IGB have been asked for the design verification of an adapter for lifting trains using FEA analysis. The challenge is that the adaptor must jam itself before the load conditions are obtained.
This problem can be analyzed with the use of advanced elements (NX/Nastran contact elements), where the solver will iterate movements of the adaptor until it jams itself in the adjacent construction, after which the FEA model can be analyzed.
The resulting displacements and stress were used to determine the safety- (or reserve-) factor of the design.