Note: This unit is an archived version! See Overview tab for delivered versions.

AERO5301: Applied Finite Element Analysis (2014 - Semester 1)

Download UoS Outline

Unit: AERO5301: Applied Finite Element Analysis (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Professor Tong, Liyong
Session options: Semester 1
Versions for this Unit:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: AERO5310 OR MECH5361.
Brief Handbook Description: This unit aims to teach fundamentals of modern numerical and analytical techniques for evaluating stresses, strains, deformations and strengths of representative aerospace structures. In particular the focus is on developing an understanding of: Fundamental concepts and formulations of the finite element methods for basic structural analysis; Elements for typical aerospace structures, such as beams/frames, plates/shells, and their applications and limitations; Finite element techniques for various types of problems pertinent to aerospace structures; d)and, developing hands-on experience of using selected commercial finite element analysis program.

At the end of this unit of study the following will have been covered: Introduction to Finite Element Method for modern structural and stress analysis; One-dimensional rod elements; Generalization of FEM for elasticity; Two- and three-dimensional trusses; FEA for beams and frames in 2D and 3D; Two-dimensional problems using constant strain triangular elements; The two-dimensional isoparametric elements; Plates and shells elements and their applications; FEA for axisymmetric shells and pressure vessels, shells of revolution; FEA for axisymmetric solids subjected to axi-symmetric loading; FEA for structural dynamics, eigenvalue analysis, modal response, transient response; Finite element analysis for stress stiffening and buckling of beams, plates and shells; Three-dimensional problems in stress analysis; Extensions to the element library, higher order elements, special elements; Constraints; FEA modeling strategy; FEA for heat conduction; FEA for non-linear material and geometric analysis.
Assumed Knowledge: AMME5301. BE in area of Aerospace Engineering or related Engineering field.
Department Permission Department permission is required for enrollment in this session.
Lecturer/s: Professor Tong, Liyong
Timetable: AERO5301 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Lecture 2.50 1 13
2 Laboratory/Tutorial 2.00 1 12
T&L Activities: Laboratory/Tutorial: There will be one lab/tutorial session per week for students to gain hands-on experience of using commercial finite element analysis software STRAND7 and/or ANSYS to solve one sample problem per week. There will be 12 sample problems in total to be solved using STRAND7 and/or ANSYS. These will be undertaken in groups of two and marked jointly. All students are requested to attend and perform finite element analysis for the selected example problems. All example problems carry equal marks and will only be marked off in the designated lab session. Tutorials will be organized in the Tut/Lab hours in relation to assignments.

Independent Study: Students are required to spend approximately 5 hours outside of scheduled contact time per week.

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Have a body of knowledge in finite element method and its applications in typical aerospace structures. Be able to apply finite element method and theory to practice in familiar and unfamiliar cases. Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
Required to use advanced mathematical tools to model complex aerospace structures. Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4)
Be able to (a) collect, correlate, display, analyse and report observations; (b) apply (numerical) experimentally-obtained results for new situations, (c) apply technical skills appropriate to their discipline via hands-on experience of using commercial finite element analysis software to solve practical problems, from conception of concepts to modeling development, results analysis as well as documentation. Information Seeking (Level 3)
Be able to identify, access, organize and communicate knowledge pertinent to finite element structural analysis in both written and oral English. Communication (Level 3)
Acknowledge their personal responsibility for their own value judgment and their ethical behaviour towards others via teamwork in the lab and major project. Professional Conduct (Level 3)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
1. To understand fundamental concepts of finite element methods.
2. To be able to assemble the global stiffness matrix and global equivalent load vector.
3. To understand the difference of elements and their application scopes and limitations.
Information Seeking (Level 3)
4. To be able to use selected commercial FEA package and gain hands-on experience, including developing modeling strategy and debugging.
Communication (Level 3)
5. To be able to interpret, justify and communicate the numerical results in a professional manner.
Project and Team Skills (Level 4)
6. To be able to work on a project with a team member, this includes rationally selecting a project, developing modeling details, interpreting results and writing professional report.
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4)
7. To be able to use different solvers to solve different types of structure problems, including aerospace structures.
8. To understand and be able to derive shape functions, stiffness matrices and equivalent load vectors for selected element.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Assignment No 15.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8,
2 Lab Report Yes 15.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
3 Quiz No 15.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8,
4 Project Report Yes 10.00 Week 13 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
5 Final Exam No 45.00 Exam Period 1, 2, 3, 5, 8,
Assessment Description: Assignment: There will be three assignments, and each assignment consists of two to three questions. Each assignment carries equal marks. Due dates: Week 4, Week 8 and Week 12.

Lab Report: There will be 11 example problems in total to be solved using STRAND7 and/or ANSYS. These will be undertaken in groups of two and marked jointly. All students are requested to attend and perform finite element analysis for the selected example problems. All example problems carry equal marks and will only be marked off in the designated lab session.

Project: Each group shall submit, after consulting with the lecturer, a half-page abstract on its major modelling project by Friday of week 7. Final report is due in Week 13. The report should have problem statement, finite element modelling scheme, results and discussion, and your concluding remarks. The report should be concise, informative and no mare than 15 pages including figures, tables, and references.

Final Exam: There will be a final exam of 1.5 hours duration at the end of the semester. Students are expected to achieve 40% of the examination mark to pass the course.

Quiz: Two Quizzes, one in week 5 and the other in week 11.
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
Prescribed Text/s: Note: Students are expected to have a personal copy of all books listed.
Recommended Reference/s: Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.
  • Engineering Vibration
  • Theory of Elasticity
  • Theory of Elastic Stability
  • Theory of Plates and Shells

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Description
Week 1 One-dimensional rod elements.
Course profile, Introduction to FEM for modern structural and stress analysis,
Week 2 Two- and three-dimensional trusses.
Generalization of FEM for elasticity,
Week 3 FEA for beams and frames in 2D and 3D
Week 4 Two-dimensional problems using constant strain triangular elements
Assessment Due: Assignment 1
Week 5 Two-dimensional isoparametric elements
Week 6 Two-dimensional isoparametric elements
Week 7 Plate and shell elements and applications
Week 8 Axisymmetric solids subjected to axisymmetric loading
FEA for axisymmetric shells and pressure vessels.
Assessment Due: Assignment 2
Week 9 Finite element methods for structural dynamics, eigenvalue analysis, modal response, transient response.
Fundamental concepts in structural dynamics, vibration of beams and plates.
Week 10 FEA for stress stiffening and buckling
Week 11 Natural Coordinates systems & Extensions to the element library, higher order elements.
Three-dimensional problems in stress analysis,
Week 12 Constraints, and FEA modeling strategy.
Assessment Due: Assignment 3
Week 13 FEA for non-linear material and geometric analysis; Summary.
Assessment Due: Project Report
Exam Period Assessment Due: Final Exam

Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered
Master of Professional Engineering (Aerospace) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Master of Engineering (2024 and earlier) 2013, 2014
Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4) Yes 51.41%
Information Seeking (Level 3) Yes 3.13%
Communication (Level 3) Yes 17.17%
Professional Conduct (Level 3) Yes 0%
Project and Team Skills (Level 4) No 3.13%
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 4) Yes 25.27%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.