Schadensanalysen unter Einbeziehung moderner Simulationsmethoden

Each failure analysis starts with a period of information recovery. The retrieved data are summarised and condensed in a way that a plausible failure assumption can be deduced. This is difficult, because usually the conclusion is based on an uncertain and incomplete data basis. Advanced simulation techniques allow to prove contrary to the traditional approach the truth of the failure assumption. Within the simulation the component is exposed to the exact assumed failure loads. As a result stress, deformation or temperature has to exceed the limit in a way that the failure is explainable. Otherwise the failure assumption must be revised and the process has to start over again. This process represents an inversion of the causal chain. The iterative nature of this method allows a quasi-causal approach. The failure assumption is continually revised until the results of the simulation are equivalent to the damage symptoms. The change in hardware is within this method the last step and not the first. As all iterations are carried out by virtual simulation tools, significant savings of time and costs can be achieved. However, with just proving the truth failure assumption the potential of simulation is not entirely used. Additional simulations can help to evaluate the effectiveness of the intended design change for future safety.