FEM Workbench: Difference between revisions

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{{Docnav
{{Docnav
|[[Drawing_Workbench|Drawing Workbench]]
|[[Draft_Workbench|Draft Workbench]]
|[[Image_Workbench|Image Workbench]]
|[[Inspection_Workbench|Inspection Workbench]]
|IconL=Workbench_Drawing.svg
|IconL=Workbench_Draft.svg
|IconR=Workbench_Image.svg
|IconR=Workbench_Inspection.svg
}}
}}


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## Creating an analysis.
## Creating an analysis.
### Adding simulation constraints such as loads and fixed supports to the geometric model.
### Adding simulation constraints such as loads and fixed supports to the geometric model.
### Adding materials to the parts off the geometric model.
### Adding materials to the parts of the geometric model.
### Creating a finite element mesh for the geometrical model, or importing it from a different application.
### Creating a finite element mesh for the geometrical model, or importing it from a different application.
# Solving: running an external solver from within FreeCAD.
# Solving: running an external solver from within FreeCAD.
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The FEM Workbench can be used on Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX. Since the workbench makes use of external solvers, the amount of manual setup will depend on the operating system that you are using. See [[FEM Install|FEM Install]] for instructions on setting up the external tools.
The FEM Workbench can be used on Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX. Since the workbench makes use of external solvers, the amount of manual setup will depend on the operating system that you are using. See [[FEM Install|FEM Install]] for instructions on setting up the external tools.


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[[Image:FEM_Workbench_workflow.svg|600px]]
[[Image:FEM_Workbench_workflow.svg|600px]]
<translate>


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* [[Image:FEM_MaterialSolid.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialSolid|Material for solid]]: Lets you select a solid material from the database.
:* [[Image:FEM_MaterialSolid.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialSolid|Material for solid]]: Lets you select a solid material from the database.


<!--T:81-->
<!--T:81-->
* [[Image:FEM_MaterialFluid.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialFluid|Material for fluid]]: Lets you select a fluid material from the database.
:* [[Image:FEM_MaterialFluid.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialFluid|Material for fluid]]: Lets you select a fluid material from the database.


<!--T:82-->
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* [[Image:FEM_MaterialMechanicalNonlinear.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialMechanicalNonlinear|Nonlinear mechanical material]]: Lets you add a nonlinear mechanical material model.
:* [[Image:FEM_MaterialMechanicalNonlinear.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialMechanicalNonlinear|Nonlinear mechanical material]]: Lets you add a nonlinear mechanical material model.


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* [[Image:FEM_MaterialReinforced.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialReinforced|Reinforced material (concrete)]]: Lets you select reinforced materials consisting of a matrix and a reinforcement from the database.
:* [[Image:FEM_MaterialReinforced.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialReinforced|Reinforced material (concrete)]]: Lets you select reinforced materials consisting of a matrix and a reinforcement from the database.


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* [[Image:FEM_MaterialEditor.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialEditor|Material editor]]: Lets you open the material editor to edit materials.
:* [[Image:FEM_MaterialEditor.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MaterialEditor|Material editor]]: Lets you open the material editor to edit materials.


=== Element Geometry === <!--T:68-->
=== Element Geometry === <!--T:68-->


<!--T:84-->
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* [[Image:FEM_ElementGeometry1D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementGeometry1D|Beam cross section]]: Used to define cross sections for beam elements.
:* [[Image:FEM_ElementGeometry1D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementGeometry1D|Beam cross section]]: Used to define cross sections for beam elements.


<!--T:85-->
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* [[Image:FEM_ElementRotation1D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementRotation1D|Beam rotation]]: Used to rotate cross sections of beam elements.
:* [[Image:FEM_ElementRotation1D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementRotation1D|Beam rotation]]: Used to rotate cross sections of beam elements.


