Top 10 PATRAN Interview Question and Answers

PATRAN provides a rich set of tools that streamline the creation of analysis ready models for linear, nonlinear, explicit dynamics, thermal, and other finite element solutions. You must understand the basics of PATRAN to secure a job related to it. Read the top PATRAN Interview Question and Answers.

Question 1: What is the finite element method (fem)?  

Answer: A cutting-edge numerical technique called the FEM is utilized to resolve ordinary and partial differential equations.

Question 2: What is the history of the fem? 

Answer: Finite difference schemes were employed in early work on numerically solving boundary-valued problems; South well used such techniques in his book, which was released in the middle of the 1940s. The origins of the finite element method can be traced back to these early numerical techniques and the frustration felt when using finite difference techniques in more challenging, irregularly shaped situations.  

Question 3: What is the method of weighted residuals, I.e., Galerkin’s Method? 

Answer: The traditional Rayleigh-Ritz and variational calculus processes form the first part of the mathematical underpinnings of the finite element approach. These theories explained why the finite element method was effective for the class of problems that could yield variational assertions (e.g., linear diffusion type problems). 

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Question 4: Why should one use Finite Elements? 

Answer: The FEM is an excellent numerical method for a variety of issues due to its adaptability, robustness, and comprehensive mathematical formulation. The method is special because it uses pieces that may be individually marked and unstructured meshes to model complex geometries.

Question 5:  Can the fem handle a wide range of problems, I.e., Solve General Pdes?

Answer: Although the FEM was first created to address diffusion-type issues, such as stress-strain equations or heat conduction, advancements over the past few decades have allowed the FEM to address advection-dominated issues, such as incompressible as well as compressible fluid flow. The fundamental method can be modified to accurately solve broad advection-diffusion transport equations for a variety of issues by using upwinding techniques like Petrov-Galerkin and adaptive meshes. 

Question 6: Is there any connection between the fem and the boundary element method (BEM)? 

Answer: In the BEM, the order of the issue is decreased by one, so that a three-dimensional domain becomes a two-dimensional surface and a two-dimensional domain becomes a line integral. BEM matrices are dense and do not readily allow the use of efficient, sparse matrix solvers as in the FEM, the method becomes extremely time-consuming and computationally intensive when solving nonlinear advection-diffusion transport equations. 

Question 7: Are there any recommended commercial fem packages that are versatile in handling a wide range of problems? 

Answer: Any of the well-known and adaptable FEM codes currently available are good; it only depends on how familiar the user is with the program’s I/O section. As previously mentioned, COMSOL is incredibly versatile and quite simple to use. It can handle a variety of problem classes, including fluid flow (with turbulence), heat transfer, structural analysis, electrodynamics, and general PDEs like species transport, chemical reactions, and groundwater/porous media flow.

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Question 8:  Why would I want to use a fem program?

Answer: The FEM is one of the greatest numerical approaches for solving engineering issues because of its adaptability, simplicity of data entry, and solution accuracy. The foundation of structural studies, and FEM programs are becoming more and more popular for issues with complicated geometries.

Question 9: How long does it take for me to be able to use a fem program? 

Answer: You can fix problems fairly rapidly with some programs. Working out the sample issues that are typically offered by the majority of commercial software is always strongly advised. PCs are used to run COMSOL, ANSYS, ALGOR, and NASTRAN.

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Question 10: Is this a method that will soon become obsolete?

Answer: The recent development of BEM and meshless techniques would seem to portend the FEM’s imminent demise. These more recent techniques, nevertheless, are still years away from reaching the level of widespread application found in FEM. The FEM will continue to exist for a very long time. It is particularly appealing right now because of recent developments with the addition of spectral schemes and adaptivity.

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