• To acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the introductory concepts and applications of Finite Element (FE) Modeling and Analysis.
• To develop the ability to analyze and solve problems using FE concepts as well as commercially available FE software.

Contact information:    Please visit the contact page for the latest information on office hours, phone number, etc.

Lecture notes:     There is no textbook requirements for the class. Lecture notes will be posted on the course web page.  These will be supplemented with written/video tutorials for Abaqus software.

Recommended readings: 

A First Course in the Finite Elements Method, by Daryl L. Logan (Any edition)

Introduction to Finite Elements in Engineering, by T.R. Chandrupatala and A.D. Belegundu (Any edition)

Week 1:   

•  Fundamental concepts, introduction to Finite Element Method
•  Introduction to stiffness method

Week 2:

•   Development of Truss Equations
•   Development of Beam Equations

Week 3:  

•  Development of Beam Equations (continued)
•  Frames and grids

Week 4: 

•  Development of 2-D Plane Stress and Plane Strain Equations
• Modeling issues, solution convergence

Week 5: 

• Isoparametric Formulation
•  Higher order elements

Week 6:

•  Midterm exam
•  Axisymmetric Elements

Week 7: 

•  Axisymmetric Elements (continued)
• Three-Dimensional Solids

Week 8: 

•  Intro. to Vibration (Structural Dynamics)

Week 9: 

•  Intro. to Heat Transfer problems

Select topics in Modeling, Pre and Post processing, Results interpretation, and Error analysis will be covered throughout the term.

¹ No make up exams will be given. Percentage of missed midterm exam grade will be added to the Final exam percentage.

Note to DRC students: If you are approved by the DRC for test accommodations it is your responsibility to schedule the exam with Testing Services.  Your exam cannot start earlier than one hour before or later than one hour after the scheduled exam time.  Notify me before each exam when your exam will start so that I can have an exam at the Testing Center.  Schedule your testing times at the very beginning of the term to ensure you can get a test time that meets the start requirements.  I will not offer a special proctored exam.

Homework Assignments and Due dates

Homework is due at the beginning of the class (Maximum of 5 minutes after the official start time of the class).  Late submissions will not be graded. Submit HW electronically as pdf file to the course section of D2L. You must follow HW submission guidelines. Failure to do so will result in HW not being graded!

 Extra 10% credit will be given if MathCAD is employed for the solution of specifically marked (M) homework problems.

Class Policy

Attendance IS NOT mandatory. However, if you attend the class please observe the following guidelines:

• Turn off mobile phones and other distracting devices. If your phone rings, you must immediately leave the class for the remainder of that lecture session.
• No eating during the class period, but feel free to bring drinks.
• Be considerate of your classmates, and do not carry out conversations during lecture. Remember the class attendance is not mandatory!

MCAE laboratory and FE software

• To demonstrate the concepts, as well as solving homework problems, ABAQUS/CAE  is available in MCAE laboratory (room 420 EB) and  EB 325 for your use.  A free student version (limited to 1000 nodes) is also available. Alternatively, you could use any software of your choice as long as it allows you to complete the assignments. Be aware, however, that I cannot answer any questions regarding other FE software syntax, or commands.

Notice to ABAQUS users

Please remember to direct all your questions regarding ABAQUS and MCAE lab ( room 420 EB) software/hardware issues to your instructor. Questions regarding networking, e-mail, printing and web access should be brought to the attention of the college computer support staff (support@cecs.pdx.edu)

Notice to Graduate Students

Graduate students who register for ME 555 must complete extra work (project), usually during the last two weeks of the term. Details will be announced in class, and posted on the web page.

Homework Submission guidelines:

1)      Entire homework set must be submitted as one (single) PDF file

2)      Only PDF format will be accepted and graded. Other formats (including JPEG images) will be ignored and will not be graded.

3)      Use the following naming convention for homework:

 Last-name_First-name_HWxx   (where xx indicates the set number).    For example: Smith_Jane_hw2.PDF

4) If you revise your submission send a message from D2L alerting the grader about the changes.