Digital Engineering 24/7

Helping design and engineering professionals discover, evaluate and specify technologies and processes that shorten the design cycle and enable success.

Alert!

Digital Engineering ceased publication on July 1, 2026. This website remains available as an archive of engineering content.

For inquiries or information, please email [email protected].

Glossary: FEA

Getty Images/DE
 
 
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, fluid flow, and other physical effects.
 
 

Finite element analysis (FEA) is the modeling of products and systems in a virtual environment, for the purpose of finding and solving potential (or existing) structural or performance issues. FEA is the practical application of the finite element method (FEM), which is used by engineers and scientists to mathematically model and numerically solve complex structural, fluid and multiphysics problems. FEA software can be utilized in a wide range of industries, but is most commonly used in the aeronautical, biomechanical and automotive industries.

More FEA

A Peek into the Certification Process

Digital simulation’s role growing in aerospace certification with FAA, EASA.

Can You Cook Your Thanksgiving Turkey with a Microwave Gun?

RAND Simulation's Simulation Expert Conduct FEA Experiments to Find the Answer

Why ROMs Cannot Completely Replace Multiphysics FEA

The black box gives you predictability without an understanding.

Altair HyperWorks 2025.1 Release Available

Altair HyperWorks 2025.1 features advancements in AI-powered engineering and optimization.

How Twins for Data and Simulation Support Each Other

Data and simulation are two facets of comprehensive twins.

Festive FEA: Drop Testing a Candy Cane with Ansys LS-Dyna

In this guest post, the author, a consulting engineer from Rand Simulation, toys around with simulation of candy canes.

How Well Does Your FEA Program Know You?

The new approach made possible by AI is to use legacy simulation data to train and develop an AI-like algorithm that can predict simulation results from design shapes.

SimScale, Hexagon Partner on Cloud-Native Access to Advanced Analysis

Leading engineering simulation providers establish strategic partnership to launch an enhanced software-as-a-service.

Online FEA and CFD Classes Becoming the Norm

Virtual classrooms make specialist skills more accessible.

Your Hair and Clothing Choices Could Hold You Back in Long Jump and Sprint

Researchers uses Ansys CFD to study the aerodynamics of hairstyles and clothing styles in the long jump and sprint

The Race is On

Designing for The America’s Cup Race

Preparing for AI-Driven Simulation

Organizing past and present data is the key to developing surrogate models.

Generative AI Enters Next Phase with Natural Language

It’s not about typing or shouting executable commands.

Collaborative Simulation

Interoperability in simulation improves accuracy, reduces development times and fosters innovation.

Formula 1 By Design

Engineering the pinnacle of motorsport racing through simulation.

More Finite Element Analysis FEA

Browse glossary terms

Latest News

Latest Resources

From our Sponsors

Meltio Takes Metal Additive to the Next Level
Meltio's DED technology enables industries to tailor and customize their solutions to create & repair metal parts.
Easing the Transition from ETO to CTO with Configuration Lifecycle Management
Manufacturers are discovering that the Configure-to-Order (CTO) model provides significant benefits when it comes to customization.
Siemens + Altair = The Next Chapter in Design and Simulation
With its acquisition of Altair, Siemens creates a unified simulation portfolio combining generative design with high-performance computing and AI workflows.