The present invention relates to a method and system for performing a finite element simulation. Embodiments of the present invention determine accurate contact simulations. A method according to the principles of the present invention begins by obtaining a first finite element model and a first computer aided design (CAD) model that the first finite element model represents. Next, a finite element simulation is performed using at least the first finite element model and the first CAD model. According to an embodiment of the present invention, performing the finite element simulation comprises determining one or more variations between the first finite element model and the first CAD model.