Why engineers do not like to use FEA software?

[femdesigner]

Over the years I have seen many FEA-averse engineers make complete howlers because they used over-simplified hand calculations instead of building a computer model and looking at the results.

Why is there not more people using Finite element analysis software?

[Lightning McQueen]

Originally Posted by femdesigner

Over the years I have seen many FEA-averse engineers make complete howlers because they used over-simplified hand calculations instead of building a computer model and looking at the results.

French engineers ?

Originally Posted by femdesigner

Why is there not more people using Finite element analysis software?

Are you refer to the new generation of engineers ?
From my side I can say that with the diffusion of 3D CAD software
also FEA software have a growing importance in engineering day-to-day work.

Ciao,
LMcQ

[livia]

I can say from my experience that what you said, femdesigner, was true since few years ago but it's slightly changing...and in our markets it is almost an over passed situation.
Today almost everything is done using 3D CAD and FEM (there are good a bad designers....and quotes are still really "funny" sometimes) and where it was still missed (low motorbike series) CRP Racing is trying to bring them too...but it is expensive and you need designers with good skills...and very good experience, and it's not so easy to find them! Many young guys coming from university design with no knowledge (about materials, manufacturing processes, commercial features…) asking for micros as they were millimetres...thus making the manufacturing much more expensive even when it's not necessary...So first of all schools should improve and designers should study and practice much more.
By the way you are right LMcQ: these are fundamental meanings today to make true top level engineering.

[Lightning McQueen]

Originally Posted by livia

I can say from my experience that what you said, femdesigner, was true since few years ago but it's slightly changing...and in our markets it is almost an over passed situation.

I agree with you Livia . . .

Originally Posted by livia

Today almost everything is done using 3D CAD and FEM (there are good a bad designers....and quotes are still really "funny" sometimes)

Typographical error ? Do you mean "good AND bad designers" ?

Originally Posted by livia

Many young guys coming from university design with no knowledge (about materials, manufacturing processes, commercial features…) asking for micros as they were millimetres...thus making the manufacturing much more expensive even when it's not necessary...So first of all schools should improve and designers should study and practice much more.

Again you're right Livia . . .

LMcQ

[ErikC]

There is a certain stigma with the "old" guard who are against using FEA and I can see their point. In my opinion, if you can't do the hand analysis then you should not be using FEA. There are a lot of assumptions which need to be made in hand and FEA, but at least with hand analysis those assumptions are clear for everyone to see. FEA is much more of a "black box" where the assumptions are not as obvious and more difficult to catch. This is where experience with how structures actually deform/fail comes into play.
That being said, it is a tool, and if used properly, a very powerful tool. Any stress engineer would be foolish to be against FEA for every and all applications. That’s like saying that you shouldn't use a calculator, ridiculous. FEA can make good engineers better and bad engineers dangerous.

Erik

[stewart]

I would agree with ErikC and add that proper training of using FEA is an issue. Many programs are coming with entry level FEA functions, and it can be useful when applied correctly. If not, it creates nothing more than colored pictures and a false sense of security.

I had an entry level designer that was showing me his analysis of a pulley system relating to a Harmonic Damper. At first it looked very impressive, until I realized that he had applied the load forces in the wrong direction. You need to know what you are doing and how the program works.

Older engineers will be a bit suspicious of results if they do not know how the program works and many are not comfortable with tools without proper training.

[femdesigner]

Don't you think that engineers could teach themselves how to use the best tools to do their work more accurately and efficiently? Shouldn't engineers check each others work whether hand calculations or FEA? A decent review system should pick up erors like the one you mention Stewart. And clearly it did!

I think using FEA shows people just how a part moves under load which isn't always obvious and so just using FEA (under guidance of course) makes you a better engineer.
Unfortunately, I have discovered that some of the people who are against younger engineers practising FEA are just protecting their territory.

[ErikC]

I think it would depend on what industry you are working in and what the consequences of your mistakes are.

If you were using FEA as a stand-alone substantiation of a critical structure then I wouldn’t recommend teaching yourself. But, if it is initial sizing, which will be validated by testing, then the risk associated is mitigated (at least to the public).

[livia]

I do agree with you ErikC, responsibility is the main issue!

[NeiNastran]

Generally using FEA analysis can save you a lot of time in the design process and you can avoid structural failures down the road. The savings could end up to be huge.