Overview
ISO 10303-104:2000 is part of the ISO 10303 (STEP) family and defines an Integrated Application Resource for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) within product data representation and exchange. The standard provides schema-level definitions to represent structural response models, finite element models, element and node geometry, coordinate systems, material properties, and element integration data - enabling consistent product data exchange between CAD/CAE/FEA tools and enterprise systems.
Key topics and technical coverage
ISO 10303-104 focuses on formalizing data structures and semantics used in FEA. Important technical topics include:
- Structural response definition and representation schemas: entity and type definitions to describe what structural responses are modeled and how they are represented.
- Finite element model (fea_model): high-level model constructs for 2D/3D models, substructures, and relationships with product geometry.
- Node and element geometry: node definitions, node sets, element descriptors and topologies for points, curves, surfaces and volumes.
- Element coordinate systems and orientation: parametric and aligned coordinate systems, Euler angles, and directionally explicit element coordinate definitions.
- Element matrix integration and integration rules: definitions for integrated element matrices, field integrations, and numerical integration rules used in stiffness/mass/damping computations.
- Element and material properties: FEA-specific material property representations (elasticity, density, thermal expansion, shell stiffness, etc.) and surface/curve/volume element properties.
- Scalars, vectors and tensors: foundational data types for physical quantities and solution fields.
- FEA control and results schemas: structures to capture analysis control parameters and results (solution coordinate systems, nodal results, field results).
Practical applications and users
ISO 10303-104 is used to improve interoperability and reduce data loss when exchanging FEA models and results. Typical applications:
- Exchanging mesh, element formulations and material data between CAD and FEA software.
- Archiving and reusing validated FEA models across projects and suppliers.
- Integrating CAE data into PLM/ERP systems for traceability and configuration control.
- Automating pre/post-processing workflows where consistent semantics for element matrices, coordinate systems and results are required.
Primary users:
- CAE/FEA software developers and integrators
- Simulation engineers and analysts
- CAD/PLM system architects and data managers
- Suppliers and OEMs exchanging validated simulation models
Related standards
- ISO 10303 (STEP) family - general product data representation and exchange framework.
- ISO 10303-1 - general introduction and fundamental principles referenced by this part.
Keywords: ISO 10303-104, STEP, finite element analysis, FEA data exchange, product data representation, element integration, material properties, structural response.
Open preview (PDF)Industrial automation systems and integration — Product data representation and exchange — Part 104: Integrated application resource: Finite element analysis