What is structural analysis?

Structural analysis evaluates how a component, assembly or structure responds to applied loads. It can be used to assess stress, deformation, stiffness, load paths and structural integrity.

What is stress analysis?

Stress analysis determines how internal stresses develop within a component under specific loading conditions. The results can then be assessed against relevant material properties and engineering requirements.

When should FEA be used for structural analysis?

FEA is particularly useful where geometry, loading or structural behaviour is too complex to assess confidently using simple calculations. It can also be used to compare design alternatives and support design verification.

How accurate is structural FEA?

The accuracy of an FEA assessment depends on factors including geometry, material properties, loading, constraints, modelling assumptions and how the results are interpreted. A technically sophisticated model cannot compensate for unrealistic engineering assumptions.

Does a high stress result mean a component will fail?

Not necessarily. A high local stress may represent a genuine structural concern, but it can also result from a stress concentration, load introduction, constraint or modelling idealisation. Engineering judgement is required to determine its significance.

Can structural analysis reduce component weight?

Yes. Understanding load paths and structural demand can help identify areas where material may be reduced while maintaining the required strength and stiffness.

Can FEA replace physical testing?

FEA and physical testing serve different purposes and are often most effective when used together. FEA can help identify weaknesses and optimise a design before physical testing, while testing provides evidence of actual product behaviour.

What information is required for a structural analysis?

Typical requirements include component or assembly geometry, material information, applied loads, mounting or constraint conditions and relevant performance requirements. Where information is uncertain, appropriate assumptions can be discussed as part of the assessment.

Assembly and Contact Behaviour

What We Do

Assembly and Contact Behaviour

Assembly and contact behaviour assessment is used to understand how components interact when assembled and subjected to operational loading.

In many mechanical systems, structural performance depends not only on individual components but on how forces are transferred between them. Interfaces may separate, slide, bear against one another or transfer load through fasteners and contact surfaces.

QANTIS Engineering Group provides consultancy-grade Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and assembly analysis to assess these interactions and understand their effect on structural performance.

Typical engineering questions include:

How are loads transferred between assembled components?
Will contacting surfaces remain engaged under load?
Could components separate or slip?
Where are the critical contact pressures?
How does an interface affect overall structural stiffness?
Are fasteners or mounting interfaces carrying the expected loads?
Could contact behaviour contribute to failure, wear or leakage?

The objective is to understand how an assembly behaves as a system, rather than assessing each component in isolation.

Why This Analysis Matters

Real mechanical assemblies rarely behave as a collection of independent parts. Interfaces, fasteners and contact surfaces can significantly influence how loads are distributed through the structure.

A contact assessment can help engineering teams:

Understand load transfer between components and interfaces
Identify separation or sliding that could affect performance
Assess contact pressures in critical regions
Evaluate assembly stiffness and the influence of interfaces
Investigate fastener and joint behaviour under operating loads
Support design validation of complex mechanical assemblies

Contact behaviour can also change as loading increases. An interface that is fully engaged under one condition may separate or redistribute load under another.

The value lies in understanding how the assembly actually carries load, not simply how its individual components perform.

Our Engineering Approach

Our assembly assessments begin by understanding how the components are intended to interact and transfer load.

We establish the relevant geometry, materials, interfaces, loading conditions, constraints and assembly requirements before developing an appropriate analysis approach.

The assessment focuses on the behaviour of the assembly as a system, including contact pressure, separation, sliding, load transfer and structural deformation where relevant.

Results are interpreted in the context of the actual function of the joint or interface. Where concerns are identified, we provide practical recommendations to improve load transfer, joint behaviour or overall assembly performance.

Our focus is on understanding how components interact, how loads move through the assembly, and whether that behaviour is appropriate for the application.

When Is This Service Needed

Bolted & Fastened Assemblies

Assess load transfer, contact and separation behaviour in bolted joints, flanges and mechanically fastened connections.

Mechanical Interfaces

Investigate how mating surfaces interact and transfer forces under operating conditions.

Load-Bearing Assemblies

Understand how multiple components share loads and how interfaces influence overall structural performance.

Sealing & Flange Applications

Assess contact behaviour and interface loading where maintaining sufficient contact is important for sealing performance.

Joint & Connection Design

Investigate whether fasteners, interfaces and surrounding components are carrying loads as intended.

Existing Assembly Problems

Investigate issues such as unexpected movement, separation, localised loading, joint failure or uneven load distribution.

Industries We Support

QANTIS Engineering Group supports engineering teams across a range of industries, including:

Aerospace & Defence
Automotive
Motorsport
Rail & Transportation
Marine & Offshore
Oil & Gas
Nuclear
Renewable Energy
Consumer Products
Medical Devices

Robotics & Automation
Electronics & Semiconductors
Mining & Heavy Equipment
Materials & Advanced Manufacturing
Architecture & Building Products
Sports & Leisure
Packaging & Logistics
Product Development

Our work covers components, assemblies, brackets, frames, mounts, fabricated structures and other mechanical systems where structural performance needs to be understood and validated.

Frequently asked questions

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