EUROPLEXUS

Explicit and Fast Dynamics Analysis

EUROPLEXUS is a general Finite Element software for the non-linear dynamic
analysis of Fluid-Structure

systems subjected to fast transient dynamic loading. The computations are either performed in 2D or 3D (+ specialized 1D).
Explosions in enclosures Study of shocks and impacts of projectiles on structures Analysis of pipelines in transient mode Safety evaluations of complex Fluid-Structure systems under accidental situations.

SL/07/SAM/MKG_broc/11an_c

EUROPLEXUS is developped jointly by CEA Saclay, Joint Research Center (EC) and SAMTECH

EUROPLEXUS can deal with large displacements/rotations and large strains. The structures are subjected to fast transient loading which can induce collapse. Thanks to specific models, this general tool can deal with a wide range of problems such as impacts, explosions, wave propagations and analyze their consequences on the structure. EUROPLEXUS is jointly developped since 2000, by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the Joint Research Centre (EC) and SAMTECH. It results from two ancestors: CEAs CASTEM-PLEXUS and the former joint product PLEXIS-3C developed since 1986 by CEA and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Community.

EXPLOSIONS
When modeling fluids, it is possible to take advantage of the availability of finite element as well as finite volume formulations. Different models are available to represent the explosive fluids, like perfect gas, JWL, multi-phase and multi-component. This topic was historically approached within the framework of nuclear power plants safety. The developed models can now be exploited within the framework of very diverse situations.

IMPACTS
The behavior of structures subjected to impact conditions can be studied using EUROPLEXUS. Complexity can be increased from cases in which there is only deformation, to applications involving a penetration, with or without fragmentation of the impacted structure. These situations can be encountered in the safety assessment of industrial facilities (object dropping, fluid flow at high speed on a structure...). EUROPLEXUS can handle rigid/flexible contact, flexible/flexible contact and also auto-contact conditions on deformable models.

PIPELINES
The industrial facilities safety requires a good comprehension of the dynamics of pipelines in the presence of internal flow. In particular, it is significant to analyze the behavior of the fluid-structure coupled system when intense transients are caused by a change of regime or when a sudden depressurization occurs due to a rupture in the pipe itself.

HyDRODyNAMICS
It is possible to analyze the propagation of flow variations (subsonic, transsonic and supersonic) in presence of obstacles. Studies associated with flows or concerning interaction with subsonic or supersonic jets have already been undertaken.

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PRINCIPAL AVAILAbLE MODELS

EUROPLEXUS is an explicit software in the time domain and therefore conditionally stable. The calculation of the size of the time step size is automatically performed in order to ensure the stability of time integration. The library of finite elements covers the mono-dimensional cases in order to study pipelines, 2D (with axi-symmetric and plane states) and 3D elements. Three formulations are available: lagrangian, eulerian and Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE), with the possibility to also use ALE formulation in structures. Structure Modeling Elements of rod, beam, shell, membrane and volume are available. A Lagrangian formulation is used to describe the movement which can involve large displacements, rotations and deformations. Linear elastic material models, hyperelastic laws, elastoplastic and viscoplastic laws, with or without damage, are available, as well as a user-defined material law. The boundary conditions are taken into account via a Lagrange multipliers technique. Fluid Modeling Finite elements and finite volume methods have been implemented and the three formulations, Lagrangian, Eulerian or ALE are available. Options of automatic rezoning of the mesh exist. The fluid can be compressible nonviscous, mono or multi-components, mono or multiphase. Fluid-Structure Interaction Volume elements as well as shell elements can be used to model the structure. Complex geometrical models in both 2D and 3D such as submerged structural edges, arbitrary structural junctions, etc., are automatically dealt with, including the industrially relevant cases that for efficiency reasons require the use of shell, plate of beam element without a topological thickness. The formulation of the fluid-structure interaction problem takes into account large displacements, rotations and structural deformations. The fluid-structure interaction is defined in a very user-friendly approach: the user has just to specify a set of fluid nodes located on the interface. The topological research of the corresponding nodes on the structure and the generation of the interaction conditions are automatically carried out by the program. SPH Method The SPH method (Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics) is an advanced numerical method used to model the projectile. The principal advantage of this method is the possibility to simulate the fragmentation of projectiles, since it belongs to the family of the so-called meshless or EFG (Element Free Galerkin) methods. Some specific macro-commands have been developed to define a fluid projectile modeled by SPH method. Pre-defined shapes (sphere, cylinder with or without hemi-spherical nose, parallelepiped) are available to be filled with particles according to the hexagonal compact frame.

MODELING ENVIRONMENT
EUROPLEXUS provides an interactive graphical user interface for the modeling, the explicit analysis and simulation of structures and fluids. Pull-down menus and pop up boxes for data entry, CAD modeler is incorporated for modeling and data preparation, Wide selection of preprogrammed functions for the definition of evolutive properties, Parameterized command language. Results are post-processed graphically in the form of curves (timewise evolution of a value), as isovalues (state at given instant) or as animations. EUROPLEXUS provides you with advanced visualization tools, allowing very efficient and straightforward pre- and post-processing of explicit analyses. Storage options allow the optimization of the quantity of data to be post-processed.

DOCUMENTATION
For direct access to information, the Users Guide and Help manual are available via your favorite navigator (HTML).

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