MECH300H Introduction to Finite Element Methods

Dr. Wenjing Ye
Department of Mechanical Engineering Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR Tel: +852-2358-7194, Fax: +852-2358-1543 E-mail: mewye@ust.hk Course Homepage: http://www.me.ust.hk/~mech300h

Numerical Methods Definition and Advantages

Definition: Methods that seek quantitative approximations to the solutions of mathematical problems Advantages:

What is a Numerical Method An Example

Example 1:
du u dt u (0) u0

What is a Numerical Method An Example

Example 1:
du u dt u (0) u0

What is a Numerical Method An Example

Example 2:
du 2u 5e-t dt u (0) u0

What is a Numerical Method An Example

Example 2:
du 2u 5e-t dt u (0) 1

What is a Numerical Method An Example

Example 3:
du u2 t dt u (0) 1

What is a Finite Element Method

Discretization

1-D

2-D

?-D

Hybrid

3-D

Approximation

Numerical Interpolation

Non-exact Boundary Conditions

Applications of Finite Element Methods

Structural & Stress Analysis Thermal Analysis Dynamic Analysis Acoustic Analysis Electro-Magnetic Analysis Manufacturing Processes Fluid Dynamics