A method for automatic evaluation of a finite element simulation for an industrial system such as a motor vehicle body includes predefining an electronic design model of the industrial system and generating finite elements for the model. The stresses occurring in the finite elements are determined using a finite element simulation. Each finite element, which is a two-dimensional element and not a rigid object element and whose stress exceeds a predefined stress limiting value, is determined. For each determined two-dimensional element which is not a triangle, an element limiting value is determined on the basis of the stress limiting value. Each determined two-dimensional element is classified as critical if its computed stress exceeds the established element limiting value. The method enables identification of areas of the industrial system having a high stress and reduces the effect of inaccuracies that occur on the evaluation of the finite element simulation due to the approximation of the vehicle body by finite elements.