Form # IST-F-32/04

Institute of Space Technology Date of Issue 8-May-2014

CS No: MECH-FEM-LP-02
Lesson Plan
Page No. 1 of 6

PROGRAM & DEPARTMENT: BS Mechanical Engineering

COURSE CODE-COURSE NAME: 514803 Intro to Finite Element Methods CR: 2-1

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to Finite Element Methods (FEM), Mathematics preliminaries, Strong and weak form of
FEM, Truss Analysis, Variational approaches & weighted residual formulations to FEM, General
approach to structure analysis, Cn continuous shape functions, Stress analysis for one & two-
dimensional problems of structures and ANSYS/COMSO/MULTIPHYSICS for analysis.

PREREQUISITE: Engineering Mathematics

Applied Mechanics

CO-REQUISITE: Nil

TEXT AND MATERIALS:

Textbook
1. Applied Finite Element Analysis by Frank L Stasa

References Material:
1. Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis by R D Cook, D S Malkus and M E
Plesha
2. Finite Element Analysis Theory and Application with Ansys by Saeed Moaveni
3. A First Course in the Finite Element Method by D.L.Logan

RELEVANT PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course is designed so that students will achieve the PLOs:
1. PLO-01: Engineering Knowledge: An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and
engineering fundamentals and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex
engineering problems.
2. PLO-04: Investigation: An ability to investigate complex engineering problems in a
methodical way including literature survey, design and conduct of experiments, analysis and
interpretation of experimental data, and synthesis of information to derive valid conclusions.
3. PLO-05: Modern Tool Usage: An ability to create, select and apply appropriate techniques,
resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including prediction and modeling, to
complex engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will demonstrate competency by being able to:

1. To apply FEM techniques to basic problems in engineering structures.

2. To analyze the complex engineering problems using relevant software.
3. To design the mechanical system or component using optimization techniques based on the
FEM.
 Form # IST-F-32/04
Institute of Space Technology Date of Issue 8-May-2014
CS No: MECH-FEM-LP-02
Lesson Plan
Page No. 2 of 6

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
FEMs can be used to obtain solutions to a large class of engineering problems involving stress
analysis, heat transfer, electromagnetism, and fluid flow. Having a clear understanding of the basic
concepts will enable to use general-purpose finite element software such as ANSYS or ABAQUS.

LECTURE PLAN:
Instruction 70%
Discussion 10%
Project 10%
Exercises/Tutorial 10%

Module/ Topic Reference Week/Lecture

Chapter
I. Introduction Text Book 1
1.1 What is Finite Element Method (FEM) (Chapter 1)
1.2 Origins of the FEM Class Notes
1.3 How can the FEM help the Design Engineer
1.4 How can the FEM help the Design
Organization
1.5 Sources of Error in the FEM
1.6 Advantages and Disadvantages of the FEM
II. Mathematical Preliminaries Text Book 2-3
2.1 Matrices and Matrices Algebra (Chapter 2)
2.2 Vectors and Vectors Algebra
2.3 Direction Cosines, and Solution of Linear Class Notes
Algebraic Equations

III. Truss Analysis

3.1 Finite Element Formulation-The Direct
Approach
3.1.1 Discretization
3.1.2 Element Stiffness relationship in Local
Co-ordinates
3.1.3 Transformation from Local to Global Text Book 5-6
Co-ordinates (Chapter 3)
3.1.4 Global Element Stiffness Relationship Class Notes
3.1.5 Assemblage of the Global Element
Characteristics
3.1.6 Application of Loads
3.1.7 Application of Restraints on Nodal
Displacements and solution
 Form # IST-F-32/04
Institute of Space Technology Date of Issue 8-May-2014
CS No: MECH-FEM-LP-02
Lesson Plan
Page No. 3 of 6

