Engineering Finite Element Analysis (Synthesis Lectures on Mechanical Engineering)

Finite element analysis is a basic foundational topic that all engineering majors need to understand in order for them to be productive engineering analysts for a variety of industries. This book provides an introductory treatment of finite element analysis with an overview of the various fundamental concepts and applications. It introduces the basic concepts of the finite element method and examples of analysis using systematic methodologies based on ANSYS software. Finite element concepts involving one-dimensional problems are discussed in detail so the reader can thoroughly comprehend the concepts and progressively build upon those problems to aid in analyzing two-dimensional and three-dimensional problems. Moreover, the analysis processes are listed step-by-step for easy implementation, and an overview of two dimensional and three-dimensional concepts and problems is also provided. In addition, multiphysics problems involving coupled analysis examples are presented to further illustrate the broad applicability of the finite element method for a variety of engineering disciplines.

The book is primarily targeted toward undergraduate students majoring in civil, biomedical, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering and any other fields involving aspects of engineering analysis.

Ramana M. Pidaparti earned his Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Dr. Pidaparti is now a professor and Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia. He was previously a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University and Purdue School of Engineering and Technology (IUPUI). He taught design and analysis courses emphasizing multidisciplinary designs and simulations, and encouraged students to participate in multidisciplinary design competitions. He won several design awards and presented papers at various conferences. He is a Fellow of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), Fellow of American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society, and Associate Fellow of AIAA (American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics). His current research interests include multidisciplinary design from Arts and Biomimicry, and bioinspired materials and structures, and computational mechanics and informatics.