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Practical Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

This training course has been accredited by the NAFEMS Education & Training Working Group

Practical Introduction to Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

 

Duration:3 days
Delivery:Onsite Classroom
Public Classroom
Language:English
Level:Introductory
Availability:Worldwide
Tutor(s):Tony Abbey
Shakeel Chaudry
Gino Duffett
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Ensure your organization is getting maximum benefit from using FEA.

FEA is a powerful technique, able to produce solutions to challenging structural analysis problems. The technology and computational efficiency of the method, together with the rapid increases in computer processing power means that today the scope and size of simulations far exceeds the capabilities of even a few years ago.

However for those engineers embarking on FEA, or companies adopting the technique to improve designs or achieve certification of new products, there is a steep learning curve to overcome.

There are a bewildering array of element types, solution types, meshing methods and pre-post processing options that have to be faced. 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.

Students are shown the background to the FEA methodology, via simple real examples with a minimum of theory. The strength and weaknesses of the various FEA techniques are shown and discussed. Practical considerations of loadings, boundary conditions and structural details are shown by numerous examples.

The assessment, validation and interpretation of FEA results are vital for delivering safe, effective products. A process is shown which provides confidence in the results and aims to provide conservative, reliable and qualified results. The attendees join in the activity of building this process themselves and come away with an embryo Procedural Check List

The course offers excellent guidance on how to assess and plan the task of carrying out a structural analysis using FEA. A clear understanding of the objectives of each analysis is vital and a road map for achieving this is presented. A review of the tradeoff between available resource and analysis methodology is given.

Course Program

Background to FEA

  • Origins of FEA, leading to today’s process
  • Emphasis on limitations of a displacement solution
  • The route from CAD to Mesh to Solver to Results
  • A simple case study – a plate with a hole
  • The Analysis Input file
  • Simple Element stiffness matrices
  • Grid Points , Degrees Of Freedom (DOFs)

Overview of Element Types

  • 1d elements
  • 2d elements
  • 3d elements
  • Solid 3D elements: Hex versus Tets, the trade off
  • Types of meshing and meshing issues
  • I-beam example spanning element types

Making healthy models

  • Mis-matched DOF’S and other issues
  • Element distortions – effect on accuracy
  • Convergence checking
  • Solver and Preprocessor checking
  • Post processor checking and the dangers of smoothing
  • Stress concentrations and stress singularities
  • Window cutout example
  • Building an Analysis Process ‘Cheat Sheet’ Part 1

Constraints

  • Constraint methods
  • Real world boundary conditions
  • Poisons effect
  • Minimum support 321 method
  • Case Study – bracket analysis
  • Linear Contact methods – new technology to supplement constraints

Loading Types

  • Distributed load, Point Loading
  • Real world loading versus FEA
  • Bearing load methods
  • Nonlinear implications
  • Centrifugal and Inertial Loading
  • Unit load cases for better understanding
  • Case Study – tanker body under cornering and accident loading

Multi Point Constraints (MPCs)

  • What are they and why use them?
  • Different terminologies and usage
  • Soft and rigid load and constraint distribution

Making Life simpler

  • Symmetry
  • Anti-symmetry and Axi-symmetry
  • Sector Symmetry
  • Plane Stress
  • Plane strain
  • Comparing 1d, 2d, 3d modeling case study of a pressure vessel

Understanding the objective of the analysis

  • Clear view of scope of problem – how do we tackle it
  • Resource and timescale factors
  • FEA Analysis objectives – reservoir case study
  • Class exercise develop an analysis strategy

Looking at CAD geometry

  • Why not use 20 million elements
  • Trade offs
  • De-featuring
  • The reality of CAD models
  • Manual methods of meshing
  • Building an Analysis Process ‘Cheat Sheet’ Part 2

Engineering Assessment

  • Anticipate the load paths
  • Free body Diagrams
  • Force Balance
  • Review of Stress and Load fundamentals
  • Revisiting the I-Beam, comparing theory with FEA

Checking the answers

  • Ways of checking the results
  • What type of stress do I use?
  • Review of fundamentals
  • Post Processing and More Checking
  • Other Checks
  • Class Exercise – review an FE report

Other Topics

  • Buckling
  • Introduction to Non-linear Analysis
  • Introduction to Dynamics and Normal Modes Analysis
  • Introduction to Composite Analysis

Conclusions

  • Review of the Class exercise – developed Analysis Process ‘Cheat Sheet’
  • Debrief

Who Should Attend?

