How do you use finite element analysis to work with other experts in structural engineering?

1 Understand the design requirements

Before you start creating your FEA model, you need to understand the design requirements of the project. This means communicating with the architects, the clients, and the code reviewers to define the scope, the objectives, and the constraints of the structure. You need to know the dimensions, the loads, the boundary conditions, and the performance criteria of the structure. You also need to comply with the relevant codes and standards for structural safety and quality.

2 Choose the appropriate FEA software

There are many FEA software options available, but not all of them are suitable for your specific project. You need to choose the FEA software that matches your design requirements, your budget, and your expertise. You also need to consider the compatibility and interoperability of the FEA software with other software that you or your collaborators use, such as CAD, BIM, GIS, or CFD. You need to be able to exchange data and information smoothly and accurately with other experts.

3 Validate and verify your FEA model

Once you have created your FEA model, you need to validate and verify it before you run the analysis. This means checking that your model represents the real structure accurately and that your assumptions and simplifications are reasonable and justified. You need to compare your model with the design drawings, the site conditions, and the material properties. You also need to test your model for errors, inconsistencies, and convergence issues. You need to document your validation and verification process and report any issues or limitations to your collaborators.

4 Analyze and interpret your FEA results

After you have run your FEA analysis, you need to analyze and interpret your results carefully and critically. This means evaluating your results against the design requirements, the codes and standards, and the engineering judgment. You need to identify any potential problems, risks, or opportunities for improvement in your structure. You also need to communicate your results clearly and effectively to your collaborators, using graphs, tables, charts, or reports. You need to explain your analysis methods, assumptions, and findings, and answer any questions or feedback from your collaborators.

5 Optimize and refine your FEA model

Based on your FEA results and the feedback from your collaborators, you need to optimize and refine your FEA model to achieve the best possible design solution. This means adjusting your model parameters, such as the geometry, the mesh, the loads, or the material properties, to improve the performance, the efficiency, or the cost of your structure. You need to rerun your analysis and compare your new results with your previous results and the design requirements. You need to repeat this process until you reach a satisfactory and optimal design outcome.

6 Update and document your FEA model

Finally, you need to update and document your FEA model to reflect the final design solution and to ensure its reliability and usability for future reference. This means updating your model with any changes, corrections, or additions that you or your collaborators have made during the design process. You also need to document your model with detailed and accurate information, such as the model name, the date, the author, the purpose, the inputs, the outputs, the assumptions, the limitations, and the sources. You need to store your model and your documentation securely and share them with your collaborators as needed.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?