Finite Element Analysis FEA

FEA Finite Element Analysis is the modeling of a system by discretizing several elements that can be connected or simply interfaced with each other. The division into small domains allows the solution of differential equations respecting the global boundary conditions of the problem in order to determine the numerical values along each discretized element for the system.

The finite element analysis is robust and performed quickly with the computational technology available today. It can be applied to linear and non-linear structural analysis and in thermal analysis.

Solving FEA Problems

The FEA problem solving matrices are easier to calculate because they do not have non-linear phenomena such as convection and turbulence, present in fluids. In linear FEA, a stiffness matrix is calculated from the geometric and material characteristics, and thus the linear system is resolved for forces and displacements. In non-linear FEA, the stiffness matrix varies with each iteration and depends on the force and displacement results. For hyperelasticity, constitutive equations of the material are solved according to its characteristics. In this case, it is important to have an experimental curve to make a proper fit of the model constants.

ATS has software like FEMAP, Nx-Nastran and Adina. It can solve stress-strain problems in the steady or transient regime as well as vibration and fatigue problems.

A structural analysis can start with a linear modal analysis and then end with a stress, fatigue and vibration analysis. Stresses are compared with material allowables to assess the engineering design safety margin.

For the Oil and Gas sector

For the oil and gas sector, ATS designed and sized a polyurethane plug based on hyperelastic FEA simulations. Material thicknesses and various internal operating pressures were studied. The customer saved money on prototypes and specimens as well as preserved the operational risk of limit pressures and temperatures.