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The verification of the structural integrity of mechanical parts is certainly an important step in the design cycle, at least for those objects that have to withstand the action of loads. Together with this, the need to produce with constantly decreasing costs and time, but with constantly increasing quality, requires the use of advanced design techniques that could be grouped under the name of "VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING". In fact, Finite Element modeling allows to create a virtual representation of the structural behavior of a given object. It is thus possible to know, even before constructing the part itself, whether it will be able to resist the forces that will load it during the use for which it was designed. The benefits of this design approach, both in terms of time and from the economic point of view, are too obvious to spend other words about this point.

However, we must be cautious in the use of such advanced tools: in fact, if on one hand the benefits that can be drawn from the numerical analysis of structures are remarkable for the designer who intends, for example, to explore different solutions of the same project in order to find the optimal one, on the other hand it is essential to exert a strong control over the input data and over the results produced by the computer code.

Here is then where the role of the Structural Engineer comes into the game: the Structural Engineer is that individual who has the responsibility to implement the Finite Element model of the structure to be analyzed (building the geometry, choosing the type of elements to be used, applying the appropriate boundary conditions - forces and constraints), to evaluate the quality of the numerical calculation, to interpret the results and to use them to analyze the various parts of the structure, and finally to validate the model by carrying out experimental tests (for example through strain gauges techniques). It goes without saying that this professional must have a deep knowledge in Solid Mechanics, in Structure Calculations, in Numerical analyses and of course in the theory of the Finite Element Method.

Today, unfortunately, mainly due to commercial reasons that tend to highlight the ease of use of the software by omitting the sources of danger arising from its misuse, it happens that users poorly prepared for this role present their analyses based on at least questionable assumptions (inadequate mesh, element type not suitable for the phenomenon to be investigated, restraints and loads that do not correspond to reality, etc.): the consequences of all this have different levels of severity in relation to the area where the user is operating. Thus it appears clear that this delicate phase of the design cycle (at least during the final structural checks) cannot and must not be delivered to anyone, but only to professionals who specifically cover this role, whether they are employees, consultants or occasional collaborators.

CG CAE is there exactly to this purpose: to offer a professional and high level support in the simulation of the thermo-structural behavior of complex mechanical assemblies.