Version 7

Analysis of Structures
and Thermomechanics
for Surveys and Research
 Code_Aster Possibilities
> Internal couplings condition, hydration, drying and
• Thermo-hydro mechanical fluence
Code_Aster offers a full range of
• Fluid-Structure • Progressive strain
multiphysical analysis and > External coupling with other codes • Hydration, shrinkage and creep of
modelling methods that go well • Soil-(Fluid)-Structure (MISS3D) concrete
beyond the standard functions of a > External chaining with other codes • Geomaterials
thermomechanical calculation code : • Hydraulics : Code_Saturne
from seismic analysis to porous • Thermal : SYRTHES Dynamics
• Electromagnetism : Flux2D/3D
environments via acoustics, fatigue,
• Fast dynamics : EUROPLEXUS > Modal analysis
stochastic dynamics, etc. Its • With or without damping (viscous,
modelling, algorithms and solvers Loadings hysteretic, modal)
are constantly undergoing work to • Direct or by substructuring
improve them and add to them > Mechanical • Normalization, filtering, modal
(1,200,000 lines of code, 200 • Nodal or distributed forces parameters
• Pressure > Linear transient response
operators). Resolutely open, it is
• Dead load • Direct
chained, coupled and encapsulated • Centrifugal acceleration • On modal basis
in numerous ways. • Imposed movements • By substructuring
• Anelastic strain > Transient response with local
• Effect of wind nonlinearities (on modal basis)
> Thermal • Shocks
Phenomena • Temperature • Friction
• Flows, linear or otherwise • Fluid blade
> Mechanical • Forced convection > Harmonic response
• Static, quasi-static, linear or otherwise • Exchange between walls • Direct
• Dynamic, linear or otherwise, on a • Heating by Joule effect • On modal basis
physical or modal basis > Specific loads (following forces, • By substructuring
• Fracture, damage and fatigue electromagnetic forces, initial states) > Random response
• Soil-Structure, Fluid-Structure and Soil- • Parametric and nonparametric
Fluid-Structure interactions Nonlinearities in static probabilistic
> Thermal and dynamic • Stochastics
• Stationary, transient, linear or > Direct nonlinear analysis
otherwise > Geometrics • Implicit EA
UV U
• Fixed or moving reference coordinate • Geometric updating, large strains, • Explicit TÉ
NO

system large rotations • Shocks ER

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> Associated phenomena • Follower forces • Plasticity, damage

• Acoustics • Drive in displacement, by arc • Contact and friction
• Metallurgy length, in strain, by criterion > Substructuring
• Hydration and drying output • Conventional or cyclic
• Load discharge and non-radiality • Modal, transient or harmonic
Analysis Types indicators analysis
• Contact and friction: by active > Seismic analysis
> Standard stresses, Lagrange multipliers, • With shocks or multi-support
> Decomposition into Fourier modes by penalization or by the • Spectral or transient direct linear
> Substructuring EA
UV U continuous method EA
UV U or on modal basis
TÉ
TÉ

NO
NO

> Model superposing, multiscale (increased Lagrange) • Modal damping calculation

ER ER
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7

> Adaptive mesh SI O N • First order buckling SI O N (RCC-G)

V
V

> Sensitivity calculation > Materials (95 constitutive laws) > Extrapolation of experimental
> Fitting and optimization EA
UV U • Linear and nonlinear elasticity measurements
TÉ
NO

> Mechanical reliability calculation • Nonlinear hyperelasticity • Temporal or frequential

ER
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SI O N • Local elastoplasticity and

V

Multiphysical elastoplasticity with gradient Interactions

formulation
> Internal chainings with thermics • Nonlinear viscoelasticity > Fluid-Structure
• Hydration, drying • Local and with gradient formulation • Structure-incompressible flow
• Metallurgy damage interaction; turbulent stresses
> Internal chainings with mechanics • Elastoviscoplasticity • Vibro-acoustics (free surface)
• Thermal • Metallurgical effects > Soil-Structure and Soil-Fluid-
• Metallurgy • Material data dependent on Structure
• Hydration and drying temperature, metallurgical • Absorbent boundary elements
• Frequential coupling with MISS3D
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Thermal analysis
> Linear and nonlinear thermics
• Phase change
• Hydration and drying
• Mobile coordinate system
resolution
> Metallurgical changes
• Steels, Zircaloy
• Phase hardness calculation
> Thermal treatments and welding
Geotechnical Civil
Engineering
> Constitutive laws for concrete
(reinforced or pre-stressed),
geomaterials
> Hydration, drying and specific creep
at different time scales
> Passive reinforcement or pre-
stressing effect with elastoplastic
behaviour : bar, grids UVEAU
NO
and membrane
E
N
> Creep-cracking coupling RSIO
V
> Thermohydromechanics (porous
media, formulation in effective
stresses, constitutive laws in kit
form, etc.)
> Specific loads (hydric and gaseous
flows)
> Excavation procedure
Fracture, damage,
fatigue and destruction
of structures
> Global release rate
• thermoelasticity : G
• thermoelastoplasticity : GP and
GTP
> Local release rate in 3D
> Stress intensity factors
> Models of brittle and ductile fracture,
initiation and instability
> Specific load drive
> Local and non-local damage
> Crack modelling : UV U
NO
joint element and X-FEM
ER
V
> Decoupled damage
> Fatigue analysis
• Loading history
• Counting methods
• Specific criteria applications
> Verification of RCC-M criteria
> Zarka-Casier method in cyclic loading
> Progressive wear
> Limit analysis
> Micro-macro approach :
UV U
NO
polycrystalline model
ER
V
Survey quality Solvers
> Spatial error indicators > linear (Gauss, LDLT, multifrontal
• Mechanics (in pure residue, by parallelized, GCPC, FETI,
grading) substructuring)
• Thermics (in pure residue) > Nonlinear (Newton, etc.)
> Mesh refinement/unrefinement via > Integration schemes (Runge-Kutta,
HOMARD Newmark, adaptatives, etc.)
> More robust finite elements > Modals (Power, Lanczos, IRAM, etc.)
• Mechanics (subintegrated, > Extended parameter setting. Several
incompressible) strategies for re-numbering, storage,
• Thermics (lumped modelling) pre-conditioning, post-verification, etc.
> Mesh diagnosis
> Thermomechanical time step Dedicated tools
redistribution
> Sensitivity calculations > Pipework stacks and elbows
• Mechanical ASPIC/ASCOUF
• Thermal > Steam Generator Tubes : GEVIBUS
• In relation to materials, loadings
and domain variations Software environment
> Parameter fitting
• Materials or loading > Pre- / post processing : I-DEASTM, GIBI,
• In relation to test EA
UV U Gmsh, ENSIGHT, AGRAF, GID, Xmgrace
TÉ
TÉ
NO
sampling or digital > Data exchange in MED format
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ER
results SI O N > Survey management tool and
V
> Reliability calculations : probability of engineering application workshop : UVEAU
TÉ
NO
exceeding threshold using a FORM ASTK
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type method > Command File Editor and Syntax
Analyser : EFICAS
Modelling > Portable nature of bases
EA
> Developed command language : UV U
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NO
> Catalogue of material data PYTHON ER
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> Connecting incompatible meshes. • Loop, test, checking structures,
Superimposing models using the VEAU
U
etc.
Arlequin method • Method, class, etc.
TÉ
NO
> Modelling connection (shell-3D, ERSION • Interactive calculation and
7
V
beam-pipe, etc.) visualization (mathematic libraries,
> Plane stress condition adaptable to GUI, scale drawings, etc.)
all models
> Beam characteristics calculation Not forgetting…
> Homogenization (composites,
repetitiveness, etc.) > Software under QA (independent
> Addition or removal of matter validations, reference of 1,700 test
cases, documentary coverage 13,000
Elements library (360 pages, source management,
finite elements) qualification of version, etc.)
> code-aster.org website (downloading,
EA
> Mechanical online documentation, forum, FAQ,
TÉ
• 2D, 2D axi (with or without examples, etc.)
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SI O N
Fourier decomposition), 3D, > Communication and network
sub-integrated, incompressible (quarterly ASTER ‘echos’ magazine;
• Bars, beams (simple or multi- User Club, its network of
fibre), pipes, plates, shells, correspondents and the annual day;
membranes, cables, discrete or Free Code_Aster under GPL licence,
non-distortable elements etc.)
> Thermics : 2D, 2D axi (with or
without Fourier decomposition), 3D,
shells
EA > Hydration-Drying : 2D, 2D axi, 3D
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> THM Coupling : 2D, 2D axi, 3D
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 Nonlinear
In an industrial survey it is often
impossible to avoid actually taking
nonlinearities into account :
geometrics, materials, unilateral,
shock, etc. Through the operators
DYNA_TRAN_EXPLI and
DYNA/THER/STAT_NON_LINE,
Code_Aster proposes solutions
suitable for each of these.
Non-linear operators…
... rich in functionalities and ever easier to drive :
DYNA and STAT_NON_LINE make it possible to
carry out an implicit static or dynamic survey with
geometric (contact, major transformations) and
behavioural nonlinearities; DYNA_TRAN_EXPLI
takes them into account in explicit dynamics. The
calculation options are common to these three
operators, making it possible to benefit, both
statically and dynamically, from all the contact-
friction methods, selective archiving with
observation, behaviours, etc.
In thermics, THER_NON_LINE also simulates
nonlinearities (materials, flows) and makes it
possible to calculate the change in the hydration
and drying of concrete over time.
EAU
UV
TÉ
NO
the case of certain structural or behavioural
nonlinearities.
The resolution speed of large non-symmetrical
linear systems using the multi-frontal method has
been optimized in V7. Although it is also possible to
isolate subdomains with linear behaviour within the
structure, it is now possible to treat them as
condensed macro elements (static substructuring,
MACR_ELEM_STAT).
➜ Metallurgy
Tools for improving survey Evaluating the residual stresses
quality of a mechanical component
following a welding operation or
severe thermal transients is
When the instability risks appearing at structure essential for explaining certain
level (buckling) a criterion may be calculated deterioration phenomena
(corrosion under stress, fatigue,
continuously in order to prevent proximity with etc.). In such situations, the
critical points. At local level, the Drucker-Prager materials are stressed in a wide
behaviour benefits from the Rice localization domain of temperatures and
speeds and undergo
criterion in V7. Localization phenomena with
metallurgical changes that
pathological dependence on mesh, which are
modify their thermomechanical
characteristic of local damage models, may be behaviour. The available models
resolved by using non-local models (see box). (a large choice is offered via the
During a thermomechanical survey, the choice of metallurgical/mechanical laws
“kit” technique) are elastic /
mechanical and thermal temporal discretizations
(viscous) / plastic and make it
may prove difficult. A criterion in STAT_NON_LINE possible to describe various
makes it possible to adapt them to take account of phenomena : large strains,
significant thermal gradients. hardening, viscous recovery,
creep, etc. The material
More generally, how can the correct data be
characteristics are supplied
supplied to a calculation (materials, loads, etc.)? In
phase by phase and the
order to do this, a retiming procedure combination laws can be
(MACR_RECAL) identifies the optimal parameters defined by the user.

