Wendelin H. Mueller III, P.E., Ph.D.

Portland State University

Civil Engineering

 

CE527 Finite Elements in Structural Mechanics

 

 

Catalog Data:                         CE 527/627 Finite Elements in Structural Mechanics (4)

                                                Principles of stiffness analysis of structures, essentials of the finite elements formulation of elastic problems with applications to structural mechanics, plates and shells, and other related problems utilizing digital computers.

 

Textbook:                               Chondrupatla, T.R. and Belegundu, A.D., Introduction to Finite Elements in Engineering, 2 nd. ed. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1997.

 

Reference:                             Cook, C.D., Malkus, D.S. and Plesha, M.E., Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, 1989.

 

Goals:                                     To teach the art of applying the fundamentals of the Finite Element Method in the analysis of complex structures, using “hands on” analysis and laboratory tests or field failure to authenticate the results.  To convey the validity of using the appropriate element in the analysis, be it plane stress/strain, plates, shells or solids.

 

Prerequisites by Topic:

 

1.      Matrix Algebra

2.      Matrix analysis of wire structures

 

Topics (2 hour classes):

 

1.      Introduction to finite element analysis (FEA) with emphasis on the caveat of using FEA (1 class)

2.      Discrete system (1 class)

3.      Elasticity:  equilibrium, strain‑displacement, stress‑strain, compatibility equations (1 classes)

4.      Energy theorems applied of element formulation (2 classes)

5.      Structural idealization (1 class)

6.      Stiffness properties:  plane stress/strain, plates, shells, solids, axi‑symmetric (3 classes)

7.      Improved elements (1 class)

8.      Gauss quadrature (1 class)

9.      Isoparametric formulation (2 classes)

10.  Student Presentations (2 classes)

11.  Model Generation, including Verification and Validation with instructor (5 classes)

 

Computer Usage:

 

            Term project analyzing a complex structure using FEA, compare with results of laboratory tests or existing failure.

 

Laboratory Project:

 

            Analysis and laboratory test of complex structure or failure analysis