5 Training Courses Worth the Price of Admission at NAFEMS

Engineering experts in CAE, finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and other simulation software know that the field is constantly changing.

As a result, these experts will need continuous education to ensure they are as up-to-date as their software, workflows and physics models.

To that end, user meetings like the International Association for the Engineering Analysis Community (NAFEMS) Americas conference, offers simulation analysts the training they need to stay in the loop of simulation trends and technology.

The NAFEMS Americas Conference is a Vendor neutral gathering of the simulation community. The following is a summary of some of the training courses engineers can take if they are able to make it to the show.

CFD for Structural Designers and Analysts

(image courtesy of NAFEMS.)

This program is designed to train structural engineers about the multidisciplinary problems they will face. It will introduce engineers to some CFD basics, concepts, principles and flow phenomena.

The course will offer an overview of:

Turbulence
Heat transfer
Boundary conditions
Loadings
Design performance

This training course has been adapted from one of NAFEMS e-learning course. To look into taking the full course online, follow this link.

Elements of Turbulence Modeling

(image courtesy of NAFEMS.)

Turbulence flow is a very complex topic. To this day it isn’t fully understood. For this reason, modeling a turbulent CFD simulation can take a lot of validation, trial and error.

To that end, completing an accurate turbulence simulation mandates that engineers have a substantial understanding of the various turbulence models available to see which one best fits an application.

In this course engineers will learn about:

Turbulent flow characteristics
Eddies in turbulent flows
Turbulence production
Energy cascade
Scales in turbulent flows
Simulation strategies
Principles of turbulence modeling
Wall effects
How to choose a model

This course is adapted from an online version. To learn about turbulence in detail online click here.

Composite FEA

When working with composite simulations, engineers will have to work with numerous inputs and terms to define their materials.

This course provides engineers with a step-by-step workflow to ensure their composites are properly assessed. Concepts covered will include the physics behind composites and how to reflect those physics within an FEA analysis.

Dynamic FEA

(Image courtesy of NAFEMS.)

The dynamic FEA training course will cover how engineers can break down structural motion problems into a step-by-step workflow.

Some concepts covered include:

Resonant frequencies
Rotational speed
Lateral motion
Acoustics
Pressure frequencies
Ground motion frequency

This live training session is based on another online course offered by NAFEMS.

Structural Optimization in FEA

(Image courtesy of NAFEMS.)

By bringing simulation early into the development cycle engineers are able to optimize their products for weight, performance, vibrations and more.

However, creating the penalty function and choosing an optimization algorithm can be a complicated task.

This course looks into the tools and methodologies available to engineers to ensure their designs are in the direction of the minimum and/or maxima.

Like many of the other courses offered live at the NAFEMS Regional Conference, the course on structural optimization can be completed online.

Other training courses covered in the admission of a NAFEMS Regional Conference include:

Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics in FEA
Introduction to Probabilistic Analysis and Design
Nonlinear FEA
Practical Introduction to CFD
Practical Modeling of Joint and Connections

To register for the NAFEMS Americas Conference, follow this link.