by comparing the results of an experiment with

Quicker and more those of its simulation. The final pertinence of these
robust calculations… ER
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SI O N
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results may be confronted with various sensitivity

calculations (SENSIBILITE) and error estimations
“What degree of accuracy should I choose to gauge (CALC_ELEM). EAU
UV
the convergence of my nonlinear calculation?” The

TÉ
engineer considers this question before starting the NO
➜ Simulating porous ER

calculation. Until now, implicit nonlinear operators
have used global convergence criteria. Version 7 95 constitutive laws…
incorporates a new criterion, which uses physical
reference values (stresses, strains, etc.). These
... are available in Code_Aster : isotropic and
strengths give greater ease-of-use and a better-
adapted degree of accuracy, particularly in the anisotropic elasticity, elastoviscous plasticity
presence of heterogeneous residues (a mix of (isotropic hardening, kinematics and viscoplasticity,
modelling, physics, etc.). Chaboche and Lemaître models), laws describing
progressive strain (Taheri model, polycristalline),
In order to make the calculation with softening
behaviours, the secant matrix may be used instead brittle or ductile damage laws (Rousselier model)
of the tangent. The latter may be non-symmetrical in and all laws originating from targeted issues
(plasticity of and damage to the concrete, steels,
assemblies, cohesive elements, etc.). They are
Rupture of a Charpy resilience test piece. available in a large number of support models and
arrays. In addition, “kit” models make it possible to
increase the possibilities : mono and polycristalline
behaviours, creeping and plasticity of concrete,
metallurgy, thermo-hydro mechanics, etc.
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environments…
... is a prerequisite for calculating
structures (dams, storage sites,
chambers, etc.). It takes account
of an interstitial fluid circulation
in a solid framework using
displacements, temperature and
one or two pressures as
unknowns for calculating those of
water and gas. Code-Aster’s
thermohydromechanical
modellings (KIT_THM...) process
all the interdependencies
between these unknowns by
strong coupling and leave full
freedom to mix varied laws of
behaviours. In version 7, the
models available for mechanics
have been enriched with the
Drücker-Prager, Badel and
Mazars models, as well as those
of the University of Barcelona.

4
Nonlinear thermomechanical
calculation of a combustion turbine
compressor : bladed rotor and quarter-
compressor.

All these methods can be used in dynamic. Processing is

facilitated by the creation of fields storing the values of ➜ Material data
plays and reactions in each potential place of contact, A lot of material data is
which may be visualized in the form of isovalues or available to the user via the
curves. Finally, use of the contact has been simplified operator INCLUDE_MATERIAU,
thanks to a unique point of entry : AFFE_CHAR_MECA, which is usually used in the
nuclear industry : by type
keyword CONTACT. (median or extremal, etc.), by
AFNOR designation and by
variant (laminated, cast, etc.).
This automated access
Large strains and reinforces the reliability,
Behaviour/element rotations… coherence and sustainability of
surveys. The associated
transversality… database capitalizes on the
... can be modelled in various ways (keyword DEFOR- validation efforts of EDF R&D
MATION) : SIMO_MIEHE deals with large plastic material specialists and the
Having all the nonlinear behaviours available for all normative data of RCC-M and
strains and rotations and is available in V7 for several RSEM. It is, of course, possible
modellings is a choice of architecture that it is
constitutive laws : viscoplasticity, possibly taking to re-use this functionality out of
important to maintain. In order to do this, the this context in order to create
metallurgy into account, ductile damage. In nonlinear
specifities of certain modellings tend to be eliminated. another database, which is
elasticity, GREEN deals with large transformations.
Thus, in even stresses, there is no longer any need for sustainable and can be shared.
Under the hypothesis of large displacements and
special developments : an algorithm attributed to De
small strains, it also permits the use of all incremental
Borst enriches all the models in this condition, in both
behaviours. 1300 MW turbo-alternator
isoparametric and structure elements. Similarly, hydrodynamic bearing unit.
PETIT_REAC merely updates the geometry at each
modellings with 1D behaviours (bars, multifibre Mechanical stresses,
time step (necessarily small) and only tolerates small
beams, reinforcement grids for reinforced concrete) contact
rotations. For surface or streamlined structures, large nonlinearities
can benefit from the richness of behaviours developed
displacements and rotations of beams and shells are
in 3D (ALGO_1D=DEBORST) via this method.
processed by GREEN_GR.

