Course detail

Finite Element Method - Structural Analyses

FSI-ZSY-AAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course is focused on the analysis of the stress of components or simple assemblies in the field of mechanical engineering. Students get to know essential theoretical fundamentals of finite elements method and the ways how is this method implemented in various categories of software systems.
Particularly is highlighted the difference between various analytical and numerical solutions, interpretation of results of linear and nonlinear modelling, estimation and assessment of various impacts on accuracy of the results. Aim is also placed on methodical making of computational models and interpretation of simulations.
The course integrates knowledge from previous bachelor's study of mechanical engineering and it creates conditions for handling design projects and diploma thesis.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Pavel Maňas, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Machine and Industrial Design (ÚK)

Offered to foreign students

The home faculty only

Entry knowledge

- Knowledge of mechanics, dynamics, strength of materials, CAD modelling and material sciences at the level of bachelor's study of mechanical engineering.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Course credit is awarded on the following conditions:
- active taking part in the lectures (max. 10 points),
- solving of assigned tasks and presentation of results (max. 30 points),
- at least it is necessary to get 20 points.
Exam is awarded on the following conditions:
- practical part: methodically correct solution of assigned task (max. 40 points),
- oral exam (max. 20 points),
- together one can obtain up to 100 points, final grade is determined in accordance with ECTS grading scale.
Lectures: attendance is recommended.
Seminars: attendance is obligatory and checked by the lecturer. Two absences are allowed. In case of longer absence, compensation of missed lessons depends on the instructions of course supervisor.

Aims

Graduates will be able to make basic structural analyses focused on assessment of the stress of components or simple assemblies.
- Ability to make linear and basic nonlinear simulations of stress of components or simple assemblies in the field of mechanical engineering.
- Ability to prepare geometry, prepare mesh, set boundary conditions and basic material properties, assess and interpret results.
- Experience with ANSYS Workbench, and ANSYS Discovery.
- Skills and basic habits necessary for work with FEM systems (software or integrated module in CAD system).
- Understanding of significance of FEM for engineering praxis.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

KUROWSKI, Paul M., Finite Element Analysis for Design Engineers. Second edition. SAE International, 2017. ISBN-PDF 978-0-7680-8369-9. [online] Dostupné z: https://app.knovel.com/web/toc.v/cid:kpFEADEE04/viewerType:toc//root_slug:finite-element-analysis/url_slug:finite-element-analysis?b-q=kurowski&sort_on=default&b-group-by=true&b-sort-on=default&b-content-type=all_references&include_synonyms=no (EN)
RUGARLI, Paolo. Structural analysis with finite elements. Thomas Telford Limited, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7277-4093-9. [online] Dostupné z: https://app.knovel.com/web/toc.v/cid:kpSAFE0003/viewerType:toc//root_slug:structural-analysis-with/url_slug:structural-analysis-with?b-q=rugarli&sort_on=default&b-group-by=true&b-sort-on=default&b-content-type=all_references (EN)

Recommended reading

ANSYS Student Support Resources. [Online] Dostupné z: https://www.ansys.com/academic/free-student-products/support-resources. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-ENG-A Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme N-KSI-P Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

16 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Pavel Maňas, Ph.D.

Syllabus

- Introduction to finite element method: basics of FEM, types of analyses, computation model and simulation, geometry, mesh, boundary conditions, interpretation of results.
- Linear 2D and 3D static tasks: stress and strain analysis, linear boundary conditions.
- Linear 2D and 3D static tasks: type of elements, symmetry, symetry, interpretation of results.
- Nonlinear 2D and 3D static tasks, nonlinear material.
- Nonlinear 2D and 3D static tasks, nonlinear deformation and contact.
- Linear stability.
- Modal analysis.
- Actual trends in structural analyses

Computer-assisted exercise

32 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Pavel Maňas, Ph.D.

Syllabus

- Preparation of geometry in CAD system, mesh preparation, preprocesing, postprocesing.
- Boundary conditions, interpretation of results.
- Type of elements, symetry, model parametrization.
- Material properties for simulation, material nonlinearities.
- Geometric nonlinearities and contact.
- Linear stability of simple structure.
- Modal analysis of component.
- Final seminar, presentation of results.