MIE410H1

*Finite Element Analysis in Engineering Design

Finite Element Method (FEM) is a very powerful numerical tool that has a wide range of applications in a multitude of engineering disciplines; such as mechanical, aerospace, automotive, locomotive, nuclear, geotechnical, bioengineering, metallurgical and chemical engineering. Typical applications include: design optimisation, steady and transient thermal analysis/stress analysis, wave propagation, natural frequencies, mode shapes, crashworthiness analysis, nuclear reactor containment, dynamic analysis of motors, manufacturing process simulation, failure analysis, to name a few. The focus of this course is to provide seniors and graduate students with a fundamental understanding of the principles upon which FEM is based, how to correctly apply it to real engineering problems using a commercial code. Specifically, participants will learn the principles governing model generation, discretization of a continuum, element selection, applying the loads and the constraints to real world problems. Participants will also learn how to scrutinize their model predictions, and avoid the pitfalls of this essential design tool.