Course Syllabus
Spring of 2021 moving to Canvas
Class hours:
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00 - 2:15 PM, via Zoom
Office hours:
pending on Zoom
web-site: http://www.clear.rice.edu/mech517 moving to Canvas
Prof. Ed Akin
Office: Mechanical
Engineering Building, Room 221
Phone: (713) 348-4879
Email: akin@rice.edu
This is an elective course. The course provides a general introduction to the
theory behind the classic parametric finite element (FE) analysis as a common
numerical analysis tool. It covers the fundamental theoretical approach
beginning with a review of differential equations, boundary conditions, integral
forms, interpolation, parametric geometry, numerical integration, and matrix
algebra. Next, engineering applications to field analysis, stress analysis and
vibrations are introduced. Time dependent problems are also treated. The
implementation of FE analysis is taught through the modification of a library
of example Matlab scripts. Students are also introduced, by means of selected
tutorials, to the commercial finite element system SolidWorks which is similar
to one they could be expected to use upon graduation.
Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
1. To correlate a differential equation and its equivalent integral form
2. Understand parametric interpolation and parametric geometry
3. Utilize numerical integration in 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensions
4. Assemble (scatter) finite element matrices to the system matrices
5. Enforce essential boundary conditions to a matrix system
6. Recover system reactions
7. Post process a solution to find its gradient and its integral
8. Apply commercial software to stress analysis, thermal analysis, and vibrations
Basic physics (PHYS 101), basic calculus MATH 101.
T.J.R. Hughes,
The Finite Element Method, Dover, 2000,
McGraw-Hill, 1995.
J.E. Akin, Finite Element Analysis Concepts via SolidWorks,World Scientific, 2010,
Draft copy on Canvas
Homework 60% Training 20% Test #1
10%
(take-home) Test #2
10%
(take-home) Homework will be assigned
on the last class of the week (usually Thursday). It will be due at midnight Friday of the following week
.
Homework is meant as an exercise and you are encouraged to
consult anyone (students, teaching assistants, me) and anything (notes,
books, your own experiments) if it helps you to understand the material. However, you may not consult another
person's solution to any given problem or solutions from past years.
The midterm exam will
be assigned on a Thursday and will be due at the beginning of the next Thursday
class. The final exam will be
distributed (with a cover sheet) on the last day of classes and
is due at the end of the finals period. Tests are taken under the Rice Honor
Code system.
Any student with a disability requiring accommodations
in this course is encouraged to contact me after class or during office
hours. Additionally, students should
contact Disabled Student Services at the Ley Student Center.Reference Books
Grading (Graduate students will be assigned extra homework and tutorials.)
Homework Policy
Exam Policy
Students with disabilities