Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software

Introduction:
The purpose of finite element analysis (FEA) software is to reduce the number of prototypes and
experiments that have to be run when designing, optimizing, or controlling a device or process.
This does not necessarily mean that companies and research institutes save money by adopting
FEA. They do, however, get more development for their dollar, which may result in gaining a
competitive edge against the competition. For this reason, it may be reasonable to increase
research and development resources for FEA.

Once an FEA model is established and has been found useful in predicting real-life properties, it
may generate the understanding and intuition to significantly improve a design and operation of a
device or process. At this stage, optimization methods and automatic control may provide the last
degree of improvements that can be difficult to obtain with intuition only. Most modern FEA
software features methods for describing automatic control and incorporating such descriptions in
mathematical and numerical models. Optimization methods are usually included in the solution
process, which is further described in detail below.

The introduction of high-fidelity models have also contributed to an accelerated understanding.

This has sparked new ideas and completely new designs and operation schemes that would have
been hidden or otherwise impossible without modeling. Therefore, FEA is an integral tool for
research and development departments in companies and institutions that operate in highly
competitive markets. Over time, the use of FEA software has expanded from larger companies and
institutions that support educating engineers to smaller companies in many different industries and
institutions with a wide variety of disciplines.
Few Finite System Softwares are as follows:

Software Features

RFEM 3D finite element analysis software

A generic finite element library written in C++ with interfaces

GetFEM++ for Python, Matlab and Scilab. It focuses on modeling of contact mechanics and
discontinuities (e.g. cracks).

Abaqus Advanced Franco-USA software from SIMULIA, owned byDassault Systemes

Advance Design BIM software for FEM structural analysis, including international design eurocodes

CALFEM is an interactive computer program for teaching the finite element method (FEM).
The name CALFEM is an abbreviation of "Computer Aided Learning of the Finite Element
CALFEM
Method". The program can be used for different types of structural mechanics problems and
field problems.

Comprehensive set of tools for finite element codes, scaling from laptops to clusters with
deal.II
10,000+ cores. Written in C++.

COMSOL
COMSOL Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis Software formerly FEMlAB
Multiphysics

DUNE Distributed and Unified Numerics Environment, written in C++

FEATool Easy to Use Matlab and Octave Multiphysics FEM Solver and GUI Toolbox

FEAPpv[1] is a free general purpose finite element analysis program which is designed for
FEAP
research and educational use that was derived from the FEAP[2] program.

ADINA Finite element software for structural, fluid, heat transfer, electromagnetic, and multiphysics
 Software Features

problems, including fluid-structure interaction and thermo-mechanical coupling

VisualFEA Finite element software for structural, geotechnical, heat transfer and seepage analysis

Autodesk
Finite Element software of Autodesk
Simulation

FEBio Finite Elements for Biomechanics

Freeware finite element package; The present version Z88Aurora V3 offers, in addition to
static strength analysis modules such as non-linear strength calculations (large
Z88/Z88Aurora
displacements), simulations with non-linear materials, natural frequency and static thermal
analysis.

SimScale German 100% web-based CAE platform

is an Open Source software package for Civil and Structural Engineering finite element
Code Aster analysis and numeric simulation in structural mechanics which is written in Python and
Fortran

It is an Open Source FEA project. The solver uses a partially compatible ABAQUS file
CalculiX
format. The pre/post-processor generates input data for many FEA and CFD applications

Modular C/C++ library for rapid development of space- and space-time adaptive hp-FEM
Hermes Project
solvers

Multiplatform open source application for the solution of physical problems based on the
Agros2D
Hermes library

OOFEM Object Oriented Finite EleMent solver, written in C++

Elmer Open source multiphysical simulation software developed by Finnish Ministry of

 Software Features

Education's CSC, written primarily in Fortran (written in Fortran90, C and C++)

OpenSees Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation

Originally developed for NASA, now available commercially from several software
Nastran
companies

Originally for CFD only, but now includes finite element analysis through tetrahedral
OpenFOAM
decomposition of arbitrary grids

CosmosWorks Part of SolidWorks

Predictive Analysis - Simcenter 3D delivers a unified, scalable, open and extensible

Simcenter 3D environment for 3D CAE with connections to design, 1D simulation, test and data
management.

Software package developed by American and European researchers with the goal to enable
FEniCS Project
automated solution of differential equations

Software written in C++ for rapid testing and finite element simulations. The problem is
FreeFem++
defined in terms of its variational formulation

Subroutine system for the numerical solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations
FEATFLOW
in two and three space dimensions

ANSYS US-based and -developed full CAE software package