The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

determine functions, features and performance parameters of plant, structure or equipment to be analysed

determine parameters to the brief or contract, OHS, regulatory, risk management and sustainability requirements

communicate, advise, negotiate and review with stakeholders and client throughout process

apply FEA solution techniques

set up FEA model, parameters, element mesh and nodes

select solver and adjust and optimise parameters

generate and assess solution file

interpret results, generate graphics and identify significant issues

validate software outputs

apply systems or holistic thinking, contingencies and constraints management, problem solving and decision making techniques in making recommendations

report and document results.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

gathering information relevant to the FEA task

interpreting and evaluating documentation, specifications and drawings for FEA purposes

researching FEA, mathematical techniques, applicability and limitations, software and evolving opportunities for FEA

setting up FEA model, parameters, element mesh and nodes

using FEA software, including pre- and post-processor, if any, effectively

constructing models of engineering part or structure suitable for FEA using appropriate software

determining and setting parameters and conditions for required type of analysis

applying boundary conditions to suit type of analysis required, including axisymmetric analysis

choosing, setting up, and running appropriate solvers, such as linear static, linear buckling, non-linear static, natural frequency, steady state, heat, and so on

interpreting results, generating graphics and identifying significant issues

validating software outputs

reporting and documenting results

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

FEA task parameters for applications, such as:

stresses and displacements

natural frequencies

heat and temperature distribution

software modelling and validation techniques, including:

element type and shape for error minimisation

library files

geometry importation from other software packages

application of boundary conditions

validation using comparison with traditional solution of simple examples and reviewing of past successful applications

methods for presentation of results, including software-generated graphics

measures of excessive stress and/or deformation and to recommend modifications

software functions and features, such as:

deformed displays

colour contour plots, contour averaging and contour jumps

peeking, graphing and animating

multiple views

coordinate systems:

Cartesian

polar

spherical coordinate systems

stress concentrations

structural loads:

dead loads, live loads and wind loads

structural and non-structural mass

material libraries:

types of beam, plate and brick elements

properties of materials, such as stress, strain, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rigidity, Poisson’s ratio and allowable stress

stresses:

equivalent stresses based on Von Mises criterion and Tresca criterion

shear force and bending moment diagrams, bending stress and torsional stress

heat transfer modes (conduction, convection and radiation)

thermal stress

accuracy checking methods, including use of strain gauges and solvers

software validation techniques

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

FEA

FEA uses numerical techniques to find approximate solutions for engineering problems, such as:

load, stiffness and deflection analysis and animations for vehicle crash simulations

hopper and bin designs

piping systems

heat flow, such as in in cavity moulds, load distribution, stiffness and strength in structures

Parameters to the brief

The design brief may include the design of new equipment or fault analysis, rectification or modification to an existing design. Parameters to the design brief may include:

determination of the degree of innovation and creativity expected by the client

design process limits and budgets

product cost limits and budgets

performance specifications

equipment availability, capacities and restrictions

specified administrative, communication and approval procedures

other special features and limits in the design brief

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular design task

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental requirements

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental requirements may include:

OHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

industry codes of practice

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative OHS impact on employees, community and customer

state and territory regulatory requirements

Appropriate solver

Appropriate solver may include:

sparse

preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG)

incomplete cholesky conjugate gradient

frontal

Client

Client may be:

internal or external to the organisation