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VABS™ by Analyswift

Cross-sectional Analysis Tool for Composite Beams

VABS by AnalySwift, is a general-purpose cross-sectional analysis tool for computing beam properties and recovering 3D stresses and strains of slender composite structures. The tool of choice for helicopter and wind turbine rotor blades, VABS is also a powerful tool for rigorous simulation of other slender composite structures, such as propellers, landing gear, wing sections, golf clubs, fishing rods, beams, poles, columns, rods, shafts, tubes, bridges, and many more. VABS can calculate ply-level details with the accuracy of 3D finite element analysis (FEA) in seconds on a typical laptop computer. VABS is capable of rigorously reducing an original 3D slender solid with complex cross-sections into a simple engineering beam model.

With continuous development funded by the U.S. Army spanning more than 30 years for performance and robustness, VABS' accuracy has been extensively verified by its developers and users.

Why VABS?

Consider More Design Options

Consider more design options and accelerate time to market while reducing costs.

Arrive at the Best Solution, Quicker

Saving orders of magnitude in computing time without a loss of accuracy, engineers can consider more design options and arrive at the best solution quicker.

Achieve the Highest Accuracy Possible

Unlike the smeared property approach often used in other approaches, VABS delivers ply-level details in seconds.

VABS Features

Shape of the Cross-section

Truly arbitrary geometries accommodated. No need for oversimplified approximation of real structures.

Material Properties

VABS has no restrictions on material properties and can handle any material including isotropic, orthotropic, or general anisotropic materials.

3D FEA Fidelity

VABS can capture ply-level details of composite slender structures with 3D FEA fidelity at the speed of simple engineering beam models.

Various Engineering Beam Models

Euler-Bernoulli model, Timoshenko model to account for transverse shear, and Vlasov model for constrained warping.

Initially Curved, Twisted, or Oblique Beams

The structure can be initially twisted or curved and/or have a naturally oblique cross-section.

Recovery of Field Variables

Possible to accurately recover 3D stresses, strains, and displacements from 1D displacements and sectional resultants.