StressCheck’s underlying technology and architecture differ from conventional FEA codes in that StressCheck is the only FEA code on the market today designed to meet the requirements of Simulation Governance, assuring reliable results. So, it typically requires some minimum training to get started.
Training
Whereas most FEA is built on the technology of the 50's and 60's, StressCheck is built on active technology and proven to get the right answer faster.

Why Is Training Important?

StressCheck’s approach to modeling, solving and post-processing is a bit different from conventional FEA (in a good way). It enables us to deliver verified solutions, every time. Because there is a short learning curve, it is best to receive training from a qualified ESRD instructor.
Instructor-led courses focus on hands-on computer work to quickly develop the user’s skills. Students will leave the classes with working examples of the software and be able to immediately put their training to use.
Training Courses
ESRD offers several different training programs (on-site, off-site or live web-based) to meet the needs of our customers. This includes training solutions in fracture mechanics, composites, detailed stress analysis and more.
Want a crash-course in StressCheck? Try our Intro to SC Workshop. Custom courses can also be developed to meet the specialized needs of your organization.
Request a quote today to get trained on cutting edge engineering solutions with reliable results you can back up.

On-Site/Off-Site Training
What Is the Intro to StressCheck Workshop?
The 2-day workshop, regularly scheduled at ESRD Headquarters, will focus on the fundamentals of StressCheck and its associated technology base, and the total cost for each attendee is $1590. Included in the cost are:
- Sixteen (16) hours of intensive StressCheck study, split between lectures and class exercises
- Training materials
- Opportunities for one-on-one StressCheck instruction from an experienced ESRD trainer
- Access to our expert staff and p-FEM knowledge base
- A Windows 7 64-bit laptop for maximum computing efficiency
- Lunch, coffee and snacks
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is geared toward new users of StressCheck who have not yet received a StressCheck Basic Training course, and to those wanting to know more about the technology and capabilities of StressCheck before purchasing the software. It is recommended to have familiarity with the finite element method (FEM) and a background in solid mechanics.
StressCheck Basic Training
Basic Training is a 2-day course designed to familiarize the student with the StressCheck graphic user interface and provide an introduction to the p-version finite element method (p-FEM). Basic training is a prerequisite to any advanced training workshops.
This 16 hour course is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
- Obtain a basic knowledge of 2D and 3D model construction techniques
- Creating and importing geometry
- Defining mesh objects, like nodes and elements
- Automeshing
- Define and assign linear material properties
- Assign boundary conditions
- Learn how to execute a linear solution by p-extension
- Perform a wide range of post-processing operations
- Error extractions
- Plotting
- Convergence checking
- Gradients
In addition, trainees will receive lectures covering the fundamental concepts of the p-FEM and StressCheck’s technology that include meshing, applying boundary conditions and quality assurance procedures.
StressCheck Fracture Training
Prerequisite: Basic Training in elasticity and a proficiency building models, solving (linear analysis) and post-processing.
This advanced 8 hour course covers a wide range of problem classes and is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Develop an understanding of the contour integral method for computing stress intensity factors (SIF’s) for problems in linear elastic fracture mechanics
- How to create the optimal mesh at singularities (crack tips)
- How to extract SIF’s at the crack tip for 2D problems and along the crack front for 3D problems (thru cracks and corner cracks)
- How to create models for which the crack tip is defined parametrically for use in a design study or automation application
- How to perform a 2D planar Crack Path analysis
- How to imbed a crack in a solid body (imported CAD model) and invoke the automesher to separate the elements at the crack face and construct a graded mesh refinement towards the crack tip
- How to include nonlinear affects (e.g. fastener hole propping or interference-fit bushing) which can greatly influence the magnitude of the stress intensity factor
This course has a 40 minute lecture on Fracture Mechanics that covers specific details about the Contour Integral Method used to extract stress intensity factors. The remainder of the time is hands-on, building and solving problems covering a wide range of practical applications.
StressCheck Non-Linear Training
Prerequisite: Basic Training in elasticity and a proficiency building models, solving (linear analysis) and post-processing.
This advanced 8 hour course is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Develop an understanding of the StressCheck GUI and capabilities for performing nonlinear analyses for classes of problems that simulate large strain behavior and/or material plasticity.
- How to perform a material nonlinear analysis for a single overload event using the deformation theory of plasticity
- How to perform a geometric nonlinear analysis
- For cases where there is a strong coupling between membrane and bending (Newton-Raphson)
- How to perform a load step (Margin Check) analysis
- How to set up and perform a multi-body contact analysis in which one or more parts undergoes plastic deformation
- How to set up and solve a material nonlinear problem with multiple load-unload events using the incremental theory of plasticity
This course has a 40 minute lecture on Nonlinear Analysis. The remainder of the time is hands-on, building and solving problems covering a wide range of practical applications.
StressCheck Composites Training
Prerequisite: Basic Training in elasticity and a proficiency building models, solving (linear analysis) and post-processing.
This advanced 8 hour course is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the StressCheck Composites GUI and pre- and post-processing capabilities for performing detail analyses for composite structure.
- How to create laminate-orthotropic material property records and assign them to element sets in Cartesian or cylindrical coordinate systems
- How to use Mapped Laminate material assignment to align ply orientation with the general curvature of an element
- How to use the Automatic Lamination wizard to build ply stacks and assign the stack to a set of elements
- How to construct parametric models of typical composite joints and details (e.g. T-stiffened skins, bonded lap/scarf joints, Pi-joints, etc…)
- How to model singularities (e.g. ply terminations, adhesive run-outs, etc…)
- How to use the Failure Criteria interface to combine mechnical and thermal strains
This course has a 40 minute lecture presenting an overview on capabilities and functionality in StressCheck Composites. The remainder of the time is hands-on, building and solving problems covering a wide range of practical applications.
StressCheck COM API + Scripting Training
Prerequisite: Basic Training in elasticity and a proficiency building models, solving (linear analysis) and post-processing. Also, a basic understanding of programming.
This advanced 8 hour course is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Review Object Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts
- Terminology, Definitions and Standards (Class Hierarchy).
- Learn how to access objects, properties, and methods in StressCheck’s COM API:
- Application, Document, and Model classes.
- Assigning object references and methods.
- Tips and Tricks for getting started with StressCheck COM API scripting:
- Fundamental commands for opening, solving and post-processing models.
- “On-the-fly” model construction and analysis via the StressCheck COM API:
- Identify 1:1 correlations between COM API and GUI.
- Modular VBA and use of functions and subroutines with StressCheck’s COM API:
- Efficient and standardized scripts for repetitive tasks and analysis.
Live Web-Based Training
Want to attend a StressCheck training course but are constrained by travel, budget, time, accessibility, etc.? Schedule a live web-based training with us!
The courses have the same content as on-site/off-site training but are limited each day to ~4 hours of coursework (3 hours of instructor-led training + out-of-class homework assignments). This layout provides flexibility and cost-savings to analysts and managers who are trying to balance training and work.
Want to Request A Training Quote?
ESRD Training workshops can be customized or built around a specific problem of interest to you. Additional charges may apply.
Feel free to request an ESRD Training Quote, and an ESRD representative will contact you as soon as possible.
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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