SolidFEA

SolidFEA is a solid (volumetric) finite element analysis application from BIMWERX Limited, a structural engineering software developer that a user forum describes as based in New Zealand. It is meant for detailed sub-model studies that frame-analysis tools handle poorly, such as welded and bolted steel connections, steel-plus-concrete connections, and bridge details. It runs on the open-source Calculix solver. The vendor pitches it as a cheaper, less hardware-hungry option than Abaqus. Geometry comes in through IFC files exported from Revit, Advance Steel, or Tekla Structures. Parametric connection templates and steel connector elements speed up common joint models. The software meshes automatically with hexahedral or tetrahedral elements, including second-order elements. Supported analyses include linear and geometrically non-linear analysis, contact, staged loading, amplitude loading, moving loads, and time-history analysis. An in-app Assistant guides setup, and free tutorials open from the welcome screen. SolidFEA shares a material library with GenFEA, BIMWERX's frame and plate analysis package. Licences are managed through the CumulusGate platform, which also handles a free trial with no credit card required. BIMWERX does not publish prices, so treat pricing as quote-based. The main limitation is how little independent evidence exists: there are no user reviews on the directories we checked, support appears to be online only, and the BIMWERX site says its FEA suite has been acquired by SPACE GASS, so buyers should check the product roadmap and licensing before committing.