ME 497 - Finite Element Analysis for Engineers
Introduction to approximation methods in engineering using finite elements.
Physical and mathematical theory, computer applications (G).

MEMT 508 - Finite Element Analysis
Linear and Nonlinear finite element analysis of continual and discretized structures;
use of finite element computer programs to solve typical structural problems.

TEXTBOOK:

No textbook is required. You will make exensive use of the ANSYS help files.

A laptop with ANSYS installed is highly recommended for this course. There are some computers in BH322 that run ANSYS.

GRADING FOR MEEN 497:

GRADING FOR MEMT 508:

Note: Grading of design projects and homework will be based on technical considerations (selection of your project, engineering analysis, appropriateness of assumptions, computational accuracy, etc.) and non-technical considerations (report organization, neatness & professional approach, grammar, spelling, writing style, etc.). 

GRADING SCALE:

Note: The lower limit in each grade range may be lowered slightly such that the division between letter grades occur at any large gaps in the grade spectrum. This adjustment will be determined only after the final averages are computed and may or may not alter the grade scale.  Failure to complete either of the two course projects will result in a grade of F for the course.

HOMEWORK:

• A number of homework or modeling assignments will be given. These assignments will be of varying difficulty, and the credit allotted to each assignment will be based on the degree of difficulty and/or the required time.
• Discussion of these assignments among students is encouraged. In this class, it is OK to discuss the details of a homework problem and to look at the finite element results (such as tables or contour plots) of others for the purpose of CHECKING your solution. However, anything you turn in MUST be completed solely by you unless the work is specifically assigned as group work. That is, you must complete the assignment by yourself without directly referring to someone else's work. Refer to the section on the honor code below.
• For each assignment, provide pertinent information to define the problem, list quantities to be found, and provide a solution that is easy to follow. All intermediate steps must be clearly shown; answers should be clearly marked and must include appropriate units.
• Homework must be neat and legible. A reminder sheet for formatting is available here.
• As in the “real world,” there are deadlines in this course. Your assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the specified date. Late assignments will not be accepted.

QUIZZES:

• Students should be prepared to take in-class quizzes covering the previous lectures and homework assignments.
• Quizzes will usually emphasize material covered in the most recent lecture or homework assignment.
• No makeup for these in-class assignments can be arranged. If you miss class on the day of an in-class activity, you miss the opportunity to turn in that assignment (no exceptions). Excused absences will not count against your grade average.
  

STRAIN GAGE / MODELING PROJECT:

• A project involving the use of strain gages and finite element analysis will be assigned and will be due about 2/3 of the way through the quarter.
• Teams of two students will complete the project and submit a report outlining their findings.
• Each team is required to install a strain gage on a device.
• The strains induced during loading will be monitored.
• Each team of students will analyze the stresses in the device using ANSYS.
• Each team will estimate the stresses in the device analytically.
• The stresses predicted from the strain gages, ANSYS, and the analytical solution will be compared and discussed.
• No exchange of information between student groups will be allowed.
• Late projects will be penalized 10% per day, excluding Saturday and Sunday (2 days late means that the maximum possible score is 80%). Projects turned in on the due date AFTER the beginning of class will be considered one day late. No project will be accepted after the last day of class.

FINAL PROJECT AND PRESENTATION (MEMT 508 only):

• Teams of two students will select and complete a course project using ANSYS.
• The results of the project will be presented to the class orally (a PowerPoint presentation is required, but no report is required).
• The presentation should be approximately eight minutes long.
• Each project should be approved with the instructor prior to beginning work.
• The presentation will be graded based on technical considerations and on the quality of the presentation (graphics, delivery, etc.).
• The purpose of this project is for you to go beyond the material taught in class. Examples include (1) using an element type not discussed in class, (2) solving a problem with a significantly more complex geometry than solved in class, (3) coupling multiple elements in a way not discussed in class, and (4) using material properties or response types not discussed in class. 
• Any problem you address must deviate significantly from what is given in class or from a tutorial that you find on the Internet. ANY INFORMATION OR TUTORIAL USED MUST BE REFERENCED. You may not use or modify projects from previous quarters. Inappropriate use of such materials will be considered as cheating. Refer to the section on the honor code below. Please check with the instructor if you have questions about this issue as you work on your project. 

ANSYS SKILLS ASSESSMENT:

• An ANSYS skills assessment will be given on Thursday evening, February 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• You must use your laptop for this exam.
• You will not be able to leave the classroom until your group has finished taking the exam.
• This assessment will involve students sitting at a computer and solving problems with the instructor present.
• This skills assessment can cover any of the problems solved in class or for homework.
• This will be an individual exam. Students should be aware that during an exam, referring to information not specifically allowed by the instructor or receiving information from another student or another unauthorized source is a violation of the honor code. Refer to the section on the honor code below. Providing unauthorized assistance is also considered cheating.
• Some qualitative questions may also be asked on this exam, but the focus will be on applying the finite element method using ANSYS and interpreting the results.

HONOR CODE: 

• Louisiana Tech has established an Honor Code to ensure the “highest standard of conduct in academic affairs.” By enrolling at Louisiana Tech, you have agreed to the Honor Code that states, “Being a student of a higher standard, I pledge to embody the principles of academic integrity.” Students who cheat during an exam, plagiarize another person’s work, obtain or distribute copies of exams without the instructor’s permission, falsify documents, or steal property or electronic information will be considered in violation of the Honor Code. It is also considered a violation of the Code to assist a person in any of the above actions. For the first infraction, a student who violates the Code will be given a grade of “zero” on the assignment in question. A second infraction will result in an “F” for the class. All violations will be reported to the Honor Council as required by the University. For a complete copy of the Honor Code go to the following web page: www.latech.edu/documents/honor-code.pdf
• The following statement must be attached and SIGNED for all assignments: On my honor, I promise that I have not received inappropriate assistance on this assignment. SIGNATURE 
• Inappropriate assistance for homework: Copying off another person's paper, viewing or copying information from the solution of homework from previous quarters, and any sort of computer file sharing.
• Inappropriate assistance on pop quizzes and exams: All work must be your own (no looking at other peoples paper, no talking, no cheat sheets, and no use of electronic information).
• Inappropriate assistance on projects: Refer to the guidelines on the strain gage project and the graduate student final project above.

DISABLED STUDENTS: 

If you are disabled student and are registered with the Office of Disabled Student Services, please contact me during the first week of classes to let me know about your accommodation for testing, etc.

ATTENDANCE:

• Regular and punctual class attendance is expected.
• An unexcused absence for a quiz or the skills assessment will result in a zero grade.

COURSE TOPICS:

The objectives of this course are for students to:

(1) learn to use the ANSYS finite element package; and
(2) learn to interpret and evaluate the results given by ANSYS.

The aim is to present just enough theoretical background to allow students to use ANSYS intelligently and effectively. The emphasis of the course will be on the analysis of stresses in solids and structures. The tentative course topics are listed below:

• Stress analysis - trusses, beams, shells, plates
• 2D/3D solidsHeat transfer problems
• Dynamic problems
• Surface to surface contact problems
• Buckling problems
• Nonlinear problems (deformation and material behavior)