ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how to produce good-quality finite element models of two-dimensional solids by using general-purpose model pre-processing software. Although specific references are made to HyperMesh software features for model build operations, and to ABAQUS software for actual FEA solutions, the discussions on key aspects of quality model preparation are equally applicable to other software products for model preparation and validation of results. Introductory ideas for adaptation of finite element grid refinement to local variations of stress field are presented in Section 4.1. The important step of choosing finite element formulation type for appropriate representation of the stress field problem is discussed in Section 4.2. A brief discussion on the processing of geometric design data for stress analysis exercise is presented in Section 4.3. Section 4.4 presents (a)-to-(g) critical details of finite element model preparation and quality checks. Section 4.5 focuses on basic quality checks of analysis results that are essential for validating a model prior to drawing engineering conclusions from the model predictions. Practice problems on model preparation and quality checks are presented in Section 4.6. Discussions and examples in this chapter have remained primarily focused on analysis of 2D stress field problems.
