348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

By: James Doane, P.E. PhD

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Course Objective

This continuing education course is written specifically for professional engineers with the objective of relating to and enhancing the practice of engineering.

Course Description

348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

NOTE: This is a course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) for professional engineers, not a course in the related subject of Computer Aided Drafting.

Computer aided design (CAD) is the use of computer software to assist the design engineer in the overall creation and analysis of parts and assemblies. Finite element analysis (FEA) is a numerical method used to determine approximate solutions of physical problems. Proper use and integration of CAD and FEA can greatly improve efficiency of the design process.

This course provides a general overview of methods and applications of computer aided design and finite element analysis to expose the reader to the many design features of solid modeling software. The intent of the course is to explain ways computer aided design can improve the overall design process and allow for easier design changes. The course will explain how to properly use computer aided design and finite element analysis methods to optimization designs and have greater confidence in how a design will function. General knowledge of solid modeling software is helpful for this course but not required. Though this course discusses the general concepts of solid modeling, the course does not teach concepts of computer aided drafting. General understanding of the equations of stress and strain would be beneficial for understanding the applications of FEA.

The information provided in this course is not limited to any single software package. This course does not focus on teaching any single solid modeling software package and does not provide step-by-step tutorials of CAD or FEA. Information is presented in a way to develop concepts of computer aided design and finite element analysis that can be applied to any solid modeling software. Illustrative examples of CAD procedures are given using Solidworks and Inventor, though the concepts would apply to any software package. The same software packages are used to illustrate the concepts of FEA, yet the concepts can be transferred to other FEA software.

Questions about this course? Email the Author: jdoane229@gmail.com

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(4.8) 16 Reviews

Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Dave Simon

07/20/2024

Verified Buyer

good introduction and overview

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Thomas McCawley

04/16/2024

Verified Buyer

Good basic course of a complicated subject.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Rudy Tisdale

04/02/2024

Verified Buyer

Nice review of my bread and butter tool at GEAE Evendale Ohio

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

John Walker, PE

12/30/2023

Verified Buyer

Good description of the basic principles of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Sergio Fagundo

12/03/2023

Verified Buyer

It's a great overview of the concepts behind "black box" finite element software.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Scott Ganaja

11/27/2023

Verified Buyer

Dr. Doan writes well; clear, logical, concise, easy to read and understand. The material covered was also interesting, good to know as a design engineer.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

James Maddrey

02/02/2023

Good intro to the subjects. Easy to read. Good graphics. Enjoyable.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

01/09/2023

Good Overview

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Larry Ickert

09/20/2022

Verified Buyer

A good presentation of the basic theory.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Robert Middleton

05/16/2021

Verified Buyer

Clever integration of CAD with FEA. I found this to be an excellent introduction to both topics. I recommend inclusion of a page or two at the end of the course to highlight key concepts and takeaways. Thank you.

2 of 2 customers found this helpful.

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Review of: An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Robert Feasel

02/18/2021

Verified Buyer

I thought this was a very good overview of the subject. A worthwhile investment.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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FEA Basics

Jamie Mills

01/15/2021

Verified Buyer

This course explores the VERY basic concepts of solid modeling and FEA. I recommend to those that have no or limited knowledge of FEA. Interesting to learn some of the history of FEA and review the basics here and again.

2 of 2 customers found this helpful.

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348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Christopher Philip Rahaim

11/19/2020

Verified Buyer

Course has a very nice overview of CAD and FEA. The explanations were good and the detail was given where needed.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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#348 CAD and Finite Element Analysis

Frank Morganti

05/07/2020

This is an excellent course in content and presentation. The course leaves the student able to continue learning after taking this overview course.

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

Miguel Restrepo

04/20/2020

Verified Buyer

Great refresh/overview of CAD-FEM

1 of 1 customers found this helpful.

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348-An Overview of Computer Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis

keith sturgill

02/18/2020

Verified Buyer

This was a good overview. I think a little bit more in the use of CAD software would have been helpful.

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Course Code: 100259-10

Course PDH Hours: 4

Engineering Course Approvals

This course is accepted for engineering continuing education credit in all US states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces.
Ohio rules allow only 6-hours of unsupervised online courses such as this course per license renewal period
Kansas rules allow only 5-hours of self-study courses such as this course per license renewal period

About Course Approvals