ME 455/555 Intro. to Finite Element Modeling and Analysis

Fall term 2020

Last updated: December 4, 2020

Final exam date and time: Wed. December 9, 12:30-14:20

Lecture notes	Abaqus pdf tutorials ( truss    Beam  Plane stress (CST)  Axisymmetric )
Homework solutions

This is a Remote learning (partially on-line) class. Lectures will be conducted via Zoom video conferencing during the normal class time. In addition, virtual office hours will also be provided using the Zoom conferencing tool. More details to follow!

Course Objective:

• 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 information.

Lecture notes:     There is no textbook requirements for the class. Lecture notes will be posted on the course web page.  They will be supplemented with video tutorials for Abaqus/CAE software.  I may also introduce NX (and NASTRAN) software as additional tools for modeling and solution.

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)

-        Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, by Cook, et al. (Any edition)  

 

Course syllabus (Lecture notes will be posted). Please note the following dates are estimates and subject to change.

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

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

 

Grading Policy Grades will be based on homework assignments and exams as follows:

Homework assignments	25%
Midterm exam 1	35%
Final exam (comprehensive)	40%

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

Homework Assignments and Due dates

Homework assignments will be posted below. Note the due date and time. 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.

 MCAE laboratory and FE software

• To demonstrate the concepts, as well as solving homework problems, ABAQUS/CAE and NX are available in MCAE laboratory (room 420 EB) and  EB 325 for your use.  A free student version of ABAQUS (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)

Student version of MathCAD:

Please contact OIT help desk (FMH lobby) regarding the availability of student version.  Cost of the software is $45 and the purchase form link is at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_B2NqCyt6V-FKJcVZwc2O5JEchj2rSSPWu1wFoJr6ss/edit 

 

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, 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.