... and special finite Load drive

elements
Certain modellings have been developed in order to
meet specific criteria. This is the case for elements
taking account of the incompressible nature of plastic
strains or, for limit load calculations, stabilized sub-
integrated elements (SHB8 in shells, QUAD4, QUAD8,
Obtaining quasi-static responses on structures
showing geometric instabilities (buckling, etc.) or
material instabilities (softening type law, damage ) is
a difficult problem. It may not be possible to obtain
the continuous response with a monotonous load
EAU
(snapback/through phenomena), which is a problem UV

TÉ
NO
HEXA27). The modelling of possible cohesive link regarding the convergence of the process. Thankfully, ➜ Non-local
ruptures is also based on joint elements solution monitoring methods (keyword PILOTAGE) Modellings ER

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(XX_FISSURE) added to a Barenblatt type interface often make it possible to remedy this. Softening behaviours
law. General methods are available for monitoring changes naturally lead to results
to unstable structures or limit load calculation : drive dependent on the mesh. In
in displacement or by arc length. For materials with a order to avoid this,
Code_Aster offers two ways
Contact-friction… softening behaviour, drive by elastic prediction makes of “delocalizing" the damage
it possible to limit local loss of stability efficiently by and thus eliminating a non-
controlling the most heavily loaded points. Another physical dependence of this
... is tackled in different ways in Code_Aster : method of technique consists of ensuring the continuity of the type. The first, which is more
active stresses, penalized or Lagrangian method, not to response in strain. accurate, uses the gradient of
mention the new continuous method. Its scope of use internal variables and is thus
covers the full range of modellings (2D/3D, beam and intimately linked to the
behaviour model. It is
shell), possibly based on incompatible meshes and with Damage : load drive. operational for the Von
updated geometries. (Force/displacement) Mises plasticity models,
Lorentz’s brittle damage
model and Rousselier’s
ductile damage model. The
second limits strain
concentrations via a
regularized strain field. It is
quicker and applies to all
Dynamic nonlinear damage models.
implicit : plasticity +
large strains + contact
+ friction.

5
 Code_Aster, a Facilitator of Surveys
EAU
UV
Sensitivity to data

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NO
➜ The range of
Finite elements engineers are ER

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mechanical SI O N

demanding people. They ask
questions like : « What degree of
reliability should I attach to my raw
digital results? » or « How can I
re-use my meshes in configurations
for which in principle they were not
designed ? » Advanced
functionalities of Code_Aster
provide answers to these legitimate
questions!
User Effects
With fixed physical data, three user effects are taken
into account : mesh, the types of finite elements and
temporal discretization. The development of mesh is
a phase that is difficult and costly in terms of
engineers’ time and it is illusory to claim to build
optimum mesh in principle since the criteria of an
industrial survey may be variable, or even conflicting.
It is better to adapt a coarse mesh to the
requirements of a calculation while post-processing
its results. The CALC_ELEM operator thus supplies
an error cartography, localized to each element, on
which the HOMARD refinement/unrefinement tool
(see box) relies. This does not, of course, dispense
with the need to carry out an initial mesh diagnosis,
via MACR_INFO_MAIL for example, and to follow
the code’s recommendations in terms of finite
V
With fixed discretization and resolution parameters, reliability tools…
this time we would like to quantify the sensitivity of ... covers a new macro :
a result in relation to its input data. This is either for MACR_FIABILITE. During an
comparing the respective influence of the various Aster calculation it is now
parameters, or for inserting this derivative into possible to evaluate the
another calculation (optimization, retiming,
probability of exceeding a given
threshold depending on a
reliability, see box, etc.). Thus Code_Aster delivers certain variability of data. In
the analytical derivative of the usual order to do this, Code_Aster has
thermomechanical quantities (displacement, stress, been coupled to a probabilistic
temperature, flow, specific modes, energy release software application developed
internally by EDF R&D,
rates, etc.) in comparison with parameters such as
materials or loads, in both static and dynamic.
MEFISTO. Based on a FORM type
minimization, the interactions
Once the “sensitive” parameter has been identified between the two cods are fed by
(via DEFI_PARA_SENSI), its drive simply requires derivatives of the target value in
relation to parameters.
the addition of the keyword SENSIBILITE to the
main command. The result is a field in its own right,
Whenever these sensitivities are
available (keyword
which can be used like any other. The experiment SENSIBILITE), it is advisable
shows that these derivatives are more reliable and to use them to accelerate the
lest costly than those obtained by using finite process, otherwise they are
calculated by finite differences.
differences.
From the sensitivities survey to retiming, there is
only one step that is crossed by the macro-
command MACR_RECAL , which automatically
Fig. 1
retimes the material or load parameters from tests
carried out on either test pieces or structure. As well
as the optimum parameter values, the user gets an
estimation of their relative importance and the
Fig. 2
possibility of coupling them, thus making it possible
to discriminate against parameters with little
influence.
Fig. 3
EA
UV U
New Boundaries for
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NO

elements. A STAT_NON_LINE option adapts the Adaptive mesh without (fig. 2) and
finite elements ER
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with curve boundary monitoring

time steps in order to conduct thermomechanical SI O N
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(fig. 3).
chaining smoothly.

EAU
Although it is very widely used within the industry, the ➜ Curve boundary
UV finite elements method does not make it possible to monitoring…
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NO

efficiently solve certain problems with complex

➜ As well as modelling sites... ... in adaptive mesh is now
ER geometry or developing over time (crack or excavation
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available with HOMARD

…the Code_Aster team is constantly striving
to improve the code’s performance levels and scope
of use. In the V7 menu : in quadratic modal
calculation, better handling of viscous and hysteretic
damping thanks to the extension of the IRAM
method; In substructuring, possibilities for
associating linear macro-elements with a nonlinear
calculation; CPU gains of a factor of two in complex
and non-symmetrical for the multifrontal linear
solver; introduction of the FETI domain
decomposition method in linear mechanics.
X-FEM :
blocks in
compression
with Interface
in contact-
friction.
monitoring, linking-up of modellings, etc.). These (encapsulated in
therefore require localized remeshings, which are MACR_ADAP_MAIL). In fact,
arduous or even impossible to manage with existing when the edge of a geometry is
means. Different approaches are proposed for solving curved, the meshers approach it
via a succession of segments.
this : the Arlequin and X-FEM methods. The result is that it introduces
The first (keyword ARLEQUIN) offers a multiscale angles where there are none!
strategy for connecting numerical models of different Standard adaptive division will
natures. Using a superposing technique, it easily inevitably maintain and
propagate them, which is
carries out local zooms, links and substitutions
potentially harmful to the
(adding a default mesh to a healthy mesh or linking calculation. The innovation
incompatible modellings and meshes, etc.). consists of placing new nodes
The second (keyword XFEM) makes it possible to free originating from the division on
the mesh from the constraint of complying with the actual boundary. These
fictitious angles become flat
physical entities by modelling free surfaces or field making the description of the
discontinuities. A finite element may thus be crossed curved boundary more accurate.
by a crack, making the remeshing less systematic. Moreover, in 2D all the
functionalities of the adaptive
mesh and the mesh diagnosis
open up to quadrangles.
EA
UV U
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NO

