Module Code - Title:
ME4616
-
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To develop an understanding of the underlying concepts of FEA.
To be able to apply the method to problems in solid mechanics and heat transfer.
Syllabus:
Introduction to FEM. General concepts. Basic Elaticity Theory, 1D, 2D and 3D constitutive relationships. Element shape functions. Liner truss elements, Constant Strain Triangular Elements, Linear Rectangular Elements, Quadrilateral Elements, Gauss Integration, The Galerkin method of weighted residuals. The variational method. Assembly. Application of essential boundary conditions. Solution. Checks on accuracy. Improving the accuracy of the approximation. The h-version method. The p-version method. Implementation of the finite element method. Mesh design. Pre-solution checks. Solution methods. Ill-conditioning. Post-processing software and results presentation. Post-solution checks. Validation of the finite element software and the role of NAFEMS. ABAQUS Finite Element Code.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1. List the sequential steps followed by a finite element analysis giving a concise explanation of each.
2. Derive finite element equations using the variational method for truss analysis or constant strain triangular elements.
3. Explain why finite element analysis normally gives an approximation and list how this approximation may be improved using h- or p- refinement.
4. Explain how to choose an appropriate model dimension and element type, the rules for connecting different element types together, and why restrictions on element shape apply.
5. Working in teams, given a problem in stress analysis or heat transfer, build a representative finite element model using the ABAQUS finite element code, solve for the steady-state stresses or temperatures including checks for accuracy, and write a report analysing the results obtained.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
x
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
x
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Module delivered by 3 lectures, 1 lab and 1 tutorial. The will learn how to undertake a Finite Element Analysis for an engineering component.
Prime Texts:
Liu, G.R., Quek, S.S., (2003)
The Finite Element Method, A practical course
, Butterworth-Heinemann
Zienkiewicz, O.C., Taylor, R.L. (2005)
The Finite Element Method
, Butterworth-Heinemann
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
Conor.Mccarthy@ul.ie