[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":113},["ShallowReactive",2],{"YEOIOgC8seBiuL2vcHA1r7r003Dpd4oARV0P2M89MqA":3,"article_fea-tutorial-nafems-steady-state-temperature-distribution-of-a-plate-in-solidworks_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":111,"_apollo:identified":112},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","fea-tutorial-nafems-steady-state-temperature-distribution-of-a-plate-in-solidworks","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":110},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":29,"content":30,"date":31,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":32,"masterings":45,"globalTags":49,"products":52,"disciplines":66,"seo":99,"__typename":109},"cG9zdDo2NDc3Nw==","FEA Tutorial: NAFEMS Steady State Temperature Distribution of a Plate in SolidWorks","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Ffea-tutorial-nafems-steady-state-temperature-distribution-of-a-plate-in-solidworks","\u003Cp>SolidWorks contains tutorials based on the NAFEMS benchmarks.  These benchmarks demonstrate the accuracy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":28},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":23,"thumbnail":25,"srcSet":26,"sizes":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c.jpg.webp","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c-150x150.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c.jpg.webp 313w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c-300x219.jpg.webp 300w","(max-width: 313px) 100vw, 313px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cdiv class=\"ds-video\">\u003Ca data-3ds-videoplayer=\"modal\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=cE6ZfHYBP_M\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan class=\"ImageCover Border Block\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\u002F\u002Fimg.youtube.com\u002Fvi\u002FcE6ZfHYBP_M\u002Fhqdefault.jpg); width:100%; height: 100%;\">\u003Cspan class=\"Btn--circle isCenter\">\u003Ci class=\"Icon Icon--playBig\">\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cp>SolidWorks contains tutorials based on the \u003Ca title=\"NAFEMS Benchmarks\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nafems.org\u002F\" target=\"_self\" data-id=\"64783\">NAFEMS\u003C\u002Fa> benchmarks.  These benchmarks demonstrate the accuracy of SolidWorks Simulation software for the analysis modules of linear statics, thermal, geometric and material, non linearity and linear dynamics.  NAFEMS benchmarks are used throughout many FEA examples and compared with analytical solutions, one of the most popular examples is steady state temperature distribution on a plate.  In the classroom, you look at bars, beams and plates.  You might also look at plates with holes.  Why? Because you always want to prove a theoretical situation and compare to computer generated results. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>I never got paid to perform analysis on a plate, beam or bar, but I used them all the time to prove my concept and that my analysis was going in the right direction and made sense.  In other words, you just can’t take the computer result and run.  Most of the time, the simple plate found issues with units, boundary conditions, and significant digits.  Of course, this was in the stone age when engineers wrote their own finite element programs in Fortran (ancient language) \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But now SolidWorks makes it easy to look at the NAFEMS examples and create the simple 3D CAD models used in the process.  In this example, located in Help>Simulation Tutorials.NAFEMS>Themal>Steady State Temperature Distribution in a Plate you will see two examples.  The first boundary condition is set on the left edge with Temperature =1000C.  The other three edges are set to 0C. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"313\" height=\"228\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64779\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c-800wi.jpg.webp 313w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0d1a970c-800wi-300x219.jpg.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 313px) 100vw, 313px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp> In SolidWorks, select  Insert, Surface, Planar, and create a 400mm x 600mm rectangle.  Then add construction lines with horizontal and vertical construction lines at (0,200)and (200, 0), (300, 0).  It is important here to watch units.  If your default template is not millimeter, then Select Options>Document properties to change units ot mm.   \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0e9f970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64780\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0e9f970c-800wi.jpg.webp 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c0e9f970c-800wi-300x208.jpg.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp> Points are inserted a the intersection of these construction lines but you can also use the Probe Tool anywhere on your plate after the results have been calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c1c83970c-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64781\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c1c83970c-800wi.jpg.webp 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e20154342c1c83970c-800wi-300x197.jpg.