ME 273 Finite Element Methods in Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
ME 273-Finite Element Methods in Engineering, Fall 2021
Course and Contact Information
Class Days/Time: No days/time; i.e. asynchronous with few optional in-person sessions
Optional Discussion Sessions: Tu & Th 16:30-17:30 via Zoom: https://sjsu.zoom.us/my/armani
Classroom: Engineering 213/215 for in-person sessions
Prerequisites: BSME or Instructor Consent
Instructor: Dr. Amir Armani
Office Location: Engineering 310E
Telephone: 408-924-8354
Course Format
This is a hybrid class, with mostly asynchronous online sessions and a few optional in-person sessions. It requires use of
the Canvas learning management system, accessed via https://sjsu.instructure.com. Course materials, including syllabus,
lecture videos, slides, assignments, and projects will be gradually uploaded on Canvas. Successful completion of course
requirements necessitates accessing the course website frequently, typically at least twice a week on a regular basis.
Technical support for Canvas is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/at/ec/canvas. Important communications regarding this
class may be sent via Canvas or to email addresses listed in MySJSU, and thus each student is expected to maintain up-to-
date contact information in both systems.
Course Description http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/courses/ME273.html
Introduction into various finite element methods for developing stiffness equation. Truss, beam, 2-D, 3-D and
axisymmetric elements. Applications and case studies.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) procedure.
2. Identify the application and characteristics of FEA elements such as bars, beams, planar elements, and common 3-
D elements.
3. Develop the stiffness equation for common FEA elements, and assemble element stiffness equations in to a global
equation.
4. Identify and apply suitable boundary conditions to a global structural equation, and reduce it to a solvable form.
5. Apply existing 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) skills to prepare models for finite element analysis.
6. Set up and solve 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D structural problems using commercial FEA tools.
7. Optimize engineering parts using FEA.
8. Interpret results obtained from FEA, not only in terms of conclusions, but also awareness of limitations.
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Program Learning Outcomes
The following program learning outcomes (PLOs) are designated for ME 273:
1. A strong foundation beyond the undergraduate level in their chosen focus area as well as in mathematics, basic
science and engineering fundamentals, to successfully compete for technical engineering positions in the local,
national and global engineering market, advance in their current position or pursue doctoral studies.
2. Professional and lifelong learning skills to be able to apply and extend theory to solve practical contemporary
engineering problems.
3. The expertise necessary to design mechanical engineering systems with possible specialization in areas such as:
energy systems, electronics cooling, electronics packaging & reliability, finite element analysis & CAD,
mechatronics & MEMS, product design, robotics, automation & manufacturing.
Required Textbook
A First Course in the Finite Element Method, 6th ed., by D. L. Logan, Cengage Learning, 2017, ISBN
9781305635111.
Supplementary Textbooks
1. Finite Element Modeling and Simulation with ANSYS Workbench, by X. Chen & Y. Liu, CRC Press, 2014, ISBN
9781439873847.
2. Finite Element Simulation with ANSYS Workbench 17, by H. Lee, SDC Publications, 2017, ISBN
9781630570880.
Course Requirements and Assignments
SJSU classes are designed such that in order to be successful, it is expected that students will spend a minimum of forty-
five hours for each unit of credit (normally three hours per unit per week), including preparing for class, participating in
course activities, completing assignments, and so on. More details about student workload can be found in University
Policy S12-3 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-3.pdf.
Programming Project: Students are responsible for working in a team to write an FEA code using any programming
language. Details will be provided via separate documentation.
ANSYS Project: Students are responsible for working in a team to do a project using ANSYS. Details will be
provided via separate documentation.
ANSYS Presentation: Students are responsible for working in a team to give a presentation about the topic of their
project. Details will be provided via separate documentation.
Homework: Homework problems will be assigned corresponding to lecture topics and reading assignments from the
textbooks. Late submission receives zero credit. See “Exceptions” below regarding petition for extenuating
circumstances.
