FINITE ELEMENTS METHOD
| Title | ΜΕΘΟΔΟΣ ΠΕΠΕΡΑΣΜΕΝΩΝ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΩΝ / FINITE ELEMENTS METHOD |
| Code | 305 |
| Faculty | Engineering |
| School | Mechanical Engineering |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Winter |
| Coordinator | Georgios Savvaidis |
| Common | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 20000417 |
Programme of Study: UPS of School of Mechanical Engineering
Registered students: 76
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Elective Courses belonging to the other | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Design and Structures | Elective Course belonging to the selected specialization (Elective Specialization Course) | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Industrial Management | Elective Courses belonging to the other | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Academic Year | 2025 – 2026 |
| Class Period | Winter |
| Instructors from Other Categories |
|
| Weekly Hours | 4 |
| Total Hours | 52 |
| Class ID | 600287790
|
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
- Skills Development
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600287790
- eLearning:
- Other: https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=4427
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
Prerequisites
Required Courses
- 108 STATICS
- 112 MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will have understood the fundamental principles and theoretical foundation of the Finite Element Method. They will be able to discretize and analyze mechanical structures using appropriate elements within computational environments. Furthermore, they will be capable of selecting and evaluating the suitable type of element for different applications, as well as developing and utilizing basic computational tools. Through practical exercises and examples, they will acquire skills in solving and interpreting real engineering problems, enhancing their ability to apply the method in research and industrial contexts.
In particular, the student must be able to:
1. Define the boundary conditions of common practical problems, focusing on the design details at hand and the operational condition of the component/structure in order to achieve an accurate as possible simulation
2. Evaluate various analysis scenarios (mesh size, element type and order, boundary conditions, solution type, etc.) in order to select the optimum strategy to simulate the problem at hand more accurately.
3. Use and apply modern high-level programing languages for the solution of such problems,
4. Evaluate results
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Make decisions
- Generate new research ideas
- Design and manage projects
- Respect natural environment
- Be critical and self-critical
Course Content (Syllabus)
The course introduces the fundamental principles of the Finite Element Method, focusing on the discretization of the continuum and the formulation and assembly of the stiffness matrix for both individual elements and complete structures. The displacement method and energy approaches based on the principle of minimum potential energy and complementary energy are presented. Interpolation equations, the main types of elements, and their classifications (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and isoparametric elements) are described. In addition, the course includes an introduction to the development of computational programs for the implementation of the method, accompanied by examples and practical exercises.
Keywords
Finite Element Method, FEM
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
Description
The theory lectures are carried out in the classroom using computer presentations. All lectures include theory and example case problems which require the interaction between teacher and students. Visits to the testing sites of LMEMD and the Formula student team center are carried out in order to demonstrate and comprehend practical problems, emphasizing in the determination of boundary conditions and the accuracy of the simulation .
The exercises include the demonstration and development of software modules using modern high-level programing languages.
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 65 | 2.2 | ✓ | ||
| Tutorial | 20 | 0.7 | ✓ | ||
| Project | 44 | 1.5 | ✓ | ||
| Exams | 18 | 0.6 | ✓ | ||
| Other / Others | 3 | 0.1 | ✓ | ||
| Total | 150 | 5 |
Student Assessment
Description
The students are evaluated individually during the presentations of the exercises (the examination does not take place during the teaching hours of the course). The final grade of the course is the weighted average of the grades of each exercise (each exercise has a different weight) given that each exercise has a grade larger or equal to 5. In case of failing in one or more evaluations of the exercises, the same procedure is carried out during the exam period in September.
Student Assessment methods
- Written Assignment (Formative, Summative)
- Oral Exams (Formative, Summative)
- Written Exam with Problem Solving (Formative, Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
1) Πεπερασμένα Στοιχεία στην Ανάλυση Κατασκευών, 3η Έκδοση, Προβατίδης Χριστόφορος
2) Βελτιστοποίηση και Λογισμικό Κατασκευών: Πεπερασμένα Στοιχεία, Ισογεωμετρικά Στοιχεία, Συνοριακά Στοιχεία, Προβατίδης Χριστόφορος
2) Ανάλυση Φορέων με τη μέθοδο των πεπερασμένων στοιχείων, Παπαδρακάκης Μανόλης
Additional bibliography for study
• Concepts and applications of Finite Element Analysis, 1981, Cook R. D., John Willey, 2nd edition
• The Finite Element Method a practical course, 2003, Liu G. R., Quek S. S., Butterworth-Heinemann
• Finite Element Modeling for Stress Analysis, 1995, R. D. Cook, Wiley
• Finite Element Procedures, 1995, K. J. Bathe, Prentice Hal
• Finite Element Analysis, 1995, G. R. Buchanan, Mc-Graw-Hill
• Tirupathi R. Chandrupatla, Ashok D. Belegundu, Εισαγωγη στα Πεπερασμενα Στοιχεια για Μηχανικους, 2006, Εκδοσεις Κλειδαριθμος ΕΠΕ
• Μέθοδος Πεπερασμένων Στοιχείων Ι, ΙΙ, 2005, Γ. Ι. Τσαμασφύρος, Ε.Ε. Θεοτόκογλου, Συμμετρία
• Σημειώσεις - Μέθοδος Πεπερασμένων Στοιχείων – Θεωρία και Ασκήσεις, 2002, Γ. Αθανασιάδης, Θεσσαλονίκη
Last Update
24-10-2025
