Best Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Software for Freelancers

SimScale, a web-based cloud application, plays an important role in simulation software for many industries. The platform supports Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), as well as Thermal Simulation. It also provides 3D simulation, continuous modeling, motion & dynamic modelling.

FEATool Multiphysics – "Physics Simulator Made Easy" – a fully integrated physics simulation, FEA and CFD toolbox. FEATool Multiphysics provides a fully integrated simulation platform that includes a unified user interface for several multi-physics solvers such as OpenFOAM and Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), including SU2 Code and FEniCS. This allows users to model coupled physics phenomena, such as those found in fluid flow and heat transfer, structural, electromagnetics acoustics and chemical engineering applications. FEATool multiphysics is a trusted tool for engineers and researchers in the energy, automotive and semi-conductor industries.

Ansys Mechanical is a top-of-the-line finite element solver that can be used to improve your modeling. It has structural, thermal, acoustics and transient capabilities. Ansys Mechanical allows you to solve complex structural engineering issues and make faster design decisions. The suite includes finite element analysis (FEA), which allows you to automate and customize solutions for structural mechanics problems. You can also parameterize these solvers to analyze multiple design scenarios. Ansys Mechanical offers a wide range of analysis tools and is a dynamic tool. Ansys Mechanical provides a dynamic environment that allows you to connect additional physics and prepare geometry for analysis. Engineers of all levels can access the intuitive and customizable interface to quickly and easily find answers. Ansys Mechanical provides an integrated platform that uses finite elements analysis (FEA), for structural analysis.

GT STRUDL®, a structural engineering software, offers a complete solution. It includes 3D CAD modeling and 64 bit high-performance computation solvers in all versions. GT STRUDL has all the tools needed to analyze a wide range of structural engineering and finite elements analysis problems. It can do this accurately in a fraction the time it takes to use other structural design software. Structural design software is used by structural engineers to create safe and effective designs. It also helps them manage the complexity of many scenarios across a variety of industries, such as power, civil engineering and marine. GT STRUDL includes many quality features such as interoperability and structural analysis, database-driven designing, and quality assurance.

Multiphysics software from COMSOL allows you to simulate real-world designs, processes, and devices. Multipurpose simulation software that uses advanced numerical methods. Fully coupled multiphysics and single physics modeling capabilities. The entire modeling process, from geometry to postprocessing. Easy-to-use tools for creating and deploying simulation applications. The COMSOL Multiphysics® software provides a consistent user interface regardless of engineering application or physics phenomena. Add-on modules offer specialized functionality for electromagnetics and structural mechanics. You can choose from a variety of LiveLink™, products to interface with CAD or other third-party software. COMSOL Server™ and COMSOL Compiler™, allow you to deploy simulation applications. This software platform allows you to create simulation applications and physics-based models.

Thermal Desktop is a complete model creation tool. Objects such as finite element, lumped capacitance, and built-in finite differences can be combined in any way. Thermal-specific objects, such as insulation, heat loads and heaters, can be added to any model, from automotive components to manned satellites. Thermal Desktop allows full parameterization by using variables and arbitrarily complicated expressions instead of hardwired numbers. These variables, also known as symbols, enable models to be quickly manipulated by a few keystrokes. This makes it easy to update or maintain the model, perform sensitivity studies, and investigate what-if scenarios. This gives you access to SINDA/FLUINT’s optimization and reliability modules, as well as automatic model correlation.

The FEA program RFEM enables quick and easy modeling, structural, and dynamic calculation as well as the design and construction of models with member and plate, wall, folded plates, shell, shell, and other solid elements. Modular software allows you to connect the main program RFEM to the appropriate add-ons to meet your specific requirements. Structural analysis program RFEM offers structural engineers a 3D FEA tool that meets all modern civil engineering requirements. Simple and complex structures can be modelled with ease thanks to efficient data input and intuitive handling. The basis of a modular software program is the structural analysis program RFEM. The RFEM basic program is used to create structures, materials, loads, and plans for spatial and planar structural systems that include plates, walls, shells and members. You can also create mixed structures and model contact elements.

SPACE GASS is a 3D analysis and design program that can be used for multiple purposes. It is able to design beams, trusses, frames, buildings, towers and tanks, as well as cable structures and bridges. Capabilities include a 64-bit multi-core solver, silky smooth 3D rendered graphics, plate finite elements, frame elements, cable elements, tension/compression-only elements, moving loads and links to many CAD and building management programs. Why SPACE GASS? You can save time and money by choosing a safe and effective design. A silky smooth interface allows you to see your changes visually. A fast sparse matrix solver which fully exploits multi-core processors' parallel processing power. There are many structural modeling tools, analysis options, and design modules. Video tutorials that will guide you through the difficult stuff. For use in floating or stand-alone networks.

