FAC and FRANC3D
Fracture Analysis Consultants, Inc. (FAC) was founded in 1988 as a spin-off from high-technology R&D at Cornell University. Our mission is to provide customers with state-of-the-art software and consulting services in computational fracture mechanics.
FRANC3D provides 3D finite element (FE) based crack growth simulation capabilities for arbitrary, non-planar cracks in complex engineering components and structures. It is designed to work in conjunction with commercial FEA codes (ANSYS, ABAQUS or NASTRAN). Uncracked FE models are imported and divided into "local" and "global" portions, where the local portion will contain the crack (and the crack growth). The FEA code is used to analyze the cracked FE mesh, and provides the displacements (and other results) that FRANC3D uses to compute stress intensity factors (SIFS) and subsequent crack growth. Download the FRANC3D brochure for a summary of features and capabilities.
FRANC3D integrates linear and non-linear fracture mechanics with finite element methods, advanced geometry and mesh model representations, automatic mesh generation and modification, and enhanced visualization tools.
FRANC3D is distributed in partnership with Process Optimization and other regional vendors. Contact Process Opt to request a trial version or for additional details, or contact your regional vendor in China, Japan, India, and South Korea.
Consulting & Customization
In addition to the FRANC3D software, FAC provides consulting services, including client-specific fracture analysis, collaborative modeling, software support, custom feature development in FRANC3D, and training workshops.