[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":120},["ShallowReactive",2],{"FN7TxKV5waSDS1aXfbhMnMwld8Es8HX_ns2d7ELKOHA":3,"article_fea-vs-reality-how-accurate-is-your-solution_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":118,"_apollo:identified":119},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","fea-vs-reality-how-accurate-is-your-solution","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":117},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":30,"content":31,"date":32,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":33,"masterings":45,"globalTags":49,"products":63,"disciplines":75,"seo":106,"__typename":116},"cG9zdDozNzgyOA==","FEA vs. Reality: How accurate is your solution?","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Ffea-vs-reality-how-accurate-is-your-solution","\u003Cp>In the Engineering world, we’re often asked questions about the accuracy of…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":29},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":25,"thumbnail":26,"srcSet":27,"sizes":28},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1-1024x662.png.webp","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1-768x496.png.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1-150x150.png.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1-1024x662.png.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1-300x194.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1-768x496.png.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-1.png.webp 1119w","(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cp>In the Engineering world, we’re often asked questions about the accuracy of FEA modeling versus reality. The answer: FEA provides the right information versus reality as long as you correctly define materials, boundary conditions and mesh type.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Next, regarding accuracy of the software itself, we have lots of Q&A tests based on literature and recognized publications. NAFEMS, an International Association of Engineering Modelling, Analysis and Simulation Professionals, is one such example.  NAFEMS has published 200 publications, covering many areas within engineering analysis and simulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We use the NAFEMS benchmark problems in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the SOLIDWORKS Simulation software for the supported analysis such as linear statics, thermal, geometric and material nonlinearity, and linear dynamics.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Here is an example for linear static analysis:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hemisphere under Point Loads\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This benchmark comes from the NAFEMS Publication P07 “Linear Statics Benchmarks VOL. 1”, D. Hitchings, A.Kamoulakos, G.A. Davies, VOL. 1, October, 1987.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"size-large thumbnail wp-caption aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"419\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37830\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_1.png.webp 419w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_1-300x243.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>Hemisphere\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cp>The objective is to calculate the displacement along X direction at point A of the hemisphere due to concentrated radial loads of magnitude 2 KN applied outwards at point A and inwards at point C. The sphere has a radius of 10 m. Material is defined as:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Material Properties\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Modulus of elasticity = 68.25 X 103 MPa\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Poisson’s ratio (?) = 0.3\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"278\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_2.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37831\">\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>A linear static analysis is defined for this model with the loads and fixtures explained above. A Shell mesh is used with a thin shell formulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Quickly, we get the displacement along X direction on the Hemisphere:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Component\nReference NAFEMS\nSOLIDWORKS Simulation\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>UX displacement at point A\n0.185 m\n0.1847 m\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>As you can see the SOLIDWORKS Simulation results mirror precisely the NAFEMS results – in other words SOLIDWORKS Simulation = reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"size-large thumbnail wp-caption aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"459\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_3-615x459-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37832\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_3-615x459-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_3-615x459-1-300x224.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>UX displacement distribution\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cp>Once your Simulation is run, how do you collaborate with your peers and communicate your Simulation results? \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.edrawingsviewer.com\" target=\"_blank\" data-id=\"37837\">The answer is eDrawings\u003C\u002Fa> such as this model below.  If you already have eDrawings, you can \u003Ca title=\"Download the eDrawing\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fedrawingsresults.zip\" target=\"_blank\" data-id=\"37837\">download the eDrawing file\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"size-large thumbnail wp-caption aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"397\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-615x397-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-37833\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-615x397-1.png.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Ffea_4-615x397-1-300x194.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003Cfigcaption>eDrawings to communicate Simulation results\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003Cp>Want to know more about the accuracy of FEA modeling and SOLIDWORKS Simulation? \u003Ca title=\"Accurate Design Simulations Improve Product Development\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.solidworks.com\u002Fsw\u002Faccurate-design-simulations-improve-product-development-form.htm\" target=\"_blank\" data-id=\"37837\">Download the dedicated white paper now\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","2014-11-10T07:00:48",{"node":34,"__typename":44},{"nicename":35,"description":36,"slug":35,"name":37,"firstName":38,"lastName":39,"avatar":40,"__typename":43},"delphinegenouvrier","Delphine Genouvrier is a Director at Dassault Systèmes","Delphine Genouvrier","Delphine","Genouvrier",{"url":41,"__typename":42},"https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F28cfc43195a4d3a2483b7c7ffdcb296cd1bb815aec4134f59ddbbec2322a3aad?s=96&d=mm&r=g","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":46,"edges":47,"__typename":48},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":50,"__typename":62},[51,57],{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":55,"__typename":56},"dGVybTo5NjA3","Simulation","simulation","\u002Ftags\u002Fsimulation\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":58,"name":59,"slug":60,"uri":61,"__typename":56},"dGVybTo5NjAz","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Ftags\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":64,"nodes":72,"__typename":74},[65],{"isPrimary":66,"node":67,"__typename":71},false,{"id":68,"name":59,"slug":60,"uri":69,"__typename":70},"dGVybTo1Ng==","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[73],{"id":68,"name":59,"slug":60,"uri":69,"__typename":70},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":76,"edges":99,"__typename":105},[77,91],{"id":78,"name":79,"slug":80,"uri":81,"parentId":82,"disciplines":83,"__typename":90},"dGVybTo2MA==","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Fdisciplines\u002F3d-cad\u002F","dGVybTo1OA==",{"nodes":84,"__typename":89},[85],{"title":79,"uri":86,"parentId":87,"__typename":88},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F3d-cad","cG9zdDozNzcz","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":92,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":93,"parentId":94,"disciplines":95,"__typename":90},"dGVybTo4NQ==","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation\u002F",null,{"nodes":96,"__typename":89},[97],{"title":53,"uri":98,"parentId":94,"__typename":88},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fsimulation",[100,103],{"isPrimary":66,"node":101,"__typename":102},{"parentId":82,"id":78,"name":79,"slug":80,"uri":81,"__typename":90},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":66,"node":104,"__typename":102},{"parentId":94,"id":92,"name":53,"slug":54,"uri":93,"__typename":90},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":107,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":108,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":109,"opengraphSiteName":110,"opengraphPublishedTime":111,"opengraphModifiedTime":112,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":113,"metaRobotsNoindex":114,"__typename":115},"FEA vs. Reality: How accurate is your solution? - Blog Solidworks","In the Engineering world, we’re often asked questions about the accuracy of…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Ffea-vs-reality-how-accurate-is-your-solution\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2014-11-10T12:00:48+00:00","2026-02-13T02:44:44+00:00",2,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1776257307107]