<!--T:86-->
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* [[Image:FEM_ElementGeometry2D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementGeometry2D|Shell plate thickness]]: Used to define shell element thickness.
:* [[Image:FEM_ElementGeometry2D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementGeometry2D|Shell plate thickness]]: Used to define shell element thickness.


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* [[Image:FEM_ElementFluid1D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementFluid1D|Fluid section for 1D flow]]: Used to create fluid section element for pneumatic and hydraulic networks.
:* [[Image:FEM_ElementFluid1D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ElementFluid1D|Fluid section for 1D flow]]: Used to create fluid section element for pneumatic and hydraulic networks.


=== <span id="FEM_CompEmConstraints">Electromagnetic boundary conditions</span><!--Do not edit span id: the FEM_CompEmConstraints pages redirect here--> === <!--T:187-->
=== Electrostatic Constraints === <!--T:69-->


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintElectrostaticPotential.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintElectrostaticPotential|Constraint electrostatic potential]]: Used to define electrostatic potential.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintElectrostaticPotential.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintElectrostaticPotential|Electrostatic potential boundary condition]]: Used to define electrostatic potential.


=== Fluid Constraints === <!--T:70-->
<!--T:177-->
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintCurrentDensity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintCurrentDensity|Current density boundary condition]]: Used to define a current density. {{Version|0.21}}

<!--T:178-->
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintMagnetization.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintMagnetization|Magnetization boundary condition]]: Used to define a magnetization. {{Version|0.21}}

=== Fluid boundary conditions === <!--T:70-->


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintInitialFlowVelocity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintInitialFlowVelocity|Constraint initial flow velocity]]: Used to define an initial flow velocity for the body.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintInitialFlowVelocity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintInitialFlowVelocity|Initial flow velocity condition]]: Used to define an initial flow velocity for a body (volume).


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintInitialPressure.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintInitialPressure|Constraint initial pressure]]: Used to define an initial pressure for the body. {{Version|1.0}}
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintInitialPressure.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintInitialPressure|Initial pressure condition]]: Used to define an initial pressure for a body (volume). {{Version|0.21}}


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintFlowVelocity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFlowVelocity|Constraint flow velocity]]: Used to define a flow velocity as a boundary condition at an edge (2D) or face (3D).
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintFlowVelocity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFlowVelocity|Flow velocity boundary condition]]: Used to define a flow velocity as a boundary condition at an edge (2D) or face (3D).


=== Geometrical Constraints === <!--T:160-->
=== Geometrical analysis features === <!--T:160-->


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintPlaneRotation.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintPlaneRotation|Constraint plane rotation]]: Used to define a plane rotation constraint on a planar face.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintPlaneRotation.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintPlaneRotation|Plane multi-point constraint]]: Used to define a constraint for keeping the nodes in a planar surface in the same plane.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintSectionPrint.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintSectionPrint|Constraint section print]]: Used to print the predefined facial output variables (forces and moments) to the dat file. {{Version|0.19}}
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintSectionPrint.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintSectionPrint|Section print feature]]: Used to print the predefined facial output variables (forces and moments) to the data file.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintTransform.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintTransform|Constraint transform]]: Used to define a transform constraint on a face.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintTransform.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintTransform|Local coordinate system]]: Used to define a transform constraint on a face.


=== Mechanical Constraints === <!--T:71-->
=== Mechanical boundary conditions and loads === <!--T:71-->


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintFixed.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFixed|Constraint fixed]]: Used to define a fixed constraint on point/edge/face(s).
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintFixed.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFixed|Fixed boundary condition]]: Used to define a fixed constraint on point/edge/face(s).


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintDisplacement.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintDisplacement|Constraint displacement]]: Used to define a displacement constraint on point/edge/face(s).
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintDisplacement.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintDisplacement|Displacement boundary condition]]: Used to define a displacement constraint on point/edge/face(s).


