Overview

IDI provides Finite Element Analysis (FEA) guidance as part of its extensive design capability, with a particular focus on Structural FEA. A common use of FEA is for the determination of stresses and displacements in mechanical objects and systems.

Structural FEA

Structural analysis consists of linear and non-linear models. Linear models use simple parameters and assume that the material is not plastically deformed. Non-linear models consist of stressing the material past its elastic capabilities.

• Poison’s Ratio
• Young’s Modulus
• Mass Density
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
• Specific Heat
• Tensile and Flex Modulus

Other Types of FEA

• Vibrational analysis is used to test a material against random vibrations, shock, and impact. Each of these incidences may act on the natural vibrational frequency of the material which, in turn, may cause resonance and subsequent failure.
• Fatigue analysis helps designers to predict the life of a material or structure by showing the effects of cyclic loading on the specimen. Such analysis can show the areas where crack propagation is most likely to occur. Failure due to fatigue may also show the damage tolerance of the material.
• Heat Transfer analysis models the conductivity or thermal fluid dynamics of the material or structure.