Opinion wanted on the best FEA software around 1

[vesselguy]

Hello,
I am thinking of buying a FEA package for personal use and learning purpose. I am a vessel engineer and my line of work would require FEA for linear/non-linear elastic static, thermal, and fatigue analysis. I would compare results to ASME Section VIII allowables.

I am interested in Ansys and Cosmos M. With limited funds, I know Cosmos is much cheaper than ANSYS. But, is Cosmos a reliable modeling tool and is it commonly used in the industry. If it is your money, which one would you buy?

Thanks

 

[tld23]

Dear vesselguy
You need a tool that is fir for the job - a cheap tool that is not is just a waste of money and time. Having said if you can find a tool that is cheap and works go for it. You may need to define exactly what you need from any package: ease of use, coupled thermal-mechanical, user subroutines, etc etc etc. Perhaps work these things out and re-post with the information.
As for Cosmos/M I have heard many good things about it. Fortunatly I do not have to make a decision so I could not tel you what to buy!


TERRY

 

[Gib]

dear,
i have tried ANSYS before and i think it is quite powerful but the version i am ueing is 5.4, it might been more limitation, but in total, it is still ok just u will find some difficulties in plotting the model. about COSMOS i think it doesn't have as wide range as ANSYS. that mean the type of analysis can be done by COSMOS is less. wish my opinions could help u make a decision.

GIB

 

[stressed]

I haven't used it myself, but I've heard a lot about FE/Pipe and NozzlePro from Paulin Research,

http://www.paulin.com.

It's low cost, and it's the only finite element program out there that I am aware of with built-in code compliance to ASME Sec. 8. I understand it has a number of templates which are custom made for creating vessel finite element models.

Paulin Research seems to have a decent following among piping and vessel engineers. But as with any FEA application, careful to verify results before purchasing.

 

[brad]

TA with Terry . . .

Typically one pays a premium for two things: general-purpose capability and depth within specific functionality.

For your situation, you should define what specific functionality is required by you, then search for small-end software which fulfills that. It's likely that most of the high-end software is able to fit the bill, but you then are paying for the general-purpose functionalities which you do not desire (and it is a HIGH premium to pay if you don't need it). There's a balancing game.

I think for you the best bet is to talk with people with their own companies who need that same capability--what are they using? If they are cost-conscious, they've probably already gone through the trade-offs which I described.

Brad

 

[visitor]

Try Adina.com They have a 900 node version for $120USD which comes with a printed manual and Dr. Bathes text book on FEA.

Tankman

 

[stanier]

Try Algor at

http://www.algor.com.

I have found their pipe stress analysis software Pipeplus less expensive than the competition and just as effective. Perhaps there FEA software is likewise more cost effective. Also they have a program for designing nozzles in shells that saves a lot of modelling in a more generic FEA package.

Their website has some tutorials and presentation thereon so you can get to see the functionality before you buy.

As for PV design Whessoe had software specific for this purpose complying with ASME & BS standards.

 

[vesselguy]

Thanks to all who replied to my question.

I've used FE-Pipe. It is just fine. However, it is like just using a canned program.

What I'm looking for is a reasonably prices FEA package to learn at home and eventually use it for consulting. FEA is a hard field to get into unless you get the chance to work for a company that uses it and have "experts" in-house to help you up the steep learning curve.

Again, thanks for your valuable replies.

Regards

 

[vipulrk]

Dear Vesselguy,

I work at EMRC, developer and marketer of general purpose FE code, NISA. We offer an excellent package for price. NISA is full fledge FE code with depth of capabilities of ANSYS. Our limited version, 5000 DOF is relatively inexpensive and comes with linear & non-linear Static, linear and non-linear dynamics, buckling, steady state and transient heat transfer analysis capabilities. The only restriction is degrees of freedom. Pre- and post-post-processors are part of the cost.

Send me your address and I will mail you an evaluation CD which is fully functional program with limit of 1000 DOF at no cost.

Vipul Kinariwala

 

Dear Vesselguy,

I work as ANSYS Desk Incharge for the ANSYS Channel Partner in Pakistan.

As far as ANSYS functionality is concerned I am sure that at no time you will need another FEA package with ANSYS. I belive thats its the most General Purpose FEA software with diverse Multiphysics Applications.


In your application with ANSYS you can solve coupled field analysis involving Structural-Thermal, Thermal-Fluid, Stuctural-Fluid interaction, not support by many sofware.

Regarding the price You may contact your local ANSYS Channel Partner(Reseller) and get detailed info of what he has to offer you ?
or request for an Evaluation copy.

For learning purpose you can go for ANSYS/ED a node limited fully funtioning Package.

Regards