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintContact.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintContact|Constraint contact]]: Used to define a contact constraint between two faces.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintContact.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintContact|Contact constraint]]: Used to define a contact constraint between two faces.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintTie.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintTie|Constraint tie]]: Used to define a tie constraint ("bonded contact") between two faces. {{Version|0.19}}
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintTie.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintTie|Tie constraint]]: Used to define a tie constraint ("bonded contact") between two faces, or, {{Version|0.22}}, cyclic symmetry.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintSpring.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintSpring|Constraint spring]]: Used to define a spring. {{Version|0.20}}
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintSpring.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintSpring|Spring]]: Used to define a spring. {{Version|0.20}}


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintForce.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintForce|Constraint force]]: Used to define a force in [N] applied uniformly to a selectable face in a definable direction.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintForce.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintForce|Force load]]: Used to define a force in [N] applied uniformly to a selectable face in a definable direction.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintPressure.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintPressure|Constraint pressure]]: Used to define a pressure constraint.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintPressure.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintPressure|Pressure load]]: Used to define a pressure constraint.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintCentrif.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintCentrif|Constraint centrif]]: Used to define a centrifugal body load constraint. {{Version|0.20}}
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintCentrif.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintCentrif|Centrifugal load]]: Used to define a centrifugal body load constraint. {{Version|0.20}}


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintSelfWeight.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintSelfWeight|Constraint self weight]]: Used to define a gravity acceleration acting on a model.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintSelfWeight.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintSelfWeight|Gravity load]]: Used to define a gravity acceleration acting on a model.


=== Thermal Constraints === <!--T:72-->
=== Thermal boundary conditions and loads === <!--T:72-->


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintInitialTemperature.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintInitialTemperature|Constraint initial temperature]]: Used to define the initial temperature of a body.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintInitialTemperature.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintInitialTemperature|Initial temperature]]: Used to define the initial temperature of a body.


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintHeatflux.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintHeatflux|Constraint heatflux]]: Used to define a heat flux constraint on a face(s).
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintHeatflux.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintHeatflux|Heat flux load]]: Used to define a heat flux constraint on a face(s).


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintTemperature.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintTemperature|Constraint temperature]]: Used to define a temperature constraint on a point/edge/face(s).
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintTemperature.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintTemperature|Temperature boundary condition]]: Used to define a temperature constraint on a point/edge/face(s).


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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintBodyHeatSource.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintBodyHeatSource|Constraint body heat source]]: Used to define an internally generated body heat.
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintBodyHeatSource.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintBodyHeatSource|Body heat source]]: Used to define an internally generated body heat.

=== Constraints without solver === <!--T:163-->

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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintFluidBoundary.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFluidBoundary|Fluid boundary condition]]: Used to define a fluid boundary condition.

<!--T:100-->
* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintBearing.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintBearing|Constraint bearing]]: Used to define a bearing constraint.

<!--T:101-->
* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintGear.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintGear|Constraint gear]]: Used to define a gear constraint.

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* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintPulley.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintPulley|Constraint pulley]]: Used to define a pulley constraint.


=== Overwrite Constants === <!--T:164-->
=== Overwrite Constants === <!--T:164-->


<!--T:165-->
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* [[Image:FEM_ConstantVacuumPermittivity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstantVacuumPermittivity|Constant vacuum permittivity]]: Used to overwrite the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_permittivity permittivity of vacuum] with a custom value. {{Version|0.19}}
:* [[Image:FEM_ConstantVacuumPermittivity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstantVacuumPermittivity|Constant vacuum permittivity]]: Used to overwrite the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_permittivity permittivity of vacuum] with a custom value.


== Menu: Mesh == <!--T:73-->
== Menu: Mesh == <!--T:73-->
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* [[Image:FEM_MeshGroup.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MeshGroup|FEM mesh group]]: Groups and labels elements of a mesh (vertex, edge, surface) together, useful for exporting the mesh to external solvers.
* [[Image:FEM_MeshGroup.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MeshGroup|FEM mesh group]]: Groups and labels elements of a mesh (vertex, edge, surface) together, useful for exporting the mesh to external solvers.

