Novice at FEA: needs advice

[koopas]

Hi all,

I did some limited FEA in FEMAP/NASTRAN back at the university a year ago.

I now work at an airline and would like to model structural metallic joints using finite elements to get fastener loads, stresses, deflections, etc. Frankly, I don't recall much of FEA at all, but am willing to spend the time to relearn the basics and more.

Some questions:

1. What software would you recommend? Someone suggested freeware but there's so many I don't know where to begin. Any recommendations?

2. What books can you suggest for total novices like me? Does "Finite Elements for Dummies" exists? (I'd have no shame in purchasing it). Unlike at design companies, we don't do FEA so it'd be purely out of personal interest. I don't have anybody at work that can help me so I'd have to rely solely on book or perhaps short courses (see below) to brush up on the material. I definitely miss being able to go up to the prof's office and ask away.

3. Do you know of any short courses in the US? I was also thinking about sitting in an undergrad FEA course at the local University of Hawai'i, even though I haven't looked into that option. Heck, perhaps even re-enrolling for a semester to take some structures courses. Have any of you guys/gals done that?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[mloew]

Alex,

Read through the posts in this forum for the myriad opinions on FEA software choices. You will be more confused.

As for books, take a look at those listed in the FAQ Books on Finite Element Method (faq727-384). The following book is highly recommended from many members of this forum:

Building Better Products With Finite Element Analysis
by Vince Adams, Abraham Askenazi

Also, more training is always better. Especially on theory. Without the proper background with FEM, all you will be learning about is the software, not the problems you are trying to solve.

Good luck!

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"Luck is the residue of design."
Branch Rickey

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[pjhype]

Regarding the finite element books, check out the following web site:

http://www.solid.ikp.liu.se/fe/index.html

pj

 

[corus]

For free software try JL Analyser from

http://www.autofea.com.

It seems to me to be the easiest to use though it's very limited in problem size for a demo. It's good enough to play around with.
Many sofware companies also run courses on how to use their product and on the basics of finite elemnts. It's a pricey way to go though when you can find an online course or a local University to offer courses at much lower prices.
An Introduction to Finite Element Computation by Hinton and Owen is also a good book on the theory.

corus

http://www.corusresearch.com