CAD CAD Simulation and Analysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of analysis in CAD software divides a model into small elements to predict how it will respond to forces and loads?
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Finite Element Analysis (Correct answer)
- Motion Simulation
- Thermal Mapping
Correct 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.
Question 2: In FEA, what is the term for the network of small polygons or tetrahedra that covers the model surface or volume?
- Lattice
- Mesh (Correct answer)
- Grid
- Wireframe
Correct answer: Mesh
The mesh is the discretized network of elements used by FEA solvers to approximate the physical behavior of the part.
Question 3: Which boundary condition is required in every FEA simulation to prevent the model from moving freely in space?
- Force application
- Material assignment
- Fixed constraint (Correct answer)
- Contact definition
Correct 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.
Question 4: In a CAD motion simulation, what property describes resistance to change in rotational velocity around an axis?
- Linear momentum
- Moment of inertia (Correct answer)
- Coefficient of friction
- Center of gravity
Correct 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.
Question 5: What color is typically used on a von Mises stress plot to indicate regions of highest stress concentration?
- Blue
- Green
- Yellow
- Red (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Red
In the standard rainbow color scale for stress plots, red represents the highest stress values, alerting engineers to critical failure zones.
Question 6: Which CAD simulation type is used to study airflow or fluid behavior around a product such as an automotive body?
- Modal analysis
- Thermal analysis
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (Correct answer)
- Fatigue analysis
Correct answer: Computational Fluid Dynamics
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solves fluid flow equations to predict pressure, velocity, and heat transfer around or through geometry.
CAD CAD Simulation and Analysis 1
What type of analysis in CAD software divides a model into small elements to predict how it will respond to forces and loads?