Alan, We discussed this article here some time ago. The problem is not in the FEA programs so much as how the programmer models the structure...there are many ways to do it with a variety of meshes so it would be difficult for ABS to certify a given program's output as being correct in all cases. What ABS has done in this case is significantly reduce the cost of hull certification by accepting the FEA product that has been verified by strain gage data. A pretty picture does not verify how accurate the model is without real world data support for each different model (even different areas within a model). R/Jay Resepectfully, Jay K. Jeffries Andros Is., Bahamas Save the whales, collect the whole set. -----Original Message----- Hi Jon Below is a link to an article on ABS accepting FEA data for certifiation on a non standard design. I sent Brent this the other day. http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/1528 There was strain sensor testing done wich verified the FEA results. Be good to learn a bit more on this. Maybe ABS could certify various programmes so you'd know you had it right before you submitted anything to them. Perhaps ABS could analyze everything structural with FEA & bring their costs right down. Be good to put a question to them as to where they're going with this. Alan |