FEM tutorial

Introduction
! DO NOT TRANSLATE AT THE MOMENT ! This tutorial is meant to introduce the reader to the basic workflow of the FEM Module, as well as most of the tools that are available to perform a static analysis.



Requirements

 * For working with FreeCADs FEM_Module it is STONGLY recommended to use version 0.16 or above.
 * The use of FreeCADs FEM_Module requires the installation of some external software. Check FEM_Install for further install instructions.
 * The reader has the basic knowledge to use the Part and PartDesign Workbenches

Modeling
In this example a Cube is used as the study object, but models created in the Part or PartDesign Workbenches can be used instead.


 * 1) Create a new document
 * 2) Activate the Part Workbench
 * 3) Create a Cube by clicking on Create a cube solid.

Now we have a model with which to work with.

Create an analysis and mesh the geometrical model

 * 1)  Switch to the FEM Workbench
 * 2)  Select the cube in tree view
 * 3)  Click [[Image:Fem_Analysis.svg|32px]] New mechanical analysis create an analysis.
 * 4)  An analysis container and a solver object will be created.

Netgen

 * 1)  If FreeCADs build in mesher Netgen is available you will be directed to the task panel of  [[Image:Fem_FemMesh.svg|32px]] Create FEM mesh. If you did not change the size of the cube (10, 10, 10) you can leave the settings and click ok.
 * 2) The mesh will be created.
 * 3) The properties of the FEM mesh can be seen in the property editor of FreeCAD.

GMSH

 * 1) If FreeCADs build in mesher Netgen is not available you will get a popup saying "The FEM module is build without Netgen support ... " The usage of GMSH_macro is recommended, and is used for this example.
 * 2) Activate the macro
 * 3) Select the object you wish to use, in this case our Cube
 * 4) Check the box Create Mechanical Analysis from mesh
 * 5) Click OK

You can also drag and drop a mesh to a Mechanical Analysis that does not have a mesh within the Tree View.

We have now meshed our object and are ready to add constraints and forces.

Constraints and Forces

 * 1) Hide the mesh from the Tree View.
 * 2) Show the original model
 * 3) Select [[Image:Fem_ConstraintFixed.svg|32px]] Create FEM fixed constraint
 * 4) Select the bottom face of the Box and click OK
 * 5) Select  [[Image:Fem_ConstraintForce.svg|32px]] Create FEM force constraint
 * 6) Select the top face of the Box and set the Area load  value to 20 000
 * 7) Click OK

We now have established the restrictions and forces for our static study.

Final preparations

 * 1) Select [[Image:Fem_Material.svg|32px]] Mechanical material... and choose Steel-generic as the material
 * 2) Click OK

Running the Solver

 * 1) Select  [[Image:Fem_NewAnalysis.svg|32px]] Start calculation from the menu
 * 2) Select Write Calculix Input File
 * 3) Select Run Calculix
 * 4) Click Close

Analyzing Results

 * 1) Select [[Image:Fem_Result.svg|32px]] Show result
 * 2) Choose among the different Result types to view the results
 * 3) The slider at the bottom can be used to alter the mesh to view the deformation in a simplified manner
 * 4) To remove the results select [[Image:Fem_PurgeResults.png|32px]] Purge results

We are now finished with the basic workflow for the FEM Module.