The Guidelines for Evaluation of Marine FEA was recently published by the Ship Structure Committee of the USCG due the inconsistencies with improper modeling techniques and the analysis behind the analytics. This has resulted in mistakes in strength, fatigue, vibration and other design or analysis criteria that led to structural failures of the vessel.
The Guide includes best practices for FEA application to “ship structures and advanced analysis topic discussion and sample applications. . . and provides, in checklists and discussions, support for the review of FEA models and output to ensure that the analysis is prepared appropriately for the intended situation.”
The Guide is set up in various sections and includes case studies and references. The sections include:
- An overview that introduces the document and provides the background for the methodologies developed for assessing FEAs and FEA software
- A systematic methodology for assessing FEAs
- Guidance in support of the methodology presented including a description of good FEA practices.
- In support of the assessment, new or significantly-modified FEA should be evaluated regarding its suitability for ship structure FEA.
- Sample applications for the following analysis types:
- Impact and Plasticity
- Fracture and Fatigue
- Whole Ship
- Frequency Response Vibration
- The conclusion and recommendations section shows observations and insights gained in the course of this project regarding the process of evaluating finite element models and results and FEA software.
FEA is often incorporated into the early stage of the design review process in order to increase the accuracy of a design using a powerful analysis tool to ensure the project corresponds to the client’s performance standards and requirements. NETSCo provides FEA services using the world’s most advanced software in virtual prototyping to reduce your R & D and development costs. Contact Richard Mueller, CEO/President of NETSCo for more information at rmueller@netsco.us.
