Software Needs for Teaching Finite Elements

This paper on "Software Needs for Teaching Finite Elements" was presented at the 3rd International Conference on Quality Assurance and Standards in Finite Element Analysis - 10-12 September 1991, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

Summary

The teaching of finite elements requires software. Simply teaching the use of a quality commercial package, however, can be inappropriate if it is not linked to structural behaviour and the relevant theory. This paper identifies the criteria that should be taken into consideration when choosing a finite element package for teaching undergraduates, bearing in mind that the purpose of teaching finite elements is to provide the student with a tool to determine structural behaviour.
The various characteristics that are deemed important for the teaching of finite elements are discussed through comparison and contrast; for example, software selection is considered to be more significant than software development, and problem-friendliness is more meaningful than user-friendliness. It is argued that previous experience of computing should not be necessary, and only minor knowledge of the operation of the computer system is needed. Indeed many of the problems associated with the use of finite element packages would disappear if packages are designed to be used by persons well-versed in structural behaviour.