Material stress analyst

Material stress analysts plan and use software to perform structural analyses, including static, stability and fatigue analyses on various machines. They develop an analysis of primary and secondary structures. They prepare technical reports to document their analysis results, participate in design reviews and recommend process improvements. They also assist in the development of structural test plans.

The duties of a material stress analyst typically include, but are not limited to:

• Building 3D models in simulation programs to test their response under expected use conditions
• Calculating strains placed on a machine and its components on both a macro level and a micro level
• Performing tests on physical objects, both models and full-size, to assess their ability to withstand stress
• Developing prototypes for new designs and testing their performance under stresses
• Manipulating data using coding languages, spreadsheet programs and other software to perform assessments and identify alternative approaches
• Researching materials and components to identify the best options for designs requiring high levels of stress
• Coordinating with others within the organization throughout the design process to create prototypes and final products

The following job titles also refer to material stress analyst:

aviation stress analyst
materials analyst
stress analyst
material stress-strain analyst
materials stress analyst material analyst
structure engineer
materials stress analyst
materials stress technician
stress tester
aircraft body stress analyst
aeroplane stress analyst
airframe stress analyst
structural engineer
stress technician
stress-strain analyst

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is generally the minimum required to work as a material stress analyst.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Material stress analyst is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to material stress analyst.

rolling stock engineering drafter
automotive engineering drafter
marine engineering drafter
aerospace engineering drafter
rolling stock engineering technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of material stress analyst. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of material stress analyst with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aerodynamics engineer
automotive designer
tooling engineer
container equipment design engineer
naval architect

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of material stress analyst.

• Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
• Material mechanics: The behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.
• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
• Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
• Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
• Cae software: The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
• 3d modelling: The process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D printing devices.
• Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
• Ict software specifications: The characteristics, use and operations of various software products such as computer programmes and application software.
• Multimedia systems: The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of material stress analyst.

• Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Use computer-aided engineering systems: Use computer-aided engineering software to conduct stress analyses on engineering designs.
• Create a product’s virtual model: Create a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.
• Analyse stress resistance of products: Analyse the ability of products to endure stress imposed by temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors, by using mathematical formulas and computer simulations.
• Write stress analysis reports: Write down a report with all your findings encountered during the stress analysis. Write down performances, failures and other conclusions.
• Read engineering drawings: Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
• Recommend product improvements: Recomend product modifications and process improvements.
• Liaise with engineers: Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of material stress analyst. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Mechanics of vessels: The mechanics involved in boats and ships. Understand the technicalities and participate in discussions over related topics in order to solve problems related to mechanics.
• Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
• Aircraft mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in aircrafts and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in aircrafts.
• Bicycle mechanics: Technicalities over mechanics in bicycles and related topics in order to perform a wide range of repairs in bicycles.
• Mechanics of motor vehicles: The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles.
• Mechanics of trains: Possess basic knowledge of the mechanics involved in trains, understand the technicalities and participate in discussions on related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.
• Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of material stress analyst. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Perform physical stress tests on models: Perform tests on products’ models to analyse the ability of products to endure temperature, loads, motion, vibration and other factors.
• Develop material testing procedures: Develop testing protocols in collaboration with engineers and scientists to enable a variety of analyses such as environmental, chemical, physical, thermal, structural, resistance or surface analyses on a wide range of materials such as metals, ceramics or plastics.
• Build a product’s physical model: Build a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.
• Report analysis results: Produce research documents or give presentations to report the results of a conducted research and analysis project, indicating the analysis procedures and methods which led to the results, as well as potential interpretations of the results.
• Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
• Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
• Render 3d images: Use specialised tools to convert 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.

3115 – Mechanical engineering technicians

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References

1. Material stress analyst – ESCO
2. What Is a Stress Engineer? Role and Responsibilities | Indeed.com
3. Featured image: By NASA\MSFC\Emmett Given – http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/multimedia/photos/2013/13-128b.html, Public Domain