Structural Analysis and Simulation Software

To predict stress, deformation, vibration, fatigue and failure risk under real loads, so designs can be validated and improved before manufacturing instead of after a failed prototype.

Linear analysis assumes small deformations and proportional material behavior, which suits many standard design checks. Nonlinear analysis accounts for large deformation, contact, plasticity and other material nonlinearity, which complex or heavily loaded structures require.

Most structural solvers divide geometry into finite elements, so the model needs a mesh. Meshless tools such as SimSolid analyze CAD assemblies directly, which removes meshing and geometry cleanup for design studies. Read SimSolid vs HyperMesh and OptiStruct for when each fits.

Crash and impact need an explicit dynamics solver such as Radioss, which captures high-speed impact, material failure and complex contact over milliseconds. Implicit solvers like OptiStruct suit static and slower dynamic problems.

It depends on the question. SimSolid for fast checks on CAD, OptiStruct for sign-off linear, nonlinear, NVH and optimization work, Radioss for crash and impact, and HyperMesh or SimLab to build models. The comparison above maps common questions to the right starting point, and one Altair Units license runs all of them.

Automotive, aerospace, civil engineering, energy, heavy machinery and consumer products all rely on structural simulation for safety, durability and performance. See simulation solutions by industry.

Testing designs virtually finds problems before physical prototypes are built. Teams run fewer test cycles, avoid late design changes and reach production sooner.

Yes. Siemens acquired Altair, and with the June 2026 Simcenter release OptiStruct, SimSolid, Radioss, SimLab, HyperStudy, PhysicsAI and Inspire joined the Simcenter family under Simcenter names. TrueInsight licenses and supports them under either name.