Designing structural engineering materials involve several challenges ranging from testing complex geometry, endurance and stress. In addition, modern structures are complicated. Therefore, even a minute error can result in flaws as it is subjected to time-tested factors such as external forces, natural disasters, etc.

This is where engineers can seek the expertise of a consultant who can utilize their skills in FEA to solve complex problems and overcome challenges by providing you with the right structural engineering materials that are apt for the given environment.

So the question begs –

How Can an FEA Consultant Help in Designing Structural Engineering Material?

Here are some of the crucial roles in which FEA consultants can help in designing structural engineering materials:

1. By selecting the right materials

One of the most crucial aspects of a product design is material selection. Therefore, an FEA consultant conducts simulations to analyze the behavioral pattern of specific material when it is subjected to stress and different loading conditions.

This helps the FEA consultant understand a given product’s performance by defining its attributes such as durability, robustness, and glamour quotient.

The selection of the material also depends on factors such as functional requirements of a product (conducting heat, electricity, and endurance), design objective( stability, strength, and serviceability), and design constraints(dimensions, cost).

And by following the above factors, FEA consultants help you achieve the overall goal of designing a successful and durable product.

Moreover, their immense knowledge of the FEA tool means that companies can utilize their skills to produce quality structural engineering materials that can last longer and improve profitability.

2. By analyzing behavior of materials subjected to external force

No matter what kind of building is in the making, understanding and analyzing the behavior of building materials is of utmost importance.

An FEA consultant can determine the behavior of a structure such as a simple residential building, bridge, or multi-storeyed skyscraper when these structures are subjected to external forces such as gravity, wind, or even natural disaster.

This aspect is a necessity as far as the safety of the tenants is concerned, and approaching FEA consultants can very well address this issue in the long run.

Traditional approaches used by civil engineers and architects for tall structures involve tuned mass dampers to counter wind loads. Still, with the help of FEA tools, these consultants can shape and design environmentally friendly buildings that can overcome oscillation from wind loads and other external forces.

3. By identifying materials that can withstand natural disasters

Constructing structures under high seismic zones can be challenging because of the potential damage and loss it can cause due to earthquakes.

FEA consultants can nullify this problem by suggesting the right materials that need to be used for building certain structures such as the type of beams like cantilevered beams, support beams, etc, that can withstand strong earthquakes.

Using the FEA tool, the consultants can create a suitable prototype of materials for the given environment rather than relying on expensive laboratory experiments. This helps identify design problems, especially in materials like steel exposed to high wind loads and earthquakes.

Similarly, the FEA consultants can also design materials apt for coastal regions where the wave-current analysis is made to securely build the structure in such areas. Again, this is done with an eye on the generation of high current waves, tides, tsunamis, etc.

FEA consultants like Mechartes can analyze fluid flows using the numerical-empirical methodology, hydrological models, and linear static analysis to design materials for constructing hydrological projects like dams, reservoirs, etc.

4. By reducing costs

Consultants can also reduce the cost of the labor and materials by designing multiple versions of the earlier prototypes. They also minimize the use of trial and error approaches known to waste a lot of building materials.

You can maximize the efficiency of your product design and analyze design changes without compromising on safety and security standards.

FEA Consultants, with their iterative mathematical solutions through FEA, can also help you identify design failures and enable you to modify the design features that need to be worked upon. In addition, this allows you to verify the material before using it for construction purposes, saving time and money.

In addition to that, these consultants can also cut costs by giving you a faster design cycle in a matter of hours instead of waiting for the outcome of the tests done on a physical version. They help you move forward with the right design faster than waiting for it to be tested using physical prototypes.

Why Partner with FEA Consultants?

Building an in-house FEA capability can be an arduous task considering the cost and effort that come with it. However, the emergence of FEA as the most preferred method to analyze, test, and create designs, along with advancements in computer technology, has made it easier for firms to minimize risks and costs.

However, the costs involved in purchasing software, training staff, and other hardware products mean that approaching FEA consultants with their professional approach and subject expertise offers a better option to Engineering Managers.

Companies can also avoid project management chaos and delays by banking on the consultants, who, through their blend of creativity, knowledge, understanding, and experience, can produce the best results in a less time-consuming manner.

Similarly, you can also utilize FEA consultants to produce innovative building materials involving concrete, steel, etc. They can also help you understand structural codes and other regulations involved in the construction industry.

With the ever-increasing demand to build safe and durable structures, the role of FEA consultants and their professional expertise in designing structural Engineering materials cannot be ignored.

At Mechartes, we offer quick-to-adopt design changes along with complex analyses that are essential to determine structural robustness. With a team of dedicated FEA consultants, Mechartes help you understand different factors that affect a material’s performance by reproducing them into computer simulations for analysis.

If you are looking to improve the design of existing structures or build a new structure with minimal errors, we are here to help you. Get in touch with us.