LUSAS 22.0-1c3: Advanced Finite Element Analysis Software

LUSAS 22.0-1c3 is a world-leading finite element analysis software suite developed by Finite Element Analysis Ltd (UK). Originally developed at Imperial College London as the “London University Structural Analysis System” , LUSAS has over 40 years of continuous development and is used by thousands of engineers worldwide.

Version 22.0 is a major release featuring a fully functional 64-bit version of LUSAS Modeller, enabling the creation and solution of significantly larger models compared to the 32-bit version . Both 64-bit and 32-bit versions are installed by default .

The software is available in multiple specialized products to serve different engineering disciplines, all sharing the same user interface and full data compatibility across the range

🏗️ Primary Users

This professional finite element analysis (FEA) software is designed for:

• Bridge Engineers analyzing and designing all types of bridges—from simple grillages to complex cable-stayed and suspension structures .

• Structural & Civil Engineers performing advanced analysis on buildings, dams, tunnels, stadia, and offshore structures .

• Geotechnical Engineers modeling soil-structure interaction, embankments, slopes, and excavation sequences .

• Composite Materials Specialists modeling layered composites, delamination, and failure using industry-standard criteria .

• Academic Researchers & Students conducting finite element studies with the unrestricted Academic version

⚡ Key Features & Capabilities

🆕 New in Version 22.0-1

• 64-bit LUSAS Modeller – Create and solve larger models with the new 64-bit geometry engine; both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are installed by default 

• Bill of Materials / Embodied Carbon Calculator – Summarize material quantities and calculate embodied carbon using user-defined factors for sustainability assessments 

• AASHTO LRFD 8th & 9th Edition Support – Updated vehicle load optimization for state implementations 

• UK CS454 Appendix C Support – Combine HB load effects with ‘ALL Model 1’ traffic loads 

• Automatic Alternative Load Pattern Identification – For AASHTO and Korean lane loads on continuous spans 

• Viscous Support Loading – New nodal load type for seismic Bicanic boundaries method, removing manual damping coefficient calculations 

• Post-Tensioning Enhancements – AS5100.5-2017 support; improved prestress loss options (duct friction, anchorage set, elastic shortening, creep, shrinkage, relaxation) 

• User-Defined Beam Internal Points – Control the number of force/moment calculation points along beams 

• Extended Analysis Branch Types – Moving Load, VLO, RLO, and Pedestrian Moving Load analyses can now be included in branches 

• Permanent Loading in Moving Load Analyses – Apply permanent loads to all generated loadcases 

• Rail Track Analysis Speed Improvements – Independent library replaces MS Excel; results processing now takes only 10-20% of previous time 

• Enhanced Geotechnical Results – New ‘Two-phase results’ entity for saturation, suction, excess pore water pressure, hydraulic head, and flow components 

• LUSAS Tank Enhancements – Vertical prestress type options; temporary rectangular wall openings in construction stages 

🛠️ Core Analysis Capabilities

Linear & Nonlinear Analysis:

• Linear static, buckling (eigenvalue), modal dynamic, and transient dynamic analysis

• Material nonlinearity (concrete cracking, plasticity, creep, shrinkage)

• Geometric nonlinearity (large deflection, P-Delta)

• Boundary nonlinearity (contact, joints, soil-structure interaction)

Specialized Analysis:

• Bridge Analysis: Vehicle load optimization, moving loads, influence lines, staged construction, prestress/post-tensioning, fatigue 

• Geotechnical Analysis: Mohr-Coulomb, Modified Cam-Clay, Hoek-Brown, Drucker-Prager models; two-phase materials; pore water pressure; consolidation; slope stability (Phi-c reduction) 

• Thermal & Field Analysis: Heat transfer, heat of hydration, coupled thermo-mechanical analysis

• Dynamic Analysis: Modal, response spectrum, time history, transient dynamics

• Composite Analysis: Layered shell and solid elements; delamination; failure criteria 

🏗️ Supported Products

🔧 Design Code Support

LUSAS supports numerous international design codes including:

• AASHTO LRFD (8th & 9th Editions) 

• UK CS454 Appendix C 

• AS5100.5-2017 (Australian bridge design) 

• Eurocodes, British Standards, and other national codes (depending on product and options)