SEM712 - Advanced Finite Element Analysis

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Johannes Reiner
Prerequisite:

For students enrolled in S460, S461, S462, S463, S465, S466, S467: SEM216 and completion of 18 credit points or Unit Chair approval.

For students enrolled in S751, S752, S756, S757, S758, S759, S652, S550: Nil.

For students enrolled in courses outside of the School of Engineering: Unit Chair approval.

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 2 hour seminar per week. 

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online independent and collaborative learning including a 1 x 2 hour interactive seminar per week.

Content

The aim of the unit is to provide students with the necessary skills to perform structural analysis using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The unit will cover the underlying theory of the FEM and cover truss, beam, plane stress, shell and solid elements as well as various boundary conditions for common designs. An introduction to the software package Abaqus is given as well as the pre-processor Abaqus/CAE.

In this unit we will focus on applying the Finite Element theory to solve practical engineering problems. FEM builds upon your knowledge of statics, solid mechanics and strength of materials and allows you to investigate complex problems that may be difficult to solve using analytical approaches. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the limitations of your chosen modelling approach and validating your model to understand the accuracy of your chosen modelling approach.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Classify truss, beam, 2D plane stress, shell and 3D solid elements in terms of the element characteristics (number of nodes, degrees of freedom and integration points) and limitations.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Formulate the stiffness matrix for a range of element types loading and boundary conditions using the unit displacement and virtual work methods. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO3

Develop finite element models using a commercial CAE pre-processor and input files. This will involve error-checking and analysis of the model results.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Create finite element structural models using appropriate element types, boundary conditions, material properties and analysis type. Students must be able to justify their choice of all modelling parameters.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Short quizzes
Online quizzes 40% (5 x 8%) Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10
Assessment 2
Report on the response of a simple structure
8-page written report and Finite Element input file. 20% Week 5
Assessment 3
Group and Individual Report involving stress and vibration analysis of a 3D structure

Written report, maximum 20 pages.

Video presentation no more than 5 minutes.
40% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SEM712 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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