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Structural Dynamics Toolbox
Previous releases
Version 5.3
Version 5.2
Version 5.1
Version 5.0
Version 5.3
April 2006
Key features of the SDT 5.3 release are
- MATLAB 7 integration, this release takes real advantage of new Matlab 7 features. New support for the MATLAB 7.0 64 bit versions on Linux. This becomes the best platform to run large FEM models. The previous software limitation to 1.5 GB address space (4 GB on MACs) is no longer a difficulty.
- Optimization efforts have been made on the feplot and iiplot which result in significant stability and speed gains when dealing with large data sets or models.
- the new q4cs shell element based on an MITC4 formulation fixes limitations that existed in earlier shell elements. Classical lamination theory is fully supported and support of piezoelectric shells is under experimentation. Piezoelectric volume formulations are now supported.
- The v_handle object now implement a number of out-of-core operations that can be used when dealing with large FEM models. This is used by feplot which can now dynamically read shapes from a file, fe_reduc which can use out of core operations and functions that use shapes read from a binary FEM file.
- The incompatible mesh matching features feutilb Match (given a position find intrinsic coordinates within the matching volume of surface element) and MpcFromMatch build linear constraints giving displacement and possibly rotation at the matched node) have been significantly enhanced. This is currently used for advanced connection models accessible through fe_case Connection commands. Possible uses of the base capability are enhanced test/analysis correlation capabilities, support for strain sensors, general non-conform mesh handling, contact problems, ...
OpenFEM (the FEM engine included in SDT) has undergone major revisions to get it ready for fully non linear applications. Although no working application is distributed, a number of key capabilities are included in this distribution.
- To ease the use for multi-physics problems, DOFs used by an element are now normally dependent on the declared element properties. Standard shapes (hexa8, ...) are thus topology holders (8 node volumes) rather than associated with a particular physics formulation. The implementation of a particular set of physics is now entirely defined in the associated property function p_solid for 2D and 3D mechanics, linear acoustics and fluid structure coupling, p_heat for the heat equation, p_piezo for piezoelectrive volumes and shells. Other applications not included in the distribution are the generation of layered shell models with variable numbers of layers or the development of poroelastic formulations based in Biot's model. This major change can affect the result of GetDof commands when the properties are not defined.
- Compilation for generic elements has progressed so that you can now define new formulations that include right hand side and stress computations with to need to enter of_mk or fe_mknl. These developments are associated with some performance enhancements and a more consistent set of error reports. sdtdef('diag',12) can now be used in a debugging mode for many assembly related problems. Non linear follower pressure forces are now supported.
- The selection of integrations rules in the element properties is now consistently implemented. This is particularly important for non-linear problems but is also used in post-processing applications since it allows stress evaluations at other points than model assembly.
- Time integration capabilities (fe_time) have been significantly enhanced with optimization for explicit integration and implementation of output sub-sampling techniques that allow for different steps for integration and output. Definitions of time variations of loads is now consistently made using curves (see fe_curve).
- an interface to GMSH has been introduced to give an access to its interesting unstructured meshing capabilities.
Key features of FEMLink 3.2 are - nasread has been significantly optimized in particular for very large file support in relation with the v_handle object which allows random access to large data sets (deformations stored in .op2 and .op4 formats).
- naswrite has been significantly extended for bulk generation and editing, OUTPUT4 matrix writing, remote job handling.
- ans2sdt now supports ANSYS 9 and 10 version.
- perm2sdt the PERMAS reading interface has been fully rewritten allowing for much faster and consistent reading. Subcomponents are now supported.
- samcef import/export capabilities to SAMCEF have been introduced.
This version is compatible with MATLAB 6.5 to 7.2 (2006a).
Version 5.2
May 2005
Key features of the SDT 5.2 release are
- OpenFEM development has progressed with much improved handling of cases, a major revision of element functions to optimize model assembly and non-linear reassembly, bug fixes for load and stress computations. Handling of large models has improved significantly.
- MATLAB 7 compatibility. Fixes concern the disappearance of the isglobal function, the changes in the object inheritance properties, help integration.
- New support for the MATLAB 7.0 64 bit versions on Linux. This becomes the best platform to run large FEM models. The previous software limitation to 1.5 GB address space (4 GB on MACs) is no longer a difficulty.
- The new sdthdf functions implement a number
of out-of-core operations that can be used when dealing with large FEM
models.
Key features of FEMLink 3.1 are - nasread optimization has continued resulting in major speed improvements for large FEM models and further robustness. Large op2 file support has improved. OUTPUT4 matrix reading has been compiled to allow for large matrix handling.
- naswrite has been rewritten in great part resulting in vastly improved speeds and major extensions in supported cards. The new job commands let the user drive NASTRAN from MATLAB. The new EditBulk commands can be used to generate multiple jobs. The new wop4 command can be used to write matrices to Output4 format.
- ans2sdt a number of bugs linked to the use of models combining symmetric and non symmetric element matrices have been fixed.
- perm2sdt the PERMAS reading interface has been fully rewritten allowing for much faster and consistent reading. Subcomponents are now supported.
This version is compatible with MATLAB > 6.1. It is the only
version compatible with MATLAB 7 (R14, R14.1 R14.2).
Version 5.1
October 2003
The SDT 5.1 and FEMLink 3.0 release introduces
SDT 5.1 is developed for MATLAB
R12 and R13. It is compatible with MATLAB R11 (6.0) with minor restrictions on graphics linked to MATLAB bugs. SDT 5.1 is not compatible versions of MATLAB older than 6.0.
SDT 5.1 is currently available on Windows, Linux, SGI, HP-UX
For download/demo procedures see www.sdtools.com/faq/Release.html.
Version 5.0
September 2002
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The SDT 5.0 release introduces
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A major rework of Graphical User Interfaces
(GUI) allow graphical editing of many properties of
feplot and iiplot figure properties,
FEM model properties, idcom options, ...
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A major upgrade of the finite element tools as a result
of the OpenFEM
project.
This release introduces compiled versions of volume elements,
new volume and 2-D elements, proper support of volume and
surface loads, generalized material support, ...
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A major revision of the manual, to introduce many short
examples for easier learning.
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Finite element models are now stored in a data structure
that allows more structured access to materials,
element properties. The new case
data structure declares boundary conditions,
loads and varying physical parameters
which are seamlessly used by standard solvers.
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The spfmex sparse matrix library
(introduced in SDT 4.1p1)
provides a fast and memory efficient alternative to standard matlab
solvers. This library is now the default static solver for the
skyline object.
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