LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide students with general knowledge and engineering skills about  Finite Element Method, in order to instil the ability of creating and using properly the finite element models of mechanical components and assemblies realized to perform structural verification analyses.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and exercises in computer lab

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Matrix methods for discrete beam structures (frames and pin joined beam structures). The finite element method fundamentals : shape functions, convergence criteria, error estimation. The most common 2D and 3D finite elements : theory bases and application examples.

Mesh generation by direct methods and by using mesh generation tools. Discretization criteria. Dynamics, heat transfer and structural optimization problems solved by finite element techniques.

Worked examples developed using the general purpose FEM code ANSYS

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes.

Any text in Finite Element Method (e.g. O. C. Zienkiewicz : “The finite element method”- III Ed. , McGraw Hill, London )