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1 Introduction
USFOS is a normal finite element code utilizing the same kind of structural information as
other similar tools. Converting models to USFOS is therefore relatively straightforward.
However, since the models often are created for other purposes than performing non-linear
simulations, it is worth spending some time looking into the basics of USFOS.

2 Basic Usfos modelling

2.1 General Finite Element

The finite element method means that the physical problem is described by finite elements
attached to nodes. Each node has 6 unknowns (the 6 degrees of freedom), and the physical
problem is finally represented by an equation system, which has to be solved
mathematically by the computer.

Model pre-processors are used to create the analysis model, and it is important that the user
controls how the finite element model becomes. (A “good-looking” model could very well
be a lousy finite element model).

In USFOS, the user is free to model “anything”, and it is therefore the user’s responsibility to
create a “solvable” equations system. This will be discussed further in section 2.2 below.

Node

Element

6 degrees of freedom,(3
translation and 3 rotations)
in each node.

Figure 2-1 General Finite element model in 3D

Converting structural models to USFOS 2008-04-01