ME522 ADVANCED FINITE ELEMENT METHODS
Prof. Lorraine Olson
D104 Moench
Lorraine.Olson@Rose-Hulman.edu
x8324
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~olson1/
Objectives
Students should:
1. Check their answers.
2. Be able to identify the modeling assumptions inherent in their analysis.
3. Perform a finite element analysis which is appropriate to the problem:
• Choose appropriate elements
– linear or quadratic?
– 2D continuum (plane stress, plane strain, axisymmetric), 3D
continuum, specialized (beam/plate/shell/truss)
• Choose an appropriate level of geometric accuracy
• Choose an appropriate level of mesh refinement
• Choose an appropriate solution type
– linear or nonlinear
– static/transient/modal/eigenproblem
4. Know when not to use finite element analysis. Identify the range of
problems for which finite element analysis is appropriate.
5. Understand the basics of the finite element analysis process in sufficient
detail to be able to transfer that knowledge to a new finite element
package.
6. Understand the theoretical basis of the finite element method in sufficient detail to be able to read and understand online manuals, books,
and simple literature in the field. (Continue to learn in the field.)
We will cover
• Additional Topics in Linear Finite Elements
– Galerkin methods
– Isoparametric elements
– More on elements
∗ trusses
∗ beams
∗ plates and shells
– Eigenproblems (Buckling, Resonant Frequencies, Modal Analysis)
• Nonlinear Finite Element Methods
– Large displacements
– Material nonlinearities
– Changes in boundary conditions (contact)
Expectations:
This is an advanced class, and there are only a few of you. For us to get the
most out of this class, I believe that the most important thing is for us all to
keep up with the class:
• You need to attend class regularly. I understand that some of you are
graduating and may have senior design project meetings with clients
or job interviews that may take you away from class. In that case
you need to get the information on what happened in class before you
return to class so you can be up to speed.
• If reading is assigned for the next day, which I am anticipating will
happen fairly frequently, you need to do the reading.
• If homework is assigned with a particular due date, you need to get it
to me on time so I can get it graded and returned quickly.
This is a 4 credit hour course which requires 4 hours of in-class work and
8-12 hours (on average) of out-of-class work per week.
Project
I want you to pick a project which will count for 50% of your course grade.
40% of the grade will be based on your written report, and 10% on a presentation of your project during the final week of class. You can work in teams
of up to 2 if you wish. Since this is your second FEM class, you have more of
an idea of what you could do for a project. Here is a schedule for the project:
Week 1
Think about a project to try. Discuss with Olson if necessary.
Week 2
Write up a one paragraph project proposal and turn it in by
5 PM Tuesday. Be sure that the project proposal includes the
question to be answered by the finite element analysis!
Olson will review proposals and return them in class on Thursday.
Week 3
If revisions were requested on the proposal, turn in by
5 PM Tuesday.
Olson will review proposals and return them in class on Thursday.
At this point everyone has a project defined.
Weeks 8-10 Present your project to the class. This will be a fairly long
presentation– we will have two presentations per day.
Turn in project reports by 5 PM on Friday of 10th week.
This project must be turned in on time.
Grading:
There will definitely be homework, and some of that may be more like small
mini-projects. Some of the homework will be reading, for which you may
take a concept question or a quiz. You’ll have a quarter project of your own
choosing. There will be an exam on April 7, but there will not be a final.
I reserve the right to modify the grading scale if I feel as though I need to
assess your individual accomplishments more fully.
Exam 15%
Homework/Mini-Projects/Concept Questions/Quizzes 35%
Quarter Project 50%