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The dynamic behaviour of
structures may lead to surprises
that are not always pleasant.
Resonance and the stress levels of a
pump rise! During an earthquake,
water surface movements may
cause a reservoir to vacillate !
Luckily, Code_Aster can help to take
better account of the inertia of
structures and its unexpected
effects during transient or
stationary phenomena.
Introducing inertia terms into mechanical equations
makes it possible to model the complexity of
dynamic phenomena and vibratory or transient
aspects. Whether they are determinist or random,
whether the constitutive laws are linear or not,
whether or not the distortion of structures are
coupled to acoustic or fluid movements, whether
the components come into contact or chafe,
Code_Aster makes it possible to model them on a
modal basis or in physical space, on the entire
system or by substructuring.
Modal analysis
Calculating the natural frequencies and mode shapes
of a material provides precious information about its
vibratory behaviour. The operators MODE_ITER_XX
calculate modal deformations and their specific
pulses, with or without structural damping. The
modes can also be the basis for reducing the model
and its main freedoms of movement, thus simplifying
the study of transients. It is, of course, possible to
normalize modes (NORM_MODE) or to filter them
(EXTR_MODE) according to various conventions.
Transient or frequential
analysis
Knowing the response of the structure to a stimulus is
essential for closely analyzing strains and stresses
over time. This applies whether the stresses
are periodic (DYNA_LINE_HARM), transient
(DYNA_LINE_TRAN, DYNA_TRAN_MODAL or
DYNA_NON_LINE), expressed in seismic spectra
(COMB_SISM_MODAL) or based on probabilities
(DYNA_ALEA_MODAL).
Modal stresses on a generator
Dynamics
Dampings ➜ Substructuring for better
calculation !
Dissipative phenomena (friction, viscosity, etc.) Given the complexity of
occur in structures; they have a significant influence mechanical structures often
on the amplitude of responses. Damping is consisting of an assembly of
nevertheless often difficult to model. For this several components,
conventional numrical or
reason, three types of damping are available :
viscous, hysteretic and modal.
experimental methods often
prove costly or unusable. It is
therefore preferable to break
the global model down into
From measurement to several substructures and to
study their vibratory behaviour
calculation separately before connecting
them. Different types of
interface modes are available in
Numerical modelling makes it possible to add to DEFI_INTERF_DYNA : Craig-
experimental measurements in areas where no Bampton, MacNeal or dynamic
sensor is available. In the frequential or temporal interface methods. The surface
domain of the usual mechanical fields, meshes do not even need to be
coincident – Code_Aster adapts
PROJ_MESU_MODAL extrapolates the desired value to incompatible connections.
using a modal base of the numerical model.
Soil-structure interactions…
... occurring in reactor buildings or vault dams
➜ Different types of fluid
force...
dynamics may be resolved in two ways : by
... are modelled in Code_Aster.
frequential coupling with MISS3D (XX_MISS_3D),
In vibration under flow (combus-
integral code equation by ECP substructuring, or via
tible element), we distinguish
absorbent boundary elements modelling quasi- two of these : the forces that are
infinite domains (XX_ABSO). In all cases the
anechoicity hypothesis is checked (elimination of
independent of movement of the
structure and are due to turbu-
plane elastic or acoustic waves diffracted by the lence or the diphasic nature of
the flow (DEFI_SPEC_TURB) and
structure towards infinity). the “fluid-elastics” that give
concrete expression to the actual
fluid-structure coupling
(CALC_FLUI_STRU).
CALC_MATR_AJOU calculates the
coefficients associated with this
coupling. It is also possible to
study the vibro-acoustic coupling
and the rattling of structures
filled with liquid (piping, tanks,
etc.) with free surface using ad
hoc elements (modellings
XX_FLUI_PESA/STRU...). This
Modelling the Grésiole dam in case of a seism : soil-structure strong coupling is processed by a
coupling between the civil engineering and the tank.
symmetrical formulation (u, p, ϕ).
It has recently been generalized
Acoustics to the transient operator
DYNA_NON_LINE : the structure
may show any type of nonlineari-
ty while the fluid remains model-
The survey of acoustic propagation in a compressible led in a linear way.
fluid and for closed areas is modelled (ACOUSTIQUE
phenomenon) via two formulations (conventional and
mixed). They solve the Helmholtz equation to deduct
the noise level and acoustic intensity fields from it.
Pressure of fluid in a tank and
free surface movement.
7
 Geomaterials
Why is EDF interested in modelling
the behaviour of concretes, silts,
sands, clays and rocks ? Answer :
beyond the behaviour of dams,
there is also the appraisal of
solutions envisaged for storing
radioactive waste. Code_Aster’s
thermohydromechanical models are
one of the contributions of EDF
R&D to the vexed question of the
downstream part of the cycle.
Nonlinears under nominal load, geomaterials are
often subject to delayed strains : predicting the
state of structures in the short and long term
therefore requires the simulation of their
construction phases. This is particularly true since
the behaviour of the water soaking these materials
has mechanical consequences, especially on long-
term changes to the ground and rocks. It is therefore
essential to calculate flows as such, since the
capillary effects linked to partially saturated states
significantly influence the stress state. This is
particularly true for poorly permeable materials,
where strong suctions appear.
Special constitutive laws
The phenomenologies described here can, of
course, only be simulated by specific Aster models.
Beyond their diversity, they all share the property of
representing the deterioration of materials under
shear according to confinement and accompanied
by perceptible volume variations. The formulation
framework will vary depending on whether it is a
case of a concrete, silt, sand, clay or rock. The
formalism of damage is preferred for concretes, the
micro-crack formation of which damages rigidity,
whereas in the case of ground, plasticity makes it
possible to take better account of irreversible
strains. The hardening is rendered dependent on
volume plastic strain for clays and on shear plastic
strain for rocks. In all cases, a softening behaviour
appears beyond a certain threshold. For grounds
and rocks, the Aster functionalities model the
concomitant dilatancy phenomena quite closely.
They also model hydraulic and thermal changes –
these lead directly to damage such as cracking due
to drying, collapse due to remoistening, plasticizing
due to clay swelling and ground breakdown due to
the thermal dilation of water.
8
An Aster offering adapted to
geomaterials
For sands and silts, the first level of CJS (Cambou,
Jeffari, Sidoroff) laws allows an approach of the “load
limit” type. The second and third levels introduce a
coupling between isotropic and deviatoric plastic
mechanisms with isotropic or kinematic hardenings
including dilatancy and strain-softening for the third
level. Actual stresses at a storage site :
after excavation of the gallery and
In the case of saturated clays, Cam Clay digging of wells, one year after
(RELATION_KIT='CAM_CLAY'), the model star, packages were put in place.
associates a nonlinear elasticity with a plasticity
limiting stresses to a domain, the size of which
depends on the consolidation pressure. Its extension ➜ Modelling of non-saturated
grounds...
to non-saturated grounds, known as the Barcelona
model (see box), also makes this domain dependent .. has been subject to recent
on capillary pressure. For rocks, Aster has the benefit developments : the introduction
of the Barcelona model and a
of the experience of the Centre EDF d'Ingénierie hydraulic coupling law taking
Hydraulique (EDF Hydraulic Engineering Centre) in account of the dissolution of a
Chambéry, which has demonstrated the need to retain gas in water and diffusion
the ‘post-peak’ (i.e. cracked) behaviour of rocks and within this mixture.
offered a generalization of the Hoek and Brown model (LIQIU_AD_GAZ_VAPE).
('LAIGLE'). EAU
UV
TÉ
NO
Code_Aster meets the variety of hydraulic phenomena
with simple models for drying and hydrating concrete,
ER
7
SI O N
V
or more complex ones based on coupled integration of
two nonlinear flow laws and the integration of the
energy conservation law. In the sophisticated version
of this modelling with no gas pressure hypothesis, the
exchanges between phases are governed by very
general thermodynamics equilibrium laws. The flows
are darcean, with permeabilities and saturation linked
by any laws supplied by the user. The same applies to
the relationship between saturation and capillary
pressure. The distribution mechanisms within
gaseous (“dry” gas and vapour) and liquid (dissolved
gases and liquid water) mixtures are governed by the
Fick laws.
Significant experience
of use
storage and cavities : Swedish KBS-3
concept in a granitic environment.
The age of some of these models and the length of
time they have been used have contributed to
increasing their robustness. Coupled THM modellings
are well suited to the EDF requirement : tightness of
the containment vessels of nuclear power stations,
problems connected with the deep storage of waste,
re-saturation and the thermomechanics of swelling
clays, damage during excavation and the
consolidation of galleries, etc.
Mechanical stresses in the
gallery/well jointing.
 Civil engineering, concrete
EAU
UV
Nonlinear models

