Creating a Finite Element Model

Finite Element Models are representations used for performing computer-aided engineering analysis (CAEA) of products. They are complementary to computer-aided design (CAD) models, which are mainly geometric representations of products.

A Finite Element Model consists of:

a system representation, consisting of:

	a Mesh objects set (containing Node and Element objects)
	a Properties objects set (containing Property-type objects)
	a Materials objects set (containing Material-type objects)
	an Axis objects set (containing Axis-type objects)

various environment actions representations, each consisting of:

an Analysis Case object sets, defining implicitly the type of analysis (solution procedure) expected, and possibly containing:

	a Restraints objects set (containing Restraint-type objects)
	a Loads objects set (containing Load-type objects)
	a (NS) Masses objects set (containing Mass-type objects

for each Analysis Case, a Solution objects set, defining the type of results sought:

	images
	analyses
	reports
	graphs...

The Finite Element Model can initiate a solution process when a sufficient amount of specifications have been captured in the objects constituting the representations of the model.

At the creation of a Finite Element Model, the program automatically generates the system representation template, and proposes to also generate an Analysis Case template for the environment representation and also for indicating the type of solution procedure sought.

This task shows you how to create a Finite Element Model, and optionally an Analysis Case.

If you do not have the ELFINI Structural Analysis product license, your Finite Element Model can simultaneously contain at most one Static Analysis Case and one Frequency Analysis Case.

You can use the sample01.CATPart document from the samples directory for this task.

1. Select Start -> Analysis & Simulation -> Generative Structural Analysis.
The New Analysis Case dialog box is displayed. You can create several types of template:

	`Static Analysis Case`
	`Frequency Analysis Case`
	`Free Frequency Analysis Case`

2. Activate the Static Analysis item in the list and click OK.
An empty Analysis document containing the Analysis toolbar is created.

The Finite Element Model specification tree template displayed on the left shows the standard system representation objects sets and a Static Analysis Case representation, consisting of the following (empty) object sets:

	`Restraints`
	`Loads`
	`Solution`

You could also have activated the Frequency Analysis item in the New Analysis Case dialog box.

The Finite Element Model specification tree template displayed on the left of the created Analysis document would then contain a Frequency Analysis Case representation, consisting of the following (empty) object sets:

	`Restraints`
	`Masses`
	`Solution`

You can activate the Keep As Default switch in the New Analysis Case dialog box if you want to set the current choice as a default choice.

When you have the ELFINI Structural Analysis product installed, the Finite Element Model can contain an arbitrary number of (Static and/or Frequency) Analysis Cases.