FEA Exam Preparation Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from FEA exam notes.

Modal Analysis

A technique used to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of structures.

RBM (Rigid Body Motion)

A type of motion where a body moves without deformation; characterized by six degrees of freedom.

Eigenfrequency

The frequency at which a system oscillates freely.

BLF (Buckling Load Factor)

A factor that describes the load at which a structure is likely to buckle.

Transient Thermal Analysis

Analysis performed to evaluate heat transfer and temperature variation over time.

Convection

Heat transfer through fluid motion.

Singularity

A point in a finite element analysis where stress or strain approaches infinity, often occurring at sharp corners.

Fine Discretization

A mesh refinement that increases accuracy in finite element analysis.

Steady-State Thermal Analysis

Analysis where the system temperature does not change with time.

Fourier's Law

The law governing heat conduction; it states that the heat flux is proportional to the negative gradient of temperature.

Degrees of Freedom (DOF)

The number of independent movements allowed in a physical system.

Soft Springs

Elements used in analysis to prevent rigid body motion without affecting overall system stiffness.

Thermal Stresses

Stresses induced in a material due to temperature changes.

Aspect Ratio

A measure of the shape of finite elements, defined as the ratio of its longest side to its shortest side.

Fixed Restraint

A boundary condition that prevents any displacement at nodes, maintaining them in place.

P-Adaptive Analysis

A finite element method that changes the order of elements based on accuracy requirements rather than their size.

Jacobian

A matrix that represents the transformation of element coordinates in finite element analysis.

Heat Flux

The rate of heat energy transfer through a given surface per unit area.