Preprocessing

• Define the geometric domain of the problem.

• Define the element types to be used.

• Define the material properties of the elements.

• Define the geometric properties of the elements (length, area, and the like).

• Define the element connectivities (mesh the model).

• Define the physical constraints (boundary conditions). Define the loadings.

Processor

• computes the unknown values of the primary field variable(s)

• computed values are then used by back substitution to compute additional, derived variables, such as reaction forces, element stresses, and heat flow.

Postprocessing

• Postprocessor software contains sophisticated routines used for sorting, printing, and plotting selected results from a finite element solution.