Finite element analysis (FEA) is a powerful analytical tool used to evaluate structural, dynamic, thermal, fluid, and electrical engineering problems. In the past, only specialists with access to mainframes conducted finite element analyses due to the massive processing power required. However, the recent advances in microcomputer technology allow this processing capability to be available to virtually anyone. Engineering students can now solve complex problems that would not be feasible or practical to solve by hand at a much earlier point in the curriculum. Still, a person using FEA software who does not have a clear understanding of the basic engineering concepts could obtain erroneous solutions, leading to a detrimental outcome. This paper discusses the justification for offering FEA to second year students, as opposed to the current fourth-year placement we see most often. Included are examples of exercises that will attempt to reinforce to the student the importance of rigorous attention to the fundamental engineering concepts crucial to any analysis. I.
An analytical and experimental study of the combined axial and bending stresses that occur in a typical hand-held hacksaw is described. A commercially available handsaw is loaded statically by tension in the saw blade. The tensile load on the hacksaw blade results in both bending and axial compressive stresses in the backbone of the hacksaw. This study demonstrates the experimental technique of using strain gages to validate an analytical solution, as well as the concept of creating and calibrating a load transducer to measure the applied load. This paper presents details on the analysis, experimental approach, and the results.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.