...simple FEA software?
...simple FEA software?
(OP)
Hello everybody,
I'm looking for a simple "FEA" software which should only handle the following: it has a simple drawing interface (something like a sketcher) where I can draw the profile of a bar (or beam) - but just the neutral fiber, just lines and arcs - to be able to represent linear bars, but also combined configurations (line + arc + ...), section characteristics (only basic sections: rectangular, circular), than I have to be able to put constraints on it (clamp, fixed areas, supports) and loads. After that, I would need as output the value of reactions in different areas, the values of stress and displacements under the load and diagrams of forces (T, N) and torque.
I don't need a 3D analysis software, just one as help for hand-made, paper calculations of stress and deformations for mechanical elements.
Does anybody know if such a software exists?
Thank you very much in advance for any sugestion.
I'm looking for a simple "FEA" software which should only handle the following: it has a simple drawing interface (something like a sketcher) where I can draw the profile of a bar (or beam) - but just the neutral fiber, just lines and arcs - to be able to represent linear bars, but also combined configurations (line + arc + ...), section characteristics (only basic sections: rectangular, circular), than I have to be able to put constraints on it (clamp, fixed areas, supports) and loads. After that, I would need as output the value of reactions in different areas, the values of stress and displacements under the load and diagrams of forces (T, N) and torque.
I don't need a 3D analysis software, just one as help for hand-made, paper calculations of stress and deformations for mechanical elements.
Does anybody know if such a software exists?
Thank you very much in advance for any sugestion.





RE: ...simple FEA software?
corus
RE: ...simple FEA software?
h
I think that it does whatever you expect.
A.A.Y.
RE: ...simple FEA software?
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: ...simple FEA software?
If you are a designer with CAD experience but no experience with FEM, then you may use one of the FEM modules provided with the CAD software. Most CAD programs have some simple FE module which allows you to define a simple problem, not only beams and trusses but also 2D and 3D, with minimum effort. For example using Mechanica, FE module of Pro Enigneer, you define a solid beam (or whatever), including application of matieral and boundary conditions, in 30 seconds. Such modules can thus be used for analysis of very simple beams and trusses but more realistic problems, although linear elastic, can be handled just as easy. So instead of seeking some kind of a beam/truss analysis software, maybe you should try a simple FEM software (linear elastic), which allows you to analyze much more than only beams.
RE: ...simple FEA software?
Have a look at this site:-
http://www.quickfield.com/stress.htm
regards
desertfox
RE: ...simple FEA software?
RE: ...simple FEA software?
You can get some limited DOF software FEA tools from Cranes Software who now markets the NISA suite of tools for the price you are looking to spend. My understanding is that these are fully capable in funtions and element types, but limited in problem size (degrees of freedom).
http://www.nisasoftware.com/
good luck!