Term: 1^st Semester – Academic Year 2023-2024

Instructor: Prof. S. Morganti

Institution: DICAr, University of Pavia

CFU: 6

Duration: From 08.01.2024 to 02.02.2024 (lectures: 36 academic hours; tutorials: 15 academic hours)

Classroom: MS1 (Dept. of Civil Eng. and Arch.)

Schedule and info: link

Note: lectures will consist of academic hours of 45’ each, with a mid-lecture break

Office hours: by appointment

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the course is to introduce students to classical Computational Mechanics tools, and, in particular, to the most widely used one, namely, the finite element method. The main aim is building a deep knowledge of the basic ideas, the potential, and the limitations of the finite element method, both from the theoretical and the practical point of view, also through the development of simple codes for the simulation of frames and solid mechanics problems.

DESCRIPTION

Theoretical lectures will be complemented by tutorials (aiming at the practical implementation in Matlab of the methods considered during the lectures) and the topics that will be covered during the course are reported in the following.

Course contents: Review of beam theory and of standard displacement-based methods for planar frames. Basic concepts of the finite element method and development of a finite element scheme for Bernoulli-Euler beams, starting from the elastica differential equation. Development of a finite element scheme for (shear-deformable) Timoshenko beams starting from the total potential energy. Shear locking issues and possible solution techniques. Review of linear elasticity. Finite elements for linear elasticity in 1D and 2D. Development of triangular and isoparametric quadrilateral finite elements. Numerical integration. Volumetric locking issues and possible solution techniques. Review of advanced Computational Mechanics methods.

REQUIREMENTS

Intermediate/good knowledge of algebra, mechanics of solids (basic concepts of strain and stress), numerical analysis.

REFERENCES

• Course notes.
• J.R. Hughes, “The Finite Element Method: Linear Static and Dynamic Finite Element Analysis”. Dover, 2000.

ASSESSMENT

Assignments will be handed over during the course. The final examination will consist of a written (closed-book) test. Grading: 40% assignments, 60% final exam.

[The final written test might be substituted by an oral examination in special situations identified by the teacher]