FEM and Design Analysis, 10 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

Programming 7 credits, Mathematics 22.5 credits, Mechanics - Statics 15 credits, Solid Mechanics 6 credits, Materials selection 6 credits, Design and visualization 7.5 credits. English 6.

The course is included in Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Design and Innovation, and is given as a single subject course.

The aim of the course is for the student to acquire an understanding of how modeling, analysis, and simulation are connected within the design phase using approximate FEM models and computer-based simulations.

Following successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe how design analysis and its methods can be used to back up the product development process, as well as understand and interpret the obtained results and assess the relevance of the results
• in groups and individually discuss the scientific concepts of design analysis as well as being able to consider economic and environmentally sustainable development when developing products
• with accepted concepts, give an overall account of the finite element method as a general numerical method for solving differential equations

Skills and ability

• adapt selected solutions taking into account people's conditions and needs, as well as society's goals for economic and ecologically sustainable development, which are relevant under the prevailing conditions
• apply Galerkin's method, calculate constituent quantities with numerical integration, and apply boundary conditions to solve technical problems

Judgement and approach

• evaluate mechanical properties and communicate problems and results from analyses in an engineering manner
• evaluate the obtained results from a sustainability perspective based on, e.g., weight optimization and material consumption and thereby propose any further studies and/or design changes
• reflect on differences that may occur between the self-programmed FEM model and the model in commercial software for FEM analysis

Linear algebra is essential for FEM, matrix-formulated analysis, finite element analysis, assembly, loads, boundary conditions, FEM and differential equations. The learning objectives are supported through all central elements as well as the whole of the FEM is being implemented in a mathematics program on a computer and reported in writing.
The course deals with the analysis of designs using computer-based computational methods/techniques for quantitative problem-solving in the design process of mechanical systems, such as 1, 2, and 3-dimensional analyses, as well as thermal and static load cases.

An essential part of the analysis process consists of modeling and interaction between software for different analysis models. The lectures in the course deal with theory and methods for solving differential equations, modeling strategies, and analysis types.

The teaching consists of lectures and compulsory exercises with a computer. The connection between theory and practical application is of great importance.

The course is examined through a submission task in FEM, a literature summary, and a final project, which is done in groups as well as exercises and project tasks which are done individually.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be study support for students with disabilities.

Course evaluation is part of the course. This evaluation offers guidance in the future development and planning of the course. Course evaluation is documented and made available to the students.