The subject introduces finite element analysis. Topics covered include principles of virtual work and energy methods for stress analysis; derivation of stiffness matrices for one dimensional problems, plane stress and plane strain problems, axisymmetric problems and general three dimensional continuum elements; solution methods, effect of mesh densities and convergence criteria; variational approach for finite element formulation; use of commercial finite element software; application of finite element analysis to problems in solid mechanics and steady-state field problems. Post graduate students will be exposed to the generalization of finite element methods for various boundary value problems, non-linear problems and optimization techniques. Case studies on various practical applications will be presented culminating in a group presentation.

Admission to the ME degree and permission of the course coordinator.