Install the FEA module
This unit is under development. You should not use it unless you are aware that the code is not completely tested and some functions are incomplete.

This is an optional unit that introduce Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in Chrono::Engine.

Read the introduction to modules for a technical background on the modularity of the Chrono::Engine project.

## Features

The '''FEM unit''' is used to simulate flexible parts in Chrono::Engine.

Here are the main features:

• 3D tetahedrons
• linear, 4 nodes
• 3D hexahedrons
• linear, 8 nodes
• Euler-Bernoulli beams
• Bars
• Shells
• ANCF, 4 nodes
• All elements support nonlinear displacements
• Analysis:
• elasticity: statics, dynamics
• electrostatics

## Requirements

• To run applications based on this unit, there are no requirements.
• To build applications based on this unit there are no requirements.

## Building instructions

1. Repeat the instructions for the full installation, but when you see the CMake window, you must add the following steps:
2. Set the ENABLE_MODULE_FEA as 'on', then press 'Configure' (to refresh the variable list)
3. Press 'Configure' again, then 'Generate', and proceed as usual in the installation instructions.

This unit corresponds to an additional DLL library, called ChronoEngine_FEA.dll, that can be linked to your application if you want to use it. On Linux systems, the .dll suffix is .so.

When you will rebuild the project, you could find some demo_FEAxxxx examples in the binary directory, among other default demos.

## How to use it

• Look at the manual of this module for the reference.
• Look at the API section of this module for documentation about classes and functions.
• Look at the C++ source of demos to learn how to use the functions of this module.