1. FEA of strut sample

2. Consideration of intermediate model for validation (strut)
one student reported as:
This section of the report will focus on how the analysis was carried out. FEA simulation results have to be validated with experimental data or theoretical calculations. In this report, stress calculations were used to validate the results. However for our given problem, the maximum stress calculation incorporated the stress concentration factor K. Through research it was found that there is no stress concentration factor for a slot, therefore a validation model whose K factor is known was used to validate the FEA modelling method for the given problem.
Calibration Method
In calibration, the idea is to make use of a similar component that has a documented K value. This component should have the same cross section and the same material properties. Furthermore, the given problem consists of a slot in the middle, so it would make sense to use a calibration model that has a hole of the same diameter and should be located in the middle of the strut. The displacement and the stress results obtained from simulation can be validated with hand calculations.
If the results obtained from the calibration method are the same as the hand calculation results or has a small error percentage, it will be acceptable to assume that the method used in the setup of the simulation is accurate enough to be repeated. Repeating the analysis using the slot problem should reduce errors and the results should be trust-worthy.
The data of interest in this calibration method is the boundary conditions, the mesh size and the accuracy of the results. See Appendix 2 on Calibration.

3. intermediate model
final model

4. FEA of pressure vessel sample