Stresses and temperatures within a structural component can be determined with a computer simulation method called finite element analysis.  Quest Reliability, LLC has substantial experience with finite element analysis of a wide range of structural components in a variety of industries, including petroleum, chemical and other process industries, electric power generation, rail transportation, water treatment, manufacturing, aviation, and aerospace.  Recent projects have involved highly advanced applications of the finite element method, including multi-pass welding simulation, transient heat flow, phase transformation, fracture simulation, fatigue crack propagation, deformable body contact, creep, cyclic plasticity, and collision simulation.

The objectives of finite element analysis include:

• Characterization of the distribution of stresses and temperatures within a structure, as inputs to fitness-for-service and fracture mechanics assessments.
• Simulation of failure mechanisms such as fatigue, brittle fracture, and ductile rupture.
• Comparison of computed stresses to allowable values from the applicable design code.
• Support of a failure investigation by simulating the conditions present at the time of the incident.

Quest Reliability’s staff includes 10 engineers with finite element expertise, 4 of whom have Ph.D. degrees in this specialty.  Our staff is proficient in several commercial finite element programs, including ABAQUS, ANSYS, and FEMAP.  In addition, we have developed commercial software, FEACrack™ and FEAFlaw™, which are specialized finite element tools for analyzing cracks and local thinning, respectively.

For further information about Stress Analysis and FEA, please contact us.