TÉ
NO
➜ A new 3D concrete
In forecasting and controlling the ER

7
creep model… SI O N

mechanical behaviour of civil engi-
neering structures for power pro-
duction such as the 58 containment
vessels and the 28 nuclear power
station cooling towers or the 213
dams, EDF’s concerns for the safety
of its installations are dominant.
The resolute positioning of
Code_Aster on the nonlinear model-
ling of pre-stressed reinforced
concrete makes it possible to calmly
envisage numerical monitoring of
such structures over time.
Evaluating the service life of a concrete structure as
well as anticipating and correcting its defects require
knowledge of its condition at early age or at a given
time. This creates interest in the diversity of concrete
modellings, the methodology of workable surveys and
V
The Laborderie model (uniaxial, borne by finite (BETON_UMLV_FD) makes it
elements of multifibre beams) covers static or seismic possible to take account of
behaviour analyses well since it takes account of strains due to the various
dissociated damage in traction and compression as shrinkages (autogeneous,
thermal and desiccation) as
well as the opening and re-closing of cracks. In 2D and
3D, the DDP (Double Drüker Prager) isotrope
well as desiccation creep.
elastoplastic softening model distinguishes between
traction and compression. The Code_Aster response
to the simulation of the creep-cracking coupling,
which is the cause of potential premature rupture of Internal semi-
containment vessels :
structures, is the coupled use of the Granger and DDP
models. In order to monitor damage to concrete
network of pre-stressed
cables with ribs.
by cracking, the 3D models of Badel
(ENDO_ISOT_BETON), Godard (ENDO_ORTH_BETON)
and Mazars can be used in both local and non-local
formulation. And in case of slow convergence, it is now
possible to resort to the rigidity secant matrix instead
of elastic or tangent matrices.
Reinforced and pre-stressed
concrete UV
EAU
➜

TÉ
Modelling

NO
the experimental validation of these :
thermohydration, drying, shrinkage, cracking, reinforcement
Concrete reinforcements are modelled by finite ele- ER

7
SI O N

damage, creep and the effect of active and passive
reinforcements. Other than physical behaviour, the
range of problems to be covered is vast; for example,
the tightness of concrete containment vessels for
nuclear power stations and the distortion of these
over time. Added to these are the effects of accidental
loads such as earthquakes, the loss of primary
coolants or the shock of projectiles.
Physico-Mechanical
Behaviour of Concrete
Changes in the properties of concrete are processed
by associated thermo-hydration and drying models
(Granger, Bazant, Mensi, etc.). The Aster operators
calculate concrete shrinkage at an early age from
variations in hydration and desiccation shrinkage
using a drying calculation. For specific creep, two
models are available : Granger and UMLV biaxial. For
intrinsic desiccation creep, a long-term phenomenon
under the effect of mechanical loading, Code_Aster
proposes the Bazant model.
V
plys…
ments of bars or excentric orthotropic grids for wel-
... is made easier by the
ded framework plys. Code_Aster draws mesh simpli-
introduction of a new element
city and a low number of nodes from elements of this
called GRILLE_MEMBRANE,
type. The Pinto-Menegotto nonlinear law simulates which complements the
plasticizing, non-linear hardening and buckling traditional BAR and GRID. This
2D plate element works
mechanisms; the latter is described in a phenomeno-
unidirectionally (2 superimposed
logical way. In modelling structures in pre-stressed
elements are necessary for
concrete, stresses are better described according to describing a framework ply) and
the BPEL (Pre-stressed Concrete in Limit States) rules have no bending rigidity.
by disassociating the mesh of pre-stress cables from
that of penetrated concrete. For heavily “cabled”
structures such as containment vessels, the effects of
cable tension on strains of the structure can thus be
accessed.
➜ Steel concrete link
Recent developments facilitate the modelling of this The behaviour of a structure in
pre-stressing. CALC_PRECONT thus makes it pos- reinforced concrete is determined
by its components as well as by
sible to apply tension in the cables and find it effecti- their interactions. The catalogue
vely at the end of the calculation. This tension can be of models describing concrete
applied in a progressive and differentiated way, cable and steel is supplemented by
by cable. that of the steel-concrete link,
In the anchorage areas, punching gives rise to unrea- JOINT_BA. Available in 2D, it
describes the rupture mechanism
listic stress levels. With the new CONE option in of chemical links and the
DEFI_CABLE_BP, the user can define a volume of crushing of concrete and its
rigidified concrete representing the fading cone, related sliding around
which is not usually present in the mesh. This is in reinforcements. Everything that
is essential for predicting areas
order to distribute the stresses over several nodes of of cracking.
concrete, thus guaranteeing a more accurate finite EA
element solution. UV U
TÉ
NO

ER
7

SI O N
V

CALC_PRECONT :
phasing of cables on a
SANDIA area model : distorted under dead load and radial model beam.
pre-stresses and stresses at the Gauss points
9
 Fracture, Damage and Fatigue
EAU
UV
Damage to structures

TÉ
NO
➜ The anisotropy
The analysis of the causes of ER

7
caused by SI O N

destruction of a structure or a
mechanical component must take
account of the actual nature of the
deterioration recorded and the
degree of fineness being sought.
By offering a wide range of models
and analysis tools from the most
widely tested to the most
exploratory, Code_Aster covers the
range of problems of damage,
fracture, fatigue and limit loads.
For mechanical deterioration under repeated
V
Cracking according to an interface law is merely a damage within the
mode of deterioration, the damage mechanics make concrete…
finer modelling possible because it uses the material is taken into account in the
point scale. ENDO_ORTH_BETON law. The
If we limit ourselves to the study of initiation in the latter also makes it possible to
strictest sense of the word, the operator POST_ELEM report the unilateral character of
supplies a probability thanks to the WEIBULL model.
the behaviour of the concrete
(traction/compression
On the other hand, if we want to model the entire dissymmetry, effect of crack
response of the structure, from initiation to closure).
destruction, it is essential to resort to constitutive The non-local version of this law
is available via the GRAD_EPSI
laws coupling the development of the damage and
stresses on the material point scale : for example,
strain control method.
BETON_DOUBLE_DP, ENDO_ISOT_BETON or
MAZARS for concrete and ROUSSELIER for steel.
EAU
However, if they authorize finer modellings, these UV
➜ Modelling the

