Structural Analysis
Structural analysis aims to determine and predict the behaviour of structures and their ability to withstand stresses and loads. It is an integral part of engineering design; a design has to be proven to be sound through structural analysis, even before it has been built. Large projects such as aircraft and bridges should be structurally sound without having to test them to find out.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is often used in structural analysis. FEA breaks down a large stress analysis problem into a number of smaller ones that may then be solved collectively by a powerful computer. FEA has become an indispensable part of modern motorcar, aircraft and civil design projects. FEA software has become more accessible and its use more widespread.
Many designs in the past have relied on an approach of trial-and-error and have often resulted in fine designs. Often these structures were grossly over-designed, because the structural properties and stresses were not wholly known and the designers resorted to a design that overcompensates to such a degree that the structure will most likely never fail. However, this has also resulted in a lot of waste, added weight and high cost.
New materials like carbon fibre, titanium, aluminium and plastic composites that were not available many years ago are now used in structures and these materials' properties may differ vastly. Therefore, FEA may help exploit the desirable properties of these materials in order to make structures strong as well as light. A lighter structure has the added benefit of not having a lot of its own weight to support.
An accurate structural analysis requires the consideration of many factors, like the material properties, structural geometry, loads and stresses and structural supports. Based on all these known factors, conditions of failure may be formulated to which the structure can be compared. Non-linear behaviour, stability and dynamic response are further, more advanced structural analysis techniques.