ME 471

The finite element method and its application to engineering problems: truss and frame structures, heat conduction, and linear elasticity; use of application software; overview of advanced topics such as structural dynamics, fluid flow, and nonlinear structural analysis. Course Information: Same as AE 420 and CSE 451. 3 or 4 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Credit is not given for both ME 471 and CEE 470. Prerequisite: CS 101 and ME 371 or TAM 470. Alternatively, AE 370 for AE students.

The finite element method and its applications to engineering problems: truss and frame structures, heat conduction, and linear elasticity; use of application software; overview of advanced topics such as structural dynamics, fluid flow, and nonlinear structural analysis. Prerequisite: CS 101 and ME 370, or consent of instructor. 3 undergraduate hours or 4 graduate hours. Credit is not given for more than one of the following courses: CEE 470, and ME 471. Same as AE 420 and CSE 451.

TOPICS:

1. Introduction and review matrix methods

2. Fundamentals of finite elements

3. Application to solid mechanics: truss elements, beam elements, plate and shell elements, constant strain triangle, vibration problems

4. Programming commercial packages (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, and/or FIDAP)

5. Application to heat transfer: one-dimensional, two-dimensional, transient problems, thermal stress

6. Advanced topics: numerical integration methods, isoparametric elements, fluid mechanics and nonlinear problems

COMPUTER USAGE:

This course has heavy computational demands with students writing, compiling, running, and extracting results from their own program(s) implementing the finite element method in FORTRAN and in addition, using a commercial finite element package (ANSYS, ABAQUS or FIDAP) to solve a practical problem. This is done in a UNIX environment on graphics terminals attached to an HP9000 minicomputer in the department computer laboratory, the CSO Convex, or other available computer workstations.

COURSE WEBSITE

ME: MechSE or technical elective.

EM: Possible secondary field, with approval.

9/25/2018