A simplified approach to the window gasket modeling for window strength calculation

Introduction. The study of the influence of window deformations on their performance characteristics is an urgent task. This problem is related to the issues of window elements static operation under the combined action of wind and temperature loads. It is proposed to use the capabilities of modern finite element modeling programs to analyze the window static operation. One of the problems is the modeling of an elastic window gaskets. Materials and methods. Computation of a gasket structural behavior in the direct formulation is associated with significant computational costs. In this article it is proposed a simplified method which allows taking into account the gasket mechanical work when creating window fine element model in the COMSOL Multiphysics software. For this purpose, the dependence of the gasket reaction force on the degree of its compression was obtained; this dependence was used to create a special boundary condition that imitates the force transfer from one window element to another through the gasket. Results. Two test computations were carried out with the same loads and grip conditions: in one, the gasket was modeled directly, in the other, it was replaced by the boundary condition described above. The results showed good agreement between the computations, moreover the second one needed much less time. Conclusions. Scientific foundations of window design should be based on modern research methods including computer modeling. Creating a computer model of the window static operation will allow us to consider in detail its deformed state and operational characteristics under various boundary conditions. The method proposed in this article for modeling the gasket structural behavior will be useful in achieving this aim.