Structural calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
What is a structural calculation?
A structural calculation is an analysis that enables structures of different size and complexity to be designed safely. Basically, this analysis specifies the tools for solving structural mechanical engineering problems.
Ministerial Decree dated 14 January 2008 stipulates the technical standards for constructions in relation to design and structural calculations, in other words the set of rules for designing, implementing and testing new constructions. The aim of this Ministerial Decree is to ensure public safety through calculation and test instructions for constructed solutions and to establish specific regulations for designing and implementing them.
One of the most common methods used is finite element analysis (FEA).
What is a FEA?
One of the services provided by FL is FEA, which is outsourced to a qualified industry partner with which FL has had a decades-long partnership.
But what is FEA and what benefits does it bring to engineering design? In engineering, this analysis makes it possible to determine the structural behaviour of a given system, starting with physical and mathematical simulations. These simulations commence with approximate solutions that cover all potential behaviour scenarios in the structure as far as possible.
The main feature of FEA is that it breaks the main model down into smaller elements using a grid with triangles and squares, enabling behaviour to be determined more easily.