Finite Element Analysis. SolidWorks Simulation. RealProjects

Introduce the finite element method, compare hand solutions with complex problems, and outline the workflow from CAD geometry to mesh, inputs, solver, and results.

Explore how the finite element method, finite element analysis, and computer aided engineering enable SolidWorks simulation to perform static, dynamic, thermal, and nonlinear analyses.

Activate the SolidWorks simulation add-in, build a simple 80 by 40 by 2 mm model, set up a static study, apply fixtures and top pressure, and review stresses and displacements.

Prepare the suspension upper arm model for simulation by using configuration manager to create a FEMA model, suppress unnecessary features, and clean the mesh with direct editing for accurate results.

Use the split line tool in solidworks to project sketches onto the bushing's internal faces and create four zones for accurate load cases.

Create local coordinate systems at each bushing location using reference geometry—axes from cylindrical faces, midplanes, and intersection points—to accurately define loads before running SolidWorks Simulation for finite element analysis.

Open a static study in the simulation tab, define a solid cast carbon steel with isotropic properties, then create a custom library and apply a 260 MPa yield strength.

Define boundary conditions to show how the model interacts with its environment. Apply loads, forces, pressures, and torques, then set supports and clamps to achieve equilibrium.

Apply boundary conditions in SolidWorks simulation by selecting fixtures like fixed geometry and roller slider, preview constraint behavior with animations, and rename constraints before proceeding to load cases.

Explore boundary conditions by applying three load cases to a vehicle suspension in SolidWorks: lateral curve loads, vertical pothole impacts, and longitudinal acceleration or braking at the center of gravity.

Learn to apply boundary conditions in SolidWorks Simulation by adding external loads—forces, pressure, gravity—using faces and coordinate systems, and define named load cases for lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions.

Create and evaluate a SolidWorks mesh using standard, curvature beige mesh, and blended curvature beige mesh. Use mesh quality plots to monitor aspect ratio and avoid inaccurate results.

Apply curvature based meshing in SolidWorks to increase density around curved features by adjusting element sizes and minimum elements, but it may yield unreliable results due to tight aspect ratios.

Apply local mesh controls to refine element size around bushings and fillets, balancing node count and maximum aspect ratio for efficient, accurate SolidWorks simulation.

Choose the suitable solver in SolidWorks simulation by comparing iterative and direct options; the effect plus solver fits most studies, with RAM minimum 16 GB and 32 GB recommended.

Define the solver in the simulation head, enable manual options, and choose the iterative solver F5 plus. Suppress longitudinal and vertical loads, then run the study for fast results.

Review post-processing results in SolidWorks simulation by analyzing stress, displacement, and strain plots, adjusting units, true scale, and legend limits, and comparing deformed and initial shapes with mesh.

Review post-processing results for stress, displacement, and strains, animate to reveal failure modes, adjust speed and frames, and export animations; use iso clipping to inspect sections and extract data.

Review post-process plots in SolidWorks Simulation, including the factor of safety and fatigue checks, to evaluate stresses against material limits. Export the results as edrawings for easy sharing with customers.

Efficiently duplicate simulation studies in SolidWorks Simulation, suppress irrelevant load cases, and use Compare Results to analyze stresses and displacements across longitudinal, lateral, and vertical load scenarios.

Use the load case manager to create primary load cases (lateral, longitudinal, vertical), build combinations with factors, and view results with stress, displacement, and factor of safety.

Explore shell elements theory and their role in simplifying meshes and reducing computation, and how shells model 3d surfaces with defined thickness and distinct degrees of freedom.

Prepare geometry for shell elements in SolidWorks by creating a mid-surface at 4 mm, removing 3D components, and using a dedicated FEA configuration to study a 3 point bending test.

Define shell elements in a static SolidWorks simulation by selecting thick formulation for 8 millimeters, switching from solid to shell, and using middle surface with offset preview.

Define shell elements, assign a SolidWorks DIN structural material, set mechanical properties, establish fixed boundary conditions, apply a 10,000 N force on the top surface, then proceed to meshing.

Prepare the shell mesh with a curvature based approach using 8-node triangles. Compare high quality quadratic elements to draft linear elements, render thickness, and assess the aspect ratio.

Explore post-processing shell element results in SolidWorks Simulation, including reading stress, displacement, and strain, and adjust plots for top and bottom, membrane, and bending with tensor rendering and thresholds.

Explore beam elements defined by two nodes and a structural section with dimensions, geometric areas, and inertias to enable fast, cost-efficient structural simulations.

Explore beam elements in SolidWorks simulation by modelling a pedestrian bridge with 40 by 40 by 4 mm beams, assigning sections, trimming joints, and preparing geometry for displacement monitoring.

Set up a static bridge simulation, define beam elements via weldments, switch to solid elements for detail where needed, and apply Edge 275 structural material to all parts.

