Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is an irreplaceable analysis tool in today’s design process. In the last five to ten years, FEA has emerged as the go-to method to interrogate, test, and perfect designs before physical prototyping. Recent advances in computer technology makes FEA significantly more accessible to smaller engineering firms […]
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Erecting or renovating a steel structure in the modern era typically involves multiple contracted organizations all working together off one set of design drawings. The Engineer, Fabricator, and Contractor hash out design details in a three-way exchange. Using a streamlined structural steel design process can alleviate some of this chaos […]
Explicit FEA software is a powerful tool to model dynamic structures and transient loading. They are, time-consuming and difficult to troubleshoot. Often, FEA engineers apply simplifications to reduce model size computational expense. It’s essential that these simplifications applied to produce accurate results. A common error is reducing the model […]
TI 2515 193 HCVS and SAWM Inspection It’s been seven years since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster. Since then, US Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) have installed Hardened Containment Vent Systems (HCVS) and implemented Severe Accident Water Management (SAWM) strategies. The NRC will soon inspect licensee implementation using recently developed […]
We've looked at dozens of top performers in the engineering field, and gathered these top 5 tips for becoming a successful engineer.
Explosive hazards are prevalent in many industries. The source of these explosions can be accidental or malevolent. Regardless, site personnel need protection from these hazards. Blast-resistant buildings shield workers and critical assets from blast effects. In this post, we highlight Finite Element Analysis, and its application in the design of Blast Resistant Buildings. In this post we'll cover: Basic blast loading design concepts, differences between hand calculations and FEA, and blast analysis using FEA
Evaluating Tornado Missiles for RIS 2015-06? We’re going to help make it a little more intuitive. Tornado strikes might not be as bad as you once thought.
If you’re somewhat new to CFD, you might be asking yourself why there are so many turbulence models. The answer lies at the heart of what CFD software does. It solves the Navier-Stokes Equation as well as the energy and mass conservation. When solving these equations, Prandtl realized that no direct mathematical solution existed for turbulent flow. This has been coined as the turbulence closure problem because the equations can’t be closed for turbulent flow.
Most structures and their loads are symmetric. In these cases it's possible to take advantage of symmetry to simplify your Finite Element Analysis and reduce run time. In this blog we'll: Discuss benefits of using symmetry in FEA, provide a primer in symmetry theory, and Work through a FEA case study using symmetry.
Looking for a quick way to find if something will survive a tornado missile strike? Try these calculators for either concrete or steel.