TÉ
NO
laws come up against two difficulties: the instability
loadings, we speak of “fatigue”. Otherwise it is a case of the overall response of the structure and the steel-concrete
ER

7
SI O N

of “fracture” or “damage”. The mechanics of fracture
relies on global criteria for deciding about the
propagation of an existing crack, whereas the damage
mechanics take place in the materials in order to
detect the initiation and development of damaged
areas.
V
localization of strains. In order to overcome these, link…
Code_Aster provides two innovative responses : ... is done in 2D using joint
Specific load drive makes it possible to monitor elements based on a constitutive
instabilities (snap-back/through phenomena) and
law JOINT_BA describing the
damage to and rupture of the
non-local formulation behaviours avoid pathological steel-concrete link.
dependence on the mesh.

Crack development Fatigue damage

The conventional release rate G, the key parameter in
fracture mechanics, makes it possible to reach a
conclusion regarding whether a crack will propagate
or not. The Aster operators CALC_G_XX calculate it
for diverse situations : 2D, 3D, temperature-
dependent materials, surface or volume forces, lip
pressure, etc. This is the case in both elasticity and
elastoplasticity, provided the load remains
monotonous and radial. The other usual criteria in
elasticity, which are stress intensity factors, are
accessible in 2D and in certain 3D configurations via
CALC_G_THETA or POST-K1-K2-K3. In order to
exceed these limits, POST_ELEM offers two new
parameters : GTP (G-total plastic) dedicated to ductile
situations and GP (G-plastic), reserved for brittle
rupture in the presence of plasticity. The latter
criterion is an extension to the plasticity of the
Francfort-Marigo formulation (RUPT_FRAG), which,
based on the Griffith theory, describes the appearance
and propagation of cracks in an elastic material.
Moreover, an approach relying on joint elements
based on an interface law of the Barenblatt type
(taking account of a residual interaction between the
lips of the crack) makes it possible to model the
development of two-dimensional cracks in a given
direction, in both static and dynamic.
Most failures of industrial components in normal ope-
ration are due to fatigue. Its latent nature is only
equalled by its noxiousness, which is why the evalua-
tion of this type of phenomenon is important from the
design stage.
Depending on the type of fatigue (with large number
of cycles, oligocyclic, etc.) the type of stresses (deter-
minist, random, periodic, multiaxial, etc.), available
input data (component or stress tensor, etc.) and desi-
red results (field in one point, criterion, etc.),
Code_Aster offers the most suitable method (operator
XX_FATIGUE...). From the traditional WOHLER to the
Dang Van Papadopoulos via the TAHERI “in-house RRA circuit elbow :
method”, the range of combinations processed is damage calculation by
the Dang Van criterion
wide. and thermal crazing.
Joint elements for modelling the development
of a crack in a perforated plate.... ➜ Initiation criterion in
fatigue
In order to respond to the
problem posed by thermal
fatigue, multiaxial initiation
criteria in fatigue with a large
number of cycles have been
developed. The idea consists of
searching for the normal
direction, for which either the
shear semi-amplitude or the
damage is maximum. With these
criteria, periodic or non-periodic
loads can be analyzed.

10

Micro-macro :
Maximum stress
isovalues on a
polycrystalline
aggregate.
Everything would be easier if only
one domain of physics played a part
in structure mechanics. But in the
power industry, as elsewhere, the
phenomena are often coupled.
Code_Aster offers tools for making
chainings or couplings of
phenomena internally as well as
externally with other specialized
codes.
For multiscale and multiphysics, it is possible to
distinguish the internal and external approaches of
the code. In the first case, the multiplicity of the
physics is directly taken into account by Code_Aster,
whereas in the other case the interaction is done
either by coupling or by chaining with another
calculation program.
Internal approaches
From multiscale
to multiphysics
External approaches ➜ Thanks to the MED format
(Modelling and Data
Code_Saturne chaining (EDF-CEA, thermohydraulics Exchange...
for fluid) – Syrthes (EDF, thermal change for the ... of finite elements developed
wall) – Code_Aster (structure) with temperature or by EDF-R&D and the CEA,
pressure field interpolation on the mechanical Code_Aster exchanges meshes,
mesh. topological entities and results
Code_Aster – Europlexus chaining (fast dynamics
with other codes. The structure
of the latter is relatively rich :
code from the EDF-CEA-CCR/Ispra-SNECMA- all types of fields by elements
Samtech consortium). and size fields, fields that are
Exporting analysis results to LADY (experimental either defined or not defined
vibratory analysis). Calculating displacements and throughout, and fields involving
heterogeneous components.
stresses brought about by static and seismic loads This richness, which guarantees
from a model defined in CIRCUS (vibrations under the opening to use of non-
pipework flows). proprietary pre- and post-
Frequential response by MISS3D (code of integral processing tools, has a single
input point, FORMAT=’MED’, in
equations for propagating PECP waves) to a seismic LIRE_MAILLAGE, LIRE_CHAMP
excitation for stratified soils or ones with no fluid and IMPR_RESU.
domain.
Importing into Code_Aster of volume stress fields
delivered by the electromagnetism code Flux2D/3D
with a view to calculating the thermomechanical
behaviour of transformers or electric motors.
EAU
UV
➜

TÉ
NO
Micro-macro
Arlequin : connection of 3D-shell modelling on an elbow; DEFining a ER

7
SI O N

V
Thermomechanical chaining for surveys with patch of a crack block on a healthy structure. BEHaviour from
temperature-dependent materials with thermal or elementary bricks :
hydration-drying-shrinkage changes. a given flowing law, kinematic
hardening or other isotrope,
By strongly coupling the thermal, hydraulic and make it possible to avoid
mechanical (thermohydromechanical) equations, we defining all the combined
are interested in porous media, whether or not these behaviours. Via the operator
are saturated : rocks, clays, concretes. DEFI_COMPOR, these bricks are
In thermo-metallo-mechanics, used in particular for associated with a monocrystal
and its sliding systems, thus
the simulation of multipass welding, the behaviour of creating a behaviour model
steels due to phase changes can be modelled in 2D peculiar to a group of meshes in
and 3D. STAT_NON_LINE. We can now
The fluid-structure interactions make it possible to carry out calculations of
aggregates where every
calculate the vibrations of a structure containing (or chained grain is made up of an
running in) a fluid that is resting or flowing. oriented monocrystal.
A power-mechanical chaining provides the dynamics This new “micro-macro”
of structures subject to the induced Laplace forces. functionality opens the way to a
fully modular multiscale. All
that needs to be done is to
Finally, multiscale enters the code with two new Code_Saturne/Code_Aster chaining on an Alstom-Velan glove
valve : mesh and internal fluid pressure field. integrate these various scales
functionalities : the Arlequin method into a polycrystal made up of
(keyword ARLEQUIN) and the micro- EA several monocrystals and to
UV U define a localization rule for the
macro (DEFI_COMPOR).
TÉ
NO

whole thing and the calculation

The first connects digital models of can be started !
ER
7

different natures using a SI O N

V

superimposition technique. This opens

numerous perspectives. For example, it is possible to
carry out structural zooms within areas particularly
sensitive to loads : cracks, welds, support structures,
etc.
The micro-macro makes it possible to manipulate the
constitutive laws in a modular way on diverse scales
(see box).

