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Unit of Study MECH3003 - Finite Element Method and Fracture Mechanics (2021)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    This unit applies the engineering principles and design techniques from CIVL2001 - Mechanics of Materials including force analysis in beams, shells and irregular structures, reaction forces and moments, and generating shear force and bending moment diagrams to analysis of system strength and durability. Students will use apply the theoretical analysis of system strength and durability developed in MECH4002 - Mechanical Systems Design with a numerical finite element one in this unit.

Unit description

Addresses the prediction of failure of machine components and structures by computer modelling of stresses and strains using the Finite Element Method (FEM) and by assessment of criteria to predict fracture. The lectures on FEM are focussed on modelling and interpreting results from a commercial software package, rather than the underlying mathematical theory.

Unit content

Introduction to Finite Element Method  

Strain energy, Castigliano's theorem, interpolation functions  

Element types, 2-D analysis types, plate and shell models  

Force and displacement boundary conditions  

Introduction to nonlinear finite element models  

Using commercial finite element software  

Linear-elastic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics  

Fatigue  

Non-destructive testing

Failure analysis

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore
Session2
Session2

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

understand how a finite element package works

use a commercial finite element package to solve linear static elasticity problems, and to critically evaluate the output

use energy methods to predict by hand the structural deflections and reactions in simple statically indeterminate structures, as a means of checking computed results

apply Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics to analyse brittle fracture

analyse simple fatigue failures by applying fracture mechanics principles to fatigue crack growth

apply the concepts of Elastic Plastic Fracture Mechanics to simple fracture situations

understanding the basics of non-destructive testing techniques.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.