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* [[Image:FEM_CreateNodesSet.svg|32px]] [[FEM_CreateNodesSet|Nodes set]]: Creates/defines a node set from FEM mesh.


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* [[Image:FEM_SolverCalculixCxxtools.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverCalculixCxxtools|Solver CalculiX Standard]]: Creates a new solver for this analysis. In most cases the solver is created together with the analysis.
* [[Image:FEM_SolverCalculixCxxtools.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverCalculixCxxtools|Solver CalculiX Standard]]: Creates a new solver for this analysis.

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* [[Image:FEM_SolverCalculiX.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverCalculiX|Solver CalculiX (new framework)]]:


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* [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]]: Creates the solver controller for Elmer. It is independent from other solver objects.
* [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]]: Creates the solver controller for Elmer.


<!--T:170-->
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* [[Image:FEM_SolverMystran.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverMystran|Solver Mystran]]: {{Version|0.20}}
* [[Image:FEM_SolverMystran.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverMystran|Solver Mystran]]: Creates the solver controller for the MYSTRAN solver. {{Version|0.20}}


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* [[Image:FEM_SolverZ88.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverZ88|Solver Z88]]: Creates the solver controller for Z88. It is independent from other solver objects.
* [[Image:FEM_SolverZ88.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverZ88|Solver Z88]]: Creates the solver controller for Z88.

=== <span id="FEM_CompMechEquations">Mechanical equations</span><!--Do not edit span id: the FEM_CompMechEquations pages redirect here--> === <!--T:188-->


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* [[Image:FEM_EquationElasticity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationElasticity|Elasticity equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to perform mechanical analyses.
:* [[Image:FEM_EquationElasticity.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationElasticity|Elasticity equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to perform linear mechanical analyses.


<!--T:166-->
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* [[Image:FEM_EquationElectricforce.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationElectricforce|Electricforce equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to calculate the electric force on surfaces. {{Version|0.19}}
:* [[Image:FEM_EquationDeformation.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationDeformation|Deformation equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to perform nonlinear mechanical analyses (deformations). {{Version|0.21}}

=== <span id="FEM_CompEmEquations">Electromagnetic equations</span><!--Do not edit span id: the FEM_CompEmEquations pages redirect here--> === <!--T:189-->


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* [[Image:FEM_EquationElectrostatic.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationElectrostatic|Electrostatic equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to perform electrostatic analyses.
:* [[Image:FEM_EquationElectrostatic.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationElectrostatic|Electrostatic equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to perform electrostatic analyses.

<!--T:166-->
:* [[Image:FEM_EquationElectricforce.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationElectricforce|Electricforce equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to calculate the electric force on surfaces.

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:* [[Image:FEM_EquationMagnetodynamic.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationMagnetodynamic|Magnetodynamic equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to calculate magnetodynamics. {{Version|0.21}}

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:* [[Image:FEM_EquationMagnetodynamic2D.svg|32px]] [[FEM_EquationMagnetodynamic2D|Magnetodynamic 2D equation]]: Equation for the [[Image:FEM_SolverElmer.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] to calculate magnetodynamics in 2D. {{Version|0.21}}


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* [[Image:FEM_SolverControl.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverControl|Solver job control]]: Opens the menu to adjust and start the selected solver.
* [[Image:FEM_SolverControl.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverControl|Solver job control]]: Opens the menu to adjust and start the selected solver.


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* [[Image:FEM_ResultShow.svg|24px]] [[FEM_ResultShow|Show result]]: Used to display the result of an analysis.
* [[Image:FEM_ResultShow.svg|24px]] [[FEM_ResultShow|Show result]]: Used to display the result of an analysis. This dialog is not available for the [[FEM_SolverElmer|Solver Elmer]] as this solver visualizes using the [[FEM_PostPipelineFromResult|Post pipeline from result]] object only.


