Criteria for “Classical” FEA

Solver

• Uses a traditional input deck (input file)

  • This is a simple ASCII file that defines the solution type, loads and boundary conditions, nodes, elements, output requests, etc.

• Full suite of traditional 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D elements

• Use with or without a pre/post-processor

  • A model can be created in a text editor for simple problems

• Command line run

  • No pre/post-processor required

• Detail control

  • Inspect and modify the deck

• Output format has an ASCII option to view raw data

• Detailed manual (typically hundreds of pages)

Pre/Post Processor

• “Bottom up” Pre-processor

  • Create nodes and elements directly

• 1D and 2D Elements are the priority “bread and butter” elements

  • Loads extraction, detail analysis, semi-empirical analysis, efficient

  • Solid elements only used when necessary (element of last resort)

    • In contrast to the approach to a “top down” approach (3D CAD model meshes)

• Not built from CAD frameworks (Parasolid, ACIS, OpenCascade)

  • Excellent for solid element meshes, but very limited for 1D elements and challenging for 2D elements