Reusability-based selection of parametric finite element analysis models

A selection method to support adaptive reuse of parametric finite element analysis (FEA) models is introduced in this paper. Adaptive reuse of engineering artifacts such as FEA models is common in product design, but difficult to automate because of the need to integrate new information. The proposed method factors reusability into selection by evaluating models based on comparative estimates of effort involved in adapting them for reuse to model a query problem. The method is developed for FEA models of component-based designs. FEA modeling of electronic chip packages is used to illustrate the method’s usefulness.We conclude with a discussion on themethod’s advantages and limitations and highlight important issues for further research