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Inexpensive FEA software

Inexpensive FEA software

Inexpensive FEA software

(OP)
Hello,
I recently lost my job and would like to start doing FEA consulting. I would like to start with an inexpensive FEA software. I am thinking of linear, some linear (material) and dynamic analysis. Could some body suggest a commercial softwre? I have used ANSYS and ABAQUS in past.

 

Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

(OP)
Sorry! Noticed a type. Third line should be.. linear, some non-linear (material)..

Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

A free option is CalculiX:

http://www.bconverged.com/

The input deck is very similar to ABAQUS. I incorporate it the software I developed and it works well, though clearly limited when compared to ABAQUS

Roshaz is another option, with some element formulations being more traditional than CalculiX. I have not used it, but it looks pretty good from what I can see.

http://www.roshaz.com/

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

To expand on ESPcomposites a little, Calculix uses input files that are very similar to Abaqus so you would be able to use your prior experience. The main drawback is its awful GUI but if you are used to generated your own input files you will be in good shape. You can also use Gmsh as the pre-processor.

 

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

ESPcomposites:
What main limitations do you see in Calculix comparing to Abaqus?
Please answer regarding to the following fields: linear & non-linear (material, geometry) static, rigid & deformable contacts, material: isotropic . It is only computing time or much more restrictions?

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Calculix can solve nonlinear problems, including contact.

It does not have a true composite material. It does support anisotropic and orthotropic, which at times can be good enough, but sometimes is not.

Calculi does not have true 1D or 2D elements. Yes, it does have a beam and shell element. But they are actually 3D elements that are collapsed. This is quite a clever use that saves a lot of development time. Sometimes it is a challenge to work with though.

The really nice thing is the low learning curve if you are familiar with ABAQUS. And of course, the fact that it is open source. This allows me to redistribute and develop software around it.





 

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

CalculiX is a great option... though I'm still plugging away at learning it, myself (I'm an ANSYS user by day, so the learning curve is a bit steeper for me than some).

The biggest challenge that I've come across for low-cost/free engineering tools is 3D CAD... the free stuff (OpenCASCADE, BRL-CAD,VARKON, PythonCAD, etc.) isn't that great... or at least has a steep learning curve. I've heard of folks using Blender, but that seems like more of an animation tool to me... but, maybe it works for all I know.

There are some low-cost CAD options out there, but they're still a significant investment (that I haven't made). VariCAD, TurboCAD, Bricscad... and so on.

Anything more than very simple analyses will require some CAD model manipulation, so be prepared to make an investment, there.

I've felt that the biggest benefit to CalculiX is the cross-compatibility, since models can be run on both solvers.

Code-ASTER is another free FEA tool which seems quite good, though I haven't tried it. It was developed by the French electric utility company... so no telling how much documentation you'll find in English. Even still, CAE-Linux is a packaged FEA solution built on PCLinuxOS that incorporates Code-Aster, which might be worth looking into.

Let us know what direction you go; I'd be interested in hearing what you find out there.

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

FEAPpv is also free and you have the fortran source code too. Meshing is only basic though but you can use other programs for the mesh and import it into a text file. Compared to modern day commercial packages, it is fairly basic though.

Tara

http://tinyurl.com/4ydjg7m

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

We seem to be concentrating on inexpensive as in free, but I'm not sure that's the best option for someone starting their own business.  I use Strand7 for all my FEA work, which is a significant investment, but much less than the likes of Abaqus.  I'd say the easy to use graphical interface and support when you need it is worth the money.  The annual cost is insignificant when compared with PI insurance anyway.  For CAD I use Intellicad, but I rarely use it in an analysis context.

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
 

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Doug,

How much is Strand7? It looks interesting. It looks to still be in the 8-10k range though? Roshaz is a lot cheaper, but I don't know that is has much of a following. Maybe johnhors can chime in.

I mentioned CalculiX because if you already have previous ABAQUS experience, then there is almost no learning curve (huge benefit). I know they are also working on Femap pre/post compatibility. It is my understanding that CacluliX can and has been used by consultants.

As far as CAD software goes, Alibre is pretty awesome for the money.

