2019-2020 / MECA0036-2

Finite Element Method

Duration

26h Th, 26h Pr, 40h Proj.

Number of credits

 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Aerospace Engineering5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering (EMSHIP+, Erasmus Mundus)5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering (EMSHIP+, Erasmus Mundus)5 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Physics5 crédits 

Lecturer

Jean-Philippe Ponthot

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The goal of this course is to learn develop both theoretical concepts as well as practical use of the method. Starting from the mechanical behavior of simple structures like pin jointed structures; fundamental concepts of the structural analysis are introduced. Subsequently, it is shown how the general elastic equations established in continuum mechanics can be discretized and how it is possible to obtain an approximate solution for these equations.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Being able to

  • Understand the fundamental theory of the finite elements
  • Develop skills to model the behavior of elastic structures
  • Use a commercial finite element software for structural analysis

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Mechanics of materials.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Exercises + computer project

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Face to face + exercices + computer project.

Recommended or required readings

English version of the slides available via eCampus.

Assessment methods and criteria

Theory : written exam (50%) Exercises : written exam (20%) Computer project (30%)

The grade for the project is final.
 

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

JP Ponthot JP.Ponthot@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Theory: all courses have been podcasted. Questions and answers times have been organized.
Exercises and Group project: questions have been answered through a dedicated forum.

Assessment subjects

see Assessment method

Assessment methods

The final grade will be based on two components, each of them accounting for 50%.
1) the group project that has already been distributed and that is unchanged.
2) a strictly personal home work that will deal with both theoretical and application aspects. There will be no specific support for this personal project.
Both project/home work will be asserted thanks to a written report. The written report (pdf file) will be uploaded on the eCampus platform.
Deadlines are sharp (deadline for the home work is May 25 at noon). A penalty of one point (over 20) will be given by 12-hour period delay (each period that has started is treated as a full period of 12 hours). 
 

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

 
A list of questions is available on eCampus.
 

Assessment methods

-Oral exam through video conference (English or French are allowed)
-The oral exam will be OPEN books.
-Each student will be allotted a slot of 20 minutes maximum.
-One among the questions (see list on eCampus) will be randomly assigned.
-The student will have to answer straightforwardly, without any preparation time. This is Open Books!
-Further questions regarding the links between different parts of the course can be asked.
 
 
The final grade will be based on two components, each of them accounting for 50% of the final grade.
1) the group project that has already been distributed and that is unchanged. As this grade is already 'final', no project means the student will get a grade of 'absent' for that part! (and consequently a final global grade of 'absent')
2) the oral exam
 
The oral exam will take place on Lifesize
https://call.lifesizecloud.com/4372657

Contacts

JP.Ponthot@uliege.be