EG3002 - Finite Element Analysis and Structural Dynamics

Credit points:	03
Year:	2013
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Engineering

Concepts and applications of finite element methods and continuum mechanics. Direct method. Minimum total potential energy formulation. Weighted residual formulation. Trusses. Axial members. One-dimensional elements. Two-dimensional elements. Isoprarametric formulation. Shape functions. Numerical integration (Gaussian quadrature). Plane stress. Plane strain. Three-dimensional elements. Introduction to eigenanalysis and dynamic analysis. Earthquake engineering. Special topics on FEM applications in civil engineering. Finite element modelling (FEM) of structural and field problems. Element types: beams, plane strain, plane stress, axisymmetric, shells, 3D solids; The Galerkin method. Modelling strategy including loads and boundary conditions, symmetry, Saint-Venant's principle; Constitutive laws: linear solids, thermal, porous media and geomechanics. Durability modelling. Solution schemes: implicit, explicit. Application to industrial problems. Introduction to non-linear problems. The broad aim of this subject is to give students in engineering a computational framework upon which they can build if they become enthused with the emerging area of computational engineering. Specifically, the objectives are to: introduce students to geometry modelling; introduce students to the fundamentals of the finite element method; introduce students to state-of-the-art codes and hardware for solving real world problems; introduce students to dynamic modelling; demonstrate the power and applicability of FEM to the solution of routine and more complex problems in multi-physics.

Learning Outcomes

• understand the basics of finite element modelling;
• apply the modelling technique to solve problems in Civil Engineering;
• develop a computational framework upon which students can build if they become enthused with the emerging area of computational engineering.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to generate, calculate, interpret and communicate numerical information in ways appropriate to a given discipline or discourse;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies.

Prerequisites:	EG1002 AND EG1011 AND MA2000
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	CS4006 ME3514

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 28-Mar-2013
Coordinator:	Dr Vincent Wang
Lecturers:	Dr Dave Holmes, Dr Vincent Wang.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 26 hours tutorials 13 hours practicals
Assessment:	end of semester exam (60%); quizzes or tests (15%); assignments (10%); one project (15%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.