Finite Element Analysis process in design engineering: Best practice

Abstract

The fear of knowledge loss by experts retiring or leaving the company forces the company to capture the experts' knowledge and manage it appropriately for future use. This paper aims to capture the best practice for the Finite Element Analysis process in design engineering environment. There are three initial phases in developing FEA models which are classification of the problem, discretization and Modelling. The modelling stage has further classified to three steps, namely: pre-processing, analysis and post-processing. The best practice was captured through different mechanisms including interviews, observation, literature studies and practically using the finite element tools. The captured knowledge will be helpful to improve the current FEA techniques and to accelerate the learning curve for new employee joining the company. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.