Computational Mechanics

Code: EME13155D

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Mechanical Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

This course aims to prepare the students for using computational tools, namely the Finite element method. The student should be able to develop finite element models and know the capabilities and limitations, of the usual available finite element classes in commercial codes. Enphasis is given in a mechatronics approach, so the student must be aware that general problems involve a coupled electromechanical onset.
The main objective is to provide computational tools and analysis methodologies, self developed or commercial.
When finishing the course the students should be able to computationally analyse mechatronics systems.

Review of the basic equations of continuous media and energy principles in structural mechanics. Numerical solutions by finite differences, fem and boundary elements.
Introduction to the usage of commercial codes, ANSYS, ABAQUS and integrated systems. CAE, CAD/CAM and CIM systems.
The finite element method. Discrete approach and the computational implementation. Continuous approach. Formulation of beam, plate, shell and solid elements. Dynamic analysis, linear buckling. Comparison with commercial codes.
Introduction to nonlinear analysis, plasticity and large deformation analysis.
Element formulation for the solution of coupled problems (electrical, magnetic, thermal, mechanical , etc. ) including active materials (piezoelectrics, magnetostrictives, electrostrictives, etc.). Finite element formulations for fluid flow.
Introduction to multiple scales analysis. Micromechanics and homogenization. Theorems and bounds on change and equivalence of scales.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and tutoring, with each student being responsible for reading the bibliography advised by the teacher.
For some topics there may be seminars focused in specific points of the course program.
Evaluation: Formulation assignments and design of a FE computational code, with final discussion.