CE 546 - FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

The semester project provides an opportunity to apply the concepts discussed in the classroom to an engineering problem of interest to the student. Typically, the student would use commercial software to investigate an engineering problem - analysis or design - that can benefit from information provided by a finite element model. Other types of projects might include library research or laboratory experiments.

I am open to your suggestions for project topics. In the past, topics have included:

• Modeling of Prestressed Concrete Pressure Pipe.
• Crack Modeling in a Fatigue-Susceptible Connection.
• Boundary-Element Modeling of a Crack.
• Finite Element Modeling of Permafrost
• Acid Diffusion in Lead-Acid Batteries
• Turbulent Flow in a Duct
• Moisture Content During Drying of a Corn Kernel
• Discrete Element modeling

The problem should be reasonably complex in terms of boundary conditions, element types, use of symmetry and substructuring etc. Students may select projects related to their work or research. Work- or research-related topics have the advantage of a clear objective and relevant results. If the topic is related to a student's research or design project, he or she must indicate what portion of the work was performed for this class project in addition to that required for his or her thesis or other assignments.

The analysis project should presented as a written technical report. Typically reports are 10 to 20 pages long. The final report and all progress reports should be double spaced. Otherwise, any standard techincal report format is acceptable, e.g., ASCE's Author's Guide.

On-campus students will also give an oral presentation of their project. The American Society of Civil Engineers provides these suggestions for presentations. The Transportation Research Board provides similar resources. (Scroll down to the section: "About the Design of Your Visual Aids"). You should follow these guidelines in your presentations.

The report should focus on the nature of the problem and how the model aided the solution of the problem. Typically the report will mention important aspects of the model such as material properties, boundary conditions, and loads. Assumptions and simplifications and other limitations of the model should be discussed. The report should also discuss how the accuracy of the solution was verified.

A project proposal or abstract will be due Mar. 21st (Lecture 26) describing the research or analysis to be undertaken. A progress report will be due Apr. 4^th (Lecture 32), a report outline is due Apr. 18th (Lecture 38) and the final project report will be due beginning May 2nd (Lecture 44).

As indicated, commercial software should be typically used. Exceptions can be made when highly specialized problems are addressed. The software need not be state-of-the-art nor elaborate, and cost is a consideration that can be discussed with Professor Nielsen. Software for the project is available from a variety of sources.

SAP 2000 is available on-campus, and a limited node educational version is available from Computers and Structures (510) 845-4096. It is primarily a structural analysis program, but it includes a good selection of elements, and does handle prestressing, displacements as loads and thermal stresses, among other options.

Algor is a very complete finite element package that does structural, thermal,and fluid flow analyses. It is available in both the Mechanical and Civil Engineering computer labs on campus.

Ansys is another complete multi-purpose finite element program. A limited-node educational version is available.

Other shareware and freeware programs are available from Internet Finite Element Resources

If you are doing a structural or mechanical analysis involving plate or shell elements, you can refer to the lecture on specialized elements for some background information.