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* [[Image:FEM_PostFilterClipRegion.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostFilterClipRegion|Region clip filter]]: Used to clip a field with a sphere or a plane cutting through the model.
* [[Image:FEM_PostFilterClipRegion.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostFilterClipRegion|Region clip filter]]: Used to clip a field with a sphere or a plane cutting through the model.

<!--T:182-->
* [[Image:FEM_PostFilterContours.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostFilterContours|Contours filter]]: Used to display iso-lines (for analyses in 2D) or iso-contours. {{Version|0.21}}


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* [[Image:FEM_PostFilterDataAtPoint.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostFilterDataAtPoint|Data at point clip filter]]: Used to display value of a selected field at a given point.
* [[Image:FEM_PostFilterDataAtPoint.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostFilterDataAtPoint|Data at point clip filter]]: Used to display value of a selected field at a given point.


=== <span id="FEM_PostCreateFunctions">Filter functions</span><!--Do not edit span id: the FEM_PostCreateFunctions pages redirect here--> === <!--T:190-->
<!--T:135-->

* [[Image:Fem-post-geo-plane.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostCreateFunctions|Filter functions]]: Used to define how the result mesh is cut for the [[FEM_PostFilterCutFunction|Function cut filter]] and [[FEM_PostFilterClipRegion|Region clip filter]].
<!--T:174-->
:* [[Image:FEM_PostCreateFunctionPlane.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostCreateFunctionPlane|Plane]]: Cuts the result mesh with a plane.

<!--T:175-->
:* [[Image:FEM_PostCreateFunctionSphere.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostCreateFunctionSphere|Sphere]]: Cuts the result mesh with a sphere.

<!--T:183-->
:* [[Image:FEM_PostCreateFunctionCylinder.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostCreateFunctionCylinder|Cylinder]]: Cuts the result mesh with a cylinder. {{Version|0.21}}

<!--T:184-->
:* [[Image:FEM_PostCreateFunctionBox.svg|32px]] [[FEM_PostCreateFunctionBox|Box]]: Cuts the result mesh with a box. {{Version|0.21}}


== Menu: Utilities == <!--T:76-->
== Menu: Utilities == <!--T:76-->
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* [[Image:FEM_MeshDisplayInfo.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MeshDisplayInfo|Display FEM mesh info]]: Displays basic statistics of existing mesh - number of nodes and elements of each type.
* [[Image:FEM_MeshDisplayInfo.svg|32px]] [[FEM_MeshDisplayInfo|Display FEM mesh info]]: Displays basic statistics of existing mesh - number of nodes and elements of each type.

== Obsolete tools == <!--T:191-->

<!--T:90-->
* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintFluidBoundary.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintFluidBoundary|Fluid boundary condition]]: Used to define a fluid boundary condition. Did not have a solver. Not available in {{VersionPlus|0.22}}.

<!--T:100-->
* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintBearing.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintBearing|Constraint bearing]]: Used to define a bearing constraint. Did not have a solver. Not available in {{VersionPlus|0.22}}.

<!--T:101-->
* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintGear.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintGear|Constraint gear]]: Used to define a gear constraint. Did not have a solver. Not available in {{VersionPlus|0.22}}.

<!--T:102-->
* [[Image:FEM_ConstraintPulley.svg|32px]] [[FEM_ConstraintPulley|Constraint pulley]]: Used to define a pulley constraint. Did not have a solver. Not available in {{VersionPlus|0.22}}.

<!--T:114-->
* [[Image:FEM_SolverCalculiX.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverCalculiX|Solver CalculiX (new framework)]]: Same as the original framework [[Image:FEM_SolverCalculixCxxtools.svg|32px]] [[FEM_SolverCalculixCxxtools|Solver CalculiX Standard]] with extra checks. Tool was unfinished. Not available in {{VersionPlus|0.22}}.

