Case Study: Pelamis Wave Power achieves robust, optimized wave-energy designs with Abaqus from Dassault Systèmes

Pelamis Wave Power Ltd chose Abaqus from SIMULIA to perform complex, nonlinear, finite element analyses (FEA) of its products and soon adopted it for all its design analysis needs

Pelamis Wave Power, an Edinburgh-based developer of the Pelamis offshore wave energy converter, faced the challenge of accurately predicting complex, nonlinear structural behavior, fatigue and stress over a projected 20-year lifespan and assessing rare “what-if” safety scenarios that are impractical to test physically. To meet these needs the company turned to Abaqus from SIMULIA (Dassault Systemes) for advanced finite element analysis and material modeling support.

Dassault Systemes’ Abaqus was implemented as Pelamis Wave Power’s global FEA package, used across initial concept, detailed design and certification work; its sub-modeling and nonlinear capabilities allowed focused component studies, ship-impact and other safety analyses, and expanded material investigations. As a result, Pelamis Wave Power now uses Abaqus for practically all analysis needs, enabling extensive design iterations, more reliable stress and fatigue assessments and stronger confidence in the machine’s safety and environmental performance.

Pelamis Wave Power

Jon Benzie

Senior Engineer