Finite Element Analysis, or FEA, is a powerful engineering tool that allows us to simulate how structures will behave under real-world conditions — all before a single piece is built. At our firm, we use FEA to improve safety, optimize performance, and prevent failure in everything from scaffolding systems to shoring and concrete formwork. Whether you’re dealing with heavy loads, lateral forces, or vibration concerns, FEA gives us the data we need to design with precision and confidence.
Put simply, FEA breaks down a complex structure into smaller, manageable parts — called finite elements — so we can analyze them one at a time. These simulations are especially useful in temporary structures where safety and compliance must be guaranteed from the start. With FEA, we’re not guessing how a structure might perform: we’re testing it virtually, using math and physics, to predict exactly how it will perform.
What’s A Finite Element?
A finite element is a small, simplified part of a larger structure. When we use FEA, we divide an object, like a scaffold tower or concrete slab form, into thousands (or millions) of these elements. Each element represents a small piece of the full picture, with its own unique set of equations for stress, strain, load, or heat transfer.
By analyzing each element individually and combining their results, we can understand the performance of the entire system. It’s like solving a puzzle one piece at a time, except the puzzle is a highly complex engineering structure, and the stakes are safety, code compliance, and performance.
How FEA Works
FEA works by creating a digital model of your structure, applying physics-based equations to each element, and solving them using powerful computer software. The process generally follows three steps:
1. Pre-Processing:
We define the geometry of the structure, select materials, and set real-world conditions — like gravity, loads, or thermal effects.
2. Meshing and Solving:
The structure is divided into a mesh of elements. Equations are applied to each, then solved to predict behavior across the entire model.
3. Post-Processing:
We interpret the results by looking at stress points, deformation, failure risk, and more to make engineering decisions or validate existing designs.
FEA helps us determine whether a scaffold design can withstand dynamic wind loads, if shoring will hold under a multi-story concrete pour, or where reinforcement is needed in a custom formwork system.
Finite Element Analysis Use Cases
FEA is widely used across industries — from aerospace to biomechanics — but in structural and construction engineering, its value is especially high. Temporary structures like scaffolding and formwork often face time-sensitive loads and variable conditions. FEA helps us:
- Predict how materials will behave under pressure
- Validate designs before fabrication
- Identify potential failure points early
- Reduce overengineering by refining designs
- Ensure every design meets safety codes and standards
In short, we use FEA to protect both workers and the public while delivering highly efficient designs.
Types of FEA Tests
There are different types of FEA tests, depending on what you’re analyzing. Each test reveals something specific about how a structure performs under different conditions.
Static Analysis
This test looks at structures under steady, unchanging loads. It’s ideal for verifying the strength and safety of a shoring tower holding a concrete slab or a scaffold platform under consistent weight.
Dynamic Analysis
Dynamic analysis considers time-based or frequency-based loading. This is useful when structures are subject to moving loads, impacts, or vibrations — such as a scaffold exposed to wind gusts or shifting materials.
Modal Analysis
Modal analysis predicts how a structure will respond to vibrations. This is especially important for tall scaffolding, wall bracing, or suspended systems that could experience resonance, which could compromise safety over time.
Need FEA Consulting Services? Get In Touch!
If your next project involves temporary structures that must perform safely and reliably, our FEA consulting services can help. We combine over four decades of engineering experience with cutting-edge analysis tools to deliver results you can build on — literally.
Whether you’re designing a new shoring system or need to validate an existing scaffold layout, we’re ready to run the numbers and ensure your design holds up. Reach out today to learn how FEA can give your project the precision and peace of mind it deserves.
