How can you be sure that the material of the airplane's wing has been chosen with the right properties for flight?
How do you ensure that the steel bar of a building's structure is suitable for the conditions it will be subjected to?
Looking around, awareness arises of the use of different materials in different circumstances and the constant interaction that exists with them. Being able to anticipate the behavior of these materials under different conditions is one of the industry's greatest interests.
The Finite Element Method (FEM) or Finite Element Method (FEM) is widely used in computer simulations to make predictions, analyzing whether a product has been properly dimensioned based on its model. Its application saves engineering professionals several hours of time, which would otherwise be spent manually. This saves time, personnel and even financial resources, making projects even more viable.
What is the Finite Element Method (FEM)?
In simulations, in an attempt to predict the behavior of materials, given the complexity of reality, it is necessary to use models. Translating this model into numerical form allows the application of methods such as finite elements.
The Finite Element Method "discretizes the continuum". From this perspective, it simplifies and makes feasible the calculation of complex engineering structures such as conveyors, yard machinery and industrial buildings.
Simulating a solid and anticipating its behavior can be a difficult activity considering all the variety of factors that reality imposes. However, with the finite element method in simulators, it is possible to see this complex solid in "small parts" - finite elements. In this way, you can make the necessary calculations and simulations for the smaller parts and then expand to the solid as a whole.
How does MEF work in practice?
Finite Element Method analysis is carried out using software such as NASTRAN, SolidWorks, ANSYS and PROCAL3D (the latter developed by Kot itself for bar element simulations).
In the software, the solid that is inserted and has "infinite" points ends up becoming a geometry that is "broken down" into other known and smaller geometries (such as triangles, hexahedrons, tetrahedrons). This "breaking" facilitates calculations to predict the behavior of solid materials under different conditions.
Even more clearly...
Imagine that the behavior of the solid in Figure 1 on the left needs to be understood under certain conditions. By inserting it into one of these software programs and applying the finite element method (FEM), it will be broken down into smaller, known geometries (Figure 1 on the right).
The software calculates the behavior of each element/geometry individually, then joins everything together in a "mesh" to get the result of the behavior of the total solid.
Figure 1: Example of the discretization of a part by grid elements - SOURCE: Kot Collection.
It is important to emphasize that the quality of the results of an analysis carried out using the finite element method in a simulator also depends very much on the assertiveness of the boundary conditions established. Therefore, the theoretical knowledge of those who are simulating is extremely important.
An even more important point: there's no point in conducting simulations if there's no correct interpretation of the information generated by the simulator. Therefore, having specific knowledge such as material strength is essential!
Figure 2: Finite element simulation of an iron ore reclaimer bridge - SOURCE: Kot Collection.
How can Kot Engenharia help?
This is a totally introductory text - the aim was to simplify and provide practical examples of FEM. Undoubtedly, software has been a technological tool of great development over the last few decades. However, when using them, we must bear in mind how fundamental it is for the design engineer to master the concepts of strength of materials.
One of Kot Engenharia 's specialties is Finite Element Method Analysis, and Kot can be your partner in applying this method with confidence in real and complex engineering scenarios.
Kot stands out in the national and international market by offering high-level engineering services to large companies. Contact our team for more information!
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1. O que é o Método dos Elementos Finitos (MEF) de forma simples?
É uma técnica que simplifica a análise de uma estrutura complexa ao dividi-la em “pequenas partes” (elementos finitos). O software calcula o comportamento de cada parte e junta os resultados para prever como a peça inteira reage.
2. Quais são os principais benefícios de aplicar o MEF em um projeto?
O método elimina a necessidade de cálculos manuais demorados, reduz a necessidade de testes físicos caros e economiza tempo e recursos financeiros, tornando os projetos de engenharia mais viáveis e seguros.
3. O que significa a expressão “discretizar o contínuo”?
Significa pegar um sólido contínuo da vida real (que possui infinitos pontos) e transformá-lo em uma geometria “quebrada” em partes menores e finitas, tornando os cálculos matemáticos viáveis no computador.
4. Quais formas geométricas o software utiliza para dividir a peça?
O objeto é dividido em geometrias conhecidas e menores, tais como triângulos, elementos quadriculados, hexaedros e tetraedros.
5. Quais softwares são utilizados para realizar análises por MEF?
Alguns dos programas mais conhecidos do mercado são NASTRAN, SolidWorks, ANSYS e o PROCAL3D (desenvolvido pela Kot Engenharia para simulações de elementos em barra).
6. Por que o engenheiro é indispensável mesmo com o uso de softwares avançados?
O software é apenas uma ferramenta. A qualidade do resultado depende diretamente do engenheiro para definir corretamente as condições de contorno e aplicar conceitos de resistência dos materiais para interpretar com precisão os dados gerados.
References
[1] Kot Engenharia. Análise por elementos finitos. Disponível em: <https://kotengenharia.com.br/analise-por-elementos-finitos>. Acesso em: 04 de Outubro de 2020.
[2] Micro Rio. O que é uma análise por elementos finitos. Disponível em: <https://www.microrio.com.br/analise-por-elementos-finitos.html>. Acesso em: 06 de Outubro de 2020.
[3] Clube do projetista. Método dos elementos finitos. Disponível em: <https://clubedoprojetista.com.br/metodo-dos-elementos-finitos/>. Acesso em: 06 de Outubro de 2020.
