Case Study: Brigham Young University modernizes global CAE education and cuts chassis mass 34% with Altair HyperWorks

Application of HyperWorks for Collaborative/Global Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Instruction at Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University’s Mechanical Engineering department, led by Dr. Greg Jensen, reworked its advanced design course ME 471 to create a global, collaborative CAE-based curriculum that teaches topology optimization, multi-physical simulation, and intercultural teamwork. To give undergraduates industry-relevant skills, the course integrated Altair’s HyperWorks tools—notably HyperMesh and OptiStruct—alongside collaboration platforms to enable multinational student teams to design and analyze real-world products.

Altair’s HyperWorks suite (HyperMesh for FE model generation and OptiStruct for topology optimization) was deployed within the course and used by international PACE teams to redesign a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro chassis. Using Altair tools integrated with CATIA and collaboration technologies, students reduced chassis mass by 34% and suspension control arm mass by 28%, presented their work to PACE partners, and demonstrated practical mastery of simulation-driven design.

Brigham Young University

C. Greg Jensen

Professor