We'll continue on now with our blog series on finite element analysis (FEA).  After discussing how to best set up a computer-aided design (CAD) model for FEA simulation, in this blog I'll cover the next step: meshing the model and applying boundary conditions.  "Meshing" is the process by which the CAD model is separated into discrete finite elements; it can be done in the same program that runs the FEA numerical simulation later, or it might be performed in a standalone program, depending on your software.  Boundary conditions are the loads (forces, movements, impacts, etc) and constraints that interact to [...]

Figure 1: Reinforced concrete mesh © Glew Engineering Consulting Welcome back to our blog series on FEA.  In the last blog entry, we introduced some of the fundamental concepts in finite element analysis (FEA).  This entry in the blog series focuses on the initial steps in preparing a computer-aided design (CAD) model ready for use in an FEA program.  Since FEA programs are very sensitive to the data they have to work with, it's important that the CAD models being analyzed are compatible with the analysis methods the FEA program uses. In order to illustrate my points throughout the blog series, I will introduce a recent [...]

Figure 1: FEA mesh and shear stress results for a reinforced concrete slab © Glew Engineering Consulting, 2016 Finite Element Analysis Consulting (FEA) In this series of blogs on FEA, we will first cover some basic elements common to many FEA projects, and then in subsequent blogs in this series, illustrate those methods through examples. One of the services that Glew Engineering Consulting provides is finite element analysis consulting (FEA).  FEA consulting has been a great boon to the engineering profession, allowing mechanical engineers and civil engineers to accurately model the stress and strain behavior of complicated parts and assemblies prior to building physical [...]