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Title

Introduction to Finite Element Methods
Author

Carlos A. Felippa
Organization: University of Colorado at Boulder
Department: Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Education level

Graduate
Objectives

Emphasizes formulation. Teaches hands-on understanding of how finite element methods work rather than black-box recipes. Provides the foundation for other graduate courses in computational mechanics.
Materials

Online course materials.
Description

A first-year graduate core course on the numerical solution of linear structural problems by finite element methods. This course has been taught 12 times, every Fall semester, since 1986. Web based since 1995. Computer part gradually converted from Fortran to Mathematica beginning 1996. Offered on TV in 1998. Enrollment typically 30-40. Strongly positive feedback on web use.

Topics:
The course is divided into 3 parts, each covering approximately fifteen 75-min lectures:
  • Finite Element Discretization Concepts
  • Finite Element Mathematical Formulation
  • Computer Implementation of Finite Elements
Subject

*Engineering > Finite Element Methods