Learn to analyze beam element joints in SolidWorks simulation, visualize joint continuity with color indicators, exclude or include beams, and recalculate joints for a complete, defined extractor.

Apply boundary conditions with joint fixtures, fix geometry to restrict translations and rotations, use reference geometry for selective restraints, and define a flexible constraint to ensure stable beam element simulations.

Apply external loads to beam elements by modeling floor and roof weights, plus gravity for the extractor, using per-unit-length forces applied along selected beams.

Define a mesh using beam elements formed by two nodes along each tube, and adjust the element size with mesh controls to ensure proper orientation and quality.

Review beam element stress plots: axial, bending, torsional, and their combination. Analyze max and mean annotations to see tension, compression, and boundary-induced flexibility effects.

Explore beam diagrams in the results post-process, plotting axial force, shear, and moment to identify maximum efforts across all beams.

Analyze a motorcycle chassis in a SolidWorks finite element analysis, focusing on suspension anchors, engine mounts, and a curved-path loading scenario using remote loads and gravity.

Learn to prepare bike chassis geometry in solidworks for finite element analysis by using weldments, adjusting head-tube position, and rotating bodies with move and rotate operations for proper simulation.

Create a local coordinate system in the steering tube to define a remote load and compare local versus global load applications for bike chassis in SolidWorks simulation.

Set up a static study, convert the bike chassis bodies to solids, assign 6061 aluminum alloy with a modulus of 60 GPa and tensile strength of 130 MPa, and save.

Explore how boundary conditions and contact interactions shape a bike chassis in SolidWorks simulation, using global interactions, bonded versus contact versus free, and fixing geometry to fully constrain the model.

Apply a remote load on the bike chassis using a local head-tube coordinate system, offset 750 millimeters in X and 678 newtons in Y.

Add a punctual engine mass to reflect center of gravity and inertia, choose between engine geometry or a numerical element, and apply with gravity at anchorages under global coordinate system.

Create a curvature-based bike chassis mesh with max 5 mm, min 0.25 mm, 20 elements, growth 1.5, and Jacobian 0.16, then verify quality with an aspect ratio plot.

Review the bike chassis simulation results in SolidWorks, define stress and fatigue plots, and assess yield, safety factors, and potential torsional failure zones.

Analyze bike chassis frequencies and modal shapes with SolidWorks Simulation using a frequency study to prevent resonance, exemplified by Tacoma Narrow Bridge, compare modes, and visualize bending and torsional modes.

Explore the truck chassis design through finite element analysis using SolidWorks Simulation, focusing on torsion failure modes, the ladder frame, side rails, crossmembers, and shell-element modeling for accurate results.

Prepare surface model option #2 for shell elements simulations using the configuration manager to configure features, offset surfaces, suppress options, and define the chassis axle.

Build truck chassis shells in SolidWorks Simulation by defining surfaces, applying shell elements to rails and cross members with proper thickness, and assigning ASTM A36 and A572 steel materials.

Explore boundary conditions and global bonded contact in a truck chassis model using SolidWorks Simulation; define fixtures and torque loads to ensure full constraints for torsional stiffness simulation.

Define a torque load for a three wheel standing chassis using the longitudinal axis as reference geometry, applying a 935 newton per meter torque from the center of gravity.

Refine the truck chassis mesh by comparing curvature-based and standard meshes, achieving an aspect ratio under 5 with a 10 mm element size for global stiffness study.

Review SolidWorks chassis results, define stress plots by material, and compare crossmember and longitudinal rails performance using a factor of safety; highlight welding as a critical region.

Examine the buggy chassis design, focusing on safety-critical components like roll bars and cockpit stiffness, and explore torsional and impact simulations using solid, shell, and beam elements.

Prepare and set up a baggy chassis geometry in SolidWorks for finite element analysis, establishing fixed connections, validating tube-beam intersections, and defining a 45-degree ground plane to simulate rollover.

Set up a static study in SolidWorks Simulation for a buggy chassis, define beam parts from the cut list, address short-beam warnings, and assign a custom AC1018 steel material.

Identify and verify beam joints using the simulation symbols view, where pink balloons indicate continuity and green marks the ends; edit and recalculate joints as needed.

Set boundary conditions for beam elements by applying fix geometry and joint constraints, then apply a 7940 newton force at the rear left wheel to model a max bump.

Mesh the beam elements by placing nodes along each tube and linking them with beam elements carrying predefined properties, then run the study with an iterative solver and review results.

Review post-processing results from SolidWorks simulation of a buggy chassis, examining stress and displacement plots, 312.8 megapascals max stress, reaction forces, factor of safety, and beam diagrams.

Execute a rollover simulation in SolidWorks to assess cockpit deformation, apply loads at roof joints and ground plane, and analyze stress, displacement, and factor of safety.

Conclude by summarizing how to build accurate, efficient simulation models in SolidWorks simulation, using solid, shell, and beam elements across real projects, with tips for future simulations and upcoming courses.