The FEA Process

• Pre-Processing
  • Model creation (CAD)
  • Mesh generation
    • Manual
    • Automatic

    

• Analysis
• Post-Processing

  • Visualization

Optimization Goals

• Add material where needed
• Remove unnecessary material

• Minimize chances of part failure
• Maximize strength while minimizing weight

Mesh Generation

• Goals of Finite Element Modeling (FEM)
  • Minimum number of elements (to reduce processing time)
  • Sufficient elements to accurately analyze a part
  • Sufficient element density in critical areas
• Methods of FEM
  • Manual (using CAD tools)
  • Automatic

Discretization

• Reduction of a complex geometry

Degrees of Freedom

Constrain

• Limiting a node or element's degrees of freedom

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• TEC452 Home
• FEA Index
• Introduction
• The FEA Process
• Typical Elements
• Simple Analysis
• Assemblage
• Sample FEA Models
• FEA Tools