Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Consider attending this course in our Virtual Classroom!

Originally developed for aerospace structural analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) can help engineers simulate real-world conditions and find vulnerabilities in their design prototypes. FEA is a convenient and speedy computer-aided engineering (CAE) tool for approximation of the solution to a wide variety of complicated engineering problems across a wide range of industries. 

This online, instructor-supported course explains how FEA can produce accurate, reliable approximate solutions, at a small fraction of the cost of more rigorous, closed-form analyses allowing for optimization of the design process and reducing the need for extensive prototyping. It also provides the level of knowledge required to successfully use the FEA software packages currently available. Learners use the Abaqus Learning Edition software to review and apply the key concepts of FEA.

The course will include interactive digital course content, video demonstrations and online office hour(s) for live assistance. It is estimated that the course will require approximately 24 hours of work on the part of the student, over the duration of the six-week course.

You Will Learn To

• Provide examples of all the steps necessary to conduct a successful FEA from start to finish
• Explain the concepts underlying the creation of elements that are used to make accurate approximations
• Use finite element software for more advanced structural, thermal analysis and basic modal analysis

Who Should Attend

Design, project, mechanical and R&D engineers, and R&D managers.

No specific prerequisites exist for this course, though knowledge of linear algebra would be helpful. In addition, the material layout assumes familiarity with some of the concepts of strength of materials and from elementary thermodynamics. Detailed knowledge of these subjects is not necessary, but it would be helpful for the student to have a passing familiarity with concepts such as stress, strain, conductivity, etc.

System & Software Requirements

The course will be delivered in an online format. In addition, each student will receive access to an educational version of the FEA software, Abaqus, which will be used in this course. 

Please refer to the Abaqus website to ensure that your computer meets the system requirements (as outlined below).

• Only 64-bit Windows operating systems are allowed, not 32-bit Windows.
• Minimum supported operating systems: Windows 10.
• The installation will require 10.5 GB of disk space.

To take this course you should have a personal computer (PC) with Windows 10 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.0.11, Web browser (Firefox, Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge), Java 11, Internet connection, and software to display PDF files (such as Adobe Reader).

A Certificate of Completion will be issued to registrants who successfully complete the course and achieve a passing score on all instructor-graded assignments and 75% or higher on all assessments.