Advanced Finite Element Analysis

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The fundamental concepts of using FEA to model buckling of structures.
• How different plasticity models can be used to approximate the behaviour of different materials.
• For Civil Engineering students: How to formulate and solve problems of groundwater seepage using finite elements; How to formulate and solve geotechnical problems involving fully drained/undrained conditions, as well as transient, coupled pore pressure-deformation (consolidation) problems using FEA
• The fundamental concepts of the theory of plasticity.
• How particular continuum and structural (beam, plate and shell) elements can be formulated, integrated and used to solve elastic problems.
• The fundamental concepts of geometric nonlinearity.
• Aeronautics & Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering and Ship Science students: How to formulate and solve problems involving geometric nonlinearities.
• Numerical difficulties, such as shear locking, inherent in some elements and how to overcome them.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop and build appropriate finite element models to solve complex engineering problems.
• Critique numerical results and their validity.
• Synthesise information and ideas for use in the evaluation process.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use a commercial FEA software to solve practical engineering problems.
• Make informed decisions on the use and calibration of elastoplastic constitutive models.

1. Introduction to the module

2. Analysis of plates and shells.

3. Analysis of buckling.

4. Geometric non-linearity.

5. Material non-linearity – the theory of plasticity in a FEA context.

For Civil Engineering students:

1. Formulating and solving seepage problems using FEA.

2. Formulating and solving transient, pore pressure-deformation (consolidation) problems using FEA.

For Aeronautics & Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering and Ship Science students:

1. Formulating and solving geometrically-nonlinear problems using FEA.

Teaching methods include

• Lectures.
• Practical FEA labs/supervisions with ANSYS/ABAQUS.

Learning activities include

• Directed reading.
• FEA assignments.
• Example exercises.
• Independent learning of FEA software use.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.