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Enhancing Understanding of Mechanics Courses using FEA Active Learning Modules

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Conference

2022 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Location

Newark, New Jersey

Publication Date

April 22, 2022

Start Date

April 22, 2022

End Date

April 23, 2022

Page Count

16

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40050

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/40050

Download Count

195

Paper Authors

biography

Ahm E. Rahman Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, The Capital College

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Dr. Rahman is an assistant professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering. He obtained his PhD from the University of North Dakota. His research interests include Nano MMC, Light Alloy Technology, Physical Metallurgy, Joining of Alloys, Structural Ceramics and Bioceramics.

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Anil Chandra Attaluri Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, The Capital College

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Anilchandra Attaluri received the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on biotransport and imaging from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County. He received post-doctoral training in magnetic hyperthermia from the Department of Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Focusing on experimental, preclinical, and finite element analysis, his work resulted in novel applicators and pioneering data for improving magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia. In 2017, he joined the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, The Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg, as an Assistant Professor of mechanical engineering. His research interests include the field of theranostic technologies and systems with an emphasis on devices and image-based modeling. He teaches courses on capstone design, engineering simulations, and computational techniques for biomedical applications.

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Amit Banerjee

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Brian A. Maicke Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg, The Capital College Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-2399-8857

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Brian A. Maicke is an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering and Technology at Penn State Harrisburg. He completed his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering at Marquette University and worked as a civil, mechanical, and manufacturing engineer before returning to graduate school, earning his M.S. And Ph. D. degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Dr. Maicke serves on the AIAA Hybrid Rocket Technical Committee as Chair of Web Communications. He teaches core courses in thermo-fluids as well as electives related to aerospace engineering. His research focus is on the modeling and simulation of propulsion systems.

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Abstract

Finite Element Analysis has become an important simulation tool in academia and industries. To take full advantage of this incredible engineering tool, FEA has been integrated in lower-level mechanics courses such as statics, mechanics of materials, machine design etc. It should be noted that most mechanical engineering undergraduate programs offer FEA as an upper-level technical elective or required course. Although the integration of FEA in mechanics and/or design courses is an existing concept, the practice is limited to the use of FEA software package such as how to create a CAD model, how to set up a problem, and obtain a simulation. Simulation of stress analysis of 2D truss bridge, 2D beam frame using a simulation software can be mentioned as examples. On the other hand, the class-room instructions of mechanics courses are primarily limited to solving problems from different textbooks. The authors propose that the FEA simulation software can be used effectively to enhance the understanding some of the concepts of lower-level mechanics courses. This paper discusses the introduction of FEA active learning modules on combined loading, beam deflection, and critical buckling in mechanics of materials course, a sophomore-level course, and shaft deflection in Machine Design course, a junior-level course. The learning outcomes were discussed in class for each module. The learning outcomes were assessed using following two different ways: 1) conceptual understanding of the content before and after introducing the FEA module was assessed by the assignment grades, and 2) student response on survey questionnaire obtained towards the end of semester. The focus of the assessment and student survey were to determine how effective the integration of FEA package was to understand the concept of any topic in Mechanics of Materials and Machine Design courses.

Rahman, A. E., & Attaluri, A. C., & Banerjee, A., & Maicke, B. A. (2022, April), Enhancing Understanding of Mechanics Courses using FEA Active Learning Modules Paper presented at 2022 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference, Newark, New Jersey. 10.18260/1-2--40050

ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2022 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015