Finite element analysis intro
Undergraduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
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$60.00 · 60 min · Undergraduate · Online ($60/hr)
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Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
FEA fundamentals
- Direct stiffness method for truss elements
- Spring element and bar element formulations
- Shape functions and isoparametric mapping (intro)
- Assembly of element matrices into global system
- Boundary conditions: essential and natural
- Solution of linear static systems
- Post-processing: displacement, strain, and stress
- Mesh discretization and element types (1D, 2D, 3D)
- h-refinement versus p-refinement concepts
- Verification versus validation in simulation
Beam, plane stress, and error analysis
- Euler-Bernoulli beam elements
- Plane stress and plane strain elements
- Axisymmetric elements (overview)
- Stress concentration modeling considerations
- Singularities at reentrant corners
- Convergence studies and mesh independence
- Reaction forces and equilibrium checks
- Principal stress extraction from element results
- Comparison to analytical beam and plate solutions
- Reporting FEA results for design review
STEM / applied
Software and practical modeling
- ANSYS, Abaqus, or SolidWorks Simulation workflow
- Geometry cleanup and defeaturing for meshing
- Contact definitions: bonded, frictional (intro)
- Load steps and linear static analysis setup
- Symmetry and antisymmetry boundary exploitation
- Modal analysis for natural frequencies (intro)
- Thermal-structural coupled analysis overview
- Fatigue post-processing with stress life (survey)
- Lab: model a bracket and compare to strain gages
- Design project: FEA-supported component redesign
Limitations and professional practice
- Linear versus nonlinear analysis when needed
- Material model selection: elastic, plastic intro
- Dynamic analysis and damping (awareness)
- Bolt pretension and connection modeling approximations
- Quality assurance for simulation reports
- ASME/AIAA simulation standards awareness
- Cloud HPC and batch solving
- Integration with CAD PLM workflows
- Ethics of simulation sign-off without validation
- Path to advanced FEM graduate coursework
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.