Services
Apex Analysis provides an array of analysis services to support our clients in their rapidly changing environments. Our engineers are experienced in structural analysis including linear and non-linear analysis, and in loads and dynamics analysis.
Today’s complex engineering tasks often require Apex Analysis to utilize (FEM) finite element modeling programs such as Femap and NX Nastran in addition to traditional text book closed form methods to characterize materials and structures to insure that all requirements are met.
Dynamic Analysis
Apex’s engineers perform modal analysis and forced response dynamics. Apex’s dynamics analysis capabilities include: normal modes analysis; frequency response; random, and sine vibration analysis; including shock analysis.
Stress Analysis
Apex’s engineers are experienced in calculating and predicting stresses in both composite and metallic structures. The predicted stress are compared to yield or ultimate material strength values in order to evaluate compliance with clients’ margins of safety. Stress analysis results can be used to iteratively optimize the design to save on weight and or cost.
Test Correlation / Model Validation
Running tests is easy. Understanding the data and using it to confirm structural performance is much less straight forward. Apex Engineers have experience with developing test plans and analysis methodologies that validate part acceptability and that validate analysis models and methods. The experience includes analysis of static loads, random and enforced dynamics and thermal distortion testing.
Material Modeling
Apex’s engineers are experienced at estimating lamina and laminate material properties and allowables based upon limited test data. Engineers use closed form laminated plate theory and as well as tools within Femap to predict composite material properties.
Laminate Design
Picking the best fiber, resin and layup can be very complicated – especially when trying to control costs. Apex engineers have experience working with a wide variety of fibers and resins. They also have laminated plate tools to predict properties (stiffness and strength) for various layups, thicknesses and fiber values to make sure that the best laminate is chosen to meet design requirements.
Uncertainty Analysis
No two components or assemblies respond exactly the same. Material and fabrication variability can become an issue. Apex Engineers have experience in understanding and analyzing sources of variability and tracking their impact on structural performance. Methods such as Propagation of Uncertainty, Monte Carlo analysis and discount factors have been used to assess uncertainty and ensure that components meet specifications.
Coupled Loads Analysis
Coupled loads analysis is performed to understand how a payload, e.g., a satellite or spacecraft, interacts dynamically with the launch vehicle during launch and ascent. The loads and responses derived from this analysis are used to qualify the payload for launch aboard a given platform.
Fatigue and Fracture Analysis
Apex’s engineers are experience in the application and interpretation of fatigue requirements for metallic welded structures subjected to cyclic loading.
Research and Development
Every business wants to improve their products and expand their capabilities. Apex engineers have experience working with companies to do both. Sometimes product improvement involves testing several modifications to pick the best configuration. Apex engineers have helped to design the test experiments and they have also eliminated the need for physical experiments with analytic ones making all of the changes in finite element models saving substantial time and money.