last modified: 23/02/2006

Course code: wb2454-05

Course name: Multiphysics Modelling using FEMLAB

This concerns a Course

In the program of  MSc ME

EC (European Credits): 4 (1 EC concerns a work load of 28 hours)

Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering

Lecturer 1: dr.ir. Ron A.J. van Ostayen

Tel.:  015 - 27 81647

Lecturer 2:      

Lecturer 3:      

Catalog data:

finite element method, multiphysics modelling, MATLAB, FEMLAB

Course year:

MSc 1st year

Course language:

English

 

In case of Dutch: Please contact the lecturer about an English alternative, whenever needed.

Semester:

2A

Hours per week:

2

Other hours:

 

Assessment:

Written report

Assessment period:

 /  /

(see academic calendar)

 

Prerequisites (course codes):

     

Follow up (course codes):

     

Detailed description of topics:

In applied mechanics one is often confronted with a multi-physics or coupled problem:  A problem that requires the (simultaneous) solution of more than one type of physical process or phenomenon in order to accurately describe the problem.  Examples of multiphysics problems are fluid-structure interaction, thermal-structure interaction and electro-thermal-structure interaction, possibly combined with a control problem.  Particularly in the field of Mechatronic design and MEMS, multiphysics problems are frequently encountered.

 

FEMLAB is a finite element code, which can be used both as a MATLAB toolbox and as a standalone program, which is particularly suited for the simulation of multi-physics systems.

 

In this course the student will learn to recognize different types of multi-physics coupling and methods for their efficient numerical solution using FEMLAB.  Short homework assignments are used to practise the use of FEMLAB on different types of problems and in a final assignment the student is asked to study a more complex multi-physics problem using FEMLAB.

Course material:

  • Lecture notes and online FEMLAB manual

References from literature:

  • Zienkiewicz, O.C. and Taylor, R.C., The finite element method, Vol.1, 2 and 3, Fifth edition.

Remarks assessment, entry requirements, etc.:

A basic knowledge of engineering mechanics, fluid mechanics and the finite element method is required.  The student is expected to have some working knowledge of MATLAB.

The assessment is based on homework assignments and a more complex final assignment and report.

Learning goals:

The student must be able to:

  1. recognize multiphysics coupling in complex problems

  2. distinguish between different types of coupling

  • one-directional vs. bi- or multi-directional

  • interface vs. field

  • strong vs. weak

  1. describe numerical solution techniques applicable to coupled problems

  2. use FEMLAB on coupled problems

Computer use:

Computer tools will be used (Comsol FEMLAB and Mathworks MATLAB)

Laboratory project(s):

none

Design content:

none