In ME'scope, SDM, FEA, and FEA Model Updating commands use the same industry-standard finite elements.
Finite elements are called FEA Objects in ME'scope
An FEA Mass Object adds mass (or inertia) to one Point on a structure model
Applies translational or rotational inertia at a Point.
Inertia can be constrained to specific directions by making the appropriate selections in the Orientation column of the FEA Masses spreadsheet.
FEA Mass properties are defined on the Masses tab in the FEA | FEA Properties List.
The property of each FEA Mass must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Masses spreadsheet.
Using the FEA Assistant, a Mass is added to each selected Point on a structure model
Multiple masses can be added to multiple Points by creating a Substructure of Points and selecting the Substructure
An FEA Spring adds linear stiffness between two Points on a structure model. An FEA Damper adds linear damping between two Points on a structure model
Stiffness & damping are applied either axially (along the element axis), translationally in 3 directions, or rotationally in 3 directions between two Points
Stiffness & damping can be constrained to specific directions by making selections from the Orientation columns of the end Points in the FEA Spring or FEA Damper spreadsheet.
Stiffness of FEA Springs are defined on the Springs tab in the FEA | FEA Properties List
Damping of FEA Dampers are defined on the Dampers tab in the FEA | FEA Properties List
The Stiffness of each FEA Spring must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Spring spreadsheet.
The Damping of each FEA Damper must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Damper spreadsheet.
Using the FEA Assistant, an FEA Spring or FEA Damper is added to a structure model wherever there is a selected Line
Multiple FEA Springs or FEA Dampers can be added to a model by creating a Substructure of Lines and selecting the Substructure
An FEA Rod is a linear element that applies translational force along its axis between two Points on a structure model.
Cross sectional areas of FEA Rods are defined on the Rods tab in the FEA | FEA Properties list.
Elasticity & density of FEA Rods are defined in the FEA | FEA Materials list.
The properties of each FEA Rod must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Rod spreadsheet.
Using the FEA Assistant, an FEA Rod is added to a structure model wherever there is a selected Line
Multiple FEA Rods can be added to a model by creating a Substructure of Lines and selecting the Substructure
An FEA Bar is a long slender linear element that applies translational force along its axis between two Points, and bending force at its two end-Points on a structure model.
Cross sectional areas & cross sectional inertias (X Inertia, Y Inertia, XY Inertia) are defined on the Bars tab in the FEA | FEA Properties list.
The cross section is oriented by pointing the X-Axis of the cross section to an Orientation Point in the structure window.
The Orientation Point is defined by its row number in the Points spreadsheet. It's row number must be entered into the Orientation cell for each FEA Bar in the FEA Bar spreadsheet.
Material properties for FEA Bars are defined in the FEA | FEA Materials list.
The properties of each FEA Bar must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Bar spreadsheet.
Using the FEA Assistant, an FEA Bar is added to a structure model wherever there is a selected Line
Multiple FEA Bars can be added to a model by creating a Substructure of Lines and selecting the Substructure
FEA Triangles and FEA Quads are linear plate finite elements, also called membrane elements.
FEA Triangles & FEA Quads should be used to model parts of a structure that are relatively thin compared to their width & height dimensions. Otherwise, solid elements should be used.
An FEA Triangle is attached between three Points on the structure model
An FEA Quad is attached between four Points on the structure model
FEA Triangle & FEA Quad thicknesses are defined on the Plates tab in the FEA | FEA Properties list.
FEA Triangle & FEA Quad material properties are defined in the FEA | FEA Materials list.
The properties of each FEA Triangle must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Triangle spreadsheet.
The properties of each FEA Quad must be chosen in its Property cell in the FEA Quad spreadsheet.
The Stiffness Multiplier is used to increase or decrease the bending stiffness of FEA Triangle or an FEA Quad. The bending stiffness is calculated as a function of its thickness and material properties.
The FEA Triangle & FEA Quad stiffness calculation assumes that the plate cross section consists of a uniform distribution of the plate material.
In cases where a plate cross section consists of two or more dissimilar materials, its bending stiffness could be greater or less than the stiffness calculated with a single material cross section.
Stiffness Multiplier = 1 calculates the bending stiffness based on its thickness & material properties.
Stiffness Multiplier > 1 increases the bending stiffness of an FEA Triangle or FEA Quad
Stiffness Multiplier < 1 decreases the bending stiffness of an FEA Triangle or FEA Quad
Correct Point Selection for Adding Plates & Solid Elements.
Using the FEA Assistant, an FEA Triangle is added to a model wherever there is a selected Surface Triangle
Multiple FEA Triangles can be added to a model by creating a Substructure of Surface Triangles and selecting the Substructure
Using the FEA Assistant, an FEA Quad is added to a model wherever there is a selected Surface Quad
Multiple FEA Quads can be added to a model by creating a Substructure of Surface Quads and selecting the Substructure
FEA Tetras, FEA Prisms & FEA Bricks are 3-dimensional solid finite elements.
FEA Tetras, FEA Prisms & FEA Bricks should be used to model parts of a structure that have approximately the same width, height, & length dimensions.
An FEA Tetra is attached between four Points on the structure model
An FEA Prism is attached between six Points on the structure model
An FEA Brick is attached between eight Points on the structure model
FEA Tetra, FEA Prism & FEA Brick properties are defined on the Solids tab in the FEA | FEA Properties list.
Each FEA Tetra, FEA Prism & FEA Brick must have its property chosen in the Property cell in the FEA Tetra, FEA Prism or FEA Brick spreadsheet.
FEA Tetra, FEA Prism & FEA Brick material properties are defined in the FEA | FEA Materials list.
Using the FEA Assistant, multiple FEA Tetras, FEA Prisms or FEA Bricks can be added to a selected Substructure in two ways,
FEA Tetras, FEA Prisms or FEA Bricks can be added to any selected 3D Editable Substructure
Or FEA Tetras, FEA Prisms or FEA Bricks can be added to any selected 2D Substructure that has been Extruded or Revolved into a 3D Substructure.