<!--T:111-->
* [[Image:FEM_CreateNodesSet.svg|32px]] [[FEM_CreateNodesSet|Nodes set]]: Creates/defines a node set from FEM mesh. Tool was unfinished and couldn't be used. Not available in {{VersionPlus|0.22}}.


== Preferences == <!--T:78-->
== Preferences == <!--T:78-->
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[[FEM_Install|FEM Install]]: a detailed description on how to set up the external programs used in the workbench.
[[FEM_Install|FEM Install]]: a detailed description on how to set up the external programs used in the workbench.

<!--T:192-->
[[FEM_Geometry_Preparation_and_Meshing|FEM Geometry Preparation and Meshing]]: tips regarding geometry preparation for FEM and meshing.


<!--T:51-->
<!--T:51-->
[[FEM_Mesh|FEM Mesh]]: further information on obtaining a mesh for finite element analysis.
[[FEM_Mesh|FEM Mesh]]: details about meshes in the FEM workbench.


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* More information regarding extending or missing FEM documentation can be found in the forum: [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=20823 FEM documentation missing on the Wiki]
* More information regarding extending or missing FEM documentation can be found in the forum: [https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=20823 FEM documentation missing on the Wiki]



<!--T:49-->
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{{Docnav
{{Docnav
|[[Drawing_Workbench|Drawing Workbench]]
|[[Draft_Workbench|Draft Workbench]]
|[[Image_Workbench|Image Workbench]]
|[[Inspection_Workbench|Inspection Workbench]]
|IconL=Workbench_Drawing.svg
|IconL=Workbench_Draft.svg
|IconR=Workbench_Image.svg
|IconR=Workbench_Inspection.svg
}}
}}



Latest revision as of 08:23, 27 February 2024

FEM workbench icon

Introduction

The FEM Workbench provides a modern finite element analysis (FEA) workflow for FreeCAD. Mainly this means all tools to make an analysis are combined into one graphical user interface (GUI).

Workflow

The steps to carry out a finite element analysis are:

  1. Preprocessing: setting up the analysis problem.
    1. Modeling the geometry: creating the geometry with FreeCAD, or importing it from a different application.
    2. Creating an analysis.
      1. Adding simulation constraints such as loads and fixed supports to the geometric model.
      2. Adding materials to the parts of the geometric model.
      3. Creating a finite element mesh for the geometrical model, or importing it from a different application.
  2. Solving: running an external solver from within FreeCAD.
  3. Postprocessing: visualizing the analysis results from within FreeCAD, or exporting the results so they can be postprocessed with another application.

The FEM Workbench can be used on Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX. Since the workbench makes use of external solvers, the amount of manual setup will depend on the operating system that you are using. See FEM Install for instructions on setting up the external tools.

Workflow of the FEM Workbench; the workbench calls two external programs to perform meshing of a solid object, and perform the actual solution of the finite element problem

Menu: Model

  • Analysis container: Creates a new container for a mechanical analysis. If a solid is selected in the tree view before clicking on it, the meshing dialog will be opened next.

Materials

Element Geometry

Electromagnetic boundary conditions

Fluid boundary conditions

Geometrical analysis features

  • Section print feature: Used to print the predefined facial output variables (forces and moments) to the data file.

Mechanical boundary conditions and loads

  • Force load: Used to define a force in [N] applied uniformly to a selectable face in a definable direction.
  • Gravity load: Used to define a gravity acceleration acting on a model.

Thermal boundary conditions and loads

Overwrite Constants

Menu: Mesh

  • FEM mesh region: Creates a localized area(s) to mesh which highly optimizes analysis time.
  • FEM mesh group: Groups and labels elements of a mesh (vertex, edge, surface) together, useful for exporting the mesh to external solvers.

Menu: Solve

  • Solver Z88: Creates the solver controller for Z88.

