How to Improve Structural Analysis with SOLIDWORKS
31-07-2025 | Posted by Principia
Structural analysis in engineering is essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and functionality of any design. It enables engineers to predict how a structure will respond under various loading conditions, helping to prevent failures and optimise performance. Structural analysis with SOLIDWORKS offers an accessible yet powerful option for performing simulations directly within the CAD environment, allowing designs to be validated quickly and with high precision.
For more complex simulations or when the correlation with reality needs to be improved further, Abaqus provides advanced capabilities. Moreover, both programs can be integrated within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, streamlining the iteration process between design and analysis using SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus technologies—thus covering the full spectrum of structural simulation requirements.
What is Structural Analysis with SOLIDWORKS?
Structural analysis with SOLIDWORKS is a process within the CAD design environment that allows engineers to evaluate how 3D models behave under different load conditions. Using SOLIDWORKS Simulation, engineers can carry out simulations through the finite element method (FEM), which breaks down the structure into small elements to precisely analyse stresses, deformations, and vibrations. This approach makes it possible to predict how a design will react under various conditions—without the need for physical prototypes—thereby saving both time and development costs.
Types of Analysis Available with SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- Static Analysis
This analysis evaluates how a structure responds to constant or static loads, such as the weight of an object or a force applied in a specific direction. It is ideal for identifying stress concentrations and displacements within a design.
- Fatigue Analysis
This helps predict the structural behaviour under cyclic loading, which is critical for identifying potential fatigue failures over the product’s service life.
- Thermal Analysis
Simulates how temperature variations affect the structure, including thermal expansion and the effects of temperature changes on material performance.
- Modal Analysis
Assesses the natural frequencies of vibration within a structure—vital for avoiding resonance and structural failure when the structure is subjected to dynamic excitation.
- Contact Analysis
This type of analysis simulates how surfaces in contact interact with each other, enabling the study of pressure distribution and friction effects between components.
- Nonlinear Analysis
As materials or loads behave in a non-linear manner, this analysis is essential for simulating complex behaviours such as large deformations, plasticity, or non-linear contact.
Advantages of Using SOLIDWORKS Simulation in the Design Phase
Structural analysis with SOLIDWORKS Simulation provides numerous benefits during the early stages of design:
- Early detection of issues: Enables the identification of structural weaknesses—such as stress concentrations, excessive deformations, or potential failures—before reaching the manufacturing stage.
- Design optimisation: By simulating different configurations, designs can be adjusted to achieve optimal performance, reducing weight without compromising strength.
- Cost and time reduction: Digital validation of designs avoids the need for physical prototypes for testing, accelerating development timelines and improving overall efficiency.
- Improved design communication: The visual simulation results are easy to interpret, helping to communicate technical information more effectively across teams and departments.
- Increased reliability: Conducting precise structural simulations within the CAD environment provides a clear understanding of how the design will perform, enhancing reliability and reducing the risk of manufacturing errors.
Limitations of SOLIDWORKS Simulation and When to Use Abaqus
Although SOLIDWORKS Simulation is a powerful and efficient tool for many types of structural analysis, there are situations where its capabilities may fall short. In such cases, Abaqus is recommended, a more advanced solution that complements and extends the functionality of SOLIDWORKS Simulation.
When SOLIDWORKS Simulation May Not Be Sufficient
- Modelling Nonlinear Materials (Plastics, Elastomers, Composites)
While SOLIDWORKS Simulation is well-suited for linear material behaviour, it may be inadequate for nonlinear materials such as plastics, elastomers, or composites. These materials exhibit a nonlinear stress–strain relationship, which requires a more sophisticated approach to accurately simulate their real-world behaviour under load.
- Advanced Contact Analysis Between Multiple Bodies
In complex assemblies involving multiple contact interactions—especially where significant relative displacement occurs—SOLIDWORKS Simulation can struggle to deliver accurate results. Abaqus excels in advanced contact simulations, offering precise control of friction, sliding, and load transfer across multiple components.
- Simulation of Large Deformations or Highly Dynamic Phenomena (Impacts, Collisions)
When simulating large deformations or complex dynamic events such as impacts or crashes, SOLIDWORKS Simulation may not be the ideal choice due to its limitations in handling very nonlinear or dynamic analyses. Abaqus is specifically designed for these scenarios, offering accurate modelling of large displacements and highly dynamic loads.
