Always ask: 2D or 3D ?

• 2D models:
  • Plane Stress
  • Plane Strain
  • Axisymmetric
• 3D models:
  • shells (surface bodies) - midsurface model
  • beam or truss (line bodies) - neutral axis model
  • solid

Element Selection

• higher-order elements ?
• lower-order elements ?

Element Shape

• aspect ratio ?
• taper ?
• corner-angle ?
• warped ?

Linear

• material behavior ?
• geometric ?
• changing contact ?

Static

• varying with time ?
• vibration ?
• impact ?