Basic Finite Element Analysis

New to FEA and concerned about how to use it in the real world? This course gives you practical advice with a minimum of theory. This course offers excellent guidance on how to assess and plan the task of carrying out structural analysis using FEA.

Finite Element Analysis is a powerful, widely used and universally accepted technique. However, for those new to FEA there is a steep learning curve to overcome, with a bewildering array of:

• element types,
• solution types,
• meshing methods,
• loading and constraint methods,
• pre-post processing options.

This is before we get down to the engineering physics behind the problem, with associated classic traps and errors. What is needed is guidance via a thorough but practical assessment of the method and how to use it in the real world.

Content includes:

• Background to FEA,
• Defining your objectives and planning your analysis,
• Making healthy models,
• Real-world constraints and loading,
• Engineering assessment – is your model realistic,
• Integrating with CAD and geometry,
• Checking the answers – guilty until proven innocent!