? Participation Tasks: Students are expected to watch all the lecture videos within one week from their upload date.
? Exams: There are one midterm and one final exam. Exams will be proctored and students are expected to turn on their
cameras. If cheating is suspected, the proctored videos may be used for further inspection and may become part of the
student’s disciplinary record. All students are expected to complete exams as scheduled. There are no make-up exams,
but for truly unavoidable and extenuating circumstances with firm documentation, a student may petition to have
weight redistributed to the final exam. Disability accommodations must be coordinated through the Accessible
Education Center http://www.sjsu.edu/aec.
Grading Policy
The course grade will be weighted as follows:
10% for Programming Project
15% for ANSYS Project
10% for ANSYS Presentation
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10% for Homework
5% for Participation Tasks
20% for Midterm Exam
30% for Final Exam
The overall course grade is calculated from a weighted sum of all graded components. Graded percentage points
correspond to letter grade as follows:
93.0-100 A | 90.0-92.9 A- | 87.0-89.9 B+ | 83.0-86.9 B | 80.0-82.9 B-
77.0-79.9 C+ | 73.0-76.9 C | 70.0-72.9 C- | 0-69.9 F
Exceptions: Any grading appeals or late petitions must be petitioned promptly in writing (or email). Exceptions will
normally be evaluated at the very end of the semester in context with semester track record and all other exceptions class-
wide. Special consideration for truly unavoidable and extenuating circumstances will depend on timing and strength of
supporting documentation (e.g., doctor's note, jury summons, military orders).
University Policy F13-1 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/F13-1.pdf states: “All students have the right, within a
reasonable time, to know their academic scores, to review their grade-dependent work, and to be provided with
explanations for the determination of their course grades.”
University Policies
General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student
As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and responsibilities incumbent upon all members
of the institution. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU’s policies and practices pertaining to the
procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a class arises. See University Policy S90–5 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a variety of related topics is available in the
SJSU catalog, at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/catalog/. In general, it is recommended that students begin by
seeking clarification or discussing concerns with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not
serve to address the issue, it is recommended that the student contact the Department Chair as a next step.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the
current semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be
found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at
http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for
dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material
University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor’s permission to
record the course and the following items to be included in the syllabus:
“Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You
must obtain the instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the
recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the
instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material.”
“Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared
publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course
such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent.”
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Academic integrity
Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University
Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your
academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical
Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in
case the building must be evacuated, please inform me in writing as soon as possible (email acceptable). Presidential
Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities
requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to
establish a record of their disability.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center at http://www.sjsu.edu/at/asc/ located on the
1st floor of Clark Hall and in the Associated Students Lab on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer
labs may be available in your department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King Library. A wide
variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items
include DV and HD digital camcorders; digital still cameras; video, slide and overhead projectors; DVD, CD, and
audiotape players; sound systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and monitors.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Clark Hall, Suite 126. All Writing Specialists have gone through a rigorous hiring
process, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. In
addition to one-on-one tutoring services, the Writing Center also offers workshops every semester on a variety of writing
topics. To make an appointment or to refer to the numerous online resources offered through the Writing Center, please
see http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter.
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Tentative Course Schedule
Week Topics
1 Course organization; Introduction
2 Linear Algebra; FEA Procedure (Chapter 1)
3 Stiffness Method (Chapter 2); Spring Element (Chapter 2)
4 Spring Element (Chapter 2); Trusses (Chapter 3)
5 Trusses (Chapter 3)
6 Beams (Chapter 4)
7 Introduction to 2D Elasticity; Plane Solids (Chapter 6)
8 Plane Solids (Chapter 6)
9 Review and Midterm Exam
10 Practical Considerations (Chapter 7); Sensitivity Analysis and Optimization
11 ANSYS
12 ANSYS
13 ANSYS
14 ANSYS
15 Project Presentation