MEEM 4405 – Introduction to Finite Element Method
Department of Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics
Michigan Technological University
Spring 2014

MEEM 3502 and (MA 2320 or MA 2321 or MA 2330) and (MA 3520 or MA 3521 or MA 3530 or MA 3560)

Logan, Daryl L., “A First Course in the Finite Element Method, Fifth Edition”, Thompson, Toronto, 2012

Announcements concerning homework assignments, exams, etc. will generally be made at the beginning of class before the lecture begins.

The topics of each lecture and corresponding book sections will be posted on Canvas. I plan to record the lectures and post them in case you are absent or want to review the materials covered in specific lectures.

Assignments will be posted on Canvas and are due at 5:00 pm on the listed due date.  No late assignments will be accepted, however, the lowest score will be discarded.  You may submit your assignments via hardcopy or Canvas. If you choose to submit a hardcopy, it must be stapled together for credit (no paper clips or fold-overs).  The reading assignments are part of your homework and you will be responsible for this material on exams whether covered in class or not.  For each problem, the following items are required for full credit:

• Each homework problem must start at the top of a new page
• Complete problem statement 
• Clear step-by-step solution with necessary diagrams
• Neat, legible handwriting
• Answers with appropriate units must be boxed

The assignments will not be rigorously graded.  Students may work with others to complete assignments, however, all work turned in must be original, not a simple copy of someone else’s work.  Such copying with be considered as a breach of academic honesty and appropriate action will be taken.

The two in-class exams will cover material from the assignments, assigned reading, and from the lectures.  Exams are closed-book.  Exams missed due to documented medical problems and other (very) exceptional circumstances will be made up either by oral or written examination on an individual basis.  There will not be a final exam given.

Starting in the first week of class (Tuesday, January 14, 2014), a two-hour lab will be conducted every week until the end of the semester.  The commercial software program HyperWorks will be used. The lab instructor is Mr. Sachin Shinde.  Completed lab reports are due to Mr. Shinde on the Tuesday following the corresponding lab. Complete instructions will be provided during the assigned lab times.

Homework: 10%
Lab: 30%
2 in-class exams: 30% each

Final grades will be based on the the students' score relative to the average scores of the top members of the class.  Therefore, class performance plays a role in determining the final grade and the number of students who can earn each grade is not limited.  Letter grades: A (90-100%), AB (85-89%), B (80-84%), BC (75-79%), C (70-74%), CD (65-69%), D (60-64%)