Module overview
From aircraft structures and medical implants to vehicles and renewable energy systems, engineers rely on numerical simulation to predict how complex structures will perform long before they are built. This module introduces the Finite Element Method (FEM), one of the most powerful and widely used engineering analysis tools, enabling you to investigate structural behaviour that cannot be solved using analytical methods alone.
You will develop an understanding of the theory behind finite element analysis and learn how engineers use commercial FEA software to predict deformation, stress, strain and vibration in engineering components and assemblies. Along the way, you will gain practical experience in creating simulation models, interpreting results and evaluating the assumptions and limitations that influence their accuracy. Emphasis is placed on developing the engineering judgement needed to distinguish between meaningful simulation results and misleading predictions.
By the end of the module, you will be able to build, analyse and critically evaluate finite element models with confidence, using industry-standard simulation tools to solve realistic structural engineering problems. These skills are highly valued across sectors including aerospace, automotive, energy, biomedical engineering and advanced product design.