An Engineering-Problem-Based Short Experiment Project on Finite Element Method for Undergraduate Students

Abstract

How to cultivate students’ engineering practice ability in the digital manufacturing period is a difficult problem. This paper presents a finite element analysis experiment project for undergraduate students. The goals of implementing finite element modeling in this project are to enhance students’ understanding of theoretical mechanics and to introduce computational methods to undergraduate students at an early stage during their undergraduate education. The students are required to use different methods to analyze the stress state of a typical engineering structure and seek the optimal design. Then, the experiment score is divided into two parts according to the course objectives. We analyzed the score distribution to find the limitations of teaching. The feedback from the students demonstrate that the experiment case from the engineering project can increase their interest in learning and applying the acquired knowledge. After comparisons, our conclusion is that outcome-based education (OBE) can effectively improve the quality of classroom teaching, and this experimental project can improve students’ engineering practice ability and obtain satisfactory teaching results.

Effectiveness of a Hybrid Project-Based Learning (H-PBL) Approach for Students’ Knowledge Gain and Satisfaction in a Plant Tissue Culture Course

“…In that study, there was no analysis of the scores obtained by the students in their exams, but two questionnaires for evaluating the student learning objectives were used to measure the effect of the strategy. The incorporation of a project-based assignment enables the creation of real-life experiences, which further stimulates the creation and development of real-life competencies [42,44]. In our research, we showed that students acquired other learning outcomes and were able to improve their communication skills and applied the scientific method.…”

Engineering Case-based Method for Aircraft Airworthiness Technology Major: Demonstrated by Bird Strike Airworthiness

“…Among these methods, the gamification and case study methods can improve students' planning and problem-solving abilities. Guo et al [3] presented a finite element analysis experiment project for undergraduate students, which demonstrated that the experiment case from the engineering project can increase their interest in learning and applying the acquired knowledge.…”

Learning Processes in Mechanics of Structures: Allying Analytical and Numerical Approaches

“…However, this practice is inadvisable since accurate modelling, from the input data (geometry, material definition, boundary conditions) to necessary simplifications (e.g., symmetries), is fundamental to obtain a reliable solution. Nevertheless, with the rapid development of complex numerical models applied to manufacturing, cultivating students' ability to solve complex engineering problems using the FE method and other numerical calculations becomes more challenging [12][13][14].…”

“…Recently, Guo et al [12] carried out a project for undergraduate students, where they implemented finite element modelling to enhance students' understanding of theoretical mechanics and to introduce computational methods to undergraduate students at an early stage during their undergraduate education. The students were required to use different methods to analyse the stress state of a typical engineering structure and seek the optimal design (e.g., theoretical calculations).…”

“…Similarly, in this work, it is addressed how important it is to have an engineering background in order to transmit to students the application of FE analysis (FEA) in engineering problems, introducing the engineering reality into the teaching of FEA as stressed out by Guo et al [12]. In addition, analytical methods make it possible for the student to have a clear understanding of the physical phenomenon, gaining competences in both input data and model definition as well as in the interpretation of the results.…”