Dr.

Kremer, ME471

FEA Review Checklist

Item Completed Documented
Planning and pre-processing
Sketch/figure showing entire system
Operating modes evaluated to determine critical load cases and to
select components / subsystems to analyze.
FBDs are correctly drawn for all analysis cases.
The purpose of the analysis and the required accuracy of the results
are evaluated to determine if FEA is an appropriate analysis tool
An FEA model is created that is appropriate for the purpose (as simple
as possible to get the required info)
¾ A submodel with BCs is used rather than a full system model
¾ Symmetry and 2D models are used if appropriate
FEA mesh is of acceptable quality
¾ aspect ratios, fold angles, etc. are shown to be good in the area
of interest
¾ appropriate element types are used, and element properties are
properly defined
¾ Model mesh is visually checked in critical areas
Correct methods are used to calculate, apply and check the loads
and boundary conditions.
¾ Loads and BCs applied to the model are clearly shown and
visually compared to FBDs.

Solution
Proper software is used
Proper type of analysis is used
Information from the FEA software "analysis summary" is used to
evaluate the quality of the solution

Evaluation of Results
Scaled plots are used to show that the structure displacement is
meaningful and the BCs are applied correctly
Multiple views and orientations of the model are checked to verify
that the maximum stress location has been identified and close-up
views are used to display stress gradients in critical areas
Stress precision values and/or mesh convergence studies are
completed in the critical areas to verify element size is acceptable
Legends are set to ranges that are appropriate for the results plots
Hand calculations or other independent methods are used to verify
the results
¾ Complex models are verified in some location where
calculations are meaningful
¾ Complete sample calculations are shown and results are
directly compared to appropriate stress results from the FEA
model (and % differences are calculated and discussed)