Abstract
A broad class of structural problems has been recognized as being non-conducive to the use of conventional state-of-the-art structural analysis techniques involving the finite element method. This class of problems includes long fibre reinforced polymer structural members having non-uniform, continuously variable material properties and cross-sectional geometry. A novel composite leaf spring is being developed (Thunder Composite Technologies, Ltd.), which will likely prove to be superior to the conventional leaf springs that it aims to replace. However, this new spring belongs to the aforementioned class of problems and will therefore necessitate unconventional and highly complex design and analysis techniques due to the anisotropy and non-homogeneity of its constituents. As such, a design and analysis software tool was developed to be capable of collecting user stipulated parameters and performance specifications, generating a design that is capable of meeting these requirements and performing a high-fidelity structural analysis on the resulting design in order to verify its performance. The following paper summarizes the engineering science and programming methodologies employed by this design tool and discusses how similar methodologies could be employed in the design and analysis of other structural members that reside within this class of problems.
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