Open a web browser like Firefox or Chrome, and search online for "caeplex." This works on any operating system, including Windows, MacOS (GNU/Linux), iOS, Android, and Windows. CAEplex runs on our servers, so it can be used on any PC, laptop, tablet, or phone. There is no need to buy a new computer or add RAM to an old one. Our key feature is "ease and speed". A CAEplex case can easily be solved from scratch to the final results in under one minute using our 3-step workflow. We would love to hear from you if you have a faster FEA application. CAEplex can work from any mobile device, including tablets or phones. Access your work anywhere, at any time. Enjoy agile development that leverages simulation (we prefer to say "modeling") and additive manufacturing.

Engineers and researchers can use WELSIM finite-element analysis software to create prototype virtual products and conduct simulation studies.

AxisVM's primary uses are in the design and construction of buildings and industrial and geotechnical structures. It is a powerful finite element solver, as well as practical modeling tools. This allows it to be used in bridge design and the design of composite structures, vehicles, and machines. There are optional design modules available for structures made from reinforced concrete, steel and timber, as well as masonry members and connections. AxisVM's special elements and analysis capabilities allow users to design innovative and custom structures. Reports can be created using drawings, tables, and detailed design calculations. Reports can be automatically updated, i.e. Reports are generated using the most recent model data and results.

Fatigue Essentials is a desktop program that can be used to efficiently perform structural fatigue analysis. Fatigue Essentials is a user-friendly program that allows you to conduct stress-life analyses using either classical stress calculations or linked to FEMAP™, and using the finite element-generated stresses. The program follows a tree structure to guide users through the analysis. The following load, material, and spectrum branches provide general options for analysis. There are options for input methods and variations within each branch. Analyses results can be viewed on-screen and used to create reports or damage contour plots in FEMAP. Covers most engineering requirements. Classic mode with user input stress. Professional mode (FEMAP-linked). This mode allows you to read nodal stress and push back results in damage contour plots. You can choose to either input stress and cycles interactively or file input.

Geotechnical Engineering Modelling Software is a CAD software that allows foundation design and analysis to be performed intuitively. GEMS foundation analysis suite uses finite element modeling techniques to analyze and design shallow and deep foundations. The foundation analysis suite contains modules for analysing pile foundations, beam foundations, and a module that can analyze offshore pile foundations. GEMS foundation analysis suite is available for free on the cloud. You can also download it for free and purchase it for PC & Mac.

You can easily create complex concrete geometry, including single-level, ramps, or multi-story structures, using robust modeling tools and import from CAD/BIM software. Utilizing true 3D finite element analysis, load takedown and slab alignment, you can efficiently analyze slabs and entire structures for the combined effects gravity, lateral, or vibration loading. ADAPT-Builder lets you control all aspects of the design, including cracking, long term deflections and punching shear. This allows you to accurately and comprehensively examine an existing reinforced concrete slab. Whatever your concrete design requirements are, ADAPT software can help. Compare packages to get started. ADAPT Builder is the 3D modeling platform, analysis and design platform for ADAPTFloor Pro, Edge and MAT. Modeler can also be used in conjunction with ADAPTPT-PT or RC.

RS2 allows you to easily analyze stress/deformation and stability of any project, regardless of whether it is above ground or below ground. RS2's integrated Seepage Analysis Tool allows you to factor in groundwater flow for both steady-state and transient conditions. Automate your slope stability analysis using shear strength reduction. This performs a finite element analyze to determine the critical strength reduction factor. You can analyze embankments using slope stability, groundwater leakage, consolidation, or dynamic analysis. Groundwater and dynamic analysis tools are available in RS2. There is also a large library of advanced constitutive models that can be used to capture the sudden loss in strength caused by liquefaction. This tool is suitable for both underground and open-pit excavations. It can analyze stability, stress/deformation and bench design. It also supports the design and support of underground caverns.

SwiftComp is a multiscale, multiphysics composite sim code that delivers 3D FEA accuracy at the speed of simple engineering models. SwiftComp makes it possible for engineers to model composites as easily and accurately as metals using traditional structural elements in their FEA codes. This allows them to capture all the microstructural details while preserving accuracy. SwiftComp enables unified modeling of 1D (beams), 2D(plates/shells) or 3D structures. This allows for the calculation of all the effective properties. SwiftComp can be used independently to simulate composite testing or as a plug in to your existing structural tools that support high-fidelity composites modeling. SwiftComp can calculate the best structural model to use in macroscopic structural analysis and perform dehomogenization in order to compute the pointwise stresses within the microstructure. SwiftComp interfaces directly with ABAQUS and ANSYS.

e-Xstream Engineering develops and commercializes Digimat software, a state of the art multi-scale material modeling technology that accelerates the development process for composite materials. Digimat is a core technology for 10xICME Solution. It is used to perform detailed analysis of materials at the microscopic level, and to develop micromechanical material models that are suitable for multi-scale coupling at the micro- and macro-scale levels. Digimat material models allow for the combination of processing simulation and structural FEA. This allows for more predictive simulation, taking into consideration the effect of processing conditions on the final part's performance. Digimat is a predictive and efficient tool that allows users to design and produce innovative composite materials and parts in a short time span.

