1. Introduction to Finite Element Methods
This is ASEN 5007:
Introduction to Finite Element Methods

2. Course Web Site Course web site:
Home.html (or search for “ASEN 5007” in Google)
All public course material: syllabus, coursework info,
office hrs, lectures, class slides, HW and
solutions, etc., will be placed there.
Material ready to download is marked by an
asterisk * at link start

3. Course Web Site Image (2006, changed appearance since)

4. D2L Mirror The public website material will be “mirrored” in
DesireToLearn (D2L). Mostly done via web links.
This is a web tool maintained by CU’s OIT.
Private material such as HW and exam grades will be
posted only in D2L, which is password protected.
The D2L “dropbox” may be used for certain activities, as described later.

5. Logistics Instructor: Carlos Felippa Course Assistant: Zachary Fox
Lectures: TuTh 9:30-10:45am, ECCR 105
Office Hours (tentative)
Instructor: M-W 2-3pm, ECAE 187
CA: W 10-12am, ECAE 124

6. Fall 2017 Schedule (STC)
In your handout

7. Coursework Grading Weights
Weekly homework: 30 %
Posted on web site - Group HW allowed but each student
submits one; see handout
Two midterm exams: 40% at 20 % each
Thursdays, at class time in this room - see Schedule
Remote BBA students take exam through designated E.O.
Final take home exam: 30 %
Assigned Wed Dec 7 by posting on web site, due Dec 13

8. Homework Logistics Typically assigned Th, posted on web site & D2L.
Due following Th
Group HW allowed but each student submits one.
Must be prepared individually - no copies.
Submission: paper (usual) or PDF scan through D2L dropbox. DO NOT to instructor or CA
Pickup: in class or from mail slot labeled “ASEN 5007/ HW-Exams” at ECAE 196 (copy room)

9. Material Covered
Part I: Finite Element Discretization & the Direct Stiffness Method (DSM)
uses linear algebra
Part II: Mathematical Formulation of FEM
uses variational methods
Part III: Computer Implementation of FEM
uses Mathematica - program free to registered students
More detail on syllabus & home page

10. In this Course We Will Cover a Flavor of FEM
called the Direct Stiffness Method (DSM). It is
that implemented in the overwheming majority of
research FEM codes, and all commercial ones
Problems modeled with FEM/DSM:
structures, fluid, thermomechanics,
electromagnetics, and their
multiphysics & multiscale combinations
But we will use structures to keep things specific

11. Skipped Chapter Chapter 1: Introduction, will not be
covered in class. This is general material on FEM. It is recommended reading
if you have never heard of FEM before,
else skip it.