3 January 2022
 Categories: Technology, Blog

Finite element analysis allows you to assess how products, structures, and systems will likely work in real-world conditions. You need to do more than hand a project to an FEA consulting firm, though. Clients must prepare their projects by doing these five things.

Determining the Necessary Scale

Some FEA services projects work at very large scales. If a civil engineer is trying to determine how a bridge will perform during a hurricane, the analysis isn't likely to look at tiny elements. Conversely, a product designer who is trying to figure out when a pin in a machine will snap may need to get very granular.

You should right-side the scale of the analysis. Doing a fine analysis of a large object like a dam, for example, may be an unnecessary use of processing time. You could probably better invest those compute cycles in running more simulations.

Identify Prior Understandings

Generally, FEA involves analysis based on well-established data. For example, many buildings have suffered damage during earthquakes worldwide. Consequently, an analyst can make many assumptions about how numerous kinds of materials will perform.

There are rare cases, though, where someone may need to analyze a poorly-understood material or type of system. In these instances, you may need to invest some simulation time in trying to sort out performance characteristics. Likewise, you may need to go back and forth between FEA and real-world testing to fine-tune the analysis.

Before you start a project, try to itemize what you do or don't know well about the problem. An FEA consulting engineer can apply their knowledge to determine the best approach.

Consider Many Scenarios

Folks involved with projects often focus on narrow cases where things might fail. However, you should consider a broad range of possibilities. If you're trying to assess how well a bolt will perform under heat stress, you should consider many different starting conditions from cold to hot. Likewise, you might need to analyze the bolt's performance in the water, coastal air, and even high pollution.

Ideate as many scenarios as possible. Remember, an improbable scenario is not the same as an impossible one.

Plan Verification Processes

An FEA services firm can't guarantee their results will match the ones you'll see in the real world. FEA is not a substitute for real-world testing. When you're starting FEA, also begin thinking about how you're going to practically verify whatever results you might uncover.

Be Persistent

Prepare to iterate the process of analysis and real-world testing if there is a divergence. Keep iterating until you arrive at an explanation.

For more information on FEA services, contact a professional near you.