3.1.8 Computation of the Element Resultants

3.2 Application to a Specific Example
IV. Variational and Weighted Residual Formulations Text Book 6-10
4.1 Classical Techniques for approximate (Chapter 4)
solution
4.1.1 The Ritz Method Class Notes
4.1.2 The Rayleigh Ritz Variational Method
4.2 An Introduction to Variation Calculus
4.3 Review of necessary Mathematics
4.3.1 Integration by parts
4.3.2 Taylor’s series
4.3.3 The Differential of a Function
4.3.4 The Variation of a Function
4.3.5 The Commutative Property
4.4 The Euler-Lagrange Equation, Geometric
and Natural Boundary Conditions
4.5 Weighted Residual Method
4.5.1 Overview
4.5.2 Point Collocation
4.5.3 Subdomain Collocation
4.5.4 Least Squares
4.5.5 Galerkin method
4.5.6 Comparison with the Exact Solution
4.6 Mathematics Review
4.6.1 Derivative of a Matrix with respect to a
Scalar
4.6.2 Integral of a Matrix with respect to a
Scalar
4.6.3 Derivative of a Scalar function with
respect to a Vector
4.6.4 The Integral as a sum of other Integrals
4.7 The Rayleigh-Ritz Finite Element Method
4.8 The Galerkin Finite Element Method
4.9 Application: One-Dimensional Heat Transfer
in a Pin Fin
4.9.1 The Element Characteristics
4.9.2 Heat Removal Rate
4.9.3 Fin Efficiency
V. General Approach to Structural Analysis Text Book 11-14
5.1 Introduction (Chapter 5)
 Form # IST-F-32/04
Institute of Space Technology Date of Issue 8-May-2014
CS No: MECH-FEM-LP-02
Lesson Plan
Page No. 4 of 6

5.2 Basic Concepts in Elasticity Class Notes

5.2.1 Stress at a Point
5.2.2 The Equations of Static Equilibrium
5.2.3 Principal Stresses
5.2.4 Strain at a Point
5.2.5 Strain-Displacement Relations
5.2.6 The Compatibility Equation
5.2.7 A Constitutive Relationship – Hook’s
Law
5.2.8 Surface Tractions
5.3 Principle of Minimum Potential Energy
5.4 The Shape Function Matrix
5.4.1 Two-Node Lineal Element
5.4.2 Three-Node Triangular Element
5.5 Application: Tapered Uniaxial Stress
Member
VI. Cn-Continuous Shape Function Text Book 15-16
6.1 Parameter Functions (Chapter 6)
6.1.1 Definition of a Parameter Function
6.1.2 Restrictions on the Parameter Class Notes
Functions
6.2 One-Dimensional Element
6.2.1 Global Coordinate
6.2.2 Length Coordinate
6.3 Two Dimensional Element
6.3.1 Three Node Triangular Elements
6.3.2 Four-Node Rectangular Element
6.4 Axisymmetric Elements
6.5 Higher Order Elements
Final Examination 17
 Form # IST-F-32/04
Institute of Space Technology Date of Issue 8-May-2014
CS No: MECH-FEM-LP-02
Lesson Plan
Page No. 5 of 6

COURSE TARGETS:
Module No. CLO Teaching Assessment Methodology Learning PLOs
No Methodology Domain to
with Target
Level
I-VII 1 Lecture + Assignment + quiz +OHT+ Final C3 PLO 1
discussion
VIII 2 Lecture + Assignment + OHT+ quiz + Final C4 PLO 5
discussion
I-VIII 5 Discussion Project C6 PLO 4

ASSESMENT
The course will include on three one hour tests and six quizzes during the semester in addition
assignments at the end of each module may be set. One mini-project per individual will also be
included to enhance the hands-on abilities of the students A comprehensive final examination over the
all module, of at least 3 hours duration, will be set at the end of the course. Evaluation will be
competency based and student grades will be based on the following factors.

Assignments 05-10%
Quizzes 10-15%
OHT’s 25-30%
Mini Project 10-15%
Final Exam 45-50%
Total 100%
 Form # IST-F-32/04
Institute of Space Technology Date of Issue 8-May-2014
CS No: MECH-FEM-LP-02
Lesson Plan
Page No. 6 of 6

Name with sign Dr. Muhammad Umer

Written By
Date
Name with sign Dr Owais ur Rehman
Reviewed By
Date
Name with sign Dr. Asif Israr
Approved By
Date