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  • About
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The ESRD Blog

Home The ESRD Blog (Page 4)
Why Worry About Singularities?

Why Worry About Singularities?

Dec 14, 2023

A mathematician delivered a keynote presentation at an engineering conference some years ago. At the coffee break, following the presentation, a highly respected senior developer of a legacy finite element code, remarked: “I do not understand why the speaker was so worried about singularities. We never see them.”

The remark highlights the lack of a common language between the pre-scientific notion of finite element modeling and finite element analysis, which is a branch of applied mathematics. Read why mathematicians and engineers alike should “worry” about singularities.

The Story of the P-version in a Nutshell

The Story of the P-version in a Nutshell

Nov 30, 2023

The idea of achieving convergence by increasing the polynomial degree (p) of the approximating functions on a fixed mesh, known as the p-version of the finite element method, was at odds with the prevailing view in the finite element research community in the 1960s and 70s. But why?

Why Finite Element Modeling is Not Numerical Simulation?

Why Finite Element Modeling is Not Numerical Simulation?

Nov 2, 2023

The term “simulation” is often used interchangeably with “finite element modeling” in the engineering literature and marketing materials.  It is important to understand the difference between the two.

Obstacles to Progress

Obstacles to Progress

Oct 24, 2023

The development of the finite element method (FEM) consists of two main branches: the art of finite element modeling and the science of finite element analysis. Learn why in this blog.

A Memo from the 5th Century BC

A Memo from the 5th Century BC

Oct 17, 2023

Confucius (551-479 BC) tells us, engineers working in the 21st century AD, that having a firm grasp on terminology is an essential prerequisite to success. But why are there so many popular but misleading or meaningless terms floating around in engineering presentations, technical papers, blog articles, trainings and workplace environments? Read more in this blog.

ESRD Solves Big Issues in Engineering Simulation

Jun 5, 2017

Democratization of Simulation and Simulation Confidence via Verification and Validation (V&V) are two VERY Big Issues in Engineering Simulation, and...

What inhibits the use of FEA for DaDT applications in the A&D Industry?

What inhibits the use of FEA for DaDT applications in the A&D Industry?

Sep 18, 2017

In this “S.A.F.E.R. Simulation” post we will share the key takeaways for engineers and their managers from a recent ESRD...

New Simulation Governance Page

New Simulation Governance Page

Jan 5, 2018

Learn how Simulation Governance was introduced, how it came to be one of the Big Issues of NAFEMS, and how ESRD’s leadership and other world-renowned simulation experts are using this powerful function for enhancing reliability of modern numerical simulation […]

Why is Simulation Governance Essential for the Reliable Deployment of FEA-Based Engineering Simulation Apps?

Why is Simulation Governance Essential for the Reliable Deployment of FEA-Based Engineering Simulation Apps?

May 8, 2018

How can the vision for expanding the use of numerical simulation by persons who do not have expertise in finite element analysis (FEA) be safely realized? The solution lies in the establishment of Simulation Governance through the development and dissemination of expert-designed Engineering Simulation Apps. Read more[…]

Why Is a Hierarchic Modeling Framework Important?

Why Is a Hierarchic Modeling Framework Important?

Jul 19, 2018

In this S.A.F.E.R. Simulation article, we explore the concept of Hierarchic Modeling, some practical applications of Hierarchic Modeling, and the importance of implementing a Hierarchic Modeling framework in CAE software tools to support the practice of Simulation Governance.

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  • “The p-type element has been used to great advantage in the finite element system ESRD StressCheck, [26]. This software provides the engineer with the means to conduct solution verification in an extremely straightforward manner by simply increasing the degree of the element, monitoring convergence and using Richardson extrapolation reliably to estimate the error. This can be conducted automatically by the software thereby enabling the engineer to concentrate on the engineering rather than the simulation. StressCheck has also been used to develop ESRD’s Handbook and Toolbox applications. The first of these provides engineers with a repository of parameterised standard problems of the type found in texts like Roark’s “Formulas for Stress and Strain”, [27]. The second, Toolbox, is a tool that can be used to parameterise a company’s range of components for rapid and reliable analysis by non-expert analysis. Toolbox then is an exemplary of the way in which the democratisation of simulation can be applied.”

    Angus Ramsay, PhD
    Engineering Director, Ramsay Maunder Associates

Testimonials

When performing parametric structural analysis, ESRD’s p-element StressCheck FEA software is always my preferred choice due to the excellent solution quality, parametric framework, and superior computational efficiency. In fact, I recently used StressCheck to generate stress intensity factors along a parametrically defined elliptical crack-tip across 3,000 unique geometric configurations. Considering multi-body contact was present and all simulations were performed using a laptop, this was a task well suited for StressCheck.

Dr. Lee Zambino, Researcher, Villanova University

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