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, addressed this requirement by providing this two day example-driven workshop. This workshop course offered 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 was provided which allowed the correct decisions to be taken, based on results which are known to be reliable. Interaction was encouraged throughout the course. The course was completely code independent.

Importance of workshop for the organisations using FEM

The salient aspects of this workshop were –

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

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

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

  Download the full invitation here