Finite Element Methods and Practical Stress Analysis

FEA has become widely used and universally accepted procedure in many industry sectors. In order to derive maximum benefit from the available technology, engineers should learn about the much strength of numerical techniques. At the same time, recommendations on how to avoid the inevitable pitfalls are invaluable.

NAFEMS, the only independent not-for-profit organisation with the aim of promoting the effective and reliable use of FEA, addresses this requirement by providing this two day example-driven workshop. This workshop course offers excellent guidance on how to judge which approximations are acceptable and appropriate for solving a wide range of practical problems. Of equal importance is the manner in which the results are interpreted. Advice is provided which allows the correct decisions to be taken, based on results which are known to be reliable. Interaction is encouraged throughout the course. The course is completely code independent.

Importance of workshop for the organisations using FEM

The salient aspects of this workshop are –

• The tutorials would be handled by very experienced industry exposed users of FEM.
• This course would offer vital guidance to judge which approximations are acceptable for solving the practical problems.
• The methods of verifying and validating the FEM results would be demonstrated with real world case studies.
• The globally recognised NAFEMS benchmark standards for FEM would be explained. 
• Each participant would be provided with high quality training notes.

Overall, this programme is designed to enhance the functional knowledge of young FEM users in the practical application of FEM

Who Should Attend?

This course is aimed at practising engineers who wish to learn more about how to apply finite element techniques to their particular problems in the most effective manner. This workshop addresses the needs of  those industries wherein FEM jobs regularly carried out. The contents of this programme are specially designed keeping the needs of junior and middle level analysts who have to apply FEM for solving practical stress analysis problems.

The material that is presented is independent of any particular software package, making it ideally suited to current and potential users of all commercial finite element software systems. The workshop is open to both members and non-members of NAFEMS.

Workshop Topics

Basic Introduction

• Basic Theory of FEA
• Direct Stress and Strain
• Shear Stress and Torsion
• Bending Stress
• Thermal Stress Effects
• Stress Concentration Effects
• Fatigue and Impact
• Properties of Materials
• Stiffness Calculations
• Units and Unity Bracket

FEM - 1D and 2D formulations

• FEM formulation  and Weak formulation
• FEM formulation of 1D elements
• Example problems of 1D elements
• 2D Plane Stress/Plane Strain
• 2D Axi-Symmetric Problems
• Design of Loading and Constraints
• Representative Material Properties
• Results Interpretation/Verification
• Balanced Loads/Minimal Constraint
• Non-Linear Considerations
• Introduction to Plasticity

3D formulations and Meshing Methods

• Introduction to the Real World in 3D
• Example of Simple 3D Analysis
• Processing of 3D CAD Data
• Preparing CAD Data for Analysis
• Fast and Accurate Meshing Methods

Practical Aspects

• Bolted, Welded joints
• Failure analysis
• Fatigue analysis
• Post processing techniques
• Performance optimization through simulation

Quality & Verifications Aspects

• Verification of FEM results
• Practical Validation
• Quality aspects in analysis
• Case studies from Automotive / Defence / Aeronautics
• Getting Help When Things Go Wrong

Please download the complete agenda document, as well as registration forms here.