CAD Simulation and Analysis Flashcards
6 cards from real CAD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CAD Simulation and Analysis flashcards as text
What type of analysis in CAD software divides a model into small elements to predict how it will respond to forces and loads?
Answer: Finite Element Analysis
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) divides a model into a mesh of small elements to calculate stress, strain, and deformation under applied loads.
In FEA, what is the term for the network of small polygons or tetrahedra that covers the model surface or volume?
Answer: Mesh
The mesh is the discretized network of elements used by FEA solvers to approximate the physical behavior of the part.
Which boundary condition is required in every FEA simulation to prevent the model from moving freely in space?
Answer: Fixed constraint
A fixed constraint (or fixture) is needed to restrain the model so the solver can calculate displacements relative to a stationary reference.
In a CAD motion simulation, what property describes resistance to change in rotational velocity around an axis?
Answer: Moment of inertia
Moment of inertia measures how mass is distributed relative to a rotational axis and determines how much torque is needed to change angular velocity.
What color is typically used on a von Mises stress plot to indicate regions of highest stress concentration?
Answer: Red
In the standard rainbow color scale for stress plots, red represents the highest stress values, alerting engineers to critical failure zones.
Which CAD simulation type is used to study airflow or fluid behavior around a product such as an automotive body?
Answer: Computational Fluid Dynamics
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solves fluid flow equations to predict pressure, velocity, and heat transfer around or through geometry.