<p>(Same as Civil Engineering M135C.) Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour; outside study, seven hours. Requisite: course 156A or 166A or Civil Engineering 130. Introduction to basic concepts of finite element methods (FEM) and applications to structural and solid mechanics and heat transfer. Direct matrix structural analysis; weighted residual, least squares, and Ritz approximation methods; shape functions; convergence properties; isoparametric formulation of multidimensional heat flow and elasticity; numerical integration. Practical use of FEM software; geometric and analytical modeling; preprocessing and postprocessing techniques; term projects with computers. Letter grading.</p>

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Known as the birthplace of the Internet and where countless other cutting-edge technologies took their first steps, the school is consistently ranked among the top 10 public engineering schools in the U.S.

Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science

Applications include aircraft, spacecraft, automobiles, energy and propulsion systems, robotics, machinery, manufacturing and materials processing, microelectronics, biological systems, and more.

General Catalog

Introduction to Finite Element Methods

MECH&AE M168

4 units