Comparison of Structural Analysis of Thin-Walled Structures Accomplished by Isogeometric Analysis and the Finite Element Method

Abstract

Isogeometric analysis (IGA) represents a relatively new method of problem-solving in engineering practice. A huge advantage of this method over the finite element method (FEM), is the reduction of the simulation execution time. Non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) allow the use of higher-order basis functions, thus increasing the accuracy of the solution. This paper deals with the comparison of structural analysis of thin-walled structural elements using isogeometric analysis and the finite element method. The investigated objects are modelled using a single patch in MATLAB. The basic functions are created from NURBS, which were previously used in the creation of an accurate geometric model. The paper contains a comparison of the results obtained by the above-mentioned methods. All computations are performed in the elastic domain.