What are effective ways to ensure accurate structural analysis results?

3 Create and verify the model

The model is the representation of your structure in the software or tool that you are using. It should capture the essential features and behaviors of your structure, but also be as simple and efficient as possible. To create and verify the model, you need to: follow the software or tool guidelines and standards, use appropriate elements and meshing techniques, check for errors and warnings, perform quality checks and tests, and compare the model with the actual structure or a reference solution.

4 Run and validate the analysis

The analysis is the process of solving the equations that govern the behavior of your structure under the applied loads and conditions. It should produce results that are consistent, accurate, and meaningful. To run and validate the analysis, you need to: choose the right solver and settings, monitor the convergence and stability, review the results and outputs, perform sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, and compare the results with experimental data or other sources.

5 Interpret and communicate the results

The results are the outputs of the analysis that show how your structure responds to the loads and conditions. They should provide insights and answers to your problem and objectives. To interpret and communicate the results, you need to: understand the significance and limitations of the results, use appropriate visualization and reporting tools, identify and explain the key findings and implications, and provide recommendations and solutions.

6 Update and improve the design

The design is the outcome of your engineering design process that meets your project specifications and expectations. It should be based on the results of your structural analysis, but also consider other factors such as cost, feasibility, aesthetics, and sustainability. To update and improve the design, you need to: evaluate the performance and efficiency of your design, identify and address the weaknesses and risks, implement and test the changes and modifications, and document and justify the design decisions.

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?