Finite element analysis
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Flip to reveal answersWhat three inputs does an FEA need?
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Question
What three inputs does an FEA need?
Answer
A material, so stiffness and strength are known; the loads — how much, where and in what direction; and the constraints saying which faces are held still.
Question
Does red on an FEA output mean failure?
Answer
No. Red is the highest stress in that simulation. Failure depends on whether the peak exceeds the yield strength of the material, which the numbered scale tells you.
Question
Why does stress concentrate at a sharp internal corner?
Answer
The load has to change direction through a small area. A generous fillet radius lets the stress flow round gradually, which is usually the cheapest fix available.
Question
What does FEA not establish?
Answer
Anything outside the case described: being dropped, loaded off-centre, corroded, or fatigued over many cycles. It also assumes a perfect material, which a printed part is not.
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