MENG412 Computer Aided Design (3 Credits)
Spring 2006

 

Text:
Saeed Moaveni
, Finite Element Analysis, Theory and Applications with ANSYS, Prentice-Hall, First Edition.

 
Instructor: 
Dr. Saeed Asiri         Office: 480       Email: saeed@asiri.net


Course Website
: http://www.asiri.net


Prerequisites:

  • MENG 262 Dynamics
  • MENG 270 Mechanics of Materials


Grading:

  • Midterm Exam    15%

  • Final Exam         40%

  • Homework         15%

  • Projects             15%

  • Lab                    15%


Homework:

  • Work with others is encouraged, but turn in your own efforts (no copying)
  • Approximately ten sets of homework will be assigned
  • The problems will involve the theoretical and analytical aspects of the finite element methods.
  • Use of Mathematica/Matlab is encouraged to help dealing
  • No late homework and Lab report will be accepted
  • All problems in each assignment should be completed
  • Selected problems will be graded
  • Late homework will receive NO credit
  • Solutions to the assignments will be posted in the course website.

 

Labs and Projects

The course involves computer lab works utilizing ANSYS, a commercial finite element code. The labs are designed to introduce practical aspects and applications of FEM. Labs include modeling and solving boundary value problems using finite element method. Approximately eight labs and two projects will be assigned. Projects are similar to labs, but more demanding.The purpose of this Lab is to provide student with basic understanding of finite element analysis process. By using FEA software ANSYS, student will learn basic principle of finite element modeling and simulation.
 

 


How to Succeed

  • Accept that it is your responsibility to learn the material (in spite of the book or teacher)
  • Show up and become engaged with the topics
  • Do the homework daily so you can ask questions in class
  • Use you resources for help (classmates, upperclassmen, faculty, the library)

Prerequisites by Topic:

 
  • Students should be familiar with Strength of materials and basic heat transfer
  • Students should be familiar with Design of machine elements (stress concentrations, failure theories).
  • Students should be familiar with the kinematics and kinetics of two and three-dimensional rigid bodies.
  • Students should have a good understanding of the mechanics of solids including the ability to determine effective spring constants of common structural members.
  • Students should be able to solve linear ordinary differential equations.
  • Students should be familiar with concepts from linear algebra including matrix vector arithmetic, determinants, matrix inversion, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
  • Students must have the ability to formulate and solve problems using a computer.

 

CAE tools:      MATLAB, SIMULINK, ANSYS, SolidWorks/ COSMOS,  Mathematica


Goals:

Conceptual:

·        Hands on CAD/ CAE modeling and simulation

·        Understand the computer analysis methodology and pitfalls

·        Be  able to model  physical systems: boundary/ initial value problems, etc

·        Understand the fundamental ideas of the FEM

·        Know the behavior and usage of each type of elements covered in this course. 

·        Can interpret and evaluate the quality of the results (know the physics of the problems)

·        Be aware of the limitations of the FEM (don't misuse the FEM - an approximate numerical tool)

·        Understand the basic concepts of optimum design with different techniques.

·        To Model and simulate FE models of thermal systems.

 

Specific:

  • The ability to apply energy methods to solving structural mechanics problems. 
  • An understanding of the approximation solution methods based on energy principles. 
  • The ability to formulate 2-D truss elements and use them to solve simple truss problems. 
  • An understanding of the physical meanings of shape functions and their roles in the finite element formulation.
  • An understanding of global, local and natural coordinates, and numerical integration using Gauss-Legendre quadrature. 
  • The ability to use ANSYS finite element program to solve 2-D truss and plane stress/plane strain problems.
  • The ability to use ANSYS finite element program to solve 3-D problems.