11
 Code_Aster,
the website and the free version
Training looks at development training course media
and in NEW Version you can find information about ➜ The Forums
The www.code-aster.org website,
enriching your own overloads with weekly version These very active forums are a
the code’s multimedia base, meets patches. privileged place for exchanges
the double requirement of being at between users and developers,
the service of the users and both inside and outside EDF.
They are divided into themes :
developers and supporting its Services Use, Installation and
distribution as a free program. Development.

Guided tour of the sections and The List and Command category explains the type of
categories of the site, taking a look access to Code_Aster and its dedicated tools for EDF
at the technical and political and its partners (account management, hotline ➜ Code_Aster as a free
assistance, etc.). For everyone, Program Anomalies program ! Why ?
motives of making Code_Aster
and Software Changes look at the error collection The answer is clearly
freely available. and development processing system as well as the recognition and enrichment
tools and documentation for it. Other sections deal through use. Defects are
with Modelling Optimization Help (AOM), the Users’ identified fully and more
Product Club, the centralized server, not forgetting the
quickly, while diverse know-how
and the creativity of
essential Forums (see box). professional contributions will
finally speed up and guarantee
The General, Functionalities and Modelling Domains better validation/qualification of
categories resume and develop the chapters of this
Code_Aster V7 brochure. The transparencies presented
Downloading models by users of the network.
Beyond the technical aspect, the
at the Annual User and Free Code_Aster open days are political dimension provided by
EDF R&D and its Free
also available. The Applications section is devoted to This section provides access to downloads for the Code_Aster under GPL license
Aster industrial surveys. The distinction between the code as well as its tools and pre-requisites : aster, the (General Public License), the
Free, Development and Operation versions is source code of the various version, astk survey fruit of the skill and quality
explained in the Versions section. The Quality section graphics manager, GIBI mesher and post-processing requirements in nuclear
gives details of the acceptance criteria for changes and engineering, is resolutely
of the CAST3M code, Gmsh free mesher and post- positioning itself within the
corrections. Finally, the Tools section lists programs processing, Eficas intelligent Aster command innovation – industry transfer.
using or used by Code_Aster. graphics editor, METIS node re-numbering algorithm This process is intended to
adapted for Aster, MED data exchange module and stimulate Aster contributions
HDF5, its library, etc. from both the public and private
Use sectors (see AE no. 43) by
offering them in return a
sustainable and reusable
platform for their own work.
The Documentation section provides all Code_Aster Free can be
the code’s technical documentation : for downloaded biannually and
Use, Reference, IT Description and each time benefits from the
Validation. The Administration Dossier Aster methodology of non-
regression, precision and
(quality procedures) and the documen- performance of the existing
tation relating to the qualified EDF ver- program.
sion are in restricted access in this sec-
tion. For Familiarization, in the
Examples and Training section, illustra- EAU
UV
ted examples with comments and com-
TÉ
NO

mand files are available together with ➜ All in one !

ER
7

SI O N
V

practical exercise and training media. Linux version 7.4 has

Development
The rules applying to developing and
having your development validated
within the centralized version are given
in the Presentation section. In
Organization, the successive update
histories of the development version
are available together with reports
(restricted access) and
organizational chart of the participants
contributing to code developments.
12
inaugurated a new distribution
method : all in one! The aster-
full packages, which can be
downloaded from the site,
supply the program’s source
code and all the necessary tools
and prerequisites. Installation
has been made much easier and
is usually limited to a single
command line.
an
The home page gives information about important facts
(new version, events, etc.)
and guides you throughout your tour.

