Program Overview

Course Overview

The course MECH4410 - Mechanics of Solids 2 and FEA provides a more advanced treatment of solids mechanics and elasticity theory, alongside a practical introduction to the Finite Element Method and instruction in a commercial software package.

Course Description

This course follows on from Mechanics of Solids 1 to provide a more advanced treatment of solids mechanics and elasticity theory. The material is covered alongside a practical introduction to the Finite Element Method and instruction in a commercial software package. Comparisons between analytical and computational approaches will be drawn.

Course Content

The course covers the following topics:

• 3D stress fields, transformation of stress and stress invariants
• 2D and 3D Mohr circle
• Torsion of thin-wall non-circular cross-sections
• Shear centres of beams
• Introduction to the finite element method including solving linear static problems with spring and bar-element systems
• Theoretical linear static behaviour of bar, beam and two-dimensional elements and predictions using the finite element method
• Natural frequency analysis using the finite element method
• Introduction to a commercially available finite element package to solve linear static problems and determine natural frequencies of vibration

Enrolment Requirements

Assumed Knowledge

• MECH2430 Mechanics of Solids 1
• MATH2310 Calculus of Science and Engineering

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the transformation of stress
2. Apply analysis techniques to determine stress in thin-walled non-circular sections subject to torsion and to locate the shear centre in thin-walled beams
3. Demonstrate an understanding of elasticity theory for beams and plates and the respective finite element approximation
4. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the Finite Element Method as applied to linear static analysis and natural frequencies of vibration
5. Successfully build finite element models using a commercially-available finite element software package, undertake linear static and natural frequency analyses and interpret the results

Availability

The course is available in:

• Semester 1 at Callaghan
• Trimester 3 at Singapore PSB

Contact Hours

The course consists of:

• Computer Lab: 1 hour per week for 12 weeks
• Lecture: 2 x 1 hour per week for 12 weeks
• Tutorial: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks

Assessments

The course assessments include:

• Assignment 1: Written Assignment (15%)
• Assignment 2 - ANSYS: Written Assignment (25%)
• Quiz: Quiz (20%)
• Final Examination: 2 hr on-campus invigilated Formal Examination (20%)
• Laboratory Exercises: Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises (20%)

Additional Information

This course is available to be undertaken as an elective.

Course Details

• Study level: Undergraduate
• Course level: 4000-level
• Units: 10
• College: College of Engineering Science and Environment
• School: School of Engineering