Abstract
As the aerospace industry steadily increases the use of Model-Based Engineering, digital twins are rapidly preceding physical counterparts in all types of applications. Virtual testing, which involves the use of digital twins to accurately replicate the results of physical tests, provides a significant competitive advantage. A powerful analytical methodology that enables virtual testing to failure is referred to in academia and industry as the material modeling approach. In this approach, basic material characterization data from simple and inexpensive coupon-level tests are utilized to develop generalized 3D material constitutive equations using continuum mechanics. These in turn are condensed into code referred to as ‘material subroutines’ that can then be interfaced with commercial Finite Element software for general purpose structural modeling of failure. The main advantage of this approach is in their capability to model structural failure based on material characterization data from simple easy-to-perform tests. Moreover, the independence of the material model from structural considerations enables applications to structures of all forms and sizes. Production applications of this approach at Boeing for strength and stability prediction are covered in this paper along with pathfinder applications in the areas of ballistic impact, illustrating the broad scope and potential of this powerful analytical approach.
