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MEEN 672   Fall Semester 2013

An Introduction to the Finite Element MethodProfessor J. N. Reddy   Tel:  862 2417; Room: 404 MEOB (O)e-mail:  jnreddy@tamu.edu   Web:   http://www.tamu.edu/acml

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL.   cJN Reddy. All rights reserved.

Time:  T,Th - 2:15–3:45   Room:  ETB 1034

COURSE INFORMATION

The   finite element method   is a numerical technique of solving differential equationsarising in the analytical description of physical phenomena, such as heat transfer, fluid mechanics,and solid mechanics, as well as other applied sciences. The objectives of the course include:

1. The theory and application of the finite element method to representative continuum prob-lems of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics.

2. Applications of the finite element computer programs )from the textbook) to simple prob-lems of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics.

3. Computer implementation of the finite element analysis steps for the model problemsdiscussed in the course.

Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional problems will be studied for their numerical solution

by the finite element method. An introduction to finite element models of three-dimensionalproblems involving a single variable will also be briefly discussed.

PREREQUISITES

All students taking the course must have a graduate standing in engineering or equivalent,a course on ordinary and partial differential equations, a working knowledge of FORTRAN (77or 90), MatLab, or equivalent, and the  motivation to learn.

TEXTBOOK AND COURSE SYLLABUS

An Introduction to the Finite Element Method  by J. N. Reddy, McGraw-Hill Book Company,

New York, 2006 (Third Edition), is used as the textbook for the course. The course material andassignment problems will be mostly taken from the book. Chapters 3 through 11 and Chapter13 of the book will be covered. Chapters 1 and 2 are for self-study, although certain materialfrom Chapter 2 is covered as a background in Chapter 3.

The tools and understanding that are gained through this course include:

1. A review of physical principles and governing equations of problems considered (an op-portunity to refresh and gain further insights into the derivation as well as limitations of governing equations of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and structural mechanics).

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2. The Ability to develop finite element models form the governing equations of any physicalphenomenon.

3. An exposure to the practical aspects of modeling a physical problem with regard to bound-ary conditions (including singularities in the data), symmetry considerations, calculation

of physical variables of interest, and so on.

4. Computer implementation of the major steps of the finite element analysis.

5. The basic understanding of the method gained in this course is sufficient to develop, withaid of the programs and discussions in the class, simple computer programs and interfacesto commercially codes to analyze linear problems in one and two dimensions, and to developappropriate data input for a commercially available computer program.

ASSIGNMENTS, TESTS, FINAL EXAM, AND GRADES

There will be several assignments at regular intervals (every week) during the semester.

You are required to submit the assigned work on or before the deadline.  No late submissionsplease!  Also, you will be writing computer subroutines in Fortran (or MatLab) to implementelement formulations as a part of the assigned work. There will be two tests and a comprehensiveexamination during the semester. The following percentages of the assignments, tests, and thecomprehensive examination will constitute the basis for assigning of the final grade in the course:

Assignments: 25% 

Two Tests = 40% Comprehensive Examination: 35% 

OFFICE HOURS

The   official office hours  will be on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week, from9am–5pm, except when I am in meetings or classes. However, you may visit me at any timeduring the week days if I am available in my office. Thus, you may come and see me at timesconvenient to you. Early in the semester (before November) there will be help sessions, asdeemed useful, to answer specific questions and work out additional examples. The place andtime of each help session will announced in the class.

SPECIAL NOTE

The current class time and meeting room may be changed after we determine the suitable class time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  As a part of the professional activities, I will travel toparticipate in technical conferences or present seminars at other universities during the semester.Thus, I will miss some classes during the semester. To make up for the lost classes, we may

schedule several special classes outside of the scheduled class times, and the two tests and finalexam will be conducted in the evening hours. Your understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

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