Finite element implementation for computer‐aided education of structural mechanics: Mohr's circle and its practical use

Abstract

This article introduces a computer program for computer-aided education about Mohr's circle and its practical use. The instructional tool has been implemented as part of a finite element analysis program, VisualFEA. The proposed approach to teaching and learning Mohr's circle is distinguished from previous work by its association with practical analysis models. The Mohr's circle is displayed and operated on the basis of stress data obtained from finite element analysis whereas arbitrarily assumed numerical values are used in other programs. The analysis can be extended to elasto-plastic models with various yield criteria. Thus, the program can be regarded not only as an instructional module for studying Mohr's circle itself, but also as a training tool for exercising its practical application. This article describes the characteristics of the program's educational features and suggests important points for teaching and learning Mohr's circle and related subjects using VisualFEA.

Interactive simulation of eigenmodes for instruction of finite element behavior

“…The finite element method involves a number of complex concepts and procedures, and is therefore not an easy subject to teach or learn. This paper forms part of the work that introduces innovative approaches for computer‐aided education in finite element analysis and related subjects . The features described in this series of papers have been implemented as an educational tool embedded in a finite element analysis program, VisualFEA, which was developed by the authors.…”

Interactive simulation of finite element equation processing for educational purposes

“…VisualFEA is unique in its intuitive and user‐friendly features of graphical visualization and simulation for learning the concepts and procedures in structural mechanics through drill‐and‐practice . The functions presented in this article have also been developed as part of these educational tools.…”

Finite element implementation for computer‐aided education of structural mechanics: Frame analysis

“…The instructional functions presently available in VisualFEA can be categorized largely into three parts with a number of detailed items as listed below . Frame analysis: Presented in this article. Continuum mechanics: Mohr's circle , failure, stress space and stress path, elasto‐plastic yield criteria and yield surface , dynamic modal analysis, and mode superposition. Finite element method : Element model and shape function, computation of the element stiffness matrix, assembly of the stiffness, matrix and solution algorithms, stress recovery and smoothing, eigenvalue analysis, adaptive mesh refinement. …”