Practicing engineers who wish to learn more about how to apply finite element techniques to their particular problems in the most effective manner.

Companies moving into FEA technology to improve product designs or assess prototype failures or speed the design process will benefit from sending key engineers to this course.

Interested?

Get in touch to discuss your next steps with our experienced training team. We can work closely with you to understand your specific requirements, cater for your specific industry sector or analysis type, and produce a truly personalised training solution for your organisation.

All NAFEMS training courses are entirely code independent, meaning they are suitable for users of any software package.

Courses are available to both members and non-members of NAFEMS, although member organisations will enjoy a significant discount on all fees.

NAFEMS course tutors enjoy a world-class reputation in the engineering analysis community, and with decades of experience between them, will deliver tangible benefits to you, your analysis team, and your wider organisation.

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PSE Competencies addressed by this training course

IDCompetence Statement
FEAkn1List the various steps in the analysis/simulation process.
FEAkn2Define the meaning of degree of freedom.
FEAkn3List the nodal degrees of freedom and the associated force actions for common beam, 2D solid, 2D axisymmetric, 3D solid and shell elements, for the Displacement FEM.
FEAkn8List the requirements for an axisymmetric analysis to be valid.
FEAkn9List the degrees of freedom to be constrained on a symmetric boundary.
FEAkn11Sketch problems showing the various form of symmetry.
FEAkn12List the advantages of using symmetry.
FEAkn14List the possible advantages of applying material properties, loads and boundary conditions to underlying geometry rather than to finite element entities.
FEAkn15List 2 common solvers for large sets of simultaneous equations.
FENkn16List the various forms of element distortion.
FEAkn17List the various element types commonly used in the analysis of components within your organisation.
FEAco1Describe the sources of error inherent in finite element analysis, in general terms.
FEAco2Discuss checks that may be used post-solution to check for the presence of inaccuracy.
FEAco4Explain the meaning of convergence, including h and p types.
FEAco5Discuss the difficulties that can arise in using a CAD model as the basis for carrying out analysis and simulation.
FEAco6Discuss the need for a consistent set of units in any analysis and illustrate possible pitfalls.
FEAco7Explain why strains and stresses are generally less accurate than displacements for any given mesh of elements, using the Displacement FEM.
FEAco11Discuss the finite element / spring analogy.
FEAco12Outline a common method employed to solve the large sets of sparse symmetric common in FEA.
FEAco13Explain how the structural stiffness matrix is assembled from the individual element matrices.
FEAco14Discuss the nature of the structural stiffness matrix.
FEAco18Explain the term Isoparametric Element.
FEAco24Discuss the relationship between shape function and strain/stress prediction for simple 2D linear and parabolic elements.
FEAco26Discuss the significance of computer memory to solution elapse time for large models.
FEAco27Explain how unwanted cracks can be produced in 2D and 3D solid meshes and describe which plot type is useful in detecting these.
FEAco28Explain why element distortion generally results in poorer results.
FEAco29Discuss the term Flying Structure or Insufficiently Constrained Structure.
FEAco30Explain why stress averaging is not appropriate at junctions between elements of different thickness.
FEAco31Explain why most finite elements do not represent a circular boundary exactly and highlight how this approximation manifests itself.
FEAco35Discuss the terms Validation and Verification and highlight their importance.
FEAco40Explain the rationale behind the use of 1-D, 2-D and 3-D elements used in the analysis of components within your organisation.
FEAap1Employ an analysis system for the determination of stresses and strains in small displacement, linear elastic problems.
FEAap2Demonstrate effective use of available results presentation facilities.
FEAap3Illustrate the approximate nature of finite element analysis, through examples chosen from your industry sector.
FEAap4Illustrate the various steps in the Displacement Finite Element Method from assumed displacement polynomial to determination of stresses.
FEAap5Illustrate possible applications of 0D, 1D, 2D and 3D elements in your industry sector.
FEAap7Employ symmetric boundary conditions effectively.
FEAap10Illustrate various physical situations which will result in a Stress Singularity and explain why it is not appropriate to use finite element results at such locations directly.
FEAap12Employ a range of post-solution checks to determine the integrity of FEA results.
FEAan1Analyse the results from small displacement, linear static analyses and determine whether they satisfy inherent assumption
FEAan2Compare the results from small displacement, linear elastic analyses with allowable values and comment on findings.
FEAev2Assess the significance of neglecting any feature or detail in any idealisation.



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