During last week I've posted a tip in the FEA Guild about using Benchmarks. Some great pointers were in the comments, but one got my attention the most: While there is no chance that I will build such database myself, I'm pretty sure we have a chance of making one together! I will try to [...]
It's time for the second part of the #FEAchecklist! Last time we were checking stuff before starting an analysis. Now, let's wonder what to check if you see analysis errors when your analysis fails to run. I can honestly say I'm kind of an expert here... I'm pretty certain I've made most of the possible [...]
Download the printer-friendly version here, and read the user guide below! I've already written a post on ignoring nonlinear geometry. This time I want to go way deeper into the subject. In the end, I want to create for you a simple Nonlinear Flow Chart that will help you to decide whether you need any [...]
https://youtu.be/inVGiGzmii0 As promised in the video, you can get my free FEA essentials course. and free nonlinear FEA introductory course! Different types of analysis in FEA (text) Just so you know: this will take around 15 min to read. As I wrote recently this year I want to help you gain confidence in the FEA [...]
Recently I asked a lot of my subscribers what they think is the most difficult thing in FEA. While "interpreting results" or "too much theory in materials" appeared quite often, I also got several answers like: My biggest obstacle is actually understanding the mathematical concept behind it. Although I am really interested in the application [...]
Linear FEA calculations are the most common type of static analysis done with finite elements. Last week we have discussed when it is safe to ignore material nonlinearity to use this simple yet robust tool. Today I will describe when we can safely ignore material nonlinearity. A short remainder There are several things you should [...]
Linear FEA calculations are the most common type of static analysis done with finite elements. There are a lot of benefits to the method itself, but of course, there are risks involved as well. Today you will learn when it is safe to ignore material nonlinearity. I will also tell you what things you should [...]
If you are starting with nonlinear FEA you most likely heard the term load multiplier. Usually, people associate this with some sort of "safety factor" but frankly this has nothing to do with safety. In fact, this is the only way you can get an outcome out of nonlinear analysis and today I will explain [...]
Lately, I got several emails with questions about nonlinear analysis convergence. There are a lot of reasons why your analysis could not converge. One of them is a wrong loads/increment strategy which I call "steering". Take a look at what are the possible options and what are the positive/negative aspects of each approach. Steering have [...]
When people think about nonlinear analysis usually what first comes to mind is material nonlinearity. This is the most “visible” aspect of nonlinearity in calculations. I won’t dare to say that materially nonlinear analysis is the most important one (I think that there is not such thing), but without a doubt, this is an important [...]
Geometric nonlinearity is incredibly useful in structural analysis. It can help you check if your model is correct, or allow for a great structural optimization. Today I will discuss the basics of what does geometrically nonlinear analysis do using not the theory but real-life examples! […]
Designing steel silos with analytical approach always yields very conservative results. Nonlinear Finite Element Method allow for great optimization of those structures (and other shell structures as well!). I will discuss this based on a silo I have recently designed. […]
Recently a friend challenged me to do something in Nastran. At a certain point, I realized that I know too little about nonlinear material types. So as typical me, I stopped a challenge and decided to learn more about material nonlinearity, starting from the simplest models to the most advanced ones when it comes to [...]
I literally run this blog for posts like this one. Recently a friend challenged me to do something in Nastran. At a certain point, I realized that I know too little about nonlinear material types in NX Nastran and I suspect this is why I have convergence problems in my task. So as typical me, [...]
Using deformations from linear buckling as imperfections in nonlinear buckling case is the most common approach. I will use a simple example to prove that this is not always the best idea. Proper selection of imperfections is a very complicated process – I hope to shed some light on this matter. […]
Choosing between linear buckling and nonlinear buckling in given case can be difficult. Both approaches have positive and negative aspects. I explain here what are the differences, and when to use each analysis. I promise not to use complicated mathematics, nor highly theoretical approach. Instead, I will use a simple example to easily describe differences. [...]
Nonlinear buckling is a really interesting analysis. It gives you enormous possibilities, at only a few minutes worth of work. At the start, it might be frustrating to set it up (there is a learning curve involved), but in the end, it is a default engineering tool for me right now! Possibilities are limitless! [...]
I have recently calculated a polygonal column for a book my friend writes. I have decided to use this real-life example to show how the process of numerical design looks like in practice. […]
Today I will post about something a little bit different. I had an opportunity to be at International Conference on Metal Structures (ICMS 2016). It was a 3-day event gathering scientists and practitioners from all around the world to discuss new trends and ideas in steel structures. I had a privilege to have 2 presentations [...]
In this post I present a method allowing to read an outcome from a rising stability path obtained from MNA. This method is called “modified Southwell plot” and was published by prof. Rotter. If you ever had problems in estimating plastic capacity this is a must-read! […]