.. _FEM:

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Finite Element Analyzer
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**Description**

The BRIDG program has a built in 3D finite element analyzer that it uses (in 2D mode) and it can be used as a standalone FEA engine.

The steps to using the FEA are:

1) Generate a FEA file using BRIDG on any BDF file. This gives you an example input to work with. ( :ref:`fem_gen_file` )

2) Cut and paste the FEM model section from the generated FEA file and create a F3D file ( :ref:`fem_f3d_file` )

3) Edit this file as needed. 

4) Run the FEA ( :ref:`fem_run` )