CE 546/ME 549- Finite Element Analysis

Syllabus for CE 546/ME 549

Text: A First Course in Finite Elements, by Jacob Fish and Ted Belytschko, published by J. Wiley & Sons.

Details regarding class organization... and Engineering Outreach and Contact Information (Dr. Nielsen's Homepage)
Class Date Topic Reading Assignment
1 Jan 9
Introduction to Finite Elements
Chapter 1

2 Jan 11
Energy and Variational Methods, Table of Integrals

 

Jan 14
Method of Weighted Residuals 3.1
3
Jan 16
Integration Methods, Potential Energy & Galerkin Weak Formulation 3.2
4
Jan 18
Weak Form Solutions 3.9 Prob. 3.1
5
Jan 21
Human Rights Day


 6 Jan 23
1-D Shape Function 4
7 Jan 25
Weak Form Matrix Formulation, Pile Example 4.1 Prob. 3.3, 3.4
8 Jan 28
Boundary Conditions, Solution without Rearrangement, (PDF) 2.2.2, 3.7

9 Jan 30
1-D Coordinate Systems 4.6  
10 Feb 1
1-D Differential Equations, Pipe Example 3.6-3.8, 5.2-5.7
Prob. 3.7
11 Feb 4
Triangular Element, Example,
7.2

12 Feb 6
Triangular Element: Area Coordinates 7.6.1  
13 Feb 8
Finite Element Solutions to Poisson's Equation 6
14
Feb 11
Triangular Element Matrices 7.2
15 Feb 13
Torsional Problem, Torsion Example (PDF)
Handout: heat flow in  pipe
16 Feb 15
Bilinear Rectangular Element, Example 7.3

Feb 18
Presidents' Day  
17 Feb 20
Bilinear Rectangular Element Matrices  7.4  
18 Feb 22
Exam #1 Old Exam
19 Feb 25
Derivative Boundary Conditions
 Prob. 8.2
20 Feb 27
Rectangular Element B.C., Triangular Element B.C.  7.2.3, 7.4.2 Torsion problem
21 Mar 1
Irrotational Flow

22 Mar 4
Isoparametric Elements, Example 4.2, 7.4.2  
23 Mar 6
Linear Quadrilateral Isoparametric Element 7.4.2
project assignment
24 Mar 8
Numerical Integration of Isoparametric Elements, Example 7.8  
Mar
11-15 Spring Break
   
25 Mar 18
Point Sources and Sinks, Example
Project Proposal
26 Mar 20 Quadratic Triangular Element 7.6, 7.8.2

27 Mar 22 Heat Flow Example
Handout: flow under dam with isoparametric elements
28 Mar 25
9-Node Quadratic Quadrilateral Element 7.5

29 Mar 27
Heat Exchanger Example

30 Mar 29
Axisymmetric Field Problems
 
31 Apr 1
Axisymmetric Element Matrices   Project Progress Report
32 Apr 3
Cofferdam Example
Prob. 8.6 with quadratic triangular elements
33 Apr 5
Exam #2 Old Exam
34 Apr 8
Work & Energy for Mechanical/Structural Elements 9.1-9.2  
35 Apr 10 Element Matrices 9.3
36 Apr 12 Linear Triangular Element, Shear Wall Example (PDF) 9.4

37 Apr 15
Quadratic (6-node) Triangular Element, Example (PDF)
Axisymmetric foundation
38 Apr 17
Bilinear (4-node) Quadrilateral Element, Example (PDF)   Project Outline
39 Apr 19
Quadratic (9-node) Quadrilateral Isoparametric Element, Example

 
40 Apr 22
Stresses 9.6
 
41 Apr 24
Exam #3 Old Exam  
42 Apr 26
Mesh Instabilities Example (PDF) (1-point)   Disk with point loads using quadratic triangular or bilinear quadrilateral isoparametric elements
43 Apr 29
Survey of Advanced Topics    
44 May 1
Student Presentations  
45 May 3
Student Presentations



May 7
Student Presentations - May 7, 3:00 P.M.


The reading assignments should be completed before each lecture.

Homework assignments are due on the dates shown.