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

(OP)
Gentlemen,
Thanks for providing so much information. I apologize for not responding earlier. IDS already mentioned what I am going to say. I was not looking for free software. I do not want to spend a lot of extra time trying to pre-process, run or post-process the results as I want to do this in a commercial setting. Therefore I am looking for commercial software. I did a brief survey on the net and came up with the following software (s?):
1. Femap + NASTRAN (NEI sotware)
2. Simulia ABAQUS
3. ANSYS DesignSpace
4. ADINA
5. ANSA (pre/post processor only)
6. COMSOL
7. LUSAS
8. MSC Nastran
9. ALGOR
10. Hyperworks
My earlier experience has been with ANSYS with DesignSpace (not classical interface), ABAQUS with ABAQUS CAE (not building  the input decks myself). I have used Hypermesh for some time. My feeling in terms of cost/seat ABAQUS probably is the upper limit. I was wondering is there a way to judge, which software is most cost effective. Also those of you who do consulting could perhaps tell  which software are most commonly used in consulting services.

Thank you,

Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

If those are your software candidates, then "inexpensive" is probably not a good way to describe the thread title.

Also, if you not familiar with building decks, exactly what sort of FEA are you going to provide? I am guessing you are not a classical stress analyst, but rather have "push button" FEA experience? This is not to say anything is wrong with that, but we have to understand what your skill set is and who your customers might be. Do you have any customers lined up and how will you get them?

If you are closer to the "push button" sort, then you may need to be compatible with your customer's software. They would probably want you work on a standard approach to their specific problems. I don't think anyone would want to turn you loose on a structural analysis project. The challenge there is variety of platforms.

If you are closer to a stress analyst, looking to extend your capabilities with FEA, you can do this with a variety of software. But based on your responses, this is probably not the case. You may not understand that the "inexpensive" options mentioned can and have been used by stress analyst consultants.

Give us a better idea of your plan to generate revenue. It will be difficult to just buy a software and get clients (especially if your classical experience is lacking). Even the best software is not substitute for that.

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Hope you don't mind the question ESP, but what exactly are decks?

Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

"deck" is an old fashioned name for an input file for a FE solver.

In the early days of FEA you would type out your model data one line at a time onto a piece of card. You would end with a large pile of cards, as with playing cards these were referred to as a "deck" of cards or card deck.

A card reader would then read your model into the computer for analysis. The computer only "saw" your model when the FEA was running, the card deck was the only storage medium available to you. Output was from a line printer.

www.Roshaz.com quality, cost effective FEA solutions

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

A deck is another term for the file that is sent to the solver. It comes from the old punch card days (before my time). All of the cards (individual lines of code) would be stacked together to form a physical "deck" of cards. For whatever reason, this term has lasted and is known to nearly every structural analyst who uses FEM (i.e. it is a very common term). I suppose the fact that it is a universal terms helps (it means the same thing, regardless of the solver).

Also, you will hear terms like "star card" for ABAQUS (though less common). The star card would be something *NODE, *ELEMENT, etc. The cards refer to the individual lines in the deck. Have a look at your deck to see what I mean, it will be an ASCII file.

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Hehe "star-card." Haven't heard that one before : ]

I'm not sure if 10 was your limit, but you could consider adding SolidWorks Simulation to that list. I'm an ABAQUS user (which is not inexpensive by any means).  

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Warning - Friday afternoon rant alert:

It cracks me up whenever I see the "deck" term being used.  I am relatively certain that if FEA developers would suddenly abandon this archaic notion, no one would be confused, or complain.

It's an input file, or script.

In general, the FE bunch are a pretty hip, savvy group.  Considering that you can probably run some of these "decks" on your iphone, maybe we could move on...

Put another way, if my FE guy is confused because of the absence of the word deck in the software documentation, maybe I need a new FE guy.

tg  

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

The term deck is universal. It has been used a long time and not going anywhere (at least on the aerospace side).

Part of reason to not say "input file" is that a .inp is an ABAQUS input file. So an input file can imply you are using ABAQUS. If you are using NASTRAN and say input file, it can be misleading. We would say deck, BDF, or bulk data file for NASTRAN. Aerospace guys tend to use a multitude of FEA software for different functions (sometimes in close parallel). I have used at least 5 or 6 of them. Deck is nice because it is platform independent.

