FEA – Dam GATE
FEA – Conveyor Chain
FEA – Cable Short
Description of Finite Element Analysis
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) identifies potential failure modes before fabrication, ensuring structural integrity, code compliance, and optimized designs that reduce risk and accelerate time-to-market.
Code Compliance: FEA design and analysis is performed to industry-specific codes depending on the application. For manufacturing, petrochemical, and power generation industries, the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (Section VIII Division 2) provides the authoritative framework, with FEA serving as a critical tool for demonstrating compliance through design-by-analysis approaches. Often, other codes are implemented.
How FEA is Performed
Using a heat exchanger as an example problem – various steps are taken – such as benefiting from symmetry.
Analysis is done by modeling the structure into thousands of small pieces (finite elements). Breaking the entire structure into such small pieces or “elements” is called discretization. The solution to the governing equations is closely approximated within each element, resulting in a number of equations that need to be solved for every element.
Shown here is a Heat Exchanger.
Since the Heat Exchanger has Symmetry, only a Slice needs to be Modelled.
Instead, all the equations from all the elements over the entire structure need to be solved simultaneously. This task can only be performed by computers. It is noteworthy that, as the structure is broken into a larger number of elements, a greater number of simultaneous equations need to be solved. Thus, typically, results for more complex structures require more computing power.
Whenever possible, symmetry is used to minimize model complexity. Typically finer meshes are used in the locations where the highest stress or heat flow may exist, allowing quicker solutions to what would otherwise take longer computation time. Finite element analysis is often used to verify design integrity and identify critical locations on components without having to build the part or assembly – and provides results that define areas of high strains/stresses which may or may not be life-limiting to the component.
Shown here is a Temperature Distribution Model of the Heat Exchanger.
References
1) “Finite Element Analysis – Theory and Application” S. Moaveni, Prentice Hall, 1999
2) “An Introduction to the Finite Element Method” J.N. Reddy, McGraw Hill 1993
3) “Building Better Products with Finite Element Analysis” V. Adams & A. Askenazi, Onward Press, 1999
FEA Related Resources
– Ansys Software
– NAFEMS: International Assoc. of Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation
Engineering Applications – O’Donnell Typical List of Clients
We’ve performed structural analysis, design optimization, CFD, thermal, stress, vibration and fatigue analysis for clients in industries including energy, mining, and petrochemical. They include::
- Companies that may have FEA analysis capabilities – but require assistance to meet a deadline.
- Companies that require an independent engineering review or a Fitness-For-Service.
- Manufacturers with clients who require stress, thermal, or vibration analyses to confirm structural integrity and compliance to specific Codes.
- Fabricators and/or owner/operators that wish to perform a failure investigation – determining the root cause, and developing improved, safer designs.
- Owner/operators and their representatives that wish to perform a failure investigation to determine liability.
Forensic / Expert Witness Applications
For over 30 years, we’ve been performing engineering design, analysis and expert witness services. We assist in determining whether a component was used improperly (failure to warn), manufactured incorrectly (manufacturing defect), or initially designed improperly (design defect).
We have successfully assisted Legal teams and Insurers requiring expert witness testimony and forensic analysis in State, Federal, and International courts with FEA-based evidence and expert testimony.
Learn from the experience of others. Especially when one such “other” is Dr. William O’Donnell, PhD, PE, Founder and President of O’Donnell Consulting Engineers, Inc., and ASME “Engineer of the Year” – his 50 years of experience in analysis of components including fatigue and fracture safety evaluations and failure analyses are now comprised in this volume.
If you are interested learning more in Engineering Design, Manufacturing and Construction, as well as Failure Analysis, then this book is a must have!
$49.95*
* Does not include shipping, handling or tax
