Fundamentals and Application of Finite Element Method in Mechanical Analysis
The first module introduced the principles of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and demonstrated how they can be applied to a wide range of engineering problems. It combined theoretical foundations with practical case studies, building from simple 1D analysis toward complex 3D simulations
Over the course of the module, I worked on three major projects:
Axial bar analysis – deriving stiffness matrices, applying boundary conditions, and computing nodal displacements and stresses. This exercise highlighted how FEM approximates analytical solutions and introduced key concepts such as penalty methods and reaction forces.
Bracket simulation – modeling the same structure using beam, shell, and solid elements. Through mesh sensitivity studies, I compared accuracy versus computational cost and examined phenomena such as stress singularities at fillets. The project showed how different modeling choices influence results and when simplifications are valid.
Crankshaft analysis – a large-scale case study covering multiple simulation types: static structural, modal, harmonic response, linear buckling, and nonlinear large-deformation analysis. I also applied submodeling to refine mesh quality in critical areas without inflating computation time. This exercise tied together many FEM concepts in a realistic engineering scenario
This module gave me hands-on experience in moving from theory to practice. I learned not only how to set up and solve FEM problems but also how to judge model fidelity, evaluate mesh strategies, and interpret results across different physics domains