General | Syllabus | Schedule | Homeworks | Exams | Resources | Grades 

Course Description

UUM 508E is a three credit course intended to introduce MS students to the application of the finite element method to the static and dynamic analysis of structures. The course is devoted to the Finite Element Formulation, One-Dimensional Elements, Analysis of Frames and Trusses, Plane Stress and Plane Strain Problems, Axisymmetric and General Solids, Flexure in Plates,  General Shells, and Vibrational and Instability Analysis.

Course Goals

This course is intended to help you:

• To introduce the theory and concepts about the application of FEM to the structural problems
• To introduce mathematical models of basic structural members and derivation FE formulations
• To allow application of FEM for analysis of structures
• To use this knowledge to design new stuctures

Policies

Attendance

The University Regulations Handbook reads: "Students are expected to be present for every meeting of the classes in which they are enrolled." Regular attendance will not be taken, but if you must miss a class you are responsible for the lecture material, assignments and/or announcements made.

Assignments, Exams and Projects

Reading and homework assignments are to be completed by the day listed in the schedule. Typically, homework assignments will be given on a Wednesday and are due the following week. One mid-term exam and a final exam will also be given during the course. Policies specific to each individual type of assignment are found on the corresponding web-pages.

Course Grades

Course grades will be assigned based on the following distribution:
 

Each test and homework will be graded on a (points scored)/(points available) basis. Total points available will vary, but each homework or exam will have equal weight as other homeworks or exams. Grades will be assigned using a criterion (straight scale) approach, but the the instructor reserves the right to curve the grades if appropriate. Under no circumstance will the scale be more stringent than the criterion given below, and a 50% or lower will always fail. Grades will be rounded to the nearest integer percentage. For example, an 89.49% will receive a "BA"; an 89.50% will receive an "AA" using the straight scale.

 

Score	90 - 100	85 - 89	80 - 84	75 - 79	70 - 74	60 - 69	50 - 59	0 - 49
Grade	AA	BA	BB	CB	CC	DC	DD	F

Course Materials

Most of the relevant information for this course will be provided by the textbook. The other references may be helpful in providing an alternate discussion of the principles covered in class; these may also provide example problems that will be helpful with homework assignments and for preparing for exams.

Textbook

Mecitoğlu, Z., Finite Element Analysis in Structures, Lecture Notes, Istanbul Technical University, 2008.

Other Helpful References

Weaver, W., and Johnston, P.R., Finite Elements for Structural Analysis, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1984. 

Cook, R.D., Malkus, D.S., Plesha, M.E., and Witt, R.J., Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2002.

Chandrupatla, T.R., and Belegundu, A.D., Introduction to Finite Elements in Engineering, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1991.