HyperWorks offers easy-to-learn and effective workflows that leverage domain expertise and increase team productivity. This allows for efficient development of today's complex and connected products. Engineers can now move seamlessly from one domain to another with the new HyperWorks experience. They can even create reports without ever leaving the model. HyperWorks allows you to create, explore, and optimize designs. These designs can accurately model structures, mechanisms and fluids as well as electrical, embedded software, systems designs, and manufacturing processes. The solution-specific workflows improve a variety of engineering processes, including fatigue analysis, CFD modeling, concept design optimization, design exploration, and CFD modeling. Each interface is intuitive and well-designed, and differentiated for each user. It's also consistent and easy to use.

FloCAD®, a fluid dynamics module for Thermal Desktop®, and together they provide a complete thermohydraulic tool for integrated fluid flow analysis and heat transfer analysis. FloCAD is very similar to building thermal models. Many of the commands can be used to build fluid flow models. FloCAD models are available in two formats: they can be free-form (non geometric), sketchpad-style flow network modeling for abstraction, simplification, and convection to finite differences of finite element representations. FloCAD is a generalized software tool for capturing pressure drops in a piping system due to bends and valves, tees and changes in flow area.

nCode DesignLife is an online design tool that identifies key locations and calculates realistic fatigue life from leading finite element results for metals and composites. Designers can do more than simple stress analysis. They can simulate actual loading conditions and avoid costly design changes. Products can include functions for fatigue of welds and vibration fatigue, crack growth detection, fatigue in composites, and thermo-mechanical fatigue analysis. Advanced technology for multiaxial, vibration, crack growth and thermo-mechanical fatigue. A graphical interface that makes it easy to perform fatigue analysis using the most popular FEA results data such as ANSYS, Nastran and Altair OptiStruct. Multi-threaded and distributed processing capabilities to process large finite element models as well as complete usage schedules.

Tecplot 360 is the most comprehensive CFD Post processor. Make better decisions with Tecplot 360. More CFD simulations are being performed, grid sizes are increasing, and data sets can be stored remotely. It is essential to have the right tools to manage large data sets, automate workflows, visualize parametric results, and visualize them. Tecplot 360 allows you to spend less time waiting and more time exploring. Integrate XY, 2D and 3D plots to get them exactly how you want. Brilliant images and animations can help you communicate your results. PyTecplot Python scripting automates the tedious stuff. Chorus makes it easy to analyze parametric data. Securely access remote data via the SZL-Server client/server. Load Tecplot and FLUENT. Multi-frame environments with multiple pages can be used to report and compare solutions.

Ansys Sherlock, a reliability-physics-based electronic design tool, provides fast and accurate life predictions at the component and board levels for electronic hardware in early design stages. Ansys Sherlock automates the design analysis of electronic hardware. It provides accurate and fast life predictions at the component, board, and system levels during early design stages. Sherlock bypasses the 'test-fail-fix-repeat' cycle by empowering designers to accurately model silicon-metal layers, semiconductor packaging, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and assemblies to predict failure risks due to thermal, mechanical and manufacturing stressors--all before prototype. Sherlock quickly converts embedded libraries containing more than 500,000 parts into computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis models. Each model includes accurate geometries, material characteristics, and stress information.

Eyeshot is a CAD control based upon the Microsoft NET Framework. It makes it easy for developers to add CAD functionality to WinForms or WPF applications. Eyeshot offers tools to build geometry from scratch, analyze it with finite element methods and generate toolpaths. Geometry can also exported or imported using CAD exchange formats. As never before, it is possible to combine multiple data sources, input devices, and CAD entity types. Import your data from file, from Visual Studio project resources, or from database. End-users can interact with each other using keyboard, mouse, 3D mice, fingers, and/or a combination of these. You can choose from Mesh, Solid, and Nurbs surface modeling technologies that will unleash your creativity. Eyeshot is the only 100%-NET CAD component available. It's easy to learn thanks to 60+ source codes (in C# and VB NET, and for both WinForms platforms and WPF platforms).

Flexible and powerful preprocessor for high-quality finite element meshes. Attractive price - up to a factor of ten lower than their foreign counterparts. Calculation of strength under dynamic and static loading. Calculation of vibration modes and natural frequencies. Calculation of critical loads, buckling modes and critical loads. Calculations in 2D and 3D for volumetric, thin-walled, and bar structures. Elastoplastic deformation according the mises and Drucker-prager models. Calculation of strength for large displacements. Calculation of temperature, heat loss, and temperature deformations of parts or structures. Calculation of strength for highly elastic materials.

With STAAD, you can design, analyze and document structural projects anywhere in the world. It provides a flexible solution that covers all aspects of structural engineering, starting from the foundation. STAAD is a comprehensive structural finite elements analysis and design program that allows users to analyze any structure that is exposed to dynamic, wind, earthquakes, thermal, and other moving loads. STAAD is available in a variety of versions so you can choose the one that suits you best. STAAD is a popular application for structural analysis. It is well-known for its flexibility, interoperability, time-saving abilities, and analysis. STAAD is a 3D structural analysis tool that allows structural engineers to design steel and concrete structures. An analysis model can be created from a physical model created with the structural design software. STAAD incorporates many design code standards.