Linear Structural Analysis 

Linear structural analysis is the most common form of analysis.  It is employed when the part being studied is under stresses that will not cause large motions nor any permanent deformation.  This is hope- fully the situation under which most of your parts will be functioning. This analysis technique will tell us how well the part can handle the expected stresses, and can be used to determine the expected lifetime of the part under its anticipated workload.

MSC Technologies employs Pro/MECHANICA and ALGOR for linear structural analysis. Pro/MECHANICA is a module of Pro/ENGINEER that allows us to follow up structural analysis with part optimization analysis.

For large part deformation, high stresses, or soft (plastic) materials, we must use non-linear analysis.