Adding a 3rd node in the center of an element is so effective at increasing accuracy that the majority of FEA software including ANSYS start with a 3 node beam (BEAM3) as their simplest element. This opens up the ability to use quadratic or higher order interpolation instead of linear interpolation. One of the best ways to increase the accuracy of a simulation is to use more nodes in an element. Adding More Nodes Per Element 3 Node Element 3-Node Quadratic Interpolation Element Most results are based on the square or cube of a variable meaning the results between nodes won’t change linearly, but instead quadratically. One issue with simply using smaller elements is that most physical phenomena aren’t estimated well by linear interpolation. However, points at which significant changes do occur over a short distance such as at corners or holes this is necessary to gain an accurate result.

Where results are not changing significantly between nodal points this is unnecessary. The most straight forward way to improve accuracy is to make your elements smaller. Improving FEA Result Accuracy Reducing Element Size Half Size Elements 2-Node Half Size Elements Between nodes of a single element solutions are estimated through using interpolation.

Nodes are points at which exact solutions are calculated. What are FEA Nodes & Elements? Simplest Element 2-Node Single ElementĮlements are made up of at least 2 nodes. This allows for engineers to gain insight and optimize design performance prior to investing in an expensive physical prototypes. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) uses a geometrical mesh made up of nodes and elements to simulate a wide range of physical interactions.

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