In structural engineering, most problems can be modeled with one-dimensional line elements, or two-dimensional plate or shell elements, and result in reasonably accurate solutions.

Node degrees of freedom and wall element properties.Ĭomplicated three-dimensional elements, such as solid (or brick) elements, are not usually available in most commercial design software.

General Comments about Finite Element Modelingįinite element models are created by modeling line, plate/shell, and solid (or brick) elements, with associated end nodes. Other FEA programs with high-end analysis features, such as SCIA Engineer, are important tools for structural engineers because they offer more options for creating elements that more closely represent a structural component’s behavior. Some of the more commonly used software programs for FEA with masonry design are RAM Elements (soon to be released as STAAD(X) from Bentley Systems, Inc.), as well as RISA Floor and RISA 3D (from RISA Technologies). The process of finite element modeling and analysis is an approximate solution which closely mimics an actual structure in a way that allows structural engineers to design for the stresses, forces, and deflections that are determined using the FEA method. FEA programs can resolve even the most complex problems in a reasonable amount of time. What exactly is finite element analysis? It is the process of reducing (simplifying) a problem with infinite degrees of freedom to a finite number of elements with unique material properties. Of course, each of the different FEA programs has their idiosyncrasies, all of which require designers to pay close attention when using these programs. To solve complex problems efficiently, and to gain a more in-depth understanding of the elements being analyzed, structural engineers are using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Software programs for structural engineers continue to escalate in complexity, as engineers become increasingly reliant on those tools to increase accuracy in analysis and efficiency during design.

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