Energy Finite Element Analysis (EFEA)

The EFEA is a solver developed by MES for vibro-acoustic simulations in the mid to high frequency range.  It contains a library of elements (similar to conventional finite element codes) in order to create a numerical system of equations, but it also contains a library of joints in order to capture the power transfer characteristics between elements at physical discontinuities (this is unique to the EFEA).

When using conventional finite elements analysis (FEA), the higher the frequency of interest the more elements are needed.  However, this is not the case with the EFEA because it uses energy based variables.  Therefore the method has no upper frequency limitations and can model large systems using a small number of elements. 

The EFEA model gets generated using any general purpose pre/post-processor as if it was a conventional FEA model but with not as many elements.  The EFEA solver reads the finite element model, generates all necessary joints automatically, and performs the requested calculations.  The results can be visualized using any general purpose pre/post-processor.

The EFEA has been tested, proven, and used in Naval, automotive, and aircraft applications; it is the only commercial EFEA code.

Automotive and aircraft companies have the need to control interior noise that gets generated due to sources such as: motors, engine, air flow, etc.

It is strongly desired to have the least amount of noise with the smallest possible increase in cost and weight.

The EFEA results are used for determining the type, quantity, and placement of acoustic isolation, mass, and damping treatments.

Using conventional FEA for simulations up to 8KHz to 10KHz (typical upper frequencies of interest for airborne noise), is either computationally expensive or infeasible, due to the small dimensions of the finite elements which are required to model the vehicle at such high frequencies.

Since a significantly smaller number of elements is required by the EFEA, many alternative designs can be evaluated fast enough in order to influence the product development.

MES is proud to be a member of the Altair Partner Alliance (APA). EFEA and Hybrid FEA are available through the APA. To learn more, visit https://www.altair.com/efea/.

Altair is a global technology company providing software and cloud solutions in the areas of simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI). Altair enables organizations across broad industry segments to compete more effectively in a connected world while creating a more sustainable future.