DC5 Large deformation structural elements (beams and shells) modeled with IBRA, including trimming and multiple coupled patches:

Hello there!

I’m Maram Alkhlaifat, one of the PhD candidates in the GECKO network, and I’m thrilled to share a glimpse into my research journey so far.

My work revolves around structural elements for IBRA. What makes this work exciting? Well, imagine trying to design a component of Harry Potter’s flying car. Traditionally, you’d need to bounce back and forth between your design software and analysis tools, losing precision and time in the process. Our implementation aims to bridge this gap, allowing seamless integration between design and analysis.

Started with Reissner-Mindlin shell element formulation in Kratos Multiphysics and tested to validate the coupled membrane-bending behavior, paving the way for even more complex challenges. Up next? Think nonlinear materials, large deformation theories, locking and yes—trimming and multipatch coupling to handle even the most intricate geometries. Here’s a sneak peek:

P.S. Whether you’re interested in shell or beam elements, curious about CAD-CAE integration, or just want to geek out about computational mechanics, let’s connect—I’d love to chat!