We are making good progress towards FEM simulation of general LEGO structures. FEM stands for the Finite Element Method and is a technique to numerically calculate the deformation of mechanical structures under load. Based on material properties, it is then possible to predict when and under what conditions a mechanical structure will fail.

We currently still create our LEGO structures using the open and free LeoCAD software. LeoCAD in turn saves the structures in the open LDraw format. We then convert the LDraw data into an FEM model using our own algorithm, which essentially consists of connected springs, contact surfaces, boundary conditions and forces. Finally, the open and free software CodeAster is used to calculate the deformation of the LEGO structure.

We can already use it to calculate the deformation of simple bridge structures (see image). This has already enabled us to make initial applications in workshops and courses at the university. At the moment, however, our algorithm only works with a subset of the possible LEGO structures. We are currently working on removing these limitations and thus extending the FEM simulation to general LEGO structures.