Altair, a leading global provider of simulation technology and engineering services, announced today that its HyperWorks computer-aided engineering (CAE) platform is being used to structurally design the LMP2 LOTUS T128 racing car for the Le Mans Prototype series. The technical development of the car is carried out by Advanced Design & Engineering Systems Solutions AG (ADESS), a design and engineering office based in Munich with expert knowledge of Formula 1 and Le Mans prototype sports cars.

The T128 is engineered according to the 2013 regulations and will be a state-of-the-art car in terms of aerodynamics and monocoque design, employing the latest designs and technologies. ADESS engineers are employing several HyperWorks tools in the project, including HyperMesh, the meshing tool of the suite, to create finite element models; RADIOSS for linear and non-linear analysis, especially for crash test simulations of the front structure of the car; and HyperView to post-process the results.

“The bodywork panels of the car are made of lightweight carbon sandwich composites and it has a carbon composite monocoque as well,” said Stephane Chosse, founder and CEO of ADESS. “Altair’s HyperWorks suite is crucial in handling the crash event simulation of all safety-related parts to make sure that they meet all the crash and stiffness regulations while keeping the car as light as possible. We are very satisfied with the results we get from HyperWorks and feel confident that it is the best solution to meet all of our engineering needs as well as external requirements. In addition we are also happy that we found a software provider who is an expert in the area of composite simulation.”

With the results achieved in the development of the LMP2 LOTUS T128 racing car ADESS is planning to continue working with Altair and HyperWorks on current and future projects. ADESS intends in the near future to also apply the optimization tool OptiStruct to optimize composite parts to further improve the lightweight and stiffness characteristics of its racing cars.

“The ADESS project is one of many next-generation-inspired, exiting projects we are happy to be involved in,” said Dr. Uwe Schramm, managing director of Altair, Germany. “The HyperWorks suite provides exactly those tools a young and fresh engineering company such as ADESS needs to handle extensive projects as the development of a LMP2 series car. In addition, Altair offers vast experience in the area of composite simulation and optimization and – with our unique licensing system – a convenient pricing structure for engineering services companies.”