Summary

This chapter set out to explore the use of solid elements. It began with an overview of components that are suitable to be analyzed with solid elements and then shifted gear to the analysis of two case studies. The first case study focused on a spring sub-assembly. This was then followed by the second case study on the static analysis of a gear sub-assembly. Along the way, we leveraged on many features of SOLIDWORKS Simulation that are useful for the analysis of moderately complex entities using solid elements.

Up to now, we have dealt with the analysis of components using a single family of elements in each of Chapters 2, Analyses of Bars and Trusses – Chapter 6, Analyses of Components with Solid Elements. In the next chapter, you will learn about analyzing components with mixed elements.