E – 1576 Principles of Finite Element for Design Engineers and Analysts

The finite element method is now a significant part of engineering analysis and design. Finite element programs are now widely used and available for the analysis of different kinds of structures, solids, and fluids. The objective of this course is to provide engineers with some basics that will assist them to use finite element software. The course will shed some light first on the matrix stiffness method, the predecessor of the finite element method, and then will outline the basic steps needed to formulate finite elements. The course will also present different elements used in analyses and the adequacy of each element for different kind of analyses. Some applications from industry on damage analysis, design, and computational wind tunnel tests will be presented.