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>In part 2, a heat source is located at the center of the plate at 10e6 W\u002Fm^3.  Using a Shell element FEA simulation of thickness, .1, The volume of the plate is .4x.6x.1=.024m^3.  In SolidWorks, enter a Heat Power Thermal Load of 24000 W at the center of the plate.  Again, watch units.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Right-click on Mesh and select Mesh and Run.  View your results.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Ca style=\"display: inline;\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002Fsites\u002F3\u002F6a00d83451706569e201539058b4a3970b.jpg\" data-id=\"64783\">\u003C\u002Fa>Depending on your initial setup parameters, your temperature results may be displayed in Fahrenheit.  You need Celsius for the NAFEMS comparison.    Right-click Edit Definition and modify the temperature units if required.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>NAFEMS Temperature: 310.1C\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>SolidWorks Temperature:310.1C\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Shell elements are fast and accurate for thin flat geometry.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e2014e8a51f5cd970d-800wi.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-64782\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e2014e8a51f5cd970d-800wi.jpg.webp 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002F6a00d83451706569e2014e8a51f5cd970d-800wi-300x224.jpg.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Model File:  \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsolidworks.typepad.com\u002Ffiles\u002Fnafems_thermal_test9.sldprt\" data-id=\"64783\">Download Nafems_thermal_test9\u003C\u002Fa> (The units have been changed from the original to SI)\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>If you have SolidWorks 2010 you can open the file directly from the NAFEMS tutorials.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Video:\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fnafems-temperature-distribution-on-a-plate-with-solidworks-2-1.wmv\" data-id=\"64783\">Download NAFEMS Temperature Distribution on a Plate with SolidWorks 2\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>","2011-08-02T08:21:46",{"node":33,"__typename":44},{"nicename":34,"description":35,"slug":36,"name":37,"firstName":38,"lastName":39,"avatar":40,"__typename":43},"marie-planchard","Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of  Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach across all levels of learning.","marie planchard","Marie Planchard","Marie","Planchard",{"url":41,"__typename":42},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F10\u002Fnyzykisa-jpeg-96x96.webp","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":46,"edges":47,"__typename":48},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":50,"__typename":51},[],"PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":53,"nodes":63,"__typename":65},[54],{"isPrimary":55,"node":56,"__typename":62},false,{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59,"uri":60,"__typename":61},"dGVybTo1Ng==","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[64],{"id":57,"name":58,"slug":59,"uri":60,"__typename":61},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":67,"edges":92,"__typename":98},[68,81],{"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71,"uri":72,"parentId":73,"disciplines":74,"__typename":80},"dGVybTo4NQ==","Simulation","simulation","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation\u002F",null,{"nodes":75,"__typename":79},[76],{"title":70,"uri":77,"parentId":73,"__typename":78},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":82,"name":83,"slug":84,"uri":85,"parentId":86,"disciplines":87,"__typename":80},"dGVybTo2OQ==","Students","students","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fstudents\u002F","dGVybTo2Ng==",{"nodes":88,"__typename":79},[89],{"title":83,"uri":90,"parentId":91,"__typename":78},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Feducation\u002Fstudents","cG9zdDozNzgx",[93,96],{"isPrimary":55,"node":94,"__typename":95},{"parentId":73,"id":69,"name":70,"slug":71,"uri":72,"__typename":80},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":55,"node":97,"__typename":95},{"parentId":86,"id":82,"name":83,"slug":84,"uri":85,"__typename":80},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":100,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":101,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":102,"opengraphSiteName":103,"opengraphPublishedTime":104,"opengraphModifiedTime":105,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":106,"metaRobotsNoindex":107,"__typename":108},"FEA Tutorial: NAFEMS Steady State Temperature Distribution of a Plate in SolidWorks - Blog Solidworks","SolidWorks contains tutorials based on the NAFEMS benchmarks.  These benchmarks demonstrate the accuracy…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Ffea-tutorial-nafems-steady-state-temperature-distribution-of-a-plate-in-solidworks\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2011-08-02T12:21:46+00:00","2026-01-13T12:54:43+00:00",2,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1777164893694]