Syllabus for ME135: Finite Element Analysis

Spring 2013
Instructor: Yanbao Ma
Designation:
Catalog Description:

Text Books and Other

Required Materials:
Course Objectives/
Student Learning
Outcomes:

Prerequisites by Topic:
Course Policies:
Academic Dishonesty
Statement:

Disability Statement:

Finite Element Analysis

Introduce the basic fundamentals of the finite element methods. Beginning with
simple one-dimensional problem, continuing to two- and three-dimensional
elements, and ending with some applications in heat transfer, solid mechanics and
fluid mechanics. Covers modeling, mathematical formulation, and computer
implementation.
Required Textbook:
The Finite Element Methods, Basic Concepts and Applications, 2nd edition, by
Darrell W. Pepper and Juan C. Heinrich, Taylor & Francis Publication.
- Understand the general steps of finite element methods.
- Understand the basic finite element formulation techniques.
- Be able to derive equations in finite element methods for 1D, 2D and 3D
problems.
- Be able to formulate and solve basic problems in heat transfer, solid mechanics
and fluid mechanics.
- Be able to write computer program based on finite element methods.
- Be able to use Comsol, a commercial software, to solve basic engineering
problems in heat transfer, solid mechanics and fluid mechanics.
Math 023 & Math 024 (or equivalent)
a. Each student in this course is expected to abide by the University of California,
Merced's Academic Honesty Policy. Any work submitted by a student in this
course for academic credit will be the student's own work.
b. You are encouraged to study together and to discuss information and concepts
covered in lecture and the sections with other students. You can give "consulting"
help to or receive "consulting" help from such students. However, this
permissible cooperation should never involve one student having possession of a
copy of all or part of work done by someone else, in the form of an e mail, an e
mail attachment file, a diskette, or a hard copy. Should copying occur, both the
student who copied work from another student and the student who gave material
to be copied will both automatically receive a zero for the assignment. Penalty for
violation of this Policy can also be extended to include failure of the course and
University disciplinary action.
c. During examinations, you must do your own work. Talking or discussion is not
permitted during the examinations, nor may you compare papers, copy from
others, or collaborate in any way. Any collaborative behavior during the
examinations will result in failure of the exam, and may lead to failure of the
course and University disciplinary action.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: The University of California
Merced is committed to ensuring equal academic opportunities and inclusion for

Topics:

students with disabilities based on the principles of independent living, accessible

universal design and diversity. I am available to discuss appropriate academic
accommodations that may be required for student with disabilities. Requests for
academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of the
semester, except for unusual circumstances. Students are encouraged to register
with Disability Services Center to verify their eligibility for appropriate
accommodations.
1. Introduction to finite element methods.
2. The method of weighted residuals and Galerkin approximations.
3. FEM in one dimension.
4. The 2-D triangular element.
5. The 2-D quadrilateral element.
6. Isoparametric 2-D elements.
7. The 3-D element.
8. Finite elements in solid mechanics.
9. Application to inviscid flows.
10. Application to viscous fluid mechanics.
LEC: T & TH 1:30-2:45 PM in Classroom 113; Lab section 1: Monday
8:00am-10:50am in SE 100; Lab section 2: Monday 1:30pm-4:20pm in SE 100
Midterm exam: 1:30-2:50PM, March 13, 2012
Final exam: 11:30 AM - 2:30PM, May 11, 2012

Class/laboratory
Schedule:
Midterm/Final Exam
Schedule:
Course Calendar:
Professional Component:
Assessment/Grading
Projects/Homework 25%
Policy:
In-class Quiz 15%
Mid-term exam 30%
Final exam 30%
Coordinator:
Contact Information:
Office Hours:

Faculty Contribution to the ME Mission

ME135: Finite Element Analysis
Spring 2013
Name of Contributor: Yanbao Ma
Total Time Allocated (hours per semester): 60
Objectives:
Objective

Designated Hours
(percentage)

1. To teach students the basic laws of nature that are relevant to

10 hours (16.7%)
the fields of mechanical engineering
2. To teach students the design skills including creative thinking
48 hours (80.0%)
and effective communication
3. To help students understand their professional and ethical
2 hours (3.3%)
responsibilities
4. To instill a sense of community and ethical responsibility
0 hours (0.0%)
associated with the professional use of the knowledge acquired
5. To expand the reach of mechanical engineering to
non-traditional areas by continually seeking to incorporate new 0 hours (0.0%)
methodologies and research findings to our curriculum
Total 60 hours (100.0%)

Reported Hours
(percentage)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)

Outcomes:

Criteria
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering
b. An ability in experimental design and data analysis
c. An ability in component and system design
d. An ability to solve multi-disciplinary problems
e. An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering
problems
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities
g. An ability to communicate effectively
h. A broad social impact of the engineering education
i. A sound basis and motivation for life-long learning
j. A knowledge on contemporary issues
k. An ability to use modern engineering tools and techniques for
engineering practices
l. A working knowledge of the principles of Mechanics and
Thermodynamics, etc.
m. An ability to recognize new forms of thinking and new
promising directions in engineering
n. An ability to incorporate interdisciplinary concepts from
mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and other disciplines

12 hours (20.0%)
3 hours (5.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)

Weighted Hours
(percentage)
des_hr*eva_avg/9
0.0 hours (0.0%)
0.0 hours (0.0%)
0.0 hours (0.0%)
0.0 hours (0.0%)

18 hours (30.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)
0 hours (0.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)
0.0 hours (0.0%)
0.0 hours (0.0%)
0.0 hours (0.0%)

24 hours (40.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

3 hours (5.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

0 hours (0.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

0 hours (0.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

Designated Hours
(percentage)

into engineering solutions and vice-versa.

o. A culminating design experience

0 hours (0.0%)
Total 60 hours (100.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

0.0 hours (0.0%)

Activities

Curriculum
Activity
a

Description of Activity (Semester: Spring 2013)

Students are trained to understand basic FEM theory and
to derive the FEM formulations for 1-D, 2-D and 3-D
model problems. Four to six in-class quizzes and two
exams (midterm and final) are designed to test students
learning outcome.
Students are exposed to methodologies for effectively
presenting their scientific results concisely and
graphically. Reporting results in compact, effective way
is emphasized in all assignments.
Homework assignments are designed for students to
practice element formulation, computer code
implementation, and numerical results analysis.
Students are trained to apply finite element methods in
the design context involving a wide range of application
such as heat transfer, solid mechanics and fluid
mechanics. There is a 3-hr lab section in each week.
Students will learn how to write Matlab code and solve
engineering problems using finite element methods.
Student are required to learn COMSOL software in the
lab section. There will be a term project assignment using
COMSOL.
Students are required to study the obtained results and
make proper engineering judgments and interpretations.

Evaluated AVG
out of None responses Evaluated
9: strong agreement
STDEV
0: strong disagreement