- Fracture and Crack Propagation Studies
SOLIDWORKS Simulation has limited capabilities for studying fracture and crack growth in materials. These types of analyses demand detailed simulations that capture the material’s behaviour under fracture conditions—an area in which Abaqus excels, thanks to its advanced fracture mechanics tools.
Abaqus as the Ideal Solution for Advanced Structural Analysis
When simulation requirements go beyond the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Abaqus emerges as the ideal solution. With its ability to handle nonlinear materials, complex interactions between bodies, large deformations, and dynamic phenomena, Abaqus offers greater accuracy and flexibility for tackling the most demanding product design and analysis challenges.
Abaqus is therefore a natural progression for SOLIDWORKS Simulation users who need more advanced simulation capabilities. Moreover, the integration of SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform streamlines the iteration process between design and validation.
Advanced Structural Analysis with Abaqus
Abaqus is an advanced simulation solution that goes beyond the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS Simulation when it comes to complex structural analysis. Thanks to its powerful features, it allows detailed simulations of complex behaviours and phenomena, offering a level of sophistication and accuracy that surpasses the scope of conventional structural analysis tools.
Its advanced capabilities encompass a wide range of functionalities to address the most demanding engineering challenges.
Practical Engineering Use Cases
Advanced structural simulations using Abaqus are essential across a wide variety of engineering applications that require detailed and accurate modelling. Here are some practical examples:
- Automotive Industry
Simulation of crashes and impacts to assess vehicle safety. Abaqus can analyse how vehicle bodies and components respond to the forces generated during a collision, enhancing design and occupant protection.
- Aerospace Sector
Simulations allow replicating certification test conditions. While SOLIDWORKS is useful for early-stage design, Abaqus is indispensable for more complex simulations and extreme load cases required during aerospace validation phases.
- Civil Engineering
Modelling of complex materials representative of the behaviour of soil, concrete, steel, etc., including static and dynamic conditions, wear, fatigue, fracture, and other phenomena.
- Energy Sector
In the energy industry, Abaqus is used to simulate dynamic phenomena, such as those caused by earthquakes or explosions, to evaluate the resilience of critical infrastructure, including offshore platforms or nuclear facilities.
Integration of SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus within the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform offers a comprehensive solution for simulation and design, enabling engineers to work in a more connected and efficient way. Within this ecosystem, Abaqus serves as the advanced simulation engine for conducting complex structural analyses based on models created in SOLIDWORKS. Thanks to this integration, structural analysis using SOLIDWORKS and Abaqus can be taken to the next level without breaking the connection between design and simulation.
Benefits of This Integration
- Connected Design and Simulation: Agility in Design Iterations
Design changes made in SOLIDWORKS can be automatically transferred to Abaqus for new simulations without time-consuming manual processes. This supports continuous design optimisation, ensuring the final product meets performance and safety requirements while reducing overall development time.
- Enhanced Collaboration Across Engineering Teams
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enhances collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, as all members can access the same models and simulation results. This shared access facilitates informed decision-making—whether in design, simulation, or final validation. Design and simulation teams can work in unison, maintaining a common vision of project progress and results.
Taking Structural Analysis to the Next Level
SOLIDWORKS Simulation is the ideal solution for conducting fast and efficient structural analysis during the early stages of product development. Its integration within the CAD environment allows for accurate simulations without relying on external complex tools, facilitating early design validation and optimisation. With the ability to perform static, fatigue, thermal, and modal analyses, SOLIDWORKS Simulation is well-suited for projects that require a basic to intermediate level of structural evaluation.
However, when a greater level of detail is required, or the simulation involves nonlinear materials, complex contact interactions, large displacements, or multiphysics problems, Abaqus becomes the ideal solution. Its advanced simulation capabilities allow engineers to explore system behaviour under extreme conditions with high accuracy, ensuring reliability and safety in large-scale projects.
If you design with SOLIDWORKS and your project demands structural analysis, SOLIDWORKS Simulation may be the right tool during the initial phases. But if you need to take the next step towards detailed and advanced simulations, Abaqus technology is the answer. At Principia, we offer specialised consultancy to help you choose the most suitable simulation solution for your project, optimising your workflow and ensuring design success.
Don’t hesitate to contact us.
