Question

In: Mechanical Engineering

Explain the finite element method for stress analysis as you would to a high school student...

Explain the finite element method for stress analysis as you would to a high school student who is interested in becoming an engineer. Note that this could be the deciding factor for the student to choose Engineering at University. As such keep your answer relevant, interesting and succinct (furthermore, the student is young so they get bored easily...).

[Word limit: 200]

Expert Solution

FINITE ELEMENT METHOD:

It is the most widely and commonly used method for solving problems of engineering and mathemetical models like:

1) Structural analysis

2) Heat transfer

3) Fluid flow

4) Mass transport

5) Electromagnetic potential

Particularly it is a numerical method for solving partial differential equations in two or three space variables.

To solve a problem it divides a large system into a small simpler parts called finite elements.

Engineers use this method to reduce the number of physical prototypes and experiments, and to optimize components in their design phase to develop better products with much faster rate.

Stress analysis for trusses, beams, and other simple structures are carried out by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) which is usually used in the context of applying FEM to solve real engineering problems.

AIM:

The goal of this method is to transform the differential equations into a set of linear equations, which can then be solved by the computer in a routine manner.

TYPICAL WORKFLOW:

1. Model the geometry of the target problem in a 3D CAD tool.

2. Generate the mesh using geometric model.

3. Specify the type of problem to be solved.

4. Specify the fields that will be retrieved from the computation and special calculations.

5. Run the computaton.

6. Post t-process the result fields making numerical analysis of he generating plots.

In the automotive industry, finite element analysis are performed to assess the structural safety of designed components, such as chassis, anchors, suspension, bodyworks.

Another application is virtual crash tests, where a dynamical simulation is performed to predict deformations and energy absorption against crash impact.

samet mamat answered 10 months ago

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