Solver speed 1

[dozer]

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the fastest solver of them all? What about the slowest?

I recently started using STAAD.Pro (I know, most of folks in this forum use the more high end, general purpose FEA programs) and I'm amazed how slow the solver is. I've got a 6000 node model composed entirely of plate elements and its taking about 10 minutes to solve. This is nothing fancy, no nonlinear, no gaps, no nothing, just linear static analysis.

I've used SAP2000, COSMOS/M and DesignStar (I think the last two have the same solver) and they all would just laugh at a model this size. OK, maybe just snicker. I would like to be able to go to my boss and show him that there are faster solvers out there. Besides people's personal experience that you can share here, are there any resources that compare solver run times?

 

[PEStructural]

I am deeply offended ... no I'm just kidding. I agree that STAAD is useful for frames, but not for shell/plate structures.

 

[dozer]

ThomasH, no offense taken because you're right. I just hope someone who is thinking about buying FEA software primarily for plates and shells comes across this thread so they can at least eliminate one package.

 

[TS86]

My company currently uses StaadPRO and the majority of what we analyize is frame/beam structures (trusses). Staad has handled these structures fairly well and I dont really have any issues with it.
My question to you is that we have been looking into Cosmos and I want to be sure it can still handle these simple models the same as Staad would. Having a true FEA software would be a big benift for connections etc. but if at the expense of our frame analysis it is not worth it.
Any comments are appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[fkmeyers]

Just make sure they can do beam offsets, pin flags, non-symmetric cross sections, shear relief, tapered beams, nonstructural mass per unit length, etc. I know Nastran has this and we use it. COSMOS may only have a basic beam element. I recommend you look at more than one replacement package.

 

[Yavoran]

staad kick the shit out of me when it goes to the shell elements.
few days ago a friend here modeled a bridge.
Nothing unusual.
one load case.
And what a surprise!!
the total vertical loads were not equal to the sum of reactions!!!!!!!

So................

Otherwise i would consider SAP.
Good interface, corect outputs, and a verry good"bag" of elements.

For something more complex..
Nastran, Lusas or in my opinon ANSYS
At least you my be sure you are not geting the wrong result from a corect inputs.(ike from Staad)

At the end the speed is not everything. I prefer to not to have nightmares

my $0.02

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