FEA Course examples

Location: Remote

Contact person at NAFEMS: Dr. Gino Duffett  | gino.duffett@nafems.org

As part of Dr. Duffett's training course on Finite Element Analysis some simple examples are presented to illustrate specific problems. These examples are typically simple finite element analyses using beam, shell and solid elements under different load cases with different meshes. The course is currently getting updated (which is a huge task) and there is a need to modernise the examples as well, without changing the basic concept.

Due to time constraints Dr. Duffett is looking for a candidate (or more, but not too many) to prepare these analysis examples for the course.

The candidate must be able to carry out FEA for linear statics independently, with a regularly recurring opportunity receive advisement from Dr. Duffett.

There are a few important points:

• The examples, and more importantly the images required, will be defined clearly. Still, iteration might be needed based on the initial results.
• The work will be primarily published as part of a NAFEMS course. Permission may be given for partial use within academic documents, personal promotion, use of examples for non-linear analysis, etc.
• Acknowledgement to the candidate will be included in the course materials.
• NAFEMS offers the candidate(s) a free regional conference or seminar attendance, and supports the candidates travel and accommodation costs up to £200.
• Dr. Duffett will clearly advise, support and explain the methods and issues but cannot help step-by-step with the FEA pre- and post processing.
• The course is code independent, therefore the use of non-commercial or university software is preferred (e.g. FEAP or similar).
• Dr. Duffett is open to further suggestions on any improvements to current examples or including different examples to show other issues.

There are currently 13 examples in the course, but initially we aim to refresh 11, since the final 2 are more complicated. The examples include the following problems:

1. Cantilever beam (shell and solid elements with different element types and numbers),

2. Plate with a hole (shell and solid elements, symmetry),

3. Thick cylinder, open (2D plain strain),

4. Thick cylinder, closed (axisymmetric),

5. Simple welded plate (shell and solid elements, axial and bending).

If you are interested, please send a brief CV to gino.duffett@nafems.org, and provide some examples of FE analyses that you’ve carried out in the past.