SOFTWARE FUNCTION

WinFELA is an advanced suite of stiffness method programs for the analysis of 2D and 3D structural models using finite elements. Structural models may consist of plate or beam elements or both. Comprehensive data generation and results processing options make this software very powerful yet easy to use. WinFELA is Windows menu and toolbar controlled software with built-in HELP and no commands to memorize. The programs are operated by mouse and keyboard input.

Planar structures with in-plane or out-of-plane loading and 3D structures with loading in any direction may be modelled.

Plate elements may be triangular or quadrilateral and can model plane stress and/or plate bending behaviour depending on the model type. Beam elements may be included as required.

For models consisting entirely of beam elements, the program options and performance are as for our WinFRAM framework analysis software product but with the addition of mesh generation and special grillage post-processing options. This product fact sheet should be read in conjunction with the WinFRAM product fact sheet.

MESH GENERATION

The popular Quick and Repeat data generation options in WinFRAM are augmented in WinFELA by powerful mesh generation options. Generated regions may be triangular or quadrilateral with straight or curved boundaries and the generated meshes themselves may be either triangular or quadrilateral and consist of plate or beam elements. Data input is through cleverly conceived dialogues with supporting graphics. Each region is ploted as generated and is easily deleted if what has been created was not what was intended.

Data tables for use by the WinFELA grillage post-processing options are automatically prepared, as are others for use by the WinHILO bridge-deck loading program.

LOADING

Plate elements may be loaded by concentrated loads, uniformly distributed loads, hydrostatic loads, temperature and self weight. Concentrated loads may be positioned using global or local axes. As with WinFRAM, beam elements may be loaded by concentrated forces or moments at any position, by uniformly or variably distributed loads, by pre-stress forces by temperature and by self weight; linear and rotational nodal loads may be applied. Bridge deck models may be loaded by the WinHILO program. All models may be loaded by support settlement. Skeletal models may be loaded by member distortion to create influence lines and surfaces. Basic loadcases may be factored to create combination loadcases.

ANALYSIS ALGORITHM

WinFELA performs comprehensive pre-analysis checks for consistency and completeness of data. Control is then transferred to the calculation routines and progress through the analysis stages is reported on the computer screen.

Beam member stiffnesses are calculated allowing for axial, flexural and shear deformation. Finite element in-plane and plate bending stiffnesses are calculated using numerical integration. The intelligent WinFELA stiffness analysis algorithm ensures a fast solution of the nodal equilibrium equations to establish the nodal displacements for each loadcase. Calculation accuracy is guaranteed by double precision arithmetic.

RESULTS PROCESSING

A wide range of tabular and graphical presentation options are included for both FE plane stress and FE plate bending results. Wood-Armer processing for calculation of reinforcement moments from FE models of RC slabs is included. Wood-Armer results are also available for grillage models.

The WinFELA post-processor has all the powerful features of WinFRAM post-processor providing interactive examination of the analysis results in both tabular and graphical form and the production of printed and plotted reports for both FE and frame models.

Results table manipulation is similar to the data input spreadsheet manipulation so that any part of the table, no matter how large it is, can be easily accessed.

A unique ENCAD Maxima Scan mode means that WinFELA can be set into a search mode scanning through all or selected results table entries to find the occurrence of the maximum of any effect.

Real-time post-processing means that any number of combinations may be created and the results studied without re-analysing the model.

GRAPHICS

A plot of the analytical model is always visible during data input and results review. Clicking on any part of the model with the mouse pointer will automatically present the relevant table scrolled to highlight the appropriate entry. Similarly clicking on a data or results entry with the mouse pointer will highlight the corresponding part of the model.

The structural model may be viewed from any direction to any scale with zooming and panning, to look at specific elements, to label the model, to show element axes, to look at applied loads, at model movements, at element stresses, at beam internal loads and so on. Element stress results may be shown as contour, surface, vector or value plots, with stress direction marked on each element. The element stress results available are orthogonal stresses, principal stresses and Wood-Armer reinforcing moments for skewed and orthogonal reinforcement directions. Displacement plots and skeletal member moment, shear, torque and axial load plots may be annotated with key values.

PROGRAM OUTPUT

The contents of any data and results table may be output in part or in whole to a printer, to a PDF file, to an ASCII file, or copied to the Windows clipboard. Plot output may be sent to printer, plotter, BMP file, DXF file, EMF file or PDF file. The Print Report dialogue allows easy precise specification of output requirements for bulk reports.

NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS OPTIONS

The WinNONLIN Non-Linear Analysis Options is a second-order iterative analysis add-on module, significantly extending the scope of WinFELA.

Interfacing products: WinKWIK, WinSTEEL, WinHILO, WinVIBE, WinNONLIN