Abstract: PRE-PROCESSORSPre-processing comprises all the activities associated with the preparing, generating, checking and altering of data before the main structural finite element analysis is performed.Step 2 (a) of the flow chart in Figure (1.1) represents the Pre-processing stage.The functions of a Pre-processor are outlined in the flow chart of Figure (1 .3).General functions of a Pre-processor are as follows :Generating Nodal Point Coordinates Nodes are generated on the boundary and interior of the geometry.Each node is unique by its location coordinates and number.Nodes can be generated manually by selecting their locations on the geometry one at a time, or interactively, by selecting the geometry and placing a desired number of nodes on it.Nodes can also be generated automatically if the elements are generated first.Section 3.3.1 explains this method of mesh generation.Generating Element Connectivity This involves connecting the nodes to form finite elements.Finite elements can have different shapes.For example in two dimensions, triangles and quadrilaterals.Generating Boundary Conditions This defines constraints on the model, essentially to simulate working conditions and to prevent rigid body motion.Constraints are placed on nodes, and can constrain up to three orthogonal translations and three orthogonal rotations in the working coordinate system.