Undergraduate Course: Finite Element Methods for Solids and Structures 4 (CIVE10022)
Course Outline
| School | School of Engineering |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The finite element method (FEM) originated from the need to solve complex problems in solid mechanics. FEM is used to obtain approximate numerical solutions to a variety of equations of calculus. Today it is used in a wide range of disciplines. This course is an introduction to FEM as applied to elasticity problems in solid and structural mechanics. As FEA is a computational tool, this course includes practical exercises and a computer project using an FEM software package. |
| Course description |
The course covers the following topics:
- Basics of the Finite Element Method.
- FE terminology, analysis steps, and input/output.
- FE Modelling: degrees of freedom; stress-strain and strain-displacement relations.
- Virtual Work Basis of Finite Element Method
- Triangular elements and numerical integration
- Quadrilateral elements and isoparametric formulations
- Beam elements for Structural Mechanics
AHEP outcomes: SM1b, SM3b, SM5m, EA2, EA3m, G1; Possible outcomes: EA6m, D3m, P2, P8
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Structural Analysis/Mechanics |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the procedures which the finite element method uses to analyse elastic solid structures;
- Solve simple finite element problems by hand calculations.
- Analyse elastic structures using computer programs, showing results in appropriate formats.
- Assess the correctness of finite-element output and interpret the results.
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Reading List
Recommended texts:
1. Cook, RD; Malkus, DS; Plesha, ME; Witt, RJ. Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Wiley, 2002.
2. Zienkiewicz, OC; Taylor, RL. The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005.
3. Bathe, KJ. Finite Element Procedures, Prentice Hall, 1996.
4. Smith, IM; Griffiths, DV. Programming the Finite Element Method, Wiley, 2004.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Application of Mathematical concepts.
Computer Modelling skills.
Interpreting design problems. |
| Special Arrangements |
none |
| Keywords | Numerical Methods,solid mechanics,elasticity,computational modelling |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stefanos Papanicolopulos
Tel: (0131 6)50 7214
Email: S.Papanicolopulos@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Tom Lawford-Groves
Tel: (0131 6)50 5687
Email: t.lawford-groves@ed.ac.uk |
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