There are many classes available to today’s engineers that teach the mathematical framework for finite element analysis or the details on how to use a commercially available software code to build, process and post process a finite element model.   However, there are very few courses that focus on the practical understanding of finite element analysis (FEA) beyond basic quality, verification and validation checks of the model itself.  MTech’s Practical Understanding of Finite Element Modeling and Analysis course is meant to bridge the gap between the underlying mathematics taught in academia and details of specific software taught by the commercially available training. Our training places emphasis on the “modeling” aspect of FEA over the “meshing” aspect.  In order to give the students a higher level understanding of FEA principles, the course focuses on the what, where and why aspect of finite element modeling and analysis with a lesser emphasis on the underlying mathematics.  The course also provides insight into FEA requirements and deliverables best practices to help ensure analysis products are robust and meet the analysis intent.

Through lecture, examples and a class driven project, students will leave this class with an understanding of what to model and why. The goal is to eliminate blind acceptance of the interpretation of FEM results and replace it with discussions about why a certain area was chosen to be idealized in a specific way, does it adequately simulate the problem (failure mode) and are the results being used correctly for structural analysis.

Intended Audience

Entry to mid-level design and stress engineers with an interest in FEA requirements and best practices as it relates to structural analysis.

Course Duration

24 hours of instruction

Instructional Materials

Each student will be provided a bound notebook containing all course materials with a thumb drive containing a digital copy of the course material and all example problem databases.