 600, appear at the end of the catalogue. Stress Analysis Programsin Fracture Mechanics will mainly be of use to workers in fracture mechanics needing to determine stress intensity factors and J-integrals. The programs cover a wide range of structures and material behaviour and the authors are to be congratulated on a timely and well documented source of such information. There are inevitably omissions in a publication of this sort and a questionnaire is available from the authors (and in the catalogue) for potential contributers.
D. J. Cartwright
N E W BOOKS This section lists books within the field of engineering software that have recently been published and the descriptions given are those supplied by the book publisher. Comprehensive reviews of these books will appear in future issues.
Finite Elements in Electrical and Magnetic Field Problems Edited by M. V. K. Chari and P. P. Silvester J o h n Wiley, C h i c h e s t e r , April 1980, $38.50/£14.00, (approx.) This book is a collected volume of contributed chapters by major authorities in the field of numerical analysis of electric and magnetic fields. Many of the chapters deal with finite element methods, which are important analytical tools in this area but which are not adequately treated in book form in this context. The book treats a wide area within the general scope of field analysis ranging from antenna theory to superconducting generators and high precision magnetic design.
Graphics in Engineering Design A. 1.evens and I4(. Chalk J o h n W i l e y , C h i c h e s t e r , 3rd E d i t i o n , A p r i l 1980, $27.90/£12.80, (approx.) A planned, technical, and goal-directed exploration of graphics that examines potential solutions of complex engineering pro: blems as well as side effects of modern technology and vast technological problems. This edition covers man's early efforts and 'design intent' plus powerful modern-day applications of engineering graphics, and expands coverage of conventional practices, computer graphics, graphical solutions, design documentation, and more.
Architecture and the Microprocessor J. Paterson J o h n Wiley, C h i c h e s t e r , A p r i l 1980, $38.50/£i4.00, (approx.) This book is about the changes taking place in architecture and the work of architects owing to the a d v e n t g f flie microprocessor and looks at possible future developments. There is s o m e discussion of the microprocessor in its various forms as well as the methods and operations in architecture to which it can: relate. Some examples of the type of programs are given and new
Adv. Eng. Software, 1980, Vol. 2, No. 4
~91