A solution for the integration of finite element analysis in a ship design environment

The DEMAIN system for the pre- and post-processing of finite element analyses of ship structures is presented. It is shown that this new modelling concept, although being self-contained and specialized, has features which relate it to computer-aided design applications of a more general nature. Thus, compared to other finite element pre/post-processors, it allows a more natural occurrence of the structural analysis task in the design flow and can be considered a major step towards an integrated design and analysis system.