FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Domain	Definition
Health	A computer based method of simulating or analyzing the behavior of structures or components. (references)
Meteorology & Standards	A method of stress analysis in which the structure is represented by a number of individual elements, each having prescribed load/deflection characteristics, the whole being put in equilibrium by considerations of compatibility at the boundaries of elements. Source: European Union. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Specialty Definition: Finite element analysis

Finite element analysis (FEA) is the application of the finite element method to the analysis of static or dynamic physical objects and systems. In it, the object or system is represented by a geometrically similar model consisting of multiple, linked, simplified representations of discrete regions—i.e., finite elements. Equations of equilibrium, derived from applicable physical considerations, are applied to each element, and a system of simultaneous equations is constructed. The system of equations is solved for unknown values using the techniques of linear algebra. Accuracy of the FEA method cannot -practically- be improved indifinitevely. There is an upper limit.This limit is determined by convergence check performed by all FEA analysts. After a number of elements accuracy stays -practically- the same, while computing time increases .

FEA is used to analyze objects and systems that are of sufficient complexity that analysis with simpler closed-form analytical methods will not yield results of adequate accuracy, and permits the solution of problems which could not otherwise be solved. In practice, it is accomplished through the use of digital computers due to the very large number and size of the simultaneous equations required for most analyses.

A common use of FEA is for the determination of stresses and displacements in mechanical objects and systems. However, it is also routinely used in the analysis of many other types of problems, including those in heat transfer and fluid mechanics.

commercial FEA programs:

ANSYS( A multiphysics FEA package)
NASTRAN( originating from NASA'S FEA code)
PATRAN (A very powerful pre&post Processor for all solvers commercially available)
ABAQUS
LS-DYNA (Originating from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratories DYNA3D Code)
LUSAS
FRANC 2D&3D (for crack propagation analysis)
FEMAP
FEMLAB
i-DEAS

free FEA programs:

Calculix

Commercial Usage: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Domain	Title
Books	Finite Element Analysis of Non-Newtonian Flow: Theory and Software (reference) Fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis (reference) Introduction to Finite Element Analysis Using I-DEAS 9 (reference) Object-Oriented Methods and Finite Element Analysis (reference) What Every Engineer Should Know about Finite Element Analysis (reference) (more book examples)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Modern Translation: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Language		Translations for "FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
Danish		finite-element analyse. (various references)

Dutch		FEM (finite element modelling), elementen-methode, eindige-elementen-modellering (finite element modelling), eindige-elementenmethode. (various references)

Finnish		elementtimenetelmä, äärellisten elementtien menetelmä (finite element modelling). (various references)

French		modélisation par éléments finis (finite element modelling), méthode des éléments finis (finite element modelling), analyse par la méthode des éléments finis (finite element modelling), analyse par éléments finis. (various references)

German		Finite-Element-Methode (finite element modelling), Berechnung mit finiten Elementen, Analyse mit finiten Elementen. (various references)

Italian		analisi agli elementi finiti (finite element modelling), analisi ad elementi finiti. (various references)

Pig Latin		initefay elementay analysisay

Portuguese		análise por elementos finitos (finite element modelling). (various references)

Spanish		análisis por elementos finitos, análisis de elementos finitos (finite element modelling). (various references)

Swedish		finita elementmetoden (finite element modelling), finit elementmodellering (finite element modelling), finit elementanalys (finite element modelling), FEM (five), FEA (finite element modelling). (various references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Specialty Definition: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Health

Meteorology & Standards

Specialty Definition: Finite element analysis

Crosswords: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Commercial Usage: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Books

Modern Translation: FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Danish

Dutch

Finnish

French

German

Italian

Pig Latin

Portuguese

Spanish

Swedish

INDEX