Since 1989, Code_Aster has been
recognized within EDF as the
numerical simulation tool delivering
innovations essential to the expert
appraisal of problems in a timely
manner. Version 7 confirms its dual
mission : a qualified and
operational calculation tool that
takes on board developments
originating in research.
Quality through
transparency and
validation
The Aster quality criteria governing the development
and distribution of the code are based on an
auditable quality frame of reference meeting the
requirements of the EDF Nuclear Structures Safety
Authority. These criteria constitute the Aster
Program Quality Plan and are defined in the code
Administration Manual. The theoretical foundations
of Aster models are documented in the Reference
Manuals. The independent validation of the
operational versions of the code, which are carried
out by external calculation companies, deals with
the program’s conformity with regard to its
documentation, the actual cover of the declared
analysis domains and non-regression in terms of
precision/performance. The Quality Sheet
accompanying each operating version is updated
per subversion (corrected errors, applicable
documentation).
➜ Feedback…
... is a precious tool in the development process. It
collects user requests, indexes anomalies found
and monitors changes to these over time. It now
uses Intranet technologies in order to manage a
database of more than 5000 records.
A central team of around
twenty EDF R&D
engineers…
... is devoted to the consistency and quality of the
Aster platform (1,700 validation or non-regression
tests) : architecture, tools, versioning, putting into
operation, Feedback management, validation,
documentation, communication, training, etc. It is also
surrounded by participants in EDF application
projects, industrial and university research and survey
and services suppliers. More than 70 engineers have
thus participated in V7.
Products and services
The traditional Users’ Day in the
Ailleret Room (EDF R&D, Clamart)
Products
The Aster architecture, 1,200,000 lines of FORTRAN in object design (250,000 of
which are new or modified in V7), supported by C and Python, is based on a disk
memory/image manager, a command “supervisor” and an EF calculation engine
(algorithms independent of finite element formulation). Its opening relies on wide
use of catalogues describing the commands and finite elements.
Code_Aster is available in three forms…
... Operation, development and free, all originating from a unique source code. This
source together with its tools and prerequisites are maintained and validated under
Unix and Linux, but the Free Aster community has demonstrated the feasibility of
their portage under Windows, MacOS, etc.
The Operating Version (V7.4 in Dec. 2004) meets the IPS (Important for Safety) qua-
lity requirements. It was subject to corrective maintenance and additional validations
and documentation over a two-year period. This is the version for EDF users and their
authorized suppliers. It will remain available for 2 more years for resuming surveys.
The Development Version (V8.0 in December 2004) is enriched every week by cor-
rections, improvements and innovations (40 updates annually). It will become the
Operating Version after a development cycle of 2 years and after qualification.
The Unix Aster operation and development codes are
accessible to EDF and its partners on the centralized
➜ More and more…
server.
The biannual version of Free Code_Aster is edited ... calculation resources for
Code_Aster users : a centralized
under GPL license on www.code-aster.org. It origi-
Alphaserver Tru64 ES45
nates from the packaging of the current machine (24 processors at 1GHz,
Development version. Weekly patches make it pos- 100 GO memory, 48 Gflops), a
sible to keep it updated. cluster of 10 Opteron 64 bit
processors and access to the
massively parallel machines of
the Research and Technology
Documentation Calculation Centre (CCRT) of the
CEA.
Use (general, command syntax, examples), IT Description (architecture, memory
management, supervisor, data structures), Reference (formulations and algorithms)
and Validation (elementary mechanics or non-regression tests). In V7 : 13,000 pages
(60% of the corpus renewed) can be accessed on www.code-aster.org.
Training and help with modelling
The value of a simulation program also relies on the
skill and critical minds of its users. These qualities ➜ AOM service…
are acquired through significant initial and ongoing ... for Aide à la Modélisation
training. Aster courses offer training at all levels : (Modelling Optimization Help)
provides the necessary expertise
“Initiation” to the code or its “Development”,
learning to handle “Post-Processing” or “Survey
for complex or innovative
Quality” tools, “Dynamic” and “Static Nonlinear”
surveys. Contact : code-
aster@edf.fr.
analyses.
13
 Code_Aster,
a user-friendly program
High level calculation is no longer
synonymous with “difficult to use”.
Today, ergonomic interfaces make it
much easier to used the code.
EFICAS, ASTK and STANLEY define,
carry out and post-process your
calculation in a few clicks.
Eventually the SALOME program
environment platform will increase
these possibilities.
EFICAS : Intelligent Aster command graphics editor.
EFICAS
Writing the command file code directly “by hand” in a
text editor can prove tedious and be a source of set-
backs. It forces you to continually navigate within the
documentation of commands in order to find their syn-
tax, search for missing parentheses and forgotten com-
mas, etc.
The EFICAS Command File Editor and Syntax Analyser
makes life much easier. It is a program with user-friend-
ly GUI (Graphic User Interface), which directly gene-
rates files with guaranteed syntax according to user
choice. By interpreting the command catalogues it
automatically manages syntax and keywords as well
as the required rules and expected concept types.
14
EAU
UV
TÉ
ASTK
NO
ER
7
SI O N
V
The provision of a multi-platform, multi-version IT tool that is used and co-developed by
various teams has to be done through a Study and Developments Manager. This is ASTK’s
raison d’être : selecting the code version, accessing to the various calculation servers,
defining the files comprised in a study, defining job type (batch or interactive), creating an
overloaded version, accessing configuration management tools for developers and
managing Feedback anomalies and changes records. The rapid development of centralized
calculation systems and Free Code_Aster distribution have accelerated the mutation of the
former ASTERIX survey tool. Its successor, ASTK, has adopted tcl/tk type architecture,
which is more modular and portable.
The choice of client-server architecture authorizes clear separation between the interface
and the code access tools. ASTK thus integrates in a single interface all the Atelier de Génie
Logiciel Aster (AGLA, Aster Program Engineering Workshop) tools used to manage the
batch reference version (batch processing) and those of local versions.
This interface uses network protocols for transferring files between clients and server, or
for starting remote commands, including over the Internet. Users can easily distribute their
data files and results to different machines as the interface ensures the transfer of files,
including compressed ones, over the network.
As well as Code_Aster, ASTK makes it possible to use different tools selected by users,
such as EFICAS and STANLEY or mesh and visualization programs. For users wanting to
monitor weekly changes to the code, nothing could be easier – ASTK handles everything!
Getting update files from the site and reconstructing the executable.
EAU
UV
TÉ
NO
STANLEY
ER
7
SI O N
V
The STANLEY application is an interactive post-processing tool for Aster calculations. It
facilitates accessing the lists of fields available in the results data structures (displace-
ments, stresses, internal variables, etc.), calculating new ones, extracting sub-parts from
these and visualizing them in isovalues (with Gmsh) or curve form (with Xmgrace). It is
also possible to create new geometric locuses for post-processing (point or straight).
STANLEY, which has become an Aster command in its own right, is easy to use : all you
have to do is add STANLEY () to the end of the command file.
It adapts to any configuration : workstation under Unix, Linux or Windows, calculation
locally or on a remote server. Setting its parameters allows multi-configuration manage-
ment and everything is memorized from one session to the next.
STANLEY : the
Code_Aster results
explorer.
ASTK : the
Code_Aster use and
development hub.

Calculation of the effects of swell on a
wind turbine pylon with Code_Aster
STREAM-GIBI chaining.
Advanced user scan easily work on
the code, partly thanks to PYTHON,
for example to : write professional
applications, introduce finite
elements and constitutive laws or
define exchange formats.
Command languages
The Code_Aster user describes the parameters and
progression of the survey in a text file. This is made
up of commands, which themselves contain
keywords and receive as arguments : texts, integers,
reals… or names of concepts created beforehand by
other commands. These concepts are objects named
by the user, produced by commands and that can
potentially be used or modified by other people.
The grammar and vocabulary of this language,
which is specific to Code_Aster and written in the
PYTHON base, are described in catalogues. To
create correct command files the user must either
know the basic PYTHON script rules and find out
about the syntax of each command from the
documentation or, more interactively, use the
EFICAS graphic command input.
Supervisor and PYTHON
For more advanced use, with PYTHON users may
introduce programming in their datasets : from
simple ones (check, loop and test structures) to
more complex ones using all the richness of this
interpreted language (methods, classes, importing
exogenous modules such as Tklnter for GUI,
numerical for mathematical uses, etc.).
In this illustration, during a single job and with no
file handling by the user, the same calculation is run
several times by calling a remote modeller / mesher
with a modification of the elbow bending radius. The
loop stops conditionally on a stress limit value.
Code_Aster, a flexible
and open program
All FORTRAN memory basic objects can be obtained by the user from the PYTHON
area : this example looks at a maximum stress indicator in the pipe elbow. For the
most useful and general global concepts (tables, results, fields, meshes), gateways
exist for obtaining a PYTHON representation for the purpose of manipulating this
language.
Moreover, it is possible to easily define macro-commands written directly in
PYTHON in the command file. This makes it possible to encapsulate a sequence of
recurring commands and to clean out its inputs-outputs. The user no longer has to
overload the executable to take advantage of this! The development of line tools has
been made much easier.
However, a file containing instructions other than the official commands cannot be
either produced or edited by EFICAS. Using the functionalities described above
constitutes "advanced” use of the code, which is not currently supported by this
tool.
For chaining with other codes, everything is possible : launching a third party
executable by EXEC_LOGICIEL or direct submission in PYTHON; MED should be
the preferred format for field and mesh exchanges.
Finite elements and constitutive laws
If your problem does not adapt to the 95 constitutive laws currently present,
programming or modifying a constitutive law is easy. After consequently enriching the
order catalogues DEFI_MATERIAU and STAT/DYNA_NON_LINE, as keywords make
it possible to introduce input parameters the routine integrating this constitutive law
must be written. This provides the elementary data essential to the resolution
algorithm (constraint tensor and updated internal variables, tangent matrix, etc.).
Various utility programs facilitate this integration and ensure its reliability.
The same applies to finite elements if you do not find a suitable element among the 360
existing ones, you may create your own. If the procedure described in the development
documentation is followed, introducing a new finite element is modular and does not
require a command of the entire code.
Pre-post exchanges in different formats
Code_Aster is also a flexible solver thanks to the number of exchange and data storage
formats it has. Mesh, fields and results can be read and written in most known
standards. In PYTHON, plotting a mesh translation and results interface in a new format
is easy. The memory image of calculated objects, which may be retained after
execution, may be written in a portable format on any platform.
Optimizing the bending radius of
an elbow by Gmsh-Code_Aster
chaining.
15
 © EDF R&D - D.R. Novembre 2005
Crédits photos : © LA MÉDIATHÈQUE EDF - D.R.
Contact : code-aster@edf.fr

Design : Olivier Boiteau and Emmanuel Boyere

Translation : Bruno Zuber (www.necs.fr)
Proofreading/Editing : Jean-Michel Proix and Christophe Durand
Release Manager : François Waeckel
Archiving : HT-66/05/010/A

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