Thermo Structural FEM Analysis

Thermo-Structural Analysis

Founded in 1996, L.T.Calcoli specializes in advanced numerical simulation for the design, verification, and optimisation of complex engineering systems. Among our core competencies, thermo-structural analysis plays a key role in assessing the behaviour of components subjected to combined thermal and mechanical loads.

Thermo-structural FEM analysis enables the evaluation of temperature distributions and their effects on structural integrity, allowing engineers to predict thermal stresses, deformations, and potential failure mechanisms under realistic operating conditions. These analyses are essential for systems exposed to severe environments, such as high heat flux, thermal gradients, and coupled Multiphysics phenomena.

At LTCalcoli, thermo-structural simulations are widely applied to support the design, qualification, and validation of critical components in demanding industries.

Bolometer -Prototyping activities

Design of the porotype (CATIA)
Design by analysis activities (Optical, CFD, Thermal and Structural)
Validation tests and reporting
Patents
Reporting activities

Standards and Reference Codes

Our thermo-structural assessments are performed in compliance with international standards and design codes, ensuring reliability, safety, and certification readiness:

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
EUROCODES
RCC-MRx (Design and Construction Rules for Nuclear Components)
SDC-IC (Structural Design Criteria for ITER Components)

W7X – Stellarator Fusion Machine

Global model for the simulation of the structural behavior of the Wendelstein 7-X magnet system

FE model of the 72° sector

NUMBER OF ELEMENTS: 600533
NUMBER OF NODES: 939668
TOTAL NUMBER OF DOF: 2.6 millions

Our Capabilities in Thermo-Structural Analysis

Our thermo-structural analysis services include:

Thermo-Mechanical FE Analysis – Coupled simulation of thermal fields and structural response under complex loading scenarios
Non-linear Static FE Analysis – Evaluation of structural behaviour including material and geometric non-linearities
Mesh Quality and Convergence Assessment – Verification of mesh quality, checks, and convergence criteria in accordance with ITER best practices
Thermal and Electromagnetic Load Mapping – Accurate transfer and application of thermal and EM loads onto structural models
Advanced Post-Processing – Detailed evaluation of stresses, displacements, reaction forces, and gap/contact behaviour
Transient Dynamic Analysis with EM Loads – Full time-dependent simulations including electromagnetic effects for Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) evaluation
High-Quality Engineering Reports – Comprehensive and traceable documentation suitable for design validation and certification processes

Transient heat transfer analysis: temperature distribution [°C]

FE mesh for structural analyses

Our FEM Analysis Services

LTCalcoli offers a comprehensive suite of FEM-based engineering analysis services to support product development, qualification and certification. Our capabilities include, but are not limited to:

Linear static structural analysis – stresses, deformations and verification of allowable limits under steady loads.
Non-linear structural analysis – material non-linearity (plasticity), geometric non-linearity and complex contact interactions.
Modal and vibration analysis – extraction of natural frequencies and mode shapes for dynamic performance optimisation.
Harmonic response analysis – evaluation of system behaviour under cyclic or frequency-dependent excitation.
Transient dynamic analysis – simulation of time-dependent events such as impacts, load pulses or operational transients.
Random vibration analysis – PSD-based assessment according to aerospace, automotive or industrial vibration specifications.
Crash test and impact simulation – high-strain-rate analysis using explicit solvers to model collisions, drops, shock impacts and crashworthiness.
Seismic analysis – spectrum-based, time-history and modal superposition techniques for structures subjected to earthquake-level ground motion.
Thermo-structural analysis – coupling of thermal fields with structural response to determine thermal stresses and expansions.
Fatigue life assessment – high-cycle, low-cycle and multiaxial fatigue predictions for components subjected to repeated service loading.
Buckling and stability analysis – eigenvalue buckling and post-buckling response for slender or compression-loaded structures.
Topology and parametric optimisation – design refinement for weight reduction and performance improvement within manufacturing constraints.
Coupled physics (multiphysics) simulations – including structural–thermal, structural–electromagnetic, and structural–fluid interactions.
Code compliance & certification support – analyses performed according to ASME, ISO, EN, RCC-MRx and other engineering standards.

Key Application Sectors

Our thermo-structural expertise is applied across multiple industries:

Nuclear Fusion Engineering – ITER, IGNITOR, DEMO and advanced reactor systems
Industrial Components – Pressure vessels, high-temperature equipment
Aerospace – Structural and thermo-mechanical analysis of components subjected to extreme thermal environments, aerodynamic heating, and dynamic loading conditions
Advanced Materials – Composite and lightweight structures under coupled loading conditions

Thermo-Structural Analysis

Standards and Reference Codes

Our Capabilities in Thermo-Structural Analysis

LTCalcoli offers a comprehensive suite of FEM-based engineering analysis services to support product development, qualification and certification. Our capabilities include, but are not limited to:

Key Application Sectors

From 1996

L.T. Calcoli S.r.l.