Nastran, Patran 2016 Released

According to MSC, Nastran 2016 uses enhanced Automated Component Mode Synthesis (ACMS) method with Shared Memory Parallel (SMP) computing delivering better performance and ability to effectively use more cores for higher user productivity. 50% parallel efficiency has been observed for 16 processors. SMP Parallelization can now be used to reduce the overall wall time stiffness matrix computations and stress recovery. Seventy-five percent parallel efficiency has been achieved with four threads with the job running three times faster than with one processor. The availability of the Intel MKL Pardiso solver has also been extended.

With a new 3D modeling capability, users can now model discrete blades and non-symmetric components of rotors and stators of machinery.

Also added in this release is Global Optimization (GO) which combines automatic multi-start global methods and gradient based local optimization methods. This approach searches the complete design space for the best possible solutions. The new capability was implemented to help automotive and aerospace companies to lightweight safely while optimizing their designs, a press release states.

Additionally, beam contact is implemented with segment-to-segment contact algorithm and support for general beam cross section, tube-in-tube contact, including beam offsets.

For more information, visit MSC Software.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.