Live support chatIntroduction to Finite Element (FEA) Static Analysis
In Introduction to Finite Element (FEA) Static Analysis, you'll learn ...
- How to model, analyze, and verify the behavior of basic components under static loads
- The importance of good modeling practices, including material selection, boundary conditions, and the implications of mesh density and refinement
- Comparisons between FEA output and classical solutions, showing where simulation excels—and where it must be interpreted carefully
Overview
Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.
Credit: 2 PDH
Length: 31 pages
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is one of the most powerful and versatile tools in the modern engineer’s toolkit. From aerospace to automotive, consumer products to structural design, FEA plays a central role in the development and validation of engineering solutions before any physical prototype is built. This course offers a practical, approachable introduction to linear static FEA using tools that most engineers already have access to—without requiring advanced mathematics or prior simulation experience.
This course is designed specifically for mechanical, civil, structural, and design engineers who want to confidently apply FEA principles to real-world problems. It walks the learner through foundational concepts, from understanding stress and strain to preparing a proper mesh and interpreting simulation results with a critical eye. While SolidWorks Simulation is used to illustrate certain examples, the principles covered apply to any modern FEA software.
Through structured explanations, simplified hand calculations, and focused case studies, engineers will learn how to model, analyze, and verify the behavior of basic components under static loads. The course also emphasizes the importance of good modeling practices, including material selection, boundary conditions, and the implications of mesh density and refinement. Clear lessons are drawn from comparisons between FEA output and classical solutions, showing where simulation excels—and where it must be interpreted carefully.
This is not just a theoretical course. Instead, it focuses on helping engineers develop a confident, working knowledge of FEA through relatable examples and practical workflows. Whether you’re transitioning into simulation work, reviewing vendor analysis, or performing basic design validation in-house, this course provides a solid foundation that makes FEA both accessible and reliable.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Concepts of stress, strain, and how they relate to static loading conditions
- Steps of the FEA workflow, including preprocessing, meshing, solving, and postprocessing
- Differences between linear and nonlinear problems in structural analysis
- Strategies for mesh refinement and convergence to improve simulation accuracy
- Methods to validate FEA results using classical hand calculations
- Appropriate use of boundary conditions and loads in FEA models
- Advantages and limitations of linear static FEA in engineering practice
Certificate of Completion
You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 15 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.
| This course is applicable to professional engineers in: | ||
| Alabama (P.E.) | Alaska (P.E.) | Arkansas (P.E.) |
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| Maine (P.E.) | Maryland (P.E.) | Michigan (P.E.) |
| Minnesota (P.E.) | Mississippi (P.E.) | Missouri (P.E.) |
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| New York (P.E.) | North Carolina (P.E.) | North Dakota (P.E.) |
| Ohio (P.E. Self-Paced) | Oklahoma (P.E.) | Oregon (P.E.) |
| Pennsylvania (P.E.) | South Carolina (P.E.) | South Dakota (P.E.) |
| Tennessee (P.E.) | Texas (P.E.) | Utah (P.E.) |
| Vermont (P.E.) | Virginia (P.E.) | West Virginia (P.E.) |
| Wisconsin (P.E.) | Wyoming (P.E.) | |
Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.
Credit: 2 PDH
Length: 31 pages
