Finite element analysis, or FEA, is a powerful engineering tool that can be used to simulate and predict the behavior of complex systems. While FEA is most commonly associated with structural analysis, it can also be used for fluid dynamics, thermal analysis, and even electromagnetics.
Despite its many FEA simulation advantages, there are still some who view FEA with skepticism. Some engineers believe that FEA is nothing more than a “black box” that spits out results that cannot be verified or trusted. Others believe that FEA is too time-consuming and expensive to be worth the investment.
However, there are many compelling reasons to use FEA. In fact, some of the advantages of FEA may surprise you! Read on to learn more about the surprising benefits of finite element analysis.
1. It’s More Accurate Than Physical Testing
One of the biggest advantages of using FEA is that it’s more accurate than physical testing. With physical testing, there are always variables that can affect the results. For example, if you’re testing the strength of a material, the test results may be different depending on the temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions.
With FEA, you can control all of these variables and isolate them so that they don’t affect your results. This means that you can get a more accurate picture of how your system will perform in the real world.
2. It’s Less Expensive Than Physical Testing
Another advantage of FEA is that it’s less expensive than physical testing. Physical testing can be very costly, especially if you need to build prototypes or hire outside facilities to conduct the tests.
FEA allows you to test your system virtually, which means you don’t need to build anything or hire outside help. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.
3. It’s Faster Than Physical Testing
Physical testing can take weeks or even months to complete. And once the tests are done, you still need to analyze the data and interpret the results. This whole process can take a long time—time that you might not have if you’re working on a tight deadline.
With FEA, you can get your results much faster. And since you’re not waiting for physical tests to be completed, you can move on to other tasks while the simulation is running.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many advantages to using finite element analysis—some of which may surprise you! If you’re not using FEA in your engineering workflows yet, now is the time to start taking advantage of this powerful tool!
