ISO 10303-104:2000

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.