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METHOD
An Introduction to
Finite Element Analysis
Using
DR. MUHAMMAD ABID
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Ghulam Ishaq khan Institute of Engineering Sciences
and Technology, Topi
Pakistan
January 2004
Tutorials
Tutorials are based on the doctors surgery format. One/two members of staff will be
present in Computer Lab on following days to provide help/ support/advice on all aspects of
running the software and helping with approaches to the coursework. Tutorials will start
after Lecture 2.
ANSYS 7 is installed in all computers of CM Lab. In addition, Pro-E is also installed on all
computers if someone wants to use.
Monday
Lecture
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Lab
On-line Help
Although a hard copy of ANSYS manuals is available in catalogue of Computer Lab,
however these are all on-line and it is essential that you spend some time familiarising
yourself with them.
STARTProgramsANSYS 7Help System will get you started. NavigateTable Of
ContentsAnalysis Guides or Workbook Examples will be of good use.
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Internet Support
All course material including past exercises and example input fileswill be made available
during the Semester. Lecture notes will be available from Central Services. However,
students can access this material via the internet using the following URL address,
http://192.168.151.50 and by following the links shown. In addition, excellent web-based
ANSYS tutorials from the University of Alberta have been made available. These can be
viewed on-line or by downloading and uncompressing using the Winzip utility.
Finally
If you have any problems with the class, please e-mail me abid@giki.edu.pk. Dont just
drop in at my room. I will probably not see you as I have a very busy semester. The best
way to cope with this class is to undertake all the exercises, which are giventake plenty of
time over them in the early stages and then work on course works as they are given. Dont
wait till the dead lines are upon you!
ME466
It is also a real nuisance unless the engineer learn with someone knows the computer well. It
is recognised that the learning time associated with the computer is really frustrating.
YOU ARE WARNED!!
Whilst the computer solves the mathematical equations and can be used to manipulate
geometry on screen, the main role of the engineer is to interpret the results. This
responsibility is both professional and (in some countries) legal. The importance of the
engineer to structural safety is reflected in the US in the price of liability and malpractice
insurance to the design firm: often 3-5% of gross income - this figure being higher the costs
associated with a physician (doctor). To fulfil these responsibilities, engineers must exercise
a healthy.
The second responsibility is to ensure relevancy and accuracy. In essence, this is the main
purpose of this course.
* SOLUTION
Enter the solution processor (e.g. /SOLUTION)
Define the analysis type (e.g. static stress analysis) and options
Apply the known boundary conditions
Apply the known loads
Execute the solver
Exit the solution processor
* POSTPROCESSING
Enter the postprocessor (e.g. /POST1)
Read in the results from appropriate load step (SET,LAST)
Plot, print, graph, sort, combine results
Exit postprocessor
This is the common route for carrying out an FE analysis of a component, however, it is not
the procedure for formulating the `Engineering Problem'.
These procedures may, at first appear simple and have an obvious common-sense approach.
However, it is very clear that the majority of poor or incorrect analyses can be overcome by
adopting the above procedures.
It is also worth mentioning the existence of NAFEMS*, formerly the National Agency for
Finite Element Methods and Standards (now a private DTI funded company) which publishes
various documents and now issues conformance certificates to companies who have approved
documented procedures for carrying out and checking finite element analyses to BS 5750 and
ISO9000/1.
* For further reading, see `A Finite Element Primer' produced by NAFEMS (1987),
Birniehill, East Kilbride, Glasgow
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