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  2. Finite Element Methods [ENS5180]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Finite Element Methods

  • Unit Code

    ENS5180

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit provides an introduction to finite element methods, including the theoretical background and applications in areas of mechanics, structures, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, electricity and magnetism. This unit will involve the application of computer-based modelling to these types of problems, and the development of engineering solutions to them.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from ENM5218, ENS5160, ENS5259

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply basic scientific and physical principles to formulate problems for finite element analysis, including geometrical configurations, material properties and boundary conditions.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to research a core topic of the unit at an advanced level appropriate for a Masters unit.
  3. Evaluate and verify finite element solutions for engineering problems.
  4. Solve practical problems in areas of structural mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetism, using finite element methods.
  5. Understand the fundamental concepts of finite element analysis.
  6. Use COMSOL as a software tool for finite element analysis.

Unit Content

  1. Applications of finite element methods in various areas such as heat transfer modelling, fluid flow modelling, deformation and stress analysis in structural and mechanical components, acoustics and vibration analysis, static electrical and magnetic modelling.
  2. Evaluation and verification of solutions for accuracy and reliability.
  3. Formulation of finite element methods.
  4. Introduction to COMSOL software.
  5. Introduction to finite element methods.
  6. Mathematical background - vector calculus.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and laboratories.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseFinite element analysis exercises30%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
Research PaperA research paper on an approved topic10%

Text References

  • COMSOL, AB. (2008). COMSOL multiphysics modeling guide. COMSOL.
  • Strang, G., & Fix, G. (2008). An analysis of the finite element method (2nd ed.). Wellesley-Cambridge Press.
  • MacDonald, B. J. (2007). Practical stress analysis with finite elements. Glasnevin Publishing.
  • Chandrupatia, T.R., & Belegundu, A.D. (2002). Introduction to finite elements in engineering (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
  • Logan, D.L. (2006). A first course in the finite element method (4th ed.). Cengage-Learning.
  • Kim, N., & Sankar, B. V. (2008). Introduction to finite element analysis and design. New York: John-Wiley.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS5180|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Finite Element Methods

  • Unit Code

    ENS5180

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit provides an introduction to finite element methods, including the theoretical background and applications in areas of mechanics, structures, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, electricity and magnetism. This unit will involve the application of computer-based modelling to these types of problems, and the development of engineering solutions to them.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from ENM5218, ENS5160, ENS5259

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply basic scientific and physical principles to formulate problems for finite element analysis, including geometrical configurations, material properties and boundary conditions.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to research a core topic of the unit at an advanced level appropriate for a Masters unit.
  3. Evaluate and verify finite element solutions for engineering problems.
  4. Solve practical problems in areas of structural mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and electromagnetism, using finite element methods.
  5. Understand the fundamental concepts of finite element analysis.
  6. Use COMSOL as a software tool for finite element analysis.

Unit Content

  1. Applications of finite element methods in various areas such as heat transfer modelling, fluid flow modelling, deformation and stress analysis in structural and mechanical components, acoustics and vibration analysis, static electrical and magnetic modelling.
  2. Evaluation and verification of solutions for accuracy and reliability.
  3. Formulation of finite element methods.
  4. Introduction to COMSOL software.
  5. Introduction to finite element methods.
  6. Mathematical background - vector calculus.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and laboratories.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseFinite element analysis exercises30%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%
Research PaperA research paper on an approved topic10%

Text References

  • COMSOL, AB. (2008). COMSOL multiphysics modeling guide. COMSOL.
  • Strang, G., & Fix, G. (2008). An analysis of the finite element method (2nd ed.). Wellesley-Cambridge Press.
  • MacDonald, B. J. (2007). Practical stress analysis with finite elements. Glasnevin Publishing.
  • Chandrupatia, T.R., & Belegundu, A.D. (2002). Introduction to finite elements in engineering (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
  • Logan, D.L. (2006). A first course in the finite element method (4th ed.). Cengage-Learning.
  • Kim, N., & Sankar, B. V. (2008). Introduction to finite element analysis and design. New York: John-Wiley.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENS5180|1|2