MAE 133 – Fall 2007

Finite Element Methods

 

Time:                          Tu, Th 8:00 – 9:20 am,             Room: WLH 2113

 

Instructor:                  Dr. Geza Nagy, gnagy@ucsd.edu, MC 0411

Office hours:              Th 5-6:30, Room 383 EBU2

Final Exam:                Tu. Dec. 11, 8:00 – 11:00, WLH 2113

 

TA:                              Mathew Menna, mmenna@ucsd.edu

Office hours:              Monday 10-11, Room 312 EBU2

 

Course Description

    The purpose of this course is to introduce the development and application of finite element methods for engineering problems. Theoretical aspects will be emphasized, based on the calculus of variations as the mathematical foundation. Stiffness and mass matrices will be developed based on the principle of virtual work, with applications to static and dynamic problems in structural and solid mechanics. Practical FEM methods will be introduced by the use of a general purpose code, NASTRAN for various design problems.

 

Recommended Book

Logan, D.L. A First Course in the Finite Element Method, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.

 

Reference Books

  1. Fung, Y.C., Foundations of Solid Mechanics, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Yersey, (1965).
  2. Zienkiewicz, O.C., The Finite Element Method, McGraw Hill, (1977).
  3. Strang, G., and G. J. Fix, An Analysis of the Finite Element Method, Prencice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Yersey, (1973).
  4. Hughes, T. J. R., The Finite Element Methods, Linear Static and Dynamic Finite Element Analysis, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Yersey, (1987) (with FORTRAN source codes).

 

Course Policy

  1. There will be homework assignments, two quizzes during Octover and November (dates TBD), a final NASTRAN project, and a final exam.
  2. The final exam will cover all of the subjects covered in class.
  3. There will be no make-up exams and homework.
  4. Grading policy:               Homework                   10%

                                          Quizzes                        30%

                                          NASTRAN project      20%

                                          Final exam                    40%

  1. All homework must be done neatly on 8 ½ x 11 single-sided paper with the following information included: Name and date, Course ID (MAE 133F), Homework no.

The solution must include the problem statement and assumptions, basic equations and analysis with the description of necessary procedures clearly presented, any numerical work, and discussion of results as necessary.