CDI: linking material property databases to analysis codes

Integration among programs designed to solve complex engineering problems is often lacking, and this is particularly a problem in the area of thick composite materials analysis and design where a large volume of inout must be provided. Another problem is the lack of an archival repository in which to store input information in a generic format. To address these problems, we have developed a prototype of a finite element material property reprocessing system, called the composites data-base interface (CDI). In this computer-aided analysis system, a materials database is integrated with several software components, including commercially available finite element analysis (FEA) programs and preprocessors, and tools for manipulating and using composite materials data, resulting in the transfer of two- and three-dimensional composite materials property data into an FEA program. This paper presents the capabilities of this system, discusses the overall system integration through R:BASE, and provides a civil engineering application involving the design of a large cylindrical tank to illustrate the execution of the CDI system's various components. The paper ends by discussing the current status of this computer-aided analysis system.