I have never heard the word "script" used though, mostly because there is little parallel between a script and a deck. Scripts usually have some soft of programming or are "programming like", while decks are not. They are "dumb".

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Just to add a little to what Brian has said, Abaqus uses .inp "input files" and can also use python script files to control the analysis, the script file does not contain model data.

Other programs like Lusas use a "data file" with extension .dat

But every FE analyst knows (or should know) what deck means in this context. I would be very wary of any analyst who was unfamiliar with this term.


The formatted input deck for Nastran (as still produced today by all FE pre-processors that I am familiar with) is designed to fit on to the 80 character width of the Hollerith card. Thus it lives on.

see:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punched_card

http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~mills/gallery/gallery9.html
 

www.Roshaz.com quality, cost effective FEA solutions

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

^ lawyered

(A How I Met Your Mother reference)

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

(OP)
ESPcomposites, I accept your point. The word 'inexpensive' was a wrong choice. I should have said 'less expensive'. To answer your question about my background, I have an MS degree in mechanical engineering and I have a PEs license. I have lot of experience in design, R & D and testing. So what I am saying is I am not a green engineer and I do not believe that I am a button pusher. Though if using ABAQUS CAE makes one a button pusher then I probably am one.

I did not start FEA in automotive or aerospace industries. I worked in reciprocating compressor manufacturing industry where FEA is relatively a late entrant. I say 'relatively', so it means about 13 years old instead of 35 years old. When I started doing FEA (12 years ago) ABAQUS CAE was already available. Therefore I did not see the point of writing input files. Though I understand the structure of ABAQUS input files and have modified these files at times. I have been member of NAFEMS for a long time and have read lot of their publications.

I try to take adequate care in balancing the loads and checking mesh convergence. I have used contacts quite often. I have done strain gage testing a number of times to check the results. I have been reading the comments on this group for 8 years.

In terms of business, this is still in a preliminary stage. I have not identified any potential customers. I live in the Bay area. It is possible that my question is premature and I am putting the horse before the cart.

Thanks,

Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

You seem to be focusing on FEM based knowledge. How are you skills as a classical analyst? That will better dictate the type of consulting you may wish to provide. You might want to take a step back and ask yourself what your skill set is and how it could be used to consult. I know a few PhD's who are great with ABAQUS who would not be qualified to consult as a stress analyst.

A stress analyst will rely on classical solutions (70-90%), augmented with FEM (10-30%). In that case, you don't necessary need expensive software. As said, consultants have even used free software.

If you want to advertise your skill with a particular software, then your classical knowledge is less important. But you may need to have a specialized knowledge in an area where there is a need. In that case, you may need to use the client's software, making the whole "less expensive" question moot. I don't think you will get too many clients who want someone who has a lot of FEM experience, but is not a master at classical solutions...no matter how expensive your software is.

You may be better served to put a price range on the software. Some of the list is comparably priced to ABAQUS so I don't see how that fits your need for "less expensive".

Brian
www.espcomposites.com

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

If you're going to do consultancy work then I suggest you first find out what your market is. My guess is that 90% of the work required would be basic linear analysis for design purposes. So buying packages that only do linear analysis would be a cheaper option.  

Tara

http://tinyurl.com/4ydjg7m

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Back to Calculix, there is a great email support forum for it and there is a Windows version that is supported in the US. It has been compiled for both Windows and Linux and will support multiple cores.

While the GUI is a bit arcane, it can interface with other GUIs. In fact one would think that Femap could deal with writing and perhaps be made to post process for it. Calculix is actually two parts, a GUI and a solver (Crunchix).
 

TOP
CSWP, BSSE
www.engtran.com  www.niswug.org
www.linkedin.com/in/engineeringtransport

"Node news is good news."

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

Since you have time on your hands... take a gander at Lisa7_FET... I tinker with it in my spare time...

Dik

RE: Inexpensive FEA software

(OP)
Dik,
I have installed LISA7 and will play with it.
Thanks,
 

Gurmeet
Time is an illusion. Now is the only thing there is.

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