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The Multimedia Finite Element Modeling and Analysis Tutor
Author(s) -
MiltonBenoit John,
Grosse Ian R.,
Poli Corrado,
Woolf Beverly Park
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.896
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 2168-9830
pISSN - 1069-4730
DOI - 10.1002/j.2168-9830.1998.tb00387.x
Subject(s) - tutor , finite element method , formative assessment , computer science , domain (mathematical analysis) , set (abstract data type) , session (web analytics) , multimedia , software , experiential learning , engineering drawing , engineering , mathematics education , structural engineering , mathematics , world wide web , mathematical analysis , programming language
This prototype interactive software system can help teach upper level undergraduate and graduate students in mechanical engineering fundamental concepts and offer guidelines for finite element modeling and analysis (herein referred to as FEA). In lieu of a mathematical treatment of the subject commonly found in textbooks, this FEA tutoring system employs rich animations for conveying highly visual concepts and offers the user a set of experiential modules for exploratory learning. The system has been developed initially for the domain of linear structural analysis, but it can be expanded to include other engineering analysis domains, such as vibration, heat transfer, and nonlinear finite element analysis. Initial formative testing of the tutor on junior mechanical engineering students indicates that a 45‐minute session with the tutor was at least as effective as a one‐hour introductory lecture by an FEA expeI.