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Finite Element Method

Objectives

The finite element method is one of the most important tools used
in structural analysis. The method was introduced in the early
sixties, since then its use has been spread to several scientific
domains, namely in several fields of solid and fluid mechanics.

In this course the finite element method will be discussed and
applied to several civil engineering problems. This will allow the
students to understand its potential and usefulness. It will alert
for its limitations.

General characterization

Code

10455

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Corneliu Cismasiu

Hours

Weekly - 5

Total - 70

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

  • K. J. Bathe. Finite element procedures. Prentice-Hall, 1996. (COTA: TA347.BAT)
  • O. C. Zienkiewicz, R. L. Taylor, J. Z. Zhu. The finite element method. Volume 1: Its Basis and Fundamentals. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. (COTA: TA640.2.ZIE)
  • J. N. Reddy. An Introduction to the Finite Element Method. McGraw Hill, 1993. (COTA: TA347.RED)
  • A. F. M. Azevedo. Método dos elementos finitos. FEUP, 2003. (http://civil.fe.up.pt/pub/apoio/ano5/mnae/Livro_MEF_AA.htm)

    • Teaching method

    The several subjects will be presented and discussed in both types
    of lectures. The several concepts, principles and methods will be
    presented at the theoretical classes. The students will then apply
    the concepts to simple problems.

    At the laboratory classes, the students will finish the problems
    started at the lectures. Several applications will then be solved
    using the computational tools at hand.

    Outside the classes the students are encouraged to study the given
    bibliography in order to mature and consolidate the acquired
    knowledge.

     

     

    Evaluation method

    Continuous evaluation without examination or final work.

    During the learning period there will be team works which will be classified. The final mark will be calculated using these classifications after an oral examination.

    Still it is demanded that the number of unjustified lackes to the lessons does nor exceed one third of the total.

    Subject matter

    1. Presentation
      1. Objectives and Program
      2. Course structure
      3. Evaluation methods
      4. Access and use of the available information
    2. Introduction
      1. Computational Mechanics
      2. Discretization Methods
      3. Finite Element Method
      4. Physical problems/Mathematical models
    3. Finite Element Method
      1. Governing system
      2. Developpment of the 3 and 4-nodes plain stress finite element
      3. Use of finite elements programs
      4. Errors in the analysis
      5. Convergence of the solution
    4. Applications
      1. Heat flow
      2. Plain stress
      3. Plates