Analysis Plugins enable users to implement custom failure analyses by compiling a C++ dynamic link library (DLL). This allows users to leverage custom analysis methods while letting HyperX manage the user interface, data storage, and optimization. This feature is equivalent to the User Subroutine feature available in Nastran, Abaqus.
During Sizing, HyperX will call a generic analysis method exposed in the Plugin Package DLL. HyperX passes the panel geometry, loads, and material allowables into the Plugin Package. The user is responsible for writing code to return the margins and analysis details for each plugin back to HyperX. The margins are used to eliminate candidates in Detailed Sizing optimization and are displayed in HyperX. The analysis details are used to generate Analysis Detail Reports and can be plotted in the FEM viewer.
There is no restriction on how you implement the Plugin. The Plugin Package can wrap existing C/C++/Fortran code using static or dynamic link libraries (LIB or DLL respectively). You can also read external files and shell out to executables, like Python scripts, if desired.
Some Plugin Packages come along with the HyperX install and more are available upon request. More information can be found at Plugin Packages Included in Your Install.
A broad overview of how plugins work (from a technical perspective) is found here: Technical Notes.
Tip
Sample Plugins can be found at: "$(InstallDir)\Code\AnalysisPlugins.zip" to showcase best practices for plugin development.
Sample Plugins demonstrate:
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Simple, yet scalable, code infrastructure.
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Facilitating splitting the Plugin into separate files per analysis (useful when there are many analyses).
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Facilitating separating out the core stress analysis logic into a static library, which can be reused by other software.
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Separating mapping logic (interface with Plugin API) from core stress analysis logic to improve maintainability.
The developer tutorial walks through how to set up the Sample Plugin and run it in HyperX