Mechanical equations

Electromagnetic equations

Menu: Results

  • Post pipeline from result: Used to add a new graphical representation of FEM analysis results (color scale and more display options).
  • Warp filter: Used to visualize the scaled deformed shape of the model.
  • Function cut filter: Used to display the results on a sphere or a plane cutting through the model.
  • Region clip filter: Used to clip a field with a sphere or a plane cutting through the model.

Filter functions

  • Plane: Cuts the result mesh with a plane.
  • Sphere: Cuts the result mesh with a sphere.

Menu: Utilities

Context Menu

  • Clear FEM mesh: Deletes the mesh file from the FreeCAD file. Useful to make a FreeCAD file lighter.
  • Display FEM mesh info: Displays basic statistics of existing mesh - number of nodes and elements of each type.

Obsolete tools

  • Fluid boundary condition: Used to define a fluid boundary condition. Did not have a solver. Not available in version 0.22 and above.
  • Constraint bearing: Used to define a bearing constraint. Did not have a solver. Not available in version 0.22 and above.
  • Constraint gear: Used to define a gear constraint. Did not have a solver. Not available in version 0.22 and above.
  • Constraint pulley: Used to define a pulley constraint. Did not have a solver. Not available in version 0.22 and above.
  • Nodes set: Creates/defines a node set from FEM mesh. Tool was unfinished and couldn't be used. Not available in version 0.22 and above.

Preferences

Information

The following pages explain different topics of the FEM Workbench.

FEM Install: a detailed description on how to set up the external programs used in the workbench.

FEM Geometry Preparation and Meshing: tips regarding geometry preparation for FEM and meshing.

FEM Mesh: details about meshes in the FEM workbench.

FEM Solver: further information on the different solvers available in the workbench, and those that could be used in the future.

FEM CalculiX: further information on CalculiX, the default solver used in the workbench for structural analysis.

FEM Concrete: interesting information on the topic of simulating concrete structures.

Tutorials

Tutorial 1: FEM CalculiX Cantilever 3D; basic simply supported beam analysis.

Tutorial 2: FEM Tutorial; simple tension analysis of a structure.

Tutorial 3: FEM Tutorial Python; set up the cantilever example entirely through scripting in Python, including the mesh.

Tutorial 4: FEM Shear of a Composite Block; see the deformation of a block that is comprised of two materials.

Tutorial 5: Transient FEM analysis

Tutorial 6: Post-Processing of FEM Results with Paraview

Tutorial 7: FEM Example Capacitance Two Balls; Elmer's GUI tutorial 6 "Electrostatics Capacitance Two Balls" using FEM Examples.

Coupled thermal mechanical analysis tutorials by openSIM

Video tutorial 1: FEM video for beginner (including YouTube link)

Video tutorial 2: FEM video for beginner (including YouTube link)

Many video tutorials: anisim Open Source Engineering Software (in German)

Extending the FEM Workbench

The FEM Workbench is under constant development. An objective of the project is to find ways to easily interact with various FEM solvers, so that the end user can streamline the process of creating, meshing, simulating, and optimizing an engineering design problem, all within FreeCAD.

The following information is aimed at power users and developers who want to extend the FEM Workbench in different ways. Familiarity with C++ and Python is expected, and also some knowledge of the "document object" system used in FreeCAD is necessary; this information is available in the Power users hub and the Developer hub. Please notice that since FreeCAD is under active development, some articles may be too old, and thus obsolete. The most up to date information is discussed in the FreeCAD forums, in the Development section. For FEM discussions, advice or assistance in extending the workbench, the reader should refer to the FEM subforum.

The following articles explain how the workbench can be extended, for example, by adding new types of boundary conditions (constraints), or equations.

A developer's guide has been written to help power users in understanding the complex FreeCAD codebase and the interactions between the core elements and the individual workbenches. The book is hosted at github so multiple users can contribute to it and keep it updated.

Extending the FEM Workbench documentation