Advanced Solid Mechanics

Module code: EG7037

In industry, commercial software is used to carry out finite element analysis in structure design. An engineer is often shielded from the details of the numerical method, but an engineer has to understand the underlying principle of the method in order to use it correctly. Furthermore, an engineer has to be able to select the correct material model, set the right boundary conditions and chose the appropriate finite element for the analysis. This module will prepare you for using modern commercial finite element packages, and will help you develop an in-depth understanding of the general structure behind computational stress analysis and, in particular, the various constitutive laws that you have to select for various design problems. It will also provide you with an advanced theoretical grounding and hands on experience in modern finite element analysis for stress analysis by going through a series of exercises in the computer lab.

Lectures cover:

  • Variational principles and finite element method
  • Constitutive laws for engineering materials including plasticity theory
  • Failure theories for engineering materials

Practice sessions cover finite element analysis of:

  • Long, short and 3D beams
  • Plastic beams and limit loads
  • Stress concentration and plasticity
  • Creep and stress relaxation
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