Finite Element Methods and Applications
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 48 hours face to face + Blended
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2024 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
Undergraduate students:
and
or
Post graduate students:
Admission to cognate PG Engineering degree
Aims and objectives
This unit provides the fundamental knowledge of application of numerical methods in Civil Engineering applications. Special focus will be on Matrix Analysis of Structure and application of Finite Element Methods to civil engineering structures.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Analyse a simple frame structure using the coordinate transformation method, i.e., to establish structural stiffness matrix for frame structures, to convert member loads to nodal loads, and to determine forces and moments in each member; (K1, K3, S1, S2)
2. Describe the theory of finite element methods and the solution algorithms in the FE programs; (K1, S1)
3. Select appropriate elements and formulate the structure accordingly to reproduce the real behaviour (K3, K4, S2)
4. Use a general purpose FE program to perform stress analysis for a simple structure and consider various behaviour of beams, plates, shells and continuum elements (K2, K3, K4, S1, S2)
5. Examine the stability of structures and determine the elastic buckling load (K1, K3, S1, S3)
6. Idealise and apply various loads to structures and to determine the performance (K1, S3)
Swinburne Engineering Competencies (A1-7, K1-6, S1-4): find out more about Engineering Skills and Competencies including the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
Live Online Lecture | 2 | 12 | 24 |
| On Campus Class in Computer Lab | 2 | 12 | 24 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 8.5 | 12 | 102 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual/Group Role | Weighting | Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) |
Assignment | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Assignment | Group | 30% | 3,4,6 |
| Quiz | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Minimum requirements to pass this Unit
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
i) an overall mark for the unit of 50% or more, and
ii) complete all assessments
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 44% as the total mark for the unit and will not be eligible for a conceded pass.
General skills outcomes
Content
This unit provides an overview of the numerical methods to analyse the civil engineering structures with the special focus on finite element methods. Main topics covered are:
• Matrix structural analysis
• Mathematical formulation of the Finite element Method (FEM)
• Variational and energy methods
• Element interpolation functions and numerical integration
• Finite element analysis for time-dependent problems
• Application of finite element software to analyse static and dynamic structural problems and stability of structures
Study resources
- Reading materials and references.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.