Mechanical Simulation

Department

Master's Program Mechatronics

Course unit code

MECH-M-3-SVM-MSI-ILV

Number of ECTS credits allocated

4.0

Name of lecturer(s)

Dr. techn. Falkner Franz-Josef

Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Recommended optional program components

none

Recommended or required reading

- Bathe, K.J.: Finite-Elemente-Methoden, Verlag Springer.
- Braess, D.: Finite Elemente: Theorie, schnelle Löser und Anwendungen in der Elastizitätstheorie, Verlag Springer.
- Großmann, C., Roos, H.G.: Numerik partieller Differentialgleichungen, Verlag Vieweg.
- Kan, V.: Segal, Numerik partielle Differentialgleichungen für Ingenieure, Verlag Teubner.
- Klein, B.: FEM: Grundlagen und Anwendungen der Finite-Element-Methode im Maschinen- und Fahrzeugbau, Verlag Vieweg.
- Lapidus, L., Finder, G.: Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations in Science and Engineering, Verlag Wiley.
- Law, A.M., Kelton, W.D.: Simulation Modelling and Analysis. Verlag Mc Graw Hill.
- Rill, G., Schaeffer, T.: Grundlagen und Methodik der Mehrkörpersimulation.
- Wriggers, P.: Nichtlineare Finite-Element-Methoden, Verlag Springer.
- Zienkiewicz, O.C., Taylor, R.K.: The Finite Element Method: Basic Formulation and Linear Problems, 6. Auflage, Butterworth Heinemann.
- Zienkiewicz, O.C., Taylor, R.K.: The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics, 6. Auflage, Butterworth Heinemann

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam, Project work

Level of course unit

Master

Year of study

Fall 2025

Semester when the course unit is delivered

3

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students
• are familiar with the properties and fields of application of structural components (beams, plates, shells) and are able to employ them to solve practical problems,
• are capable of solving problems of structural mechanics involving several bodies in contact using finite element methods,
• are capable of applying finite element methods to fatigue strength problems,
• are familiar with the main numerical processes for calculating dynamic processes and their potential uses and can estimate computation time,
• are able to solve simple multi-body problems numerically

Course contents

• Differential, variational and Galerkin formulations
• Finite element methods
• Discretization methods (FD, Galerkin, FEM)
• FEM in mechanics (equilibrium in the volume element)
• Application of FEM (cell quality, evaluation of system response, reporting)
• Structural analysis (2D elements, coordinate systems, beam elements, locking)
• Dynamic analysis (natural oscillation, forced oscillation, state-space, Newmark, transient analysis)
• Nonlinear problems

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none